The Bee has recently gotten into telling knock knock jokes he makes up himself. He just thinks all his jokes are hilarious and clever. We get the biggest kick out of listening to these jokes and watching him just laugh his butt off afterwards. His latest goes something like this.
Bee: Knock, knock
Me: Who's there?
Bee: "Dapu"
Me: "Dapu" who?
Bee while giggling and making gesture as if he was throwing something: "Dapu" trow it in du trash!
Bee: hahahahahahahahahahahah
Me: hahahahahahahahahahhahaha
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Yosemite Snow Days
We decided to venture into Yosemite this past winter break to give the boys their first taste of snow both figuratively and literally. It is safe to say they have a love-hate relationship with snow. Lucky for them, we don't live in a place that snows, and it is a short 3 and 1/2 hour trip away if they decide they want rekindle their whine for it.
Daddy dug them a snow cave that they enjoyed crawling in. The older boy did not want to work to build it. He would much rather watch and whine about how uncomfortable he was while someone else did all the work. It's nice to see the "happy" pictures post trip because during it you would have thought they would have rather gone home. "Vacationing" with kids can be quite a chore, eh.
My little ground squirrel.
They also built a snow run that they slid/tumbled down many times. In this picture you can see the littlest boy stuffing snow in his face. Thankfully it was not yellow. In his words, "I thirsty mommy."
********
My spring break is over, but at least I only have about 8 more weeks of work left this year and then I am "off" for the summer. I am looking forward to resuming my full time job as their mother, at least temporarily. Next year, I am happy to say I will be teaching math again which I LOVE! Then again, it is only 6th grade math and not algebra or calculus. That is surely not my idea of fun.
********
My spring break is over, but at least I only have about 8 more weeks of work left this year and then I am "off" for the summer. I am looking forward to resuming my full time job as their mother, at least temporarily. Next year, I am happy to say I will be teaching math again which I LOVE! Then again, it is only 6th grade math and not algebra or calculus. That is surely not my idea of fun.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
On Safari
HELLOOOOOOOOOOOO! Is anybody out there!?
I have fallen off the blogosphere. I've had little to say. Around and around it goes. It being my life. Besides, I spend so much time at work, I have little else to talk about. Not that work doesn't come with its share of stories. Middle school is filled with plenty of drama, and life or death situations-well, at least according to the kids.
Frankly, they scare me most of the time. I can handle them in the classroom, but outside, where there are little boundaries, I feel like I am in the middle of an African Savanna. Watch out for the stampede, the hyenas, and the flailing monkeys. Are there monkeys in a savanna? Well, there are in mine. Not to mention the lions. You all know who the lions are, right? Most of them scare their teachers, too--especially when they are trying to burn down the school through the incineration of trash cans.
No my school is not in the ghetto. It is in a ridiculously expensive part of the bay area, but the insane are members of all tax brackets.
*******
Maybe I will lighten this blog a bit by throwing some recent pictures of the boys. Recent being February when we took a trip to Yosemite over winter break. They had fun and enjoyed their first experience with snow once they stopped whining about how cold and wet they were.
I have fallen off the blogosphere. I've had little to say. Around and around it goes. It being my life. Besides, I spend so much time at work, I have little else to talk about. Not that work doesn't come with its share of stories. Middle school is filled with plenty of drama, and life or death situations-well, at least according to the kids.
Frankly, they scare me most of the time. I can handle them in the classroom, but outside, where there are little boundaries, I feel like I am in the middle of an African Savanna. Watch out for the stampede, the hyenas, and the flailing monkeys. Are there monkeys in a savanna? Well, there are in mine. Not to mention the lions. You all know who the lions are, right? Most of them scare their teachers, too--especially when they are trying to burn down the school through the incineration of trash cans.
No my school is not in the ghetto. It is in a ridiculously expensive part of the bay area, but the insane are members of all tax brackets.
*******
Maybe I will lighten this blog a bit by throwing some recent pictures of the boys. Recent being February when we took a trip to Yosemite over winter break. They had fun and enjoyed their first experience with snow once they stopped whining about how cold and wet they were.
Monday, December 22, 2008
He's Five Now
So I have been posting more and more sparingly, and missed many opportunities to discuss the many crazy things going on in the lives of the boys. The eldest boy is FIVE now! He doesn't let us forget it these days.
"I'm five now so I wash my own icky hands before I suck my thumb" -because apparently only immature four year olds suck their dirty thumb. Cleaning it makes you mature.
"I can brush my own teeth because I'm five"- not really. He forgets all the time, and maybe manages to brush two teeth.
"I'm five now so I can pour my own drink"-only if there is only 1/25 of the drink left in the bottle.
"I'm five now so....." You get the picture.
*****
Big brother has been attending a co-op preschool that he loves, but is completely draining his parents. The requirements for the co-op seem a bit obscene if you ask me: buy $250 of scrip every month, work one day a week in the classroom, complete six hours of fundraising, work 6 hours on a workday, perform the work for your committee, attend a monthly meeting at night for 3 hours and another 3 hours in the daytime, design a yearbook page and ... well, who knows what they will come up with next.
It's a full time job most of the time, which would be fine if I didn't already have a full time job I actually got paid for. His daddy does most of the work since he is only working half-time most days, and he loves going to preschool with the older boy, but the time commitment is a bit much. What happened to just dropping the kids off and picking them up when they're done? They get some playtime in, and you get a much needed break. I am all for being an integral part of their education, but sometimes, I wouldn't mind just handing that job over to someone else completely. Maybe if we just had to work in the classroom without having to do any of the outside classroom work, or vice-versa. I could swing that.
The Bee may not be attending this preschool next year-SAD. We both have to work full-time if we ever want to afford to buy a house here. That leaves us once again with finding another preschool we love, and another elementary school suitable for the older boy and his hyper needs. Some stability would be nice about now. I am sick of the trade-offs.
"I'm five now so I wash my own icky hands before I suck my thumb" -because apparently only immature four year olds suck their dirty thumb. Cleaning it makes you mature.
"I can brush my own teeth because I'm five"- not really. He forgets all the time, and maybe manages to brush two teeth.
"I'm five now so I can pour my own drink"-only if there is only 1/25 of the drink left in the bottle.
"I'm five now so....." You get the picture.
*****
Big brother has been attending a co-op preschool that he loves, but is completely draining his parents. The requirements for the co-op seem a bit obscene if you ask me: buy $250 of scrip every month, work one day a week in the classroom, complete six hours of fundraising, work 6 hours on a workday, perform the work for your committee, attend a monthly meeting at night for 3 hours and another 3 hours in the daytime, design a yearbook page and ... well, who knows what they will come up with next.
It's a full time job most of the time, which would be fine if I didn't already have a full time job I actually got paid for. His daddy does most of the work since he is only working half-time most days, and he loves going to preschool with the older boy, but the time commitment is a bit much. What happened to just dropping the kids off and picking them up when they're done? They get some playtime in, and you get a much needed break. I am all for being an integral part of their education, but sometimes, I wouldn't mind just handing that job over to someone else completely. Maybe if we just had to work in the classroom without having to do any of the outside classroom work, or vice-versa. I could swing that.
The Bee may not be attending this preschool next year-SAD. We both have to work full-time if we ever want to afford to buy a house here. That leaves us once again with finding another preschool we love, and another elementary school suitable for the older boy and his hyper needs. Some stability would be nice about now. I am sick of the trade-offs.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
2+90
I have been more than just a little busy this year. My family grew from 4 to 94, and more if you include the family of teachers I work with to educate 90+ kids. It's crazzzzy!
I fill many roles, and teach many lessons, and at the end of the work day, I must come home throw my crap on the dining room table and go outside and play with my kids and my neighbors kids. Then there is dinner--the cooking, the cleaning, and the forcing it down two little kids throats. Soon after there is bath time, and bed time followed by my nightwatchman job taking kiddies to the bathroom, tucking them into the foot of my bed or under my neck where the littlest yanks and tugs at my hair. Later, I get up, get ready for work, but not before making two cups of chocolate milk and pouring their cereal. I must then start my day all over again, and on a good day, I will be home by four, and not have to grade any papers or plan any lessons in the wee hours of the night before my nightwatchman job begins.
I still love teaching, and I love being with my kids, but this schedule is wearing me out. Thank god for the holidays!
********
Dear President Elect Obama,
Do you think it would be possible to throw a national holiday of some kind between Labor Day and Veteran's Day, because really, I could have used a break around mid October?
Signed-
A loyal servant of the state public schools
I fill many roles, and teach many lessons, and at the end of the work day, I must come home throw my crap on the dining room table and go outside and play with my kids and my neighbors kids. Then there is dinner--the cooking, the cleaning, and the forcing it down two little kids throats. Soon after there is bath time, and bed time followed by my nightwatchman job taking kiddies to the bathroom, tucking them into the foot of my bed or under my neck where the littlest yanks and tugs at my hair. Later, I get up, get ready for work, but not before making two cups of chocolate milk and pouring their cereal. I must then start my day all over again, and on a good day, I will be home by four, and not have to grade any papers or plan any lessons in the wee hours of the night before my nightwatchman job begins.
I still love teaching, and I love being with my kids, but this schedule is wearing me out. Thank god for the holidays!
********
Dear President Elect Obama,
Do you think it would be possible to throw a national holiday of some kind between Labor Day and Veteran's Day, because really, I could have used a break around mid October?
Signed-
A loyal servant of the state public schools
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
In the Corners of Their Minds
Work is kicking my butt.I must have blocked out the stress that comes with teaching. The stress that comes with working insane hours and trying to take care of your family at the same time.
It's funny how you forget how bad it all really is. I can do without all the the deadlines, planning, the grading, and "high maintenance" parents you can never please. You forget how easily you can be discriminated against because you look too young, too nervous, too brown. Because contrary to what my 6th graders may think, racism, ageism, and all those other wonderful factors you can get discriminated for are alive and well.
It may not always be apparent. It appears in many forms masking itself in new euphemistic phrases. It lurks on the tips of peoples' tongues, in the back corners of peoples' minds. It hides in between lines of dialogue and print. It's there tainted by experiences and stereotypes that refuse to die.
As long as there is at least one person on this earth who is a carrier of racist attitudes, it will be replicated, multiplied, and perpetuated.It may take on a new form much like a virus mutates and changes to avoid detection, but it will still be there sitting in the remote mental corners of its host to be further replicated and spread. A virus without a known cure. A virus that still has the ability to disorient me, make feel weak and my stomach turn. An incapacitation I could do without, and the anger that proceeds because I let it take hold of me.
It's funny how you forget how bad it all really is. I can do without all the the deadlines, planning, the grading, and "high maintenance" parents you can never please. You forget how easily you can be discriminated against because you look too young, too nervous, too brown. Because contrary to what my 6th graders may think, racism, ageism, and all those other wonderful factors you can get discriminated for are alive and well.
It may not always be apparent. It appears in many forms masking itself in new euphemistic phrases. It lurks on the tips of peoples' tongues, in the back corners of peoples' minds. It hides in between lines of dialogue and print. It's there tainted by experiences and stereotypes that refuse to die.
As long as there is at least one person on this earth who is a carrier of racist attitudes, it will be replicated, multiplied, and perpetuated.It may take on a new form much like a virus mutates and changes to avoid detection, but it will still be there sitting in the remote mental corners of its host to be further replicated and spread. A virus without a known cure. A virus that still has the ability to disorient me, make feel weak and my stomach turn. An incapacitation I could do without, and the anger that proceeds because I let it take hold of me.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Random Thoughts...sort of
I love my children.
I love to cradle them in my arms as they sleep, press them against my chest, and kiss their downy, soft cheeks.
This IS happiness.
It's funny how one can be happy and sad at the same time.
This is something I've tried to explain to my son to no avail.
Just because mommy is angry doesn't mean that mommy has stopped loving you.
One emotion does not cancel out another.
He will learn in time.
I am tired.
Tending to my children at night further tires me.
Nonetheless, I feel honored to be the one comforting them at night.
I wish for many more.
I love to cradle them in my arms as they sleep, press them against my chest, and kiss their downy, soft cheeks.
This IS happiness.
It's funny how one can be happy and sad at the same time.
This is something I've tried to explain to my son to no avail.
Just because mommy is angry doesn't mean that mommy has stopped loving you.
One emotion does not cancel out another.
He will learn in time.
I am tired.
Tending to my children at night further tires me.
Nonetheless, I feel honored to be the one comforting them at night.
I wish for many more.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Want Not
Dammit. I found a job. I was looking, but really trying not to find one, because really, all I want to do is stay home with my wee ones. Too bad my bank account was screaming at me to filler up. We have been so out of money these days, I have been getting my shopping fix during these depressing times by sliding my pretend credit card in my kid's pretend cash register that also doubles as a calculator and has pretend green money. I just stop over to their pretend bookstore and request some cash back, and soon I am off with a few 20's in my pocket buying some books. Yet, even in this store I can afford very little since my son prices his books at such exorbitant prices. If all else fails, I just charge it. Slide. Beep. Aaaah.
My new job will require much of my attention, since I will venture once again to teach 6th graders, but this time in a middle school setting- something I've avoided at all costs since I started teaching. Luckily, it is in a really good district with high performing students, but in the end it really doesn't matter. A 6th grader is a 6th grader is a 6th grader. At least by 6th grade, they have gotten over the initial shock from their sudden increase in hormones. If anybody thinks 6th graders are difficult, they should really try teaching 5th grade. They are really at their best the first eight years at about 3rd and 4th grade.
I love teaching, and I am excited to have my own classroom once again, but I am not looking forward to being away from my kids for most of the day. On the plus side, working away from them can have the bonus effect of making me into a better mother. Maybe, it's just because I miss them. Maybe it's that I finally have time to talk to other adults- sort of. Maybe, it's the guilt of being away, or maybe it's just that I have more money in my pocket. I will just have to look forward to Labor Day, Thanksgiving Break, Holiday Break, Winter Break (and no, this is not the same as the previous one, this happens in February), Spring Break, etc. to spend time with them ALL most of the day.
My new job will require much of my attention, since I will venture once again to teach 6th graders, but this time in a middle school setting- something I've avoided at all costs since I started teaching. Luckily, it is in a really good district with high performing students, but in the end it really doesn't matter. A 6th grader is a 6th grader is a 6th grader. At least by 6th grade, they have gotten over the initial shock from their sudden increase in hormones. If anybody thinks 6th graders are difficult, they should really try teaching 5th grade. They are really at their best the first eight years at about 3rd and 4th grade.
I love teaching, and I am excited to have my own classroom once again, but I am not looking forward to being away from my kids for most of the day. On the plus side, working away from them can have the bonus effect of making me into a better mother. Maybe, it's just because I miss them. Maybe it's that I finally have time to talk to other adults- sort of. Maybe, it's the guilt of being away, or maybe it's just that I have more money in my pocket. I will just have to look forward to Labor Day, Thanksgiving Break, Holiday Break, Winter Break (and no, this is not the same as the previous one, this happens in February), Spring Break, etc. to spend time with them ALL most of the day.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
No Clothing Required
The boys have been wrestling these days - for entertainment purposes only of course. The Bee will use the full power of his weight to overtake the older boy and boys love to rough in tumble. I am just glad they're using their abundant energy to wear each other out instead of me.For those of you who want to know more about the history of wrestling or just want to see a painting of some naked dudes wrestling in the 1600's click here. Don't worry. It's just art and it's free for your viewing on Wikipedia.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Oh What a Wonderful Life this Is
So now I am down to about two posts a month. I'm surprised I've been able to keep it up this long. There are several posts I have going in my head. Can you read my mind? They're great.
For those who lack telepathic abilities, I plan to post some pics of Big Brother and the Bee soon. They have been entertaining us with their grappling techniques in a more peaceable form of wrestling. They have been wrestling for the last few months, or since the Bee was 1 1/2 years old and this little one does not hold back. The Bee is not afraid to use his weight as leverage. It has proven to be quite entertaining for those of us who need a break from mundane household chores, job searching and interviewing, and taking clear credential courses.
I have been working on several graduate courses through UC San Diego this summer to clear my credential, and I am in the midst of my last one, Mainstreaming the Special Child. The reading isn't particularly interesting. I have to read over 100 pages while answering study questions, and while attempting to do all those other things that keep a mom of two children busy, so I end up doing most of my reading between the hours of 12 am and 2 am. I'd skip the reading, but our professor makes sure to quiz us at the end of each reading assignment on a minutia of details- That Bastard! As usual, I get the most out of our class discussions and teacher sharing. It still amazes me that there are some places/people in this country who still don't believe in the benefits of inclusion.
Once this class is over, I need to focus my attention on finding a teaching gig because money is tight and I need to feel like I am not taking these course in vain. Sure I can use my newly acquired knowledge of the many behavior changing techniques I learned from taking this class on my own children, but right now I am determined to make those dam time-outs work and I foresee a long struggle ahead. The elder boy decides its more fun to have me chase him back and forth into the room, rather than to sit in his time-out spot. Do you think Super Nanny would object to having me crazy glue his butt to the chair?
For those who lack telepathic abilities, I plan to post some pics of Big Brother and the Bee soon. They have been entertaining us with their grappling techniques in a more peaceable form of wrestling. They have been wrestling for the last few months, or since the Bee was 1 1/2 years old and this little one does not hold back. The Bee is not afraid to use his weight as leverage. It has proven to be quite entertaining for those of us who need a break from mundane household chores, job searching and interviewing, and taking clear credential courses.
I have been working on several graduate courses through UC San Diego this summer to clear my credential, and I am in the midst of my last one, Mainstreaming the Special Child. The reading isn't particularly interesting. I have to read over 100 pages while answering study questions, and while attempting to do all those other things that keep a mom of two children busy, so I end up doing most of my reading between the hours of 12 am and 2 am. I'd skip the reading, but our professor makes sure to quiz us at the end of each reading assignment on a minutia of details- That Bastard! As usual, I get the most out of our class discussions and teacher sharing. It still amazes me that there are some places/people in this country who still don't believe in the benefits of inclusion.
Once this class is over, I need to focus my attention on finding a teaching gig because money is tight and I need to feel like I am not taking these course in vain. Sure I can use my newly acquired knowledge of the many behavior changing techniques I learned from taking this class on my own children, but right now I am determined to make those dam time-outs work and I foresee a long struggle ahead. The elder boy decides its more fun to have me chase him back and forth into the room, rather than to sit in his time-out spot. Do you think Super Nanny would object to having me crazy glue his butt to the chair?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
