wADmM5mNLtOv064mhMCS_CYE3Bc Just Dorothy

Winner of the Scrapbook Software...

Congrats to Crystal! She is the lucky winner of the scrapbooking software from My Memories! 

If you entered but didn't win, no worries!  You can still get an amazing deal on the software. Click on the sidebar link with the code below 

It's 111 degrees outside but...

...fall is in the air.  Not really.  It's hard to feel anything in the air when it's 111.  It feels like there is NO air. 

However, school has started, football season has started (even if it's just pre-season) and the fall season of television programming will start soon.  So I'm getting in the spirit by putting out my fall door wreath.  Yes.  Know it.  Love it.  It goes up today. 

No, really, this is why I do what I do

Working in a school is sometimes not fun. 

Working in a school is sometimes the most fun I've ever had.  Ok, "fun" is a lie, but it's the most rewarding. 

We have a school of over 600 kiddos.  In a K-8 school you get the ones that are not used to being away from mom yet, to the ones that don't really like to be home.  And in between you get some really, really great kids that will listen to you because you are one of the few adults in their lives that makes sense, sometimes even feel cared about.

A boy I had in 6th grade last year was misbehaving in the library yesterday.  He got the "Leesha" look and a negative on his behavior card.  As he was leaving he said, "Mrs. Heaster, I'm going to do better next time".  Love, love, love that he recognized that this was due to HIS behavior.  He's a smart kid.  And today when he saw me we had a great conversation about the dental appointment he had just gotten back from.  It's the little things like this that I love about my job.

I do see some things that break my heart.  The special needs kids that long for friendship.  With the youngers, it's not so bad.  They friend easily.  The older ones..."normal" kids that are older are too concerned about what others think to even bother striking up a conversation.  I try to tell them that they don't have to be bff's but it will never, ever hurt them to extend the common courtesy of saying hello or, if that person has started talking to you, join in on the conversation!  Nothing wrong with that.  I saw it happen today, or not happen, I suppose, and it absolutely broke my heart.  The poor girl was trying so hard to get 2 others to talk to her and she got blown off.  And the look on her face...

After I got home, poor Zach, he got a lecture.  And he had nothing to do with it!  Ok, he didn't really get lectured but I did remind him that I would expect him to stick up for someone like that if he saw the other kids being nasty.  He's a quiet kid, but his peers like him.  If he told them to knock it off I think they would.  I asked him if he would also just at least say hi to this girl on occasion.  He's a shy guy so I don't know if he will, but .... I'm hopeful.  I'm hoping he will do the right thing. 

Today there were volleyball tryouts.  We had several girls come in double checking their physical paperwork due date.  Oh boy.  The tears started to fall as soon as they found out they didn't have a current one and were unable to tryout.  They have to get one by Thursday so they can have a 2nd chance.  It made me feel sad for them because they really want to be a part of something like this only to be told no, the proper paperwork wasn't in place.  On the other hand, they've been told for about 3 weeks now (parents have been told, too) that they need one before try out date.  Oh, the drama and the tears.  Makes me want to mother them and make it better.  Makes me very thankful I don't have a hormonal girl at home.  Premenstrual boys are enough.  When all three of these men in my house have PMS....kill me. 

Anyway, anyone in education will tell you they aren't in it for the money.  Believe it.  It's because the ones that are in it are there for the bigger picture. 

FREE Scrapbooking Software!

I was recently given the opportunity to review My Memory Suite scrapbooking software and to offer a free download to one lucky winner! See below to enter the giveaway.

Now, I'm not a very tech savvy person.  At all.  But I love to scrapbook and I love to create.  I've done traditional scrapbooking and I LOVE it.  Traditional scrapbooking is fun, but time consuming.  And can get super expensive. 

With digital scrapbooking you just download your pictures and add them to templates.  With My Memory Suite, there are background pages, embellishments, templates that are already premade.  You can also design your own.  There are page/embellishment/color packs that you can purchase and there are plenty of free items you can download. 

So far I've created the blog header on this page with pictures of the 4 of us, an album from my Christmas 2012 pictures and I've started a summer page. 


On this page, I added a picture of Zach swimming.  I was able to change the background color page, move his picture to the back, allowing it to fill the frame and I could have added text or any other embellishments I wanted to.  But I really like the simplicity of this design.  Anything else could have made it way too busy for me.

Here are six pages from the Christmas 2012 album I created using templates from My Memories:






 
 I could have created more text boxes, but I used the ones provided and changed the text to relate to us.  I like the color they used, but could have changed it to anything I wanted to.  I messed around with different layouts, changed what I needed and removed what I didn't want.

Creating scrapbook pages isn't the only thing you can do with the software.  You can create cards, photo books, calendars and even videos.

Not only has My Memories graciously offered this software giveaway, they've also let me give you $10 off the cost of the software if you decide to purchase it on your own AND $10 credit toward product purchase.  The regular cost of the software is $39.97 (and worth every penny) so with the $20 credit you pay less than $20 for the software.  If you aren't the lucky winner and want to purchase, visit My Memories and enter code STMMMS71620.

Good luck!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Great first week!

I really hope I'm not jinxing myself or my family when I say we had a great first week back to school.  The boys really seem to like their schedules and Zach enjoys his home room teacher.  Ryan got a referral on the first day of school.  For wearing a tank top.  I didn't know those weren't allowed!  I know we have a dress code at our school regarding tank tops, the straps have to be a specific width and non offensive, but NO tank tops?  Weird.  Dumb. Sometimes I think this high school has the stick shoved up just a little too far.

I don't have a lunch duty this year and I've been sending Zach with his lunch, but I've asked if the lunches were as horrible as they were last year.  Everyone says they are.  I don't think that will ever change.  I wish it would.  Have you paid attention to what schools are serving your kiddos?  It's not great.  I guess two years or so ago they were told they could no longer have a salad bar.  Why would you take something healthy and nutritious away?  And they definitely don't serve enough to our older kids.  It's not even worth the $2.00 a day they charge.

I said we had a great week but it sounds like I'm complaining! 

Our great week had to do with being out the door on time, zero stress, things running smoothly, getting things done on time and no huge hiccups along the way.  Last year I had a bit of trouble with some of the grades coming into the library.  I wasn't in there full time until January, when half the year was already over.  The expectations were not clear for those classes from the beginning and trying to change things half way through did not work at all.  I loathed the 7th and 8th grade classes.  The amount of disrespect...oy. 

This year, I've very clearly announced the rules and expectations regarding behavior and procedure with all grade levels.  So far, it's worked out.  With the exception of a nasty Kindergartener who kicked me, told me he hated me, and hoped someone sat on my floor and pooped on my face.  He was very proud of the fact that he got "kicked out" of the library and had to sit in the front office.  When he was allowed to come back to the library he said he was going to tell his mom.  I said, "yes, please tell her what a rude, nasty boy you were".  I have a feeling she already knows. 

I'm excited about what this school year will bring.  For the boys, for me, for all the other kiddos.  I just hope I'm not jinxing anything!

Yep, another (wistful) school post...

I have lost track of what 'phase' of life I'm in right now. 

I've said before that I'm in the 2nd phase.  A few weeks ago I might have mentioned I was in the 3rd phase. 

I'm absolutely positive I'm in the "can't remember shit" phase.

Anyway...

The boys are no longer little.  My marriage is no longer "new".  We have our routines, our habits, as parents, as children, as partners, as siblings.  It's been a little challenging at times.  It's even been more than challenging, but not as often.  But it's always, always been a joy.

Ryan, our oldest, is entering his senior year in high school.  We've been through a lot of firsts with that kid.  First birthday, natch.  First day of Kindergarten.  First high school, first dance, first date, first girlfriend, first time driving on his own.  First job.  Now we're looking at his last year of high school.  The last classes, the last school dances.  Oh, I didn't even mean for that to rhyme! The last year he will, most likely, play football.

And Zach.  My sweet little Bean.  Entering the 8th grade.  He's been through a few firsts now, too.  We have a lot of firsts left with him.  But right now, 8th grade is a "last" phase for him, too.  This year will be his last to play basketball as a middle schooler.  This will be his last year to "slack".  He's done a good job all through school, but prepping for high school...the pressure is on this year. 

And then, there's me.  Starting college again.  At the brilliant age of 42.  Me, the girl who can't remember what phase she's in.  The one with the ever changing eye sight, not to mention digestion, the fading memory (did I just kind of say that?) and the nearly grown family to still help raise.  The one that loves new things but gets bored easily, that rarely finishes what she starts. The one that absolutely hates to be obligated to anything.  But also the one that is determined to reach the goal.  The one that is like a dog with a bone when she really, really, really wants something.

So, they are finishing, and I'm beginning.  We're all a bit nervous, all a bit excited.  But we are ready.

That last rush before school starts

'Twas the week before school
and all through the house
all the kids were whining
until I suggested a joust.

Ok, after that I really have nothing.  It just sounded whimsical and it's hard to rhyme house with anything but mouse.

But, yes.  It's the week before school and we're all trying to cram as much stuff in as we can.  Dentist appointments, doctors appointments for well child check ups, vision appointments.  Dermatologist appointments.  Well woman check ups.  You name it, we've probably had an appointment for it. 

Poor Zachary...my shy little Bean.  He had to have a sports physical today.  New pediatrician.  I purposefully made the appointment with a male doctor.  Guess what the doctor wasn't.  That's right.  A female medical student came in first to do the vitals and the well kid check up.  Then...drop your pants!  I figured that meant the doctor wasn't in, that maybe he had been called away for an emergency or something.  And then she said, I will get the doctor and he will come in and talk to you.

Dr. came in and started the exam all over again!  Poor Bean had two hernia checks!!  And she stayed in the room on the 2nd one!!  I left the room, he didn't want me in there either time.  I'm ok with that, I don't really need to be in on that kind of thing. 

And then down to brass tacks.  He started showing Zach and I charts and grafts to determine his height when he is fully grown.  But this is how he started, "So, how tall do you want to be?"
Zach said, "uh, 6 ft or more".  Dr. said, "hehe, well, you won't be."  I thought that was a bit mean spirited, although he did it with a "nice" tone.  I'm not sure about that, the kid has at least 5 more years to grow and IF he will only be 5'10" as the chart says, that breaks down to an average of 1 inch per year.  I'd be concerned if he didn't grow more than one a year.  Also, according to his growth plate (broken wrist and finger x-rays from previous injuries) and two other doctors he will be about 6 feet.  So.....

Our previous pediatrician joins with this new center in October and he's one of the doctors that told Z he would be 6 ft.

We will definitely be seeking a 2nd opinion.  Ok, they probably don't give 2nd opinions on estimated height, but we just won't see the other doctor again. 

So, physically, we are ready to go back.  Mentally....depends on who you are talking to.  Ryan is ready, he's excited to be a senior.  Zach will be in 8th grade and, not quite so excited.  I'm on the fence.  I'm ready to go back, especially financially.  It's been a long, hard 8 weeks on one income.  On the other hand it's been really nice to have an almost spotless house, no 10 loads of laundry to do in one or two days, but...

New and exciting things are going to happen this year for us school wise.  I just know it! :)

We're a family of texters

IN the house texters.  I'm sure we're not the only ones.  Please tell me we aren't.  I will feel really bad if we are.  Well, probably not really. 

One of the boys will be in the bathroom and I'll get a text:  toilet paper

I'll be in bed reading and am so cozy and nearly falling asleep so I text the boys:  goodnight, I love you

Steve will be sitting across from me in the living room and will text cute things:  Hi.  I like you.

And because the iPhone keypad is so small and my fingers are so large, I often misspell stuff.  Or I try to be like all the cool kids and use abbreviations.  One time I text Ryan and used "ur" for you're.

He sent me a text back saying, "You have an education.  Use real words!"  

That's what I get for being the grammar police with my kids.  It comes back to haunt me.

Of always becomes If on my phone.  Get becomes Her and home disappears until it's just hm.  But is almost always Bit.  And of course because these are actual words, the auto correct doesn't work. 

And a thing about auto correct.  It always changes my use of the F word into the D word.  As in duck.  "Are you ducking serious" doesn't have the same oomph as the other.  "Duck yeah!" does not have the same emphasis. 

My nephew Matty becomes Marty on text.  Which would be really funny if you knew Matty.

Getting on with my life

This is a phrase I use almost every day.

Mostly it goes like this:

Me: Zach, can you unload the dishwasher please?
Zach: Let me finish building the Great Wall of China on Minecraft.
Me: Ryan, can you please take out the trash?
Ryan: Yeah

Fast forward 3 hours

Me: HELLO!?  Can you both do as you were told so I can get on with the rest of my life?

Every. Day.

Or making a decision on something.  I do it to myself.  And don't think I'm crazy for having this amazing running dialog in my head because I know you do it, too.

Me: What should I make for dinner tonight?
Me: I don't know yet.  What do I have in the freezer I can take out in time to defrost?
Me: Crap, is there time to defrost chicken?
Me: Depending on the dish you make you could throw it in the Crock Pot and call it dinner.
Me: Yeah, but Steve isn't overly fond of that kind of chicken.
Me: He's not cooking it.
Me: This is true.
Me: So, chicken?
Me: Blah, I don't know!!
Me: Seriously make a decision so I can get on with the rest of  my life!!

Which makes this true:

 

All good things must come to an end...

I don't really believe that, by the way.  It's just a clever little, sarcastic title for this particular post.

The littles are no longer in my care after Friday.  I could do a little jig, quite honestly.  I like kids.  I really, really do.  But, it's been our discovery that we are not puppy and/or little kid people.  We are easily bugged and don't like to accommodate anyone's needs or whims. 

Family is different, of course.  They are your flesh and blood, the ones you love. 

Day in and day out for literally 10 hours a day I hear "I waaannaa watch...I waaannaa watch...I waaannaa watch..." with no end.  No resolution to what they want to watch!  It's just that phrase repeated over and over again.  10 hours a day, 5 days a week.  And when things don't go their way they yell, "I'm really MAD".  Most of the time I don't respond.  Why argue with a 4 year old? 

No matter what I say, one of them just does not understand.  I can say, "first, we are going to have lunch, then a nap and when you wake up we will have snack."  It doesn't register.  Or it does and he will argue about something in that statement.  Sometimes this is our conversation:

"I want cheese"
"We don't have any cheese"
"Why?"
"Ran out"
"But I want cheese."
"No cheese"
"Why"
"Ran out"
"Why"
"Because everyone has already eaten all of it"
"But I want cheese"

This is where I shut my mouth and let the fit happen, the writhing body, the rolling around on the floor, crying for cheese.

This is also where my patience runs thin and I get to the point where I start praying for the clock to move faster towards nap time and then pick up time.

This is the point where I wished I drank.

But, as of Friday, 4:40, it will all be behind me.  I couldn't be happier about letting this "good thing" *ha* come to an end.