July 2011: A month of learning (or re- learning, or reminders...)

I became a teacher for all the right reasons.   I love to teach, love to read, love being around kids.  I enjoy both watching light bulbs turn on, as well as the challenge of finding a way to get a kid to understand what's going on.  I fall in love with characters in books and I love, love , love supplies.  Pens, paper, post it's.. you name it.  There are so many reasons that I really love my job.  It's part of the "kid business" and the people I work with -although we might not always be on the same page - have a common goal and appreciate for kids.  Being a mom, I both appreciate and respect this about my profession. 

Another added bonus: July.  Yup, June starts with work and August ends with it.  But the month of July allows me to exhale, relax, and focus on the three little monsters at home.  Well, four if you count the hubby.  As I see it, there is NO teaching and NO learning in July. 

July started with a marginal appreciation of time off:  cooking a bit more, cleaning a bit more, a few movies, a lot of relaxing, getting to sports without the panic of being late.  July is ending with a very acute awareness that I need my family, my extended family, my friends, and Jesus.   It's crazy what a little "time off" will teach.  especially because July isn't suppose to be for learning.  Here are a few lessons learned this month for me.

She's celebrate her 4th birthday in Virginia this year.  What a special memory for her!

July Learning lesson #1 : I'll start with the sis - in - law.  She and her family have relocated to Virginia for a minimum of three years.  I wish them luck and love on their journey.

Pretty little girl.

One and walking!

Her BFF

Her first loves... not her only ones, but her first.

The whole fam.

The lesson learned:  I Love my family.  We don't always to get to pick each other, but I love them.  I also learned that I might just love the little ones a little more than the big ones. And I bet that's ok with everyone.

Learning lesson #2:  Also in the month of July, our family took a quick trip to Universal Studios Hollywood. We started by having some chicken and waffles at Roscoe's in Hollywood, stayed at the Holiday Inn (where all the kids were so excited to have their own room - basically a bunk bed with a partition ) , dinner at City Walk, and a beautiful day at the Park .  Here are a few shots of our time in Los Angeles.

Here marks the start of the day.

 He loves water play.

The weather was perfect for this. The kids dried fairly quickly after getting in fully clothed. It's funny how kids don't mind the wet denim feel.

We took the back lot tour.  The highlight for me (such a silly one) is a tram trip down Wisteria Lane. We got to see a lot of cool Hollywood sets and hear about how the magic is made.

When the sun began to set, we began our trip back to even more beautiful San Diego.  Of course, the obvious choice for food before heading south was... yup, you guessed it, a second trip to Roscoe's.

Lesson learned:  My family is the most important thing in the world.  They are a direct reflection of who I am and what I will be remembered for at the end.   They love me unconditionally and they can test my patience like no other.

To come: July is also about a lot of learning and growing (mainly physical and spiritual), a fabulous trip back to Hollywood for a little Shea-Lo that left me and Sissy "GAGA", silver a World's, hello to a new season of MM Charger football, a goodbye to two beautiful women and a lot of potty time.  I also learned that running is hard but Crossfit is harder.

More to come in part two of this blog ;)



The Candy Bar

As a special treat for his birthday, we set up a candy bar , complete with gummy crabby patties, sour warheads, fun dip, and pop rocks.  I included a note that said, "Please help yourself to a baggie of candy for home.  Remember, candy rots your teeth!"

It's funny how a jar of candy can elicit a response from children like Pavlov's dogs.  

Too much candy, swimming ,basketball, video games and sleepovers!  I love San Diego weather and I love summer birthdays!

I've got school on my mind...

Too many kids, too much time during the summer. Anyone that has kids can agree with that. So, in an attempt to keep minds moving and bodies busy, Coco and I are conducting summer school sessions all summer long. Yup, that's right. School. She takes "The Littles" (ages 3 - 7) and I take "The Bigs" (Grades 5- 9) and we have school.

Here's how the Bigs are set up.

We start our day with a run (to get their blood going and to tire them) then reading comprehension, grammar, and even art.  We do "Rotations" (stations for computer time, flash card time, and preparing lunch everyday) and we end our day with a reflection and some good old fashion housework. 

I was a little anxious at first, but it has turned but to be great.  Because, despite what kids say, they DO want structure.  They want discipline and they want to spend quality time doing something productive, not just video games and television all day long. 

On Friday, I ran with the six kids to the neighborhood park.  We did some conditioning and then we sat under a gazebo and I read two short stories to them from Tyler Durman's Ten Stories and Maya Angelou's Stories for My Daughter.  They listened, they asked questions, they asked for another story.  On the way back to the house, we picked up a few flowers, leaves, and pine cones for a project. 

Then, we did some drawing and writing about nature. I even tried a "Forced Association" lesson, but that may have been too much.  After all, it is summer vacation.

Summer Projects

At the end of the 2008-09 school year, as we were tying up loose ends at work to start our much anticipated summer break, the principal came up to to me and J- Shutterbug and informed us that our "3 months of summer break" would be cut short.  We were expected to be at our leadership retreat the first week of August.  (Ah, the perks of being on the leadership team!)  So, we sat down and counted how many days there were from the time we could exhale (aka - the end of the school year) until the time we started to think about the process again (aka- preparing for the leadership retreat)  We came up with 56 days.   Wow.  That changes the stereotypical view that people in education get three months off, doesn't it?

So, J- Shutterbug, his wifey, and I started a project: The 56 Days of Summer.  The objective: One picture everyday for 56 days to a) document our summer vacation, and b) pick up our cameras everyday.  We decided to post the pictures on Facebook in a private event and share commentary to both celebrate our break and get feedback on our pictures.

Since then, our little project has grown.  We are currently on day 14 and I feel like I'm getting to know my friends and my camera again.  

Here are a few pix so far this year:

The Sweet Girl loves her dance recital dress!

Homemade fresh strawberry scones for the sissy with a bad knee.

Octagon and Dance = Her passions

Greggy's Hot Dog Creation

Yup, he is for sure my kid.

Summer Enrichment (aka- an easy way to keep those boys off the XBox and in the books!)

Sandwich Creations

I rarely blog about work.  This is because this blog is really about family.  But this very rare entry is special because my typical work day was about family. 

Once a year, I invite the elementary school student council to my campus to work with my student leaders.  For the first time, both the older boys were part of that process.  The big one is in 6th grade and is in my leadership class (that changes the dynamic of who I am and how I teach, by the way.  His presence simply makes me a better person, therefore a better teacher.)  The middle one is part of the student council at the school next door.

During their visit, the big kids facilitate games and activities, so the little kids can get a glimpse into middle school life, school spirit, and leadership.

One of the activities is to make a sandwich and sit with a friend.  (Kids buy- in so easily when there is food involved)  The sandwich creations have gotten more and more unusual over the years, so I thought I would post just a couple to share with the virtual world out there. 

Yup, it's weird and it probably isn't very good (or healthy)  But one day, my boys will forget what they ate that day or if it was good, but they will not forget that - for that hour - they were together and part of something special, with me, at the place that I work.  That memory is enough to get me to eat a sandwich with melted gummy bears, peanut butter, and ham.

Brotherly Love

Just a quick pix taken on Easter of my little guys.

On second thought, I guess they really aren't that little. 

Bunny Baskets

I was talking to E and C's oldest son the other day on the way to the dojo.  Here is (kinda) how the conversation went:

Az: Are you my aunt?

Me:  Yes dear.

Az: Does that mean that we are all cousins?

Me:  Az, blood isn't what makes family.  Love is what makes family.  So yes.  We are family and I am your aunt.

Az: (short pause) Can I eat a snack before jiu jitsu?

(He's six, so I'm pretty lucky that the conversation lasted that long.)

 For Easter, our family celebrated with close friends and family.  The Val 6 pack, Sensei and fam, Ms. J, the E-Clan, and all the "guys" came for some good old fashion egg hunting.  Well... it was more like all the moms prepped, stuffed, organized, and hid plastic eggs.  All the guys bbq-ed , and all the kids ran wild all over my house.  Yup, that's a better description. 

The result:  all out egg war in the front yard.  Lots of fun, laughter, and candy.  Too much chocolate... if there is such a thing.  Following the eating, drinking, hunting, and chocolat-ing, the ladies thought it would be a *perfect* idea to...get this... take a Zumba class. 

 So Sissy ran us through a Zumba workout while the guys talked, laughed, and ate a delcious tri tip (that I couldn't have because of lent)  in the backyard and all the kids watched RIO and ate candy they found in those plastic eggs.

I don't know what I was thinking.  I mean, first we killed a bottle of delicious Almond Champagne (from the Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula...that will be another blog.  Yummo)  They we got in the gym and did a workout. 

Crazy.  Crazy fun.

I'd like to share with you my three favorite 'Zumba Jen' favorite quotes:

"The more you shake, the more you burn!"

"This is my favorite move: dry your butt, dry your butt, dry your butt!"

"The most important things are to keep moving and have fun!"

She also said, "It's not a workout, it's a PARTY!"

She lied though.

It is a workout.

Bliss and Jelly Beans

 What a great way to start the Spring.  M&M, after meeting more than 15 years ago, finally tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at the Town and County in Mission Valley this month.  This particular wedding brought family from Nor Cal down to Sunny San Diego for the weekend.  We engaged in too much eating, lots of laughter, and the witnessing of a wonderful man married into our crazy but loving family.

 

The boys, sporting their new "fancy" threads, attending the ceremony and reception.  One of the newer trends that I've seen at events is setting up a Candy Bar for guests.  Of course, my kids were all over that idea.  Our littlest guy filled his bag with jelly beans and I'm guessing that the reason is because of all the colors.  It's not like he has ever really had any jelly beans in the past.

When he finally did try the little treats, he proceeded to chew each one and take it out of his mouth and place it in his fruit cup. He didn't like them apparently. 

Yeah, I thought it was gross too.

To my little guy:  Don't eat too many jelly beans.  They will rot your teeth.

To my cousin:  You are beautiful.  And , you were such a lovely bride.

To my newest cousin: Welcome to our crazy family.  Truly, you are a wonderful person and will make my cuz a happy woman.  Thank you for that.

Picture Day at the Dojo

Since it is Spring Break, I thought it would be productive to update the picture wall at the boys' dojo. Here are a couple of favorites so far.

Although I shot all the adults too, my favorites are all of the children in the dojo.   It takes such commitment and heart to pracitce this sport, so kudos to all the littles who keep coming back, falling down, getting up, coming back, ...

If you would like to see more, come by Brazilian Jui Jitsu Unlimited on Miramar Road.  tell them I sent ya!

Five is Fun!

For Moose's 5th birthday, Sis and No Neck decided that Boomers in Clairemont would be the perfect place to celebrate.  It was. 

My three boys had a great time riding those cheesy rides and playing a round of extreme miniture golf.  To them, it was a great way to spend the afternoon and for me ... well, the shutterbug in me was having a field day.  The miniature golf course, with its colorful displays and multi textured walls, is simply a photographer's gold mine.

Presenting:  Moose, Age 5.

"I'm FIVE!"

No Neck and Sissy's Bunch

My loves

They're THREE.

Ugg Boots and Shorts...so California.

Weeeee...

Welcome Back, Thomas

When the older boys where toddlers, they were obsessed with Thomas the tank Engine.  Hubby and I (along with grand parents, aunties, uncles, family friends, neighbors...) all contributed to the Thomas mania by purchasing all the "essential" items one birthday at a time.  By the time the boys outgrew that Thomas phase (well into elementary school)  we owned, like, everything. 

 Now that the baby is starting to learn a little bit about independent play, Thomas have come back into our lives, awaken from his slumber in a series of large Tupperware bins carefully stored in the garage. 

Baby has decided that Thomas and Friends are important enough to be all over the house .  And every morning - after the obligatory episode of Sponge Bob Squarepants or Kai Lan, the train set is put to good use.  It's basically how we start our day...everyday.

 The great thing about Thomas is that it is all imaginary play.  It's pretty funny, I've actually caught the baby putting Cranky the Crank in the fish bowl (because Cranky is near the Harbor on the cartoons and belongs near the water)   And the little guy is all about ownership.  No one else is really allowed to play with the trains unless invited.  He will often tell me, "Go away, Mama!"  if I try to clean up or move any of the strategically placed engines.

Some of my favorite times of the day are watching this little guy play with his trains.  I can tell he's learning everyday.  So, with an open heart, I say WELCOME BACK, THOMAS.  You've been missed.

The Rare Saturday Afternoon

No wrestling.  No jiu jitsu.  No football games or practices.  No photoshoots.  No parties, obligations, or appointments.

All I have are the following:  a sleeping daddy, a box of See's truffles, a hot pot of coffee, two video gamers, a dozen pink roses, and one little almost three year old playing the role of 'Mommy's Best Friend.'  

Of course, we all know what that adds up to be...

A pretty perfect Saturday afternoon.