tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48497891449008508112024-03-19T01:43:04.655-04:00Triplets + ToddlerLearning to love my new life as a Stay at a Home MomBonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.comBlogger1276125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-16843434532376109802017-06-03T09:56:00.000-04:002017-06-03T09:56:48.803-04:00New BeginningsNeedless to say, my transition to a working mother of four did not go as smoothly as I had expected. I am not sure where to begin in recapping the past school year. There have been many highs and lows. The best moments have been taking day trips with the kids. Nearly all low points have been related to school, particularly with the school leadership team. Perhaps I'll elaborate more on that another day, though I'd just as soon put the past behind me.<br />
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Today seems like a good day to resume blogging, because it is a day with new beginnings.<br />
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After meeting weekly for two years, the work of our Pastor Nominating Committee is finally coming to a close. Our new pastor signed the contract today and will begin working in August. Serving on the PNC for our church has been a far greater time commitment than I anticipated. I am so thankful to have a new pastor in place!<br />
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I received an email rescheduling our next Session meeting for this upcoming Tuesday. This will be my last meeting as an Elder! I have served on the Session (the governing body of a PCUSA church) for over two years now. My time on Session has seen us through the resignation of our pastor of 14 years, pulpit supply, interim pastor, and will conclude with ordaining and installing a new pastor. I also served as youth director for two of those years and continue to help with Christian Education. There have been numerous retreats and three-hour meetings. While I've learned a lot about the policies and behind the scenes work in a church, I look forward to installing new elders and rotating off the Session.<br />
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The most exciting news is I have accepted a job at another school teaching 5th grade math and science. The principal called this morning to offer the job I had interviewed for on Tuesday. To say that I am eager to leave my current environment is an enormous understatement. I have never departmentalized, so I'm excited to spend my energy and time specializing in my two favorite subjects. The new position will require new training, which I welcome.<br />
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The final opportunity for a new beginning is one I hesitate to mention because it is at the very beginning stages. After years of desire and prayer, I feel ready to pursue my doctorate. I have selected the program of study and contacted the admissions counselor to prepare for a start date this fall. There are a lot of steps I must take before acceptance can become a reality, such as taking the MAT again, acquiring transcripts and recommendations, and enrolling in financial aid.<br />
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I am more than ready to close out certain chapters and begin new ones. Hopefully, I'll do a better job documenting along the way!Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-68998247104670423672017-01-08T16:24:00.002-05:002017-01-08T16:24:37.706-05:00Vasectomy and Winston-Salem Day Trip (Nov. 25)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jesse and I have felt confident for a few years now that our family is complete. However, we both felt like we should wait until our 30's to make any permanent decisions. Jesse turned 30 in late August. Two and a half months later, he scheduled a consultation with a urologist. They originally scheduled his vasectomy for December 16. However, Jesse and I had both wanted to go to the Biltmore that weekend. Jesse called back a week later to reschedule. To his surprise, they informed him that there was a cancellation and they would schedule the vasectomy for the following week on Black Friday. I was disappointed about this date as well since that is usually when we decorate and shop for Christmas. I got over myself quickly.</div>
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Jesse's post-procedure restrictions included lifting anything heavy, walking around a lot, and having anything in his lap. We thought the best thing I could do was take the kids for the day so he could rest in peace without worrying about a 30 lb child jumping on his lap. The kids and I dropped him off for the quick procedure. We entertained ourselves at the library across the street until he texted to say he was finished. In less than 45 minutes, we were back at the office to pick him up.</div>
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I picked up his medicine and a sub sandwich, made sure he was comfortable at home, then took the kids to Winston Salem. I love day trips and have taken the kids to so many museums that it's rare to go somewhere new. I've exhausted all our free resources within a 2 hours radius. Now I'm exploring all the 50% off admission places. With our NC Zoo membership, we can get in free at the Children's Museum of Winston Salem. Even better, teachers receive free admission with a valid school ID. That meant we only had to pay $14! As if that wasn't enough of a bargain, I found out at the front desk that we could get in free at SciWorks, a children's museum 15 minutes away, using our receipt. It's only good for same day admission, but that was a $47 value! We will definitely be returning to Winston Salem with Jesse.<br />
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All children's museums blur together, but this particular one had several distinct features. The kids loved the climbing structure, felt snowmen, and sock-skating area.<br />
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They built igloos and had snowball fights.<br />
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The weather was pleasantly warm, so we were able to enjoy the unique outdoor climbing area that was entirely crocheted.<br />
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Back inside the museum, we became part of fairy tales and classic stories such as Three Billy Goats Gruff and Godlilocks and the Three Bears.<br />
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Another unique exhibit was the Krispy Kreme doughnut factory. We aren't lucky enough to have a Krispy Kreme nearby, but the kids experience the mouth watering treats at the beach and on Pirate Day each year. They loved pulling stuffed doughnuts off the conveyor belt and placing them in boxes.<br />
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Grocery shopping is a fun staple at most children's museums,<br />
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...as is the arts and crafts area.<br />
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We did not see all there is to see because I wanted to take advantage of the same day admission to SciWorks. With only an hour left before closing, we rushed through SciWorks as well. We spent most of the time in the biology exhibit. I tried to teach Amelia how to play this life size game of Operation. <br />
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The kids thought it was hilarious to climb inside the giant mouth.<br />
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There was another area that had a track with some kind of vehicle kids could sit down and drive around the track. The cars were tricky to maneuver, though Maddie and Jackson were determined to figure it out.<br />
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James and Amelia were more interested in dropping action figures with parachutes from a vertical conveyor belt.<br />
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We rushed through an area for younger children, which proved to be highly entertaining. The kids could have spent an hour just in this one large room.<br />
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The whole museum was grossly outdated, with low ceilings and exhibits in a basement. With that said, there were so many treasures and impressive displays. An entire wall was covered floor to ceiling with taxidermied animals.<br />
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James wanted a picture beside the lion. He is a "Loyal Lion' at school and wanted me to show his teacher.<br />
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There was a cute little fishing area that attracted the kids. The museum was literally closing so I had to take the fishing poles out of their hands and promise that we would come back another day.<br />
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We called to check on Jesse in the parking lot. His mom was bringing him dinner and he had just watched movies all day. I think he had a pretty easy recovery.<br />
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We continued on for dinner at our favorite K&W. Jackson became animated and ran to this sign and said, "Look. This says 'To Go'!"<br />
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All but Amelia ate their dinner, then we drove to Tanglewood, an area famous for Christmas lights. At $15 per car, I was skeptical on if the lights would be worth the price. (We enjoy walking through the city of McAdenville for free each year, so it seems odd to have to pay to see lights.) I had inquired about it on Facebook and many of my friends came to the rescue with advice. We arrived early and avoided any major traffic.<br />
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Cars park 1/2 a mile around a loop before entering the actual gated community.I asked the people around me who had young kids if they were going to keep their kids in their carseats or let them sit in their laps. One man with a heavy Southern accent said, "You'll see a bunch of kids hanging out the windows and standing through the roofs. It's fine." I let the kids outside at this part, waiting for the lights to begin, then let them sit upfront with me.<br />
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We spent the rest of our experience in the van. We could have opted to stop at the barn and pay to roast s'mores and a visit with Santa. Knowing that the girls hate Santa and I didn't want to manage four young kids around a fire, it was an easy decision to keep driving. The lights were fantastic. The kids had the best reactions! Here are a few of my favorites.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjwb2DjFZ33vIE4IHtPFrAfdObi2aqYEp1TT6IJ62lP5MLr5SLlDCtvK6mWuAiIPQkkkABZ_zZcx7W-Qx_4_v56iKHEkUwv2p-eEVbXCJnc-_Jo1cVkP18HblUgpwAamq2utYtCdXt6A/s1600/20161125_184003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjwb2DjFZ33vIE4IHtPFrAfdObi2aqYEp1TT6IJ62lP5MLr5SLlDCtvK6mWuAiIPQkkkABZ_zZcx7W-Qx_4_v56iKHEkUwv2p-eEVbXCJnc-_Jo1cVkP18HblUgpwAamq2utYtCdXt6A/s400/20161125_184003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaadPptu7y1DE9TdxEPyCuH5zpCPCjJiVdFO4BSW6PiHRuF6fNThKieLW67e5L3l3op9Q9VaU8yjFU8YpPvDUv7AvOXmnsLbmly-OTFY6SaV04y_ahyphenhyphenqeTp9m0D0TxOPJ4jb-8FMCtUD8/s1600/20161125_184638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaadPptu7y1DE9TdxEPyCuH5zpCPCjJiVdFO4BSW6PiHRuF6fNThKieLW67e5L3l3op9Q9VaU8yjFU8YpPvDUv7AvOXmnsLbmly-OTFY6SaV04y_ahyphenhyphenqeTp9m0D0TxOPJ4jb-8FMCtUD8/s400/20161125_184638.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Lg8ANwZI9k4BjB5DIdhBnrqzP7mnJd6DVOeOIjxORtOyxagBu2rPxoOUegpaLRH0F1sLa-iuZVtvlMoArf0nwwGT7S7NBPdwIaAVd_aJk-gxywRVVq-j4qAjZ2-n5FgzuuZoAAPNQko/s1600/20161125_185422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Lg8ANwZI9k4BjB5DIdhBnrqzP7mnJd6DVOeOIjxORtOyxagBu2rPxoOUegpaLRH0F1sLa-iuZVtvlMoArf0nwwGT7S7NBPdwIaAVd_aJk-gxywRVVq-j4qAjZ2-n5FgzuuZoAAPNQko/s400/20161125_185422.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Full disclosure, I had a major parenting fail when I had to suddenly slam on my brakes and both boys hit their heads on the dash. We were going a steady 5-10 mph when the car in front of me stopped completely to take a picture. It was hard to tell since none of the cars had headlights on. Oops.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuJ_hEG5bb4CuK32A_wqzL1hrzBGXeHtOPA7Fl8gUbTsoRmKVZLF4848e8soBND-E26PkQXmZQxj1Ql28VLlZW7mNEaeLxijV1qI4nJRLqHRb6YBj-DDProavGV_Zr5yH_fMmQ4W3fr0/s1600/20161125_190017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuJ_hEG5bb4CuK32A_wqzL1hrzBGXeHtOPA7Fl8gUbTsoRmKVZLF4848e8soBND-E26PkQXmZQxj1Ql28VLlZW7mNEaeLxijV1qI4nJRLqHRb6YBj-DDProavGV_Zr5yH_fMmQ4W3fr0/s400/20161125_190017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My other parenting fail was that I just assumed there would be somewhere to stop to buckle the kids back in their seats. Nope, that was not the case. Suddenly cars just exited onto a main road with no warning. I had to pull off the shoulder and climb in the back to buckle everyone. <br />
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I didn't let the kids get dessert at K&W because I thought I would stop for s'mores at Tanglewood. I told them they would have a special treat with the lights. When I realized Santa and S'mores were part of an overcrowded money trap with open flames, I kept on driving. Unfortunately, Jackson kept asking for our treat. We stopped at a Bojangles for a final snack (BoBerry biscuits and water). I changed the kids into pajamas and drove home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaDmIOKYMezE1r-Z9Dm38nQXWIY-9JlHf0rpMcUX8HTh_CLDaH1AhRV0-EsJPbYLvVv0Cu5odLvLnnpTXR_g3yB-f7vBWasFW146TsurG9u4aWkhv3VG5013DqwC24n-Mgo6fZEQLYFk/s1600/20161125_195107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaDmIOKYMezE1r-Z9Dm38nQXWIY-9JlHf0rpMcUX8HTh_CLDaH1AhRV0-EsJPbYLvVv0Cu5odLvLnnpTXR_g3yB-f7vBWasFW146TsurG9u4aWkhv3VG5013DqwC24n-Mgo6fZEQLYFk/s400/20161125_195107.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was a pretty smooth trip with lots of fun memories. The kids enthusiasm over the museum exhibits and lights made me excited about Christmas break so we could celebrate and spend more time together.</div>
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Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-48420460178117635162017-01-08T14:06:00.002-05:002017-01-08T14:44:55.924-05:00Maddie's Haircut (Nov. 26)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jesse took the girls' for their <a href="http://tripletsplustoddler.blogspot.com/2016/04/girls-first-haircuts-as-told-by-jesse.html" target="_blank">first haircut</a> in April. Maddie just barely had a trim then. Her hair is so thin and she has dry skin/eczema on her scalp. We've never known what to do with Maddie's hair. She's looked like a ragamuffin for many months now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOSTaCgFLO6pQAlwPE9s9ik0FkTFYvXmqeqzc9e9t4qUtjfNDwJtDShIYHoqjWgJ_DQOQ_ZlIqo6j21xJm7fgii7pXNvmNs9ItnFQnvP3VNpqqES7riz5FwDeC85IVUtAdIgdg48sxdE/s1600/20161126_124844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOSTaCgFLO6pQAlwPE9s9ik0FkTFYvXmqeqzc9e9t4qUtjfNDwJtDShIYHoqjWgJ_DQOQ_ZlIqo6j21xJm7fgii7pXNvmNs9ItnFQnvP3VNpqqES7riz5FwDeC85IVUtAdIgdg48sxdE/s400/20161126_124844.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaQKDz5pKIa6IYsNXGgEiQEDLLQUQiQABQk4bYS99R7n1n4m4gXtUSF-_IeGi8W8dU64VR4bjZYbCyG_KQkfFfKpLKtxRHooxoG70qQU1zZETQnnox_PXGGWcEOe12ZLV5oQ-fhMO4tA/s1600/20161126_124849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaQKDz5pKIa6IYsNXGgEiQEDLLQUQiQABQk4bYS99R7n1n4m4gXtUSF-_IeGi8W8dU64VR4bjZYbCyG_KQkfFfKpLKtxRHooxoG70qQU1zZETQnnox_PXGGWcEOe12ZLV5oQ-fhMO4tA/s400/20161126_124849.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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On Saturday I took Maddie to get her second ever haircut. Since Jesse didn't take any pictures at her first haircut, I made sure to take a picture this time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1Ts5a93P7IPfKvyxQ-7Y2k4giOMDFgDarSjoKxNxDqsEZCpI-66Z5mmwrdOcxleO4k76vzaeZFigOofXR5fJjnsIi15oGkYdkBe6V5J3rqZpoQijNL1J35qm4v4oc7iooEXxjPmhiKQ/s1600/20161126_131552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1Ts5a93P7IPfKvyxQ-7Y2k4giOMDFgDarSjoKxNxDqsEZCpI-66Z5mmwrdOcxleO4k76vzaeZFigOofXR5fJjnsIi15oGkYdkBe6V5J3rqZpoQijNL1J35qm4v4oc7iooEXxjPmhiKQ/s400/20161126_131552.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
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The hairdresser cut Maddie's hair an even length just above her shoulders. She asked if Maddie liked it, and Maddie shook her head no. To our surprise, Maddie specifically said, "I want it short." The hairdresser cut a cute bob right at chin length. Maddie left a happy girl with her "pretty hair" and lollipop.<br />
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Following the hairdresser's advice, I parted Maddie's hair on the opposite side and put a clip in it. She looks a thousand times better with her new haircut!</div>
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Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-29352404453043070312017-01-08T11:16:00.000-05:002017-01-08T11:16:01.266-05:00Breakfast with Santa (Dec. 10)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Saturday morning was the annual Breakfast with Santa event at our brother and sister- in-law's church. The night before, James was awake crying throughout night. He threw up twice. Jesse and I were apprehensive about taking him to the event. He was acting fine, had no fever, and was hungry when he awoke. We eventually decided to take him, and gave everyone a heads up that he may or may not be sick. Thank goodness he was fine the entire time and no one else got sick.</div>
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Breakfast with Santa began with a pancake feast. The kids ate happily, once we worked out all their odd quirks of who required their own cup of syrup, what they wanted to drink, etc. </div>
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Maddie continues to have a deep fear of Santa Claus. (He joins the ranks of the Easter Bunny, Chick-Fil-A cow, and any other adult in a full size costume.) Amelia isn't a fan, either. Thankfully they have a a PaPa that continues to hold them both for pictures every year.<br />
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MiMi was able to engage Maddie in a conversation with Mrs. Claus.<br />
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The highlight of Breakfast with Santa is neither the breakfast, nor Santa. The kids are always happiest making Christmas crafts. This year was no exception.<br />
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I kept a close eye on James. He acted 100% like himself and was eager to show me the train set and book as one of the table centerpieces.<br />
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A fun surprise was when the "reindeer" visited at the end. <br />
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I haven't been in the Christmas spirit much this season, so this event was an easy way to keep the kids excited about Christmas and to celebrate with family.</div>
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Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-75638073746526824862017-01-08T10:44:00.000-05:002017-01-08T10:44:56.550-05:00Asheville Getaway Weekend (Dec. 16-18)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On December 16, 2006, Jesse proposed to me at the Biltmore House. We celebrated our engagement by dining in Asheville, touring Biltmore by candlelight, and showing every random stranger my ring.</div>
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Fast forward ten years, we thought it would be a fun trip and much needed getaway to return to the Biltmore in December. Our last overnight trip together was when I was pregnant with the triplets, so it had obviously been a while. Jesse made all of the arrangements, including for his mom to spend the weekend at our house. </div>
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Exactly ten years since proposing, we returned to Asheville for our weekend away. We're both so drained every Friday night. We left as soon as Jesse's mom arrived, drove the two hours, got dinner at a Mexican restaurant beside the hotel, then crashed. We slept nearly 12 hours uninterrupted. It was glorious!</div>
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Our only real plan for the weekend was to go to Biltmore, which left a lot of time to fill. Jesse wanted to go see the new Star Wars movie. I wanted to go for a hike. After brunch at Cracker Barrel, we headed to the parkway for a hike. This past summer our family visited Craggy Gardens. At the time we took a family friendly hike. My plan for Jesse and I was to drive to the same area and take the more difficult Craggy Pinnacle Trail with the 360 degree panoramic views. After twenty minutes on the parkway, we were forced to abruptly turn around!</div>
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My mind had been made that we were going on a hike. There was another trail (Max's Patch) that has been at the top of my list for many years, but it was nearly an hour from where we were. I pulled into the first random spot off the parkway I could find that promised a trail. It was a nice enough trail at first.<br />
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I enjoy hiking with a purpose. I expect an end result, such as hiking to a waterfall or reaching the summit for amazing views. I'm content with an open field and stream. This random hike was just a narrow, never-ending walk in the woods. It felt no different than walking in the woods at home.<br />
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There was one spot that cleared a bit and had a nice view. Jesse and I walked for 40 minutes, before deciding to just turn around. <br />
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We climbed some boulders and stopped for a cheesy photo session. The sun was blinding, so there were quite a few outtakes.</div>
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The next item on our plan-as-we-go agenda was a nap in the hotel room. Jesse and I called around for dinner reservations at the Grove Park Inn so we could see the gingerbread houses. They were booked at each restaurant, so improvised with downtown Asheville. We saw a few gingerbread houses at the Grove Park Arcade. </div>
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Feeling nostalgic, we thought it would be fun to eat at the same restaurant we went to after Jesse proposed. I'm not sure if we had lower standards when we were in college or the restaurant has really declined, but it was not the same experience. The food was practically inedible. We left most of our food,<br />
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then wandered the local shops.<br />
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The highlight of our trip was touring the Biltmore. Jesse had purchased tickets for the candlelight hours. Our scheduled entrance time was after 9 pm, yet we arrived just after 7. We had plenty of time to kill!<br />
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Jesse tried to take me to the gardens to the exact spot where he proposed. It was pitch black and felt like we were trespassing, though we never crossed any closed gates or saw signs of closings. Still, my anxiety got the best of me, alone in the darkness. I urged Jesse to turn around after what felt like hours of wandering. I idiotically chose not to wear my winter jacket, and consequently was freezing while outside. The only place we could go to warm up were the gift shops. We window shopped for a long time, then sat under an outdoor heater for an entire hour. We had fun people watching.<br />
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Of course we had to take an obligatory photo in front of the house. We've easily gained over 100 lbs as a couple in the last decade, as the pictures clearly show. We could have never predicted when we decided to get married what events would occur over the next decade. In some ways, our lives have been very predictable. We graduated college, began our careers, bought a house, and had kids. On the other hand, I don't think either of us would have planned to work at so many schools (seven between the two of us) or have so many children so close together. There have been plenty of challenges over the last decade, but I have never once regretted saying yes.<br />
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I didn't bother taking many pictures inside the Biltmore. I knew I couldn't take anything that compared to online photos. Plus, it's impossible to convey in a photo the size of the rooms. They are breathtaking!<br />
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I've been to the Biltmore a handful of times throughout my childhood and young adulthood. This was the first time I've toured it since becoming a mother. The only photo I took was of this room. This is the room where Cornelia Vanderbilt was born, and where she never gave birth to her sons. I found it so intimate and beautiful that thousands of people regularly tour the exact room where they took their first breaths.<br />
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We returned to the hotel room and went to bed. Not wanting to keep Jesse's mom with the kids any longer, we drove home right after checkout. Every family vacation I plan is jam packed with things to do. It was nice to take a more relaxed approach and be able to enjoy one another's company again.Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-59082643067815734442017-01-02T19:33:00.000-05:002017-01-02T19:33:03.209-05:00Veteran's Day Weekend--Myrtle Beach Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For over a decade now, my side of the family has taken an annual fall beach trip. It's something I look forward to each year. We stay in the same hotel, take over the hotel pool, cram into a suite for a spaghetti dinner, and walk the boardwalk together. This year my siblings decided to take a camping trip in the mountains rather than the beach. While I will always prefer the mountains over the beach, we were less than thrilled at the prospect of camping with four kids ages five and under in freezing weather. We don't own any tents, air mattresses, or sleeping bags. The cost of cabin rentals was more than twice the cost of a hotel room at the beach. We made the hard decision to forgo the camping trip and go to the beach on our own.</div>
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We were out of school on Friday because of Veteran's Day, which meant we had a nice long weekend to enjoy. I wanted to leave at 4 a.m. on Friday so the kids would sleep the whole way and we could make the most of our time. Unfortunately, we were still in the throes of car rental hell due to the oil change gone wrong. Rather than pay for a car we weren't going to use for three days, we returned it Friday morning. The problem was the rental place didn't open until 8, so we were set back several hours.</div>
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The kids were restless along the car ride, but it was tolerable. We stopped halfway for a play/lunch break. There are so many random ghost towns on the way to the beach. I pulled over at a park I saw on the side of the road. It was an eclectic mix of new equipment and old, borderline unsafe equipment. It was a great way to get energy out and enjoy the sunshine. </div>
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We were able to check in as soon as we arrived. We immediately changed into bathing suits and went to the beach. Our cheap Ikea sand toys served us well once again.<br />
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Only our toes made it in the water. The ocean was much colder than we were willing to brave. (FYI, it was becoming overcast when we left the beach, but I don't know why this picture is so dark.)<br />
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We specifically looked for a hotel that was directly on the beach and had multiple swimming areas. This hotel had a lazy river, waterfall, and multiple swimming pools and hot tubs.<br />
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James made it his goal to go under this waterfall as many times as possible. Mind you, he wouldn't go alone, but he loved the water over his head.<br />
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After our outdoor adventures, we dried off and went to the grocery store to stock up on food for the weekend. One of my favorite features of the hotel was a washer and dryer in the suite.<br />
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Saturday morning was cooler and drizzling. We found a Groupon for the Children's Museum of SC. Our morning plans were made! All four kids were happily entertained for a few hours.<br />
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The skies cleared but the temperatures were still too cold to play in our bathing suits. We headed down to the beach wearing bathing suits under our clothes so we could hop in the pools when we grew tired of the sand. I made Jesse take a picture of me showing how many accessories are needed to take the kids to the beach.<br />
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I brought a box of Cheerios for our traditional bird circus. There were more pigeons than seagulls.<br />
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As we were building sandcastles, a string or horses came by. The kids didn't even flinch, as if it is common place to see a half dozen horses trotting just yards away. <br />
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I traced Jackson in the sand. He spent a considerable amount of time decorating his outline with shells and other other treasures.<br />
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Our pool time was short due to the cold winds. Jackson was shivering and Maddie refused to get in the water.<br />
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We dried off again, ate lunch in the room, then headed out to Broadway at the Beach. The kids had money to spend from their MiMi and next door neighbor. When asked what they wanted to buy, their unanimous response was "candy". This is the only and only blurry picture I took before hands were in the candy buckets. A warehouse sized store filled with hundreds of candy bins at kids' level creates a very stressful environment! The kids left happy and Jesse and I were happy to leave.<br />
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The last time we went to Broadway, James was very distressed over the "upside down house". Without prompting, the sight of the Wonderworks house was once again a cause of concern. James was adamant about fixing the house. He demanded we get a screwdriver and start fixing it.<br />
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The girls spent the rest of their money in Claire's. The boys went to a toy store.<br />
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We were all tired, hungry, and getting grumpy on the ride back to the hotel. Jesse was trying to navigate to a pizza place but it ended up not existing. Eventually we were back in the hotel, scarfing down dinner.<br />
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I had lofty goals of taking a family walk on the beach after dinner. I underestimated how cold the sand would be without the sun shining down. We ended up dipping our toes in the hot tub. Jesse took the trio back upstairs while Jackson and I went on our night adventure.<br />
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Jackson began collecting shells. He kept asking, "Where is it? I can't find it." I eventually figured out he was looking for his person that he outlined in the sand and decorated. When I explained that the waves would have washed it away he lost it. Tears turned into inconsolable hysteria. I finally convinced him to walk to the pier with me. I had secretly planned to take him on the giant ferris wheel, but I had taken the money out of my back pocket. Oh well...at least he calmed down.<br />
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We returned to traditional Krispy Kreme doughnuts, then went to bed. I should mention that while we had a spacious suite with two queen beds, a couch bed, and a pull out bed from the wall--we all slept horribly. Jesse and I played musical beds, trying to comfort crying children throughout the night.<br />
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When we arrived on Friday it was 80 degrees and sunny. Saturday it was 60 degrees and partly cloudy. Sunday morning it was 40 degrees and raining. I didn't get my family picture on the beach. We told the ocean "bye" from the balcony, then left to go home.<br />
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The other thing I didn't mention about the hotel was the parking was two blocks away. It was an inconvenience in general, and a major pain while trying to load the van.<br />
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The kids acted incredibly silly until we stopped for breakfast, then slept the rest of the ride. I don't think any of us had a good night's sleep.<br />
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While it was a fun weekend away, the case of Sunday blues set in hard. We returned to laundry, grocery shopping, and cleaning. I'm sure we'll enjoy a more carefree time when we return this summer.</div>
Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-76622449262221945492017-01-02T11:18:00.001-05:002017-01-02T11:18:04.512-05:00Trunk or Treat: A Star Wars Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of my favorite fall traditions is trunk or treat and potluck with my mom friends. Together, we make up an impressive collection of children. It's always fun to see how their personalities come through with their dress up selection. Our family enjoys (or at least cooperates) with themed costumes. In years past, our family has dressed as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Wizard of Oz. This year we went back and forth between superheroes and Star Wars. Thanks to our elaborate dress up collection, we had several costumes for both themes. We ultimately decided on Star Wars after Jesse found a small Jedi costume at Goodwill for $4. That just left Jesse and I to figure out our costumes. </div>
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In previous years, I began preparing things weeks in advance. This year I was totally overwhelmed with work, report cards, and upcoming parent teacher conferences. We threw everything together in under 48 hours, thanks to Amazon same-day delivery and blog tutorials. </div>
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My costume (aka hat and tank top) was taken from this <a href="http://allfortheboys.com/home/2015/05/17/bb-8.html" target="_blank">DIY BB-8 costume tutorial</a>. I took advantage of the free printouts from her website and used adhesive felt. The whole project cost around $8 and took 30 minutes from start to finish.</div>
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I really wanted Amelia to be Princess Leia but couldn't find any same day delivery costumes in her size. She was just as happy to be Kylo Ren. James fit in a slightly too-big-for-him Storm Trooper costume. Jackson wore his Darth Vader costume. He colored an old wrapping paper tube red to use as a lightsaber. The only thing we had to buy was a Darth Vader mask and an adult jedi robe for Jesse. We spent a bit more money than I wanted but still had everything under $40. (jedi robe, tank top and hat, 3T jedi costume, Darth Vader mask). </div>
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Here's our tribe--from Ghostbusters to Harry Potter, Phoenix fire birds to maps. I love the variety!<br />
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We failed in the actual trunk decorating, but the kids didn't care as long as we had treats. The kids are in prime trick-or-treating age. They definitely understood the concept this year and had so much fun!<br />
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After the trunk-or-treat, the families sit down under a picnic shelter and partake in a potluck dinner. Once again, I dropped the ball on the potluck contribution. I had chips and queso...except I left the chips on the kitchen counter and the queso had started to cool and congeal by dinner time. Oops! I clearly can't seem to juggle it all anymore.<br />
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The husbands took the kids to the playground while the moms socialized and cleaned up.<br />
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It was another great trunk-or-treat event! I just hate that we all had to go home and get ready for another week of school.<br />
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Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-5150332494687190412017-01-02T10:31:00.000-05:002017-01-02T10:31:01.221-05:00Greenville, SC Day Trip - Oct. 8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of the trips we did not get a chance to take this summer was to Greenville, SC. I planned it as one of our ten summer trips because the science museum had a "Second Saturday" program for the public. We were unable to attend the first program in June and it was nearly 100 degrees the next month. Since we also planned on going to Greenville Zoo, the heat was a major deterrent.</div>
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Fast forward to October. The Second Saturday program was superhero themed. Kids were encouraged to dress up, participate in superhero challenges, and meet superheroes.The weather was much more mild, making it a perfect day trip. We left early for our two hour drive.</div>
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When we arrived at the science center, I was annoyed to discover they would not accept our Discovery Place membership. The website lists both museums under the passport for reciprocity. Instead of arguing, I begrudgingly paid the fee.</div>
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The first thing we encountered was live animals. Jackson was surprisingly eager to hold a snake. His siblings were less brave.</div>
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The soft rabbit was more inviting for everyone.<br />
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After observing more animals, we headed to another room for our first challenge. The kids had to design a parachute that would keep their cutout superhero afloat in the wind tunnel.<br />
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They could select from a variety of materials, including coffee filters, foil, tissue paper, pipe cleaners, and straws. Amelia's design was the most successful of the four.<br />
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We then explored the Living History Farm. We were too late for "Hawkeye's Archery", but enjoyed making a game from the 1700's out of string and twigs.<br />
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We visited with the blacksmith and other artisans. James was especially excited about grinding corn into cornmeal.<br />
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As always, we found a nice spot for our picnic lunch.<br />
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The science center was very spread out. We had to put the wagon back in the van and take a shuttle to the third area. Jackson was grinning ear to ear when he found these guys.<br />
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Another challenge was to design a suit or armor for a tile. It was similar to an egg drop box, where the kids were given tiles instead of eggs. They had to use selected materials to create armor that would prevent the tile from breaking when dropped at a certain height. <br />
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We took the shuttle back to the van, then drove to our next destination.<br />
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The zoo was completely free with our NC Zoo membership. </div>
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The zoo was very small, which created great views of each of the animals. (Not the best for animal rights, but a bonus with young children.)<br />
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The lemurs were especially vocal and scared each of the kids by swinging right to them and wailing.<br />
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The highlight of the zoo was the lion exhibit. It was definitely the best close up views I've ever seen of a lion.<br />
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My favorite is always the giraffe. The giraffes seemed to have the largest area of any animal.<br />
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There's an impressive park adjacent to the zoo. We let the kids play for another half hour before beginning the long drive home.</div>
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Along the way we passed the iconic peach outside of Gaffney. The boys laughed at the "giant hiney." We lucked out with the weather since the rain held off until our drive home.<br />
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We ate dinner at Cookout and took the kids to bed once home. It was a fun, long day. I'm thankful to be able to take day trips and go on fun adventures, even while working full time.Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-27882129992514137022017-01-02T01:14:00.002-05:002017-01-02T01:14:31.610-05:00Pumpkin Patch - Oct.3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Monday was a random Annual Leave Day. I have no idea why our district scheduled the day off, but I was happy to have a weekday off with Jackson. The trio are in a different school district. Even though they had school, I kept them home so we could spend the day together. I knew I wanted to go on an adventure, but wasn't sure where. I saw a friend post a picture from the pumpkin patch and I immediately made our plans. </div>
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Each child reacted differently to picking out pumpkins. Maddie waited to find the right pumpkin. Once she picked it up and put it in the wagon and didn't pick up another pumpkin the rest of the day.</div>
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Jackson wanted the perfect pumpkin, the bigger, the better. He enjoyed showing off how strong he is.<br />
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James selected more eccentric pumpkins. It's almost as if he sought out the most rejected pumpkins and placed them in the wagon. He's a bit of a hoarder as is, so I had to walk behind him and place many pumpkins back in the field.<br />
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Amelia didn't particularly care about any pumpkin. She grabbed one and took off speed walking, complaining that it was heavy.<br />
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I was obligated to at least try and take a picture of all four kids. It's never as easy as it seems.<br />
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After we selected our pumpkins, we leisurely strolled through the farm, stopping at the slightest points of interest. We studied how plants grew, counted bugs, and discussed the shape, size, and color of most everything we saw. I could tell James, Amelia, and Maddie were learning these things in school.<br />
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The kids played in the hay bale maze.<br />
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The picture below is inappropriate but makes me laugh too much not to share. Jackson cut his middle finger and he started yelling and waving it around like this. (It was just a hangnail that he was able to recover from easily.)<br />
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Next up on our self-guided farm tour was the animals.<br />
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This loose bunny rabbit provided ten minutes of giggles and running around!<br />
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Another source of amusement was this playset for the goats. Sure enough, the goats climbed the ramp and actually slid down! The kids were crying from laughing over a goat going down a slide.<br />
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This particular farm had a lot more photo props and games for families than in previous years. I couldn't resist posing the kids in this photo frame.<br />
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We ate our lunch alongside dozens of kindergartners from another school. It was one of the schools I had interviewed and been offered a job. The whole time we ate, I kept wondering if I had been happier at this school or if I should have accepted the job. It was wasted wondering since I can't go back and change things.<br />
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As I mentioned, there were several games set up. We made our rounds at each of them.<br />
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We traded some of the large pumpkins for smaller pumpkins and made our purchases. (I know I'm terribly cheap, but I can't justify spending $40-$60 on pumpkins that will rot!) It was such a gorgeous day. I felt much more appreciative of my time with the kids knowing that I would have been at work if it was a regular school day.</div>
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Once home, Jackson drew this picture to show Jesse about our day. I love how he drew everyone's clothes correctly.<br />
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I set the kids up in the backyard to paint their pumpkins while I began meal prepping. They were very methodical with each brush stroke.<br />
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Wanting to make the most of our extra time together, I whipped up a batch of sugar cookies. The kids helped cutout pumpkin shapes.<br />
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They each got to decorate their own cookie after dinner. I had taken a few pictures, and then moved onto making lunches for the following day. When I looked up, these three were licking their plates clean. Silly kids not wasting a smear of icing.<br />
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It was such a great day and made me miss staying home so much! I would happily resume life as a stay at home mom, but I know that is not the best option for the entire family. For now, I'll just relish in extra opportunities to be with the kids.Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-17495258426504118722017-01-01T23:03:00.000-05:002017-01-01T23:03:06.172-05:00The Trio's First Circus - Oct. 15<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Every year a church member offers our family free tickets to the Shrine circus. We took Jackson a few years ago when the trio were babies. Jackson wanted to leave at intermission and doesn't have fond memories of the circus. He chose to spend the night with his MiMi while we took James, Amelia, and Maddie to their first circus experience. </div>
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We were almost late; we had to park far away. Before we had unloaded the kids, a Shriner came in a golf cart and told us to jump in. Amelia and I rode in the back and held on for dear life.<br />
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The kids were mesmerized by the lights, sounds, and animals. There were three circles in the arena. At times only one act was on stage; other times all three rings were filled. They didn't quite know where to look. They smiled, clapped, and provided commentary. <br />
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Amelia and James were eager to go down to the arena floor during intermission. James was especially receptive to the clowns.<br />
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Amelia enjoyed the clowns from a safe distance. She was less of a fan as the clowns came closer.<br />
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Thankfully they were content to watch the animals and didn't ask about riding any. The absurd cost would have warranted an automatic no.<br />
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The kids were growing restless, We watched a few more acts after intermission then made a quiet exit.<br />
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We enjoyed a fun afternoon and a new experience for James, Amelia, and Maddie. </div>
Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-88679084273414220942016-12-29T21:41:00.000-05:002017-01-08T21:52:25.307-05:00Holy Draft Mode!<div class="MsoNormal">
I've spent a good portion of winter break staying busy with Christmas traditions, baking, and visiting the museum, park, library, etc with the kids. Of course, I've also spent a significant amount of time sleeping, surfing the internet, and mindlessly playing games on my phone. I'm just now at the point of thinking about blogging. I've organized and compiled all digital photos from 2016 into monthly folders. I went through and picked out the things I've neglected to share in the last several months. The following posts are currently in draft mode:</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>August<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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30<sup>th</sup> birthdays<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u>September<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<strike>Labor Day—Apple Picking and Waterfall</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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Davis’ birthday-bounce house<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lake Norman, Goodwill Fashion Show<o:p></o:p></div>
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Indian festival<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
School Update<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Charlotte Riots<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u>October<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<strike>John & Carrie’s wedding</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>Pumpkin Patch & Painting (Oct. 3 Workday)<o:p></o:p></strike></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strike>Greenville Day Trip (Roper Mountain Science Center/
Greenville Zoo)<o:p></o:p></strike></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strike>Circus</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pumpkin Carving/Pumpkin Playdate<o:p></o:p></div>
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Birthday Parties (Benjamin’s Park and Walter’s Ghostbusters)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Robinson Fall Festival<o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>Trunk or Treat</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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Halloween</div>
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<u>November<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<strike>Amelia Nebulizer</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>Date Night (Stevie Nicks/Fahrenheit)</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>Early Voting/Election Day</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>Veteran’s Day—Myrtle Beach</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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School Update<o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>Panther’s Tree Lighting<o:p></o:p></strike></div>
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<strike>Thanksgiving</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>Winston-Salem Day Trip/Tanglewood/Vasectomy</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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Luke’s 1<sup>st</sup> Birthday<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gingerbread House/Elf on the Shelf<o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>Maddie’s haircut, boy’s haircut</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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Car Fiasco/Oil Change/Engine (returned Monday, Nov. 14)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>December<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<strike>Breakfast with Santa</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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Love March/KKK Protest<o:p></o:p></div>
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School Update (Latta, Hour of Code, Gingerbread House, 50
Tickets)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>Date Weekend (Hiking, Biltmore)</strike><o:p></o:p></div>
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Gingerbread House Making Party<o:p></o:p></div>
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McAdenville<o:p></o:p></div>
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Christmas Eve/Day</div>
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Room in the Inn Family Volunteering<o:p></o:p></div>
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New Year's Eve/2016 Reflections</div>
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That's 37 posts in the works! With only 4 days left of vacation, I don't foresee myself finishing them, but I'm going to make as much progress as possible. </div>
Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-32504471691672775662016-11-26T21:48:00.000-05:002017-01-08T21:48:57.266-05:00Thanksgiving (Nov. 24)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There was nothing especially memorable or noteworthy about Thanksgiving, but it's a major holiday so I still wanted to share photos. We had our traditional meal at my sister's house, just like every other year. We've perfected the table spread and meal prepping.</div>
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Everyone was in attendance (ten adults and twenty children).<br />
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I could eat this meal every single day!<br />
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My older nieces have practically adopted Amelia and Maddie. The girls are always together at every family gathering.<br />
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Jackson can always be found with his cousin, Jude.<br />
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After stuffing our faces and lounging around, we drove home. Thankfully we no longer celebrate with Jesse's side of the family on the same day. Their feast this year will be held on Sunday.</div>
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Jesse had his vasectomy scheduled for the next day, so we decorated Thanksgiving night. Jesse went out to WalMart to purchase a new tree before it got crazy with early shoppers. </div>
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Despite being a prelit tree, there were still some technical difficulties with lighting! Bah humbug.</div>
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The kids and I immersed ourselves in unpacking the ornaments while Jesse finished assembling the tree.</div>
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They did a surprisingly decent job at hanging ornaments. I only had to change a dozen or so.</div>
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We finished the evening with the classic Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.</div>
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I've had an ungrateful attitude with going back to work. I am still resentful and have little job satisfaction, but I know I have countless blessings and things to be thankful for. I am surrounded by family, friends, and church. I am gifted with a healthy family, wealth, education,strong marriage, job security, and comfortable living. Maybe I'm more of a bratty millennial than I want to admit. I pray that I can force myself to appreciate the little and big things, and teach my children to do the same.</div>
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Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-67247180930728368562016-11-19T12:43:00.003-05:002016-11-19T12:43:31.276-05:00Another Long WeekThe past several weeks have been filled with increasingly longer to do lists. There is truly not enough time in the day to accomplish everything needed. We're all running on empty and feeling exhausted.<div>
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Here's a run down of this past week.</div>
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<b><u>Sunday</u></b></div>
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Since no one had school last Friday (Veteran's Day), we enjoyed a long weekend at the beach. The plan was to spend our final morning on the beach before our 11 a.m. checkout. Unfortunately, it was 42 degrees and raining. We left somewhat disappointed, then spent the next four hours in the van. </div>
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Jesse shattered his phone the day before. As soon as we were back in town, Jesse drove to the Sprint store in hopes of replacing his phone. He learned that insurance would cover a replacement, but it would be 2 days before it would arrive in the mail. </div>
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We were promised that our car would be ready from the mechanic by Sunday, but the mechanic would not return any of our calls over the weekend. This meant we were left scrambling, yet again, trying to figure out our transportation for the week. The rest of our Sunday was spent grocery shopping, meal planning, cleaning, catching up on a mountain of laundry, and finishing lesson plans. </div>
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<b><u>Monday</u></b></div>
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Since we had no car, Jesse dropped Jackson and I off at school early Monday morning, took the trio to their school, then drove to his school. I did not communicate with him during the day since he didn't have a phone. We had made plans to meet at the front of my school at 5 pm so Jesse and the trio could pick us up.</div>
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During the day Jesse was finally able to receive confirmation that our car was ready from the mechanic. After 11 weeks of rental cars and uber rides, we could pick it up at last. The problem was the mechanic's on the other side of town and it was just after 5 pm. It took us over 45 minutes to get there. By that point, the trio had been in the car for an hour and a half and it was past dinner time for all of us. We stopped at Chick Fil A, ate, then drove back across town and went to bed.</div>
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<b><u>Tuesday</u></b></div>
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Tuesday was a stressful day at school because we had our "Learning Celebration" at school. Most awards ceremony consist of an entire grade level meeting in the gym with parents. Students walk up when their name is called to receive certificates, parents leave, and we go back to class. This year, the administration decided to do a "Learning Celebration" in individual classrooms. There was no direction; we were just told to showcase student learning. Each teacher interpreted it a bit differently. In my class, I had students select one meaningful piece of work and display it on their desk. Students had to remain at their desk the entire time. I asked parents to walk around and visit each student. </div>
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This event took a lot of prep work! I made sure to approve the students' selected work first so I knew it was quality work they were displaying. We practiced shaking hands, greeting each other, and explaining work. We cleaned the room and cleaned out our desks. I invited parents and organized a sign up for snacks so we could have a reception. And of course, I still had to count certificates and write names on the various awards. Thankfully the event was a huge success. We had 27 students, 24 parents, and several staff in and out. Administrators and parents were very complimentary and the students were very proud. </div>
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The days excitement didn't stop there. When Jesse went to pick up the triplets, Maddie ran to him and fell on the ground, hitting her head. The staff put a butterfly bandaid on it. Unfortunately, Maddie's head was still bleeding when they got home, and continued bleeding during dinner. I decided to take her to Urgent Care. Two and a half hours later, Maddie's forehead was glued shut. Maddie was a trooper for most of the wait. We sang, drew pictures, played I Spy, danced, and did hand motions. By the time we actually saw the doctor, it was past Maddie's bedtime and she was less cooperative. </div>
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As soon as Maddie and I got home, Jesse left. His replacement phone arrived but wouldn't activate so he was off to the Sprint store before they closed.</div>
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<b><u>Wednesday</u></b></div>
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An assistant covered my class while I ran down to the kindergarten hall to attend Jackson's Learning Celebration. Their celebration was more of a lecture on nonsense words. Parents were then supposed to partner up with their child and listen to their child read. There weren't as many parents in attendance, so I listened to every child at Jackson's table read. Jackson was neither the best nor worst reader at the table, so I was content with his average abilities! He received an award for "All 3's" (equivalent to A/B honor roll in the upper grades). </div>
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My students were a bit hyper because we haven't been allowed to have outdoor recess. Surrounding wildfires have created Code Red air quality days, making it hazardous for our many asthmatic children. No schools have been allowed to play outside.</div>
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One of the greatest frustrations at my school is lack of communication. I experience this as a teacher and a parent. Apparently there was a K/1 concert Wednesday evening. I found out about it Tuesday. Students were supposed to be there between 5:30-5:45 and the performance started at 6. It was a maddening rush to drive home, cook and serve dinner for everyone, and get Jackson back to school on time. The staff was all concerned that there wouldn't be a good turnout because of the poor communication. Teachers told parents at the Learning Celebration that morning. When I arrived, the parking lot was full and there weren't any seats left! I stood on the aisles with all the other late parents and attempted to film Jackson signing (yes, signing) to What A Wonderful World, then singing another song. </div>
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<b><u>Thursday</u></b></div>
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Once a month our school has "Club Day". I had the bright idea to start a cake decorating club. It was the number one requested club and I had to turn down 50 students and place them in second or third choice clubs. Club Day is stressful for everyone because the whole schedule is modified and kids are always hyper. Over a thousand students move throughout the building at the same time. The biggest stress for me is bringing all the necessary materials. I had to haul my stand mixer, piping bags and tips, ingredients for buttercream icing, spatulas, etc. I taught the students how to make buttercream icing and how to use different techniques with the piping tips. The kids were so well behaved and engrossed in the lesson. I lost track of time and we had to quickly clean powdered sugar and icing as the bell was ringing.</div>
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I had to attend a meeting after school. Our school ability-groups and each grade level has two "top tier" classes with above grade level and gifted students. On Tuesday, the principal requested a meeting for Thursday with all the top tier teachers. The meeting lasted an hour and was mentally draining. The principal is rolling out a new "marketing strategy" to attract parents of gifted children. The highest class will follow pacing and schedule of the grade level above, starting with top kindergarten students. The new fourth grade team will now consist of the highest third grade class and we'll lose the highest fourth grade class. The new fifth grade team will consist of the highest fourth grade class and will lose the highest fifth grade class. In a mere two weeks, we'll have a new team, new schedule, new pacing guide, and additional assessments. Because I am the second tier class, I will not be affected as much as the top tier class. Regardless, these transitions are hard to process mid-year. I'm also not sure I can support tracking 5 year olds and pushing them through accelerated programs, all in hopes that they can finish middle school with several high school credits. I understand that gifted students need to have enrichment, but I think there are better ways to do that.</div>
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Jesse had a long day as well because James, Amelia, and Maddie had their Fall Festival. I had planned to take Jackson and attend the festival before I found out about the mandatory meeting. Jesse sent pictures. The festival was originally supposed to be outside, but was kept indoors because of the smoke. Jesse said it was very crowded but the kids had fun. They had face paint, games, and snacks.</div>
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Jesse picked up pizza on the way home since I was coming home from the late meeting. We ate dinner at six (late for us), then I left for a two hour long Session meeting at church. It was yet another mentally draining meeting.</div>
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<b><u>Friday</u></b></div>
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Today was a relatively normal day. Our kids, students, and staff were all dragging from such a long week. Of course there's the added excitement of Thanksgiving and a 2-day week ahead. My plan is to crash as soon as possible and hopefully sleep in tomorrow. </div>
Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-88836870105744430152016-11-15T13:46:00.000-05:002016-12-31T13:59:34.089-05:00Presidential Election<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have refrained from writing about politics, despite being in a house of strong liberal Democrats. However, this presidential election had a direct impact on my teaching, classroom environment, and general mood. When I tried to show clips from the presidential debate, I had to stop because they were discussing sexual assault and Trump's lewd comments.</div>
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Jesse and I were both Bernie supporters from the beginning. When Clinton won the primary, Jesse was quick to jump on board. I took much longer to become a true Clinton supporter, but when it came down to Clinton vs Trump, it was a no-brainer. Jesse and I went to early vote together one Saturday in October. The girls were spending the night with their MiMi and PaPa so we took the boys to help us cast our ballot.</div>
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Election Day was a teacher workday for both of us because schools are used for voting places. Thankfully all four kids can still attend school programs on teacher workdays. (The trio are tuition students and we pay for Jackson to attend before school/workday childcare.) Jesse dressed James, Amelia, and Maddie in their "Future President" shirts.</div>
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Jesse actually took the day off to run some errands, conference with preschool teachers (regular 1st quarter parent-teacher conferences), and go to the doctor. We snuck in a lunch date using a gift card Jesse won on the radio. It was such a carefree day!</div>
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We were all happy and feeling optimistic about the election of our first female president. We put the kids to bed after our typical evening routine, then watched the election results come in. As each state lit up red, I felt increasingly sicker. I was so restless, watching the results up until wee hours. Jesse had long been asleep when I told him Trump was about to become president. By morning, the results were official.</div>
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Despite living in a red state, we are in a very urban, liberal area. My students and staff took the news very hard. People came in crying, snapping at each other, and asking lots of questions. One of my Hispanic students asked, "When will he build the wall? Will he send my parents back?" One of my Muslim students declared, "I was born here. I'm not going anywhere!" The mood was so somber in the building, our principal suggested we lead restorative circles (class meetings in a circle) to help students share and process their feelings and concerns. When I distributed our weekly magazine and discussed current events, attitudes continued to sour the following week.<br />
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Part of me is still in denial that Donald Trump will serve as our next president. Like it or not, it's time to embrace whatever our future might hold and continue to spread love and equality as best we can.</div>
Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-76901473890278455182016-11-14T20:36:00.000-05:002017-01-08T20:36:36.770-05:00Stevie Nicks Date Night (Nov. 10)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jesse and I had our second date in a week, both of which were free thanks to Jesse's dedication and good luck with radio contests. Our first date was lunch together on Election Day using a Firehouse gift card. Our date this evening was one I had been looking forward to since I found out about it: a Stevie Nicks concert. As usual, Jesse's mom came over to watch the kids. It was a Thursday night, but we didn't have school the next day because of Veteran's Day. (In fact, we were headed to the beach for the long weekend.)</div>
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I am obsessed with the skyline at night. I love city lights so much! I talked Jesse into walking a few blocks to Fahrenheit rooftop bar. It was a gorgeous, clear night with mild temperatures.</div>
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We sat down at the bar, only to realize I had left my purse in the car in the parking deck several blocks away. They wouldn't even let me sit at the bar without an ID! We ended up leaving without either one of us getting drinks, so it turned out to be just a silly photo op.<br />
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The concert was held at the arena, which is a huge venue. Fleetwood Mac is my favorite band. They came to Charlotte when I was 34 weeks pregnant with the triplets. We didn't buy tickets because we didn't know if I would be on bedrest or have babies in the NICU. The following year they came to Atlanta. Jesse surprised me with tickets for my birthday. When I found out how much they cost (over $500) I made him sell them on StubHub. So I love Fleetwood Mac, but not for $500 when we were on one income and a dwindling savings.<br />
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I hope I can still see Fleetwood Mac one day, but seeing Stevie Nicks was pretty exciting. She only performed a few Fleetwood Mac songs, but I knew most all of her solo songs as well. I even knew most of the opening act, The Pretenders. It was a great concert because Stevie shared a lot of storytelling in between songs.<br />
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As an awkward and inappropriate aside, I was consistently distracted by the man sitting in front of us. He was wearing a fur jacket and on his phone the entire time either taking videos or texting sexual pictures. I tried not to pay attention but the light from his phone was so bright!</div>
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I would have been content to go to a dessert bar or linger around uptown, but we didn't want to keep Jesse's mom any longer. Plus, we still had to pack for our beach trip. It was a fantastic, free evening with my favorite man in my favorite city!</div>
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Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-83169952060092872412016-11-10T10:41:00.000-05:002016-12-31T10:51:50.397-05:00Bronchitis and Pneumonia <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In late October, Amelia developed a cold with a persistent cough. The cough was intermittent throughout the day and much worse at night. We tried natural honey cough medicine, Vick's vapor rub, steamy baths, etc. The cough worsened to the point of her vomiting. One Friday night she woke up wheezing and we had to rock with her downstairs. Thankfully our children's clinic has Saturday sick hours. I scheduled the first available appointment.</div>
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Despite being up most of the night, Amelia was excited about our mommy-daughter date. She sat in my lap and we read most of the books in the waiting area. We played games in the doctor's office while waiting for the pediatrician. It was all fun until she had another coughing episode. She was barking and gasping for breath. </div>
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I was naive to assume Amelia had a bad cold and the doctor wouldn't be able to do anything. The pediatrician came in and said, "I've been opening every door, trying to find the source of the coughing. She needs a breathing treatment!"</div>
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Amelia took her breathing treatment like a champ. She was initially frightened by the mask, but I told her Jackson would be jealous that she got to be Darth Vader. That made her smile.<br />
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Amelia perked up even more when the doctor told her she could take her new panda bear backpack (aka the kid's nebulizer) home. I was relieved insurance covered it.<br />
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We left the doctor with a diagnosis of walking pneumonia and bronchitis. We were instructed to do the breathing treatment a minimum of 3 times a day for several days.<br />
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Unfortunately, our morning excitement did not end with the doctor's office. We had taken a friend's van that we borrowed for the week. The van would not crank. I ended up having to call Jesse to pick us up and the friend had to get his van towed and get a new ignition switch.<br />
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Amelia and I ate brunch at Waffle House (because the office was already closed, it was cold outside, and we could walk to the Waffle House). The waitress made her a special Minnie Mouse waffle.<br />
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Amelia continued to have a rough weekend, but the breathing treatments provided immediate relief. She was happy to give herself treatments because they made her feel better. (The antibiotics proved to be more challenging to administer!)<br />
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The masks were too small to fit her without her having to hold them in place. We quickly switched to the apparatus that goes directly in the mouth. (I asked Jesse if he knew what it was called. He immediately said, "a bong?")<br />
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It didn't take long to kick the bronchitis and pneumonia out of her little system. I'm so thankful it wasn't worse and we didn't have any scary emergency room episodes. I know to pay more attention to persistent coughs now!Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-45510907138944042852016-11-06T01:00:00.000-04:002016-11-06T09:09:56.200-05:00Assumptions vs RealityMy anxiety levels increased in the months and weeks leading up to August. I knew life would change drastically, transitioning from life as a stay at home mom with four young children to life as a working mom with four children in school. I had a lot of expectations and made a lot of assumptions. Here's a glimpse into the reality of our current affairs.<br />
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Assumption: I would blog at least once a week. We would do fun things every weekend and I would share photos and stories from the week.<br />
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Reality: We make sure to have family fun each weekend. In recent months, we've gone to the mountains to pick apples and swim under waterfalls. We've picked pumpkins at the farm, attended an Indian Festival, and been to a fall festival. We've gone to the circus, my brother's wedding, numerous birthday parties, the park, and more. I have plenty of photos from weekend excursions, but they never seem to make it beyond Facebook. I can't remember the last time I've edited a photo. Obviously I haven't blogged and I can't promise I will return to regular blogging. I do miss blogging, though. Writing helps me sort through life events and photos remind me that I'm still parenting, even if it's less time with the kids.<br />
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Assumption: I would naturally lose weight when school started. I would drink green smoothies for breakfast and pack healthy lunches. It would be easy since I would no longer have access to a pantry and refrigerator 24/7. Plus, I would be on my feet all day and walking around.<br />
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Reality: I have gained even more weight since going back to work! Though I am constantly walking around the school, it's nothing compared to the regular Zumba and Y classes I gave up. I haven't had a good sweat or strenuous workout in months. Stress eating is a nightmare and I'm back to binge eating whatever sugary food of choice when I get home or after the kids go to bed. Mornings are a rush. Some mornings we go through Bojangles drive thru. Many mornings I skip breakfast altogether.<br />
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Assumption: Teaching would be a difficult transition, but I would find my groove and love it.<br />
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Reality: I used to find such joy, pride, and fulfillment from my days in the classroom. It was always demanding and there were always challenges, but it was my passion. I didn't want to leave the classroom and was initially resentful about becoming a stay at home mom. Now, I find myself resenting the fact that I can't remain a stay at home mom. We're already a quarter through the year and I feel no more prepared or excited about teaching. I still don't have my groove. The concerning part is that I'm not sure I will. I love certain elements of teaching, but it feels like a job right now, not a calling.<br />
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Assumption: Jackson would thrive academically.<br />
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Reality: Jackson has been assessed so many damn times, I can't even keep up with the reports. He's literally below grade level, on grade level, and above grade level according to three different assessments. He doesn't do well with timed tests (i.e. x number of initial consonant sounds in a minute) and he is behind on sight word recognition With that said, I'm not worried at this point. I genuinely think the expectations are not developmentally appropriate and Jackson will get it on his own time.<br />
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Assumption: Jackson would make lots of friends and be well liked. Seriously, he's the sweetest, most genuine kid. Who wouldn't like him?<br />
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Reality: Bullying starts early, my friends. Jackson has been the victim of bullying on multiple occasions. Children have knocked him down on the playground, causing him to bleed from getting scratched up. One boy stole his jacket and hid it from him for days until I confronted his teacher. Jackson does have friends, but it's not the happy little land of play dates and exchanging numbers with parents that I was accustomed to from preschool years.<br />
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Assumption: Teaching would be no different as a parent. I taught after having Jackson and it didn't change my teaching, so why should it now?<br />
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Reality: I view every aspect of life through the lens of a mother first. My kid falls asleep in class? I'm not mad. He needs to go get some water and stretch. He probably had a late night and it's not my place to judge.<br />
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My kids are antsy? It's probably because they are sick of testing or staying in their seat. Their attention span is not that long. I don't want Jackson to have to stay in his seat and do rigorous work for long periods of time. They're all just little kids.<br />
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Last week one of my students ran into the fence during a game of kickball at recess. He nicked his head on the fence and had a LOT of blood. Without hesitation, I picked him up and carried him to the office, just like I would have done for my own child. We only have a nurse half of the week, so I cleaned him up, called his mom, and waited with him until our recess time was over. (Of course my class was outside with another class so I didn't abandon them or leave them unsupervised.) When I later recounted the events to Jesse, he joked that I didn't follow procedure from the infamous "Blood borne Pathogens" training. That wasn't even a thought at the time. I don't think of the kids in my class as students. They are someones child. And I will always be a mother before a teacher.<br />
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Assumption: James would quickly potty train once school started. Once he had access to a toddler sized potty and he saw his classmates using the bathroom, potty training would click.<br />
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Reality: We go back and forth between sending James in underwear and pull ups. His teacher is fantastic and encourages underwear, but he continuously goes through multiple wardrobe changes each day. The other day he came home in 4t, purple, bejeweled pants. At home, he's peeing and pooping in the middle of the floor. At nearly 3.5 years old, I though he would be potty trained long before now.<br />
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Assumption: The trio would have a hard time adjusting to school.<br />
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Reality: If they miss Jesse or me, they hide it well. Jesse still has to carry them into school most mornings. Everyone is tired in the morning and grumpy in the evenings, but they seem to love school. All of the teachers use an app to post pictures and notifications. James' teacher does a better job at it than the girls. They all love seeing photos of themselves and their classmates, and they are becoming more talkative about their days. I am really pleased with their school experience thus far.<br />
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Assumption: I would maintain a social life and keep up with my mom friends.<br />
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Reality: I have missed hundreds of texts from group messages. I just can't keep up with the discussions and I get lost trying to scroll back up. I've missed morning coffee, after school play dates, and more. The girls' night out events I do attend, I leave early. It's not that I don't value or miss their friendships. When given the choice between lesson planning and going to bed early vs staying up late for wine club and feeling less prepared, I'd rather stay home.<br />
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Assumption: I would collaborate with my teammates.<br />
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Reality: I really enjoy my teammates and would like to collaborate with them more. Unfortunately it's discouraged by some of our administration. We are not allowed to departmentalize but we tried to split up planning where one teacher focuses on math lessons and resources, another teacher looks for reading materials, another teacher prepares science lessons, etc. We were told not to do this. Because we ability group and each class is a different level, administration does not want us to do the same thing. However, we still have the same common assessments every 1-2 weeks. It feels isolating and and frustrating. We are incredibly over worked with minimal guidance or support. Keep in mind, none of us have ever worked at this school or taught 4th grade before!<br />
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Assumption: Teaching at a STEM school would provide me a wealth of resources in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.<br />
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Reality: This is partly true. In some ways, we have everything at our fingertips. We are 1:1, meaning every single student has a chromebook. I have an interactive white board and document camera in my classroom. We have numerous online subscriptions for students to utilize. There is incredible potential and an abundance of resources.<br />
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<li>However, my team has received ZERO training on any aspect of technology (or math, or science, or engineering). Everything I have learned has come from hours of trial and error or looking up online training modules. </li>
<li>All of our assessments are done online, which is a blessing and a curse. It's convenient to be able to have assessments already graded. But it's a pain that we teach strategies such as underlining and annotating text, yet students can't apply those strategies. It's next to impossible to reteach or go over a problem or passage. </li>
<li>Students have chromebooks, but not everyone has earbuds, which makes videos and games a headache.</li>
<li>Also, I've had to put in numerous tickets to fix technical issues. Our chromebook cart did not have working chargers for several weeks, which meant we had to rotate ten laptops at a time to charge. </li>
<li>They removed all classroom printers. Teachers are supposed to be able to send documents to the main printer, but for two months I could not print from my computer. I had to go to a different classroom, request to print, then walk to the main printer to select the print job. I wanted to buy a printer to bring to the classroom, but was told I didn't have administrative permission to install and connect it to the computer.</li>
<li>The sensors on my interactive whiteboard stopped working so I had to control things from the desktop computer, not my printer.</li>
<li>We've been out of ink for almost two weeks in all three risos. </li>
<li>The other day there was a schoolwide internet outage. No one knew what to do because everything we do is through Google Classroom or Canvas.</li>
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As far as science and technology, they are two electives that students visit weekly. I haven't done a single lab in my class because the elective teachers do them. In the classroom, we only teach science half of the quarter and social studies the other half. I miss having science as a daily part of instruction.<br />
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Assumption: Homework would be a non-issue. Jackson had a lot of homework as a preschooler, so we would be used to that. I rarely assign homework anyway and almost never grade it.<br />
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Reality: Jackson's homework is ridiculous. He started with ten spelling words a week and nightly sentences. Jesse emailed his teacher and I had a conference expressing our concern. He now has 8 sight words a week and 8 sentences, along with nightly reading and daily math homework. I'm relieved she modified his assignments, but I also know that he's not mastering 8 new words each week. At his first quarter conference, he had correctly identified 2 out of 32 words. We've started doing more with sight words at home and he's getting better. It's still a lot of work!<br />
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I am anti-worksheets and my students and parents know that. I strongly encourage 30+ minutes of reading each night and I've suggested students login to one of the many educational websites they can access. Still, many of my parents requested additional work, I started creating and uploading weekly "optional homework". That way I'm not having to waste copies or grade things, but parents have extra practice that aligns with everything we're studying. I think everyone is happy now.<br />
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Assumption: After teaching at a high-poverty, low-performing school, I made a lot of assumptions about my new, non-Title I, high-performing school. I expected well behaved students who were quick to learn new things.<br />
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Reality: I wish I could start the school year over. I was too relaxed with classroom management and naive about their innocence. They're no different than any other group I've taught. I've had a fight where a student slammed another child into a whiteboard and turned a desk over. I've had students throw things, suck their teeth, and talk back. Though I do teach the high group, many of them still fail assessments and are in reteach groups. Some of my students soak up everything I teach; others require extensive guided instruction. <br />
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Assumption: The parents would be overbearing, helicopter parents who were difficult to work with. I've never worked in a setting with a lot of parent involvement, but I've heard horror stories of parents.<br />
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Reality: Part of this is true. There is one parent who brings her child fast food almost every single day. Several other parents walk their child to the classroom every morning. (This still boggles my mind that this is allowed.) I've had parents clean out their child's desk for them during class, text me in the middle of the day to see if their child brought their notebook, and scan and email their child's homework for them.<br />
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However, I've had very positive experiences with all of my parents and I feel like we are actual partners in their child's education. I met with all 27 parents for parent teacher conferences and they were all down to earth and kind. I email "Questions of the Day" in every subject every single day. I also upload photos, announcements, newsletters, and practice tests to our class website/app. Parents have responded so well to this. I even had a mom of a child in another class come in my room one day and tell me I was "all the rave in 4th grade" and that all the parents talk and boast about me. I've definitely received the best compliments of my career from parents this year.<br />
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Assumption: Jesse would handle the trio's drop off and pick up in the van while Jackson and I would take the car every day.<br />
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Reality: We started school ten weeks ago. On the fourth day of school, the oil filter fell out of the car and left me stranded just as I was merging on the interstate. (Thankfully I had dropped Jackson off with a friend first because of staggered entry kindergarten.) Since that day, Jackson and I have ridden in friend's cars, Uber, tow trucks, and various rental cars. I plan to write a separate, detailed post explaining our transportation woes if and when we ever get the car back! Needless to say, I did not assume we would have such challenges with transportation.<br />
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Assumption: Money would no longer be an issue or concern. We could finally build a savings.<br />
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Reality: After you deduct the kids' insurance and taxes, my paycheck is literally half of the gross income. We chose to pay for before school care for Jackson and we "splurged" on a biweekly housecleaning service. We've also been forced to pay for a series of unfortunate events related to the car.<br />
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Assumption: Things would be very high stress and I would likely have another round of depression or anxiety attacks.<br />
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Reality: We keep getting hit with unforeseen challenges and there hasn't been a "normal day" in months. I've felt overwhelmed, frustrated, and irritable at times. However, I haven't cried or had any moments of panic. While this is a relief, I also worry that I'm borderline complacent or apathetic. Strangely enough, I contribute much of my relaxed state from watching ASMR videos every night before bed.<br />
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Clearly, there has been quite a disconnect from what I thought would happen during this time in our lives versus how life has played out over the past few months. It's often felt like a game of dodgeball where I'm just trying to stay in the game without getting knocked out. Unfortunately the rules keep changing (hello, inconsistent admin team) and obstacles are continuously thrown our way. Our routines keep changing and we keep having to readjust our expectations.Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-5558468958901406422016-10-01T15:15:00.000-04:002016-12-31T15:26:29.218-05:00Wedding Bliss (Take Four)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When my brother announced he was getting married, we all had our reservations. For a fourth wedding, I didn't know what to expect. They decided they wanted a church wedding with just the family in attendance. They asked me to make the wedding cake. I wasn't thrilled about it, but I wasn't surprised considering I made his last wedding cake. I couldn't very well say no when my brother asked me an hour after he completed the electrical work and installed two ceiling fans in the kids' rooms. I spent all hours Friday night baking and assembling a plain white cake, per the bride's request. She had purchased the flowers and ribbon, so her mother and I were able to very quickly pin everything in place. Voila!</div>
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The cousins entertained one another while waiting for the ceremony to begin.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTtGL_8pE6Qt9etKfiDUtu9UEgDJSeBarYBR-6_tLXl_jYwW6U7iXSnk4sby-yCtNQSd8EzyssCdoSGcrOM8zbfEsu_EhKJwxw886PMO41eHXeUy_5O1NQALaZnOJ2oMDE4uvWYS_R0w/s1600/20161001_125647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTtGL_8pE6Qt9etKfiDUtu9UEgDJSeBarYBR-6_tLXl_jYwW6U7iXSnk4sby-yCtNQSd8EzyssCdoSGcrOM8zbfEsu_EhKJwxw886PMO41eHXeUy_5O1NQALaZnOJ2oMDE4uvWYS_R0w/s400/20161001_125647.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The service was very traditional and simple.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4t0-8Y0Iz9fClwFQ4Nui30cadUgN7g4eeae_xyTBR5HlnT1unWZc-pP9HqzO2xDxuh-G8HcG1W7UHHhbe0qwVoNF_5wcMuHaSPrqPtuIV8RHAgMAetO0xN5c_Rj1R7PuBErPK8824p4/s1600/20161001_132108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4t0-8Y0Iz9fClwFQ4Nui30cadUgN7g4eeae_xyTBR5HlnT1unWZc-pP9HqzO2xDxuh-G8HcG1W7UHHhbe0qwVoNF_5wcMuHaSPrqPtuIV8RHAgMAetO0xN5c_Rj1R7PuBErPK8824p4/s400/20161001_132108.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was surprised how elegant and detailed the table settings and decor were. It was all beautiful.</div>
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For whatever reason, we were all assigned at different tables and had to wait an unusually long time before we were called to eat. (The catered food was in the hallway directly outside the door.) We broke protocol and entertained one another in an effort not to become cannibals.</div>
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At last we were called to get our food, which was a truly delicious buffet of southern food. We gathered around while my brother and his wife cut the cake. I nearly spit my food out when his wife asked if it was my first wedding cake. My brother shot me a "keep your mouth closed" look and I simply smiled and said no.</div>
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I was unprepared to see my Daddy's old truck outside the church. It sat in our garage my entire childhood and adolescence, until my brother just recently towed it to his house and began repairs years worth of damage. It was a beautiful, nostalgic sight. The five siblings posed for pictures.</div>
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The newlyweds also posed for photos. </div>
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The little kids waved them off and we all said our goodbyes.<br />
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I hope and pray this marriage is a long one filled with support and love. If the wedding is a predictor of how their marriage will be, it should be loving and beautiful.</div>
Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-14450474456926586362016-09-06T23:04:00.000-04:002016-12-31T22:09:44.968-05:00Labor Day Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With only a week of school under our belts, we were feeling optimistic about the school year, yet already deserving of a break. We spent Labor Day in the mountains enjoying nature.</div>
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I was especially looking forward to apple picking at SkyTop Orchard. We knew there would be crowds since Labor Day weekend is the most popular time at this orchard. The weather was gorgeous. Thankfully the crowds were manageable. Most of the people came the Saturday and Sunday before, taking all the beloved honeycrisp apples with them!</div>
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Prior to this weekend, we'd only ever picked apples at local farms where there is a minimal apple selection. I was in awe of the vast orchards, scenic mountains, and variety of apples. </div>
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While the apples were still in abundance, the majority were higher up in the trees.</div>
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The challenge proved to be an added bonus for Jackson!<br />
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The girls were precious, carefully examining each apple and stopping to pose for pictures.<br />
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As much as we tried to dissuade James, he felt the need to take a bite out of each and every apple he selected.<br />
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Perhaps he learned from his father...<br />
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We continued to fill baskets until the kids could no longer carry the weight.<br />
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We began our hike back to the checkout area.<br />
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While Jesse and Jackson took the baskets to be weighed, I took the trio to the play area. </div>
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The trio favored the tiny houses. It's a small miracle that James didn't fall out of the window.</div>
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After purchasing the apples, we sampled SkyTop's famous doughnuts, cider, and slushies.<br />
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Jesse was content to drive back home, especially considering we had to get ready for school the next day. I encouraged him to stick with the original plan of returning to DuPont Forest, the place we had visited over the summer. This time we came prepared with bathing suits, towels, and a picnic lunch.<br />
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As we approached the parking lot to the falls, cars were lined along the road on both sides. We pulled into the lot and watched cars circling to go back on the main road. Jesse still advocated going home. We lucked out by being behind a car backing out in one of the front spaces.<br />
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We changed into our suits and began the short walk to Hooker Falls.<br />
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The falls was overflowing with happy families--laid out along the rocks, splashing in the water, grilling at the picnic tables, floating, etc. We found a shaded spot and ate our picnic lunch.<br />
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The water was an exhilarating cold. The kids' reactions ranged from barely dipping toes in the water to having to hold them back from diving in the falls.<br />
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We ventured closer to the falls to get a better look and hop along the rocks.<br />
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Jackson and I continued further, making our way to the base of the waterfall. </div>
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We walked back towards the van, changed clothes in the porta johns, and headed home. Our drive home was prolonged due to enormous traffic from the Apple Festival Parade in Hendersonville.<br />
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The traffic delayed us so much that we weren't able to cook dinner at home at a reasonable time. We stopped on the way in Gastonia for dinner.<br />
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Jackson had been asking about his grandma and grandpa a surprising amount, so I decided to show him where they were buried. Growing up, I was forced to regularly visit graves and became very detached from them. Of course, Jackson never met either grandparent so there wasn't any sorrow or longing to the event. His reaction was very literal and childlike.<br />
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I wanted to give the kids a final chance to burn off energy since they had been in the van for so long and it would be bedtime when we returned home. We had an impromptu park play date with my sister, niece, and nephew.<br />
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We were even surprised with a visit by the ice cream truck.<br />
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By the time we got home, we changed the kids into pajamas and went to bed. It was a very memorable Labor Day and a fantastic example of spending a fun day together with the family!Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-16690039195481534882016-09-05T21:43:00.000-04:002016-09-05T21:43:20.510-04:00Back to School ABC'sSince there's so much to discuss and this has been a highly anticipated week of back to school, I thought I'd make a classic ABC update.<br />
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A is for ASEP<br />
Even though that acronym stands for After School Enrichment Program, it also includes before school. I decided to enroll Jackson in before school so I will not have to worry about finding regular care during staff meetings and early planning days. Since I am a CMS employee, Jackson will also be able to attend the program on workdays and early release days. I plan to arrive around 7:15 every morning so I can leave as early as possible (ideally 4 pm). <br />
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B is for Bloomz<br />
James' teacher uses an app called Bloomz. She is amazing at posting daily photos of the kids, a Question of the Day, links to songs or books they read, and general announcements. Jesse and I both appreciate being able to know what is going on in James' classroom each day.<br />
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C is for Cleaning Service<br />
For years, I rolled my eyes and judged anyone who hired cleaning services. How lazy could someone be, right? Only spoiled, wealthy people hired maids. I'm about to eat my words because our first scheduled housecleaning will occur this Thursday and I cannot wait!<br />
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D is for Drop Off<br />
Jesse handles everything with the trio, due to the proximity of his school to the trio's preschool. I asked him to tell me about drop off. He said:<br />
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"Drop off is not easy because Maddie chooses not to walk every day. So if James and Amelia are being stubborn, it's almost impossible. They're supposed to wash their hands before they go in, which is not easy. They fight over the soap and stools. James inevitably has four feet of paper towels rolled out. The girls cry everyday. It's the least favorite part of my day."</blockquote>
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E is for Exhausted<br />
I forgot the level of exhaustion that hits after the first week of school. After a particularly sedentary summer filled with almost daily naps, our new schedule has been especially tiresome!<br />
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F is for Feet<br />
Anyone who knows me is aware of how much I hate shoes. One of the biggest adjustments for me has been wearing shoes. Even strappy, flat sandals is uncomfortable. I bring flip flops to wear before and after school because my feet are swollen by the end of the day.<br />
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G is for Google Drive<br />
No matter what question I have, the answer is always, "Look on Google Drive". Flashdrives are obsolete. People don't email each other. Everything is on Google Drive. Navigating my way through NC EdCloud, the various Google apps, and iPad has been a major adjustment. I feel so old and outdated! Every fourth grader in our district was just issued a Chromebook, so I'm having to learn how to best utilize that for personal instruction. So far my favorite technological advance (which has nothing to do with Google Drive) is using the document camera. I love letting the students share their work!<br />
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H is for Hummingbird Class<br />
Both Maddie and Amelia are now in the Hummingbird class. I was originally upset about the trio being in individual classes, but it quickly became a non-issue. Last week Maddie's teacher called and asked if we would allow Amelia to join Maddie's class. Their school is also the EC preschool for the district. After an EC student dropped out, they needed to quickly re-balance the number of EC and tuition students. I think both girls are happier now that they are together.<br />
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I is for Impetigo<br />
We only lasted a week before James and Maddie developed impetigo. Their welcome gift to preschool included open sores on their body. A doctor's visit, antibiotics, prescription cream, and lots of bandaids later--we hope they heal quickly!<br />
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J is for Jackson<br />
Jackson has been so flexible and easy going these past two weeks. Between workdays and staggered entry, we had to find childcare for 9 days. Thankfully I have an exceptional group of mom friends who provided the bulk of childcare. Jesse's mom took the week off and helped us out for a few days as well. Jackson never wanted to leave and always had great stories about things he played with and places he went.<br />
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K is for Kindergarten Open House<br />
Jackson and I attended his open house this past Friday morning. I am happy with his teacher and am optimistic that he'll thrive. Our school ability groups in every grade level. I refrained from asking if he was in a higher or lower class, because I really don't want to analyze my 5 year old and compare him to others. I still feel guilty about what long days he will have (9 hours at school), but I know he'll adjust.<br />
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L is for Lunch<br />
All six of us are now able or required to eat lunch in the cafeteria. The trio's lunches are included in their tuition and Jackson's school has free breakfast and lunch for ALL students. Jackson has requested to pack his lunch, which I can't blame him. It's nice not having to pack so many lunches.<br />
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M is for Monday Planning<br />
One of the most appealing things about my school while I was interviewing was the fact that they have a weekly two hour planning session. From 8 am to 10:15, our grade level is able to sit down with a facilitator and plan for the upcoming week. Unfortunately, our planning day is Monday. We did not get planning the first day of school and there is no school because of Labor Day. This means we're more or less on our own the first three weeks of school. It has been a LOT of work blindly planning all subjects for a new grade level on my own. I am hoping things settle down in a few weeks when we're able to have planning time, though Mondays are the most commonly missed school days.<br />
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N is for North Carolina<br />
After teaching 8th grade ELA the past few years, Jesse is now teaching Social Studies. I am now teaching 4th grade after having only taught 5th grade. We are both learning new curriculum, and they both include NC History. We both taught about the regions of NC last week. My students made edible maps of NC using various cereals and candies.<br />
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O is for Oil Filter<br />
By far the craziest part of my week was when my car completely shut off while merging onto the interstate. Thankfully I had just dropped Jackson off with a friend. To back track a bit, Jesse had taken the car for an oil change a few days before. I drove it with no problems for three days. Thursday morning, the oil indicator light lit up. Within minutes, the entire car stopped. I ended up being late to work waiting to be towed. A police officer pulled up behind me and said, "Are you trying to get yourself killed?" He helped move my car onto the grass, and nearly got run over in the process. It was a highly intense moment. It turns out that the oil filter fell out. Thankfully the oil change place is taking full responsibility and will take care of expenses. At this point I don't know the fate of the car.<br />
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P is for Paycheck<br />
For the first time in three years, we are officially a dual income family. Payday was exciting, though it was less money than I expected. So much is taken out because of taxes, insurance for the kids, and opting for 12 month pay rather than 10 month pay. We should be very comfortable this summer when we aren't paying for preschool and before school care.<br />
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Q is for Questions<br />
The first week is basically nothing but questions. Jesse and I have filled out countless surveys and forms for each of the kids. We've also asked our students many questions through ice breakers and community building activities. As someone new to the school and grade level, I have numerous questions about where things are located and what resources are available.<br />
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R is for Rental Car<br />
The day that the oil filter fell out, the tow truck driver was kind enough to drop me off at school. The friend who kept Jackson picked me up from work and dropped Jackson and I off at Enterprise. Unfortunately, there wasn't a single rental car available because of Labor Day weekend. Jackson and I wandered around the area until Jesse and the trio picked us up and we tried a different rental company. It was such a long day, but I've been driving around a rather nice rental car this weekend.<br />
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S is for Superhero Classroom<br />
For the first time in my teaching career, my classroom decor has a theme. The teacher before me left some superhero border. I took the theme and ran with it. It was well received by the kids.<br />
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T is for Teammates<br />
Both Jesse and I have joined a new team. My team is unique in the fact that all five of us are brand new to the school and have never taught 4th grade. We get along well so far, but haven't had much opportunity to collaborate.<br />
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U is for Understanding<br />
I have a totally new perspective and understanding now that I am a parent of school age children. I didn't think I would feel any different because I had gone back to work when Jackson was a baby. But now that I have four kids in school, my role as a teacher feels even more significant. I am still strict and a bit sarcastic, but I am overall more nurturing and think of each kid as someone's child first, and my student second. I'm also making effective parent communication a priority.<br />
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V is for Village<br />
I frequently say, "It takes a village", but this week I truly relied on my village. From being stranded on the interstate, needing childcare every day, requiring help with transportation, learning a new school/grade level/curriculum, and simply returning to the classroom in general, I have needed a great amount of support. I have been blessed to receive so much love via texts and Facebook messages checking in on me during this transition.<br />
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W is for Wardrobe Changes<br />
At least one child has come home wearing new clothes every single day. The reasons so far have included mud, spilled drink, applesauce, and falling in the toilet. It's impossible to keep up with laundry. The good news is that James is allowed to wear pull ups, so we aren't having the stress of multiple accidents a day. He's not staying dry 100% of the time, but the teacher will work on potty training with him soon.<br />
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X is for eXpenses<br />
Okay, that is a bit of a stretch for x, but I'm going with it. While tuition for the trio is discounted, it's nearly twice as much as our mortgage. I also chose to enroll Jackson in before school, which is an additional expense. I have no idea what is going on with my car. There's a very real possibility that they will call it totaled and give me the amount of money it's worth. We are still more than comfortable financially, but we won't be saving quite as much as I anticipated.<br />
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Y is for YMCA<br />
Realizing we'll never have the time, we cancelled our Y membership. Childcare hours are from 9 am to 1 pm and we would always have children with us. Our days are too long as is, so the Y was an easy expense to cut. Jesse and I have a stationary bicycle, elliptical, and T25 videos we can utilize whenever we find our groove and get the motivation.<br />
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Z is for Zebra<br />
Amelia was in the Zebra class before getting switched to Maddie's hummingbird class. Amelia is so funny about the zebra. She'll randomly say, "I'm Amelia the Zebra". I had a picture book with a giraffe on it and she said, "Oh, you're the giraffe class?" They are all fixated on what animal they are.Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-87939920425590850062016-08-31T19:27:00.004-04:002016-08-31T19:27:57.335-04:00Guest Post: Jackson's First Day of Kindergarten<i>[Today was not an accurate portrayal of kindergarten, but it was Jackson's first day and he's been looking forward to this for months. At our school, the first day is used as an assessment/screening day where students rotate in small groups to different kindergarten teachers. Jackson will attend Open House on Friday. At that time he'll be assigned a teacher and he will have a permanent classroom next Tuesday.]</i><br />
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I went to school. I played in Mommy's room and read a story to all the pretend persons. Mommy did some work. I went to my hallway. After that I stepped in and said hi to my teachers. I colored.<br />
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I played some songs and watched something. One was Dracula and Ghostbusters.<br />
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Then I went into another classroom. I played with blocks in that classroom.<br />
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Then I went into another classroom. A teacher asked me a bunch of questions. They asked me my letters and to count tiny blocks. They tested our colors. And a circle test. And what number would come after that.<br />
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I went to lunch and talked to my teacher. The cafeteria was really loud. I ate my lunch.<br />
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I played outside on the playground then go inside.<br />
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Then I went to another classroom. I played with blocks in that one, too. And then the fire alarm went off. I had to go outside just like Mommy. We just went back and finished our story.<br />
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We go our lunchboxes and waited in line, then we went back to Mommy's classroom for a tiny bit. Then I went home. That's how long kindergarten is.<br />
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Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-7937033026837296162016-08-22T22:32:00.004-04:002016-08-22T22:32:47.007-04:00First Day of Preschool--In Our WordsHere's a recount of the trio's first day of school, as retold by each of us.<br />
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<u>Bonnie</u><br />
Mornings can be hectic. We did the best we could to ensure a smooth morning, packing backpacks and picking out clothes the night before. Thankfully we don't have to make lunches since two snacks and a hot lunch are included with tuition. Amelia was a gleeful early riser, but we had to wake everyone else up. James and Maddie weren't the least bit cooperative with their obligatory "first day of school" pictures.<br />
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All thrree teachers communicated with parents during the day. James' teacher has a parent-teacher communication app where she posted photos of the kids. Amelia's teacher emailed pictures. It was nice to see their faces during the workday, though Jesse and I were both busy.<br />
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Jesse and the kids returned home around 4:30. Everyone was talkative and eager to talk about their day. I was able to get better photos of James and Maddie, as well as a mediocre group shot.<br />
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James had homework to create a collage to hang in his room. We went to Walgreens to pick up collage prints I had ordered. James took his first homework assignment of decorating the cutout very seriously.<br />
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I think they had a great first day, but you don't have to take my word for it...<br />
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<u>Amelia</u><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Uh, I eat lunch at school. I eat goldfish. Drink orange juice. I play pretend food. My friends are going to help cook. I pee pee in the potty. Look at my back. It has my name on it. I'm a zebra and I'm in the zebra class. I sang alligator. It say chomp chomp chomp. I sleep in the white bed. And my friend is sleeping over there in the white bed, too. And check out my paper I painted. And look what I got at school. I got that. (holds up welcome certificate) My teacher said, "Amelia Zebra go to school."</blockquote>
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<u>Maddie</u><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I just play at school. I play food and naked baby. I eat lunch in my classroom. I had cereal and goldfish and pretzels. And orange juice. I have teachers, an animal teacher. I paint a rainbow. I sang the monkey song. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 monkeys fell off the bed. I have a nasty nose. I sleep on the floor. And just play when I wake up. Then potty. I went outside and played but it was hot. </blockquote>
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<u>James</u><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I eat cereal and burgers. I just play with a friend in the classroom. I played with playground. Teacher take my shoes off and I take a nap. I pee pee on the potty. I make pictures.</blockquote>
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<u>Jesse</u><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Well I dropped them off. We had to sign in and wash their hands. They picked out their cubbies for before school. They picked out three cubbies beside each other. As soon as Amelia and Maddie had their name badges on they were gone. I didn't even see where they went. There were a ton of kids there. James didn't leave me. He had to be coaxed away by one of the teacher assistants. No one cried. </blockquote>
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I picked them up about a quarter to 4:00. We had to sign them out and I had to walk to the classroom to get them. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
James was holding a tactile object. He put it in his backpack but Ms. Barrett made him put it back. She said he did a good job. He napped for a long time and he peed in the potty all day. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Amelia ran in the hallway as soon as she saw me. Her teacher said she did really well. Amelia said bye to all her friends. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Maddie didn't care when we got there because she was drinking her orange juice. Her teacher asked if she had eczema. She was talking to James and Amelia while Maddie finished her juice. </blockquote>
Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-48658236308050792712016-08-19T08:46:00.000-04:002016-08-20T08:47:09.753-04:00Preschool Open House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last night was Open House for James, Amelia, and Madeline. I had worked myself up into hysterics the day before when we received phone calls from <i>each</i> of their teachers, inviting us to attend Open House. Going back to work has been emotionally draining as is. I've spent nearly every waking hour with James, Amelia, and Maddie since their birth. I had just assumed that the triplets would be in the same class. Once I realized they were in three separate classes, I wanted nothing more than to stay home and keep my babies together. [insert ugly cry here]</div>
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Open House was a grand success that put my mind at ease. (Jesse wasn't concerned to begin with, but we're coming from different experiences.) The 3's classes are animal themed. Amelia is in the Zebra class. Maddie is a Hummingbird. James is a Lion. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlA46UGIPdIHypLZXVhD_iaKNQjKELJ9AgknFo68L6ojDWwzyxTW5q0RlhOsZyEsYBlj2H-cW8UzgcIJ51bZgz9fZPBwhZZxQ_kMO6pNMnKqTMeFz4O4gzcMsaId03-zkKo-d_OVlzU8/s1600/14060149_10102309604571018_689047940_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlA46UGIPdIHypLZXVhD_iaKNQjKELJ9AgknFo68L6ojDWwzyxTW5q0RlhOsZyEsYBlj2H-cW8UzgcIJ51bZgz9fZPBwhZZxQ_kMO6pNMnKqTMeFz4O4gzcMsaId03-zkKo-d_OVlzU8/s400/14060149_10102309604571018_689047940_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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When we arrived, there was a line of assistants there to help. Once we walked in they said "These must be the triplets". Assistants escorted us to each of the kids' rooms. We had to complete the same survey and take family pictures in each room, but I guess that's to be expected. The kids were so happy in their rooms. There were so many centers and learning areas! Maddie and Amelia's rooms were the same size and set-up, and only a few doors down from one another.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVU1ZD-VLs1MGkPBJvqLvQmRBiQ9aF2doz5pGQrdAFRwAWaD_-aoHTLY2s5a4OM3XPQlllERXG3b6Fhn6EFff0GSWN8d8QBZyir9hYZfuyTwd6PAj5Gk2zTLS1F_4H0CHEVjVWoUghnzc/s1600/14045477_10102309607066018_1461832169_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVU1ZD-VLs1MGkPBJvqLvQmRBiQ9aF2doz5pGQrdAFRwAWaD_-aoHTLY2s5a4OM3XPQlllERXG3b6Fhn6EFff0GSWN8d8QBZyir9hYZfuyTwd6PAj5Gk2zTLS1F_4H0CHEVjVWoUghnzc/s400/14045477_10102309607066018_1461832169_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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James' room is further down in a separate building. I was most worried about James, but he was the most engaged with the staff. All teachers are certified birth-preK and obviously experienced working with preschoolers. They pretty much stayed on the floor, playing and interacting with the kids.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbhgZms3gBLxZ3-VHUyGBfaFzx3D4WSS5rPDpqtbXB-zKdxuF6mIon_bAwVBGlumOY2F5J8e8rWwUrUT8NXeFz92BNz4lUHubR5fxTry7Ugszg_qD1CUTlBq3oD3b-Fa2bVObGUAoog8/s1600/14074607_10102309605349458_725270277_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbhgZms3gBLxZ3-VHUyGBfaFzx3D4WSS5rPDpqtbXB-zKdxuF6mIon_bAwVBGlumOY2F5J8e8rWwUrUT8NXeFz92BNz4lUHubR5fxTry7Ugszg_qD1CUTlBq3oD3b-Fa2bVObGUAoog8/s400/14074607_10102309605349458_725270277_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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James' teacher stood out among the others. (The above picture is an assistant.) She was very calm and nurturing. Several of her former students (now 4 year olds) came in hugging her and saying how much they loved her. She picked them up, swung them around, and embraced them in huge hugs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVYtSv_cW5M3NrskxOhaFSDgrG1KpYq6wrfW2EHVOHz0oIpWq6Izg5PKegt8txbYGTCoM3VAloJ39uawBk4wwQevPoICzNPAEtHotWBeRxVJyWu7A7O-Ho5jXrexLQxVAICJJmCfjoJ4/s1600/14087623_10102309608927288_929304357_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVYtSv_cW5M3NrskxOhaFSDgrG1KpYq6wrfW2EHVOHz0oIpWq6Izg5PKegt8txbYGTCoM3VAloJ39uawBk4wwQevPoICzNPAEtHotWBeRxVJyWu7A7O-Ho5jXrexLQxVAICJJmCfjoJ4/s400/14087623_10102309608927288_929304357_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The other relieving news was that James can wear pull-ups and they will work with him to potty train. Both girls used the bathroom in their classes. They were excited about having a "little potty".<br />
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One last noteworthy thing that I haven't mentioned before is the school they are attending is also where the EC preK students for the county attend. Each class has a lead teacher and 1-2 assistants, along with a plethora of specialists that come in as necessary. I love that the kids will be mixed together in the same classes.<br />
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I'm really proud of how well they acclimated, though I'm curious if they'll do as well Monday when they're being dropped off.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9g-4uZ5-_tOU8t5T0ooWV0AyySvbe8dcB4sbDZ5By0BJh2iAzLtEPStW5ppjoRjRdTABUpckKdoq67yP-lexeCGeUYR4uLcZaV5BJGlCIqDF_SOSgMQwTovCZ7f8M42lzrBLeXl01g98/s1600/14074532_10102309605509138_744600892_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9g-4uZ5-_tOU8t5T0ooWV0AyySvbe8dcB4sbDZ5By0BJh2iAzLtEPStW5ppjoRjRdTABUpckKdoq67yP-lexeCGeUYR4uLcZaV5BJGlCIqDF_SOSgMQwTovCZ7f8M42lzrBLeXl01g98/s400/14074532_10102309605509138_744600892_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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On the way out, they couldn't resist playing on one of the many playgrounds. Maddie scooted on her bottom most of the way. James tried walking but ended up crawling. Amelia waited until it was clear and then sprinted across. They are so different and I'm very curious to see how their personalities develop independent from one another.<br />
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Jesse will be handling all drop off and pick ups since the preschool is closer to his school. I'm very anxious to hear how their first few days go next week!Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-128400672427697042016-08-17T20:49:00.001-04:002016-08-17T20:49:28.313-04:00Fleas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's not really something I'd like to share, but I know in several years Jesse and I will say, "Remember that summer we had fleas?" I'm embarrassed to admit the flea situation has gotten so out of control that all six of us have bite marks, especially around our ankles. Zelda has alternated between indoors and outdoors for over a year but we just recently noticed a problem within the past month. Things have escalated quickly. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4q5kilpgz5-APJ4GJEWOIRPJjEMV4HWgqjQkm1ePiMKPacXaHrmuhkn9q8o2dobXmghPxKjYfwJ9ou4ZS2faNbn3HApkoTmYoVTA4IiQiNRbn99Zk6MA3Lf6S268N86b4XEztk7SjpCg/s1600/14059943_10102304246294048_1493795007_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4q5kilpgz5-APJ4GJEWOIRPJjEMV4HWgqjQkm1ePiMKPacXaHrmuhkn9q8o2dobXmghPxKjYfwJ9ou4ZS2faNbn3HApkoTmYoVTA4IiQiNRbn99Zk6MA3Lf6S268N86b4XEztk7SjpCg/s400/14059943_10102304246294048_1493795007_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Jesse has really taken the bull by the horns in the battle against fleas. His attempts have been expensive and ineffective. So far he has purchased..<br />
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<ul>
<li>flea shampoo, then bathed each of the cats multiple times</li>
<li>an all natural flea spray to treat the cats and bedding</li>
<li>Hot Shot to spray the edge of carpets</li>
<li>flea collars for each of the cats</li>
<li>a new vacuum since ours wasn't effective</li>
</ul>
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Our new plan is $100 worth of Advantage oral drops and a professional spray through our regularly contracted pest control. The pest control was originally scheduled to come out today, but we rescheduled for Monday. We have to be out of the house for a minimum of four hours after treatment. We also need to remove all bedding and objects off the floor.<br />
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Let's hope we get the flea situation under control ASAP!Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849789144900850811.post-10060071882388499812016-08-17T10:33:00.002-04:002016-08-17T15:34:17.881-04:00Ten Trips UpdateAt the beginning of the summer I made a summer bucket list with ten trips I wanted to take. Due to extreme heat, potty training, and unexpected wisdom teeth removal, we only completed eight items on my list. Here's a recap of our summer adventures:<br />
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<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.6px;">Greensboro, NC--Greensboro Science Center, parks, splash pad </span><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;"><i>($71 value)</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://tripletsplustoddler.blogspot.com/2016/07/greensboro-day-trip-june-8.html" target="_blank">Visited on June 8</a> on June 8. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.6px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.6px;">Troutman, NC--Zootastic (</span><i style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 19.6px;">only free on Teacher Appreciation Day</i><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.6px;">-</span><i style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;">$67 value)</i><br />
<i style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://tripletsplustoddler.blogspot.com/2016/07/zootastic-june-16.html" target="_blank">Visited on</a></i><i style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif;"><a href="http://tripletsplustoddler.blogspot.com/2016/07/zootastic-june-16.html" target="_blank"> June 16</a>.</i><br />
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<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.6px;"><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.6px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.6px;"><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.6px;">Norfolk, VA--Virginia Zoo, Nauticus and Wisconsin Battleship, Virginia Air and Space Museum (Hampton), Children's Museum of Virginia in Portsmouth, Virginia Living Museum (Newport News) </span><i style="line-height: normal;">($331 value)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.6px;"><i><a href="http://tripletsplustoddler.blogspot.com/2016/07/virginia-vacay-june-19-21_11.html" target="_blank">Visited on June 19-21</a> This was hands down the best trip of the summer!</i></span></span><br />
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<img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQwtX84KUeW9DBsa_NO0HUwtEPgx2wU2RMerHDPF81cplGhjkNYzhl4v4JjGlfT-iFYXCNZAUASmDQ9DHhpoqvhCOXWoRGyY1q7LoLqXLWEa8vWuDpSvDZLL09rmPYf0bAmNwRST0_J0/s400/20160620_085950.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.6px;"><i><br /></i></span></span><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.6px;">Asheville, NC--WNC Nature Center, Arboretum, Looking Glass Falls </span><i style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;">($61 value)</i><br />
<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.6px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://tripletsplustoddler.blogspot.com/2016/07/nc-mountains-june-29-30.html" target="_blank">Visited June 29-30</a> Instead of Looking Glass Falls, we went to DuPont Forest to Hooker Falls. We also went to Mount Mitchell and some extra hiking along the Parkway.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.6px;"><img height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEBTWY73nnTEOZBk0k9ccDwf7AmGkGdL_WQwBxVb277mkoGfKg8PQVtifEnxtwrmvRDGyMHSSyBFOvIJriVfgzKpwofg1nhLUKXbvrGQ2M-7x6acm-4674QZ2N1bC0URtoLYrDSgaGNg/s400/13579887_10102233192411598_1089567161_o.jpg" width="400" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.6px;">High Country, NC--Linville Falls, Grandfather Mountain</span><br />
<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.6px;"><a href="http://tripletsplustoddler.blogspot.com/2016/07/high-country-day-trip.html" target="_blank">Visited on July 29</a> We added a stop to Linville Caverns as well.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.6px;">Raleigh, NC--Marbles Museum, NC Museum of Natural Sciences </span><i style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif;">($30 value)</i><br />
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<i style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; line-height: 19.6px;">Durham, NC--Museum of Life and Science </span><i style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;">($88 value)</i></i><br />
<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.6px;"><a href="http://tripletsplustoddler.blogspot.com/2016/08/raleighdurham-day-trip.html" target="_blank">Combined trip on August 5</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.6px;"><img height="225" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13901355_10102289379008208_9008925339718683728_n.jpg?oh=a81ae7736c2f76242eec3e6a31d4355e&oe=585E1BCE" width="400" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.6px;">Wilmington, NC--Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Kure Beach, Cape Fear Museum </span><i style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;">($86 value)</i><br />
<i style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><a href="http://tripletsplustoddler.blogspot.com/2016/08/wilmington.html" target="_blank">Visited on August 12</a></i><br />
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinotVOU1RWXqGvNimKrYy6bXGFhMtQYn_x89Zhq2no4ytI7lkLPI1-F7pmiyhXQQmzpBiYBdwRn4xPm71G6trqmXzobbn1CGJ6givBlIymWbrWAhmLntP9fwo5SYGVsda-DNX3b9yZ9o/s400/20160812_193734.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.6px;">The following two trips did not make the cut, but will hopefully become fall day trips since they are both less than two hours away.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.6px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.6px;">Asheboro, NC--NC Zoo </span><i style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;">($47 value)</i><br />
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<i style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; line-height: 19.6px;">Greenville/Spartanburg, SC--Roper Mountain Science Center, Greenville Zoo, Hub City Railroad Museum </span><i style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif;">($85 value)</i></i><br />
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<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: trebuchet ms, trebuchet, sans-serif;">I included the cost of admission because I am amazed at how far we've stretched our Discovery Place membership this summer alone. We also visited the local Discovery Place museums a handful of times. Each visit would have cost our family $60-$86. Our annual family membership cost $140, though we saved over $1,000 in various museum admissions this summer. Moral of the story, take advantage of museum reciprocity!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Here's a quick list of things our family experienced this summer:</span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Stood inches away from giraffes, tigers, panda bears, zebras, cows</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Saw real dinosaur fossils, replicas of dinosaur skeletons, and animatronic dinosaurs that spit and roared at us.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Hiked multiple trails of varying difficulty</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Swam/jumped in the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, Lake Norman, streams</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Hiked to three different waterfalls</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Went inside a real cave, experienced total darkness</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Walked across the Mile High Swinging Bridge multiple times</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Stood at the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Toured inside a battleship</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Visited multiple aquariums and touch tanks, pet a shark</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Geocached at the arboretum</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Explored excellent children's museums in multiple cities/states</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Climbed through a maze of tree houses</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Attended a minor league baseball game</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Rode a train and toured NC Transportation Museum (free day!)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Dressed like cows for Chick-Fil-A day</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">Saw a movie at the theater</span></li>
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<span style="color: #004d4e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif;">The summer went by incredibly fast, but we certainly made the most of our time! Ready or not, it's time to begin another set of adventures.</span></div>
Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799708075788757230noreply@blogger.com0