Monday, January 04, 2010
My attempt at photos for the holidays
Well, I have way too much flash. Lesson learned. I have not figured out my new editing program to fix it the way I want. They are better than they were and the girls are still pretty in their dresses!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Magic wands
The girls have been playing for hours and hours. All of a sudden there was hysterics. Becca's favorite (that hour anyway) wand broke. She was spinning and the top flew off and they cannot find it. I am called to find it because "I am a good finder". I cannot find it anywhere. I said that if I could just use my magic wand powers to find it, that would be easier.
Bridget says " Will you give me your powers one day?"
I say "Only if you earn it after the competition"
Dead serious, she says " Okay. I better study more"
I wonder if she knows Wizards of Waverly Place is fiction?
Bridget says " Will you give me your powers one day?"
I say "Only if you earn it after the competition"
Dead serious, she says " Okay. I better study more"
I wonder if she knows Wizards of Waverly Place is fiction?
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Nutcracker Tea Party & Santa
Last weekend I took the girls to the Nutcracker Tea Party. This is an event from the JoCo Park and Rec at the Ritz Charles. They serve some kid friendly finger foods and drinks and the Legacy School of Arts does and hour long performance of the Nutcracker ballet. It was very pretty inside and all the little girls were dressed all fancy. Any time my girls can go all fancy, they are thrilled. There were a lot of Bridget's friends from school there too. It was a good time.
Today we went to see Santa. The Bass Pro Shop has a really nice Santa setup and a non-cheesy looking Santa. They also take and give a free 4x6 photo to you. Bass Pro is a little dark inside, but has some very nice photo opts. The girls got to tell Santa what they really want more than anything (and thankfully, those things are already taken care of by a very efficient elf) and I got cute photos. That makes for a successful outing!
Today we went to see Santa. The Bass Pro Shop has a really nice Santa setup and a non-cheesy looking Santa. They also take and give a free 4x6 photo to you. Bass Pro is a little dark inside, but has some very nice photo opts. The girls got to tell Santa what they really want more than anything (and thankfully, those things are already taken care of by a very efficient elf) and I got cute photos. That makes for a successful outing!
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Car talk
When we drive to dance each week the girls either have very funny comments and conversations or they fight the whole way. Tonight, Bridget shared some of her philosophy.
I was in traffic, in the wrong lane, a nice person let me over and I gave the polite wave. Becca asked who I was waving at. I explained the wave and she asked if it was a kid. Bridget informed her that it was not a kid, because you have to be 16 to drive and 19 to have a car. (Good to know she won't need a car in high school. )
Then she went on to say that even a 19 year old is not an adult. They are still TEENS. She asked if that was right. I said that legally you are an adult at 18 years. She said she was not going to be an adult until she was 20 because in your teens you don't know enough. ( I am going to have her sign that statement for future use).
Then Bridget asked if everybody has to get married. I said no way. It is a choice. She replied that she was not going to marry anybody unless it was the perfect man. (She should start looking now)
Bridget has to keep taking these timed math tests at school. We were talking about math facts and how we need to keep practicing even when school is out because I thought she forgot a lot over the summer when we didn't practice. She said she agreed because when she was at swimming lessons last summer, she got some water in her ear, and she shook everything out of her head trying to get that water out.
I was in traffic, in the wrong lane, a nice person let me over and I gave the polite wave. Becca asked who I was waving at. I explained the wave and she asked if it was a kid. Bridget informed her that it was not a kid, because you have to be 16 to drive and 19 to have a car. (Good to know she won't need a car in high school. )
Then she went on to say that even a 19 year old is not an adult. They are still TEENS. She asked if that was right. I said that legally you are an adult at 18 years. She said she was not going to be an adult until she was 20 because in your teens you don't know enough. ( I am going to have her sign that statement for future use).
Then Bridget asked if everybody has to get married. I said no way. It is a choice. She replied that she was not going to marry anybody unless it was the perfect man. (She should start looking now)
Bridget has to keep taking these timed math tests at school. We were talking about math facts and how we need to keep practicing even when school is out because I thought she forgot a lot over the summer when we didn't practice. She said she agreed because when she was at swimming lessons last summer, she got some water in her ear, and she shook everything out of her head trying to get that water out.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Lots of random
It is early Sunday morning and I am up for no good reason. I have some random thoughts running around.
Thanksgiving is this week. I love this holiday. It is one of my most favorite meals of the year. There is no pressure of gift giving and money stresses. Love it.
Christmas music is playing on the radio and we just started to enjoy that. Maybe I will be inspired to get those decorations out soon.
I only have to work 2 days next week, so I will have some time. Time is precious these days.
If anybody has a pile of money that they don't know what to do with, I can have some ideas. I would like a Mac laptop, a Kindle, and to see Wicked again.
Christmas is stressing me out. Buying gifts for everybody I would like to is not going to happen. As much as I want to enjoy it, I really am finding it hard so far. I know I will in the end though.
I have some beautiful dresses for the girls to wear over the holidays. I cannot wait to get some photos taken!
I am so relieved to have heat blowing in my van. If you recall, the AC didn't work in the summer. Now the heat was not working. (OH, add functioning vehicle to my wish list above). Let me just share that in this area, it is uncomfortable to not have cool air blowing on you in the heat. It is different not to have heat blowing in the cold. Sure I can bundle us up and drive, but the windows don't cooperate so nicely. Defrosted windows are sort of a necessity my friends.
We are 1/3 of the way through the school year. Becca loves and is thriving in her Kindergarten class. Bridget is content and surviving in her second grade class.
I am thankful for my job, but I still have not resolved my guilt. The guilt of missing things and just not being the mom I had in my mind. I do enjoy working with Mrs. Trask. We have plenty of laughs and get along well.
Schaun is happy and succeeding at his new job. I am glad that the stress on him (and his car) of driving all over creation is gone. Some change is good.
My washing machine that was dying has been replaced with a bigger, better functioning version. A HUGE thank you to Dan and Cody for that! I know you worked really hard to get that here and I very much appreciate that.
A Dunkin Donuts has opened very close to our home. We have watched and anticipated their opening since the coming soon sign went up. The craziness that has occurred around this building has been very entertaining. People standing in long, long lines. People standing in the parking lot......in pouring rain. The cars wrapped around the building and down into the side street has all just been funny to me and the girls. We have had the chance to eat a few and they were yummy!
I think I have cleared out most of the randomness now. I hope the next post is pretty girls in pretty dresses pictures.
Thanksgiving is this week. I love this holiday. It is one of my most favorite meals of the year. There is no pressure of gift giving and money stresses. Love it.
Christmas music is playing on the radio and we just started to enjoy that. Maybe I will be inspired to get those decorations out soon.
I only have to work 2 days next week, so I will have some time. Time is precious these days.
If anybody has a pile of money that they don't know what to do with, I can have some ideas. I would like a Mac laptop, a Kindle, and to see Wicked again.
Christmas is stressing me out. Buying gifts for everybody I would like to is not going to happen. As much as I want to enjoy it, I really am finding it hard so far. I know I will in the end though.
I have some beautiful dresses for the girls to wear over the holidays. I cannot wait to get some photos taken!
I am so relieved to have heat blowing in my van. If you recall, the AC didn't work in the summer. Now the heat was not working. (OH, add functioning vehicle to my wish list above). Let me just share that in this area, it is uncomfortable to not have cool air blowing on you in the heat. It is different not to have heat blowing in the cold. Sure I can bundle us up and drive, but the windows don't cooperate so nicely. Defrosted windows are sort of a necessity my friends.
We are 1/3 of the way through the school year. Becca loves and is thriving in her Kindergarten class. Bridget is content and surviving in her second grade class.
I am thankful for my job, but I still have not resolved my guilt. The guilt of missing things and just not being the mom I had in my mind. I do enjoy working with Mrs. Trask. We have plenty of laughs and get along well.
Schaun is happy and succeeding at his new job. I am glad that the stress on him (and his car) of driving all over creation is gone. Some change is good.
My washing machine that was dying has been replaced with a bigger, better functioning version. A HUGE thank you to Dan and Cody for that! I know you worked really hard to get that here and I very much appreciate that.
A Dunkin Donuts has opened very close to our home. We have watched and anticipated their opening since the coming soon sign went up. The craziness that has occurred around this building has been very entertaining. People standing in long, long lines. People standing in the parking lot......in pouring rain. The cars wrapped around the building and down into the side street has all just been funny to me and the girls. We have had the chance to eat a few and they were yummy!
I think I have cleared out most of the randomness now. I hope the next post is pretty girls in pretty dresses pictures.
Monday, November 02, 2009
It's been a year
Dear Gramma,
I miss you everyday. I wish I could call you and ask how to do the things I didn't learn from you in time. I talk to my girls about you so they won't forget you as they grow up.
And even though I don't think "you" are where you wanted to be, I hope you are resting in peace.
Love and miss you,
Kerry
I miss you everyday. I wish I could call you and ask how to do the things I didn't learn from you in time. I talk to my girls about you so they won't forget you as they grow up.
And even though I don't think "you" are where you wanted to be, I hope you are resting in peace.
Love and miss you,
Kerry
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
BVHS Cheer
Last night the girls cheered (with many others) at the Blue Valley High School football game with the HS cheerleaders. It was so cute and they had a blast! Most of the cheers they did, Bridget had learned from previous cheerleading. Since Becca had watched most of Bridget's previous cheering, she knew a lot of these too. It was fairly chilly last night, but I didn't here any complaining. I made them wear about 5 shirts because I knew they wouldn't want to wear coats. Bridget enjoyed this alot because many of her 2nd grade friends were there. Becca was just loving it because she is naturally a clown and just silly. It was hard to watch them both because they were at opposite ends of the cheering line, so no pics of them together.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Sometimes it just takes one word
Becca is home sick today. Running a fever. Acting perfectly normal after she slept for 16 hours the night before, but the fever is sticking around. So she had to miss dance tonight (again) , but we were taking Bridget to her class and having a chat about who Bridget sits by at school.
They don't have regular desks, they have round tables that seat 6 kids. Bridget was telling who she sits by and that she might move soon. She tells us that this boy and girl got moved by the teacher because they were too chatty. Becca said "you mean they would not focus". Something about my 5 year old talking about being focused made me laugh.
Bridget was just telling me about how they are studying safety and today was all about fire safety. It went something like this:
In old Kansas they didn't have fire trucks like now. They had bucket lines and one line carried buckets of water and the other line brought back the empty buckets to fight the fires.
Is that how it was when you were a kid mommy?
Made me laugh because she was so serious.
Even though Becca is sick, it was nice to stay home today.
They don't have regular desks, they have round tables that seat 6 kids. Bridget was telling who she sits by and that she might move soon. She tells us that this boy and girl got moved by the teacher because they were too chatty. Becca said "you mean they would not focus". Something about my 5 year old talking about being focused made me laugh.
Bridget was just telling me about how they are studying safety and today was all about fire safety. It went something like this:
In old Kansas they didn't have fire trucks like now. They had bucket lines and one line carried buckets of water and the other line brought back the empty buckets to fight the fires.
Is that how it was when you were a kid mommy?
Made me laugh because she was so serious.
Even though Becca is sick, it was nice to stay home today.
Monday, October 05, 2009
It's my blog and I'll complain if I want to
So I just feel generally negative and stressed. Nothing specific, just everything in general. If you don't want to read about my whines and complaints, then skip this. I would if I were you. You have been warned.
I do not like working all day.
I do not like how second grade is going for Bridget.
These are the top two stress causes.
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to have the job I have, but I do not like that sometimes I am racing Bridget's bus home. I do not like that, to be at any event at her school, I feel guilt about work. I do not like that I feel guilt when I miss the events. I HATE when I hear Bridget tell me how sad she is that I am not at things.
I do not like that I have to make Bridget do so much extra work at home. I think the reading requirement is enough for every night. Then, we have silly little time consuming, not educating worksheets that must be turned in the next day. If you are going to assign stupid homework, does it need to involve crayons? Seriously. We have other things that we want to do and sometimes homework gets dragged along and done on the road. Can't it just be writing work? Why must it all be colored? I do not see work coming home from school all colored on.
I have pin-pointed a problem with her school. They are confusing her, but now that I have figured out how they confused her, I can try and fix it. They give the kids all these silly ways to figure out the answers. Ways to get answers that they probably really know. I'm talking math here. So you tell them two or three ways to figure out the answer. Then you give them timed tests. This says to me that you just want them to know the answer, not to figure it out. Bridget will sit and figure out answers to things she knows just because they told her how to and that must be how she is suppose to do it. UGH!
So now that I know this. I have told her that she needs to just know the answers. Math facts are just that--facts. You memorize them and spit out the answers when asked. You know them like your name and address. Her test scores have sky-rocketed since having this spelled out for her. This also is the extra work part. We sit and recite and re-write said math facts all the freaking time now.
Other stress. I had a little Girl Scout deal that was just not necessary, so I let that one just go away. Cut the ties to that very quick. Poor Becca, will not get to join Girls Scouts until next year because of it, but we have talked about it and she is okay with the decision. Still residual guilt/stress.
The girls are taking (between them) five hours of dance a week. That is fine. I'm good with this. They love it and are improving so much. The stress with this though is the time away from home.
The house is a mess. People keep telling me to just learn to ignore it, and I used to be really good at that. Very, very good I tell you. Now it drives me nuts. I'm gone more and when I come home it would be so much more relaxing for it to be clean. This is new stress. The kind that didn't cause stress before everything changed.
Dinner. "Hi, my name is Kerry, and I despise cooking". I have been trying to plan weekly meals. Shop for them on the weekend and cook them during the week. It is hard being gone every Tuesday and Wed. evenings though. It is hard, I'm tired while doing it, and did I mention I hate doing it?
Did I mention the pets in my house. To visit us nowadays will cost you. I have to charge folks to come visit our zoo. I know, I know. I have brought in many of these animals. A recent addition that I very much did not want has caused me extra worries.
Tonight, I was also told about some changes in the future that I am not digging. Some change is good. Most change though, I find myself fighting against these past few months.
I'm tired of hearing about how we will all die from the Swine Flu.
I'm tired of being told what to inject into my kids.
I'm tired of bills.
My washing machine is dying....any day now and it will be a goner.
I have a book that I have waited at least three years for and I cannot find time to read it.
Now that I have spewed out all that negative, I am off to bed.
I told you not to read this.
I do not like working all day.
I do not like how second grade is going for Bridget.
These are the top two stress causes.
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to have the job I have, but I do not like that sometimes I am racing Bridget's bus home. I do not like that, to be at any event at her school, I feel guilt about work. I do not like that I feel guilt when I miss the events. I HATE when I hear Bridget tell me how sad she is that I am not at things.
I do not like that I have to make Bridget do so much extra work at home. I think the reading requirement is enough for every night. Then, we have silly little time consuming, not educating worksheets that must be turned in the next day. If you are going to assign stupid homework, does it need to involve crayons? Seriously. We have other things that we want to do and sometimes homework gets dragged along and done on the road. Can't it just be writing work? Why must it all be colored? I do not see work coming home from school all colored on.
I have pin-pointed a problem with her school. They are confusing her, but now that I have figured out how they confused her, I can try and fix it. They give the kids all these silly ways to figure out the answers. Ways to get answers that they probably really know. I'm talking math here. So you tell them two or three ways to figure out the answer. Then you give them timed tests. This says to me that you just want them to know the answer, not to figure it out. Bridget will sit and figure out answers to things she knows just because they told her how to and that must be how she is suppose to do it. UGH!
So now that I know this. I have told her that she needs to just know the answers. Math facts are just that--facts. You memorize them and spit out the answers when asked. You know them like your name and address. Her test scores have sky-rocketed since having this spelled out for her. This also is the extra work part. We sit and recite and re-write said math facts all the freaking time now.
Other stress. I had a little Girl Scout deal that was just not necessary, so I let that one just go away. Cut the ties to that very quick. Poor Becca, will not get to join Girls Scouts until next year because of it, but we have talked about it and she is okay with the decision. Still residual guilt/stress.
The girls are taking (between them) five hours of dance a week. That is fine. I'm good with this. They love it and are improving so much. The stress with this though is the time away from home.
The house is a mess. People keep telling me to just learn to ignore it, and I used to be really good at that. Very, very good I tell you. Now it drives me nuts. I'm gone more and when I come home it would be so much more relaxing for it to be clean. This is new stress. The kind that didn't cause stress before everything changed.
Dinner. "Hi, my name is Kerry, and I despise cooking". I have been trying to plan weekly meals. Shop for them on the weekend and cook them during the week. It is hard being gone every Tuesday and Wed. evenings though. It is hard, I'm tired while doing it, and did I mention I hate doing it?
Did I mention the pets in my house. To visit us nowadays will cost you. I have to charge folks to come visit our zoo. I know, I know. I have brought in many of these animals. A recent addition that I very much did not want has caused me extra worries.
Tonight, I was also told about some changes in the future that I am not digging. Some change is good. Most change though, I find myself fighting against these past few months.
I'm tired of hearing about how we will all die from the Swine Flu.
I'm tired of being told what to inject into my kids.
I'm tired of bills.
My washing machine is dying....any day now and it will be a goner.
I have a book that I have waited at least three years for and I cannot find time to read it.
Now that I have spewed out all that negative, I am off to bed.
I told you not to read this.
A Fairy Celebration
A few weeks ago, my neighbor's daughter had a birthday. For her celebration we all went to the Renaissance Festival. The girls were all dressed in fairy tulle tutus, had wings, and halos. Lynne spend weeks making and collecting these. They were adorable walking around together! It was a fun day and we had a special Tea with the Queen. Becca poted a lot thru the day, so there are less pics of her.
I have been meaning to edit these pics, therefore the delay in posting them. Since I don't have time for things like that anymore, here they are unedited.
I have been meaning to edit these pics, therefore the delay in posting them. Since I don't have time for things like that anymore, here they are unedited.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Helium Balloon
How much do 4 helium balloons cost?
a. 50 cents
b. 5 dollars
c. 50 dollars
Answer C. is not correct, but it is what Bridget answered.
It is these sort of questions that basically make me mad. This question does not involve any learned math skill. It would be a math question if it was presented with a fact like "How much are 4 balloons when each balloon costs $1.25? "
Bridget got this wrong on a real graded quiz because 1) she doesn't know how much a balloon costs as she has never purchased balloons and 2) because she was confused and stuck on wondering what helium is.
Super. I am so excited for the rest of this year.
a. 50 cents
b. 5 dollars
c. 50 dollars
Answer C. is not correct, but it is what Bridget answered.
It is these sort of questions that basically make me mad. This question does not involve any learned math skill. It would be a math question if it was presented with a fact like "How much are 4 balloons when each balloon costs $1.25? "
Bridget got this wrong on a real graded quiz because 1) she doesn't know how much a balloon costs as she has never purchased balloons and 2) because she was confused and stuck on wondering what helium is.
Super. I am so excited for the rest of this year.
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