Blogs I enjoy...

A particularly funny blog post about the truth about children. :P

http://gradovaries.blogspot.com/2011/11/food-chain.html

And another post from one of my fav. mommy bloggers.  It's a letter written to their potential adoptive child (they are in the process but haven't found a match yet).  Brought tears to my eyes.

http://becomingsarah.com/index.php?/becoming_sarah/comments/dear_child_nov11_2011/

My thoughts exactly...

This blogger mommy says it well:

http://gagadiaries.com/post/12557990637/why-are-we-still-beating-our-kids

I don't plan on spanking our future kids, or hitting them with wooden spoons, or hitting them with any object or body part anywhere on their bodies.  It doesn't matter if it doesn't really hurt, it doesn't matter if I explain why I'm hitting them before or after misbehavior, it doesn't matter.  I will not use any sort of violence on a vulnerable child in order to scare them into a temporary behavior adjustment.  No, I plan on teaching my kids how to even discipline themselves and make good choices on their own.  Hitting simply doesn't teach this, so why use it?

Discipline is not about appearances, it is about holding a child accountable in humane ways and then guiding them into better behaviors with reason, natural consequences, and example.

If you are a parent who hits your child, you're taking the easy, less-effective way out.  Do your research and employ better methods. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees with me:  http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;101/4/723

That is all.

The Twins (finally)

I was supposed to post the photos from the weekend I went to see the twins for their baby dedication, but I didn't have the pics yet, or I was busy, or just plain unmotivated to do anything besides the absolute necessary.

They are SUCH darling babes.  So far, they're very "easy" tykes, easy to please and not fussy.  As long as the major things are taken care of, they're content to just quietly experience the world.

I think its such a great thing for us all to experience and be around kids.  It helps us develop our empathetic response which makes us better people.  They are so helpless, and we are so intent on doing everything that they need, even the smallest whim.  Many times we are not able to determine what they do need and spend lots of time trying to imagine what they need by placing ourselves in their little shoes.  Good stuff.

I had a marvelous time. And, since there's two, I got quite a bit of holding time in, bottle fed a lil, and changed one diaper. I was asked at least 3 times if it made me desire to have my husband impregnate me (not quite their words, but essentially the idea if you think about it).  But, contrary to popular belief, I don't seem to be affected much amazingly.  I'm perfectly content driving across the state to cuddle and love on other people's newborns instead.

Enjoy the pictures!

Dru looking quite concerned about something or other.  He may have been concentrating on a certain bodily function, because I remember changing his diaper soon thereafter.

 The next several pics are of me and Luci the next morning.  We didn't get enough the first day and had to return.

 

Sorta smiling. :)

Still sleepy for a morning nap.

Ha ha, I love her lil pouty face in this one. :P

I had to get a picture of Luci and Dru at the end before I had to leave.  I didn't have the heart to ask Tonya (MIL) to give up Dru, so I just snuck in a picture at her knees.

Hope you all have an amazing start to the week.  Now off to finish Lord of the Rings and bed.

This could get interesting...

One of the blogs I read (http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/blog/) gives writing prompts and I've chosen this one. :)

2.) Create an FAQ page for yourself that answers frequently asked questions if people were to frequently ask you questions. People make those up all the time. YOUR TURN!

Here goes...my FAQ page.

Do you have other redheads in your family?  No, not yet.  Who knows what'll happen if we decide to have offspring (we being my sister and I).

How many kids do you want?  1 probably, MAYBE 2.

When will you have kids?  When I'm filthy rich...lol.  Probably around 30.

How old are you?  24, yes I know I still look 16.

Oh! you're married? Yes, yes I am.  People that look 16 but are 24 are allowed to get married. :P

Do you play video games?  Well, yes, if you count computer games.  None much lately though.  There might be one I start playing in December... (Star Wars Old Republic).

What are your hobbies?  Reading, OMG I love reading!  Into classic and newer fantasy.  Like LOTR, Harry Potter, and Tamora Pierce.  I also like to surf the internet, speak french, entertain my students, and eat.

Favorite food?  Pasta, Italian, Cheese, Creme Brulee, chocolate... oh! only ONE thing? ;)

What do you spend waaaaay too much time doing?  Surfing the internet, hands down. :P

What do you do?  I'm a high school French Teacher atm. :)  Give me high schoolers and no younger and I'm happiest!

How is teaching going?  It's going pretty good.  I'm SO busy it seems.  I finished doing the bare minimum today and will just have to finish the rest later.  My students make it so worth it, though.  I always feel sorry for my 1st and 3rd periods though because they are my "guinea pigs" while the following periods receive a much more cohesive and refined lesson plan.  They don't know any better though, so at least there's that.

Hubby:  Do you want to go to Thai Won On?  Yes dear, always.  (Our fav. restaurant a little ways down the road).

Are you hungry?  I'll never say no...

Got any weird habits?  yes, I love cleaning under my nails.  I like to decimate blackheads (my husband thinks I'm beyond gross for this). I have a problem with remembering to turn off the oven and stove. I get really really itchy legs in cold weather.  I always wake up 5 minutes before my alarm ONLY if I go to bed a 8:30pm. I like the blankets on my bed to weigh me down, regardless of the temp.

Some cool things...

Ziplist.  It's a new way to save recipes you find online all in one place.  It doesn't matter where you find it from either, just enter the info into the recipe clipper and voila, its in your online recipe book.  If you find as many recipes as I do on various blogs, this is very handy.

Pinterest.  I've been hearing about this quite a bit lately.  It's the hot new sharing website these days.  Too bad I'm only on the waitlist still, but hopefully I'll be able to sign up soon.  It MUST be popular, or they're doing background checks or something... ;)

Seattle Restaurant Week.  It's several days where top end restaurants in Seattle have 3 course meals for 28$/person.  Considering its usually 50, it's quite a deal.  Hubs and I will be trying out Ray's Cafe in a couple weeks.  If you're a fellow Seattelite, you might wanna check it out.

Giada.  Seriously, I love this lady.  Her cooking show is just my style.  She's talented, italian, quirky, and yet so down to earth.  Except her house.  Seriously, this lady has it all.  Even an adorable baby and perhaps a SAH Husband?  He never seems to work that is . . . she makes bank.  If you like cooking italian with a twist, you've gotta check out her shows.  Sometimes, they have full shows available on hulu too.

Things I've made lately:  Roasted corn with lime/parm, Edamame stir-fry noodle (I didn't use chicken (veggie hubby) and added mushrooms), basil pesto (substituted edamame for nuts, you should try it tonya), and thyme biscuits (didn't do the thyme this time, running low on fresh, but I'm sure its good).

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend.  We sure did.  Today we went to our Patriots bar and watched the game.  We beat the Jets, it was epic.  Next weekend I'll be heading out to visit relatives, especially the two newest ones, Luci and Dru. See the newborn pics here.

I love this song...

...no matter the day.  Happy Weekend everyone!

Funny story...

Ah the things that happen...

We have quite a bit of new technology in our classrooms in Northshore, including a microphone that has four speakers in the ceiling throughout the classroom.  To the students, it sounds like you're talking directly over their shoulder and helps with keeping their attention.  Not to mention how much it helps save a teacher's voice.  Anyway, I was using mine turned up medium volume when all of a sudden ...

I leaned over, even closer to the mike, and sneezed.  The class gave an audible gasp.  It must've sounded like I'd just sneezed right into their ears.  I looked up and grimaced for them and then started laughing at myself.  They joined in, thinking it all rather funny.  And it was...

Oh the joys and quirks of technology.