Yesterday I went on a field trip to the "Museum of Flight". The class did a moon mission simulation, pretty cool. Afterward we had 45 minutes to check out the rest of the museum. My 4 students RAN through the museum.
At one point my students sat down in a drawing room. I told them that my son's grandpa helped design a military airplane called the F-15. Yawn.
Later I pointed out pictures of McDonald, Lockheed, Douglas. Yawn.
I miss living in a military town.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Economy at School
Our local school district is having a budget crunch. They have tossed around the idea of letting all elementary music and PE classes go and middle school sports etc. They held the first of 2 community work sessions last night. Hubby and I took 2 kids and went a little early for seats.
We knew it would have a huge turn out, why didn't the school board? They prepared for 500 and got 800. They started a half hour late, people still coming in. They wouldn't let kids at the work tables and even asked them to give up their chairs (we think they were surprised when we said no). We as parents feel that this directly effects them and their educational experience and that they should see and be involved in how these decisions get made. Oh, and the microphone wasn't working to start with either.
After the mike was fixed and told how the evening was to proceed, we were very pleased.
A committee from the community had put together a list of 23 proposed budget cuts. Our governor will later decide how much we actually need to cut, but this meeting was for public input.
There were 10 people at a table and we individually ranked each of the 23 items as High, Medium or Low in importance to us personally. We then tallied up the table. The hard part was assigning each of the 23, points totaling no more than 100.
The best part was that each table was allowed 3 "Trump". Three bullet items we said "No way, don't touch this one." The 3 our table picked was; elementary music & PE, elementary class size, and middle school sports. YEAH!
The one guy at our table that works for the district got up and left pretty early. I think he saw my sheet (and others) and realized he wasn't going to win at our table.
It was a long and tough process, but a good one. Hope the results are good for my kids and others.
We knew it would have a huge turn out, why didn't the school board? They prepared for 500 and got 800. They started a half hour late, people still coming in. They wouldn't let kids at the work tables and even asked them to give up their chairs (we think they were surprised when we said no). We as parents feel that this directly effects them and their educational experience and that they should see and be involved in how these decisions get made. Oh, and the microphone wasn't working to start with either.
After the mike was fixed and told how the evening was to proceed, we were very pleased.
A committee from the community had put together a list of 23 proposed budget cuts. Our governor will later decide how much we actually need to cut, but this meeting was for public input.
There were 10 people at a table and we individually ranked each of the 23 items as High, Medium or Low in importance to us personally. We then tallied up the table. The hard part was assigning each of the 23, points totaling no more than 100.
The best part was that each table was allowed 3 "Trump". Three bullet items we said "No way, don't touch this one." The 3 our table picked was; elementary music & PE, elementary class size, and middle school sports. YEAH!
The one guy at our table that works for the district got up and left pretty early. I think he saw my sheet (and others) and realized he wasn't going to win at our table.
It was a long and tough process, but a good one. Hope the results are good for my kids and others.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Pajama Day
Yesterday was one of those days that we kick responsibilities out the door. I love it. We stayed in our pajamas and hubby ordered pizza for dinner. (I am grateful for a hubby that provides so well for his family! I have the option to stay home and have lazy days w/kids.)
I forced 3 angry kids to watch an old black and white movie, "12 Angry Men". We were 20 minutes into it when the timer rang, our lunch was now ready. The kids asked to pause the movie while they gather their stuff. I am allowing lunch in front of the TV. I guess they didn't want to miss any part of this boring movie their awful mom is making them watch.
Today I have to get dressed and get back to responsibilities, for some reason they want milk for their cold cereal.
I forced 3 angry kids to watch an old black and white movie, "12 Angry Men". We were 20 minutes into it when the timer rang, our lunch was now ready. The kids asked to pause the movie while they gather their stuff. I am allowing lunch in front of the TV. I guess they didn't want to miss any part of this boring movie their awful mom is making them watch.
Today I have to get dressed and get back to responsibilities, for some reason they want milk for their cold cereal.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Left Strike
Took kids bowling. On the last frame of the first game I challenged them, "I'll give $5 to anyone who gets a left handed Strike." Sure enough my oldest son got one.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Things I Love!
Hope you don't mind my joining the bandwagon. I don't blog enough because "if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all".
Have a Happy Valentines Day!
- I love that my kids valentine class list includes so many cultures; Abdi (Africa), Hancock (pretty darn Americana), Gonzales (Mexican), Mohamed (Muslim), Shin (Asian), Singh (Sikh).
- I love that half of my kids are loving basketball. We have Hoosier blood after all.
- I love that Jamie is in DC and doing well.
- I love that I can get out of bed today.
- I love that I can pretty much do what ever I want...until 3:20.
- I love that my testimony is strong enough to carry me through tough times.
- I love my red hair, even more so with artificial help.
- I love my DVR.
- I love the idea that I'm finally OK with working in primary, still working on it. I do love the kids, that's easy! It is the failure on my part that I can't handle. (whoops, stay positive)
- I love it when small kids hug me and like to be around me, I'm always surprised and honored.
- I love all my kids and grateful Sister Cottis told me "Heavenly Father gives you 12 years to love your kids to get you through the next 6".
- I love seeing my kids mature. We have good kids. Teach them correct principals and let them govern themselves, and they govern fairly well. They blow me away sometimes.
- I love that my hubby and I are progressing forward. One of the big reasons I married him is his commitment level. We are both committed to making our marriage work to the best of our abilities. I love it when I like him.
- I love that he has the day off tomorrow and the kids still have to go to school!
Have a Happy Valentines Day!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
TV pain?
I changed my facebook to reflect the TV shows I watch. I had not given much thought to it before, I faithfuly watch;
The Unit (military special forces)
NCIS (military crime solving)
Criminal Minds (FBI crime solving)
Num3ers (FBI crime solving)
Law & Order (crime solving)
Chuck (funny crime solving)
Gillmore Girls reruns (mom & daughter duo)
I have never enjoyed scenes with humiliation. We as a family use to watch America's Funniest Home Videos but stopped when I couldn't stand all the pain these people were enduring. Yes, we laughed at their expense, but they are OK with it because they submitted it to national TV. It just got to be to much for me, the mom, and so also the family. This is also the reason I can't handle "reality" shows. Which I know will upset the only 2 people who read my blog. This is just me (and one of my sons, it turns out).
So what does this say about me? Am I to serious? I don't like to see pain, unless it's physical? or fighting crime? I like shows with a right and a wrong? I'm obsessed with crime?
Please comment and offer up your analysis.
The Unit (military special forces)
NCIS (military crime solving)
Criminal Minds (FBI crime solving)
Num3ers (FBI crime solving)
Law & Order (crime solving)
Chuck (funny crime solving)
Gillmore Girls reruns (mom & daughter duo)
I have never enjoyed scenes with humiliation. We as a family use to watch America's Funniest Home Videos but stopped when I couldn't stand all the pain these people were enduring. Yes, we laughed at their expense, but they are OK with it because they submitted it to national TV. It just got to be to much for me, the mom, and so also the family. This is also the reason I can't handle "reality" shows. Which I know will upset the only 2 people who read my blog. This is just me (and one of my sons, it turns out).
So what does this say about me? Am I to serious? I don't like to see pain, unless it's physical? or fighting crime? I like shows with a right and a wrong? I'm obsessed with crime?
Please comment and offer up your analysis.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Sabbath
Today has been a good Sabbath. My heart always knew I was capable of one.
I frequently will start my Sabbath observance on Saturday night. Mentally preparing for how I would like the day to be different. I was voice to our family prayer last night and mentioned some of my feelings or hopes for this day. This is after my family spent some time talking about Superbowl.
My one son woke up and he came into my room and we watched something we had never seen before on the BYU channel. He then decided to prepare for his very first talk in Sacrament meeting for next week. I am excited for him and tried to show him some ways in which I prepare for something like this. He was very receptive and it was good to teach him and then let him do his own thing.
At church I bore testimony, always a good invite for the spirit.
During the 3 hour instead of Primary, all of the woman went to RS. Priesthood brethren took over everything! I am so happy to be in a ward in which we have willing talented men, I was not concerned over the care of "my" kids or program. I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall just because I'm curious.
I am grateful to belong to an organization that asks people to do things, that normally wouldn't be.
I am grateful for the VT & HT programs.
Quick story. My grandma belongs to another faith. She faithly took her children to church without her husband. She helped with rummage sales, coffee socials, and I have no doubt many other things. She sang in the choir for decades. She grew older. She is old. All of her friends have passed away. She needed assistance to live, so her children carefully picked out her retirement home. My mom called her pastor. Would someone be willing to pick her up and drive her to church? No.
My mom made some arrangements for a few weeks but gave up after that. The answer was no.
I was surprised by the pastor answer. I thought it was unchristian of him and his congregation. But so is my judgment of them. I am sad for Grandma. I am sad for my mother. I am sad for the people who will never get to know this sassy, funny, talented lady on their way to and from church.
My family is getting their snacks together for Superbowl. I am going to try and be a strong example and do other more appropriate things. I hope I can.
I frequently will start my Sabbath observance on Saturday night. Mentally preparing for how I would like the day to be different. I was voice to our family prayer last night and mentioned some of my feelings or hopes for this day. This is after my family spent some time talking about Superbowl.
My one son woke up and he came into my room and we watched something we had never seen before on the BYU channel. He then decided to prepare for his very first talk in Sacrament meeting for next week. I am excited for him and tried to show him some ways in which I prepare for something like this. He was very receptive and it was good to teach him and then let him do his own thing.
At church I bore testimony, always a good invite for the spirit.
During the 3 hour instead of Primary, all of the woman went to RS. Priesthood brethren took over everything! I am so happy to be in a ward in which we have willing talented men, I was not concerned over the care of "my" kids or program. I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall just because I'm curious.
I am grateful to belong to an organization that asks people to do things, that normally wouldn't be.
I am grateful for the VT & HT programs.
Quick story. My grandma belongs to another faith. She faithly took her children to church without her husband. She helped with rummage sales, coffee socials, and I have no doubt many other things. She sang in the choir for decades. She grew older. She is old. All of her friends have passed away. She needed assistance to live, so her children carefully picked out her retirement home. My mom called her pastor. Would someone be willing to pick her up and drive her to church? No.
My mom made some arrangements for a few weeks but gave up after that. The answer was no.
I was surprised by the pastor answer. I thought it was unchristian of him and his congregation. But so is my judgment of them. I am sad for Grandma. I am sad for my mother. I am sad for the people who will never get to know this sassy, funny, talented lady on their way to and from church.
My family is getting their snacks together for Superbowl. I am going to try and be a strong example and do other more appropriate things. I hope I can.
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