Summer, O, Summer, Where have you gone?

Okay, that is a little dramatic, but I am very concerned about the beginning of autumn, by that I mean the school year, creeping up oh-so-quickly. I start my grad class this year before my first day of teaching. Of course, I have meetings, meetings, and more meetings before the school year begins. And I need to have some idea of in the world I'm going to teach my students. Yeah, that might be important.

I started looking at the "Course-Level Expectations," as they are referred to here in this great state, and since they've changed since I was in class, I'm a little lost. So, I'm looking at them for a guide and I'm going to fill out that part of my lesson plans later. As in, after I talk to someone who knows what is going on, since I haven't a clue.

We've gotten moved and somewhat settled in our new place. I love the extra roominess of a house, but I'm already dreading that I have to be the one to mow the yard. Especially when it's hot like it is this week. I think next summer I will find someone to mow it for me! I am thankful for neighbors who have the same mindset as I do with mowing--every two weeks gets the job done! Not kidding the neighbors on both sides of my house mow every two weeks. How lucky is that?

Madeline was not initially excited about the move. I think that she is better with it now that we've been there a couple of weeks. Her room is the only one that is completely unpacked. Her play room area is missing a shelf, so therefore, the toys are not all unpacked. I'm already out of shelf space in my office, so not all my notebooks are unpacked. The kitchen is...well, not done. My room is pretty much unpacked, but I'm still in the process of deciding exactly which clothes can be packed into boxes that go in the garage and which can stay in the house, since meetings start next Friday.

Last week, Madeline and I went to Wal-Mart to buy her school supplies. We found everything we needed. And it's all Hannah Montana. Yeah, that's what I said. I was just starting to appreciate Dora, but now we have to move on to Hannah. Oh boy. I'm not sure what kind of shape I'm going to be in on the first day of school though. Buying the supplies was tough, let alone sending her into that kindergarten classroom. Where did the last five years go? Really?

From Motherhood and Student-hood to Motherhood and Teaching

I had almost decided to shut down this blog. Then decided that I need a place to write, even if no one is reading anymore.

I've treasured the time that I've had with my daughter since I've gone back to finish my degree. I feel like I've gotten to sneak in some extra hours at the park or playing games with her that typical working moms don't get to. At least I didn't when I worked.

Now, as I'm readying myself to enter the full-time work force, I wonder what kinds of sacrifices I'll have to make with family time. Will I have to be at the school for hours while she waits in boredom? Will she despise the profession of education as I despise the profession of business because of all the time she'll have to spend there? Or will she not want to attend college because she'll remember all the nights I've had to tell her that "Mommy's working on a paper right now; please, please, please, please go play in the OTHER room, now"?

Or will she continue the path that she's on? She pretends to teach me, her dolls, her stuffed animals, and her invisible friends, which I hope is a completely normal stage for a girl being raised as an only child. Maybe she'll be a teacher.

What will change next school year when she's in kindergarten? Will she learn all the concepts that I've worked so hard to shelter her from? Will she get special treatment because her mother's a teacher in the district? I hope not. This will not help her princess attitude in the least.

With the random selection of undergraduate classes that I'm enrolled in for the semester comes a new group of faces that I've never had classes with before. Some of them were born after I began kindergarten. Really. Some of them are closer to my age though. By a year or two. Some of them are obnoxious. Some of them are sweet. A few of them I'll even attempt to "friend" on facebook. These few are the ones in my lone English class this semester. They are young, nosey, and think they know everything about life. Like I was 5 or 6 years ago.

The braver of the few has asked me about my life. "Is that hard?" she asks of being a single mom. "YES!" I want to scream, but I'm afraid that my hasty answer will scare her away from motherhood forever. It's not that bad. It's just that being a single mother complicates things. It brings on guilt and burdens that mothers in nuclear families probably don't have. Maybe they do--they're just better at masking it than I am. Or maybe they don't have mothers who guilt trip them anytime they need a night out. Maybe.

Back to the braver of the few. She asked me about how hard it is to be a single mom. "It's tough, I'm not gonna lie," I tell her, "but I wouldn't trade it for the world," which is the truth. I told her that honestly I don't know what I would be doing without my daughter in my life right now. Working at Sonic still? I wouldn't have given up the kind of life I was living. It was fun. But everything changed when I saw the plus sign. + started my family. I just wish it wasn't so complicated for her sake.

Random Weekend Update

This weekend we are having a "lazy" weekend. This simply means we're not going anywhere, not that we're not getting stuff (like homework and laundry) done at home. But we are making time for movies. Yesterday we were "snuggling in," as we call it, to watch a movie. Here's the conversation:

Me: Maddie, I'm pretty comfortable. How about you?
Madeline: Yep, I'm pretty.
Me: You mean pretty comfortable?
Madeline: Nope, I'm just pretty, Mom!

We both giggled for about ten minutes afterward! It was so cute. When we would stop giggling, we would look at each other and start up again!

Today, she made a "tent" in the living room. By "tent" I mean any and all of the available blankets, pillows and sheets in the entire apartment are in the middle of my living room floor! She's sleeping there now. As long as she stays there and doesn't try to crawl into my bed, I don't mind at all.

Madeline's latest thing is drawing pictures. She's been drawing pictures of me, in fact. She always writes "Mama" on them too. I have a sneaking suspicion that she does this because "mama" is easier (faster) to write than "Madeline"!

As some of you know, Madeline switched preschool/daycare facilities this last summer. Since then, she's had a difficult time adjusting to the new one. I think that she was getting away with alot, and I mean alot, at the the former daycare that she shouldn't have been, and I wasn't being told about it. It took her awhile, but at the new place she's finally found her stride with the teacher and the other kids. Her teacher paid her a huge compliment this week by telling me that Maddie was now one of her easier kids to have in class. She said that Madeline loves to learn during class time and pays attention really well and during their play or free time rarely causes (or finds) trouble. I'm so glad to hear that. But, then, I knew that she had it in her. She can be so, so good for me at home.

Ah, a New Semester

So, I applied for a job (which I didn't get), and I put my name in at six different school to substitute teach (who haven't called). And, I'm impatient. I need to know that I'm going to have an income this semester because I may be able to live on Ramen and water, but Madeline cannot. What was my solution?

Take classes, of course!

I'm enrolled in 12 credit hours of classes that I should enjoy including Art and Spanish. I'm also enrolled in Personal Finance, which is probably one that I need, and an upper level English elective. One more semester of student loans won't kill me, right?

Maybe it's just one of those days....or weeks...

Everything will begin to fall into place soon, and I'll find a job or begin substitute teaching. But until then, I'm resting. Or trying to. Getting caught up from all of those all-nighters that I pulled finishing papers or dealing with a sick kid. And I'm not sorry.

My interview for the teaching position at HHS was on Monday. I think that it went very well, considering how hectic my weekend was and how ill-prepared I felt! So, even if you don't want to hear it, here's a play-by-play of my weekend beginning at Friday morning through this morning:

Friday 9am-11am: Wake, breakfast, watch Noggin and/or Nick.
11am-12:45pm: get ready for funeral that I've been asked to play piano for, eat lunch, kiss Maddie good-bye (she hasn't been feeling well, and I don't really want to chase her all over the church during the funeral)
12:45-5:15pm: Travel to and from funeral, play piano, help serve family dinner, etc.
*5pm: Freak out b/c I'm suddenly reminded that it's Friday and I have a "get-together" in an hour and a half that I'm supposed to take food to!
5:15-6:25pm: Change attire, dig through my mother's refrigerator for veggies and sweets, mom quickly bakes some sugar cookies for me, find Oreos unopened (intended for New Year's--woo hoo!), and kiss Maddie good-bye again
6:30pm-3:30am(Sat.):Gab like mad b/c who knows how long it will be before we get together again, even if we want to!! :)
3:35am-6:45am: Arrive at my parents' house, collect my daughter, head to bed, wake up when she does, and send her to grandma!
9:30am: TV is entirely too loud. It's time to wake up.
9:45am: Maddie has hives. I noticed one at 3:30, but was too tired to realize what it was. She's never had hives. Why would she now? Text message two people who might know. My Cousin, RN advises Urgent Care...
11am: leave for Urgent Care in nearby town, mostly to appease my mother, who has not ever seen hives on a little one, and is no help.
11:45am: Two hour wait, Lunchable for Maddie, V8 for me
3pm: Urgent care Nurse Practitioner has no freaking clue what to do and won't even run a throat swab b/c of the hives. Advises Children's [Hospital]. (Note to self: no more urgent care unless I already know what it is!)
*During travel to next Urgent Care, I call my parents who meet me at Children's [Hospital]
3:45pm: Check in at THAT Urgent Care
4 pm: Called back for prelim (this is good)
4:05pm: Sent to "Minor Care" without explanation
4:10-6pm: Wait.
6pm: Friendly doc who diagnoses Maddie with strep throat. Not too concerned about hives. Says hives may be from strep or fever (which she hasn't had, at all). Prescription for Ammoxicillin and recommends Benedryl for hives.
6pm-7pm: Check out of hospital (Couldn't some of this info be taken during my two hour wait?) and find pharmacy across state line that takes my insurance.
7pm-7:30pm drive toward my parents' and find something to eat b/c I've not eaten all day long.
*Attempt (unsuccessfully) to give Madeline her meds. Ugh.
8:30 Arrive at my parents' and crash.
Sunday
6:30am Madeline awakes, chipper. Ugh.
All of Sunday we bum around. Madeline took her medicine better.
Monday
6:30 am: Madeline awakes, chipper. Ugh, again.
6:30-1pm, bum around, do laundry, prepare lunch, etc.
1pm-5:30pm: make sure younger brother can watch Madeline while I interview, prepare, interview (I'm so freakin' nervous!), come home, begin to prepare dinner
5:45pm: I hear Madeline crying in the living room. She says that her neck hurts. My mom arrives home. Madeline begins exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
6:30pm: Madeline is all cleaned up and is asleep on the couch (without dinner)
10:30pm: I go to bed.
Tuesday
6:30am: Madeline awakes, chipper. Geez....

So I took a nap today, and NOW I feel awake. And I should definitely be sleeping. I'm sorry if that was all too much information, but it's been a crazy last few days. Madeline seems totally fine today. She took her medicine like she's supposed to, and I think she had a good day at school too. I'm just hoping that I don't get sick now....

On Graduating

Graduating from college was not nearly as exciting as it ought to be, mostly because I have not found a job yet. Not that I expected to, but it would be nice to join the work force and begin digging myself out of debt sometime in the next decade.

Student teaching was a completely positive experience. I couldn't have asked for a better placement and better students. I learned what I needed to learn, and I can't believe that it's over already. I can't wait to have my own classroom and teach. While I was student teaching, I couldn't help but think that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. And that made all the difference for the semester. I was comfortable and challenged at the same time; I couldn't ask for anything more than that.

On a personal level, this semester has been extremely stressful. I have had school work to complete as well as all the duties of a teacher with all the worries of a mother. There were many times that I was worried about paying bills, but we always got through. Madeline was a real trooper all semester. She's watched more Dora in the past month than I've let her watch in the past two years, just so that I could get some work done. Well, that may be an exaggeration, but not by much. Our routine became: get home, fix/eat dinner, watch TV (for Maddie)/work(for me), bath time, and bedtime. Every night. But we made it.

Madeline is excited about Christmas! I can't believe that it's only a week away... time has just flown by. Madeline helped me set up our Christmas tree around Thanksgiving. Our (not-so-) wonderful cat decided that she really, really liked our tree. I came home one day, about a week after we set it up, only to find it on the floor, ornaments all around the living room, some (including Hallmark Wizard of Oz ornaments) broken. I was furious. I got all sorts of advice on how to take care of the problem (mothballs in the tree, put the cat in the bathroom all day, etc.), but the best solution came from Madeline: "Mama, I think it's time for Tinkerbelle to go live in Granny and Grandpa's barn." So, Tink now lives in my parents' barn. And it wasn't even my idea.

During the Friday-after-Thanksgiving sale, I bought Madeline her own little (pink!) Christmas tree. She is very excited to have her own tree. I think we are going to use it all year round to display her art work. I'll try to post pictures of it, eventually. I haven't been good about posting pictures recently. I blame the crazy school schedule! :)

If I don't see you before, Merry Christmas!

The Cat and Other Adventures in the Household

After a much needed vacation, the cat (Tinkerbelle) returned, mostly unscathed. She has a few "holes" in her fur coat that will eventually fill in, and she is a little more cautious around Maddie. So, perhaps Tink is learning after all.

Madeline began her dance class and seems to love it. She comes home chanting the steps that she is supposed to be learning in class. Doing them is a whole different challenge though... She tends to trip, or "trip," really. She pretends to trip while she's shuffle-stepping. So early to be such a drama queen.

Student teaching is great so far. I really feel like a student so far though... I guess that's a good thing. Right?

Ah, Yes, About the Cat

We have a kitten. She is cute and cuddly. She came to our home on August 6, 2008. I love her, as does Madeline. Maddie maybe loves her a little too much. Just. A. Little. Too. Much.

Yesterday, for example, I awoke from my sinus medicine induced state to the kitten whimpering in the bathroom. Maddie was trying to give her a bath. Tinkerbell (the kitten) escaped nearly unscathed, only her tail was wet.

When we arrived home from school/work last night, Madeline dove straight for the cat. She hugged her too tight. I made her let go, and we were in good shape for awhile. Then it was time to make dinner. I had all the ingredients mixed and ready for the oven meltdown of cheese. As soon as I put the pan into the oven, I glanced at Madeline holding the kitten.

Poor Tinkerbell. Madeline had decided to give her a hair cut, well, a "fur cut," as it was. Large chunks of fur were literally flying from the safety scissors onto the floor. Completely shocked does not even begin to cover exactly what I was thinking at that moment, but it will do. Where in the world did she get this idea, and why. Holy freakin' crap.

The scissors were removed from her grasp and please precisely on top of the fridge. The cat was also set free. Madeline was in time out for a very, very long time. The cat is on vacation, but Madeline thinks she's gone forever. I know that sounds evil, but this isn't the first time that I've told her to leave that poor cat alone. Good grief. Seriously.

But last night was like World War III for us. Madeline even tipped over the coffee table while screaming that she "loves Tinkerbell" and that "today is the last day." Of what? I don't know. Maybe of having a cat. But don't worry. The cat will be back tomorrow. And will only stay if she can leave her alone. Madeline was calm by 8:30 and in bed. She even prayed/wished (she got a wishing stone from Ren Fest) for the cat to come back.

So, that's the latest episode of the pre-schooler vs. the cat. I think I won? You tell me.

A Case of the Mondays

It's been awhile since I've updated this thing, but I've been cyber watching you despite my aloofness to generating information in the Web. I'm simply exhausted. That's all.

I have papers to write, students to teach (or watch, as I'm still observing), a teacher to get along with, a roommate to keep happy, friends to call or email, family to please, oh, and a child to raise. While keeping a smile on my face. It's going to be a rough semester, but I've already heard of one job opening at the end of the semester. That makes me anticipate being a contributing member of society even more quickly!

All is well. In fact, we (Maddie, my roomie, her nephew and niece, and I) went to the Renaissance Festival yesterday. We had a great time. I have some great Maddie stories, but I don't have much time today. Maybe soon though.

"Some days are like that...

...Even in Australia."

Madeline has taken a new interest in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. She likes to apply this phrase to herself whenever anything goes awry in her world (which includes her own behaviors, just like in the book).

Yesterday, I asked her if she wanted to go to Hastings to pick up the new Sugarland CD, because we keep getting that "All I Want to Do-oo-oo-oo" song stuck in our heads. But, the only part of the song that Maddie knows is the "Do-oo-oo-oo" part. I told her that she needed to find her shoes because I hadn't had them.

"Mom, I just can't find them. This is a terrible, horrible, bad day, Mom."

"Well, those happen, Madeline, even in Australia. Now, find your shoes, please."

That's just one example.

Funny Stories

Sometimes, I think I must be too self assured. Just when I think my house is child-proofed, I realize that it's not. Last week, I was in the other room, away from whom I thought was a fully entertained, tuckered out Madeline. I was wrong.

She soon walked into my room with a "blackish" substance all. over. her. face.

At first I thought it was marker, and I was going to freak out a little because I have permanent markers in my house because of my recently found labeling obsession, which will come in handy in the upcoming move across town. Then I realized that it didn't really look like marker. The marks weren't quite dark enough or uniform enough. Then I realized that I hadn't fully unpacked my suitcase from the weekend before, meaning my makeup case is in plain reach.

"Don't I look beautiful, Mommy?"

"Yeeeees, but what did you put on your face, Maddie?"

"Eye lash stuff, Mama. I did it all by myself. Do you really love it?"

"Look in the mirror, Madeline."

She looked. She giggled. She grinned at me even wider, then showed me her famous "cross-eyed look."

"Let me help you put on some eye lash stuff, Madeline."

So, we did. I put that purple mascara that we used at Halloween on her. We played make-up until almost bed time. Then washed it off, giggled some more, and snuggled into bed.

"I love you, Mama."

"'Love you, too, sweetie. Next time, ask for help with the eye lash stuff."

"Of course, Mama."

***

The weekend before the fourth of July, Madeline, my brother, Erin, and I went to a fireworks show in SmallTown, USA. Madeline jabbered all the way there (thirty minutes or so form my parents' house. We picked up Erin and headed to the show. I think it was another 15 minutes or so. Madeline was ready to be out of the truck by that time. We were just turning off the highway and onto the gravel road, where every person in the county was when Madeline decided to practice her counting:

"Look, Mom! One cowboy, two cowboys!"

The three adults in the car were not entirely happy with the subject selected for her counting abilities. But we laughed for awhile anyway!

Losing It

As I was frantically searching for my cell phone one morning, I summoned my daughter from her play time to aid me in my search, "Madeline, have you seen my phone?"

"No, Mom!"

"Are you sure? I can't find it anywhere. I put it right here a minute ago...did you pick it up to call someone?"

"No, Mom! I just didn't see it! I didn't lose it!"

"I put it right here, Madeline. I thought I did. Did you see Mama put it somewhere else?"

"No, Mom. You lost it. You have to find it."

"Madeline you could help me. I know I had it when...."

"Mom, I think that means you're just getting old."

"Gee, thanks, Sweetie."

"You're welcome!" Hee, hee hee.

PS- I found my phone next to my purse almost into the cushion of the couch (I thought I dropped it into my purse).

Memorial Day For Moms and Daughters

Madeline is in the "asking questions" stage of her pre-school years. If you thought she was inquisitive before, "you ain't seen nothin' yet." Since she has been spending more time with and talking to her dad lately, she has been asking more and more (and more) questions about family in general. One of which is, "Who is so-and-so's daddy/mommy/brother/sister/cousin?" 'So-and-so' may refer to me or any random person in Wal-Mart, it doesn't matter the girl wants to know.



She has asked my parents who their parents are as well. My grandfather on my mother's side passed away over eight years ago. So when Madeline asked my mother about her dad, it was difficult to explain this to a three-almost-four year old. She was just not happy with our, "Well, honey, he passed away before you were born."



Sunday, on the way home from grandmother on my mother's side's house, we stopped at Grandpa's grave. I hadn't been there for five years or so*, it was difficult for me to find it. My mom helped, and soon we were all encircling the gravestone. We were trying to gently explain things to Madeline. When I told her that it was time to go, she looked up with her huge innocent eyes and said, "But I want him to get up!" So maybe we didn't answer any questions for her.



In the past eight years since the death of my grandfather, I have been a little sad that he's not around to see things like graduations, etc. But lately, as Madeline's personality continues to develope, I'm sad that my grandfather won't meet Madeline on earth. The mischevious twinkle in her eyes reminds me of him. I was too shy to really be close to my grandfather, but I think she would be if he were still around. I miss you Grandpa, and I wish you could see my wonderful daughter. You'd like her.



*My family has never been "big" in the idea of decorating/visiting graves, etc. We tend to take time to reflect together. My parents have always said that the grave is only where the physical body is, and we need to remember where the spirit is. So, don't think I'm a horrible granddaughter for not visiting his grave. I think of him often.

One Busy Weekend...

This last weekend, which included the birthday party hubbub, was crazy busy. I'm releaved that it's over, but the rest of the summer will be just as busy. Madeline is really growing up before my eyes. I have to remind her sometimes that she still may need my help sometimes (like when she reaches for my scissors!). But lately, she's been extra cute, too.

Maddie: (On Sunday morning) "Mom, am I still four?"
Me: "Yes, you're still four. You can't go back to being three."
Maddie: "I'm almost five?!?!" [wide-eyed with excitement]
Me: "Don't push it!"

I don't know how she jumped from wondering if she was still four to being almost five. She is really looking forward to five because she'll be going to kindergarten and be a "school-ager" then. Oh boy!

Warning: Kids + Cupcakes = No Fun for Mom

This is not for those who have a weak stomach (or for those who have ideal expectations for parenting). The story I'm about to tell is very gross, but funny in that way that irony is funny. Maybe it's more funny for fellow parents. Just beware.

Almost every weekend, Madeline and I make the trek to my mom and dad's house. It's the best bribing tool I have to keep her in line for a whole week. And besides, this week is finals and I needed someone to keep her away from my computer, research, text books, print-outs, and notebooks so that I wouldn't lose my temper. So, I packed up the car, picked her up from daycare, and headed down the road.

Important aside: Friday was Maddie's "favorite teacher friend's" last day at the daycare, since she is moving to Florida. I think one of the more "fun" (read: less busy) parents brought cupcakes for the kids. I think it was a party day (I pulled my first all-nighter of the semester Thursday night, so I'm a little fuzzy on the details from Friday morning when they were telling me the plan for the day).

I decided to take the "back" way from the 'Burg to the 'Ville in order to avoid the late afternoon traffic and check out the scenery along the way. The back way is still all highway, but it's the two lane highway that is to be avoided during any kind of "abnormal" weather. We turned from the North-South highway onto the East-West high way, and Maddie said, "Mommy, my tummy hurts." I told her that we would be to Papa and Granny's house soon (as if soon is still 30 minutes away). She tells me that her "tummy hurts" often, as she has figured out that it has the potential to get her out of going to school, so I didn't pay much attention. Not that there was much that I could do...

About 5 minutes (and a couple of "thrill hill" types) later...I heard her coughing and looked back to see if she was okay. She was not...she exploded in my back seat. More than once. I was very ill-prepared for this moment. I knew that sooner or later that this would happen while she's riding in my car. However, I had no idea that it would happen 15 miles from the nearest gas station. Seriously. The girl picked not just "no where," but smack in the middle of no where to torture her mother. Okay, so she didn't "pick" it, but really, couldn't it have happened someplace where I could have pulled off the road and taken her inside a building to change her clothes? Or washed her face?

We pulled onto a gravel road and cleaned out the car. Luckily, my pack-rat refusal to clean out my car until after finals served me well. I had extra Wal-Mart bags to help contain the wreckage. I had to change her clothes and clean out her car seat. It was the grossest thing ever. Ever. I like to think that I'm a tough chick, and maybe it was just the lack of sleep, but I don't think so. I used something like 50 handy wipes and two bottles of water (which I keep in my trunk) to help contain the grossness. Poor Madeline got her first lesson in gargling, too. I handed her a water bottle, and told her what to do. She would have made a red-neck proud with her spitting technique. After that, she said she felt better.

Maddie kept saying, "I'm so sorry, Mama," while I was cleaning up. I kept telling her that I wasn't at all mad, but I'm sure that my facial expressions were not very reassuring. Poor thing.

We got it all cleaned up and packed away and hit the road again. Before my Maddie drifted into nap time, she said, "Mama, I love you." And that made the whole thing much easier to bear.

Happy Friday to Me

Honestly, this week has really been one to forget. I've been grumpy for no reason, gotten a less than desired score on a mid term, and slept very little. Until today.

I had an interview scheduled for 3:30pm today for a potential student teaching spot. The teacher wanted to make sure that I would fit into the school. This is not a bad thing, but I was beginning to wonder if anyone wanted me to be in the classroom next semester. Both of the other English student teachers have had their assignments for over a month, but I hadn't.

Now, I do. I finally have it. I'll be working in a school smaller than where I went to school, but it is a growing school with what seems to be a great outlook for students. One plus is that the teachers and students are all getting laptops next year. That will make student teaching very interesting.

I also recieved a letter today stating that I'd passed the Praxis. You know, that one that I had to pay $130 for... I passed with almost 30 points over the required amount to pass for the state standard. I felt good about the test, but it's still a relief to know that I passed and don't have to take it again in order to get my certification.

As I See It

A Response to "What Schools Need to Succeed" by Stan Archie, Kansas City Star, April 4, 2008

Urban schools, including (and perhaps especially) the Kansas City school district, are in serious need of re-vamping. It's time for parents, teachers, administrators, and school board members to be concerned about the students in the district. What are they learning, and from whom they are learning? In all of this I agree with Stan Archie.

Also, parents do need to take responsibility for their children and how they act. In this too, I agree with Archie. Parents do need to be involved with their children and their learning. As a parent, I am responsible for how my daughter acts with me and at school. I am responsible for what she sees when she is at home. In that way, I am her teacher. Or at least a teacher, to her.

Archie asserts, "Teachers are not parents, and parents are not teachers. Both jobs are unique and not interchangeable" (Archie B8, KC Star). I agree that as a teacher, I am not responsible in the same way that parents are for the students, but as a parent, I am a teacher to my daughter. I was her first teacher and will (hopefully) always be around to teach and help her along her way in life.

I think if parents thought of themselves as teachers, they would have a new outlook on parenting. Being a parents is made up of being a teacher, a doctor (at least a nurse), fan, behavior specialist, counselor, tour guide, disciplinarian, and many other things all in one.

Let's encourage all parents to take responsibility for their children's learning--don't just say that it's the teacher's job. Parents need to be involved with helping their children with their homework and making sure that they are being involved in school. Teachers are not parents to all students, but parents are teachers. Sorry, Mr. Archie.

***

On a totally unrelated, but happier, note--here are some new pictures.

Maddie and Me

Maddie in a cute hat!

Playing at the park... she is really good at her "cross-eyed" look! Swinging, in MY sunglasses!
Easter Eggs!!
Easter Sunday. She totally posed for this picture... She's just a little goofy!
My adorable nephew!
Yawning... at church
I don't know who's winning... but it's a fun picture!
Anthony and his Da-da! Matching shirts... too cute!
And that's all for now. I will have more loaded on Facebook soon.

Taking my mind off the homework...

I randomly found this on another blog. It seems like fun. We'll see what happens.

THE RULES:

you need 2 internet windows open to do it
1. Go to www. photobucket. com (don't sign in)
2. Type in your answer to the question in the "search" box
3. Use only the first page
4. Copy the html and paste for the answer.

WHAT IS YOUR FIRST NAME?

This is a very random thing to show up for my first name.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY?

WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP STATUS?





WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?




WHO IS YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?




WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND?



WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PAST TIME?

WHAT IS YOUR JOB?

I found this one for "mom." Then I decided to search for "Student Mom" and found this:

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?

WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE?



WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?





ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF

Me? Obsessed?

Maybe Jessica will disagree, but I could not resist ordering this one on-line. Maybe I am obsessed with this movie, but did you know that I have not ever actually owned the movie? I just bought this wonderful edition though. Love it!

I hope that when I am making an actual living (i.e. have a positive rather than negative income) that I can have a room devoted to The Wizard of Oz collectibles that I have so far (and plan to keep accumulating). Hmmmm. Maybe it will have to be my "office;" how great would that be. I could grade papers in with all the happiness and brightness of the collectibles and pictures. Something to think about.

School Woes, Revisted

Remember this list? Here's the updated form!

1. Turn in 5 different documents, (Complete)
2. Take Praxis II test (Complete, $130)
3. Register with our Career Services department (Complete, just update resume)
4. Complete scholarship forms (Uhhhhh... didn't do. That's OKAY!)
5. Complete background check (Haven't rescheduled, but will soon, $52.50)
6. Complete 50 hours of observation (42+ done, 8 or so to go!)
7. Pass all my classes (Doing great so far!)
8. Finish thesis paper...(Need to get to work!)
9. Apply for grad school
10. Turn in observation forms