Wordless Wednesday

Thanksgiving Day
2010

Good Teacher Bad Teacher

I have been hearing a lot about good teachers versus bad teachers within the US school system. Even Obama is talking about programs to get rid of the "bad" teachers. Maybe there is a lot more to this situation than just bad teachers.

I am not a teacher, but I am a mother of three preschool and school age girls, PTA president, school volunteer and I do teach first graders (as a parental volunteer) a class once a week for thirty minutes at one of the local public schools.

Yes, I am sure there are good teachers and bad teachers, just like there are good employees and bad employees, good and bad students, good and bad everything. I seriously have a hard time believing a "bad" teacher is the one to make a whole school's grade percentage to fall below.

This has become a blame game and no one wants to take responsibility. So, therefore, the fingers are pointing toward the so-called bad teachers. What are the schools doing to support their "bad" teachers? Are teachers getting annual workshops on learning newest teaching methods to adapt to the needs of children today? What else are the schools doing to support their teaching staff? Are these schools with "bad" teachers reaching out to the families to get them involved in their child's education?

Maybe this is a family issue; a problem that starts in the home. When these reports go out about the "bad" teachers, are they looking at the students' home life, parental involvement, how much time does this student spend on homework and studying?

From my personal experience in both the public and private school system, it is the same. The more involved the parents are in their child's life, whether it be social, school, extracurricular, or personal, makes a huge difference in the child's academic career.

Parents, get involved in your child's life. See what's going on with them. Volunteer at school. Help out with homework every night. Decrease television, computer, and game time. Do more things as a family. Eat dinner together as much as possible. I know kids can be difficult and don't necessarily want you around, but let them know you are there for them. I feel like if we, as parents, take these small steps in our child's lives, it won't make a difference if they have good or bad teachers. They will learn to strive for the best and do well, regardless. We are the ones that have to lay down a solid foundation for them and be a good role model.

The Taco Bed

Do you have a taco bed? Oh, I see. You are wondering what is a taco bed I bet. It is a toddler bed. I am not sure how my girls got taco out of toddler, but they did. So, for the last few years, the toddler bed has been referred to as the taco bed.

We had the privilege of using a family crib that has been passed down for many years. It started with my nephew about 25 years ago. Then it made its way to his 2 brothers, 2 other nephews, and my 3 girls. Now we get to pass it on to another family member.

This is the point where the taco bed comes into play. I was given an undetermined date to return the crib.....October of this year. I was panicking because the baby was still sleeping in her crib. Yes, that was an exciting thing that at 2 years and 3 months she was still sleeping there.....until this week.

I am not sure if she had some type of taco bed radar or what, but the last 2 nights, she didn't want to have anything to do with her crib. I figured we would give the taco bed a try and we had great success! Two nights in a row and she laid down and went right to sleep. My biggest fear was that she would get out of bed and start wondering around since she wasn't confined like in the crib. No, she didn't.

I guess we can pack up the crib and pass it along. Hip hip hooray for taco bed success!

Is 40 Really Fabulous?

Ok, so I turned 40 a few weeks ago and things just aren't right. Leading up too that point I was taking care of me and my health. But something happened. It is as though a switch was turned off (or on) and everything has gone downhill.

Is this typical for this milestone? So, here's what I am talking about. I have acne. I am a 40 year old with acne. I never had this problem before, not even in my pubescent days. I have been eating like a ravenous beast. I put on a few pounds, but the problem is that it has distributed itself in the thigh area. I have been the same weight for about 15 years +/- a pound here and there. Before, I never really liked to eat chocolate, but now I hoard it and have it tucked away so that the kids won't find it. I want it all to myself. This is just crazy! C-R-A-Z-Y ......I say.

I exercise and I don't get the results that I used to get. Maybe because I am eating like a ravenous beast, oh I mentioned that already. I realize I don't have and I probably won't have my tight 30 year old body, but good golly geez, why can't I get some results from my exercise routine?

In addition to all those things, my hormones have gone wacky and I am loosing my hair. Please tell me fabulous is somewhere around the corner waiting for me.

Proud Mom

Monday, I was going through my daughters' school folders and they each had a bright orange paper. I just assumed all the parents got one, but no.

It was an invitation to the Student of the Month and Terrific Kid Presentation. Neither child really knew what it was all about except that they should have a parent present on the said date. So, I got myself ready and headed over to school to find out that not one, but two of my daughters were chosen as their class' student of the month.

I was beeming with pride and content. It is great knowing that they both got this school year started off well. I only hope it continues. What am I saying? Of course they will.

5th Year Anniversary

So much on my mind about this. It has been 5 years and the wounds still feel fresh. It is so hard to believe this happened, but we have video/proof to confirm it.

Wordless Wednesday

Tulum, Mexico

Return from Paradise

This week we came home from a week in paradise. It was so lovely. The most incredible part was that we were gone for 6 nights/7 days without the children. That means just FG and me for 1 whole week.

I guess you are wondering where we went, right? It was Puerto Morelos, Mexico on the Riviera Maya coast. The Ocean Coral and Turquesa was the place for us last week. We chose to upgrade to the privilege package. It was so awesome. Not only was it an all-inclusive, but with this option, we had a beach butler, private beach, an exclusive lounge, reservations to the very busy restaurants, a pillow menu, and so many other little things that made you feel really special.

When we arrived to our suite, there was a chilled bottle of champagne, a half dozen of chocolate covered strawberries, and a birthday cake waiting for us. Did I mention I was celebrating my 40th birthday? That was the main reason we took this holiday. One of my favorite parts to the room was the outdoor shower on our balcony. I believe I used it most days.

Because of our adventurous spirit, we couldn't just stay at the resort, although you could and be entertained 24/7. We hopped in our rental car sans radio, but at least we had air conditioning, and did like Dora and explored. Our destinations were the town of Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, the Jungle Spa, and Cenote Crystal.

Still, my favorite area is Tulum. The beach and ocean are so beautiful in this part of Mexico, more so than the other spots, but don't tell anyone, it's my secret okay.

Don't Panic, She's Not Bleeding

Here's the phone conversation I had with my dad.

Dad: Hey there, everything is okay, she's not bleeding anymore.
Me: What are you talking about? Who's not bleeding?
Dad: CG fell, but she's okay. She isn't bleeding, but she might need a stitch.
Me: Sorry, but I am not getting everything. What happened?
Dad: CG fell off the bar stool and hit her head. She's not bleeding, but should I take her to the hospital for a stitch?
Me: Let me come over and check her out.
Dad: Oh, she's fine. She just needs one little stitch. The gash looks really deep, but I am glad it isn't bleeding anymore.
Me: Let me call FG and the pediatrician.

Pediatrician: Take her to Children's Hospital

FG picked her up and brought her to Children's Hospital ER. The first text I got from him was she had a skull fracture via Xray, was waiting on CT scan and staples to close the laceration. Next my poor baby had to get 4 staples to her head. Finally the CT came back and showed no bleeding and no fractures. Yeah, we are in the clear.

I was going to meet FG and CG at the hospital, but FG asked me to stay put and he would take care of her. That was the most difficult day at work. Lucky for me, I got him to swing by my work so I can see her.

You would never know she just had a major blow to the head and staples applied. She was silly and giggly as ever. She did show me her boo boo and said "don't touch" as she was pointing to it.

Oh What a Night

I just had a dream come true. It was a night of uninterrupted sleep! That doesn't happen around here very often.

Just about every single night I get at least one and sometimes two visitors in my bed each night. That would be my 2 big girls. Therefore, little to no sleep for mom here. When I get up in the morning, backache, stiff neck, shoulder ouch, and so sleepy.

Unfortunately, I have had some health issues that we think were prompted by my little to no sleep. My doctor ordered that I get rest. Well, I finally got some last night.

My husband had a great idea. We let the girls go to sleep in our bed last night. I slept in their room, in the trundle bed {of all places to get a good night sleep}. I slept all night! I don't even think I moved. I woke up in the same position I fell asleep in. No back ache. No stiff neck. No shoulder ouch. No sleepiness. Just a well rested mom! Oh, what a night.

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Happy birthday to my sweet CG. I cannot believe she turned two. It seems like yesterday that I was taking a pregnancy test for her. But, as you know time flies when you're having fun.

There have been so many milestones she has reached. You would think this is my first time with a child turning 2, but it is my 3rd. One of the things I am so happy about is that she is still sleeping in her crib. SG was jumping out of hers at 15 months. MM got moved out of hers at about 22 months in order to make room for CG.

CG is a little talking machine. My others were talking machines, but not like this one. It was really cute hearing her say one word sentences, but she is making 3-4 word sentences. Usually, they are demanding sentences, too. I am going to chalk that up to the "terrible twos."

It is truly amazing to see how similar, yet how different all 3 girls are. Somethings they do, it is like watching me, Mini-Me. Other times they are so unique in their cute little ways.

Happy Birthday CG!

I LOVE my Job!

How many of you can honestly say, "I love my job?" I can! I really have the best job. Of course my primary job of being mom and wife are great, but I am talking about my job as a nurse.

I work part time which really makes working even more desirable. I get a five day weekend every other week. That right there says dream job.

This weekend, I was talking to my aunt and she was asking about my job. I was going on and on about what I do and she stopped me mid-sentence. Her response was, "I have never seen you smile talking about work or so enthusiastic." I guess I never realized I did that.

As a nurse, I have taken on many jobs over the last 13 years. Some have been good and well, some not so good. I remember my first nursing job. It was on a 23 hour observation unit working nights. After 6 months, I was charge nurse. One of my nursing assistants from then ended up being one of my charge nurses later down the line. Congrats to her for moving on up the education ladder and is now completing nurse anesthetist school!

Between my first job and my present one, I did many things. Reflecting on this, I see I mostly worked in some field of cardiology. The first few years I worked nights and I always seemed to be sick and my body was cold all the time. I am so glad I was able to get on day shift. Let's see; I worked observation, step-down ICU, travel nursing in step-down ICU, agency in telemetry, ICU, and CCU, GI lab, post CABG, heart transplant, CCU, ICU, echo lab, stress lab, cath lab, and even helped out in cardiology doctor's offices. Well, this all leads up to what I am doing today. As a Cardiac Rehab Nurse Clinician, I teach patient's about taking care of their hearts.

No more 12 hour shifts. No working weekends or holidays. No taking call. No more nights. No hurricane duty. Just 8 hour shifts (including a lunch break), 3 days one week and 2 days the next.

Isn't the nursing profession wonderful that there is so much flexibility and so many options? It really is!

CRAZY

Okay, now I know it is a lot warmer here in the south than up north right now. Today it was about 50〫. A beautiful day right?-especially when the sun is shining. Here's where the crazy comes into the equation.

My two CRAZY girls decided they wanted to go swimming. At first I said no way, but they were relentless. So, I thought if they really want to go since they already had their swimsuits on and didn't let up on the wanting to swim, I said sure why not.

Child #1 jumps in. I hear a screeching, "Mommmmmmmm!" Not to my surprise, the water was obviously cold. Child #2 says, "no way am I getting in." #1 hops back into the ice cold pool and swims for a few more seconds before realizing she didn't think to get a towel. Once again I hear, "Mommmmmmmmm!"

I figured this was it and clothes would be back on, but not my 2. They now decide to bask in the sun. #1 is in the buff and #2 still with her swimsuit. They are nuts. My children are nuts.

Happy New Year!

As I realize, I have not posted in about three or four months. Wow! A new year has come before us. Happy 2010. Since this time, we have had some exciting things happen here in New Orleans.

Did you hear about the Super Bowl? We won....we, as in the New Orleans Saints. It has been a few weeks and the city is still beaming. This is a great time to be in New Orleans.

New Orleans...proud to call it home.