Newbie

I am new to this daycare/kindergarten/preschool/school parent thing. You would think that it wouldn't seem foreign since I told 3k, worked at a daycare for three years, and taught school for 7.

Since I worked at a daycare, taught pre-school, and school, I have TONS of questions and concern for where MY kids are going. I guess it is the whole knowing what goes on part that gets me. That director was probably wishing I would G-O.

If you read my facebook ever, you know that I had a BAD first experience where we thought the boys would go to pre-K. The only reason they are even going is to "wing from B" (ween) before real school next year. There was a big turnover and a fire and the day I went, it was utter chaos. I was determined they just wouldn't go.

There was a meeting last night that several people I know went to and they left feeling like it would be ok. I went this morning and talked to them. Still a little concern as far as the organization, but I am giving them some time to get it together. They did have a price and a form for me to fill out today so that was a step in the right direction.

The boys have been so excited about going. I think they will really enjoy it. They love being around other kids and they play good with people. It will be good for them.We also need to get used to not being at B's house in pajamas, watching toons, playing outside, drinking Pepsi, and unfortunately peeing in the yard everyday. We need a little structure before school. B may have to home-school because they LOVE their B. This could be a very interesting August 6.

So, I signed them up today. If we don't like it, we can just pull them out; it is monthly. I about died when I saw the supply list. It is seriously longer than several real school lists I have seen. They better create the mess out of some artwork with glue stick. This house is going to be adorned with marker drawings. There are two people I am getting it for so it seems like a lot more I am sure, but geez louise.

Also, I signed the boys up for soccer yesterday. We have been talking about it for a while. Jude really wants to play baseball, so we may try that in the spring. It cost ALOT too and its cheap compared to the competitive mess.

I have always heard people talk about how expensive kids were. So far we have just fed them, clothed them, and put diapers on them. There were two, then Titus, but it never has seemed like a ton. Well, I feel ya now people. Kids are expensive. They are only four. I can't imagine two 16 year olds and a 13 year old, or three in college at the same time. I think we are going to search for a list of professions that train as you get paid. You know the whole technology deal, robotics, all that futuristic seeming stuff. No college needed. Money in the pocket as you go. Sounds like a plan.

I have been a mom now for four years, but today, it all felt new. I have gotten a lesson in quite a few things. I can tell you that at open house, I will probably have more information than I have in the last seven years available because I now know what it feels like to walk in to a new place with new people who we will be trusting with our children.

Getting Ready

I spent an entire day at the school getting ready on Wednesday. I always forget just how exhausted I get. It was my goal to do everything I had to be there to do in one day and bring the rest home. It was successful. Some people had donated books to me throughout the summer so I needed to get those added to my library. That was the most time consuming thing.

This is the fiction section. All books are labeled on the inside cover. All buckets are labeled with my new labels on the outside. It is organized. FOR NOW. I plan to keep it that way:) 

I also got my math board somewhat done. I have a few tweaks to make the next time I am there. The Math Board is one of my favorite parts of math. Their little minds get going during this time and we do the bulk of our review here. I do Math board everyday and if not it is a minimum of three times a week. You can get the plan/outline of my math board here:http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Board-Plans-1322511

There are plans for the first ten weeks of school. They are simple to follow and you should have everything you need in your classroom. You can write it with a marker if need be. I have magnetic base ten blocks, magnetic calendar, magnetic shapes, blank number lines that are dry erase and magnetic, I have my calendar with magnetic numbers and my calendar cards with magnetic strips. I purchased magnetic locker organizers that I store supplies in. I also have magnetic fraction bars and a few other manipulatives that I will pull out of the drawer organizer (under the board) later in the year. I love that everything is easy to manipulate on that board. It stays up all day. I will write the problem of the day so it is large enough for all to see each day. 

What I didn't get done I have been working on at home. I will have plenty more to share later this summer. I have a last vacation coming up soon! 

That Time I Fainted

Yesterday, I felt fine. Last night, I felt like I was hit by a freight train. Literally, that quick. I even blogged about not being sick yesterday. This irritating dry cough came, then sinus junk, then misery and no sleep. I vowed last time I was sick that as soon as a big one hit I was going straight to the doctor.

That is what I did. I was going to take the twins with me and then just head to their appointment at 12, but I decided not to last minute and left them with Titus and Dad. I AM SO THANKFUL I DID THAT or getting them to get shots this afternoon would have been brutal.

So, after x-ray and blood work, they said I was in the beginning of walking pneumonia, which is crazy because I haven't felt bad until last night. GLAD I DIDN'T wait. I was getting two shots, 1-strong steroid, 1-antibiotic, 7days of antibiotics, and some cough decongestant stuff. I never have problems with IV's, shots, nothing. Needles don't bother me.

Well, she gives me the steroid and I give her my other hip. As she is finishing I get a little dizzy. I make my way back to the chair behind me and sit. She is talking and I am hearing her, but all I can get out is, "dizzy." She leaves me to go get water. I remember going into panic mode because I could only hear buzzing. I said, "Hey, help." I remember the doctor walking in. I heard someone say they were going to get a rag. I felt like I was on the merry-go-round at the playground for 20 minutes to long. I couldn't see anything but dark and felt like the visuals of the twilight zone. The next thing I remember is waking up on the floor with my feet on a stool, towels on my head, a doctor, three workers, and a cup of water. In case you are wondering, peanut butter crackers do not equal breakfast before steroid shots. Take note people, this is no joking matter.

I used to pass out all the time. It was no big thing. I had no idea though, it just happened. This was weird because it happened, there was nothing I could do, but it took place in sSSSSSLLLLLlllloooOOOOOWwwwwww motion. When I woke up, I felt completely normal.

I called David and after making sure I was ok since I was driving he said, "I wish you would have gotten that on video." Yeah, me too, but in the middle of thinking I was going blind I didn't think to cue Instagram. Then, I  high tailed it to Chik-fil-A for some salt, grease, bread, and lunch for the children. When I left their, I called my mom because I wasn't really sure I felt so great still, like I had this weird tingly thing going on in my legs that were accelerating my bus. I wouldn't recommend it. I tell my mom the story and I hear hysterical laughter on the other end. I tell my dad when I get there and he says, "Hm. Probably shouldn't have driven here. That was dangerous. Did you have your pants back on?" I get my weird sense of humor honest.

Then, it was time for the 4year well visit for these people:

They were not fans. They handled it ok and managed to stand up when they got off the table. That is more than I can say for myself. They got Popsicles, a book, and stickers from the doctor. I felt like we all deserved icees after our 2 1/2 hour naps at B's house. Lindsey has the best bed for sick naps. She loves when I borrow it. That loud mega air blaster fan of hers kept me from sweating half to death. It was the best 2 hours of sleep I have had in a while! I might go back and crawl in tonight. She would be thrilled:). 

I was told don't be around dust for a few days. Guess I won't be cleaning the house or working my classroom. Those are like the two-poster things for dust collection. SCORE!

So, our summer day was eventful. I feel better. That is good. I guess it was worth fainting for a quick turn around. I have friends and family calling my name with water, food and hopefully sunshine this weekend. I gotta kick this quick!

The Beach with Friends

One day six friends had the bright idea to get a condo for them and the five children that would be in tow. It was crazy, but it was fun.

We went to Destin which is my favorite to visit on the Gulf Coast. They have the best restaurants by far. We ate, played, swam, laughed, little people cried, napped, but we had fun and the big people SURVIVED!:)

Essential Oils - The expirement

So, I ventured into the world of essential oils about three months ago. I was skeptical. My husband calls it voodoo and I thought it was for earthy, all natural, green, homeschooling families.

I teach in public school, my kids ate pizza rolls and cheeseballs for lunch and we just killed half of the Gulf of Mexico with our deep fried seafood dinners last week. I don't really fit the essential oils mold if you will.

I have terrible allergies. I take Benedryl like it is candy. There are some Alabama days where I have just given up and swallowed the pink pill, but mostly, I have gone without Benedryl. You know when you wake up and your car is yellow and you can see pollen in the air, you just use common sense and do what you know works. Other days, you take risks and breathe oils off a sponge plugged into a wall and rub it on your body.

It has definitely helped with my allergies.

There was the 12-day battle of the mystery virus/bacteria combo my clan had in June. Guess who didn't get it? Yep, that was me. The voodoo hating husband got two shots and a prescription. I didn't need anything. Maybe chance? Maybe oils? I used four thieves nightly on myself religiously throughout the 12 day battle. I also diffused clove throughout the day and night in all rooms with humidifiers and plug ins.

I haven't had an antibiotic since getting the oils and using them. I did have to get a steroid shot for a bad case of strep, but I didn't really oil myself during that because I was miserable and didn't want to move.

I should probably be a little more pro-active with the oils and use them before virus and bacteria germs get near us...I will work on that. I am also going on a cleaning spree with oils in the next few days.

I am washing all bedding with Eucalyptus because supposedly it kills dust mites. I will be mixing up concoctions for different rooms based on their intended purposes. I am also going to make it part of our nightly routine for some four thieves on the feet when we take vitamins.

Asa and Jude may or may not have asthma, it is hard to tell. They wheeze sometimes but not others when you would think they would. They haven't had their medicine in about three weeks because I have been burning lemon, lavender, and peppermint during the day and in their humidifier (and we were at the beach and everybody can breathe there).

My cousin uses them. A nurse practitioner she works with uses them. They know about medicine so I feel like there is some validity to my voodoo oil.

I just ordered some more. I am going to try this fly concoction that supposedly keeps flies away. If that works, David might just let me apply oils to him.

Now, let me tell you my secret. I don't sell the oils. I am not in the hierarchy of discounts. I haven't spent a fortune. I am in no way compensated by these people. That nurse practitioner, she has used them for 18 years.
 Go to http://edensgarden.com/

You can get everything you need.

Disclaimer: We do not ingest oils. That just makes me nervous and diffusing and applying topically has worked great for us so that is what we will stick with. If you are picking a carrier oil, I would suggest Macadamia for kids. One of mine has really sensitive skin and it hasn't bothered him at all.