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Thursday, April 29, 2010

YAGMCB



Musical season is upon us...in FULL swing.  This year the wonderful students of Delran Middle School (the school in which I teach) are performing You're A Good Man Charlie Brown.  I know it is going to be wonderful and so worth all of the hard work that has gone into it, but it has really been a test for me this year.  By far this is toughest musical season for me, especially this week.  This week is tech week, the week where we produce the show, with lights, sounds, music...etc.  With our show opening tomorrow, needless to say, I have been at school from about 7-7 everyday and not seeing Jackson (or Frank...or poor neglected Zoe).  I has been so difficult for me to be away from him so much.  Even, while I am working and my mind is on the MANY things that I am doing, the guilt still creeps in from time to time.  It also does not help that the minute I walk in the door, he clings to me all night and will not let go.  Even in his sleep his is Velcroed to my side, and the slighted separation sends him into a fit of sleepy tears. (At least he is very young and won't remember this).  So add it all up.  Being away from my child for most of his waking hours, working non-stop the time that I am away, not really getting any restful good nights of sleep.....I am exhausted and very ready for my life to resume it's normal routine.  Or am I?  I have amazing students who are doing an amazing job, and I am working with amazing people.  I am very blessed to have this wonderful opportunity!  Plus, Jackson looks so damn cute in his Charlie Brown shirt.  (pictures to come).

If you would like to come and see You're A Good Man Charlie Brown  Click Here for showtimes and ticket information!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Up Close And Personal













He didn't want to come inside!

Monday, April 19, 2010

The Season Of Yard Saling

 Don't be scared to 'yardsale'


As the saying goes:  'One man's trash is another man's treasure'.  This, as of late, has been absolutely true in our household.  Our treasure?  Toddler, toys, clothes and other various toddleresque odds and ends.  And, there is certainly no shortage of treasure for us.  I can certainly say, yardsaling in South Jersey is nothing like the yard sales I grew up going to.  As a child my super frugal mom would drag us (typically my brother and myself) to yard sales and thrift stores as much as the season possibly allowed.  Of course then I did not see the value in this kind of shopping.  I mean no one (at least no one cool) got their new clothes from yard sales, especially the ones where there was a myriad of, well basically yard sale crap and a few sorry looking, very outdated articles of clothing that of course just happened to be a perfect fit for me (of course).  Yes indeed, I had a bad taste in my mouth for yard sales.  I would pass one and look in the opposite direction, almost reflexively.  That is until Jackson was born.  Slowly I started to check out some of our area consignment sales and saw that there were some good, REALLY good deals to be had!  People were selling NEW items with the tags still on?  What was this strange kind of alternate world?  Slowly, after acquiring some pretty outstanding finds I bit the bullet and hit my first yard sale.  I ended up walking away with two booster seats (one for Babci's, and one for Bebe's) that were in perfect condition for a very small sum of $.  I began to think that this wasn't half bad and I was extremely proud of my bargaining skills! 

There are a few big ticket items that I have been wanting to get for Jack.  A sandbox, an outside climber, and a larger toy for our sunporch.  Why pay full price for something new when the chances are, finding it for just a few dollors gently used, is probable?  I have also become much more confident bargaining for items, with the help of a friend who has no fear when it comes to offering next to nothing for something someone once paid top dollar for.  Her rules, never offer more (or pay unless you really can't live without it) than .50 for regular toys or per piece of clothing.  Larger items start small and work your way up.  At first I was skeptical, and thought people would think I was crazy for offering so little so something that I deemed valuable.  I guess it just reinforces the opening saying.  To them it is trash, they want it gone, out of their way, rid of it.  This is how I ended up acquiring a turtle sandbox with a cover for $5 and a climber with slide for FREE!  I am realizing too that just as uncomfortable as it is for the bargainer it is just as uncomfortable for the bargainee and often they accept out of pure anxiety.  It is a powerful and addictive feeling, but I am acknowledging this to prevent becoming a hoarder. :)    So now, a couple of top-of-the-line in-perfect-condition car seats and various other fabulous deals later, I am hooked!  Bring on the yard sales!

Here are some pictures of Jackson enjoying some of our fabulous finds!  Happy yard sale season everyone!

$5 turtle sandbox *SCORE*




Taking a snooze in a comfortable carseat

Really cool letter and number puzzle mat

Free!







Another great free find!  Our favorite monster chair!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Unbelieveable Feats Of A Toddler



As a first time mom I am amazed at what my child learns and is capable of on a daily basis.  This one is the most unbelieveable thus far.  Jack has been walking less than a month, I have to remind myself of that sometimes.  This only makes it more unbelievable though.  Yesterday Frank, Jackson and I were hanging around the house when Jack decided to climb onto the couch, which is not abnormal.  What was amazing is that when he wanted to get down he sat down on the couch, scootched his little bottom to the very edge and then jumped down landing on his feet.  It was like...no big deal mom, I got this.  He is ONE!  I was shocked and Frank just laughed.  You never cease to amaze us kid. 

Some other random happenings:

Saying Hi, or actually Haaaaaiiii into any phone, remote (or anything thing the remotely looks like a phone -or remote-)

Jack's ability to find his nose, your nose, Zoe's nose, any nose and say Noooos Nooooos Nooooos. 

Tantrum throwing (not my favorite although very commical at times).  All I can say is we have a very strong willed boy and I am getting really good and finding any distraction.

Jack's unquenchable facination with sticks, stones and mulch.  He will choose over any toy anytime.  And parting with it is true sorrow. 

Ahh the life and times of having a boy!



Playing in the mulch

Multitasking

Happy Easter!



From the time I was a very small child, I really loved holidays. The diversion from routine was very exciting especially if visitors and most especially if gifts were involved. I used to get so excited, much like most children, to find something special just for me in my under the Christmas tree or in my Easter basket. I didn't understand the nature of the holidays but I did understand that someone paid extra attention to me. As each year passed the way my family celebrated holidays changed. There was rarely a feeling of togetherness (not for lack of trying) and it was even more rare that I was made feel "special". I always thought that when I was an adult and had children of my own I would embrace not only the meaning of the holiday but also make a fond memory for our whole family. As I think about raising my son 'the right way', that is not spoiling him too much, taking the focus off of gift giving...yada yada yada, I wavered for a moment and I thought to myself who am I really doing this for, him or me? Does a one year old really need chocolate or a new toy or even an Easter basket? I was almost swooped back up into the practicality of it all, thinking I will be the logical parent. Thank God, that I didn't. They day was all I could have asked for and more! I realized that not only did I love making a big deal out of the day, but Jackson seemed to love the special things we did too. Here is the story of our Easter...

We were greeted Easter Sunday morning with a beautiful bright and sunny day! Exactly the way Easter should be! We woke up with plenty of time before church to have cinnamon buns and make an easter banner (I taped a big piece of paper to the kitchen floor and Babci, Jack and I tried our hand at coloring easter bunnies, eggs, baskets and crosses). After a lovely (but extremely crowded) mass, we spent the day with Babci, Uncle A.J. and Aunt Maggie and our new doggie cousin Lilly! Zoe was ecstatic! Jackson had a great time opening up his Easter Basket and eating Peeps. He especially loved the donald duck bunny from Babci....which by the way Babci, he can't stop picking it up by the ears! We then headed outside for an egghunt and some playtime. (days later we are still finding plastic eggs outside filled with goldfish crackers, half eaten by ants and soggily swollen that Jackson still think make a perfectly good snack). We then headed to Uncle Dennis and Aunt Betty's for a delicious Easter dinner. The day was special, family filled and.....perfect.






 finding the eggs


Peeps

Yum!