Show Me The Light

Seriously.

Here is my tale of woe from today. Be thankful you were not me today. Really.

We were happily chugging along in our reading centers this morning when

“POOF!”

Out went the lights. Now, I realize it was raining outside but I couldn’t imagine it would cause a power outage. We stayed at our activities for a bit in hopes the power would return.

No such luck. Since part of our centers this week involve the computer and listening to a story on tape, we had to move to Plan B. We read books, did writing journals, and finished our gingerbread man activity all while using our only light source: the door leading outside. Keep in mind it was raining so not sunny. Yes. Still pretty dark in the room.

Upon further investigation, I was told that a transformer had blown nearby so we’d be without power for an hour.

Two hours later, we headed for lunch in the dark.

About this time, I realized I had planned on reheating my quesadillas for lunch. With no power, there was no microwave. With no microwave, there was no lunch.

I had to eat school lunch today for the first time in five years.

Yuck!

During lunch, we regained power but the tone was already set for the day.

Do you know how challenging it is to teach kindergarten in the dark?

I do.

And don’t want to do it again!

The Season has Arrived....

The blogging has been halted,
I am very sorry to say.
But life has been non-stop
each and every day.



School keeps us hopping
really, truly, honestly!
We're all wrapped up in learning
as we are busy bees.



Little girls visited the dentist
and had a great cleaning.
Now our teeth are beautiful
and positively gleaming!



Mundane and ordinary shopping
finally has been done.
Nothing but the basics,
nothing very fun.



But when we all are home
and see the beautiful lights,
we are thankful for the times
spent together at night.



The stockings are all hung
by the fireplace rather early
so Santa knows to come
or kids might be very surly.



Favorite books are chosen
to be read by dad….
Not the books you likely read
but ones the girls think are rad….:-)




Books given years ago
by dear old Uncle Larry,
before the little ones arrived
to make life so hairy-scary!!




And as I looked under the tree
earlier tonight,
I came across this paper
Which gave me quite a fright....



Nah! It’s actually quite cool,
short and very sweet
Santa please bring me…
something very neat.

We all have ups and downs
With seemingly no reason
But we hope that you remember
The reason for the season.

Ah...Christmas Memories

Finally had a chance to update today. It's been a low-key day compared with yesterday's events. Well, with the exception of the smoke alarm going off just now. Guess the smoke sensor didn't like our fireplace tonight.

Alex asked on the way home from church if we could do the Christmas tree. Okey dokey. So he and the girls got to work after lunch getting things prepared. Mom took a nap. :-)

Once we found enough lights (that actually worked), the kids set off to do the tree.



Abby wanted to hang an ornament "way high" so needed the help of Alex.



When it came time for the angel on top, we needed Daddy's help. Anna Grace flew in for a landing!



But the angel moved afterwards and now looks like she imbibed in too many adult beverages, don't you think? No worries, she's fixed now!



But as we were going through ornaments, memories flooded back to me. Here is my Holy Family that I made as a preschooler.



Then we have Dave's star that he made at the same age.



The kids have their favorites too. There are too many to post but I had to share this one from Alex. It's not one he made but one he loves.



Such a sweet and simple Santa, don't you think?

No. Not in my house. On our tree, he looks like this....



What does that look like to you? Yes, it's what you think.

Santa peeing on the tree.

This ornament is the one the kids go for first each year. Who gets to hang "peeing Santa" on the tree??

You can thank daddy for this memory.

And you thought we were so normal.....

Such a Saturday

Saturday arrives. Yes! We can sleep past our usual 5:30 am alarm and little girls wake up call at 6:20.

6:20 am: We failed to pass along the correct information to the little ones. At 6:20, they were up and playing in the hallway instead of sleeping. The wrath of mom occurred which sent them back to playing behind closed doors. Fortunately, they managed to play pretty well for another hour or so. But they did keep checking to see if I was still in bed or already in the kitchen (ie: it's breakfast time!).

7:50 am: Breakfast. Cereal, cereal, or cereal? What’s your choice? Cheerios, Rice Krispies, or Lucky Charms?

8:30 am: Into the office to try and fix the “White Screen of Death” on the kids computer. Almost an hour later, no such luck yet. But at least everything important is saved to the external drive. I hope.

9:35 am: I started trying to kick the teens out of bed in anticipation of the exterminator's arrival at 10:30. I suspected Orman, the bug guy, may arrive sooner than expected so started early on getting the kids on their feet. The rousing didn’t go very well. It took lots of sly work on the part of mom to get them moving. Finally, the only thing that worked was the sound of the doorbell 45 minutes early. Eeek!

Poor Orman. He saw all of us in our jammies and had the superb experience of the little girls following him from room to room telling him what to do. He’s been with us for 11 years though so he’s fine with it. Whew.

10:45 am: Showers and shedding of jammies came next and was completed in short time---after all, they are short people. Mommy headed out to BJ’s to restock the supply of food which was sorely needed.

12:30 pm: After stocking the pantry, freezer, and fridge,





I turned to see the silliness in my kitchen.





Yes, this is why I go to superstores. For the fun of playing with and squishing boxes. Oh, and the girls dressed themselves as twins today. Good luck guessing who is who!!

12:58 pm: Alex and I left for a 1:00 hair appointment. Hmm. Think we’ll be late? He was not too thrilled to be under the knife scissors but managed to survive. I think he looks much better but he does not seem to agree with me. After several takes, these are the best I got.

What a son.





1:45 pm: After a quick lunch, the girls and I headed for the library. Katie grudgingly graciously went with me so I’d have the chance to choose some books without assistance from short people. I headed off with my handy dandy author list from my Calling All Readers post. I was so excited!



I had picked up five books when I realized there is no way I’ll finish all these in the next two weeks AND teach kindergarten each day. Well, I can’t just call in sick so I guess I’ll be renewing to enjoy over Christmas. I wanted to get more but reality kicked in. I’ll get as far as I can in the next two weeks, renew, and get more for the holidays.

3:00 pm: After returning home, I spent time on my promise to Meggie for her art project. Meggie? I don’t have any kids named that, do I? Let me check.

Nope.

Hee hee. Meggie is Teresa’s daughter and is currently involved in an art project in which she is looking for pictures of children from China. If you are interested in sharing pics of your kids, please check out Meggie’s post on her mom's blog! It's dated December 5 and called, "Help for the Teenager".

4:00 pm: Whew. Pictures sent to Meggie. Time to sit and read one of my new books. I sat for about five minutes when I realized I had promised the kids cookies today.

4:20 pm: Cookies are started. Can you smell them baking? Sniff, sniff. Try harder. Now can you smell them?



5:20 pm: Kitchen is cleaned up and ready for dinner. Steak and potatoes tonight. Can’t wait!! Daddy needs to hurry.....

5:40 pm: The soldier arrives home. Did he play nice on his first day of school?



Nah, not really school but the first day back on the job as a Major of Field Artillery for the US Army.

Don’t you just love a man in uniform? Or is it just me??

6:00 pm: Search Katie's car for her missing camera. Hmm. No camera but lots of other stuff.





She must have a secret stash of food that I don't know about. What I don't understand is the Irish dance shoe in the backseat. She has not danced in several years. Oh yes, it was for an art project a few weeks ago. Gee, do you think it's time to clean out the car? Oh, and by the way, the camera wasn't there.

6:40 pm: Dinner is served.

Darn it, forgot to get a picture of the steak. Gee, it was good!

8:00 pm: Fire is started and sparkling in the fireplace.

8:30 pm: Stories are read, girls are in bed and surprisingly quiet.

9:30 pm: Fingers are crossed for a calm evening and great day tomorrow!!

I will leave you with this lovely portrait of Katie and Alex. They decided to play Jingle Bells with their nose-blowing this morning. Be thankful I don’t have it on video.

Be very thankful.

A Pat on the Back

A pat on the back is needed at my house tonight. My teens have been exhibiting the exact definition of "lazy" (ie: teenagers). It is very annoying. I came home yesterday to find them playing video games while the trash can was still at the curb, dishes on the counter, and other such lovely things. Mind you, they arrive home at least 45 minutes before me----if not an hour ahead!!

Let me just say, I fussed nagged big time about their lack of effort. It was not a lovely initial "welcome home, mom" kind of conversation.

So today, when we left for work (an hour before the teens), Dave left a note on the door for them.



Simple and to the point.

When I got home, I did not see the usual green "I am done cleaning" light on the dishwasher.



I started to get a little irritated. But as I investigated more closely, I found the kids had not only emptied the dishwasher (and reloaded with dirty things!)



but also emptied out the sink of the newly washed dishes.



Wow.

,hen Alex announced he was doing laundry. I looked at them in disbelief. Then Katie said,

"We are tired of hearing you fuss every day when you get home."

Glad to hear it. About time. Really. I know it's no fun to unload a dishwasher but doing it before mom has to either fuss or do it herself really gains good kid points. :-) (and yes, Katie reads this blog--but never seems to comment!!)

Being the good mom that I am (hee hee), I made cookies for the kids tonight. Nothing like I usually do but the typical



But sometimes these are enjoyed more than mine from scratch. Huh.

Guess that tells me which cookies to make.

A public thank you to my kids for stepping up to the plate. I hope the effort continues!

Please. Pretty please. Or mom may lose her mind more than usual.

That would not be a pretty picture.

I promise you.

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If you missed the "Best authors/books" post, please scroll down. Several of us are wanting to share ideas on new books!!!