Back on the Market Again!

So, we're back on the market. We're trying for the third time to sell our place. Those people that say selling your house is one of the most stressful things you can do was definitely right! We chose a realtor who seemed to be selling quick and for good prices in Seabridge. Well, we found out why. She seems to be out for herself, which we should have expected given the market. We feel like we're not only arguing price with buyers but with her as well. Well, keep us in your thoughts and prayers that we'll sell soon. Kayla is so active we need a yard and an extra bedroom for baby #2 (whenever he/she decides to be born). Please let us sell, please let us sell, please let us sell.

Bad Words

When does a parent start to consider words as bad or name calling? And, how do you address something like that?

Let me explain, a couple weeks ago, my mom and I realized Kayla was calling people "bumblebees." But this wasn't the casual ha ha to be funny. She would look at us and say, "Hey you bumblebee!" Especially when we were doing something she didn't like. How do you approach a subject like that? Its obviously not a bad word, but if she is purposefully calling us this "bad" name, then how do we address that and do we try to stop her from saying it? Don't we wish kids came with a handbook?!

Back in the Swing of Things

As I sit in my Saturday Masters Class I am reminded that it is that time of year and I have to go back to student mode. It seems this summer is going to be impacted with numerous papers of various lengths. But, it also seems like its going to be a great time. We are going to make a computer game for our kids! I hope I'll make one that will be effective and efficient.

My Summer Goals:

1. Complete my masters program.
2. Work out at least 5 days a week (get down to a size 2 or 4)
3. Spend at least two days a week doing something fun with Kayla.
4. Read at least two books a month.
5. Plan the recycling or student store project.
6. Plan out Peer Tutoring for PTLC.

Busy Summer. Get 'er done!

Mother's Day

Well, its my third Mother's Day and we had a great day! First, we got up early and spent the day with Grandma and Grandpa at the happiest place on earth. We all have passes, so we try to bring Kayla once a month so we can get our money's worth. My advice to those mothers out there is get there right when the park opens. We usually have a chance to ride all of Kayla's favorites before noon without waiting more than 15 minutes. Once noon hits, Kayla is tired and the crowd starts filling in. Our routine is usually Disneyland until 10 am then on over to California Adventures. There are more rides Kayla enjoys at California Adventures.

After the happiest place on earth, we headed home to take a nap (Kayla and Mommy both). Then we went to the Bella Terra Shopping Center in Huntington Beach. Mike's plan was dinner and a movie. Kayla's first! We took her to Horton Hears a Who which was great because it was in a small theater and there were only about 20 people in there. She did pretty well. She wanted to leave the last 15 minutes of the movie. But we were able to convince her to stay and watch it all! I was so proud. So now we know we can start taking her to movies. Although I'm not sure how many movies we can afford. I couldn't believe it! $10 each for Mike and I AND $7.50 for Kayla. $7.50 for a two year old! Geesh. This movie theater charges from age 1. We'll have to limit our movie theater visits.

Then Mike gave Kayla a bath while I started on some work. Only five weeks and counting. This year was so stressful but has seemed to fly by. We've got our last week of testing this week. Then the following weekend is prom. Then two weeks of regular instruction before we begin reviewing for benchmarks. We just found out that all of our rooms will be used to house 4,000 students for summer school so I'll be working hard to lock up all my stuff this summer. I am so glad I will not be teaching summer school.

Happy Mom's day to all the Mom's reading my blog. No one can ever understand how much work you all put into your everyday lives. Thank you for working hard to provide your kids with everything they need to be intelligent, thoughtful, and caring people. I love you all!

Conference, Conference, Conference

So, I had a conference in what other place....Las Vegas. Viva las Vegas! Well, the conference itself was good. But we were sooo busy with the conference, the only thing we enjoyed was Mama Mia on Saturday night. Not only that, but I was nodding off a couple times right after the intermission. It was a good show though.

There is nothing like knowing how bad California education really is. We were talking with a counselor of a 7-12 school in New York and he was complaining about their class sizes moving from 25 to 28 to 1 next year.

We said, "Are you kidding me! We would welcome 28. 30 even!"

How could we place such a low value on education? I don't care who you are, you want the best education for your children. You can't expect the best unless you are willing to pay for the best! I think moving to another state is Kayla's best bet for success!

Oh by the way, this picture is of the masks that had fallen after landing above OUR seats. I guess all our hot air must have triggered it!

Its time for Dodger Baseball!

Well, its that time of year again!

The smell of the freshly cut grass, the weather that can't make up it's mind, I know its time for baseball season to begin. And of course the fact that Mike tells me everyday "The Game is on in 10 minutes" on his commute home. I do have fun watching the games as long as the teams are scoring and I am rooting for some team. Although, give me a Laker game any day!

But this year, we've started to take Kayla to the games with us. She went to the infamous "Coliseum Game" and fell asleep shortly after the first pitch. Then, we just recently went to the Dodgers vs. Padres and it was Kayla's first game where she really knew what was going on. She had a great time...although I'm not sure if I can say I did since I had to take her to the bathroom 6 times and she didn't pee once. I think she's afraid of the bathrooms at Dodger Stadium. I don't blame her, if I was two and half I might be afraid too. But other than that we all had a good time and I got a chance to share some knowledge with some Australians who had no idea what this whole baseball thing is all about.

Education? Expendable!

As you all know, California is scrambling to handle the possible budget cuts our way. There have several reports that every school district is going to lay off hundreds of teachers. This is a possibility. In my school district alone, 100 teachers were told they might not have a job next year. How is this all calculated? The answer is seniority. Hired last, fired first. Luckily I was saved from this round of layoffs, but who is to say that I will always be safe? How can the governator take so much money away from education? How can he sit in his pretty little chair and take money away from the children? I find it difficult to trust this man who was all about education before he became governor. But now that he needs to reduce the state spending, he decides to take money away from our future.

How can this be a good a idea? Isn't there a better way? There has to be. How can we compete with the rest of the world if we won't invest in it? The state of this country makes me worry everyday for Kayla. Why can't we fix the things that are wrong in our country before we begin to butt into the affairs of other countries. Why don't we spend defense money to defend our borders? Why don't we focus on saving the US first? I wouldn't mind paying a couple extra dollars in taxes if it meant good teachers would keep their jobs. Maybe they should find a way to weed out bad teachers before they layoff good teachers because they were hired last. If you have the time, write to your representative and tell them that this is a travesty. Let them know how you feel about it all.