Jumping on Beds..........

Charlie the Toothless Builder

   
 We had a game last night for Charlie and the big excitement was that his lower tooth was dangling by a thread....the boys were all in a tizzy in the dugout.  I saw Charlie spitting in the outfield and figured something was up!  Then they came into the dugout and sure enough, it was ready to be plucked....except we don't pluck!! NO!!! No touching of the teeth here!! It amazes me that I ever worked for an oral surgeon as a dental assistant!!! Yes, I did for years and my kids loose teeth completely gross me out. 
  

Anyway, just before Charlie went up to bat, the tooth fell out.  The kids were all excited and one kid even stuck his finger there to investigate!! Gross for both kids.  Kids are funny aren't they? Little curious scientists.

So, the tooth fairy came back...had I mentioned that Cami's lower tooth came out the day before? Yes.  And we have a few more loose ones so I think we will be keeping the tooth fairy busy for a few weeks.

The other exciting ;) news is that........the kids have been fascinated with the architecture of NY....wonder where that came from?  So, they have been drawing skyscrapers and Charlie has been building them.

He saw an empty 12 pack of what else? Diet Pepsi in our garage and took it and made this.....
 

He and Mannie have been building Lego cities as well....
 

I would like to get Charlie this!

That is the fun and excitement in our home today!!!  

More softball today!!! I just know they are going to win!!!  :)

Have a fab day!!!

Here is Charlie showing me his loose tooth from the outfield...
 

Happy Days are Here Again!

 The strike is over!!!  

Both sides reached an agreement.

I have 3 kids in school right now.

Mannie is at work.

I am eating a bagel putting off a trip to the grocery store.

Yep, life is pretty much back to normal again.

I miss the kids but I am happy to have a regular routine (for now).  

I will finish unpacking today!! 

Cara's team won their playoff game so tomorrow will make day 6 of baseball games for us!! Crazy I tell you.

So HAPPY for the teachers!!! Hug a teacher today!!!!

Hope you have a fun day!  

Teacher Strike...Day 3

 Good day.

Well, we had more homeschool today. 

I love it but at the same time, I have to be honest....I am getting nothing done around the house.  I never realized how much I actually do get done until I can't actually stay on top of things.

I am enjoying having the kids around ALOT but I also feel like if I am going to keep them home from school, then I need to work with them.  It is not like summer, where we can just do whatever, I have a feeling of guilt lingering over me if we don't get work done.  Unfortunately, that  means I have no time to clean or really do anything else......tricky.

But in the big picture, no biggie. 

I took the kids to the park next to school for a playdate.  I had the opportunity to talk to a couple of teachers on strike.  I got a little more insight into some of the drama.  

Life is so complicated.  I don't like that about life.....I like simple.  I do.

So, for me, this strike is just simple.....the teachers want one word changed.....temporary. 

But the thing is, like any fight....lots of other stuff gets dragged into it all...it gets ugly, people take sides and it just is such a waste of energy to let things spin out of control like that. 

Life is too short, really.  I just wish things could just stay fair and therefore, uncomplicated. 

I don't want to be involved with the drama more than keeping my children home....you know what I mean?  I am supportive of the teachers in words to them(you know like, "Go teachers!") but I think parents getting involved more than that is creating more unnecessary drama.  

I realize that there are people in life who live for this sort of thing, the whole drama surrounding it.  

I like simple.  Simple is keep it between the union and the district....and just honor what is fair! 

I think that even writing about it today is just adding to the collective drama floating out there over our schools....the more people talk about it or complain just keeps adding to it.  So, I will end this by saying that I wish the teachers the best!!!

Today, we worked on various things but I documented our lesson on greater and less than.  I am glad I am documenting in case the school police call me wondering why we have missed so much school this year!
   

I printed a worksheet off the site, Super Teacher......my friend, Nancy, told me about it and I have to say, I LOVE the site.  I love to find ways to teach creatively but I also really believe in worksheets to solidify concepts.  I just do and so this site is packed full of cute worksheets on all kinds of topics.  So, I printed off a greater or less than sheet to do a little review for the kids.  We took it one step further by acting it out with an alligator puppet....the gator eats the bigger number. This was fun for Cami....we kept it under the number 10 for her.  We  used higher numbers for Cara and Charlie....the kids wanted to have the biggest number on their board so it would be eaten by the alligator....they got competitive and  were making up their own numbers secretly (except Cam, I would tell her a number to write down)....anyway, I was impressed with Charlie coming up with infinity.  
 

We also worked on   reading comprehension, handwriting and by request, the kids want to study butterflies and do a report on them so we read a butterfly book.  But then we had to go meet our friends for a playdate(let's call it recess) and Mrs. Nezbit was no where to be found, we hit McDonalds!!!! (gasp!!) and took it to the park. 

Overall, a good day but also a little unsettling to listen to the drama of the strike.  

Choosing to go back to my simple, "Ignorance is Bliss" philosophy in life. 

Hope you are having a drama free day!  :)   

A Post of Nothing

Photo from today.....he doesn't realize he is 40 something years old....he dives and slides and gets very dirty!!

I am  Waiting on dinner.

Mannie is grilling tonight.

My house is a complete mess and I still have things to unpack from NY!!!

We had baseball on Friday, Saturday and today and guess what?? More tomorrow and Tuesday and if Cara's team wins their game tomorrow, we have a game on Wednesday!!

I am having baseball (fan) overload.  

Mannie played today and the Whales lost!! Bummer. I think that was their first lose of the season.

I think the teachers may be striking tomorrow again. 

Why can't the district just say "temporary" pay cut?? 

I think I am going to make gingerbread today.  

I wonder how much longer I can put off unpacking?  Insane.

We had a dance birthday party to attend today (the girls and I)....I was laughing sooooooooo hard, I was crying.  It was embarrasing. I was trying not to laugh and I couldn't stop....you know when that happens? Sort of a nightmare but a funny one at that (I mean the part when you are trying to stop laughing but that makes you laugh even harder).  Mannie and Charlie stayed home and built a Lego city.  

There is baseball on my t.v. right now, I can hear it! Have I mentioned I am feeling a little tired of baseball? 

I am in the mood to laugh more....this time last year I was getting ready for Reflections...I laughed my head off at Reflections last year....wish I could go!!! 

I think I may scrapbook this week. I haven't done that in ages! (After I unpack of course :)  

Alright, enough rambling about nothing....time to check on the pasta I am supposed to be boiling right now.

We had a temporary pet btw....Cam caught a lizard and it was a slow lizard, I think it was sick.  Anyway, it stayed with us for a few days....the kids let it go and it came back to the box they set up for her....we named her LIZZY.  

Lizzy passed away today and Cami cried her eyes out.....I actually felt the urge to run to the pet store and buy her a lizard! My poor kids want a pet so bad...it is ridiculous. 

We(kids and I) watched Indiana Jones last night.  Mannie watched the Lakers.    

What else can I ramble on about? Well, I guess that means I will go tend to dinner!! Where is Mrs. Nezbit when I need her! Oh, which reminds me, I watched the Jamie Oliver show on Friday night and I have to say that lunch in general is just a sorry story.  The bagged lunches looked gross but so did his lunches.....yuck!!  I don't know what the answer is but frozen peas is not! So gross.  They should just make breakfast for lunch and call it a day.  

Alright, bye now.  Did you actually read this?  

If you are reading this sentence you did....why, thanks for sticking it out.  I am sort of bored, are you? You must be if you are still reading......really, you are helplessly bored aren't you??

Still reading?  Wow!!! Dude, we need to get moving along now don't we??

Okay, I am teasing.....must go now!! Ciao!

Mother's Day

 I am excited for Mother's Day!! Charlie tells me he has a song that he is going to sing to ME on Mother's Day!! I can't wait to hear it.....I think I may know the song....I have a vague memory of  a sweet song that Cara sang to me from Kindergarten but to hear it from Charlie who is rarely heard singing!??  My heart will burst!

I am hanging out right now....we just finished dinner...it is sooooo late for us!! We never eat this late.  

But we had a game and then back home so I could cook dinner and then now at 8 pm I am completely stuffed!!! It will be a late night....but unfortunately we have 2 early games tomorrow....8:15 and 8:30!!    :(

We have to split up for that.

Mannie is watching the Yankee game .....I mean the Angel game right now.  

The kids JUST came in the house for the night.  

Mrs. Nezbit may watch Jamie Oliver tonight but she really doesn't need his help ;)

Here a few pictures from the Yankee game (vs Angels) that we saw while in NY......my NY posts sort of fell off the planet....I wasn't done documenting my trip but I am sort of over reliving it.  But the rest of the trip was just as crazy and fun as the parts I shared. 
Yankee Stadium....the original stadium SLOWLY being demolished...
more....
More.....
more....
More.....
More Yankee stadium...
More.....the man in the upper left corner.....poor guy, just wanted to have a peaceful afternoon watching his Yank's play and he got stuck with us!!! Ha!!
More...

Well, I suppose I will head upstairs for bedtime! Actually, to watch t.v. or I guess I should read my book for the book club!!  Ha, ha....I have a feeling I will be madly reading the book a month from now.  

Oh well....have a great night! 

P.s.......we were the ONLY Angel fans in Yankee stadium!! I mean it! One other little boy....that was it.  A few choice words were thrown out to Mannie but not to me or the kids.        

Mrs. Nezbit Rocks!

 Well, day 2 of home(school)......today, we did a little math - multiplication and addition again.

Cara requested that today be "Bring your pet to school day!"  So, I said, "Sure, why not?"  So, Teddy, a kangaroo and a couple of birds joined us for school.  The kids presented their animals to the class.
 

The kids worked on their Bee reports too!  We hit the grocery store and had recess and then it was lunchtime!!! The best part of the day!!!
 

Charlie likes Mrs. Nezbit, they all do...but Charlie asked if we could have Mommy school with Mrs. Nezbit the lunchlady during the summer too!!  We have determined that Mrs. Nezbit is from England and thinks that animals on the lunch table is not appropriate!!!  She may be serving tea and crumpets next week. 
 

The kids gave their presentations to Daddy and now are playing in the backyard.
 

Miss Cam illustrated her Bee facts...
Cara's....
  

We have baseball tonight!  

I am wondering if the strike will continue next week too?  I am guessing not.  But if they do, I may have to get a little more serious about reviewing some important stuff with Cara since the state testing is coming up although technically I could care less what the score ends up being as long as I know she is at grade level but still, I want her to be prepared so she is not stressed out.  Cara gets very anxious about tests for many reasons but mostly because she has trouble staying focused.  

Well, that is all for today.  Looking forward to the weekend....have a good one.
 

Homeschool Day 1

Hello.....Mrs. Adams here.... ;)
 

The kids are out to recess!!  

We are having a fun little day at home(school).

The teachers are striking and we drove by and honked our horns in support as I was taking Cam to school.

Every school we drove by there were picketers.

Then back here I had a little time with Cara and Charlie to work on some stuff.

We worked on addition and multiplication....I also want to work on fractions after recess.

I want to also get back to just practicing (drilling) the facts...it is boring but much needed!!! 

The kids did a little writing activity about Earth Day.
 

The science table is about Bees so we will be doing a couple of activities on that.  I want to have Cara do a little report on bees.  I want to help her organize thoughts and show her how to pick out the facts from the book.  I know they have done this at school so it will be interesting to see what her process is. 

I set up the kitchen like a cafeteria....I think I got more of a kick out of it then they did....I was talking in a different voice and they were annoyed with me....I was Mrs. Nezbit....oh well.  I thought it would be fun since they have never actually bought lunch at school.   Jamie Oliver would not be thrilled with some of my lunchroom choices.....chicken nuggets??!!!!! well, sorry Jamie, that is one of their faves!!  But I did put out different choices and all this is based on whatever I had in my fridge....gotta work with what you've got.....on a Thursday afternoon, that is not alot!  
 

I am having fun though.  Charlie is a really fun student to have because he is a little worker....he just gobbles up anything you give him.  Cara is fun too but in a different way.  She gets distracted alot which I am used to so I am constantly refocusing...keeps me on my toes!!  That being said, it takes more time for her to finish work! So, it is fun to balance out the two levels and work habits!  Overall, fun to teach your own kids and I have to say, they are very well behaved students!!  No one has been sent to the "principal's office" yet (aka Mannie)....he is home today. 

Teaching is fun so if you think I am crazy for doing this, I am not, I just truly enjoy it!!  

Anyway, I am soooooooo excited because there is no softball practice today!! It has been cancelled due to the rain.  I am thrilled because that will give me lots more time to be "teacher"!!!

Well, I am off to dig thru my teaching boxes and see if I can find anything fun in there to work on! Then it is time to get the kids from recess ;)

Hope you are having a fun day!

Go Teachers!!!

Happy Birthday to Mikey!

 Hello Miss Mikey!! Happy bday!!  

I am a day early because it is almost 7 pm here on the West Coast on April 21st and Mannie is at the Angel game (if there is even a game, rainy right now) and the kids are watching t.v. and I am on the computer!!!  I have time on my hands because the kids won't be going to school tomorrow due to the teacher strike.....so, that means I don't have homework to deal with!!!!!!!!! Yaaaaaaaahhhhhhhoooooooo!!!

So, I was looking over photos of the trip and saw the pictures of us at the Yankee game!!! Us standing there at the end of the game listening to NY, NY blarring throughout the stadium and the tears start streaming down our cheeks.  :(  

( we had to say good bye at the Yankee game)

Saying good bye is hard.  You are such an awesome friend and I love and miss you always!!!

Hope you have a wonderful birthday!

And, on a different note, I have such a happy feeling in my heart today!!!  The kids had wonderful play dates and I am not sending them to school tomorrow....it is almost like summer and that makes me feel so content and happy!!  I am hoping the teachers get what they want because quite honestly.....

TEACHERS ROCK!!!!!!!  I am happy they are standing up for themselves!!!! These are the people who teach our children!!! They need money to live!!

 Hey Government!! PAY THEM MORE>>>>>>BAIL OUT THE SCHOOLS< FORGET ABOUT THE GREEDY BANKS AND WALL STREET!!!!!!!!!

GO TEACHERS!!!!!

I wish I was a billionaire, I would open up an awesome school somewhere! and I would give money to save this situation.

Well, I suppose I will go get the kids to take their showers and maybe read some books together all curled up in my bed!  Hope you have a nice night wherever you are!!!  

Day at the Museum

 I just heard our teachers are going to strike tomorrow....go teachers!!! I think I will keep the kids home as I hear there will be 1 teacher per 70 kids....I have I mentioned how much I dislike the "economy"???

Other than that it has been a busy week.....Cara had a softball game on Monday.....she has just 1 more game and then a playoff game or 2, not quite sure.  Then I had my bookclub last night.  It was really nice. Met lots of mom's from the area and they were really nice and included me in all the conversation....it was great so I officially joined and now I must start my first book.  A book called Brooklyn......quite fitting considering I was just there!!  We  meet once a month.

Today, I have Cami's parent teacher conference and then I have to clean, clean and clean and then we have 2 kiddos coming over to play!  Thursday is softball practice and Friday is a game for Charlie and then Saturday games for both.  It rained last night.  I loved hearing the rain as I was all cozy in my bed.

If I do keep the kids home I need to be ready for "Mommy School"......can I tell you how excited I will be for that???? So psyched.  But I am waiting to talk to Charlie's teacher to figure it all out....she always seems to be very informed on all the union stuff.  

Alright, well back to NY........(the never ending posts right??? Yes, well, honestly it was the never ending trip! In a good way for me though)

This day we checked out and then took the subway over to the Museum of Natural History area.  We went and got a bite to eat at a good restaurant called....
 

Then we explored the museum.....our exploring really revolved around the movie, Night at the Museum....we were on little missions to find various exhibits from the movie.  The exhibits are not the same but we found similiar things. 

Dum Dum....
 

Dexter....
 

Rexy......
 

Those were the biggies....

Speaking of biggies.....there is this....
 

and that....
 

No Teddy Roosevelt....he was a statue outside the museum 

Mr. Map.....he and Mannie are two peas in a pod.......

Lots of dead, stuffed animals.....my kids love that.....
   .

City stuff.....this reminded me of Seseame Street...
 

Pretty brownstones....
 

NYC produce/floral shopping....
 

Cool stuff.......

We hung out and then took the subway 
 back to the hotel to get our car and then drove back to mom's with one stop in White Plains for dinner.  

NYC Recap....day 8

Today was a Thursday......day 8 I believe.....
 

We woke and all ate breakfast.  We had a very busy day the day before so today we were going to be a little more mellow.

We decided to try out the subway with the kids.......LOVED IT!!!! 
  I hadn't taken a subway in a really long time and forgot how fast they feel like they are going!! It feels like the driver was driving like a maniac and of course the kids thought that was the best!!!! And when another train passes by you driving right next to you, it is the coolest thing.....it kind of reminds me of when Dorothy is in the house in the tornado and she looks out the window and everything is flying by her really slowly like the witch.....don't ask me why but that is what side by side subway trains remind me of!!

So, we headed back to Central Park because there was still sooooooo much to explore....
 .and more scavenger hunt goodies to cross off the list.....still didn't have the list but it was cool to sort of go from memory and have an idea of things to look for anyway.  

We found......H......Hans Christain Anderson....Ugly Duckling statue......
 .
 

A.....Alice in Wonderland statue.........
 

 we also rented a boat to row.....but again, only 4 can go on the boat....having a family of 5 is tricky sometimes......so Mannie rowed and I stood on the side taking pictures.  
 It was nice for me just sort of relaxing taking pictures and just chilling out.....Mannie likes that sort of thing so he enjoyed rowing them around exploring that way too!  The kids LOVED it too!!!
 

Then we got a bite to eat at the Central Park food stand area by the boat house. 

We walked around and then came across the Metropolitan Museum of Art so we decided since it was a hot day that we could use the bathrooms, check out some art and relax a little.  
 It was amazing to see the art there.....we saw real Van Gogh paintings...
 .and Monet......and Egyptian art....amazing!!  I love how they highlight architecture as art!! There is so much beautiful architecture out there, especially in the city! and  back to the Egyptian art.....Mummies!!!....the art exhibits are endless!! I have been to art museums in Europe but I don't remember seeing such grand exhibits...I am sure they have them just probably have forgotten.

We had fun but then we decided to head back to the hotel to rest a bit before dinner.....we took another subway. 

Dinner that night was at Carmines.....
 our favorite meal in the city!!! They serve family style.....we got a salad, chicken parm and spaghetti......SO GOOD!!  I LOVE ITALIAN food from  NY!!! LOVE, love ....love it!!!!  We waited for 45 minutes for a table!!! 

After, we walked around Times Square.....the lights are amazing!! !I LOVE TIMES SQUARE!!!! 
 I LOVE NY!!!! 
 I do, it is amazing....you must go if you have never been!  

That is all for that day!! 
 Good times for our family!!! 
 Will always remember.