Happy Mother's Day!!

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. If you're a mother, God Bless you and you are appreciated, even if you don't always think so. And if you're not a mother, be sure to call yours and tell her you love her.

Hurry up and wait

I hate waiting. I've never been very patient with it. It doesn't matter if it's waiting for presents on Christmas morning or waiting on the mailperson to deliver the mail or waiting to get pregnant (which I am currently doing).

But visiting the doctor is the worst. I've been struggling yet again with a sinusy issue and decided that it was time to go see the doc. I don't like any part of the procedure that entails seeing the doctor. I hate finding the time to call. I hate being put on hold by the receptionist. I hate telling the receptionist what's wrong with me, and feeling like I have to measure up to her standards on whether or not I'm worthy to make an appointment, more or less get one for the same day. I hate sitting in the waiting room. You sit there, among other sick people and hope you don't also catch what they have. Today, there was a cranky two year old whose mother looked just about defeated with his sickness (I heard wheezing and coughing). There was also a few other people that came and went (that's another part I hate--waiting longer than other people!!). Then they call your name at the front desk and you think, "Bingo! I've won! It's my turn!" and then all they ask is if your information is all current. Grrr. So I waited another 20 minutes or so and then finally, the magical door between the waiting room and the exam rooms opened and a nurse called my name. Then you are put in a small room and asked AGAIN what you're there for. What was the point in telling the receptionist? Then they leave and you wait some more. And I really hate waiting in there. You're just sitting there, on an exam table, listening to doors open and shut and the chatter of nurses and doctors and sometimes I wonder if they're all just standing out there giggling to themselves, "Let's see how long this one will wait." Or maybe I'm on some sort of hidden camera show and someone's going to pop out and say, "You just got punk'd" or something. But nope. It's just the cruewl process of being seen by a doctor. Which I didn't even get to do. I saw a NP (nurse practioner), which I know is valid and trained, but I just feel a little cheated. So, she examined me, asked me the basic questions and told me I had Sinusitis--which I've had before. I think it's a made-up name. Sinusitis just sounds fake--like what you tell your boss you have when you are calling in to tell her that you're, "cough, cough" sick. Then, the NP writes me 3 prescriptions and sends me on my way. Just like that. I probably saw her for 5 minutes tops. And I still have to wait some more, to stand in line at the payment desk to pay my $15 copay!! And here's the best part--I HAVE TO WAIT SOME MORE AT WALGREENS!!! And to pay $80 for 3 prescriptions!! And that's with insurance covering 90%!! Good gracious.

And that was my day.

Pleasant Surprise

After the incident with Hormone Boy, I was really dreading my 7th/8th period yesterday. I was expecting him to march into class and whine and disrupt the class by wanting to discuss why he was sent down to the office and how outrageous it was that he had to carry all those journals to the crate. But I was happy to realize that he wasn't in class. I was just hoping he wasn't ditching. Soon after class started, Mrs. Vice Principal gave me a ring and asked if my class was quieter than normal, to which I replied with a laugh, "why, yes it is." She said that I would be relieved of Hormone Boy for the rest of the week, as he visited the administration office during my class. Fine with me. Things went much smoother yesterday. Not to say the class acted like angels, but there wasn't any arguing or confrontation. In fact, when we were finished with journals yesterday, I said, "Now, it's time to pass them up, and if it isn't too much to ask, could the front of each row put them away?" to which the class laughed. They knew how ridiculous it had been for Hormone Boy to put up such a fuss.

And today I noticed on the absent list (that comes out 3rd period), that Hormone Boy was Home Suspended. Which means 1 of 2 things: he either acted up while in the office yesterday or got his butt in trouble for something else. Who knows. And sad to say, who cares. I mean, I care about Hormone Boy and really wish he would work to his potential. And I feel for his mom, as she is raising 4 boys (with only about a 6 or 7 year span total between them) alone. It's just that I want to get through the last few weeks of school without wanting to strangle a student. Is that too much to ask?

Oh yeah, and we had an Early Release today, for teacher training. Yeah!! The day just zooms by on shorter days. And the Inservice was vertical training (department level) and we got out about an hour early. Hallelujah. Thank God for the weekend.

3 more weeks to go...

What a letdown

Issue #1 today:
I have a 7th grade student I'll call N'awlins Boy (as in New Orleans--his family were victims of Hurricane Katrina), because that's where he's from. He has a sweet disposition and a very thick New Orleans accent. Anywho, he started out the year an average student: he came to class and did his work. However, as the year progressed, he slowly stopped doing both of those things. Eventually, he was in class maybe once a week. We found out he was outsmarting the system. Apparently if a student is out more than 9 days in a row and they are unexcused, then he is automatically withdrawn. So, he'd be out 9 days exactly. And then he'd come back for a day or two. Then he'd be out again. And when he came to class, I felt like I was always playing Catch-Up with him. It got to the point where I just didn't bother telling N'awlins Boy what he missed, because I knew he wouldn't be at school long enough to retain it or actually turn any work in. I guess the attendance issue got so bad that his parents got a letter warning them of the danger of them getting in trouble for not bringing him to school. Well, then he started coming. And I've seen him in class probably 8 out of the last 10 days. He wasn't getting a lot done, but at least he was sitting in a desk and perhaps absorbing a thing or two. But unfortunately, his nonchalant attitude had started rubbing off another one of my boys and together they didn't get much accomplished, besides chatting across the room to each other. Yesterday, I warned my entire class (about 10 minutes before the bell), that if they didn't have their vocabulary assignment finished, they would be coming in at lunch to finish it, because I had given them plenty of time. Quite a few students kicked it into gear and got it done just in time. N'awlins Boy, however, continued to work at a snail's pace. So, I handed him a Lunch Detention and guess what? He didn't show. So, today, I told him that he now had 2 Lunch Detentions (today and tomorrow) and if he didn't show, it would end up being ASD. Well, guess what? He didn't show. AGAIN. So I wrote him an ASD and as protocol, called home. As I am beginning to explain to Mom why he was written up, she stops me and says, "It doesn't really matter, because I am disenrolling him at this moment. I'm putting him in private school." Okay. That's weird. N'awlins Boy did stop by my class later today to get his final grade and he didn't say much. I asked why he was switching schools, but he said he didn't want to talk about it. If it's because they think he won't get harassed about not coming to school somewhere else, they are in for a big surprise. It's just sad, because he has potential. But if no one at home finds it important to be in school, then he doesn't have much of a chance.

Issue #2:
My day went pretty well (excluding Issue #1), and even my last block was being pretty good (partially because I was short like 10 kids, because of a few being sick and it was a track meet). Except for when it was time to pass up journals. In my class, we do journals everyday, and instead of 30 kids bringing journals back up to the crate in the front of the room, I have the person in the front of the row take them up. It works better and it's organized. No one has really complained about it. I switch the seating chart around enough, that no one is in the front for very long. And they've only had their current seats for about two weeks. Well, Hormone Boy sits in the front of one of the rows. And today, he decides he doesn't want to take up the journals. He tosses them on the floor and just sits there. I ask him what the deal is, and he responds with something along the lines that he doesn't think he should have to take anyone else's journal up. And that he didn't ask to be put in the front. I tell him I don't care if he wants to be in the front, and that it is his responsibility. He says (get this--this just kills me!) that he's going to go home and tell his mom that he doesn't think he should be responsible for anyone else's stuff. So what? I hope he tells his mom, and I hope she laughs. We're in this class as a team and we all have to help each other out once in awhile. I tell him that others put his journal away before and he says he doesn't care. It slowly escalates to a bigger deal, to which he eventually tosses the journals into the crate with defiance, and I send him to the office. To which he sits there for the remainder of the period, and no one talks to him. He just sat there and then headed off to go home when the last bell rang. I talked to the vice principal after school and she said that suspending him wouldn't help (because he wants to be home alone) and nothing else works. Okay, but what about the fact that he's distracting the learning of the other students and he's disrespectful to me constantly and he's refusing to do what he's asked to do?? I don't know what's going to happen, but I really don't want to spend the next 3 1/2 weeks with him and I in a battle. I've heard that his 2 older brothers that attended our school never made it to the last day of school, because they ended up suspended the last week. I guess Hormone Boy just wants to follow in their footsteps. I wish some of my students had better role models...

"From up here, you all look like little ants..."

Yesterday, my hubby took me flying. It was the first time since he was an actual student at that school, probably about 9 years ago. It was just him and I in a 4-seater plane and we flew to the Red Rocks (for you natives of my state, you know where that is) and had a nice, quiet brunch at the airport's restaurant. Then we flew home. It was neat. Weird, since it had been ages, and honestly a little nerve-wracking (even though I trust my hubby's abilities and judgment), but neat. It was worth the wait.

What a Fantastic Friday!!

Probably more so for the kids, but it was a pretty good day for me too. It was our monthly Fantastic Friday (kids get out of class early, and the good ones get to participate in some sort of activity), and this Friday was one all the kids (that got to go) seemed to enjoy. The PTSO organized a carnival of sorts, and sold wristbands for $5, for unlimited play on inflatable stuff like a slide and a bungee race thing. The kids could also purchase tickets for carnival style games like ring toss and the ping pong ball in the fish bowl game. But the kicker--and the big money maker--was the dunktank. And what's more, Mrs. Assistant Principal sat in the dunktank. I would be interested to know how much money was raised on that alone. The tickets were 25 cents a piece, and it cost 4 tickets for three balls. Let's just say, a lot of kids had no qualms about whacking balls at a trigger that tossed an adminstrator into a tank of cool water. They were laughing. They were screaming. They were applauding. And the best part, they were buying tickets for it like it was going out of style. The PTSO also sold snacks like soda and popcorn and there was face painting and inflatable hammers and bats that could be won. A good time for all, I think. It was quite toasty after 2 hours of being outside, but I was enjoying watching my kids out of their classroom element and running around like they hadn't seen grass in ages. A game of football got started on the side field and that seemed to attract a lot of my 8th grade boys. With food to snack on, an assistant principal to watch getting drenched and loads of other activities to choose from, I didn't see a single kid wandering around looking unhappy or slumping down in the grass looking bored. They were happy to be outside and able to be free from work. And it made the teachers happy too.

Happy Friend Day!

I don't know if it's anything official or national or whatever, but the local news said something about today being Friend Day. The newscasters had their long, lost friends on the show, and reminisced about their high school days and whatnot.

It just reminded me of how thankful I am for my true friends that have been more than I could ever ask for and have been a blessing in my life. I also feel sad and sorry that I have lost touch and/or lost the bond with certain friends, partially by my own fault. It's a little disheartening, when you really think about it. When you have a history with someone, and for a certain period of time you were close and had such great memories together. And then something happens. Life happens, I guess. Whatever it is, things change. You move on. You grow up. You have different priorities. You forget about that time in your life when you were connected at the hip. I guess it doesn't have to be a sad thing, since life just does that. We're grownups. We're not always going to enjoy the company of the same people we would have 5 or 10 years ago.

Maybe we're supposed to just remember those times in life fondly and move on. Maybe we're supposed to try to make it work with that person and try to get to know who they are now. I don't know. I don't have the answers. I guess what I'm trying to say is, if I've neglected a friendship with you, it was not at all with ill intent, and I am still deeply grateful for what you have meant to me.

So, take a moment and really think about those people in your life. I know it's cliche', but think about how they've changed you, inspired you, made you laugh, helped you cry, hugged when you needed it, listened to you gripe about crap. And even if you don't talk to them anymore, or it's awkward when you do, remember how your life was affected by them, and if you can't tell them personally, just keep it in your heart that they were placed in your life for a reason and it has forever changed you.

Warning: This entry is girly and a bit materialistic

I bought these shoes today at Payless! Aren't they fun? I was there looking for dress shoes for the 8th grade dance (last day of school), and of course, they were having Buy One Get One Half Off, and I saw these. They're fun, a little girly (that's leopard print) and they don't have to be tied (great for when I'm pregnant again)!! I love new shoes!

The natives are restless

I'm too tired and worn out to say much (plus it's Results Night on American Idol!), so let's just say that the kids are chomping at the bit. They're ready for summer. We're ready for summer. It's getting ugly. In my classes alone, I wanted to strangle a good dozen of them (but instead, I took the Christain approach and took a deep breath and said a little prayer in my head). But at least that was the extent of my antics. Somewhere else on campus (I'm not sure where, as I heard it secondhand from the vice principal), a kid bit another student. Yeah, BIT them. You don't hear about that much in grade school, not to mention MIDDLE SCHOOL. Oh yeah, and two other students were hauled off to Juvie today. 5 more weeks...

...And now I can breathe a sigh of relief

The BIG FAT STANDARDIZED TESTS are over!! What a relief. We took them Tuesday through Friday and it felt like longer. The test schedule was broken down into 2 hour segments (the first day being the writing assessment and the other 3 days were an hour of reading comprehension and an hour of math), which isn't so bad. I tried to tell the kids that I remember when I was in school that the state tests were all day. You tested all day, with just lunch and recess as a break. Could you imagine this generation (ones with an attention span of a gnat), sitting in a desk all day long taking a test? Yikes! I think the 2 hour segment is long enough.

I tried to peek at some of their tests (especially the writing one), and check out how they were doing. Most seemed to do pretty well. That test is so hard to analyze as a teacher though, since some just want it to be over, so they just rush. And others get stressed out at the end (which was like me as a student) and kinda give up. You hope that most of them care enough about it to try their best. It at least looked like the majority did. I guess we'll see when the scores come back, right?

I'm also glad testing week is over so we can get back to our regular schedule. I guess because of lunches, the day was broken down by taking test with 8th period class from 9-11 and then going to 3rd period and continuing from there and having 1st and 2nd period at the end of the day. I don't know who was more out of whack by the switch: the students or the teachers! We had this same schedule about a month ago, when we did a little version of the state test, but it was only for the day. This was 4 days!! I'll be glad to have my 1st/2nd period kids back in the morning. When they're still half asleep. At the end of the day is apparently their prime. And it just about made me crazy.

Needless to say, we are all able to relax a little and pray that the next 6 weeks go by without much incident. Once the BIG TEST is over, some of the kids sort of check out. They figure the school year is over already. Not so. And how do you keep them motivated to keep working and keep caring? That's the magic question!!

Happy Easter

MySpace Graphic Codes

Hope everyone has a peaceful day with family and it is a happy, joyful day for all.

P.S. Eat lots of candy!!

God Rocks!!

I'm gonna make this short and sweet, since the last 2 days have been non-stop. Yesterday, we left home right after I got off work and hurried down to my parents' house. We gave a few last minute instructions, kissed Mason goodbye and headed off to the concert. What a show. Stellar Kart opened (think Green Day with Christian lyrics), which we weren't familiar with, but they were high energy and a lot fun, and then came Kutless (the band we knew best--medium hardrock) and the headliner was the Newsboys (kinda U2-esque). They put on a great show. My throat still hurts from singing so loud. We're really glad we went.

We returned home this afternoon. I took a nap, but Mason decided he didn't need one, so Daddy entertained him for awhile. Then, we went to church for Good Friday service. And now we're home. Tomorrow we're going to our friends' house to color eggs with Sesame Street and Star Wars decorations (which one do you think Daddy picked out?)

The Spirit is alive and well in us lately. And just in time for Easter. :)

Long weekend, here we come!!!

Today I was at an Inservice at the District, which was pretty interesting. I learned some new things and felt refreshed about some old concepts. It was pretty worthwhile. Tomorrow my classes will just be doing last minute review for the BIG FAT STANDARDIZED TESTS that are next week. They're going to take a Practice Test and we're gonna grade it. And that's it. Tuesday begins the testing and I figure if they don't know it by now, oh well. I'm not going to cram or stress. Some kids aren't going to try on it anyways...

Tomorrow right after school, we're heading down south to go see Kutless and Newsboys (Christian rock) in concert, while Nana and Papa watch Mason. We're really looking forward to it. We haven't been to a concert in awhile, and we really like Kutless.

And did I mention NO SCHOOL Friday? Yeah!! We get it off for Good Friday, but the school calendar labels it as "Spring Recess". Don't get me started...

Hope everyone enjoys the weekend and if you're Christian, keeps Christ in mind and remembers why He died and what that means to us. God Bless.

An early Easter...sort of

Our local community park puts on this big Easter "Eggstravaganza" every year around this time. It was today, and we were really looking forward to it. Mason's never met the Easter Bunny or hunted for eggs. And this "Eggstravaganza" promised both. I even managed to get to Target this morning to get Mason an Easter basket (which was really an Easter bucket), so he could carry around his prized eggs that he discovered.

When we arrived, it was really neat--tons of kids, lots of game booths, two jumping castles, a petting zoo and the infamous Easter bunny. We weren't exactly sure how Mason was going to react to a ginormous white bunny that doesn't talk and wants to hug him, but he did pretty well. He went up and got his picture taken with not much problem, as long as I was right there.

We knew the Easter egg hunt was soon approaching, so we made our way to the big playground and saw kids lined up all around the sand, getting ready. Then, we got word that the little guys were having their own hunt at the little playground. So, we started to walk over there, and noticed that there weren't any eggs, and kids were already leaving. Come to find out, some little kid ran out onto the playground for the eggs a little too early, and that caused the release of all the other little ones around. So, needless to say, Mason didn't get to find a single egg. He did, at least get to meet the Easter bunny, pet a sheep, watch other farm animals and climb around on the playground for a little bit.

Then, there was a scary moment, but not with our child, thank God. Mason was headed across the climbing structure on the playground, when I saw Mason's Daddy leap across the sand and there was some commotion. Apparently this kid of about 5 or 6 stepped off the edge of ladder part of the playground and took a nosedive for the sand, about 8 feet down. My hubby tried to catch him, but missed. Where was the mom, you ask? She was on her cell, I guess talking to the Dad. When her son fell, she ran over, and before she had even examined him, she yelled into the phone, "He fell! Oh my God, he fell!! Leave work right now and meet us at the ER!!" Now, granted, as a mom, I'm familiar with PANIC MODE. You're not sure how to react, so you let panic take over. But, I think I would at least check out my son before ordering my husband to meet us at the Emergency Room. Yeah, the kid fell, but he fell on sand, didn't hit anything on his way down, and nothing made a cracking noise and I didn't see any blood. I bet he just brusied his arm or head. It's amazing how Nonchalant Mom can turn into Hysterical Mom in a millisecond. And sadly, often Hysterical Mom morphs into I'm-Sueing-the-Pants-Off-You Mom. I should hope this lady didn't immediately phone her lawyer and hear a cash register in her head. The playground wasn't poorly maintained or dangerous. The kid just walked off an area that shouldn't be walked off. Too bad more and more people these days see every accident (or someone breathing on them the wrong way) as a payout. Sigh...

Getting off my soapbox, it ended up being a pleasant hour of our day and Mason seemed to enjoy himself. He didn't even comprehend the whole egg hunting thing, so no loss. Besides, we're gonna do our own hunt in our backyard next Sunday.

Mixed Messages

Our PTSO has been really great to us--they leave little goodies in our boxes from time to time, they come up with all kinds of FUN fundraisers for the kids, they organize and decorate our school dances, they coordinate the annual Jog-a-Thon that raises thousands of dollars for our classrooms, and the list goes on. The latest is that for Teacher Appreciation Week (I think in May?), they always leave little gifts in the teachers' boxes every day and on the actual Teacher Appreciation Day, they provide a catered lunch, often from places like Outback or a local Mexican restaurant. They aim to please. Most of the time.

Case in point. They run a little store during all 3 lunches everyday, to raise some extra money. The store has fun pencils and erasers, calculators, bookmarks, etc. Those are great and fun for all ages. What I don't like is the rest of the merchandise: bouncy balls, sticky hands (those irritating little hands that stick to crap when you throw them) and Whoopee Cushions. Who's idea was this? I guess Friday during 7th grade lunch, there were bouncy balls ricocheting all over Commons. The teachers on duty were losing their minds. And the Whoopee Cushions make me crazy. I know they're funny and reminiscent of our younger days, but they are a pain in a teacher's behind. I took 2 away during 8th grade lunch. I began talking with a couple of teachers after lunch, and I mentioned how I didn't think it was right that PTSO sold crap like that. It's just setting the kids up to get in trouble. One of the other teachers approached a couple of the PTSO ladies later and one of their responses was, "Everything we sell has been approved by administration, and the kids should be allowed to have a little fun!" I like fun. Fun is good. I am not against kids having fun. I am, however, against watching little bouncy balls fly across my classroom, hearing Whoopee Cushions farting in kids's seats and finding those stupid sticky hands everywhere.

The PTSO is helpful and well appreciated by the entire school staff, I am sure. They just don't see what we see.

...and it draws to a close

Spring Break is over. And in about another hour, I will be in bed, falling asleep and dreaming about the next break: SUMMER!!!

Here are a few pics from this past week.


Playing outside. Again. All the time. All week.



I think Max enjoyed me being home all day, too...



Mason and I walking, with Daddy ahead, towing Maxie.

More than you wanted to know

I saw this on someone's blog one time and have been meaning to do it on mine, but kept putting it off. And now, being Spring Break and Mason's asleep, I thought I'd get off my lazy bum and actually do it (even though I didn't have to actually get off my lazy bum, since I'm sitting at the computer...):

Here's just about anything and everything you didn't know, maybe already knew and didn't want to know about me:

I know that God has already planned out my life and I need to just let him have control.

I believe the children are our future…and that’s a little scary sometimes.

I fought for the right to paaartay…JK.

I am angered by people who sue for lame reasons. And win.

I love everyday miracles and blessings.

I need my hubby more than he needs me sometimes, I think.

I take vitamins everyday, and yet I get sick waaay more than the average person.

I hear the hum of the computer and the lovely silence of Mason napping.

I drink very rarely, so I’m a cheap date.

I hate cleaning the bathroom.

I use gel pens when I grade papers.

I want to be financially worry-free.

I decided to be a teacher and sometimes I still wonder if I made the right decision.

I like TV.

I am a Christian, wife, mother, friend, daughter, teacher.

I feel old sometimes.

I left home when I was 17. But I moved back in 3 months later.

I do the bare minimum when it comes to house cleaning.

I hope that I’ve impacted my students.

I dream of having another baby.

I drive only when my hubby’s not around.

I listen to a lot more Christian music than I used to.

I type fast but not the right way.

I think and it hurts my brain.

I wish weekends were longer.

I compensate for my insecurities by using humor.

I regret very little.

I care about my friends and family.

I should exercise more and drink more water.

I am not always able to see what God has planned for me.

I said “Don’t you just love the Terrible Two’s?” to the cashier at Target today.

I wonder what the future holds.

I changed 4 diapers already today.

I cry more than the average female.

I am indecisive.

I am not as open minded about things as some might think I should be.

I lose my phone when Mason’s been playing with it.

I leave dishes in the sink even though we have a dishwasher.

If you feel ambitious, feel free to use the template and let people know more than they ever wanted to know about you. And pass it back to me, so I can get a good laugh. Or cry. Or run away screaming. :)

Not my average Wednesday

I haven't really even thought about school today. Well, I know I still have seating charts to reconfigure, but I'm putting them off (big surprise!). Today's been nice. Mason didn't wake up until after 7, we had a relaxing morning of playing with his tractor and farm animals, playing outside, going to the mall (and finding loads of clearance clothes for him--3T, which is at least a year away, but heck, for $1.49 for sweaters, I couldn't resist!), eating grilled cheese for lunch, MASON POOPED IN THE POTTY FOR THE FIRST TIME!!, Mason napping, watching "Muppet Treasure Island" and playing outside some more. No work. It's been joyous.

Tomorrow we have a playdate with a lady from work and her little girl who's Mason's age. Should be fun. I'm trying to expose Mason to as many kids his age as possible, as next year he will be in preschool. (which the preschool shopping was productive, by the way. We have one in mind, but it means he'd have to be fully potty trained and be able to drink out of a regular cup by August. We'll see)

The weather is beautiful. I have a half a week of Spring Break left. And I'm wasting the day typing a blog! I'm outta here!

All is well

I'm not sick anymore. I started feeling better around Wednesday or so, which helped me get through the last bit of the week. Things were just a tad bit crazy in the few days leading up to Spring Break. Grades were due Wednesday, which put me in a bit of a tizzy but very relieved when it was over. Friday was a strange day at school, being that it was the Jog-a-Thon (which is a huge school fundrasier led by the PTSO where the students get pledges and they run around in the gym) and an Early Release, AND we basically had our Homeroom kids all day. That was interesting. Luckily the day was broken down into small increments in the classroom: we did the jogging thing until after 10 and then went to our rooms where I had them read and color (amazingly, middle schoolers still like to do that). Then it was lunch. (No prep time Friday. I am so spoiled...) Then I had them for another hour and a half, in which I showed "Napoleon Dynamite". And then they left. It was a chaotic mess to figure out prior to Friday, but once the day came, it went off without much incident. I was glad to have a day free of some of my 8th grade boys, to be honest.

Yesterday I spent most of the day cleaning since my parents were coming. My standards are sadly higher when I know we're having visitors. Why do I feel the need to impress my parents? Who knows. It's just reality. Anyways, it needed to be done. Last night we went to a friend's house and watched "Flushed Away". They have a home theater room which was awesome (my hubby was salivating). Between the three families there last night, there were 10 kids!! That was a little noisy, a little crazy, but a lot of fun. Made watching the movie interesting, since the kids' age ranges are from 1 month to 10 years...

Today, we went to church and then not long after we got home, my parents and aunt and brother showed up. It was nice to visit (even though we had an argument about which color our house is: grey or blue? It's greyish blue, alright!!) and we went to lunch. My brother was heading back to the Yukon, so it was nice to chat with him for awhile even after my parents and aunt left. He's a good guy, but struggles with my dad and no one's getting any younger.

Anyhow, an overall nice weekend. And I am soooo glad it's not over. I've got the whole week ahead of me and not many plans. However, tomorrow we're going to check out preschools in the area for little Mason monkey for next year. Scary. I'm sure I'll let you know all about it after we run around town and feel overwhelmed by the choices.

Maybe it was worse than Spring Fever...

So my weekend was pretty rough. Friday during school, my back started hurting and I had a slight headache. Friday night, we are our friends' house and I started shivering like I was in a walk-in freezer. Saturday morning I woke up and was sure I had been in a car accident or someone had taken a baseball bat to my entire body (my hubby swears he didn't do it!). I could barely move. Then the congestion set in. And the fever spiked up and down. Lovely. Sunday, I didn't go to church but spent the morning in a snotty fog. I spent most of the weekend either in bed or on the couch, which in turn caused a crink in my neck. Nice. Yesterday around 4:30 in the morning, I decided that I wasn't going to drag my sick, pathetic self to work. But, I did drag my sick, pathetic self to work to prepare for the sub. I had planned something for the 7th graders that I happened to work on over the weekend, so I had to bring it in and set it up. And amazingly, no staff member looked at me twice, when I was drudging down the hallways in a sweatshirt and flannel pants looking like Death. Shouldn't someone wonder if I was alright? Whatever. After that, I went back home and took up residence on the couch for the majority of the day.

Today, I feel better. Not completely better, but better still the same. And I'm back to work. And there was a sub yesterday. That makes me happy. Hopefully the next 3 days of school go smooth sailing and then it's time for ("ahhhhh...") Spring Break.