Meal Plan for Jan 30-Feb 5 2011

Sunday
    Marinated Steak topped with sauteed onions
    Mashed Sweet Potatoes
    Corn

Monday
    Corned Beef-Crock pot with baby carrots
    Garlic Mashed Potatoes
    Salad

Tuesday
    Tacos
    Seasoned Rice
    Red Pepper Strips and Broccoli with Ranch Dressing

Wednesday
    Meatball Subs
    Apple Sauce
    Salad

Thursday
    Cheeseburgers
    French Fries
    Veggies (uncertain which kind yet)

Friday
    Chicken Fajitas
    Refried beans
    Corn

Saturday
    Homemade Pizza
    Salad
   
 

What's for Dinner tonight?

My family and I are continuously asking the age old question, "What's for dinner tonight?".  Unfortunately, there are many days where I'm scrambling to come up with something interesting and tasty.  I don't plan as well as I'd like to and that goes for grocery shopping too.
So, I'm determined to start planning ahead and sticking with it.  I've attempted this before but I've never stuck with it for longer than a few months and never consistently day in and day out.  That's about to change.  I have a new attitude.  I'm trying hard to find a job while the kids are in school and I can't just keep winging it.
First thing I did was call out to my Twitter friends for help.  I've got a few sites I'm going to start pursuing based on their input.  I've also found a few on my own.  I will share all the goodies I find.  Promise!  After that, I sat down with my family and asked for what they wanted to see on their dinner plate.  When all was said and done I have a list 38 main dishes and 19 side items.  I'm going to continue to add and tweak.  I'm also considering trying out theme days. 
Sunday-Sunday Dinner (roast/ham/turkey breast/roasted chicken/meatloaf/etc)...but this will have to wait until skating dies down some.
Monday-Leftovers (it's a hockey practice night until mid-March)
Tuesday-Mexican
Wednesday-Pasta/Italian
Thursday-Quick Meal (hamburgers/hot dogs/mac & cheese/etc)....another hockey nights
Friday-Chicken of some sort (We're big on chicken)
Saturday-Homemade pizza
So, this is my start and I'm happy with it.  I've got a huge list and can mix and match things.  I need to get a calender to write everything out. I'm also shopping smarter.  I sat down for a bit this morning and went through my meal plan and figured out what I needed from the store.  Then I added staple items and things for breakfast and lunches.  When I got home from the store I spent quite a while going through the freezer and fridge and reorganizing.  Thank goodness I did my pantry and cupboards last month.  Finally, I made a list of dinner items in the freezer. Main meal items like: chicken, steak, ham, etc.  I also have one shelf dedicated to quick, convenience type foods as my husband likes to sometimes just throw something quick together.  This will be great for weekends or when we have to change up the meal plan at the last minute because something came up.  This shelf has things like: meatballs, chicken patties, perogies and raviolis, along with meals prepared ahead and frozen.  I'm trying to stay away from convenience food and steer towards healthier options but these things will be there when we need them in a pinch.  They're good go toos on hockey/skating days.  I try to buy the healthiest choices I can.
Now all my lists are made and hanging on the freezer.  I want to laminate them I think or put them in clear folders.  That's my next step, along with the meal calendar.
I hope this is not only helpful to me but anyone reading this.  I'm open to ideas if you have any and I'm always looking for great recipes to try. 

Dish Disaster

Does your significant other ever offer to help you clear the table after you eat?  It's a rare treat in my house.  I like to grab the opportunity when its presented.  However, this is what I usually see when I return to the kitchen.  Most of the dishes are not rinsed off and just thrown haphazardly into a pile or into the sink.  This particular time I was told to leave the pots and pans and he'd take care of them.  Usually I clean them up before I sit down to eat.  This way they're done and I don't have to look at them afterwards.

 I came back into the kitchen and seen the above right before I was going to bed.  I couldn't sleep with it looking that way and I didn't have the energy to wash them.  Our dishwasher has been broke since May of 2009.  So, I spent 10 minutes rinsing and stacking them.  Look at how much nicer they look.  I still wasn't happy to see them the next morning but at least I didn't cry at the sight of them.

I swear my husband has multiple personalities

This morning:
Husband comes downstairs and sits down on the love seat.  I'm sitting on the other couch.  Five minutes later. DH: "Honey, why don't you want to sit with me?"  Me: "I'd love to sit with you.  Why didn't you just come over here and sit?"  He mutters something and  stays where he is. I just want to roll my eyes.  This can be an ongoing conversation some days.  After this, he goes out and warms up my van so he can take the kids to school.  He comes back in and sits back down on the love seat.  When he returns from school he once again sits on the love seat and complains how I never want to be next to him.  Get the picture?  Dramatic much? 
I've felt under the weather since the nasty virus ran through our house last week.  My sinuses have been so plugged that I've had a headache plus uncontrollable nasal gushing.  Sorry, TMI but had to be shared to make point.  He says he wants to spend time with me doing something today.  I'd love to, as we rarely get these days together but I don't want to go out anywhere.  I feel crappy and just want to relax at home.   He felt the same way last week when he was struck down with the virus.  I totally understood and waited on him hand and foot. He mutters some more.  Then he decides today is the day he must go to Radio Shack to see what they can do about my non-working e-reader.  I suck it up and offer to go with him.  In return I get, "No, it's ok.  Stay home.  I know you need to relax so you can feel better sooner."  What the heck?  I just got hell for that.  And he wasn't being sarcastic about it.  I don't get it.
Yesterday, he told me that he was going to do the laundry since it's been piling up from sick week and he didn't want me to have to worry about it.  He literally got one load into the wash.  It sat there for hours.  Then, since he was taking our daughter to skating he says to me...."Honey, I started the laundry, can you finish it up for me.  I know that will be easier than taking Little Bee to the rink."  Seriously?  Um, ok.
These are just a few examples of his "multiple" personalities.  I don't get it.  Love him to death, but will never figure out how  he thinks.
Does your man do this?  Please tell me I'm not alone or I may just think he really is crazy.

Take two steps back

My whole family is in various stages of sick.  All 5 of us, including my 16 year old stepdaughter who is only with us on the weekend.
It all started last Saturday night when hubby came home feeling off.  He langusihed on the couch all night and most of the next day.  Some how he dragged himself to my son's away game even though he was coughing and aching everywhere.  I would've taken him but I was obligated to taking our 6 year old daughter to the rink for her 2 lessons and competition practice.  I even offered to make a few calls and have another parent take him.  I would've just suggested he stay home but the team only has two goalies and the other goalie wasn't going.  We believe that our children need to commit to their sport and support their team unless they are sick or their grades are suffering.
Not only did hubby drive an hour to the game but then proceeded to coach one of the groups of kids.  My son's mites team is large and under USA Hockey they only play cross ice games so they split up into 2 teams and played what they call a "Jamboree" of games for 2 hours.  My husband froze on the ice cold bench.  The rink they were at was somehow colder than ours.  By Sunday night he had a fever and was miserable.  Of course, he still refused to closet himself in our bedroom for his health and ours.  He dragged himself to work at 4 a.m. on Monday and dragged himself back home at 2 (normally its 6).  He dozed off and on on the couch and actually agreed not to go into work on Tuesday.  Tuesday we were hit with a storm but he was able to get into the doctors early.  She said he has a very nasty, highly contagious virus.  She gave him Tamaflu which we couldn't get for 2 reasons....1) He told her it started Sunday when in fact it was Saturday.  Tamaflu is only effective when used within the first 48 hours and 2) Our insurance requires a deductable, so we have to pay the full cost of medication which is $90.  He did get a Zpac and another script that cost us $50. 
Now it's Thursday and he's back to work finally.  He's not 100% but he's getting there.  Unfortunately, the symptoms hit the rest of us Wednesday.  Well, I actually started feeling achy on tuesday night.  I got the call from school within an hour of it starting that DD6 had a temp of 102.  The para in my son's class happened to be in the nurses office and said that DS8 seemed off too.  So, we had him come down.  He didn't have a fever but he did look like he hadn't slept in days.
My poor daughter has had a fever ranging from as high as 103.1 to as low as 100.5 with pain reliever.  She also has an ear ache.  Both kids have a sporadic cough.  Unfortunately, I ache everywhere so I can barely get up and down the stairs.  I'm hoping everything is better in the morning because we are getting another storm tonight and I fear even if I feel better I won't be able to get them to the doctor.
My stepdaughter was over this weekend and she's got it too.  A headache, body aches and a low grade fever.  We're all miserable.  And she put it so eloquently on Facebook...My whole family is sick because my daddy likes to share.  I love that girl and her sense of humor!
So, before you get to close to any of us.....remember to take two steps back!  Otherwise we will show you that sharing is caring.

Laundry Mayhem....What will I find today?

Like most people, I'm not a fan of laundry.  Honestly, I try to avoid it as long as I can.  I usually do it once the laundry bins in our rooms are full.  Hubby tries to be helpful and does it some Sundays when he's off.  Warning the term "helpful" is somewhat deceiving.  As I have neck problems he will carry the basket from upstairs to the basement.  Only our(mineand his) laundry most of the time.  I guess he feels that the kids dirty clothes either don't exist in his world or they're not his territory.  I've given up trying to figure his "reasoning" out. Anyways, he'll bring the overflowing basket down and cram as much as he can into the washer.  It usually ends up being 2 or 3 loads.  After it's sat for a good few hours in the wash he'll wander downstairs and move it to the dryer.  Then he'll toss it willy nilly into the basket and bring it to the living room.  He does not empty the lint filter.  EVER.  And there his job is done.  In his mind he has "done" the laundry.  He doesn't fold it or put it away.  I am lucky that if I ask him (numerous times) to bring the heavy basket upstairs he'll do it.  At this point it is bedtime.  Are most husbands wired to "do the laundry" this way?  I do remind myself to be grateful that he does even part of it.  Something is always better than nothing.
He's been sick since Saturday night and our laundry basket is overflowing.  All the pants I like to wear are dirty.  Almost all my socks are gone.  I very carefully dragged the basket across the floor and banged it down the stairs to the first floor.  Then I proceed to separate my clothes from his since I refuse to wear anymore of the pants I hate.  Maybe I'll willing wear them once I drop 10 lbs, but that's another story. 
It's so much fun sorting the laundry because his clothes are always tucked inside themselves and balled up. I actually found two sets of socks that were doubled up.  All waded up.  That would have been a nasty undried mess coming out of the dryer.  Also, I have to check all his pockets because there's always something in them.  I could be rich with all the coin he leaves behind in them. Today I found money and lip balm. This isn't bad.  I've found a whole pocketful of coins before, chapstick, receipts, paperwork, business cards, pens, a parking ticket, candy bar.  You get the picture...
When does it stop...the looking in other peoples clothes before you wash them?  I understand the kids, but why an adult?  But after the crayon incident, I try to check them.  Most of the time I just pat them down orquickly and send a quick prayer.
I carried my clothes down to the basement and now they are happily washing away.  Most of our bedding is in the dryer.  I am trying to de-germ it.  Hubby is curled up in the center of our bed with a comforter that I will wash once he gets up and I put the fresh sheets and blankets back on the bed.  Once he's fully better I will repeat the process.  Since I'm a wonderful wife, I'll wash, dry and fold his clothes next.

Huh? Huh? What?!

My son, Jacob, is 8.  He has minor hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).  It's been a long road to get him diagnosed and we're still not finished.  Here's his story.
He was a cute and happy baby.  As a toddler his speech came slowly but not noticeably slow.  As a mom, I worried because while he was talking he wasn't following the typical "two word sentences at two" and "three word sentences at three" sentences.  It also seemed like if he couldn't see your face then he was less likely to hear or understand what you were saying.
He started preschool at three and in January during parent/teacher "conferences" the lead prek teacher let me know that she too felt that he was having some hearing issues.  She said that when she spoke to him ,many times he did not respond unless she got down at his level where he could see her speaking.  She believe he was reading lips.  My mother and I were thinking the same thing at that point.  While he did well in class, he did have trouble at times getting along with the other kids because he couldn't always understand what they were saying to him.  At that point, I wish the teacher had given me guidance on what I could do.  To this day I'm upset that I didn't have the information then that I have now.  He could have had speech intervention and such before starting elementary school.
He had his first (double) ear infection that spring (2006) and that started the ball rolling.  Unfortunately, has rolled very slowly.  He didn't get enough infections to qualify to have tubes but we noticed things still weren't right.  Ironically, even after I told the elementary school, he passed their hearing screening for kindergarten.  I still don't understand how and am baffled.  Thank God for a speech teacher that heard him talking in the hallway because she heard his speech problem and pulled his teacher aside to discuss it.  I had spoken to his teachers and they were aware of his situation.  Both his teachers were understanding and vigilant.  It helped that one teacher had a special ed background and had a nephew with hearing loss.  The other had a grandchild that was deaf.  So, the teacher promptly called me and we discussed him going into speech.  I was ecstatic.  The speech teacher took it upon herself to get him into the program without an IEP.  She had a spot and insisted that he be put into it.    I will always be grateful to her. 
By that point we had found an ENT that was tracking the fluid in Jacob's ears.  It was determined that his hearing was being effected by the fluid never draining and becoming stagnant.  This took 6 months of documentation so that the insurance company would authorize the surgery.  He had his first one in January 2008.  He had his adenoids removed and tubes put in.  He had a second surgery in April 2009 to replace the tubes.  Finally, in July 2010 the tubes were removed.
During all this he was being tested by an audiologist at the ENT's office.  The results always showed minor hearing loss.  Armed with this evidence I was able to secure an IEP for Jacob in Jan. 2009.  I needed it for him to continue speech and get preferential seating and such in the classroom.  The start of first grade was a nightmare because he didn't have either.  I feel that first grade was a year of fighting for him, especially since he was in a classroom where the teacher had no real control of her students.  It was a very rough year and he lost a lot when it came to reading, spelling, comprehension and overall behavior.  To this day, I believe it effects him.  I wish we could do that year over, especially with another teacher.
The IEP has definitely helped.   I send in a personal note to the teacher(s) at the beginning of each year and we discuss details at parent/teachers conferences.  Last year we changed audiologists because we needed more detailed reports and information for our CSE (Committee for Special Education) meetings.  With her help and that of a friend with special needs children I was able to get the school district to pay for auditory processing testing.  Unfortunately, we had to go this route because our insurance does not cover these tests. The testing has pinpointed exactly where his hearing loss is and that he also has tinnitus.  We can not confirm auditory processing because of the hearing loss but signs of it are there.  The audiologist said my son was the hardest patient she has ever tested in her 20+ years of experience.  Many times he would test false/positive.  The testing took 4 sessions because of this.
The good news, is that he is finally authorized for an FM unit.  This device brings the teachers voice closer to him.  She wears a small mic and he has a small wireless ear bud (similar to a hearing aid).  The districts Hearing Impaired Teacher set him up with it last week.  Unfortunately, for some reason, his teachers have yet to start using it.  So, I emailed her and she will be in his classroom today.  Hopefully, that will be resolved.
Our new fight now is hearing aids.  The audiologist said that she would not necessarily aid everyone with his range of hearing loss but because of the tinnitus and his attention span she wants to test it.  Most insurance companies cover up to fifty percent of hearing aids.  Ours does not cover anything.  The aids cost approximately $4,000.  We don't have that kind of money., especially since I am out of work.  I ache inside that we can't buy them and I feel like a horrible mother.  The audiologist mentioning the possibility of renting some from her to see if they help and that's the route we may take.  If they work, we still have to figure out the financials.  This is a tough situation and we want to do what's best for our son, while keeping our family afloat financially.  I don't envy any parent in this situation.
The hardest thing, besides the obvious, is that his hearing loss or speech problems are not noticeable.  Many people would never realize it unless they were told.  He is one of those children that can easily fall through the cracks of the educational system if we don't advocate for him.  Winter seems to be his enemy and there are many days, like today, where he is constantly saying, "Huh?  Huh?  What!".  I have to remember, as do his teachers, that as frustrating as these moments are for us, it is worse for him.  The same goes with his schooling.  Math comes easy to him, if it doesn't include word problems.  And reading and spelling can be a nightmare.  This is all because he does not hear words, especially word endings, properly.  He has to work harder than many of his classmates.  He doesn't want to and let's be honest, what kid wants to put in extra time with school work.
So, our battle (his and ours) rages on.

Quick yummy treats

I wanted to share a couple easy cookie/bar recipes that my family loves.  Both take barely anytime to put together and the results are yummy.  The first recipe is my version of a S'mores bar.  I made these the first time for my annual cookie party last Christmas.  My mommy friends inhaled them and I had several requests for the recipe.  The second recipe is one I tried and tweaked a bit.  I love lemon cookies and lemon bars but sometimes don't have the time or all the necessary ingredients on hand.  This recipe is almost as easy as one of those packaged cookie mixes.
I hope you enjoy them as much as my family did.  Happy baking!

S'mores Bars

Ingredients:
3/4 cup margarine

3 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup peanut butter chips

1 cup Heath toffee chips

1 cup mini marshmallows

1 (14 ounce) can condensed milk


Directions:

Prep Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 35 mins

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. In  13 x 9 pan combine margarine with graham cracker crumbs and press into bottom of pan to form even crust.
3. Evenly sprinkle chocolate, peanut butter and toffee chips over crust.
4. Repeat with marshmallows.
5. Drizzle condensed milk over everything.
6. Bake 25 minuters or untill bubbly.
 
Easy Lemon Cookies
 
Ingredients:


1 (18.25 ounce) package lemon cake mix

2 eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 Tablespoon  lemon juice

1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2.Pour cake mix into a large bowl. Stir in eggs, oil, and lemon juice until well blended. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.

3.Bake for 11 to 13 minutes in the preheated oven. The bottoms will be light brown, and the insides chewy.

4. Remove from oven and sift confectioners sugar over cookies while still hot.

***If you find the dough too sticky just put in  fridge for 30 minutes.
***You can add more or less lemon juice to taste and add lemon zest to make it pop.
***If you don't have lemon juice, lemon extract can be substituted.

My little hypochondriac

"Mommy, look at this."  My daughter says pointing to a small, indistinguishable spot on her arm.  "And this too, Mom." Its a nickle size bruise on her leg.   "Oh no," I say.  "I guess we either have to go to the doctor or cut it off."  This has become our normal banter over the 6 short years she's been alive.  This is my hypochondriac daughter.  She's cute and funny, when she's not being serious.
I swear, when I hurt my shoulder last year she walked around for weeks complaining that her shoulder hurt too.  I think sometimes it's her empathetic side.  She feels deeply for those that are hurt in anyway whether it's a small or big boo boo.
Right now, she lays next to me and this is her list of complaints in a matter of minutes....
***small scratch on left foot
***a nick on her toe where the nail on the toe next to it got too close and gave it a little slice
***And her underarm on her left side is itchy (dear son had an allergic rash last week). 
I shake my head and smile.  "You'll be okay baby.  I think it's time to lay down and relax.  You're just getting sleepy."
Hoping this is one thing she'll outgrow soon.  It's gotta be tough going through life looking for tiny boo boos and thinking you're sick or got some deadly ailment.  But for now it's cute.  I rub her head, give her boo boos a kiss and tell her everything will be better in the morning.

The Best (step)Daughter

I hear giggles and laughter, lots of questions and patient answers  My heart lifts and I smile.  I am truly blessed.  The patient voice belongs to my wonderful 16 year old (step)daughter.
Kay has been in my life since she was 6 and she is very much my first child, even if I only have the honor of her company every other weekend.  She is sweet and fun loving.  She is quick witted and good at making people laugh.  She has many of the qualities that first attracted me to my husband.  And to top it off, she is the best big sister.  We don't, and will never, use the label half siblings/half brother/half sister.  No way, no how. They are siblings, sisters and brother and they act exactly that way.  They love, laugh and argue as siblings do.  There is no hesitation or limit on their love and for that I feel blessed and thankful.  It means that we have a true family that is not going through the motions of acting like one and that Kay does not feel like an outsider looking in.  I hear that many children who's parents have remarried and have had other children feel this way.
Kay makes me feel like a (second) mother to her.  I feel honored and privileged.  I still remember the first time I met her.  It was spring time and we drove 6 hours from where we were living at the time to spend the weekend together.  We met her mom in the parking lot of Burger King for the swap.  It was all very cordial and I was nervous as hell, to be quite honest. We went out roller skating and ate dinner before settling down for the night at a local hotel.  We had gotten 2 queen beds. Kay and I were to each have a bed and hubby was going to take the floor so she wouldn't be uncomfortable.  She said, "It's okay daddy.  I don't mind sharing a bed with Bee."  My heart melted and my nerves disappeared.  My biggest dream was that we would connect.  I couldn't imagine marrying her daddy if we didn't.  I didn't feel it would be fair to any of us.  With those simple words, I knew we all had a bright future together.
Her mom gave me the greatest gift a fellow mom could give.  She gave me her support.  She told Kay from the beginning that she was to listen and respect me as if I were her (mom).  Looking back, now that I have kids of my own, I am amazed and humbled by her words.  She called me and told me this herself one day so I knew where she felt I stood in her daughter's life.  I've always felt touched and honored.  I am also grateful because it helped solidify the foundation of mine and Kay's relationship.  I can honestly say, I don't know if I could ever tell my children what she told Kay.  Just this summer Kay and I sat outside late one night chatting on the back deck.  We talked about boys and troubled friendships and she sought my advice.  She told me she appreciates my advice, feedback and opinions.  I feel so honored.  Not many teens will say that to an adult, let alone a stepparent. I am proud that she can talk to both me and her mom.  We give her support in different areas of her life.  It's like we balance each other out. 
As a sister she is always one to get down on the floor and play.  She'll play dolls, pet shops, Wii, cars and board games.  She'll hang out and watch movies with them.  So far today she has watched Despicable Me twice and America's Funniest Home Videos.  When they were babies she helped feed them, dress them and change their stinky diapers. All this because she wants to be involved and enjoys being an older sister.  Not because it's expected of her. She is a treasure even when the kids are arguing and vying for her attention.  Because of them, she has told me she will wait to have sex.  They are great birth control, especially when my DD cried constantly the first year of her life or when they fight like siblings often do.  She knows that she is not ready to be a mother.  She understands that having a child is a lifetime commitment.
I am truly best to have such a wonderful (step)daughter. She is not perfect.  She's a teenager.  Sometimes she's selfish and puts friends before family.  She struggles in school and sometimes does not make the best choices in friends.  She's human and that's what  I love about her.  I am going to tell her that, once the kids go to bed for the night and we have our time where we just chill and relax together.  And my hubby wonders why I get sad when she can't be here or has to cancel because something comes up.  She's my daughter.  In every sense of the word. 
I love you Kay, you are my first child.  Always...

Great Website for kids k-3

My oldest is in third grade and my youngest in first, so I thought I'd make a list of some great websites for children.  Some of these are personal favorites and others are recommended by my children's teachers past and present.  Happy fun!

SpellingCity http://www.spellingcity.com
 ***This site is a personal favorite of mine.  Teachers or parents can input spelling (and now vocabulary too!) lists.    There are even pre-made lists including: Sight words, Colors, Homophones, Compound words, SAT words, etc.  Children have the option of spelling test, vocab test, teach me or play games.  In the Teach Me spelling portion they will say the word, spell it and use it in a sentence.  Games/activities include: Hangmouse, Word Search and Unscramble.  My son has tested higher on his spelling tests after using this website.  It makes learning more interactive and fun for him.  I highly recommend it!

Berenstain Bears http://www.berenstainbears.com/

Between the Lions http://pbskids.org/lions/stories/

Arthur http://pbskids.org/arthur/

Clifford http://pbskids.org/clifford

Book Pals http://www.storylineonline.net/

Book Adventure Book Adventure is a reading motivation program for children in grades K-8. Children create their own book lists from over 6,000 recommended titles, take multiple choice quizzes on the books they've read offline, and earn points and prizes for their literary successes. K-8
http://bookadventure.org/

Children's Storybooks Online http://www.magickeys.com/books/

Factfinder Kids' Corner http://factfinder.census.gov/home/en/kids/kids.html

Interactive Math Activities http://www.globalclassroom.org/authors/florida/math/interactive.html

Cool Science for Curious Kids http://www.hhmi.org/coolscience/

Harcourt Math Glossary http://www.harcourtschool.com/glossary/math2/index_temp.html

Math Playground http://www.mathplayground.com/   ***Another favorite of my kids

Fun Brain http://www.funbrain.com   ***Another favorite

Star Fall http://www.starfall.com  ***Great site

Discovery Channel http://kids.discovery.com/

National Geographic for Kids http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

Primary Games http://www.primarygames.com

First Grade Skill Builders This site gives you different interactive sites for all subjects and is targeted for first grade.  http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skills_1st.htm


Timed Multiplication, Division, Subtraction, Addition http://www.mhschool.com/math/2003/student/factdash/popup.html

Addition, Subtraction and Multiplication Flashcards  http://www.aplusmath.com

Tangrams http://pbskids.org./sagwa/games/tangrams  
                 http ://pbskids.org/cyberchase/games/area/area.html

Area and Perimeter http://www.mathplayground.com/geometryMovie.html

Math and Reading Help http://math-and-reading-help-for-kids.org/index.html

Friendly Letter Generator http://readwritethink.org/materials/letter_generator/

These are just a few great sites that are both educational and fun for elementary school children.  Children learn better when it's fun.  It's as easy as that!  I hope you and your child(ren) will enjoy these and pass them on to other parents/teachers.  If you have any recommendations please let me know and I'll add them! 

A little about Me...the Basics

I started this blog about 9 months ago and haven't kept up with it like I should.  I love to write and once upon a time wanted to be an author or journalist.  A demanding job and family will put you on a different course.  No complaints there.  But, I did (and do) want to get back to writing for enjoyment.  I want to share my days as a wife, mother, daughter, etc.  Writing and sharing helps me get my thoughts in order and work things out.  Hopefully you will laugh, cry and commiserate with me.  I don't live a perfect life.  I am not a perfect mom, wife or daughter.  I can be selfish, argumentative, stubborn and mean. I can be blunt and don't always sugar coat things.  But, I'm also happy, supportive, funloving, and proud of who I am.  Us moms, no matter how different we are, need to stick together.  There's no actually manual to being a mother, wife or daughter....it's on the job training without combat pay.  So dive in.  There's no time like the present!

A little about the life I juggle:

1.  I'm 36 years old
2.  Married 8 yrs/together 10 yrs
3.  I have a wonderful 16 yr old stepdaughter who joined my life when she was 6.  I refer to her as SD or SD16.  She stays with us Saturday to Sunday every other week.  Sometimes we see her more and I get giddy inside when that happens.  I feel priviledged that she still comes and devasted when she can't make it. She loves her brother and sister and is an awesome big sister.  I'm proud to call her daughter!  She loves to dance, gossip, and text (ALL day long!!).
4.  My son is 8.  He's DS or DS8.  He's in 3rd grade and is constantly getting in trouble for talking and not staying focused.  He is the bain of my existance some days and I love him to pieces!  He also has minor hearing issues that we still haven't fully resolved.  He gets speech and reading help at school and an ELA tutor outside school once a week.  He's been skating since he was 5.  Playing hockey since he was 5 1/2 and goalie for 2 years.  He's a natural, many people tell them this.  I think he feels pressue from the expectations at times so I remind him to just have fun!  He loves HOCKEY, goalies and the NJ Devils.
5.  My daughter is 6.  I call her DD or DD6.  She is in 1st grade and a cute handful.  She has many friends and the boys are wrapped around her tiny finger.  She is a fast learner and I always worry she is going to surpass DS8 and it will wreck his self confidence.  She's a firecracker and will speak her mind.  I don't think I'll have to worry about her being bullied.  She has been skating since she was 5.  After a year and a half she is at Basic Level 6.  She will be in her first skating competition next month.  She loves school, homework, Webkins and Littlest Pet Shops.
6.  I have been out of work since Oct 2009.  I reinjured (original injury March 2006)  myself at my job and was told to take leave until my doctor cleared me to go back to work.  It's been an uphill battle since then.  I have pains in my neck and shoulder plus a previous back injury to boot (also on the job).  I received a notice just the other day by comp that their doctor says I am fine and should go back to work with no restrictions.  2 problems...my company released me in November and my doctors don't feel I'm ready to go back to full duty until I complete another series of PT that comp won't authorize and a work conditioning program.  So, I live in fear of what is going to happen to my income.  I've been trying to find a job since some work restrictions were lifted back in Jan 2010 and still have yet to find anything.  It's so disheartening and scary.  I live with constant fear that everything is going to tumble down around us.

***So this is a little about me and who I am.  Follow my blog to get a better insight and feel free to offer support, advice and words of encouragement.

My son...the itchy blob

On New Year's Eve my son told me his feet were itchy.  He plays hockey so I figured that maybe he got athlete's foot from his sweaty skates.  I had him wash  his feet with warm, soapy water.  It seemed to work and all was fine.  Later in the evening he mentioned that his wrist and arm were a bit itchy too.  I had him shower.  It seemed to help but he was cranky the rest of the night.
The next morning he woke up itching again.  So, I told him shower again, in what was supposed to be warm water (told me later he had it on hot...but didn't seem to effect outcome).  I couldn't figure out what he was coming in contact with that was making his body react this way.  I had him slather lotion all over and I found some athletes foot cream lost in the top of the closet.  That seemed to do the trick.  The weather's been crazy here...blizzarding one day and temps in the 50's days later.  It's killer on skin.
Too bad that it was suddenly obvious at 5:45 that things hadn't truly cleared up.  His face was swollen, red and blotchy. A check of his back and neck revealed the same thing.  I've had this happen to me before and never pinpointed what caused it because it would clear up before I could see a doctor.  I just found out a few years ago I have eczema, so maybe those symptoms were a precursor to it.  I'll never know.
Knowing that it was a holiday I decided to call the Urgent Care Centers in the area rather than wasting time driving him to places that were closed.  No one answered and only one had a message for callers.  It seems they all closed by 3pm.  Grrrrr!!!  Taking him to the ER wouldn't have been cost effective and we would've been there for hours on end.  His symptoms weren't life threatening and I'd honestly prefer to take him to the pediatrician.  So, we stayed home.
I wish it would have been as easy as slathering cortisone cream all over him.  But, there's no way I could put it over his whole body.  So, I turned to my friends.  Totally forgot about Benadryl and Oatmeal baths.  I should know this since I have eczema. Maybe I forgot because I only use prescription cortisone cream, sparingly.  He took the Benadryl last night and it helped curb the urge to scratch, though the blotches didn't clear up all the way. 
He looked much better this morning.  The blotches are no longer on the surface of his skin but I can see the remnants of it underneath.  If that makes sense.  So, I gave him more Benadryl and had him take an oatmeal bath.  I'll give him more Benadryl before bed.  I'm hoping it'll finish clearing it up by morning.  If it's not gone I'll be driving him to the doctor after dropping his sister off at school.
He's at hockey now so he'll be taking a warm shower when he gets home and we'll slather moisturizer all over.  Praying that morning brings normality!  I'm very thankful for my friends for their help!

I don't do Resolutions

I don't do resolutions because I feel like it sets me up for failure.  Too much performance pressure!  However, I do believe it making a decision to attempt to make lifestyle changes small steps at a time.
My biggest area of opportunity is patience with my family.  I don't have nearly enough of it.  And I think it rubs off on my children because they don't have patience with me or each other. 
Not quite sure how to accomplish this yet. I'm going to try to stop and breath before I open my mouth or react.  I'm going to try to walk away when I can.  I was a much a much calmer level headed person before my youngest was born.  I'm truly unhappy with how I automatically react to stressful situations at home.  My heart races and I automatically get annoyed, like someone is intentionally trying to push my buttons and irritate me.  And who knows, maybe sometimes they are.  But, I am in control of myself and how I choose to react. 
So, change starts slowly, one step at a time tomorrow.  Breathe...1,2,3...  Wish me luck.  I can use all the support I can to help me be a better person and mom!
(Good thing I'm starting tomorrow because the kids are arguing and my 8 yr old is grumpy and overtired...thank goodness midnight is only an hour and 6 minutes away!)

Holding my family closer this Christmas

The kids went to bed last night excited for Christmas Day.  Our plans were to go to my parents house and open presents in the morning and then have the kids open ours when my husband got home from work in the afternoon.  Santa is making a special delivery tomorrow (Sunday the 26th) with his gifts.
I awoke a little after 6:15 a.m. to the sound of the town's fire alarm going off constantly like it was stuck.  And then the sounds of sirens for at least 15 minutes straight followed by about a 15 minute break and then another string of sirens.  I just knew it was something horribly bad.  I also knew that it was someone I knew.  I live in a small town and am active in the school/PTO. 
By 9 a.m. I found out it was in fact someone who worked in the school and was a part of my daughter's girl scout troop.  I am thankful that she, her husband and 2 children (7,10) made it out.  They lost everything but the clothes on their back, including pets.  I don't know her too well but she is always nice to me and my daughter.  My heart broke when I heard the news.  I walked around for hours in a daze needing to help in some way.  I always feel things strongly and it was even harder knowing the family effected.  I soon found where they were accepting donations and the sizes of the children.  I sat my daughter down and calmly explained what had happened and that her friend (not a close one, but a friend all the same) was ok but that her family house was gone along with all of her clothes, toys and Christmas presents.  I debated long and hard about if I should tell her and what details I should give her.  It was a given that she would learn in a little over a week what had happened, so I decided to let her know so she wouldn't be surprised at school with it. 
My daughter made me so proud!  It took her a moment to truly grasp the details.  As soon as she did, she offered me lots of her toys some new and some old but in good condition.  I think she would've given away almost everything if I had let her.  My precious baby girl with a heart of gold.  In the end, we had a huge bag filled with at least 8 pairs of pants, a dozen long sleeve shirts, hair accessories, gloves, winter hat and toys.  A friend of ours was heading to the fire department with a donation of her own, so I gave her ours to take too.  She told me that the community had already rallied in a matter of hours and things were pouring in.  Hopefully within the next days we'll get more details concerning shoes, coats, food, etc.  I want to get together another care package and bring it over.  My heart goes out to the family and I just want to sob my eyes out whenever I think about it.  It's been hard to put it to the back of my mind.
Today, I hold my family a little tighter and take more time to appreciate the small things.  Also, going to review our fire plan with the family again and maybe install a smoke detector in our basement.  I never thought of that until a friend of mine mentioned how her dryer almost caught on fire when she was younger and the smoke detector is what saved them from harm.  Never even thought of that.  I hear in this case, the fire started outside, possibly with the lights and came in through the walls.  There was no warning for them.  Thank God that they got out alive.  It truly was a Christmas Miracle.  Please keep them in your prayers.

Holiday Ice Show

My kids skated in their ice rinks annual holiday show last night.  I was so nervous for my daughter because it was her first and she tends to be shy about performing in front of people.
She got a nice surprise from my stepdaughter.  She bought her a cute little purse and a wallet and gave her some makeup to wear during the show.  Bless my SD because she is so good with the kids and my heart melted when she presented DD with these gifts.  She helped DD shower and get ready.  DS is an old pro at this so he was dressed and ready hours before hand.  It's easy when you're a hockey player.  They put on their favorite jersey, helmet and skates and their good to go.
DS skated with some of his fellow teammates to the song Shout and Bad to the Bone.  It was great! Some of it was choreographed and the rest was a mini game with Santa.  Too cute.  I loved the part at the end where they were jamming with Santa.  It had the audience laughing!
DD skated two numbers...one right after the other.  She nailed it!  I was so happy for her.  She overcame her stage fright.  She told me she wasn't really even that nervous.  Now she's looking forward to signing up to do a skating competition.  I figure, if she can get through a holiday show with a bigger audience than what the competition brings in then she's good to go. 
And....to top the night off DD lost her first tooth while we were out for pizza after the show!  Yippee!!!  That tooth has been loose for at least 6 weeks now.  One of her skating coaches told her not to loose it on the ice or the Zamboni would eat it up and then the tooth fairy would give it the money.  That made me laugh so hard!  I tell you though, it kept DD from playing with it during the show because we were so worried she would actually loose it while she was skating!  The tooth fairy was very generous since it was her first tooth and gave her $10.

Awesome Compliment

I just had to share because I'm bursting with pride!  My son has been playing hockey for about 2 1/2 years.  He started playing goalie about a year and a half ago.  He's honestly a natural.  No bragging on my part, it's just true.  After my son's Mite game on Saturday I had a fellow hockey mom come up to me and ask me about him while we were in the locker room unchanging.  She asked how long he'd been playing and I told her.  She said she was amazed by him and that he was so talented.  She told us that she looks forward to watching him play every week.  Is that amazing or what?!  I told him that his goal is to be play in the NHL and her reply was...you can tell he wants it by how hard he plays.  Wow! I'm so proud of him! 

First Sleepover at our house!

For most little girls one of the most dreamed about thing is sleepovers and slumber parties!  My DD6 had her first sleep over at a friends back in early October and since has 2 more since. However, until this weekend we have yet to have a girlfriend sleep over our house.  There's one little girl we've been planning for (DDs BFF) but it's yet to happen because her daddy is still nervous about her sleeping over at other people's houses.  I totally get that.  So, it was quite unexpected when we had an impromptu sleepover Friday.
DD had a new friend over for a play date after school.  This turned into dinner and a sleepover.  I have to admit, we were both super excited!  Everything went great. 
The girls played baby dolls and did a lot of singing and dancing.  It seems very few girls play with baby dolls anymore.  I was so glad to discover the girl down the street liked them too when I was talking to her mom earlier in the week!  We ate brownies, had hot chocolate and watched bits and pieces of Christmas shows/movies.  The girls could settle on exactly what they wanted to watch.  It was so much fun to watch them enjoying themselves.
Poor DS8 is having a little trouble with everything because DD new friend is a girl his age that he's known since they were in kindergarten together.  Hopefully he'll move past this.  I'm trying to get him to understand that while him and this girl have been friendly, they've never really hung out before and DD is not stealing her. 
The girls were great about going upstairs around 9:30 and playing quietly.  I blew up the twin air mattress and they argued good naturedly about which one would sleep on it.  Funny thing is, they both wanted the bed before I blew up the mattress and then they changed their mind afterwards.  Silly girls!  The lights went out by 10:30 since we had to be up by 7:30 for DS hockey game.  They did great and were asleep by 11. 
What a truly wonderful night.  I'm looking forward to the next one!  I have a feeling it may become a weekly (or bi-weekly) event between the two houses.
Yeah for new friendships!!

It could have been very traumantic

Yesterday my daughter had a bad experience at school.  It could have been very traumatic.  However, it was handled just the right way by her para, teachers and principal.  I'm so thankful.
Here's what happened....
I'm attempting a small nap before I have to be at the school for parent buddy reading for my son's class.  It's a little after 1:30 and my phone rings.  I almost ignored it but a quick glance told me it was the school calling.  My first thought was that it was the nurse calling...I seem to here from her a few times a month.  So upon picking it up and readied to hear about something that happened in gym class or recess and wondering which child it happened to this time.  Boy was I wrong.  It took me a moment to realize I was not speaking to the nurse but to the principal.  That cleared the cobwebs really quick.  Sad, isn't it that I don't worry so much about the nurse's calls.  It's always a minor bump, tummy or ear ache that can be handled rather easily and as I've said, those calls have become almost common place.  But no, it was the principal and I was instantly alert and assuming it had to do with my son.  Not because he's a bad boy but because he's older and more likely to get in some kind of minor trouble, not that he's ever been to the Principal's office before.  He knows that would be the end of his life as he knows it.  No the call was about my daughter....feisty, sweet, delicate DD. 
This information made me even more alert, if possible.  She told me that she wanted to let me know about a situation that happened during lunch.  One of her male classmates crawled under the table and grabbed her private area.  The child was dealt with by the principal.  She said she spoke with my DD and she is okay.  She had the para bring her into her office and sit with her while she talked with her.  She wanted to make sure she was alright and not traumatized.  Her feeling was that she was initially traumatized by the fact that she had to go to the Principal's office to speak with her.  She was so scared that she was in trouble.  The principal did a good job in letting her know that she didn't do anything wrong and that she was concerned about what happened.  We both agreed she should stay in school so that she could go about her normal routine, especially since she seemed okay.
I picked her up less than 2 hours later and she seemed fine.  We waited to talk about it until my son was up in his room doing his homework.  I felt it would be more comfortable for her to talk about it with me in private.  So, we snuggled up on the couch and had a chat.  She told me she didn't know why he went under the table and did it.  She said he squeezed her hard and it hurt so she started crying.  She said he also did it to the boy next to her but not so hard and he didn't say anything.  Her para came over to find out what was wrong when she saw her crying.  She handled it so good.  I think what hurt her most is that it was one of her friends that did it.  This boy has had a crush on her since at least January and for a while she had a crush on him too.  They still make each other cute pictures and play together while we wait for my son to get out of class (they release the kg kids first at a different door).  I think she's confused on why he would do that to her and I have a feeling she's going to ask him why point blank today.  She's that kind of girl.  I think it would've been a lot more traumatic if it had been someone who wasn't a friend and if the para and principal had handled it differently.  I'm so thankful.
I waited until after the kids had gone to bed to tell my husband about it.  I was so worried he'd freak out.  I'm still amazed at how calm he was.  He put it in perspective and understood it was an immature 5 year old that was dealt with afterwards.  So, hopefully this is the end of that and life moves on easily.  I'm glad we've had the no touching talk with our children and they understand that no one can touch them their and they need to tell someone. It was all handled well.

My Savy Shopper

I have to say that my little 5 year is becoming a very discriminte and savy shopper.  Take today's shopping trip for sneakers.  She knew right away that she did not want go to just one store and did not want to buy the first pair of shoes she liked.  Whoa!  Good for her.  Most kids want instant gratification and pick the first thing they like without thinking too much about their choices. 
She knew that these sneakers were replacing her everyday ones.  She commented to me that she needed to pick the right one.  I was amazed when she told me they had to hold up to her playing in them all day and running around during gym and recess.  She wanted them to look good even if they were a few months old. 
We looked in two stores and at least 2 dozen sneakers before deciding.  She chose the first store we went to and told me she was not getting white ones even though some were so cute because she knew they would look dirty and old within a few days.  Good thought.  I was more than happy to support that decision.  I was also proud that she made her choice based on look, durability and comfort.  She liked a pair of Wizards ones but decided against them because one of her girlfriends had it.  At first, she was like, I want the same ones but after careful thought she went for something different.  She wanted to be unique.  I love it!
That's my girl!