Toying with going back to work

Am I crazy or just at a lull in my life that I need something to do or am I beginning my winter depression...I don't know.

The last couple of weeks I have found myself longing for my old pre-k position. I actually went down to the basement to look for something for Emma in my teaching closet. While I was there I came across my evaluations. I read each one I found and remembered the lesson or activity that was taking place at the time. I MISS that. Emma is in school so really doesn't need me home during the day. Timmy on the other hand only goes to school 3 mornings a week so there is the dilemma.

What would I do or should I say what am I thinking about...possibly getting a montessori certificate and teach at Timmy school. That would solve the problem of what to do with Timmy. Another thought was to open my own preschool in my district. This would also help me with Timmy and also help me with getting Emma on and off the school bus. With that option comes a lot of liability and THAT scares me. Although I know that I would do an awesome job. The one thing about me I am confident in is my ability to teach pre-k. The years I taught pre-k, those children were so well prepared for kindergarten, they excelled when they were labeled "likely to fail".

So what do I do? Do I work for someone else and in essence take the easy way out. Or do I step up to the plate and put it all on the line and open my own school. I know David would support either one, I just want to make sure whatever it is...I am successful!

2nd post of the day!

Which Positive Quality Are You? Your Result: Love You are Love. Love is the glue that binds us all together. The love of family, the love of friends, the love between husbands and their wives--these things form the foundation of our happiness, our security, and our comfort. "All you need is love."
Charity
Peace
Courage
Friendship
Faith
Which Positive Quality Are You?

Thanksgiving and swimming!!

Last Thursday Emma brought hom a oaktag turkey to be decorated as a family project. We decided that a princess turkey was the way to go. I made sure to get pictures before she took it to school. She said "turkeyyyyyy" before each picture.


Does she look surprised?? I don't really know what she was doing.


Her she is so proud of her turkey.


A close up of the Princess Turkey. Can yo see the glitter on her foot? Every princess needs a pretty shoe.

On Wednesday, Timmy had his Thanksgiving Dinner at school. He is now off until after Thanksgiving. I have his parent teacher conference on Monday morning at 7:30. I will report back after!!


Timmy waiting for his drink.


Waiting for everyone to get their food.


Playing with his Indian headband.

Since I showed you pictures of Timmy swimming I had to show you Emma. We changed instructors for her and it was the best move ever!! She is doing fabulous!!! Oh, and her parent teacher conference is later today. I will try to report back later.


Look at Emma holding her breath!!


Learning freestyle and reaching for the fish.


Reaching for the kick board.


Practicing holding her breath while the other children get a turn.


Holding her breath and reaching for the stairs.


The children waiting for their instructions.


Walking the wall to build strength and confidence. Emma is the second in from the right.


Climbing out of the pool. Elbow, elbow, knee, knee!!


She is waiting to jump in. Can you tell she is freezing? The pool was 87 but the kid has NO fat on her.


Finally jumping.


Jumping in from the sitting position.


Walking the wall back to the steps.


Swimming on her own to the wall. Such a proud moment for me!!


The instructor was supporting her neck but she is doing the rest.


Swimming back to the steps. She is doing AWESOME holding her breath under the water!!

Trivia on West Point

West Point's role in our nation's history dates back to the Revolutionary War, when both sides realized the strategic importance of the commanding plateau on the west bank of the Hudson River. General George Washington considered West Point to be the most important strategic position in America. Washington personally selected Thaddeus Kosciuszko, one of the heroes of Saratoga, to design the fortifications for West Point in l778, and Washington transferred his headquarters to West Point in l779. Continental soldiers built forts, batteries and redoubts and extended a l50-ton iron chain across the Hudson to control river traffic. Fortress West Point was never captured by the British, despite Benedict Arnold's treason. West Point is the oldest continuously occupied military post in America.

So this info is straight from the West Point website. As I explained it to Emma on the train...The military picked the best spot on the river. They could protect the river because they could see who was coming before they got there. The land juts out into the river at that point.

Emma and Timmy hit NYC!!!

Yes, we surpised the kids yet again. It wasn't as big as Disney, but is was so much better than Dorothy the Dinosaur!!! The first part of the surprise was the train right which they loved!!! Especially because the train travels down the Hudson river and the sights are simply amazing. Can I just say that I truly live in a gorgeous part of this country!!! They saw West Point from the other side of the river that gave me a chance to explain to Emma why it was built at that section of the river. Do any of you know why West Point is where it is??

So as we traveled, I told them we were going to an island. People looked at me like I was crazy, but come on...Manhattan is an island people!

We got to Grand Central Station and the kids loved it. If you ever watched Madagasgar, then your children would love seeing the clock that the giraffe got his head stuck in. They loved the ceiling also. If you ever get to NYC make sure you got to GCS.

Then we were off to Radio City. It was a great walk. When we got there the crowd was quite big. The children loved looking at all the decorations when we got in to the theater.

The show was amazing. Their eyes were glued to the stage. We were in the 10 row from the stage...seriously good seats!! Santa arrived after the first act and walked down the aisle where we were and .....HUGGED TIMMY!!!! No pictures, because they request no flash photography once the show starts. I didn't want to be disrespectful to the actors and actresses. It was amazing. I LOVE living close to NYC!!!! There is so much to offer my children as they get bigger and yet still live far enough away were we are in the country!!!

We then saw the "World Famous Christmas Tree" begin set with a crane. Not exciting for the kids at all. Then down 5th Ave. to meet my cousin for lunch. Her office is so close to GCS that she walked us down and had a very quick bite to eat. Next time, I hope we are able to enjoy more of the city.

Here are some pictures of our day. I almost forgot to tell you...my mom and neice Danielle went with us. I had asked my mom because she loves the city and I knew would love to see the children experience the Christmas show!


Waiting at the train station. Unfortunately, just as a snapped a picture a train going in the other direction flew by casting this HUGE shadow!!

Timmy and Mommy on the train together!

Inside Radio City Music Hall.

Yes, not a good picture of the kids, but it is a good one of David.

This is how close we were to the stage...10 rows away!!!!!!

I love the expression on my niece's face!! The stage the orchestra is on began going below the main stage.

Our first glance at "THE TREE!!"

Here the crane was moving it into place. I am hoping to try and venture down with the kids once it is lit.

Timmy more interested in his light up Santa that Grammie bought him (Emma and Danielle also) at the show.

He was so very tired!!

A tall building (haha) go figure a tall building in NYC, but behind it you can see part of the Empire State building.

We were on a mission to get to 42nd and 5th Ave. to meet my cousin for a quick bite. Don't you love the two of them holding hands. They were not happy when we were in big crowds and they couldn't hold hands. And big crowds are almost all the time in the city!

Grabbing a bite in Grand Central Station.

All my boy wanted was a donut!

The kids very tired posing with cousin Kimmie.

Emma on the train stuffing pretzels in her mouth. Don't you love the way she was sitting!!

Timmy and Grammie sitting together.

There is little man talking to Grammie about everything he saw today!!

Another Monday Night at the Pool!!

The children started swim lessons again. They used to both go on Monday nights, but it was too much. I decided to change Emma to Wednesdays. Here are some pictures of Timmy!!


Timmy watching his friend Teddy in the pool with the instructor.



Trying to pass the time while Teddy is walking the wall.



There Timmy is walking the wall. The instructor holds his hands there, but doesn't touch him.



There he is on his way back when the instructor stopped him. Timmy climbed out of the pool by himself and...



Jumped in!!! He is doing awesome!! We were going to move him to the next group up, but decided to leave him here for a couple of classes.

A surprise for the kids

Well on Sunday, we decided to surprise the children. We took they to see Dorothy the Dinosaur's Dance Party at West Point. Emma wasn't as excited as Timmy, but that was alright because it was mainly for him.


The kids trying to check out the stage.


This is what they were looking out.


They were engrossed in the show. Timmy had been dancing.

After this picture, the usher (who are cadets at the academy) came over and told the people behind me that we couldn't take pictures. That was sad, because I just wanted to take a picture of the kids.

As you can see, at the end of the show I didn't really care. I was taking a picture.

There he is dancing in the aisle.



Timmy getting a lift to the car.



This is a view of West Point from Storm King Mountain.

The next time I am down there I will get better pictures. We stopped at the wrong viewing point so I missed the shot I wanted with the Hudson River in the background.