Too Old For Lists?!

Yup, it's official. I'm old. I've come to this conclusion because of the following reasons:

1) I can't go a week without a medical complaint. Whoo-hoo, this was a fun week too. A little UTI made itself known this weekend. I don't do so well on antibiotics so I try the cranberry & homeopathic route first. I almost had it beat, but had to go on antibiotics yesterday after 4 days and 3 gallons of cranberry juice. By the way, 3 gallons of cranberry juice creates its own little set of problems. It wasn't a very good day for me yesterday. And I had a migraine on Monday. It was heading for capital M status, but I pulled the Midrin trick 4 hrs into it. I was feeling a little wiped out and cranky with the two issues combined. This month's migraine tally is 5, but only one was mega-humongous. I actually consider April a vast improvement over the previous 3 months. Once the new meds got cranking, I only had 2 little migraines. Between Topamax and the worst of weird spring weather easing off, I hope I get to reclaim my health (and ooooh, possibly my youth?!)

2) My #1 was so long I forgot what else I was going to say......

3) Oh well, I guess this applies - I got called as R.S. Enrichment Leader, and I have to say, this time around, it feels like an old lady calling. I've been in enrichment before (10 yrs worth) but I feel like I had alot more energy and resiliency then. So, PLEASE, I'm begging you, whenever you hear of any ideas, send them my way. I obviously need all the help I can get.

Since my first list didn't work so well, here's a list of some exciting things! Let's see how far I get before I get distracted and forget what else I was going to say.

1) Gib FINALLY got a haircut!!!!!!!! It took forever, but it's done. There's a boy under all that hair. A friend who's a hairdresser took pity on us, probably because her fingers were itching last Sunday just looking at that mop. I took Gib out of school early, and she squoze us into her schedule and cut his hair for an hour. I warned her. He has a ton of hair. He looks very nice. I just wish he could wear it longer; I know, odd for a mother, but I guess his hair is just too thick and there's too much of it, growing in some weird whorly pattern on his abnormally large head. Sorry Gib! That's a Wellpott gene, and you get that from Grammy!! If he'd just style it the way I keep telling him, but no apparently, that part of my Perfect Man Programming hasn't taken hold yet. So he has a "long-short" hair cut now. Anyway, he is dreading all the compliments his teachers will give him (but probably secretly looking forward to the attention). He's also warning me in advance that because his eyebrows can now be seen, he'll probably get in trouble with his teachers since he's not used to censoring them! What a goof.

2) When we turned the calendar page this morning, there was a note to myself (because I am so old I have to write notes to myself) to remind me to sign Mariah up for youth Volleyball. She is so excited!!

3) Taryn is bringing New Scary Nick over after school tomorrow. I sense a photo op. I hear he wants a mohawk now. I don't know, Mohawk Nick just doesn't have that "ring" to it.

4) As part of her Senior Project, Indy needs to complete 25 hours of community volunteer service. We considered a couple options, but her first choice was with WAVES http://www.wavesinc.com/. A coworker at my preschool works there, so I suggested it to Indy because I thought it might give her firsthand experience in the field she's interested in majoring in while at the same time meeting the graduation requirement for her senior project. She just heard back, and the director said she'd "LOVE to have her volunteer this summer" and indicated Indy would probably be in the 3-4 yr old classrooms a couple days a week from 9 am to noon. Indy hopes she loves it enough to continue volunteering there even after her hours are completed for the senior project.

5) Well, this isn't exactly exciting, (a huge relief is more like it) but Mike came back home after leaving for work this morning to remove a tiny tick from the back of Mariah's neck. I am sooo glad he was willing to turn around and come back to do that for us. Mariah was ready to choose the school nurse over putting me through it, so she was happy to have such a nice Dad too. I was brave and watched. It was gross. I hate ticks.

6) It's MAY! While May is admittedly a very exciting month (feels like summer is around the corner, school is wrapping up, etc), it also means a new payday and I can go grocery shopping! I am taking my friend's mother to the dentist (waaaaay out in the country) this afternoon and we are very food-challenged right now. So I'd better get crackin' and stock the pantry before doing my good deed. That will be my entire day. Hope yours is great!

Saturday Soccer

Well, it's only happened twice so far this season....a game played on Saturday! It should have been our second to last, but instead it was only the third game. The rest have been snowed or rained out. Mostly rained out. It's been one wet season! Here's a kazillion shots from the game. Unfortunately, the girls' team lost. We played a good team, but we also had no subs, as it was prom day for some girls, and I know one player (Indy) was only half-alive on the field. It was painful to watch her try to run. Guess that stomach bug took alot out of her. Taryn played well the whole game against girls who, shall we say, towered above her?!

Here's Taryn about to do her "I'm smaller and quicker" stuff

And surprise!

In another play, Indy tries to get back the ball
Taryn and Goliath

Misery At Halftime

I meant to ask them what they were talking about

Poor Indy - she looks about ready to pass out

Taryn and another Goliath

Indy was in the box for a few plays

And then she was right back out

(she hasn't played Goalie in a long time and doesn't want to)

Look at her walking like she's about to pass out

(she probably was)

But she toughed it out

Taryn is at one of the many make up games right now. Last week one of the make up games had to be cancelled because not enough refs were working! This truly is the Season That Never Was. Indy can't play at this game because she and I are headed to the high school for the awards ceremony. She had to get out of work for it too. I hear we're sitting with Joe's family. Cool. I'm hoping the little migraine I'm fighting right now will go away soon. The temp has dropped considerably in the last half hour and it's trying to rain. Wonder if the soccer game will be cancelled - it's pretty windy out there. After soccer, Mike will take Mariah and Gib for their last music lessons of the year. One less thing on the schedule has got to be a good thing, I'm thinking.

Stair Railings

Yup, the moment we've all been waiting for......behold the glory!

Now Grammy won't have to use a shovel as a cane to get down the stairs!

And I just had to throw this one in here too! We're getting all set for a beautiful summer porch. As soon as the daffodils and pansies have bloomed themselves out (anytime now), the pots at the bottom with the orange flowers and Canna's in them (you can't see them yet) will go by the front door, and the little green ones will go on the bottom stair. The daffodils and pansies will go to the Man Cave or the backyard until Fall planting time. Basically, it's a Flower Pot Chinese Fire Drill!

Good News & Bad News

Just a fun way to give an update on our lives:

Today: The Good News is that the Wrought Iron railings are finally getting installed. The Bad News is that the middle one was crooked because the stone stairs aren't perfectly lined up, and we all know how OCD I am. So, now the guys are trying to move one of the posts and then see if they can "trick" the eye a little when they do the welding of the vinery. I hate asking people to undo their work. Now there'll be a little hole in the stairs where the initial holes were drilled. Ugh. I hope Mike can do something cementy to fix it.

Indy: The Good News is she's receiving an award at High School. It's a writing award for English III Honors. 3 awards for English (one each for AP, Honors, and Regular) are given, so basically, out of 166 Juniors, she's one of 3 chosen! Pretty awesome!! Indy's Bad News I don't think is all that bad, but she wasn't thrilled with her first ACT score. She went a little too slow and her best subject, math, turned out to be her worst score. Still, an average of 27 for a first time ACT score isn't shabby! She's taking it again in June and now that she knows what to expect and how to pace herself, I expect her score to go up. Science was her best score and that was a pleasant surprise!

Taryn: The Good News is that she is happily chatting away at all hours with New Scary Nick on the phone. The Bad News is that she is happily chatting away at all hours with New Scary Nick on the phone. Also, she has a learner's permit but apparently no real desire to get in the car. Probably the accident has something to do with it, but it was an issue before too. More good news, something I thought I may never see, T and Mariah are actually starting to get along! T even loaned clothes to Mariah for pictures today at school. Wow, sisterly feelings?! Can it be true?!!!

Gib: The Good News is that on Monday he takes his last drum lesson. We are pulling him out for the summer, and indefinitely unless he shows a renewed interest. He's met his requisite 5 years. He's a good drummer, but lessons are only worthwhile if you practice what you are being taught. He can wing it just fine and play along with his Ipod without them. The BAD news for Gib is that both he and his mother get a big fat F for signing him up and then failing to get him to track - we joined and then pretty much never went. Bad, Bad, Bad People!!!

Mariah: The Good News is that Mariah also gets a relief from her electric guitar lessons. The Bad news is that she has not met her required 5 years of lessons and boy will we be hearing about that from the other children who put in their hard time. She's only into it for 2. I think we'll take the summer off, and re-evaluate the possibility of switching to keyboard. She's good with the guitar but really doesn't want to play it. Mike probably won't let us get away with being BAD people on this one too...allowing even minor reneging makes his eye twitch.

Chrissie: The Good News is that the migraine preventative seems to be working. Besides the bad one earlier this month, there haven't been any others. The Bad News is that even though I was cleared from Physical Therapy, and Green Lighted for Yoga and Weights, I've been too busy planting to get to the gym. And after the initial 3 lbs, I haven't experienced any more of the highly anticipated "excessive weight loss". I guess I'll have to try harder to get back to my walking, yoga, and gym. My other shoulder surgery is scheduled for June 9th, so I only have a few weeks to get really strong before I go through all this again.

Mike: The Good News for Mike - and I'm sure he's really excited about this - He has a daddy-daughter Hawaiian Luau dance with the Girls Scouts tomorrow night. The Bad News for Mike is his Honey Do list is getting really, really long.

Uh, oh, I was just reminded of the Ward Talent Show tonight and I promised Mariah a friend could come over for pizza and watch the school Talent Show that I'm recording off the TV right now. Ugh, double committed and both Talent Shows - how weird is that?! I've been trying to get someone to sing a goofy song for the Ward Talent Show (years ago I rewrote the words from Toby Keith's "I Love This Bar" to "I Love This Ward" because it was in my head and for no other good reason.) I doubt if anyone will do it though, but I'll let you know if I go and if they do. How would it look if I bring Little Ceasars pizza as my potluck?

Fish Kisses & Other Hidden Talents

When I was a younger mother to younger children, I wish I had more of what I seem to have now to give to the kids at preschool. I think my mom sees those years differently, from her viewpoint, but I always felt frazzled and out of patience. She says I played alot with our kids and seems to think I did a fairly decent job of getting them through the early years. I hope she's right, because while I thoroughly enjoy my time playing with the kids at the preschool, in the back of my mind I feel a little guilty that I didn't give as much to my own. It makes me a little sad. And I think that perhaps for alot of moms currently going through that phase in their life, maybe it is hard for them to always be in that moment of time. So I try extra hard to be fun and patient and creative with their kids, so that while they're in preschool they are getting something a little different than the usual Mom-Stuff (because we all know she's a busy, busy lady).

So, to answer the question about Fish Kisses - you know how you make that fish face by sucking your lips in and making them go up and down while you cross your eyes and make a kissy face?! That really sends kids running. Mine always took off. C'mon, everyone makes that face, don't they?!

So, I got involved in this Methodist preschool ironically enough through a recommendation of my friend and counselor in YW's at church who taught there for many years. I wasn't looking for a job, but she mentioned they were hiring a teacher's assistant/music teacher. I don't sing especially well, don't read music, can't play an instrument, never taught kids....thoroughly unqualified, unless Ballet counts?! But something kept niggling at me to go for it. I even interviewed against someone else I passed on the job info to! One of the nicest things is that the hours allow me to be home when the kids are home, and all their holidays are my holidays, summers off, etc. Mike's comment when I got the job was, "are they aware you are completely unqualified for this?!" and we just laughed and laughed that I got the job. The first few times were rough, but I quickly found my groove, and discovered several hidden talents. I can make stuff up on the fly, I don't have a problem acting goofy, it doesn't take a great voice to sing preschool songs, and the kids are just happy you're letting them bounce around and laugh at you because you look silly dancing. Now the 1 year olds aren't as easy to please as the 5 year olds, but really, it isn't all that difficult.

Throughout the years, there have been a few LDS ladies teaching at this Methodist preschool. That just makes me giggle. Subsequently, there are several Mormon preschoolers in attendance - yesterday 4 out of the 10 in my class. (A little side note: They love the Prayer Request circle time before we pray...a little different than what they are used to, but ah, what better time to get the scabs on your knees blessed and announce your mommy had to go to the dr because it hurt to pee.) When we decided to sell the house and mom moved out here, I took a personal leave of absence and have been their substitute teacher several times this year. They just offered me the position to come back next year as a 2 day a week Pre-K teacher's assistant. I think I will be rotating between 3 classes doing whatever needs to be done whenever a teacher needs an extra set of hands. This works out well for us for the next couple of years. Once we have Indy and Taryn in college, things may have to change, but in the meantime, while the pay isn't much, it's a good place to work and the hours are perfect. And when a child sees me and goes, "Yay!!! It's Miss Chrissie!!!!" and I get a big hug, boy is that a great moment.

Now I am last LDS left standing on Methodist ground. I guess it falls on me to recruit more. So, that was a long blog to answer a couple questions, but there you go....

My Days At Preschool

I worked twice at preschool this week. Here's a photo of the church where it's held. Part of the school is in the back at the left corner, and some of the classrooms are in the old part of the main building. The location is really beautiful and one of the things I like best about it. It's about 20 minutes from the house, but I get to drive up and over a "mountain" which makes it kind of fun to get there.

Yesterday was camp-out day. We held it back in the trees and had tents up, a canoe to sit in, a fire pit (with fake tissue paper fire) and in honor of Earth Day, did some nature stuff and recycling. I was an extra body to run kids back and forth to the bathroom, untangle a snake from a key chain carbiner attached to a teachers belt loop (that was funny and a little scary when the snake got stuck), help catch an escaped frog, lecture kids incessantly on looking over their shoulder before casting their fishing pole (onto the grass btw), keep steering them away from the poison ivy, sing campfire songs and wipe off s'mores from those cute little faces. After 4 hours in the sun, we were all exhausted.

Today, we were in the Rain Forest. The weather was too nice to be indoors, so I decided yesterday that we'd be going outside to create a rain forest with sidewalk chalk. We went to an empty parking lot at the church and made each square a layer of the rain forest. We drew monkeys, butterflies, tigers, flowers, snakes, lizards, gorillas, trees, clouds, rain, and for some reason one girl spent over half an hour drawing what I failed to guess was the world's largest diamond in the Emergent Layer. Do diamonds even come from the rain forest?! (I am a failure both as a woman and a preschool teacher not to know!)

Oh, and the stinkiest ever beast of a black lab came to visit us while we were outside, along with two of his four legged homies, sending two girls screaming and running one way, while another boy took off in the other way, and the boy whose family owns the stinky dog, goes dashing up to it. I'm yelling to everyone to stop everything and trying to put myself between 10 moving kids and 3 dogs (who I've seen around before and have always seemed friendly, but with all that screaming and tasty morsels just begging to be chased, you never know what might happen). It only lasted a couple seconds, but geez, for a second there, I was quite worried for the boy that ran up to the dogs. I had no idea he lived right next to the church. And peeeeyyeeeeww! Everyone had to hold their nose until I could shoo them away. I don't know what they rolled in, but I'm guessing it was the chicken coop nearby. It was enough to make breathing difficult. We took the teaching moment to learn what to do and more importantly what NOT to do when a dog comes by.

After we finished our rain forest we played Monkeys & Birds and Jaguars & Butterflies. Basically team relay races where you have to run and sound like the animal while racing thru the 4 layers of our rain forest on the parking lot. It was cute. Then we went inside to wash up, snarf down snacks, and played Monkey, Monkey, Frog (aka duck, duck, goose) until it was Chapel time. After Chapel, which is held on Wednesdays, while Music takes its place on Tues/Thurs; it's playground time for an hr, then lunch and indoor stuff.

Throughout the day, I held friendship counselling, anti-whining seminars, warnings on the dangers of sassing back the teacher, the benefits of sitting, eating, drinking, breathing, coloring, lining up and walking in boy/girl/boy/girl order; along with stern lectures about potty language and treating others with kindness. A couple kids got on my last good nerve, but the rest of it was par for the course, and I find a sense of humor seems to work best for me with the kids. I already know all of them from when I was their music teacher the past 2 years and they get my style, which I'd call "strict but nice". For example, to the boys who said they hate girls, I told them if it happened again, they'd each get a fish kiss from Ms. Chrissie. They laugh and run away, but for, half an hour or so if I was lucky, they'd play with the girls. This will be my life two days a week next year.

Stock Market

Bought WFT @ 79.34

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