Frisco Roughriders

Tonight our neighbors across the street knocked on our door and asked if we had any plans because they had 5 extra tickets to see the Roughriders play.

Jason is out of town, but I said I'd take the kids. It'd be fun! :)

Dad used to get box seats through the hospital but the kids don't remember going at all. So this was their "first" time at the ballpark. (I think it was legitimately Caroline's first time.)

We knew we wouldn't be sitting with our friends, but that's almost better... only because I had a 3 yr old with me and knew we wouldn't last long. Sitting away from them, I felt free to call it quits as soon as Caroline got too cranky to bear.

It was HOT!!! And there was no breeze. So we had to cool off with Dippin' Dots in a souvenir helmet.

And water.

Then they tried to catch the free stuff that was thrown into the crowd. (Caroline was NOT happy when she realized that not everyone gets to catch free stuff.)

Finally we stopped by the gift shop because Sarah has been asking for a foam finger for the last year. So I grabbed 3 and headed to the counter to pay.

How much would you guess 3 foam fingers would set ya back??


Answer: $25.

If your reaction was to gasp, choke, or audibly say, "WHAT?!" then you're not alone! (And if you're not surprised, then I wish you had been with us to warn me.) Ridiculous! But they love 'em!

Caroline slept with hers tonight. :)

Here they are with their fingers. Jack never misses an opportunity to make a joke.

Only Wednesday? Are you kidding me?

Alright, so I'm checking in before Caroline and I load up and head to Frisco for Work Week Day 2.

(I can make the trek to Frisco sound like I'm headed all the way to the Red River, can't I?)

This week is going well, but I'm cramming a lot into every second. And because of that, I feel like I've been working and the kids have been in school for at least a week already.

In fact I hurried to finish my ESL homework, doubling-up on assignments and taking the practice quiz last night. I know that my Abnormal Psych lecture is at 6:00 on Thursdays and wanted to be ready for that. I tried to clear my schedule of ESL homework because I thought that TODAY would be THURSDAY-- Abnormal Psych Day.

But no.

It's only Wednesday. I hustled for no reason. (Although I'm glad it's done.) I am so upset to learn that I'm not even halfway through this week.

Hurry up, Labor Day Weekend!

Making pasta salad

Caroline and I made a pasta salad.

The pasta was made of brown rice flour and milled flaxseed, but everyone (even my picky eaters) thinks it tastes like the "real" thing. Of course when I make it for them, I usually drown it in tomato sauce.

The salad dressing was just olive oil, lemon juice, a little garlic, salt and pepper. The other stuff in the salad: cucumbers, olives, tomatoes, and feta cheese.

She's the ONLY one in this house that would be willing to eat that with me.

I love that she'll eat healthy food. It makes cooking for her and with her so much fun. Jason worries that her taste buds don't work and thinks I should talk to her pediatrician.

.................

This is her strange smile and "I'm making pasta salad with Mom. Oh yeah!" pose.

Magic ballet

There's no reason to be bored just because Sarah and Jack are at school! Caroline invented "Magic Ballet" to entertain us both.

Although it's really one of those things where you'd have to be here to fully appreciate it. ;)

First Day of School-- Sarah and Jack 2012

The backpacks and lunchboxes were ready to go.

*Please note that Sarah chose a messenger bag instead of a traditional backpack. It's the style she was going for.

**Please also note that I had a conversation with her about Hello Kitty before buying her things. I checked and double-checked to see if Hello Kitty was too babyish. She insisted that girls in 2nd grade like Hello Kitty. So I let her buy it.

BUT I would like to add that we had this EXACT conversation last year about a Dora thermos. I told her I wouldn't send her with the Dora thermos anymore since she was in 1st grade. She insisted that it didn't matter. Dora was fine. Then she came home one day, demanding that I NEVER send the Dora thermos EVER again because some girls had made fun of her.

She said, "I never thought they'd make fun of me, Mom."

I wanted to say, "Sweetie, girls are mean to other girls. I knew this. Which is why I worried about the thermos. I should've gone with my gut."

But instead I'm sure I said something appropriate and reassuring. (I hope.) ;)



The school day schedule and "What we need for our backpacks" list are posted. (Although the list won't be complete til this afternoon. I have no idea what Sarah will need to bring with her every day.)

Pics before school...
Sarah wanted her hair pulled back in a big ponytail with the BIG flower headband. I thought it was an unusual choice. Big headband and a ponytail? But then I'll be darned if I didn't see at least 3 fifth graders walking into school with a ponytail and a big flower headband. She knew what she was talking about.

Modeling backpacks...

Pics at school...

It's going to be a GREAT year!!! :)

Taking care of each other

Yesterday was Promotion Sunday. Sarah went to her 2nd grade Sunday School class. Jack went to Kindergarten, and Caroline promoted to the 3s.

During the second hour of church, the 3s - Kindergarteners play on the playground together and sing songs in a little music class. Caroline's teachers, Cortney and Adam, told me that Jack held Caroline's hand during music and played with her on the playground.

He's a good big brother.

.....


Last night, around 1:00 AM, I heard someone cry out in her sleep. It was pretty loud because the kids are upstairs and I'm downstairs. I sat up and waited to see if I heard it again.

I didn't. But what I heard was a door open. I knew it was Sarah. (Jack's door is loud and creaky. And Caroline's door has a babyproof lock on it so she can't open it.)

I thought it was strange that Sarah cried out but I sat up listening for the sound of footsteps coming downstairs.

Nothing.

So I went upstairs and found everyone's doors shut. I opened Sarah's door to check on her, and she was, in fact, awake. Caroline was lying next to her.

Sarah said, "She was crying, Mom. She said she wanted Dad. So I got her and brought her in bed with me."

I thanked Sarah for taking care of her but said I'd handle it. I picked up Caroline, took her back to her room and thought...

Sarah's a good big sister.

.....

This morning, when the bell rang and the doors to the school opened, Sarah instinctively grabbed Jack's hand. He said, "You know the part I'm most excited about, Sarah? That we're together."

They held hands all the way down the hall.

:)

.....

Not to leave Caroline out... I have seen her show compassion by checking on Jack or Sarah when either of them is crying or sick.

She's a good little sister.


.....

I don't want to paint a perfect picture. These are just moments in time. I definitely hear my fair share of whining. A lot of "He hit me." "She said she hates me!" "LEAVE ME ALONE!" "NOOOO!"

They're siblings. They bicker. They're normal.

But when push comes to shove, they care about each other. And they take care of each other. That's all I can really ever ask for. It makes my heart happy.

Lying on the driveway

A few days ago Jack was on the computer, and I was in the living room.

I saw him leave the computer room, walk past me, and head towards the kitchen. I assumed he was going to the half bathroom that we have right there. But I could also tell by looking at him that something was wrong.

He wasn't crying. But he looked like he either wanted to cry... or SCREAM!

A few minutes later I started making lunches and called to Jack to see what he wanted me to fix for him. No answer.

Just as I was about to look for him, he came in through the back door.

I asked him where he had been.

He said, "I was laying on the driveway."

What?

I asked him if he was upset. I knew he was.

But he said that he wasn't. He just wanted to lay on the driveway. Then he sat on the couch and told me he wasn't hungry for lunch.

I could tell that, if I pushed him to tell me what was wrong, he was gonna explode. He doesn't have a bad temper, but I can tell when to press him and when to leave him alone.

So about twenty minutes later, he got off the couch and told me that the computer was messed up and the game he was playing was too hard for him. Then he started to tear up.

I asked him, "Is that why you walked outside? You just needed some fresh air because you were so frustrated?"

Yes.

"But why did you lay down on the driveway?"

"Because I was just so mad," he said.

...........

I was glad he didn't scream at anyone. I was glad he tried to hold in his tears. I was glad that he came up with his own way of decompressing.

But I'm still puzzled by his lying on the driveway.

And I'm not sure that's a safe idea. Thank goodness Jason didn't come home while he was out there. I told him that next time he might want to lie on the patio or the trampoline instead.

Meet the Teacher 2012-- Sarah and Jack

I took the kids to the school Friday morning to meet their teachers. While I didn't take any pics of the teachers... (I figured I'd get a pic of them with my kids either during the year or at the end of the year.)... I can tell you that I love them both!

And it matters what I think, right?? :)

Jack's teacher was Sarah's Kindergarten Teacher. No, I didn't request. Things just work out like that sometimes. And I couldn't be happier!! She's W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L!!!

And, even though Sarah was bummed that she didn't get Mrs. Smith, as soon as she met Ms. Rodriguez, she was happy!!

I'd guess Ms. Rodriguez is about 28 or 29 yrs old. She's been teaching there for 6 years. One of the cutest and friendliest teachers we've ever had. And the youngest. I realized this officially makes me the "old parent" at my conferences with her. [ugh]

And not that cute = great teacher... (although I think she will be great)... but cute = I like you right off the bat.

Does that mean I'm shallow? Maybe. But it also means I'm being honest. :)

Here are the pics I took...

Hooray! Finally at the same school!!

"Now, Jack, this is the sidewalk. If we follow this, we'll get to the entrance. We won't always be walking this way to school. Dad will usually drop us off at the front of the building..."
Being the seasoned pro, she's done a great job of telling him EVERY LITTLE DETAIL about elementary school.

First stop-- Sarah's class. These were on her desk...

And I'm kicking myself for not thinking of this when I was Ms. Fishero teaching 2nd grade. Dang it!

She's happy. And embarrassed that dorky mom is taking her picture.

Then we took a tour of the school. They wanted their pics taken in the gym, standing under the correct grade level.

Last stop-- Kindergarten. He didn't want to leave when it was time to go home. :)

I realized when I was uploading these that I never got one of Jack's spot at the table. Grr. I meant to but forgot. :(

I'll try to remember on the first day of school.

Catching up

So my week was...

*School supplies-- Selling. Distributing. Stocking shelves. Spreadsheets. Labels. Craziness.

*Back to school Fair for 5 hours Wednesday afternoon.

*Working in my preschool classroom.

*Going to the Rangers game. Which was fun! I got to see a pitcher and a coach ejected!! :) It doesn't get better than that... especially because it was the Twins pitcher and coach.

*Meet the Teacher meetings for 2 hours this morning. Just me, Jack, and Sarah. Jason stayed with Caroline.

*Doing the video announcements for church again. But this time I had a script. YAY!! They said that's how it's usually done and they apologized for not having one for me last week. Do you have any idea how much easier it is to read a script rather than quickly memorize and paraphrase the church bulletin???

*A two hour lecture for my Abnormal Psych class.

*My ESL course... homework and quizzes.

*Cooking and freezing more meals.

*Grocery shopping and laundry... the usual.



And I'm tired. I know a lot of us are. The week before school starts is always exhausting!!

Next week is going to be crazy too but then I'm hoping to settle into a routine!

Letters and numbers

I overheard Jack talking to himself while watching cartoons this morning.
"W 23, X 24, Y 25, Z 26."
Although I picked up on his pattern (duh), I asked him what he was doing.
"Naming all the buttons on a vending machine in my mind. I started with A1 in the upper left corner and went to Z26 in the lower right."
His mind must be an exhausting place. But it fascinates me. :)

I needed a laugh

Robyn called me to discuss the letter that we're gonna send home to the parents before school starts.

She's typing the "Welcome to Pre-K" letter.

She wanted to know my information so she could fill in the paragraph that would introduce me to the class.

..........

Robyn: So I put "Hi, my name is Julie. I taught in Frisco for"... how many years?

Me: 3

Robyn: And Richardson for... how many years?

Me: 2

Robyn: I've been married to Jason for... how long?

Me: 8 yrs

Robyn: That's what I thought. And your kids are how old?

Me: 7, 5 and 3

Robyn: Ok, I put... "I enjoy"... what?

Me: Drinking.

Robyn: You can't put that.

Me: Oh, Then put "running, reading, and traveling".

Robyn: Traveling? Where have you been recently?

Me: Nowhere. But I'd enjoy it if I ever want anywhere.

Robyn: How do you want to end it? At the end of my paragraph, I put "I'm looking forward to all that this year has in store."

Me: Um... What about "I'm excited to be back in the classroom again, touching kids."

Robyn: [laughing] Touching kids' LIVES, you mean.

Me: Sure. If you think that sounds better.

.......

After a frustrating day, it's great to have a reminder that if you're working with people that you can joke and laugh with, then work doesn't ever completely suck.

:)

A frustrating day

I went to Frisco today to work in the classroom. Our classroom is used on Sundays by a church that rents the space from the church the preschool is affiliated with. Did you follow that?

Anyway, all summer long when we went up to work in our room, we were told that the red folding chairs that they use on Sunday could be moved while we worked but had to be set back up for them on Sunday.

For the last 2 weeks I've worked and then Robyn worked on setting up our room. We moved furniture, did bulletin boards, set up the tables how we wanted them...

Then today we walk in and EVERYTHING has been pushed to the walls. Tables were folded up. Centers were stacked on to our horseshoe table. I was ANGRY. It was clear that we had set up for class, and how dare someone come in and TOTALLY undo EVERYTHING.

I mean, everything but bulletin boards was seriously moved.

I had my 3 kids today. Robyn had FIVE kids with her today, and we had to set the room back up. Again.

I can't believe that they wouldn't move only what was absolutely necessary and then put it back where they found it. I haven't even officially started working there and I already hate sharing our room with that church.

........

And then in the middle of the chaos, I found out who the kids will have as their teachers next year.

Jack got Ms. Rushing, who Sarah had. :) We're SO excited!!! Granted there are some people he would like to not have class with that are in his class and there are some people he wishes he had class with who got other teachers. But I know Ms. Rushing will be a GREAT fit for him!!

Then on to Sarah.

Apparently most of her friends got Mrs. Smith. But Sarah got Mrs. Rodriguez. Her initial reaction was disappointment. And that's hard for me to watch. She's never been disappointed. I'm glad that she's getting a break from some of the people she's been with since Kindergarten, but I'm afraid that she's sad.


........

And then as I was trying to figure out which teacher some of Jack's friends got, I accidentally sent out a mass email. Sorry, again, if you got the random email from me.


........

I'm frazzled and frustrated today. And although I'm very grateful for the cooler temps, the overcast skies are adding to my grumpiness.

:/

Going to a Rangers game

Thursday Jason and I are invited to the Rangers game. Watching from a suite. :)
I haven't been to the ballpark since Jason and I were dating. I'm so excited!!!
And I'm glad we have friends that invite us places. Otherwise we'd never go out. ;)

How much did you eat??

Jack proudly showed me how much of his apple he ate and how he only had a little bit left!

Then I said, "What happened to the stem? Did you eat it?"

He says, "Was I not supposed to? [pause, me shaking my head no] I think I'm gonna be sick."

Playing hide and seek

Sometimes Caroline hides behind a curtain. You can see her toes poking out underneath, and the curtain's moving like crazy.

Then other times you can't find her at all.

Until you hear kicking coming from the cabinet.

Headed to Burger King for lunch

Me: Does that sound ok to y'all?
Sarah: Sounds great. I love burgers, and kings are cool.

More randoms

I missed my video presentation today because I was in the preschool hall working. Thank goodness!! People told me I did a good job, but that's because I don't know people who would say, "You sucked"... to my face. ;)

......

I did a lot of cooking to put in the freezer this weekend. I want to have freezer meals ready to go for the nights I'm too tired to cook. Which I think will be most nights until I get used to working again.

......

I'm taking the kids for their "before school starts" haircut this week.

I wish I knew what to do with Jack's hair. **SIGH**

It's clear that he's gonna have a receding hairline one day... mostly because he already does. So Jason is a big supporter of the "If one day he wants to grow it long, then we should let him. He won't have hair forever" stance.

(And since Jason knows what he's talking about on this one, I listen to him.)

I think little boys with semi-long hair are cute, but he doesn't have the kind of hair that grows long very well. And I don't want his teacher to think that he's a scraggly-looking kid.

So Jack will get it all cut off.

......

I need to label all of the kids' stuff before school starts. I usually just use masking tape and a Sharpie, but I really wish I had cute custom labels. Just because. :)

......

I made manicotti tonight, and it was so good. Not to toot my own horn, but [toot,toot].

......

This is a BUSY WEEK. I'm ready to quit thinking about school starting and just do the darn thing. Enough planning and meeting and discussing. Let's get this show on the road!!

studying the book of James

Sarah asked me, "Mom, why don't you read your Bible while I'm eating breakfast anymore?"

That's one of the most convicting questions I've been asked in a while.

For about a year, I would spend my time in prayer before the kids woke up and would be reading my Bible by the time they came downstairs and started eating.

But that was back when I was in an organized weekly Bible study. We were all studying the same thing and would come back each Monday to talk about what we had learned. Left to my own devices, I'm not disciplined enough to read my Bible every day.

Last year I skipped one of the Bible studies I usually do. They were studying the book of James. I bought the workbook. I can access the videos online. And I'm resolved to go through that study this semester.

If I can carve out time every day to run... and watch TV... and work towards being ESL certified... and take an Abnormal Psych class, then I have time in my day for this. Some things may need to be switched around or eliminated all together, but I have enough time.

I feel like I'm poring over things that don't ultimately matter. I'm saying "yes" to everything and am left drained and stressed. I'm always restored and renewed when I spend time alone reading my Bible, and I've gotten away from that this last year. I'm feeding and challenging my mind with school and my body through diet and exercise. I know I can't continue to neglect my spirit.

Also I find it really sad that I have so much random stuff committed to memory and not enough Scripture. I'd be better off having Bible verses take up space in my brain rather than the license plate to the station wagon. ;)

Random things I have memorized

The ADA approval on the Aquafresh tube I used as a kid. I read it every day when I brushed my teeth. Then it was accidentally commited to memory.

It no longer says this but it used to say...

"Aquafresh has been shown to be an effective decay preventive dentifrice that can be of significant value when used in a conscientiously applied program of oral hygiene and regular professional care."

~Council on Dental Therapeutics
The American Dental Association

.........

The 10 plagues of Egypt.

Water to blood
Frogs
Gnats
Flies
Plague of Cattle
Boils
Hail
Locust
Darkness
Death of the firstborn

I know that because it was my line in the second grade SMAK musical at church.

.........

My cousin used to work at Harold's. Do you remember that clothing store? When she was trained as an employee they taught her that to have good customer service she needed to STEP BEYOND.

S-ay hello
T-reat them to a Coke
E-ngage in conversation
P-resent the product with knowledge

B-eware of clerking
E-xcite them with add-ons
Y-ield to no objections
O-ffer sincere reassurance
N-ote it with a thanks
D-azzle them after the sale


I never worked at Harold's but whenever I shopped there (buying something paisley or a vest of some sort probably), I knew I wasn't being treated well if they failed to offer me a Coke. :)


...........

The license plate to our old station wagon.

343 GPH

..........

The nearest Pizza Hut's phone #

972.403.1032

..........

The recording you'd get when you call the movies in Corsicana. I think everyone who lived there knows this by heart. In fact, if I recite it incorrectly, I'm sure someone will correct me. ;)

There was, after all, only one theater. And these were the days before looking up showtimes on the internet.

"Thank you for calling Cinemark Cinema 4. Home of Front Row Joe. Located 1803 West 7th Avenue. Our box office opens today at [insert time] when all seats are [enter price] until 6:00. Thereafter, adults [enter adult ticket price]. Children [enter price of child ticket].

Our features and showtimes are..."

..........


Wasted space in a brain that can't afford to lose space. And yet there this knowledge sits. And arguably it's towards the front, near the important stuff, in my brain.

It's not hard at all to recall this junk.

Video Announcements

Did you ever read the book "The Lottery"?

It's a story of a town that has a lottery every year, and everyone in the town participates. The whole time you're thinking this lottery is a good thing... something you'd WANT to win... Then at the end, the "winner" gets stoned.

Turns out it's a lottery to see which townsperson will be sacrificed.

Well, to be honest, I feel like I won the lottery by "getting to do" the video announcements for church this Sunday.

For anyone who doesn't go to my church, we've kinda recently started doing video announcements. They are projected on the big screens and come straight out of the church bulletin... which sorta makes me want to say, "Hey! Just read the bulletin!"

(We have screens at our church for the words to the songs and so that people can see Sam when he preaches. They were quite the controversy when they were first installed. I'm pretty sure there were a few people who found a new church home because of the big screen scandal. There's no place for technology in a church, I suppose, is their thinking. And when we redid the sanctuary more than a year ago, the screens got BIGGER.)

Back to the announcements--

I just filmed them. Upstairs. Where there is no A/C on Fridays because church staff has the day off.

When mom asked/told me that I would do the announcements, I was freaked out. I don't want to be on the big screens at church. Who would want to do that?

It's worth noting that Mom did come over to my house yesterday and let me off the hook. She said she could find someone else to do them. But I'll get to that part in a minute.

It's not natural to look into a camera....NOT carry on a conversation but read bullet points. Well, really, don't read. Talk. It's NOT a conversation, but it should appear to be.

I didn't turn bright red the way I would if I were in front of a lot of people, but I feel like it's gonna be clear to everyone I'm not comfortable.

I can tell you right now the intro is not good. I felt myself shaking. I relaxed towards the end, but I was also SWEATING PROFUSELY by the end.

Again, no A/C. Lights. Cameras. Eek.

Even though Mom told me I didn't have to do it, I chose to go ahead and push myself out of my comfort zone. I need to be more comfortable with being in front of people...whether live or taped. I have to learn that skill. And the only way to learn is to practice.

And with practice comes messing up. And not looking natural.

But I can either look at that as a failure or a shortcoming in my personality OR choose to see it as a challenge that, with enough practice, can be mastered.

I wasn't a runner. Not athletic at all growing up. But now I have done a few half and one full marathons. Why? Because I told myself that even Forrest Gump could run. It's one foot in front of the other. And if you keep putting one foot in front of the other, even when you're hurting, you'll reach the finish line. ANYONE can do it!

This is one of those things.

I haven't seen the video. I chose not to look. It would only make me feel worse about myself. And I just wanted to get outta there.

But I'm choosing to believe the best about the people sitting in the congregation on Sunday. Either they won't be paying attention OR they'll be watching and not judging me harshly. It's a terrible outlook to assume that people would be thinking bad thoughts about me.

I'm not a loser. I do have strengths. They were simply not on display today. :) Let me write something and flash THAT up on the screen.

It's a humbling thing to allow someone to tape you doing something that scares you the most and then know that the final result will be projected on giant screens in front of friends and family.

Presenting is not my thing. But I got through it. I don't know that I'll EVER do it again. But if I do, I have confidence that I'll be more natural and less freaked out.

And those of you who go to PHBC, feel free to be late getting into the worship center. There's no reason to be punctual Sunday. ;)

Back to school math

I've got pen and paper out trying to decide if it's cheaper to
A) Go to Famous Footwear to get Jack tennis shoes and then head next door to Old Navy for graphic tees, PJs, and dresses for the girls,
OR
B) Go to Kohl's for the same stuff and use my 15% off coupon.
OR

C) H & M. Though I wouldn't buy shoes there.
Going to Walmart would be the cheapest but--dang it-- I shop there all the time and sometimes I just want to go to a "real" store.
When we have two incomes, will I still do math like this?
(Probably. I love to get a good deal.)
:)

On a nerdy scale of 1 to 10...

I'm at least an 11 because I think my ESL online prep course is really interesting.

I look forward to the powerpoint lectures and contributing to the discussion boards.

I found myself audibly saying at least once, "Wow, I didn't know that," while watching the History of Bilingual and ESL Education in the United States presentation.

And I'm looking for ways (albeit unsuccessfully) to incorporate acronyms like LEP, LPAC, ELLs, TELPAS, and TAKS-LAT... which has probably been changed to STAAR-LAT, I guess.... into my everyday conversations.

Sick today

:(

You know it's bad when they nap.

Closets and dressers

So I cleaned out the kids' clothes (closets and dressers) today. There are several skirts that still fit Sarah that I went ahead and put in Caroline's drawer because they're size 4T. And it makes more sense for the 3 year old to have them rather than the 7 year old.

Although, as I said, they do fit Sarah.

Then I went through Caroline's closet. The blackhole that houses all of the clothes that Sarah has outgrown.

I remember, when Caroline was born, I put all of these 3T clothes in there as soon as Sarah couldn't wear them anymore. I looked at baby Caroline and thought, "It'll be so long before I can pull these out again."

But today I pulled them out. And those 3Ts are in Caroline's dresser drawers and hanging in her closet.

Crazy how fast time has flown.

The dress that Sarah is wearing in these pics is now hanging in C's closet. It doesn't seem possible to me.

A few conversations over the last 24 hours

We've been trying gluten free for the last couple of weeks, hoping it'll help some of the stomach aches that Jack has been having. This morning I gave him GF raisin bread.


Me: How'd you like the raisin bread this morning?

Jack: I loved it! I love gluten free things more than things with gluten.

Me: Has it made your stomach feel better?

Jack: Yep. I'd say I feel 35% better.



.........

Sarah had oatmeal for breakfast this morning.

Me: How's your oatmeal, Sarah?

Jack: Yeah, Sarah, are you enjoying those cooked oats?

.........

I know the above conversations might not make you laugh. But when Jack's being totally serious (which he was in both conversations) and throwing out random percentages and referring to oatmeal as "cooked oats" with his slight lisp and little 5 year old voice, it makes me laugh.

.........

And the last one I said I wouldn't put on the blog, but I have to. He never said I couldn't.



Yesterday my mom asked me what the name "Jack" means. (I guess the kids and she had been talking about their names and the meanings.) Jason overheard our conversation.


Me: Well, "John" means "God's gracious gift" so that's what "Jack" means.

Jason: What?

Me: Jack is a nickname for John. So Jack means "God's gracious gift".

Jason: Jack is a nickname for John?? I always thought it was short for "Robert".



What?

Another first

Today Jack got his first whoopie cushion by cashing in the tickets he won at the bowling alley.

I've gotta say... I've seen a lot of firsts with my kids. First steps, first words, first time at the park or on a bike. Those were neat and all.

But the first time your son sits on a whoopie cushion and laughs so hard he cries, that's HILARIOUS!

I don't know what this says about me as a mom, but this is one of my favorite firsts so far.

Usernames and Passwords

Blech.

I had this conversation with my mom last night so I know I'm not the only one who finds them to be maddening.

I was assigned a username by UT Tyler. I had to choose a username for Skype. I was assigned a username by Texas A&M for the ESL prep course. I have one for Plano ISD.

And they're all so similar.

One place I'm juliemcglamery. One place it's jmcglamery. There's a j.mcglamery. I can't remember who I am when I'm logging in.

Then the dreaded passwords. I can never remember which password I've chosen for each login.

I used to have just one password I used for EVERYTHING until Jason kindly helped me see that that is idiotic and that I might as well hand over all my information to any would-be hacker.

Some passwords have to be a certain length. Some need a capital letter. Or a number. Or both.

I seem to pick one that, at the time, don't seem obscure at all. Something like: Greengrass07. Because I'm staring out the window, looking at green grass, and there are 7 days in a week. Brilliant! It's complicated and yet so simple. I'll never forget it.

Wrong.

I need to make a list of all of my usernames and corresponding passwords and file it away somewhere because few things are more frustrating than being unable to login because I can't remember who I am and what password I've chosen.

I guess this is my second random thought of the day.

My random thought of the day

Think back to your favorite cassette tapes you had.

The first song on the tape was always good. So was the first song on side B. And the last song of the cassette.

I'm not saying that the others weren't good. Maybe the third or fourth song on a tape was your favorite, but it seems like the record labels put the heavy hitters as the first song, the last song, and the first "B" side song.

On almost all of my CDs, I've noticed that I love the 6th song. Sometimes it's the 7th, but usually the 6th. Most of my CDs have anywhere from 12 to 14 songs. And that 6th (or 7th) one is great!

I bet if my CDs were tapes, the sixth song would be the first one on side "B".

In my best Billy Madison voice, I was singing...

Back to school, back to school
To prove to Dad I'm not a fool.
I got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight.
I hope I don't get in a fight.

...as I was cutting out the things that I laminated.

I'm so excited about being back in the classroom!! Even if it is 3 days a week. And at a preschool.

Buying classroom stuff. Using the laminating machine again. I made bulletin boards. Got the butcher paper out. So great! :)

It's amazing how fun a job can seem when you take a seven year break from it. Talk to me in a couple of months, and I'm sure my enthusiasm will be drastically less than it is now. ;)

Much like a watched pot never boils...

...A watched computer doesn't receive emails.

I've been checking my email account every 30 seconds it seems, waiting for an email from the people at the help desk at UT Tyler to help me figure out why I can't login.

In related news, it can't be a good sign that I'm already needing technical support, and I haven't even started my online program.

:-/

Picture of Sarah and Jack

Today Dad watched the kids for me so I could work in my classroom for a few hours.

(It's AMAZING how much more productive I can be when they're not in the room.)

He took them to the mall. Sarah and Jack walked ahead of Dad and Caroline, and he took this pic with his phone.

:)

I love sweet, candid shots.

The calm before the storm

A few weeks ago I posted that I had nothing going on but I knew I'd have TONS happening in August and I wished I could work ahead and alleviate some of the impending stress.

Well....... it's August.

And with a strange mix of dread and excitement, I'm watching things fall into place and gear up. Each week, I add a new thing to my plate... 10 week ESL prep course, PTA officer/board meetings, distributing PTA School Supplies, working Back to Barksdale night, a week of Preschool work days, semester long Abnormal Psychology class, my new job.

And just to add one more thing to the mix, I bought an 8 week bootcamp package on Living Social for $29. It was $169 value. I couldn't pass it up. :)

I can feel myself tense up a little more each day, but I know it won't be as bad as it seems once I get into it.

It's the waiting and the overthinking/planning that's driving me nuts...

His first playdate with a friend from school

Jack has a friend over right now. One of his best friends from preschool. Who happens to be a girl.

He cleaned his room and sprayed cologne on just before she got here.

Why do I get the feeling that he's gonna be TROUBLE when he gets older? ;)

This and that

.........

Jason screws on every lid on every jar that he closes WAY too tight. Sometimes I wonder if he's trying to prove something to me. Like how strong he is.

I find it aggravating. But then again I've never been able to open jars.

.........

When I lived in my apartments off of Spring Creek, there was a guy who lived next door to me. I knocked on his door anytime I needed a jar opened.

I can't tell you his name. I don't think I ever knew it. He just opened jars for me.

.........

It probably wasn't a great idea to get the random neighbor guy to open jars for me. He knew I lived alone. It was pretty clear I had a one bedroom. So did he, I'm sure. We were neighbors with identical floor plans.

I'm glad he wasn't a serial killer.

.........

I have a Lids Off machine. I love it. I can open any never-opened-before jar now.

But it doesn't solve the problem when Jason screws the lid back on too tight.

.........

I've been eating clean for the last week, with one exception: I ate at Blue Goose with Jenni on Thursday night. I had fish tacos and 2 margaritas. Not clean eating. And I felt sick afterwards.

(Physically sick. Not emotionally. I don't get emotional over eating.)

Otherwise, no alcohol or refined sugar this past week. Except I also had a half a bagel this morning. Also not clean eating.

I feel really really good. I'm shopping the perimeter of my grocery store. Nothing processed.

Other than on Thursday night, I've had no stomach aches at all, which is VERY unusual. So I'm happy. :)

..........

I figured out Skype and had my interview for grad school Thursday afternoon, which went well.

He asked questions like, "What do you think is the biggest challenge facing educators today?"

A pageant-like question, isn't it?

I felt like I should be on stage, wearing a sash, finding some way to work "world peace" into my answer.

Or maybe I could have found a way to talk about the way educators are challenged much like Julia Roberts was challenged in "Pretty Woman". (still one of my favorite pageant moments)

And he also asked...

"What makes you unique?" Unique-- a polite way of saying weird, I've always thought.

What makes me weird?

Do you want me to list the things that are weird about me? Or are you asking me what made me this way?

How much time do you have?

..........

Speaking of weird... you know I've told you a million times that Jason and I are conspiracy theorists...

Well, Wednesday night I asked Jason if he'd upload (or is it download? Whichever way you load...) Skype to his laptop. Then he could call me and I could practice before my interview.

I was serious when I posted about needing the practice.

So he got out his company-issued work laptop and removed a small square of black tape over the camera that's built into it. He likes to put tape over the lens to keep the camera covered-- JUST IN CASE his work has the ability to spy on him and watch him through the lens.

You can never be too careful. ;)

...........

Sweet sisters

How many more years do you think I have with these two, lying in a chair together, watching cartoons?

Please lie to me and say "a million".

Giada

Do you remember when I blogged here about meeting Giada at Sur la Table (and the unfortunate episode of my pants being unzipped)?

*sigh*

Even though we haven't seen each other since (which makes our best friendship hard to maintain), I still love her. I still think she's really pretty.

BUT...

I don't want her doing Clairol commercials. Just cook, Giada.

I think she's really pretty on her show. Prettier than the other people on Food Network by far.

But there's something about her flipping her hair around like she's a model and telling me how gorgeous her hair color is that makes me wanna say, "Whoa. You're pretty, but please don't act like you know you are. Be unassuming in the kitchen. Flash your big smile while you're making pesto, and then go do your yoga and be quiet."

And to be honest... what really makes her pretty is her figure. The idea that her body looks like that and she eats pasta is what is baffling.
I really don't think anyone's looking at her hair thinking, "How does an average girl like me get my hair that shade of brown?"

I think her future success is dependent upon her cooking (and her low cut shirts for the men out there). Not with Clairol hair color. I'll be happier when she moves on.