A pox on the pox!

Oops! Mallory has shingles. It is very blistery, somewhat painful, sometimes itchy, rash that follows the nerves around one's torso. I should know because I had a very bad case as a child and Seth had them last year. Now it is Mallory's turn. The oops comes in because now 2 babies at the sitters have them and both their moms are teachers. I have cost the school district money for substitutes. Oops! Well not me personally, but you know what I mean.
The weird thing is that both of my kids have gotten this virus. Most of us associate it with older people. The doctors say it is a virus that lies dormant and just flares its ugly head when it feels like it. Once you have the rash you are no longer contagious. That means it was too late by the time we knew Mallory had it. Sorry babies! Sorry Madelyn!

Jonah is sooooo cute! I could eat him!

I have a rockstar on my hands. Jonah has been carrying around Mallory's Barbie guitar fpr a few days now. he even writes his own lyrics. The latest, which I think is a knock off from a new show called Yo Gabba Gabba (where do they get these names?), has one line repeated over and over. It goes like this~

I'm so happyyyyyyyyy when i play with my friends.
repeat and strum as you sing..........

Jonah has also gotten very bossy lately. When I learned the words and tried to join in, this upset him a lot. Evidently this song is only meant to be a solo. I was told to stop singing now! sigh, there was a time when a duet would have been preferred.......
they grow up so fast.

My last birthday in the 30s......sigh

Time keeps marching on. This busy time with young kids seems to be flying too. They, my kids, keep growing up and they won't stop no matter how hard I try to hold on.
This birthday was completely uneventful. I spent it at the famous Marion Popcorn Festival Parade. yeehaw! Mallory rode on a float for Douce Dance, so we were there to cheer her on. Unfortunately the parade was a mess. There was what seemed like an ending to it, yet Mallory's float hadn't come by. Neither had RV's band. Seriously there was a 5 minute gap, and then the rest of the parade came straggling through.
Randy and I did go early and get 2 of my favorites, french fries with vinegar and a lemonade with extra sugar. Happy birthday to me!
A few of my 7th graders recognized my big day. I got a dvd of my favorite movie, High School Musical 2 and a pumpkin.

I love kids this age......

I teach 7th graders and I love them! They are quirky and still a little unsure of themselves, but flourish when encouraged.

Today is write a joke day and they are loving it! Most of the jokes they are writing are appropriate for school too. What a bonus! Some of them get to laughing so hard and then have to come and share their joke with me. I love the laughter and the smiles I am seeing today.
Here are some examples:
What is the difference between an elephant and an Michigan cheerleader? About 5 pounds
The toilet in a precinct was stolen. Police have nothing to go on.
People who live in glass houses should change in the basement.

Seth, my 7th grader, who is actually in one of my classes this year, gave me his opinion of me as a teacher the other day. He said I am much happier at school and he likes it. I have thought a lot about that and have concluded that I must seem happier because, at home, I am often giving direction...saying "do this do that." I am glad Seth is seeing this side of me. I also like seeing a different side of Seth too.

Things that make my day

The way Jonah looks when he comes to greet me straight out of bed.

Listening to Mallory play a solo on the piano.

Watching Seth shoot baskets outside.

My patio that is almost finished!

The note Randy wrote to me on our bathroom mirror....:)

Jonah says....

Jonah is 3 and says some cute things. Here are some of them:

alligator= elevator
my nastics= gymnastics
binkie and blankie= pacifier and blanket
music= his stuffed bear that prays and plays a song
cho-lock-et= chocolate
I love you big much!
I need a nappers!
red=any juice that we give him to drink
I'm making a friend= what he says when he wants to cuddle
Dredboom= bedroom
Mowly= Mallory

More later.....

School Days School Days Good Old Golden Rule Days

Much to my dismay, we are back in school! Don't get me wrong. It is not that I don't love school and fall and all that goes with it. It's the schedule! I get very overwhelmed by the school year schedule. With three kids, all involved in activities, with homework and piano to practice.....not to mention things like eating, bathing, etc. I end up working harder after school than I do during the day!
This fall, Seth is playing soccer and has a practice and a game each week. He also has piano once a week with a (forced) nightly practice. There is his once a week basketball tutoring. He has a middle school group bible study once a week too.
Mallory has soccer, with Randy as her coach. Same once a week practice and game, but of course, on a different night then Seth. She also has piano and a (violently forced) practice. She has dance once a week and Reach, a church program too.
Jonah has gymnastics once a week, which he loves! He wakes up in the morning asking if it is time for my nastics yet. I think that is it for him!
I love that my kids are getting to try lots of different things and have good experiences, but I am worn out!
Can I get an amen?