Still taking a break...but...

...I couldn't resist responding to this Working Mommy Wednesday prompt...

Do you enjoy reading?  What are some of your favorite books?

I am fond of saying that I read like some people breathe.  Really, I read all the time...every day!  At times it's more like an addiction...if I don't read I get cranky and jittery and cranky...really cranky!

So, yes, I enjoy reading.  In fact I have a weekly Book Club right here on this very blog...

you can join me every Friday to hear about what I have been reading, chime in on the books you've read and share your own favorites.  I will actually begin posting the Book Club again this week, so pop back over on Friday.

What are some of my favorite books?  Wow...that's a tough question.  I truly read everything and my favorite is often the most recent book I've read.  If I were to think about all the books I've read though, these are the ones that stand out as my all-time favorites...

•  A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle - this is my favorite because it was my introduction to Ms. L'Engle.  I have read and I own every book she's written.
• Ride the Wind by Lucia St. Clair Robson - I read this at least 10 times when I was growing up...my inner 13 year old couldn't get enough
• Centennial by James Michener - he's my go-to author when I need an epic, sink-your-teeth-into-it novel and this is my favorite so far
• The Outlander Series - I love these books...great detail, great story line, and really long (my habit gets expensive!)
• Jodi Picoult- I know she's an author but I've also read everything she's written and she is one of my favorites
• Barbara Kingsolver- I know, I know another author...seriously it's hard to pick just books.  I have read all of her books as well and there's a great deal of variety in her story telling but I love the common themes.
• Natural Acts: A Sidelong View of Science and Nature by David Quammen - this is the first collection of science essays or articles that I ever read.  It's still my favorite and introduced me to a whole new genre which I love!
• Winnie - the - Pooh by A.A. Milne - I never get tired of the life lessons shared in the 100 Acre wood.

My tastes are eclectic and I'll read almost anything.  What are some of your favorite books?

Linking up with the Julia and the other moms for Working Mommy Wednesday...

Blessings...

I love the prompts for this week's Working Mommy Wednesday and Julia's reasons for choosing them. {Go on, pop over and read her post}

What have I been blessed with this week?
* Great friends
* Wonderful husband
* Opportunities to travel and share experiences with my kids
* Supportive & Thoughtful family
* The world's most snuggly cats

...but the real story this week is my kiddo, Connar.  Today's his birthday and I have been blessed with 12 years as his mommy.  He is a truly amazing kid...soccer player, snow boarder, trumpeter, loving big brother, funny, smart, he has such a warm heart...he's the whole package!

So, today, in counting my blessings, it's been 12 fascinating years of mommy-hood!

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Working Mommy Wednesday...

Do you bring your work home with you?

When I first started teaching I worked for a tiny private school whose mission was to have an individualized program for every student.  Wow...I worked sixteen to eighteen hour days regularly and at least a full day on the weekend.  The question was more like, "Do I take home to work with me?"  They were crazy long days, but I learned a lot about education and a lot about how to differentiate for various kids.

After my first son was born, I started working in a public school but it was a parent-choice program and the days continued to be very long.  I became more efficient about keeping work at work, and usually only worked a half day on the weekends.

My second son was born after I made the shift to the school in which I currently teach.  When I made the shift, I consciously decided that I needed to draw clearer lines between home and school.  Here's the thing about teaching...you're never done.  You can always do more...add more detail to a lesson plan, search for a more engaging way to launch a lesson, labor over the accessibility of the text you'll be using.  You can always add more feedback to student work, call more parents, spend more hours analyzing data.  I finally realized that I need to have clear boundaries between home and school.  I learned to be more efficient at work and to bring less home with me. 

Today I usually check and reply to email in the evenings.  If there is something pressing, I will take care of it but if it can wait I let it wait until the next morning.  I frequently text with teachers who are burning their own midnight oil, and offer feedback when I can.  For the most part though, I don't bring home tangible work with me.  Here's the other thing about teaching...there is always a kid, usually more than one, who lingers with me.  A kid who I can't get off my mind...wondering what more I can do to help him be successful.  Those kids are always in my head...they always come home with me at least mentally.

Working Mommy Wednesday...

Oh, it's the middle of a busy week at work!  I hope you're week is going well...it's always fun for me to link up with Julia and the other moms at Working Mommy Wednesday.  The prompt this week...Your best advice to a new mom returning to work.

Heading back to work is hard...there are so many details to consider and so many new things to worry about.  These are the top 5 things I would consider and plan for:
1. Child Care... Before the first day back at work, make sure you know who will be taking care of the kids.  This decision will be different depending on if this is your first, and if you have school age children or not.  I would suggest employing your child care options at least a day or two prior to that first day back at work.  You're going to want to know who long it takes to exchange children, what needs to be packed and prepared ahead of time and how you'll feel when you leave. We have a sort of complicated balance between an aunt, grandmas and Daddy...who's usually home.  Since our boys are school-aged, we also share car pooling, play dates and pick-ups.  Our Cozi Calendar helps us keep track of where the boys are.  And...when my first was a baby, my Gram often took care of him.  She wrote a note to me each day, in his voice, recounting the adventures during the day.  It made me feel more connected to what was going on and less guilty that I was missing something.  It's ok to ask for as much information as you need to feel comfortable.

2. Routine...This is my saving grace, having a routine and making sure that everyone involved {including the kids} knows the routine.  When will you get up in the morning?  Will you have to get multiple people ready at the same time?  What can you prepare the night before?  What time do you have to leave?  How long will it take to say good-bye?  What time do you really have to leave?  A well-organized morning routine can keep everyone happy and get you to work feeling ready-to-go rather than exhausted. Since my husband works 24 hour shifts and has 3 days off in between, we have a couple different morning routines.  Regardless of which day it is however, the boys know what they need to do and so do the adults...to make sure everyone makes it out of the house happy, fed and on-time!

3. Support...Do you have a go-to friend at work?  Someone who has kids and understands what you're going through?  I strongly suggest finding someone either at work or available through text/email.  You're going to need someone to chat with and share the joys and frustrations.  I am so lucky to work in a school with a young, family friendly staff.  In the 10 years I have worked there, at least two babies have been born to teachers each year.  No matter what is going on with my kids, there is someone who has insight to share and is willing to listen.

4. Organized...Babies and children at home increase the need to be well-organized at work (and probably in other aspects of your life too!)  I was willing to work longer hours before I had babies waiting for me at home.  By creating to-do lists and being effiecient in how I spent my time, I was able to leave work when I was supposed to.  I sometimes bring work home, and finish up after the kids are in bed, but I try very hard to make my job fit into the hours in which I am paid.

5. Fun...Working mommy-hood is hard.  You have to be organized, detailed and work hard to keep all the balls in the air.  The first part of fun is to cut yourself some slack...all those balls won't stay up in the air.  Know this, as you go back to work and don't expect yourself to be perfect.  Another part of fun is to make sure you have some new things for yourself...a couple of new outfits that are just for work can go a long way to making you feel better about going back to work.  Finally, take time to relax and play.  Whether it's on your own, on a date with your significant other or with the whole family...have fun! This isn't always easy for me...I want everything to run smoothly but that's not reality.  My husband and I love movies! And when I am taking kids to practice...I always take my book along with me :)

Professional Development...

Happy Wednesday!  You know that today I am linking up with all the wonderful working mom's I've "met" through...


Today's prompt...how do you stay current in your field of expertise?

I love that word...expertise!  In the education world, staying current is called Professional Development.  It's interesting because in the job I have, my responsibility is helping teachers stay current.  I may have shared this before, but I am no longer a classroom teacher {I was for 8 years} I am now and Instructional Coach.  The best way to describe this role is to have you think about the coach for any athletic team...my role is pretty varied.  I coach teachers, usually around personal goals they have set.

In order to be an effective Instructional Coach, I really have to be on top of my game.  There are a few ways that I stay current in educational research and practice...

• Workshops and Conferences...whenever I can, I convince my principal to send me to a workshop or conference and sometimes I send myself.  This doesn't always involve travel though occasionally I am gone for a couple of days.  The best part about a workshop or conference is devoting some concentrated time to a new idea or refining a current practice.  I can then take what I learn back to my building and share it with the staff.
• Reading...I belong to a couple of professional organizations and receive their monthly journals which I read, though usually not cover to cover {I do read the articles that are most relevant and save the journal}  I also read a crazy number of professional books each year.  Administrators and other coaches frequently recommend books or I pick new ones up at workshops.  Typically, I am involved in a book study where a group reads the book and together determines how we'll use the new information.  It works well for me to read a book with the teachers I coach, because we are able to implement new ideas together.
• Collaboration...In my school district students arrive at school an hour later on Thursday mornings.  Pair that with the staff arriving a half hour earlier, and we have time to collaborate weekly.  Often I faciltiate these collaborations...since I'm the coach...and we try to be very specific about how we use the time to maximize the benefit to students.  If you were at collaboration tomorrow you would learn all about formative assessment, how we are using our current resources to formatively assess our kids and what pieces we're going to add.
• New Degrees / Certification...this is much bigger than the previous categories as it's a huge time commitment.  However, I believe that we're always learning and growing.  I got my Masters degree 9 years ago and complete my National Board certification two years ago.  I am doing the research now to decide which university/program I want to attend for my doctorate.  {I'd really like to complete my doctorate before my oldest is in college...I can study and watch soccer games...right?}

This is an interesting prompt to think about because staying current in our field is so important, but for most working mom's is another ball to add to the juggling.  I'm curious...how do you allot time to staying current in your field?  Let me know...

Working Mommy Wednesday...

I am excited about the prompt for this week...Social Media, the good, the bad and the ugly...my opinions!


The Good:  I like Facebook....it's been a great way to stay in touch with family who live out of town and I have reconnected with friends from high school and other times from my past.  It's fun to see what people are doing and hear what their kids are up to...in short, it's like a game...good fun.  There are a variety of fan pages that I have "liked" and provide information that interests me.   I don't Twitter and there are many more other ways to socially network that don't appeal to me.  

The Bad: For me, there really isn't a bad in terms of social networking.  I'm an intelligent, reasonable adult and I engage in social media in a responsible manner.  The bad really occurs when those things aren't taken into consideration.  It's so easy to be reckless and irresponsible...and so difficult to take back things that are said or pictures that are posted.  I'm a teacher and I have long believed that I am responsible to a slightly higher social moral.  It wouldn't be appropriate for me to be publicly drunk, especially in the neighborhood in which I work...likewise it isn't appropriate for me to be "Friends" with students.  I even carefully consider "Friending" parents of students.  While there isn't anything within my social network that I think people would consider irresponsible, it is also important to remember all the roles we play...and who should have what kinds of access!

The Ugly:  Far too often social media is abused...people act irresponsibly and are later surprised that there are consequences for the irresponsibility.  Angry words can't be erased easily...ridiculous pictures and videos are long-lasting...children (and those that should know better) use social networking to bully and intimidate, to lie.  I was recently a part of an eye-opening simulation using Facebook.  The class of middle school students I was working with was given a student's name and access to her Facebook page.  Through her page, links to friends and families pages and links to Twitter and other networks, we amassed a large amount of information in a very short time.  Information like: her school schedule, her car and license plate, her address, the dates of cheer camp, the location of Friday's party...  Even when we are careful about the information we post, there is more information about us through the postings of our "Friends".  Are we as information savvy as we think we are?  Are our kids?

The Rest of the Story: I have said this before...I believe we need to teach our children to manage the world that is, not the world we wish it was!  That includes teaching them how to use social networking responsibly.  My kids don't currently have Facebook accounts (or MySpace or Twitter...) but they do access online games and other sites like Club Penguin.  We have rules about how they engage in chats (they don't!) and what types of information they share.  We are also pretty open with our kids that their text history and online history are an open book...I look through backpacks and cell phones.  I want to know what information my kids are putting online and into the world, who they're talking to and what's being said.  I am not naive enough to think that my kids will always tell the truth and will always be open to me looking through their cell phones.  However, I am hopeful that starting that habit young means it will be easier when they are teens.  Social media, like anything else, needs to be taught to our kids.  We need to be their first teachers, we need to teach them how to apply the family's morals and values to this resource and we need to monitor their attempts to do so.

Working Mommy Wednesday...

It's Wednesday, and time to link up with all the other working moms.  Click on the button above to read linked posts from everyone participating in "Working Mommy Wednesday".

This week's prompt...write about a personality trait, that for good or bad, is just a part of you...

Ok, friends, it's time to 'fess up...I'm a little bit OCD.  I really like things to be orderly, I love organization and I am a bit pushy when it comes to the boys cleaning up their rooms. 

This was the subject of school-age bullying because I was also the smart girl.  I have been made fun of for my handwriting, my crisp neat binders, and my attention to detail for as long as I can remember.  Sometime in college, I decided that I was just going to embrace it and grow a tougher skin. {Fast forward to the principal who thought it was amusing to trash my file cabinets and desk drawers!  Seriously...he thought it was funny.  I realized then that there is only so far a tough skin can take you!}

As a teacher my tendancy to over-organize and leave my desk tidy has resulted in more than a few joking comments...but I finally have the privilege to work with people who know me and are genuinely teasing.  It comes in handy to be well-organized and pay attention to details and those same people often ask for help with their own organizational challenges.  I have also grown accustomed to over-looking the lack of organization and tidiness in other people.  It used to Drive.Me.Crazy.  Now, I am much better at grinning and bearing it!

As a mom, I know I sometimes drive my family crazy.  There are some days when I know that I am compulsively cleaning because it's the only thing I can control.  At least now I realize this and can...almost...laugh about it {while still cleaning!}  I ...generally...leave my kids to their own rooms, though sometimes I go on a cleaning spree there as well.  In my house, I dislike clutter and make sure that the house is tidy every night when I go to bed.  I like orderly bookshelves...I like everything in it's place...I like order and tidiness. 

I guess there are worse things...I've seen the show about hoarders on TLC...it makes me cringe...and a little bit nauseous...

Now it's your turn...time to 'fess up...what't that one characteristic about you?

Working Mommy Wednesday...

Interesting prompts this week for Working Mommy Wednesday...

What are you not good at?  What are you Awesome at?

I'm not good at... I have to take this in the context of being a working mommy, otherwise there are just far too many options :)

• Keeping up with the laundry - I'm not very fond of laundry as it turns out, and if I ever win big money, I intend to have a Laundry Lady "On Staff"
• Driving past Starbucks - I just love coffee goodness in the morning
• Remembering to schedule doctor visits for myself - I am much better at making sure that everyone else in my house is well-cared for...but I tend to leave my own things until the last minute
• Wearing a coat - even in the winter...it just seems like too much work, especially since I hate driving in a coat.  I guess it makes more sense to make a mad dash into the building!
• Remembering daily lunch...I have to bring lunch for the whole week, I absolutely hate thinking about it every day.  If I am not organized about lunch, I will not eat well and have way too many snacks and lunches out.  {Fortunately I am usually organized...see below}
• Remembering little things...I am not good at remembering people's birthdays or other dates...I love to celebrate though and rely on other people to remind me {I do have a colleague who's excellent at remembering}

I'm awesome at... Again, I have to take this in the context of being a working mommy, otherwise there are just far too many options :)

• Leaving work at work...ok, my family might not say that I am awesome at this, but I know a lot of teachers who bring lots of work home at night.  I really strive to be efficient at work, so that it doesn't come home with me at night.
• Being Organized...I really am nutty about organization.  I love school supplies and a row of labeled notebooks makes my heart skip a beat.  My desk is always pretty neat too and lists...don't get me started on my love of lists...I am mocked for this habit but I like order and organization :)
• Leaving Home at Home...other than bragging about how awesome my kids are, I don't usually let anything that's happening at home affect me at work.  
• Following through on projects...when I say that I will have something done, then it's rare that I'm not prepared for a project or that I miss a deadline.  I may forget personal details, but I am pretty detailed in my work.

These were kind of awkward lists to make...What are you AWESOME at?

My Motivation...

Welcome to my entry for Working Mommy Wednesday...our prompt this week...

"What motivates you every day?"

I'm not sure that I have a single, daily motivation, but there are certainly a few things that keep me going...

• I'm a PLANNER and a GOAL SETTER...I like to have something to look forward to and a sense of the bigger picture.  It's pretty easy to get mired into stress of daily living, but having something to look forward to or a long term goal makes it easier to stay positive.  We usually have a big Family Adventure that we look forward to for several months.  Knowing that there is a get-away in my future makes it a lot easier to get myself to work every day.  I am also looking forward to three triathlons...that's a huge motivation to get myself to the gym in the morning.  Planning helps me stay on top of all the little things that can accumulate.  I am diligent about my calendar and to-do lists so that I accomplish everything that needs doing.  
• I'm also a GLASS HALF-FULL kind of girl...I tend to look at the world through rose-colored glasses and I'm generally pretty positive.  I believe that even when I don't feel great, or when I'm stressed or tired,  good attitude goes a long way towards talking myself into feeling better.  On some days, when I need extra motivation, I dress up.  I always dress professionally but sometimes I kick it up a notch to make myself feel better and more competent.
• FAMILY...They are both the motivation and the reason for being motivated...it's a happy circle!  Knowing that the reason I am working hard is to provide experiences and adventures for my family, helps me work hard.  We have so much fun together and my husband and I are a great team.  Working hard together, has allowed us to play hard together too!

With all that said, there are some days when a Starbucks goes a long way and I don't hesitate on the occasional treat either!

What was she thinking?

 

I love the prompt for this week's, Working Mommy Wednesday... 

What was she thinking?

A post about me, from my kiddo's point of view...

 I do not understand what Mommy has against my ipod, or my DS, or the Nintendo 360.  Just when my brother and I get settled into a game, she's asking if we set the timer or if our homework is finished.  Any minute now she's going to have laundry for us to put away or say the table needs to be set.

And another thing, why does Mommy care if my brother and I argue?  It's not like we're hurting her or yelling at her.  She doesn't understand that he cheats and I have to let him know that I know that he's cheating.  After all if he doesn't take turns, then I'm not going to take turns.  He usually starts it anyway, but it seems like I am always the one who gets in trouble for arguing.  I really hate it when Mommy grounds the video games.  I don't think it's fair at all that the video games get grounded just because my brother and I have an argument.  He never let's me have my way, he always has to have the first turn and we always have to play the game that he wants to play.  Then when I say something about it, the games end up being grounded.  It's so unfair.

Another thing I don't understand at all is why Mommy's so concerned about baths, and teeth brushing and deodorant.  It's my body. I don't think I need a bath every night.  And then she's all over me to hang up my towel and make sure the toothpaste is cleaned out of the sink.  My brother and I are the only ones who use the sink, and the towels for that matter, why does she care?

The last thing I really don't understand is the laundry.  I guess it's nice that Mommy does the laundry, and folds everything into the basket, but it doesn't really matter to me.  And I don't understand why she gets so upset if things aren't put away in the right drawers.  They're my drawers and I don't care if there's underwear with my t-shirts.  Why does she?

Working Mommy Wednesday...

It's that time of the week again...the prompt for this week's Working Mommy Wednesday is...

10 Things I Believe

• I believe children pay more attention to what we do than to what we say.  Our actions speak louder to them than our words.
• I believe I am a better mommy because I am also a teacher.
• I believe I am a more patient mommy when I work out in the morning.
• I believe I need to read with my boys, and play with my boys every day.
• I believe that if I want to have real conversations with my teen age kids, I have to start building that relationship when they are much younger...like right now!
• I believe that I can teach my boys more with "teachable moments" than I can with censoring things I don't want them to see or hear
• I believe that one of the most important parts of our day is a family dinner
• I believe that I am the first and foremost teacher of my boys
• I believe that I need to prepare my boys for the world that is not the world I wish it was
• I believe that right now I have the best gig in the world and I need to remember, each day, to enjoy!

Working Mom Routines...

I missed the official prompts for Working Mommy Wednesday but...

I was recently watching an episode of "Super Nanny" and was struck by the realization that the first piece of advice Jo offers to families is a Family Schedule.  Routines help kids know what to expect and I know they help me keep track of my busy family.

In my house, you wouldn't be able to point to the one routine that makes all things possible...depending on who's home and the situation, we have several.  The important thing is that we have the routines.

"Meeting Daddy at my School"  This is Aiden's least favorite routine.  Since my husband works 24 hour shifts, this routine involves Aiden waking up early to go to school with me.  Kyle works just down the street from where I work, so he picks Aiden up and takes him to school on the way home.  For the first time this year, Connar stays home until he leaves for the bus.

"Regular Mornings" Connar sets an alarm and is just getting up when I get home from the gym.  He makes his own breakfast and watches cartoons before he gets ready for school.  Kyle is getting up just as I am leaving and Aiden is usally getting up then too.  Aiden has to turn the TV off at 8:00 so that he can have breakfast and get ready for school.  It's kind of like a dance...and it works well for us.

"After School" This routine really depends on who's home and what's on the agenda for the afternoon.  The boys usually get 1 ticket of video games before homework.  Often a friend or friends are over to play.  In the spring and fall there's soccer practice.  When it's nice outside there's skateboarding and playing and when it's gloomy we often head to the indoor pool at the gym.

"Everyday Jobs and Baths" As dinner is winding down, Kyle or I make this pronouncement.  The boys take care of their jobs {in a timely manner} and hop in the shower or bath.  Kyle and I finish up laundry & dishes before the kids are done and then it's time for...

"Couch Time" This is my favorite time of the day.  Everyone's in their jammies and we all snuggle up on the couch to watch a show...usually something we've saved on the DVR.  It's cozy and calming for all of us.  From couch time we head upstairs for stories {Aiden} and reading until we fall asleep.

What routines make your family tick?

Working Mommy Wednesday...

It's Wednesday...halfway through the week, and time for Working Mommy Wednesday.  By the way, do you love my new look?  I have been so excited!  There's still some rearranging and sorting that needs to be done...just as when you move into any new room.  But...Welcome, I'm glad you're here.

The prompt this week is Your Biggest Challenge of the Year.  That sounds impressive, but I'm afraid I can't look that far ahead right now...My Biggest Challenge of the Week...finishing the week.

That sounds lame, I know...but for the past two weeks I have lounged, played, crafted, slept in, ate delicious food, played some more, lounged, drank wine...you get the picture.  Two glorius weeks of responsibility free Christmas Vacation.  (Now I sound like I'm 13!)  Well, this week I had to go back to work.  And I forgot how hard I work...and I'm tired.

I am absolutely not complaining, I enjoy my job and I even like working hard.  I like getting up early to work out, I like teaching and working with teachers all day, I like soccer and homework.  I even like cooking (occasionally!)  But I have to admit, that for two weeks, I really liked sloth!

So, this week my biggest challenge is finishing the week.  I'm pretty sure I'll manage, but I might whine just a little.  My rewards will be a great Friday night quilting with my mom and aunt and a fantastic day of skiing on Sunday...I think I can get there.

Resolutions...

 I don't really believe in New Year's Resolutions.  In part, I think it's because I live in the school year and we're nearly halfway through, not just beginning.  I also see so many "Resolutions" hyped by the media in January...and I see the influx of people into the gym.  For the month of January and into February, I need to be at the gym a little earlier than usual to get my spot in class...then the crowds abate as people fall off the resolution wagon.

That said, I do believe...strongly...in the power of goal setting.  Knowing where you want to end up and then planning how to arrive there is extremely empowering.  I don't have new goals specifically for the New Year...but I am in the middle of working towards a couple things...

• I plan on running an Olympic distance triathlon this summer.  Over the past two years I have run four sprint distance triathlons and this summer I will run two sprints before my Olympic.  This fall I needed to learn to love running...which I have!  Starting in January I will head back into the swimming pool once a week in addition to my weekly routine of running, spinning and weight lifting. 
• I am writing an article / book on a professional development protocol that I have been facilitating at work.  In early November, I presented the protocol at a symposium and it was so well-received that I finally have the confidence to put it into print.  
• I have twelve pounds left to lose before my birthday in April.  Since joining Weight Watchers last spring I have lost quite a bit...slow and steady.  I knew that what I really needed to learn was portion sizes and nutritionally filling options.  With those in place, I am not on a diet but working towards a much healthier me.
• I guess I do have one resolution...a conviction rather than a goal.  I have slipped into the bad habit of being a bit of a push over with my boys...not drawing a firm line.  The result has been kids that push and push thinking they will get their way...because they have.  I have resolved to be more firm with expectations up front so that everyone will be happier in the long run.

I am linking up today with the other working moms at Working Mommy Wednesday!

Working Mommy Wednesday...

I love linking up with the Working Mommy's each Wednesday!  Today's prompt...A Motherhood Confession


I am laughing at this prompt, because this has been a week...really, and it's only Wednesday.

Monday afternoon I had a meeting after school and my kids went to work at the local Toys for Tots distribution center with their grandparents.  After my meeting,  I snuck in a couple of errands, relishing the fact that I could move around a store at my pace...unencumbered with "help" from my boys.  I got home just a couple of minutes ahead of the kids.  Sounds like a great afternoon...right?

Sadly, while the boys had a great time volunteering and fun at dinner with grandma and grandpa, they were not at their best for me.  Cranky and whiny about homework, daily jobs and bath time...my nerves were on edge.  Couple that with my oldest son's preteen angst and I couldn't wait to get them in bed.   When they continued to argue about...literally...every little statement I made, I finally just yelled at them.  {I HATE being a yell-y mom...I wish I could always handle them without breaking a sweat...it didn't happen Monday night}

Of course the Christmas book they opened on Monday was "Elf on a Shelf"...we were all sitting there wondering what our Elf would tell Santa that night!  Aiden actually mentioned out loud that he hoped he wasn't fully on the naughty list.

Finally, it was bed time.  I realized that in my haste to run a couple errands, I never had dinner.  I reheated some pizza poured a glass of wine and headed to bed with visions of catching up on Grey's Anatomy dancing in my head.

Walking up the stairs...I tripped on my pajama pants.  I tripped up the remaining stairs...spilling red wine all over the top of the landing.  That's when the swearing really started!  As I watched the remnants of red wine soak into the carpet and uttered my last rarely-used 4-letter word, my youngest son yells, "Mommy, Fyn has something coming out of her butt!"

Sure enough, our 2-year old Devon Rex had eaten at least a yard of green ribbon.  The portion that had already passed was indeed hanging out, and she was curled up mewing in discomfort.  At that point the boys were wide awake, I was standing in a puddle of red wine and my cat was...well I won't give you the graphic details...use your imagination.

Call my husband, who is at work.  Call the emergency vet.  Discover we have no carpet cleaner.  Hope cold water and sponging will help.  Settle down both boys.  Rub vaseline on Fyn's paws hoping it will help with passing the remaining ribbon.  Give up on dinner and Gray's Anatomy.  Tuck the boys in again with reassurances that I am not mad and Fyn will not die in the night.  Set the alarm to wake every 2 hours to check on Fyn.  Wonder if this happens to any other mom.  Fall asleep...briefly.

Working Mommy Wednesday...

This week our Working Mommy Wednesday prompt is Thanks!


I have a rich and full life with lots of people and things I am Thankful for, so to narrow the field,  I decided to approach this as...

Things this Working Mom is Thankful For...
in no particular order...

• Working in a building full of working moms who understand
• Grandparents who understand our desire to always have our children with people who love them...and who have bent over backwards to help us achieve that goal
• Coffee
• A husband who understands my (infrequent) ranting and raving about working and thoughts of being a stay-at-home-mom
• My husband's schedule which allows him to be a 75% stay-at-home-dad
• Email and my iPhone
• Friends who meet me at the gym at 5:00 in the morning so working out can be social also
• Being a teacher...so my work schedule is compatible with my children's school schedule
• Friends who organize Girls Night Out
• Having a second income, which allows us opportunities that we wouldn't otherwise have
• Wine
• Fantastic, amazing, wonderful children 

Working Mommy Wednesday...

It's Wednesday and I get to link up with Julia and all the other moms over at ...

This week's question is...What was your college major and are you working in that field?

The short answer is: education and yes!  There were a couple of detours along the way however.  I started out college as a nursing major.  The school I chose didn't have an on-campus nursing school , so I planned to attend for two years and then transfer.  I discovered that I really loved science...I was taking biology, anatomy, physiology, chemistry...such fun!  Then I spent some time realizing what the daily job of a nurse actually was...which was not for me...not even a little bit.

I found myself saying that I hoped to eventually teach nursing because I enjoyed the classes so much...about a semester after, I realized that I should probably look into teaching more closely.  So...I changed my major to education.  I planned to major in biology and minor in chemistry, and graduate with a 4-12 teaching certificate.

Life stuff happened...yuck!  And I ended up moving home and changing schools.  With my focus still on Biology and Chemistry, I stumbled upon a fantastic Health Education program...which I loved!  All that I loved about nursing and education rolled into one.  I took so many Health Ed classes that my senior year, I was able to choose between student teaching and an internship in Public Health Education.  I chose student teaching, but it wasn't an easy choice.  I graduated with a double major in Health and Biology. 

Shortly after I started teaching, the schools in my area changed curriculum and no longer supported a stand-alone Health class.  So I never actually taught what I thought I was going to.  BUT...I love being a middle school science teacher.  There is nothing like it...it's a fantastic job.

P.S. I also have a Masters in Education and I am Nationally Board Certified...so all of my education has contributed to the job I have...and love...{ usually :) }

Working Mommy Wednesday...

It's Wednesday, so you know what that means...time for...




This week's prompt:  Little Things I Love!  This is perfect for me, because right now I'm a little cranky and completely focused on the opposite of Little Things I Love! so it will help to shift my thinking...
* A fresh cup of coffee in the morning
* A really good book to relax into
* An unexpected compliment
* A spontaneous "I love you" from one of my boys
* A peek in the mirror and looking great
* The funny things my kids say
* Reading with my boys
* A mid-week date with my husband
* A glass of wine
* An "I love you" text from my husband
* A chance to chat and giggle with girlfriends
* My Potato Head Pumpkins (I'll share pictures next week)
* Cheering at my kids football & soccer games
* Cheering at my husbands soccer games

Yup!  I have to say, just making the list refreshed my perspective!  If you haven't yet, take a minute to think about Little Things I Love!  What's on your list?

Working Mommy Wednesday...

Here we are...Wednesday again and time for...




The prompt this week is a Top Ten List.   I have two boys, 6 and 11, and in response to some of their obvious boy behavior, I have often teased them about the...

 "List of Reasons You'll Never Be Allowed to Join a Fraternity!"

• Their desire to turn everything into a contest...particularly burping and farting.
• Every game turns into tackle football...I do not understand the connection between checkers and tackle football!
• When Aiden was in pre-school, he flipped through Connar's yearbook and pointed out pretty girls.  Choosing girls from a book is reason #3 he'll never be allowed to join a fraternity.
• An interest in drinking milk super fast (connected to #1).  Drinking games?  Clearly a reason not to join a fraternity!
• The basket full of footballs in the living room and the persistent game of catch!
• Their reference to every friend as, "Dude", and their ability to use the word in nearly every sentence.
• Aiden and Connar  both believe they'll be driving sports cars, preferably in high school.  "Mommy, let's talk about the car I'm going to drive."
• Their crazy "Rock Band" skills
• Their obvious interest in cheerleaders... and rapt attention during half-time shows.
• A while ago at a football game, Aiden pointed out that if all the men in our group took their shirts off they could paint the letters SHOCK on their chests (in honor of the team we were watching)

Those crazy kids...probably with all the teasing they'll join fraternities just to spite me.  Ha Ha Ha

What running jokes do you have in your house?

  

Working Mommy Wednesday...

It's that time of the week again...time to link up with the working mommies...



This week's prompt...Having a career makes me a better mom because...
I am going for the positive spin on this statement.  Any day that I would say it makes me a worse mom, is more the mommy guilt talking than any real reasoning.  When I am rational and thoughtful, I do believe I am a better mom because of my career.
* Two of the schools I've worked for have invested heavily in Love & Logic training for their teachers.  In fact, several years ago I became a trainer of this program.  This strategy and philosophy around discipline and talking to kids is so powerful in the classroom and amazing at home.  I am thrilled that something I learned for my job so directly applied to my family.
* I have a much more global perspective on the world and the lives of children working in the neighborhood where my school is located.  We chose the neighborhood we live in for the schools and the easy access to friends, parks etc.  I appreciate living and working in different worlds because of this different, more diverse perspective.
* I love being able to share more opportunities and experiences with my kids because of our additional income.  I'm proud that I can send them to camp, encourage them to play sports and take them on vacations.
* My husbands job allows him to volunteer in the classroom.  There aren't many dads who enjoy that role and it's really good for my boys and their classmates.
* Because we don't use a daycare, the kids get to have a closer relationship with their grandparents.  My parents and my husbands parents help us out with childcare, and days when I have meetings or school events.  These are great opportunities for the boys to have an adventure with their grandparents and they share hobbies like geo-caching with the kids that we don't do at home.
* Some days I am tired and out of patience.  Some days the best parts of me are shared with the middle school kids I spend the day with and not with my own children.  Some days all I want is to go to their classrooms and on their field trips.  But most days...I understand that my boys are well cared for,  have good experiences and important relationships and are thriving in their lives.  I am so proud to be their mom.