Learning to use a nail and hammer

The girls made leaf presses at Home Depot today as a Brownie function. Then they gave three bags of toys each to Goodwill to earn a patch. I was proud of them. It wasn't easy giving up some of their toys but they did it willingly. They still enjoy Scouts and I'm glad.

Jay stayed and helped all the girls make their projects. He thought for sure that one of them would bash their finger with the hammer but thankfully no one did. He said that the instructor told them to pick up a nail and they all held up screws instead. Cute.

Halloween and stuff

Millie

The loot

The princess and the rock star ( Hannah Montana)

Halloween cards

Halloween was fun. The weather held out for the girls and me to round the neighborhood. Last year they petered out after half the neighborhood. This year they made it all the way around.

The girls are at round two of swimming lessons. They failed the last one. So now they are retaking the class. We'll see...

Three more days of old job...then on to new job... yipppeeee!

The girls also got a Halloween card and money from Aunt Dee and Uncle Jim. Before sunset Emily had spent her money on candy and Webkinz. Tara took her time. She lasted two days. Then she got four stuffed dogs.

The hamsters got loose AGAIN. And again it was a few days until they were all found. Tara the hamster whisperer found Goldie today downstairs. Tara is on some weird hamster frequency. They appear to her. If she could only learn to keep the cage closed!

Thoughts on work

So I gave my notice at work and within 30 minutes I was getting congratulated by staff at my school. Word sure traveled fast! Throughout this week people I never talk to at school have commented to me about my new job. Schools are very interesting places. Your business isn't really your business.

The kids at my school are a hoot. They are full of energy and are very tactile. They are always touching each other. There have been so many times when I've said, "Let go of him!" in the hall. Middle school. Need I say more? I will miss them though. I will miss them saying "Hey Miss C!" I have one more week. The days are dragging. I want to get to my new job. I want to get settled and start my new career. But there are still IEP meetings to be had, modifications to be made, endless paperwork and then it's on to my new work life.

I got my cap and gown and I am so excited about graduation. I have class in a couple of hours. Just about a month and a half away now. I can't believe it!

The best news ever

I interviewed for an ESL (English as a Second Language) position this week. I got the word later that same day that I had gotten the job!!!!!!!!!! It is the best job I could ever hope for. It is for an ESL teacher/consultant. I have to give my other job my two week resignation on Monday. That will be awkward. But this new job is the best of my entire career. I am grateful beyond belief.

I am going in soon to sign the contract and get more info. The interviewer, one of three, called me to tell me so I could give notice to my other employer.

Today we all went down to Amish country to celebrate. I know that isn't Jay's favorite way to spend a day but he went anyway. What a good sport he is. It was a beautiful day.

Tomorrow Tara has TWO birthday parties to attend. Both are for boys. So today we were in the land of boy's toys at Target. Boys have some cool stuff out there. I'll have to venture into that aisle more often! We got one boy a huge stuffed snake. Apparently he's into reptiles. We got the other kid a toy motorcycle that does wheelies. It's hard buying for complete strangers (other than to Tara I mean). I hope they like the presents.

Happy Happy Happy Dance happening in the C. household! New jobs RULE!

Em and Millie

Last night sleeping. The camera is still taking blurry pictures. But they were so cute together. Millie will push Em's head over so she can get a better position on the pillow. :)

You will act like you love each other or else!

It started so sweet. Jay bought the girls new jammies. Let's photograph the kids tonight before bed.

Me- "Get in closer Emily. "

Emily- "No, Dad says Tara's hands smell funny."

Jay- "She washed them Em."

Me- "Get in closer Emily!"

Poor maligned Tara tried to hug Emily who now has a half panicked, grimace of a smile.

Me having had sassy students give me the day from hades today am particularly not in the mood for Em's germ a phobic tendencies. "You will get that pained look off your face or you will lose a webkinz!!!!! "I know it was a bit dramatic but you don't know the day I had.

The camera turns out blurry photos and the whole process begins again. The new photos came out equally blurry.

BIG FAT SIGH. This was going to be such a sweet little photo, showing them and our new couch in their new jammies. Well, here is the best one. The others show Em looking like someone just smeared donkey poo on her hands.

The chickens are coming home to roost

You know when kids are little and they ask for something that you don't feel they're ready for or you just don't have the fortitude to do it at that moment? Here's an example. When I was teeny tiny I asked my mom for my ears to be pierced. "You can when you're 11," was her reply. Guess where we spent my 11th birthday? That's right, at the mall getting my ears and then HER ears pierced.

Well, a long, long time ago Emily asked for her ears to be pierced. "You can when you're 10," was my response thinking that 10 years old seemed a LIFETIME away. Apparently, throughout the years I also promised her that her bedtime would increase to 9pm and she could have a sleep over with her friends then too. Guess who's turning 10 in a few short months? My baby that's who. Gulp. She came bouncing in the room this evening reminding me of all the things I promised her. Now I know how my mom felt. The circle of life goes on...