8 year old breastfeeding?!

All I have to say is....WTF?!

Dance Baby Dance!!!

So today I took the short person to dance class. OMG...could 3 and 4 year olds trying to do ballet moves be any cuter? No, I don't think so!!! So I take Shorty Mc Short to her ballet class, not really knowing what to expect because Mr. Tall Man took her to her first class (remember my weekend away?). We get there and she plays little shy girl, but not for long. Before I know it she's in the thick of things doing the first position and some other ballet moves I forget the names of. Too cute. Just adorable, really. Like....make you smile on the inside sweet.

After we got home I started thinking about how the short person needs a leotard and tutu though. Like, the other girls had one. So, what did I do? I went on Ebay and looked around. Yeah, I'm watching like a bajillion tutus and leotards and slippers. We'll see. It's fun to see the short person excited about this.

I tried (and so did Mr. Tall Man) to get a video clip of her up....to no avail.

Haiku Friday

nine more teaching days

i think i can make it through

kids are energized

***

major stress headache

two motrin i hope will cure

and lots of water

***

analyzing my

emotional reactions

where do they come from?

***

anger and control

come from other emotions...

what is really wrong?

***

figure it all out

fix the core issue, move on

be happy, love life

***

Ok, that's all for today. My head is pounding and I can't imagine how I'm going to cope with the noise of my 28 third graders today....given we're having a big graduation party for my student teacher. Yikes. Wish me luck. Then....leave a comment about how much you loved my blog, think I should quit teaching and become a full time writer....NOT!

But seriously, please go visit Playgroups are No Place for Children and send blogger love all over the place. There are some pretty good ku's out there and Jennifer's is hilarious today!!!

Crazy Times

What can I say, these are crazy times in the life of a teacher. Anyone who is a teacher, lives with a teacher or spends any amount of time at all near a teacher knows that the last couple weeks of school are, quite literally, crazy times. It's not enough that there are at least ten million things on the check off list to do...report cards, cum files, end of the year assessments, filing papers up the yang, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. And as if that is all not enough you need to mix it with a VERY LARGE dose of extra "kid energy" in the air. It's fairly comparable to a three ring circus. Then, stir in moving to a new room and new grade level for the next year and you've got....super duper crazy times with an overwhelmed ring leader teacher.

I'm quite literally so overwhelmed just thinking about everything I have to do I am paralyzed. I think I have ADD and just need some good medication to deal with this state. I'll have to talk it over with my counselor tomorrow. I'm sure she'll have some good advice or will at least make me think about why I'm feeling this way. Then I'll say, I'm paying YOU to think...no, I won't say that but will wish I could.

Enough complaining. I should be celebrating. I have a date for wine drinking with my good pal Jen. My good pal Jen deserted abandoned left me birthed a beautiful baby girl and decided to be a full time mom (like you're not a full time mom if you also work) for the rest of the school year. She's been out for what seems like forever and we've talked about me coming to have a glass of wine or two or three at her house, but I'm a disabled ADD inflicted busy girl who just never seems to quite get to her house. So...today we had a nice chat after a co worker's baby shower and made a date for wine drinking. I'm stoked. I even wrote it into my plan book...which (in theory) means I'll get away ON TIME and to her house ON TIME. Wish me luck!

Other news....ummm....camping last weekend was wet, but fun. Why no pictures you ask? We took the camera....turned it on to take a picture, took the picture and then the battery promptly DIED. Argh....that seems to happen constantly. You'd think we'd learn. Mr. Tall Man took some pics with his phone and assures me he'll send them to me soon. Then I'll post the best camping treat EVER created....but it shall remain top secret until I have pictures to share with it.

Speaking of eating....that is all I've done lately. I'm so not wanting to even get on the scale tomorrow for our weekly biggest loser weigh in at work. I'm thinking I'll just lie and say the weight I was last week. Seriously, I'm AFRAID to get on the scale....I'm thinking between treats in the lounge today, camping all weekend and the baby shower treats after school I'm up at least 7 pounds. I've gotta get back to the gym.....or at least on my treadmill....

It's Haiku Friday!!!

i am so tired
waking is so difficult
not enough sleep time

could it be because
i stayed up past ten-thirty?
me....how pathetic

summer break get here
13 more days of school
2 are field trips YAH!

i can make it there
positive self talk will help
yes i can! oh yes!

Ok, after reading this go show some blogger love to Jen at Playgroups are No Place for Children and check out all the other Haikus that are MUCH better than mine.

OH and don't forget to read my post from yesterday. I have a GIVEAWAY!!! (I my comments with why you read hit 25)

Why Do You Read? *CONTEST*

Trish over at Hey Lady! Whatchya Readin? asked her readers the simple question, why do you read? Being a teacher and all, I thought it was an interesting enough question and given the fact that I've been into reading strategies and the quest to understand, this question interests me even more. So....why do you read? Leave me a comment. I wish I could say that I'll be picking a winner for some grand prize, but I most likely won't. Well, I guess I could...I could giveaway a book I've already read. Yeah, I'll do that, but ONLY if my comments go up to 25. I know, I know, that isn't many. BUT, have you seen my high for comments? Yeah, sadly enough, it's 9 comments.

Ok, so having asked you about why you read, I am thinking I should mention why I read. I read as a form of escape. I open the book and am transported to another world. I can meet new people and go new places. I can learn about any topic I want to learn about. I love reading. I just never get enough make time to do it. Ya know?

Reading for me is also something to talk to people about. It gives me a conversation piece or way into a conversation. When stuck, I can just say, oh...have you read [insert current read]? It's so [insert adjective phrase]. You should read it. You get my drift? I love turning people onto authors I love and having them love them as well. I especially love to talk to my friend Jenny about books we've both read. She's a million times smarter and deeper than me and always gets a ton more out of what we've read. Especially the book The Life of Pi.

Finally, reading is a great way to pass the time while you're waiting. Waiting at a doctor's office, waiting to arrive somewhere via a bus or airplane, or waiting for a boring day to end. It's a fun activity to do in the sun too. I just love reading.

There's my story...why I read. Leave your story in the comments section about why you read and I'll put you in the contest drawing for a [yet to be named] book. (I don't actually think my comments section will hit 25, in fact, I doubt I even have 25 readers.) AND, ONLY ONE COMMENT PER PERSON WILL COUNT! :)

Weekly Winners

I've been on a hiatus from sharing pictures, but I'm back and here we go!

I am LOVING my weekend away, even if I have been working hard!

Liane showing me what I really need to read in the paper this morning. What would I do without her?

The prison of the grid walls...setting up for the show.

Terry just lazin' around while I'm working my ass off. NOT, she's the fiestiest old young lady I've ever met. Really, you should meet this gal.

So, go on over to Sarcastic Mom and show some blogger love by visiting some of the weekly winners. AND if you're here, please leave a comment. Even if it's just "get a life Janelle".

I Wanna Win a Wii Fit!!!

Ok, so over at Three Kid Circus La Jenny is giving away a Wii Fit. You have to share your horror embarassing story of fitness equipment you've purchased. So...here goes...

Health Rider, aka Sexer-Ciser...yeah, I got it off of QVC. I think I used is a few dozen times. Sadly enough I was dumb enough to move it from South Dakota all the way to Seaside, Oregon. Pathetic, I know. Did I use it there, I don't think so.

And that isn't me on the Health Rider, if only I looked half that good.

So I've also had the ever famous thigh master...duh is all I have to say on that one.

I bought a yoga mat, ball, dvd and ball weights thinking I'd do the video...not so much. The yoga mat is now great for kneeling on while weeding flower beds.

I am the current owner of a VERY expensive dust collector...yes, my treadmill. I swear each January that I'll be better about using it...not so much. I even paid to have the extended service warrenty on it for another year...I haven't used it since January. I'm pathetic.

Maybe I'll win the Wii Fit and magically get in shape while having fun. @@ yeah right! I never win anything.

Haiku Friday

On the road again
Scrap and stamp in Puyallup
Nirvana begins

OMG, can you say FREEDOM BABY?! Here I am in Puyallup...a couple hours from home, in the company of ADULTS. I'm blessed. Yeah me. I've already eaten 4 cookies and haven't had to share them with any short people. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!! Now I just need to turn on the t.v. and be able to watch WHATEVER I WANT TO! OMG I'm so thrilled I can hardly sit. I'm so excited I think I may just need to take a quick nap. And I can. And nobody will bother me the minute I fall asleep. Yeah me!

SHE'S BACK, but................

Ok, she's FINALLY back. My lil acer, as my mother in law so cutely named her. She's back in my arms. Oh, how I've missed her so very much!!! She's back, but she's got a MAJOR MEMORY PROBLEM!!! The computer gods are completely against me I've decided. She came back with all new guts, from what I can tell. Either that or the computer doctors are just mean and cruel and decided to wipe her brain clean just to spite me. I choose to hope that is not the case.

I'm just so excited to have MY computer back. Yes, she needs her extra ram put in before she's running at lightning speed again, but she's here. I've already read a few of my favorite blogs. Oh how I've missed Bossy and Cookiebitch and Mama Mia and Liane and Pioneer Woman and Redneck Mommy and so many more...I'm only 563 posts behind (and I actually read a few while lil acer was at the doctor's office).

I'm so loving having my lil girl back home. She's back just in time to go to Puyallup with me. I'm headed there for a stamping and scrapbooking show with my friend Liane. I'm going to help her with her booth. It should be fun and all so much better with my lil acer to go on the adventure with me!

Tomorrow is Haiku Friday and I'm already pondering what I'll say. I'm just so excited to be back!!!

Later!

I'm Miss Piggy

Thanks to Liane I took the Muppet Test and.........

You Are Miss Piggy

A total princess and diva, you're totally in charge - even if people don't know it. You want to be loved, adored, and worshiped. And you won't settle for anything less. You're going to be a total star, and you won't let any of the "little people" get in your way. Just remember, piggy, never eat more than you can lift!

The Muppet Personality Test

I'm sorry this is the sad, sorry ass lame post I have...I know I haven't blogged much lately, but it's due to the fact that my lil acer (new name for my laptop) is still at the doctor's. Fed Ex shipping e-mail says she's en route back to me, but I'm not holding my breath. (at least that is my lame ass excuse for this week)

Anyhow, it's Monday and I'm back to teaching my own class. Today my amazing, wonderful multi-talented student teacher and I tag teamed, but I think I'm pretty much back on my own after today, well, I amend that. She's still finishing up her reading worksample. So...so odd to be back teaching...and so nice too. Not many school days left either...June 12th is the last day!!!

Well, that is all I have...toodles, noodles!

Mother's Day?

It's a pity party for one...it's Mother's Day and there's no love for the mother...at least not from the person I want it from. I got a text message from my mother in law wishing me a happy mother's day, how thoughtful of her. I also got an e-mail card from my sissy, which was very sweet and thoughtful too. My daughter even made me a cute frame at daycare. But nothing from the spouse...no card...no call...he's off at boys' weekend. Such is life, right? Guess I should just pull up my pants and choose happiness. I guess I will...the short person and I shall go find something fun to do. Wish us luck!

And, Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers who may not have gotten the recognition you so deserve!!!

Tagged!!!!

Tagged By Lori

4 Jobs I have had in my life:
1. waitress
2. hotel room cleaner (HORRIBLE-NEVER EVER AGAIN)
3. receptionist for a title company (escrow office...too stressful)
4. teacher

4 Movies I’ve Watched More Than Once:
1. Princess Bride
2. Shrek (all of them)
3. Rainman
4.

4 Places I’ve Lived:
1. Scotland, South Dakota
2. Seaside, Oregon
3. Spearfish, South Dakota
4. Martin, South Dakota

4 TV Shows I Watch/Watched:
1. Survivor
2. ER
3. Desperate Housewives
4. Gossip Girl

4 Places I have Been:
1. France
2. Germany
3. Colorado
4. South Dakota

4 People who email me regularly:
1. Liane
2. Jolene
3. Hungry Girl
4.

4 of my favorite foods:
1. Pizza
2. ice cream
3. brownies
4. cookies

4 Places I Would Like to Visit:
1. All of Europe
2. The Big Apple
3. Disney Land
4. Ireland

4 Things I am Looking Forward to in the Coming Year:
1. Puyallup with Liane next weekend
2. Olivia turning 4
3. summer vacation
4. the challenge of teaching first grade

And I'm tagging:
1. Bossy
2. Liane
3. Melynda
4. Hotfessional

Hotfessional and Bossy are blogs I love and read, not actual real world friends :)

Haiku I'm SOOOOO Glad It's Friday

What a week its been
can't take much more I don' think
drink and go to bed

'puter is shipped off
gone to Acer finally
$27 bucks

bargaining also
an interesting process
major poker game

administration
versus the teachers' union
who will win the most

to mediation
that is what it's looking like
I really hope not

music concert also
third graders did a nice job
they sang so nicely

so many late nights
will sleep my weekend away
at least I hope so

next week looks crazy
to Dallas Caine goes Monday
single motherhood