These times are a changin'

It has been a long, LONG time since I have been to this lovely little blog of mine, but its nothing like a child of your's entering a new stage in her life and you feeling completely overwhelmed and underprepared to get my creative writing juices flowing! So, Max and the 11th Dinosaur is going to take a new direction in life, just as my children are beginning to do the same.

When I suspected I was pregnant with my first child, heretofore referred to as S (she as asked for me not to use her full name or post pictures of her because "stalkers are on the internet") I devoured books that prepared me for the next ten+ months (both of the little buggers were 2 weeks late). Then once she got here, I read and re-read What To Expect the First Year like it was going out of style. By the time she, and by then her brother H, (I thought I would just continue this facade of anonymity) were toddlers I was taking Child Development and Psychology courses out the ying-yang, so I felt prepared for what to expect for the next 8-10 years. But now they are 10 and almost 12 (less than a month away) and the prospect of pre-teen and teenage (GASP) years mere days away I find myself completely overwhelmed with what is going on and what is coming! And the available, trusted sources are few and far between.

So... I have decided to mostly devote this blog, for the time being, to life with pre-teens and teen-agers. There is so much going on in their brains and bodies and so many new experiences for us parents, sometimes I find I am completely befuddled and want to know why the answer can't be locking them in padded rooms for the next 8-10 years! I hope some the things I write about help others and, who knows, maybe we can all learn together!

OK, dinner is starting to sizzle! Got to Go!!

the Hippies (part 1)

At my work... which is a church... we moved offices and are beginning some remodeling. Part of that remodeling is getting rid of the church library. The other day I came into my office to find the MOST amazing pamphlet(s) sitting on my desk. One is entitled "the Hippies", the other "Sex-ed: conditioning for immorality" Both were published by Publius and Associates about 1967 and 1969, respectively. (there isn't a date on them though, but their sources are all from about this time)
Needless to say they are so amazing that I have returned from a hiatus of not blogging to transfer these pamphlets' contents to the Internet. Over the next few entries you are going to get to read some amazing stuff.

Also, a few minutes after reading these I was told by our office manager that there were film strips and vinyls that accompanied the pamphlets, but that she had thrown them away. Needless to say I went and got them out. So, if anyone knows how to get their hands on a 35mm film projector I propose a movie night!

I don't have a scanner, so this picture is going to have to do.


the Hippies
Since the dawn of history, man's goal has been to create a society free from drudgery, hunger, and disease - not only for himself, but as a legacy to pass on to his children. But only after the founding of our free society was the atmosphere created in which he could reach his goal. He worked and planned, built, and innovated... and grew!

Eventually, he was able to provide not only the necessities of life for himself and his children... but he could dream of acquiring some of the luxuries as well. Has man's dream of his children's future ended in a nightmare?

The end of World War II found America up from the depths of depression to the most affluent society known in history. Business was booming.

To capture these ready dollars, Madison Avenue turned to psychologists to analyze what motivated people to buy. Their studies revealed not only what motivated {sic} people - but techniques that could be used to create new desires in people... and to glorify the new and the different - whether it has quality or not!

It became apparent that, for the first time, American youth {sic} had plenty of money, also - and motivational research revealed that the influence of what has been called "Progressive Education" has produced a generation of youngsters many of whom were more concerned with being accepted by groups of their own age than they were with their own individualism.

Among this generation of susceptible youngsters, fads came - in epidemic proportions. The mass media helped to create fads - and profits poured in for those merchandisers who successfully capitalized on the fads.

***To be continued!!!

A find I found today...

At work, my computer's internet homepage is set to the BBC (it makes me feel smarter than everyone else in the office) and I came across this report. It talks about a photography contest winner... which isn't really what I want to tell you about. What I want you to see are the pictures that won. They are of a 17 year old girl... in Ohio. The photographer's website has all of them and tells a little backstory of the girl.

What I think makes these photos so amazing (and I am not a photography expert by any means) is how real and honest they are. And that not only is the girl from Ohio, but she isn't the only one that is living a life just like hers.

Just think about that.

How to catch a Chipmunk

Below you will find a very ingenious way to catch a chipmunk if one happens to be running around your bedroom.

Here you see a detailed illustration of how to catch chipmunks. Below you will find up-close of the coolest parts... The "trap" begins in the bottom left hand corner and proceeds around following the circles (herein known as nuts).


This is a close up of the the top left hand corner. As you can see the first number is 123, but it is crossed out, the second 15. The third is 23... apparently it takes 23 nuts to lure the chipmunk into the trap. (If you count the nuts there are 24, I think the last one is a treat to really get him in)
Tada! The chipmunk is in and as a special treat a bowl of nuts is waiting for him.

And thus you now have a way to successfully catch any chipmunk you may come into contact with.

NOTE: This process has not been actually tested and as far as we know the chipmunk left on its own accord.

I am a slacker

Hello, my name is Alicia and I am a slacker...
Wasn't it just 3'ish weeks ago that I said that I wanted to start blogging everyday, wasn't it last week that I said I would blog more about VBS tomorrow, Man! I need to get on the ball, but the bad thing is, I have been so busy that I have barely even been on my computer to begin with. And tomorrow I am leaving for Put-in-Bay with my mom and sister and should technically be packing right now.

And let me tell you, this is just me slacking at blogging. There are a few other things I'm slacking on I just want to throw out there, maybe by having them in print I will do them (because there are more people who now know that I'm not doing them)
1. I was supposed to have called everyone who signed up to be in my "ministry" and "personally" invite them to a Ministry Launch... I half-assed this just a few minutes ago. I didn't call everyone on the list AND I have had the lists for about a month now.
2. I was supposed to also call everyone who works in my "ministry" who did not fill out a paper and get them to fill it out... nope haven't done that yet.
3. Lose weight, I don't think I have even begin trying to do this and not even for a good reason
4. Cleaning my kids room so that we can put down a new floor
5. Packing for tomorrow, not done yet 'cause I'm telling you how much of a slacker I am
6. Keeping up with reading for a Bible Study group I'm a part of.

Ok, well, I'm sure that is NOT everything... but what a depressing post this has been, why make it worse by making my list longer?

I'm not making any promises, but maybe I will blog about my vacation at some point in the future.

Let The Great Hunt Begin!

This evening the culmination of months of hard work, planning, worrying, planning, changing the plans and planning some more all and even more hard work came together to kick off my third week of Vacation Bible School. And, as far as I can tell, it was the highest first night we have had since I have been the Children's Director/Minister (you can pick the title), with 52 kids!

When I first started VBS we did a "canned" VBS (I like to compare it to canned meat)... I didn't enjoy it at all. So last year I wrote my first VBS, it was good. And this year I continues with the tradition. This year's VBS is titled "The Great Hunt: Helping you find your place." It is a detective theme with a Sherlock Holmes looking guy... and we focus on 4 clues that Jesus tells us in 4 of his parables about how to find our place. And if I do say so myself, it is WAY better than last year's. I just feel so much more prepared and I feel like the lessons are better and the crafts and games are better. It is all Great.

Now, I don't want to make it sound like all the prep work was done by me, myself, and I... I had TONS of help. I would like to take this moment to say a few thanks to those people. (Who I don't even know if there read this... I'll probably tell them to on facebook though) First off, Jesus. Of course I can't do anything about him without Him, so Thank YOU. And even though we have plans, you make other plans and set those in motion so that our plans are really your plans all along. Second, Minnie Haworth. The artistic and creative abilities and your enthusiasm that you have been blessed with are awe inspiring. Next, Jennifer Hallgath, even though you aren't with me this week the prep work that you have helped with and the support you have given me are immeasurable. My parents, all the manual labor they put in to helping me build amazing "brick" walls was wonderful and I know you had a great time, too. Rob, your understanding and support and childcare have been great... not to mention the stress relief! All my workers, who aren't as obsessive as I have been lately with detail... because even though I have it all worked out in my head sometimes it isn't communicated to you and you all just go with the flow. Finally, Marilyn Marks. Even though you didn't get to be a part of The Great Hunt, you have already found where you are going. And I know that you are up there and I like to think that you can see everything, just as it is going to be and you are having a great time. We will all miss up very much, but we will see you again! (NOTE: these Thank you's are in no specific order of importance)

More tomorrow.... maybe even a video.

Day 7 sans Rob

Tomorrow I will get to be with my husband!!! I got a text from him this evening saying that he will be leaving Memphis at 5 (so less than 5 hours away).. The sad thing is that I think he will be home about 3 hours before I get to see him. Because not only is Rob getting back home tomorrow, but my parents are too!! (And I have to pick them up from the airport)

So, let me tell you about THE BEST night EVER!!! Henry and I went to the Reds game, we had the best seats... (5 rows from the outfield), they hit a home room and it landed about 10 rows behind us... which meant there were Homerun Fireworks... AND then THEY WON!!! OH, but that is not all, there was a whole firework show after the game too! During the game Henry said two of the best lines ever. The first was when he was sitting eating a sno-cone and he said "Mom, you spoil me..." The second came in the middle of the fireworks show and he screamed, "THIS IS THE BEST NIGHT EVER! and not just because the Reds won!"

There was a side part to the evening too. On our way to the game I get a call from Syd's Girl Scout Camp leader. They were scared of the storms that might come tonight and they decided to have all the girls go home for the night... at 9:30... in the middle of the game. I was like WHAT am I supposed to do? Especially since no one is home to get her except for me. Then I remembered that my Nana does drive and is able to pick up Syd for me...Thank goodnes for family. Needless to say, my Nana picked up Syd and when we came through town after the game we picked Syd up.

Now, I am sitting in my in-laws bed, getting ready to go to sleep. For so many reasons I chose to sleep here. The biggest, it is FREAKING hot and they have AC.

So, tomorrow, is a busy day, full of home comings and funness! I think I am going to do a recap-what I have learned from a week of being a single mom.

Day 6 sans Rob

Ok, this week just keeps getting better and better! And I know it is going to end well, because EVERYONE will be home! Today was no exception to the better'ness!

We woke up bright and early (much to early for not going to sleep until 11'ish, for the kids, and 3'ish, for myself) and was out of the door on time to take Syd to Girl Scout camp. If Rob had not taken the camera without letting me know, there would probably be pictures to include with this post. We got to Chilo, put her bags in her yurt, met her leader, gave big hugs and kisses, said goodbye and Henry and I were off to WCET studios downtown! (All within an hour of each other)

We were at CET because a friend of ours works there and asked Henry (and Syd but she was away) to be in a video about worms and it was taped today. Of Course Henry had a great time, he has been mentioning worm facts at random times during the day. I will totally post a link to the video when it is up for everyone to see.

After the video taping Henry and I went to Northside for lunch, where we ran into a friend of ours and we had lunch together at Melt... which was DELICIOUS (but kind of pricey)

Then it was home for a nap. I love it when you ask your child if he is tired, because he is whining and crabby and he just yawned, and his response is "No..."

After nap time, swimming! My first all season... which made me just want to put on sweats and a baggy T-shirt and make it my last. But it also made me decide that by the end of summer the inner tube will not be able to stay around my waist without me holding on to it.

Then after that was a bike trip! Rob told Henry to make me take him for bike rides and that is just what he did. And By Golly! We had a great time! We rode 5.6 miles, got chased my a dog that was about the size of my foot (and almost chased by one much bigger), and LOVED every minute of it. When we left for the trip Henry said he wanted to visit his Aunt and Uncle that live behind us, so we visited them on our way home, which was also very nice!

After that half a movie and ice cream...

BUT, I almost forgot the best part! Today the Reds played a 12:30 game, so when we were in town Henry and I were talking about it. He wanted to go, but the game had already started, so it gave me the idea to check and see if they are in town tomorrow... Well, they are and so Henry and I are going to the game!!! I'm not sure who is more excited!

So, tomorrow's plan, a little bit of work in the morning, swimming, a bike ride, dinner (probably other meals too), REDS GAME!!! (Maybe I will find a camera and take pictures)

Day 5 sans Rob

There is only 2ish days left to go!!!

Today went sooo well. The kids had a great day and I had a great productive day. We went shopping and I spent WAY too much money. Right now I am finishing up Elizabethtown... I borrowed it from my mother-in-law who got it for Christmas years ago and had NEVER opened it... So, I did it for her. I can't decide if it is good or not... But I am a humongus fan of Kirsten Dunst... I feel that any movie she is in (that I have seen) is made even better just because she is in it... It is for sure that Orlando Bloom did not make the movie... he is kind of annoying. Kind of wierd though, right now he is traveling though Memphis...

Well, this one is short, because even though I'm still up and I still need to take a shower, I need to wake up at 7 tomorrow... It is going to be such a long day.

I think I used too many elipses today.

I also think, the last 20ish minutes of the movie made the whole thing... well, wait Orlando Bloom is talking to his Dad's urn... Why does his hair always look wet?

Ok, its finished... very cheesy ending. I don't think I will want to watch it again... It wasn't that good.

Tomorrow, Syd goes to Girl Scout Camp, Henry is in a video about worms, and I only have 1 and a half more days till I get to see my husband again!!!

Day 4 sans Rob

What a great day! Work, went well... I got a lot done with and without the kids. Dr's appointment went well. But the best part of the day was this evening!

Since my parents are away on vacation for two weeks... gallivanting through the west and far Midwest... my grandparents (affectionately known as Nana and Papaw) came to town to watch the house and my great grandmother. Usually on Tuesdays Rob is at class and the kids and I hang out with my parents and my Nana said that while Mom and Dad were away they would like to have us over for dinner both of the Tuesdays. Last Tuesday we went and it was nice and I told them that I would like to fix dinner this week. So, that is exactly what I did. I even experimented! For dinner I made lemon-pepper chicken on the grill (of course!) and corn-on-the-cob... As for my experiment, I felt like having some potatoes, but mashed potatoes are like the furthest thing from healthy for me. So, I thought that I would maybe roast some potatoes and even try grilling them. Well, let me tell you, they were AMAZING!! Even the ones that were black because they stayed on the bottom too long were delicious!! My Nana and Papaw loved the dinner, the kids loved the dinner! I was so happy!

Something else crazy happened today. My parents' dog bit me! And I think it may have caused a break in our relationship (the dog and me). I mean, I was really pissed off that he did it and then later on in the evening he proceeded to steal a cob off the table and that did not help the situation. I don't know... we will see. Now, for those of you who might be worried, it was nothing serious, he did break the skin, it was on my wrist, but there wasn't a lot of blood or anything. Now I just have a band-aid on and it looks like I tried to slit my wrist.

Because I of the rain I decided not to go to the drive-in (and we had already seen the movie) but the kids and I did cuddle on the couch and watch The Tale of Despereaux. It was a cute movie. And it totally completed the GREAT evening!

On another note: A friend of mine, her husband left this week for Iraq and it totally has put this whole week into perspective for me. In fact, just thinking about it makes these past few blogs feel very selfish. I mean, yeah, my husband is gone for 7 days, but her husband is gone for 188 days TO IRAQ. I don't think I could survive something like that. So, my prayers are with her and her husband and his safety.

Well, Wednesday is on its way! It means 1 day until Syd leaves for Girl Scout Camp (her first official over-night camp and she is REALLY nervous) and more days without Rob has gone past than how many remain until he returns!

One other note... I am really enjoying this blogging everyday thing. And I was thinking about continuing it... even if it is about trite stuff like what I did today. In fact, I really need to begin working on loosing weight... most of what I lost in '07 is returning... so I was thinking about doing a Bridget Jones thing... to give myself some accountability and stuff... Maybe.

Ok, that's all for tonight!

Day 3 sans Rob

Well, I think it is safe to say that today went great! We had a rough start to the morning... including me yelling at the kids because they brought a book into the car a few days ago, left it there, then a half empty cup of coffee fell into the mix and got all over the book. I made them clean out the entire back of the car.

But work with the kids went well. I actually got a lot finished and started and they were so good when I had to go to the T-shirt place and give them my files. With VBS less than 13 days away, I am beginning to feel the crunch and with Rob gone this week I think it is weighing on me a bit more.

After work I took the kids to the library to get their first prize for the summer reading program, they were so excited! A funny consequence occurred because of the trip. For Syd to get her prize today she chose to get a CD of music to dance to (it was either that or read a book), so I let them each get a CD. Well, then we got home and I realized that we don't actually have a working CD player besides our computers... ha ha. So, we have yet to listen to the music and dance; which Syd pointed out is kind of cheating, but I don't really think so because we listen to music and dance all the time, just not to Cd's... from the library or anywhere else. The whole thing yet again reminded me that I need to get the kids a working CD player... maybe we will look for one this week. (Side note: Do any of my readers have one they don't use anymore? I would really like to not buy one)

After day activities we got to home activities. Tonight I had Bible Study with the ladies from Echo! It was the first one that I have gotten to attend and even though I was mildly distracted with the kids being with a new babysitter (more on that in a minute) and not being prepared AT ALL I loved it! It is so nice to be able to go to a Bible Study, where not only do we study the Bible, but I am with a group of ladies are all similar in age/lifestyle/church beliefs as myself. I actually do not think that I have ever been to Bible Study like this before... and sad to admit, but the last serious group I was in was over 5 years ago and I was the youngest one there. So, thank you ladies for being there and having this Bible Study!

Babysitter: It has been a really long time since we have actually gotten a babysitter, usually we get our parents to watch the kids and we are out till wee hours of the morn...not being parents. But this week is special and so I got us a babysitter. And I think she is great! She even made the kids brush their teeth before bed!! She is a high schooler and she goes to our church. The best thing is that when I was subbing I "overheard" her talk about how she had just taken babysitting courses, so she is all prepared in the babysitting department, including CPR/rescue breathing! I haven't gotten to talk to the kids about her (Since they were asleep when I got home, but I think they had a good time too), but I think it is safe to say she will be back other times during the summer!

So that was Day 3. And I have a strawberry update! I discovered that Rob took the camera, so the first picture (from yesterday) is from my phone and then I videoed the one from today.

As my parenthesis says this was from yesterday

This is how both of them look today! I am so excited!

I have a feeling that I need to move them to the ground, because my other set seems to be sending out runners, but I don't know where to put them. I hope that they will be ok. Also, don't you love the Tinker Toy/curling ribbon support device I have made for them! I am thinking in the fall or next spring that I will make a raised garden and plant more edible things. In addition to my strawberries I have 4 tomato plants, but they aren't doing anything yet. I'll keep you posted on them too.

And so completes Day 3. Tomorrow, another day of work, including a Dr.s Appt, dinner with my Nana and Papaw, and maybe the Drive-In!!! WOW!

Day 2 sans Rob

Well, Day 2 went well'ish (I love modifying words with "'ish" it just embodies every meaning I mean it to mean)

Since today is Sunday and the one day of the week I have to work, it is always pretty stressful. But we got out of the house and to church fairly on time, with NO hassles!! Which is extraordinary. Even church went well. I did have to sit down and talk with a boy... who just happened to be attending for the first time... because of his behavior, but even that went well. And the lessons went great and almost all of my teachers were there... so the first third went a definite Well.

Second third: I got to take a nap! This is a rarity because usually we are at Rob's parents and I don't feel like I can take a nap or really even leave until it is necessary. But, since everyone is out of town, lunch was at my house with my food and on my time. Which means we were finished and laying down to do nothing the rest of the afternoon by 1:30!!

Last third: Went to Echo. For those of you who don't know Echo is the church we go to in Walnut Hills. It is great and I LOVE it!! This week we were finishing up talking about women and what 1 Corinthians and Paul says about us.... I'm sorry Steve, but I feel like the thesis of your "sermon" didn't really come to fruition. But, I enjoyed it anyway and I mixed it up and sat on the opposite side of the room with Melissa and the other "single ladies." However, on the way home the kids got the best of me... I yelled at them twice. And it wasn't because they were being "bad" it was because they just kept finding ways to blatantly ignore what I was asking them to do. By the time we got home I wanted nothing more than to lock them in their room and have myself a glass of wine. (Only the latter half of this I did) Instead, we finished chapter 3 of The Swiss Family Robinson... which is a great book!! (Maybe I will talk about it more in another edition of this blog) And went to bed, without any problems!

The plan for tomorrow is work (with the kids in tow) and Bible study!
See you then

P.S. Also, I'm trying my hand at growing strawberries and my first two started getting some red on them today!!! I'll have pictures tomorrow.

Day 1 sans Rob

Rob left this morning for a mission trip to Memphis, Tennessee and he will be gone all week until Saturday ( at some unknown time). He hasn't been gone for a whole week for two years and not only is he gone, but his parents are gone (we live right next to them), AND my parents. So, needless to say I am feeling a little abandoned today and lonely. (The lonely part I think is due to the time of the month and not necessarily my lack of friends and support people to talk to)

I thought to maybe pass the time I would blog each day this week about what we did... Not necessarily to keep Rob up-to-date, because he didn't take his laptop, but to just do something that will fill the void and try my hand at blogging everyday.

So, to start off with the kids and I rolled out of bed at about 10ish this morning. (I would just say the lateness was because it was Saturday, but with school being out, I have been getting up about this time everyday... I need to stop it) Then I was feeling all sad and depressed and I didn't really feel like doing anything, so we argued about what we wanted to do for "breakfast" until about 11:30. At which time we just went over to the in-laws and watched TV and ate bad, bad food, Until we left for my nephews birthday party... at 2. At the party, which was super fun, we played The Price is Right games (my nephew LOVES The Price is Right) and had cake and ice cream. Then we went to Red Robin for dinner. Finally we went grocery shopping for the week and came home.

I know, You are thinking "What an interesting life Alicia leads!" But, alas, it has only been one day... wait until you hear what the rest of the week holds in store for us!!

Today is the 65th anniversary of D-Day

I found this article while reading some news stories this morning and I wanted to share it with you too. Even though I have a huge interest in History and am working on being a History teacher, it did not dawn on me this morning when I woke up that it was the anniversary of D-Day. (as I'm sure many of you did not think about either) But I found this story and it made me stop and think about the day and all the lives that were lost. A lot of times when people talk about going into the service or about the people in military service they say they are "sacrificing" their lives so that we can be free. To be honest, sometimes I takes a lot for me to think about how the men and women currently serving are protecting our freedom... especially since I don't see how the "wars" currently being fought were started because our "freedom" was at stake. (Please recognize that this is my own PERSONAL opinion and they don't necessarily have to be the same as yours') (NOTE: I want to make it clear that I don't disrespect people who are in military service, they join for their own reasons and ARE doing a lot of good in the world) But when I think about the people who fought in World War 2, and especially those who were a part of D-Day, I feel that they truly were serving to protect our freedom and the freedom of thousands and millions of others. And it makes me glad and helps me think more about why people today serve in the military.

So, a quick background on what D-Day was for those of you who don't remember from some past high school/college history class (or sadly enough, Saving Private Ryan). D-Day was an Ally (that means the good guys and included the U.S., Canada, and Great Britain) invasion that took place on a 50 mile stretch of beaches in Normandy, France beginning around 6:30 in the morning of June 6, 1944. 160,000 troops landed on the beach making the invasion the largest, single-day amphibious invasion, EVER. When everything was said and done over 10,000 of the Allied troops were dead. But we won and it put the Allies ahead and a dent in the Nazi's stronghold.

Anyways, here is the article: "There aren't many of us left standing"

My week in photos

This week has been extraordinarily eventful in the G house AND extraordinarily full of picture taking. So, I thought that I would give you a run down of my week through the photos I took.

Last Saturday my mom and the kids went to the Butterfly Show at Krohn Conservatory. This is a
picture of one of the butterflies we saw while on our visit.


Henry turned 6!


The last day of school! (This caption is for the next two as well)
This picture is from Sydney's first grade awards assembly. She received Honor Roll (all year) and Tiger Cub (all year). (Tiger Cub means that she was well-behaved)


It is a little blurry, but this is Henry shaking the principal's hand at Kindergarten "Graduation"


Henry leaving school, never to return as a kindergartner AGAIN!


Henry bridged this Saturday to become a Tiger Cub Cub Scout (not to be confused with Tiger Cub at School). This is a picture of him getting his Tiger Cub neckerchief tied on.

And finally, but not least, my very own grill!! I love grilling and here is a picture of Saturday night's dinner on my new grill. It was DELICIOUS!

Well, as you can see it was a very exciting week here.
(Not to mention the almost tornado Saturday night)

Thanks for reading!

Nothing

It has only been like 4 weeks since I said that I would try and blog at least once every week... I think the operative word there is "TRY." Especially, because I have tried, I swear!

For the life of me I can't think of anything to type, that would not take a lot of time and not be really boring.
For instance, I could maybe start writing some of "Max and the 11th Dinosaur" on here, but that would take a lot of time, especially since it has been a REALLY long time since I wrote anything fictional and not for a college class.
Or, I could write a little about what I'm doing these days, but I don't think people want to read about how I am writing VBS curriculum for my job/church and I am very far behind and a little stressed about it... because that is all I am doing these days. I would just say the same thing every post.

I was talking to a friend the other day and she has started a blog of pictures of things that she thinks looks really neat (actually she told me that my sunglasses are on it... I need to find the blog) and another friend of mine finished a year long thing where she did "self" portraits...
I don't have anything interesting like that to do, and I definitely don't want to have about 365 pictures of myself on the interweb... YUCK! (Chris, which is only to say that pictures of myself would be yuck, I really enjoyed yours)

Well, either way, I am going to keep blogging away. I think it is a habit I need to strengthen (unlike my terrible habit of eating food ALL the time... that one needs to END). And maybe after VBS is through, I WILL start on some "Max and the 11th Dinosaur"... that would be fun.

Yay!!

I am subbing right now and as a result I can't get onto facebook. Maybe that is a sign that I am attached to facebook a little too much... But since I haven't blogged for last week I figured I could blog right now.

Anyways, I wanted to tell everyone about my grades from my first year of Grad school. (Note: I don't think it is pompous to tell everyone that I'm in Grad School, which is why I tell everyone about it when I talk about school) I just checked my final grades and I got A's in both of my classes!! Which means that I have gotten ALL A's so far in grad school!!! That is really exciting! I have never gotten all A's in my college classes... at least post children college classes.

Also, just a few words about high schoolers. I LOVE them! (That is where I am subbing right now.) I have been listening to them reagale us with information about this past weekend. It was prom and apparently the "senior campout" and today is senior skip day. Oh Man!! Just the various discussions that are occuring... and thier passion about all of it is amazing. They talk about the events like they are the most important things ever.

Well, thanks for reading! I'll blog again later this week!

What I learned after a weekend with 16 preteens

So, as promised my blog a week is here... and Rachel, I'm sorry it isn't "exactly" a week from my last one, but it is "within" the week from the last one.

Let me give you some background to this post before I start. Last weekend, actually exactly a week from when I am typing this, I took 16 preteens (4th-6th graders) and 3 adults to a CIY convention (a humongous event for kids to learn more about Jesus.. to put it very simply). It was just ONE night, and even within 24 hours. However, this was everyone's first time doing something like this (including me and one of my adults) and I learned A LOT! Here are a few of them.

• Always tell children explicitly what is going to happen and when. Or you will have to repeat yourself 16 more times and the end result is like herding cats.
  
• You must take careful notes when talking to a parent about what they expect you to do for their kid and follow it to a tee. (I'm still waiting to see how this one ends up)
• If they are on stage they are immediately a star (this is probably even true for us adults, too) NOTE: I have a picture for this, but I left it on my other computer, I'll get if for you soon.
  
• A large Caramel Frappuccino can go a loooong way (but beware of the side effects)
• Sometimes you really just need a break...

So, there it is, 5 bullet points of pure wisdom... ok, well, maybe not PURE wisdom, but there is a little bit in there. If you want to get in-depth stories of any of the points email me or call me I'll be glad to share.

My To Do Lists...

Since it is Monday and I am in the office, I usually write a to do list of all the things I have to get done this week. I did it today and this is what it looks like...
I don't know if you can see it, but the left column is School stuff, the middle column is Home, and the right column is Work. OH MAN THAT IS A LOT OF STUFF.
And even though the school one has only 3 things they include a final exam, putting together a resource notebook, and an entire presentation on Japan's involvement in WW2!! All due by next Tuesday.

Yet, here I am, blogging for the second time in a week.

GET TO WORK, SELF!

A Day at Eden Park

On the 24th I am taking (so far) 14 preteens downtown for a convention and for two hours of that weekend our group has a play time. For our play time I am sending them on a picture taking scavenger hunt around Eden Park (It is going to be AWESOME). To prepare for the hunt, the family and I went to Eden Park Saturday and I took 118 pictures. Some of them were for the hunt and some of them just for fun. Here are the ones that are my favorite. I hope you enjoy them.




Also, I think I am going to start working really hard to blog at least once a week.