I'm sending out a big ole THANK YOU to the officer covering Deltona for the Volusia County Sheriff's office, today. Thank you for protecting our children and helping out at the broken school zone.
People, do you really think that the bright orange cones and the crossing guard in the cross-walk are asking you to SPEED UP? I know that this storm did some damage, and that you're all in a hurry to get to work, but speeding in a school zone is just WRONG!
The cross-walk near our house has yellow blinking lights during certain hours of the day for the safety of our children. Fay knocked out those lights, but there were still cones out and a crossing guard. There were still children walking and riding to school through that cross walk, and still people, who drive that route every day, were flat out speeding through the zone. It's a 35mph speed limit normally, but these cars were going a good 45. From about 7:15am to 8:30am it's a 25mph zone. SLOW DOWN! Leave earlier, so you aren't always in a rush, but stop endangering my children, please.
The VCPD sent an officer to flash his lights for us and has someone on their way to fix the lights. Thanks so much for helping out.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
So I hear the word "retarded" used quite a lot these days. This word, when used to describe something a person feels is dumb seriously offends me. It makes me cringe, sometimes visibly, sometimes only on the inside. Because of the implications from years past, this word is not allowed from my children's mouths. I wouldn't want you to call my kid "a retard" and you wouldn't want your child to call someone else that or be called that, even if he IS as dumb as a box of rocks, right? Why then is it ok to just toss the word around?
So, I've set up another poll, and welcome your comments on this subject. Please vote, then comment!
Check out Dictionary.com for the definition of Retard!
:)
So, I've set up another poll, and welcome your comments on this subject. Please vote, then comment!
Check out Dictionary.com for the definition of Retard!
:)
Monday, August 18, 2008
Kids and the Funk Question
How do you feel when others do it? Are you miffed, do you go on a cleaning spree? Do you say something to the parents or do you just let it slide? Leave some chatter in my comments on this one, everyone! I try very hard not to expose my friends to bad funk. I have some who are more at ease about it, and I'm not super picky about things like the common cold, and I'd welcome Chicken Pox, but that sports lifetime immunity (usually)! I'd really rather you stay home if you're sporting the flu, meningitis, strep throat, you know the things that really bother kids, cause them pain and basically ruin the week.
First Day of First Grade
It's the first day of school here in cloudy, soon-to-be-wind-and-rain-swept Central Florida. In preparation for today, Zachary got a haircut and shower before bed last night and went to bed at 7:30pm. Unfortunately, he didn't go to sleep quite so early.
After laying awake talking to himself and Lorelei until nearly 11pm, Zachary stumbled sleepily from his slumber to the table for breakfast and groggily donned his new school clothes and shoes. Thanks, Aunt Kelly, for the awesome polo shirt.
In what is slowly becoming tradition around here, we emerged clean and ready into the stickiness that is a Florida morning in August, and trudged to school with the prince and princess riding in their carriage. I'm so glad we walked. The traffic was straight out of a nightmare. We even got to say hello to our favorite crossing guard, Mr. Ed, who gifted Zachary with back-to-school supplies! He's such a bright face for the morning walk.
Zachary gave directions to Matt as he pushed the carriage through the maze of the school straight to the door of Zachary's 1st grade classroom. Several classmates awaited the first bell, lounging against the wall outside the class, and Mrs. Diallo, Zachary's new teacher, was waiting with them, too. All the kids were very quiet as they sat and contemplated this new year.
It was wonderful to see many faces that I recognized from last year, and I'm confident that Zachary is in wonderful hands. He's also in a class full of very bright and fun kids.
Unlike last year, Zachary was very excited about going to First Grade. We're all looking forward to hearing how his first day goes.
After laying awake talking to himself and Lorelei until nearly 11pm, Zachary stumbled sleepily from his slumber to the table for breakfast and groggily donned his new school clothes and shoes. Thanks, Aunt Kelly, for the awesome polo shirt.
In what is slowly becoming tradition around here, we emerged clean and ready into the stickiness that is a Florida morning in August, and trudged to school with the prince and princess riding in their carriage. I'm so glad we walked. The traffic was straight out of a nightmare. We even got to say hello to our favorite crossing guard, Mr. Ed, who gifted Zachary with back-to-school supplies! He's such a bright face for the morning walk.
Zachary gave directions to Matt as he pushed the carriage through the maze of the school straight to the door of Zachary's 1st grade classroom. Several classmates awaited the first bell, lounging against the wall outside the class, and Mrs. Diallo, Zachary's new teacher, was waiting with them, too. All the kids were very quiet as they sat and contemplated this new year.
It was wonderful to see many faces that I recognized from last year, and I'm confident that Zachary is in wonderful hands. He's also in a class full of very bright and fun kids.
Unlike last year, Zachary was very excited about going to First Grade. We're all looking forward to hearing how his first day goes.
Major Movie Dates Changed
It seems that our Dear Harry Potter has been shoved off into next Summer while Twilight will be the Thanksgiving Weekend highlight.
You can keep up with these releases at MuggleNet.com and StephenieMeyer.com
You can keep up with these releases at MuggleNet.com and StephenieMeyer.com
Monday, August 11, 2008
Top-Notch Weekend
We just had a WONDERFUL weekend. Our niece, Victoria, came to visit us from her mom's house. She's spends the summers with her mom and we get time with her too.
It's just great! My kids look forward to their time with Vicki and Matt and I cherish each minute we get to spend with her too.
Of course, now, she's a teenager! She turned 13 a few weeks ago, and I worry that she'll stop wanting to hang out with me. This year, however, she loved being with me, as usual.
My in-laws picked her up and brought her here, and we celebrated her birthday, went to the beach and zoo, and I took over 500 photos. We got to chow at Outback Steakhouse and watch some of the Olympics. It was great. We even got a good laugh at my shortness, when Vicki had to lean down to hug me.
Lorelei, Victoria, ZacharyNew Smyrna Beach 8/10/2008
Lorelei, Victoria, ZacharyCentral Florida Zoo 8/11/2008
At the zoo, everyone got to feed goats, sheep and Zebu. They were really cool and very gentle. We also got to see the three cheetahs up super close! We were in the butterfly garden when I noticed one pacing and I went to get a closer look at the back of the garden when I noticed that the other 2 were sleeping in the shade right at my feet. The kids were super excited! We usually only see them from far away.
We also got to hear the sounds of the Siamang.
They sounded way cool today, and I managed to get them on video.
Victoria is amazing. She's been amazing since I met her. She was two. I knew Matt was falling hard for me when he introduced me to her as Aunt Katie after we'd only been dating 2 months. She's called me that ever since. It's been a blast to watch her grow up. She's smart, funny, talented, sporty and confident. It's wonderful! She's really into science! She's on a quest to play Field Hockey AND Soccer in High School, AND she wants to be in advanced courses to ensure herself a place at a good university. WOW, just WOW!
We had a really great weekend. I am grateful that we got this time with our niece. It's always a blessing.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
I need one of these
I hate the strap on my camera! It's scratched my neck and just plain stinks.
I'd love one of these straps from Cotton Candy by Natalie.
Her work looks amazing! As a sewer, I also LOVE the fabric she's chosen to make straps with. Click the photo to see a selection of her work!
I'd love one of these straps from Cotton Candy by Natalie.
Her work looks amazing! As a sewer, I also LOVE the fabric she's chosen to make straps with. Click the photo to see a selection of her work!
A Visit to Leu Gardens
On Monday, we dropped off Zachary at Lego Mania and took off to explore the area. We needed something to DO to keep us from driving back and forth from Orlando to home and back every day this week. Shortly after our search began, we discovered that Leu Gardens is FREE, yes, Absolutely FREE on Mondays from 9am until noon! We raced in to explore.
The gardens were lovely. So much was in bloom. Lorelei loved the butterfly garden, and she needed to stop and smell each differently colored rose in Florida's largest Rose garden. She was even impressed by the GIANT clock! It's too bad that the flowers around the clock weren't in bloom, but that gives us a reason to head back down in the spring when most of the flowers are in bloom at once.
After Leu Gardens, we went swimming at my sister's house and fed her tortoises then headed back to Lego Camp to retrieve Zachary. We were early, so we stopped over at the 320 year old tree at the Museum of American Art. It's simply amazing! A 320 year old Southern Live Oak, and we got some great photos.
It's been a very long, busy week, but Zachary says that LEGO Mania has been a blast, and he's been happy and exhausted each evening. Lorelei has had a wonderful time hanging out with friends and Aunt Diana. She's even working on becoming friends with Diana's dogs.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Breaking Dawn Release Party
So I hit the release party in Altamonte Spring, Florida with 3 friends. We went to dinner at the Elephant Bar before hand, and I tried my first salmon roll. NASTY! I did eat the whole thing, and I liked the horseradish sauce that came with it.
At the party, I won a couple chess pieces and laughed with my friends. We were 4,5, 6 and 7 in line for our books, and I couldn't believe how quickly those lines moved. It was totally amazing. I purchased my book at 12:02 am.
Now, I've finished the books and am ready to give the saga a break while I finish 2 other books. I've been struggling with one for over a year (Anne of Green Gables) and the other (Trouble by Jesse Kellerman) since I finished Eclipse a few weeks ago. I just couldn't get into anything else.
We're gearing up for the Twilight release in December. I can't wait to see how they do with the movie. I know it won't compare to the book, but it should be great anyway.
What a blast we had. I'm so happy to have read this series, and I can't wait to read it again.
A Boy at the Beach
This photo is a few months old, but it's one of my favorites from the summer. We had such a great time with our friends playing in the water and the sand.
There's nothing quite like the beach. Those little Florida waves with their white foam make you NEED to run into the water and splash in the coolness. It was a perfect day. Not too hot out at that time. Just lovely.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Gearing up for Breaking Dawn
At midnight, the 4th and final book in the popular Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer, will be released. I'm headed to dinner with friends before we hit my first ever book release party! I am excited, and I'll definitely be breaking dawn with Breaking Dawn!
The Twilight Saga hit me hard over the 4th of July weekend, and I've been itching to get my hands on the newest installment in the Bella/Edward/Jacob saga.
I know you're supposed to choose a favorite, but I simply cannot. I also refuse to debate who deserves to win. I'll be happy no matter how Ms. Meyer completes her tale. These are her beloved characters, after all. I do have hope, but I believe that either man is worthy, and I want Jacob and Edward to be happy. In my opinion, they both deserve great love.
I know there are moms out there worrying about their daughters. I've heard moms angry about Bella's weakness, her clumsiness and her living her life for her boyfriend. Girls need to know that even the klutz can be loved. They need to know that perfection is NOT necessary. Bella isn't perfect, thank goodness! If she was, she would just be another popular girl for the imperfect people to hate.
It's ok for our children to fall in love, and it's ok to fall in love hard and fast. It's a wonderful part of life. You can be a klutz and still be a strong, lovable woman.
I'm not worried about my daughter waiting for Edward or Jacob any more than I'm worried about my son hoping to receive a letter from Hogwarts at age 11. These characters are FICTIONAL, no matter how alive they feel.
I hope that I've raised my children and that my friends have raised theirs to know the difference between reality and fantasy. You don't have to be like Hermione Granger to a real woman. Bella isn't some weak, damaged critter, she's a human with human qualities. It's ok to be human.
If you're worried about what this book is teaching your children, read Raising Confident Girls and/or Raising Confident Boys for tips, implement strategies to raise your girls to be all they can be, and YOU RAISE THEM. Don't leave it up to fictional love stories to do it for you. Sign up for self-defense classes and make going to the gym a family outing each day. BE the woman you want your girls to be. Be the man you want your boys to be. Don't rag on an author or her fictional characters. These people, human or not, aren't in charge of raising your children. you are!
You can check out www.stepheniemeyer.com for more information on this series. You can also see her interview on Good Morning America.
The Twilight Saga hit me hard over the 4th of July weekend, and I've been itching to get my hands on the newest installment in the Bella/Edward/Jacob saga.
I know you're supposed to choose a favorite, but I simply cannot. I also refuse to debate who deserves to win. I'll be happy no matter how Ms. Meyer completes her tale. These are her beloved characters, after all. I do have hope, but I believe that either man is worthy, and I want Jacob and Edward to be happy. In my opinion, they both deserve great love.
I know there are moms out there worrying about their daughters. I've heard moms angry about Bella's weakness, her clumsiness and her living her life for her boyfriend. Girls need to know that even the klutz can be loved. They need to know that perfection is NOT necessary. Bella isn't perfect, thank goodness! If she was, she would just be another popular girl for the imperfect people to hate.
It's ok for our children to fall in love, and it's ok to fall in love hard and fast. It's a wonderful part of life. You can be a klutz and still be a strong, lovable woman.
I'm not worried about my daughter waiting for Edward or Jacob any more than I'm worried about my son hoping to receive a letter from Hogwarts at age 11. These characters are FICTIONAL, no matter how alive they feel.
I hope that I've raised my children and that my friends have raised theirs to know the difference between reality and fantasy. You don't have to be like Hermione Granger to a real woman. Bella isn't some weak, damaged critter, she's a human with human qualities. It's ok to be human.
If you're worried about what this book is teaching your children, read Raising Confident Girls and/or Raising Confident Boys for tips, implement strategies to raise your girls to be all they can be, and YOU RAISE THEM. Don't leave it up to fictional love stories to do it for you. Sign up for self-defense classes and make going to the gym a family outing each day. BE the woman you want your girls to be. Be the man you want your boys to be. Don't rag on an author or her fictional characters. These people, human or not, aren't in charge of raising your children. you are!
You can check out www.stepheniemeyer.com for more information on this series. You can also see her interview on Good Morning America.
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