To hear my daughters tell it, St. Patrick's Day is going to be something straight out of a horror movie. I'm partially to blame. To get them ready, I told them all about how they'll be wearing green to school next Wednesday. Then I mentioned leprechauns. Oops.
My intention had been to use green food coloring in their milk next week. To prepare them, I told them leprechauns come and play tricks... nothing mean, just silly pranks. Big mistake.
First, they were terrified at the prospect of little "things" coming in their house. They're convinced that if the milk is green it will taste like broccoli. They are now discussing what treasured items they need to hide so the leprechauns won't steal them (blankies, toys, etc.).
So, I'm looking for suggestions. Green milk is out. What simple, fun thing can I do to show them leprechauns mean no harm?
March 10, 2010
March 09, 2010
When School Budget Cuts Hit Home
Last Thursday I attended parent-teacher conferences with our preschool teacher. During the conference I expressed my desire to have my daughters be in her class again next year. She made a comment along the lines of "well, you never know what's going to happen, but I fully intend to be here next year." Yesterday morning I called the preschool coordinator and left her a message with my request. Three hours later when I picked my daughters up from school, Ms. Melissa told me she was informed on Friday that she (and two other teachers at the school) will be laid off at the end of this school year. I'm angry on so many levels.
Our time in preschool has been wonderful. I was anxious about navigating through school with quadruplets. Instead, Ms. Melissa made it a warm and welcoming process. Last year, she always sent a helper to unload and load the girls from the car, a small gesture, acknowledging how time consuming it can be to get four children unbuckled. She has always treated my daughters as individuals rather than "the quads."
I appreciate her teaching style. She is not critical. When one of the girls struggled with a homework assignment and simply couldn't complete it, Ms. Melissa emailed me and told me not to worry. She had gone over the work with Roo, who did everything with no problems. Ms. Melissa is "on" from the minute children are dropped off. She starts the day with songs to get everyone moving. She gently reminds the students to follow the classroom rules. Her class if often the last to arrive at the pick-up spot because they are learning until the last minute. Even recess and snack time are teaching tools. At the end of recess, each student has to help do the head count. During snack time, good manners are encouraged, including saying "please" and "thank you."
It saddens me that a good teacher is being let go. I realize someone had to go, but part of me wonders if the right choice was made. I know I'm biased, it just seems ridiculous to lose someone who has had an impact on so many young lives.
To add insult to injury, I just spoke with someone else in the school district. She said this is likely just the beginning of the cutbacks.
Our time in preschool has been wonderful. I was anxious about navigating through school with quadruplets. Instead, Ms. Melissa made it a warm and welcoming process. Last year, she always sent a helper to unload and load the girls from the car, a small gesture, acknowledging how time consuming it can be to get four children unbuckled. She has always treated my daughters as individuals rather than "the quads."
I appreciate her teaching style. She is not critical. When one of the girls struggled with a homework assignment and simply couldn't complete it, Ms. Melissa emailed me and told me not to worry. She had gone over the work with Roo, who did everything with no problems. Ms. Melissa is "on" from the minute children are dropped off. She starts the day with songs to get everyone moving. She gently reminds the students to follow the classroom rules. Her class if often the last to arrive at the pick-up spot because they are learning until the last minute. Even recess and snack time are teaching tools. At the end of recess, each student has to help do the head count. During snack time, good manners are encouraged, including saying "please" and "thank you."
It saddens me that a good teacher is being let go. I realize someone had to go, but part of me wonders if the right choice was made. I know I'm biased, it just seems ridiculous to lose someone who has had an impact on so many young lives.
To add insult to injury, I just spoke with someone else in the school district. She said this is likely just the beginning of the cutbacks.
March 08, 2010
Icky, Sticky Bubble Gum
Roo: "Mommy, Sue Sue has (garbled word) in her mouth."
Me: "She has what in her mouth? Sue Sue are you chewing on something?"
Sue Sue: (muffled) "No."
I look up. She is covering her mouth with her hand.
Me: "Come over here for a minute." I look in her mouth. "What is that?"
Sue Sue: "It's candy. Daddy gave it to me."
Me to Hubby: "What did you give them after lunch?"
Hubby: "Tootsie Pops... but only Sue Sue and Roo got them because they're the only ones who finished their lunch."
Me: "Oh (pause) wait a minute... did you give them the Blow Pops?"
Hubby: "Ummm... no? I guess. There were Blow Pops in the cupboard? Oops."
Sue Sue agrees to spit out her gum and then....
Hubby: "Roo... where's your gum."
Roo: "In my tummy."
Yep, there's never a dull moment in this house.
Me: "She has what in her mouth? Sue Sue are you chewing on something?"
Sue Sue: (muffled) "No."
I look up. She is covering her mouth with her hand.
Me: "Come over here for a minute." I look in her mouth. "What is that?"
Sue Sue: "It's candy. Daddy gave it to me."
Me to Hubby: "What did you give them after lunch?"
Hubby: "Tootsie Pops... but only Sue Sue and Roo got them because they're the only ones who finished their lunch."
Me: "Oh (pause) wait a minute... did you give them the Blow Pops?"
Hubby: "Ummm... no? I guess. There were Blow Pops in the cupboard? Oops."
Sue Sue agrees to spit out her gum and then....
Hubby: "Roo... where's your gum."
Roo: "In my tummy."
Yep, there's never a dull moment in this house.
March 04, 2010
The Winner Is...
The winner of the Rhythm & Blues giveaway is:
- comment #4 Meg
March 03, 2010
Thank Goodness They Like Books
I am a bookworm. I love to read. I can devour books. When I was younger, my mom took me on weekly treks to the local library. I loved finding new books or even revisiting old favorites. Some people can watch the same movies over and over. I enjoy reading the same books over and over. I don't care if I know what's going to happen, I like being lost in a book.
From a young age, my daughters have been surrounded by books. We have pictures of them sitting together, pouring over picture books. Sure, many times the books were upside down, but it's the thought that counts.
As part of our project to split the girls into two bedrooms, our guest room is on the verge of becoming their second room and our den/office/room for storing junk is now the guest room. It took several hours, but the new guest room is complete. In order to do this, a large futon had to be moved from the room. This futon was my couch for many years. It's still fairly comfortable, but over the years has mainly been a giant cat bed. Hubby asked what I wanted to do with it. He suggested moving it downstairs in our front room/play room (really, in our house what room isn't a play room/toy storage area?!). I told him that was fine with me, but if he felt it wouldn't work then I wanted the futon donated or pitched. We don't need to store anything else in our basement.
So, a week ago today we moved the futon in front of our large picture window in our front play room. The girls have officially dubbed it "the book couch." When Hubby moved the futon downstairs, he also moved a book case down there. It is now filled with books for children. My daughters are quite content to sit on the couch all day long, looking at books or looking out the window. Sure, they still get up and play, too, but they're so quiet. It's amazing. I'm looking forward to digging out more books for them... and maybe curling up on the futon with a book of my own!
(You still have time to enter the Rhythm & Blues giveaway).
From a young age, my daughters have been surrounded by books. We have pictures of them sitting together, pouring over picture books. Sure, many times the books were upside down, but it's the thought that counts.
As part of our project to split the girls into two bedrooms, our guest room is on the verge of becoming their second room and our den/office/room for storing junk is now the guest room. It took several hours, but the new guest room is complete. In order to do this, a large futon had to be moved from the room. This futon was my couch for many years. It's still fairly comfortable, but over the years has mainly been a giant cat bed. Hubby asked what I wanted to do with it. He suggested moving it downstairs in our front room/play room (really, in our house what room isn't a play room/toy storage area?!). I told him that was fine with me, but if he felt it wouldn't work then I wanted the futon donated or pitched. We don't need to store anything else in our basement.
So, a week ago today we moved the futon in front of our large picture window in our front play room. The girls have officially dubbed it "the book couch." When Hubby moved the futon downstairs, he also moved a book case down there. It is now filled with books for children. My daughters are quite content to sit on the couch all day long, looking at books or looking out the window. Sure, they still get up and play, too, but they're so quiet. It's amazing. I'm looking forward to digging out more books for them... and maybe curling up on the futon with a book of my own!
(You still have time to enter the Rhythm & Blues giveaway).
March 02, 2010
Pajama Day
When my daughters came home from preschool yesterday, they excitedly told me that their teacher is having a pajama party at school. It is now my belief that every day should be pajama day at school. Everyone was on their best behavior last night (I may have told them that if they didn't behave then they couldn't wear their pajamas to school). This morning all four of my daughters quickly dressed themselves in their clean pajamas. In general, they are not morning people. Even if they rise at the crack of dawn, they refuse to get out of bed to get dressed for school. I didn't have to say a thing this morning. They were changed before I could find the comb and detangle spray. I'm sure the novelty of pajama day would wear off eventually, but it would be nice to cash in on this just a little longer!
Don't forget to check out the Rhythm & Blues giveaway.
Don't forget to check out the Rhythm & Blues giveaway.
March 01, 2010
Giveaway: Rhythm and Blues
Wouldn't it be amazing if I could actually give away rhythm or give someone the ability to sing the blues? Well, I've got the next best thing. Putumayo World Music recently provided me with a complimentary copy of Rhythm & Blues. It's a pretty fun listen.
The CD has recordings from artists I'm already familiar with (Angie Stone and Keb' Mo') and some I've never heard of (James Hunter and The Quantic Soul Orchestra). Keep in mind that just because I've never heard of some of these artists doesn't necessarily mean they're new to the scene... it could just be a reflection on my knowledge of R&B music.
The tag line of Putumayo World Music sums it all up: "Guaranteed to make you feel good." Rhythm and Blues has numerous uptempo songs. It's hard not to get up and dance or at least tap along as you listen. One unique feature is the liner notes contain information about all the artists... and the information is in English, French and Spanish. I enjoyed reading about each of the performers while listening to the disc.
My daughters loved "Wang Dang Doodle," performed by Sam Moore, Keb' Mo' and Angie Stone. This song has been covered by many artists, including Ted Nugent and the Pointer Sisters. I truly have no idea what a Wang Dang Doodle is, but my girls love to yell out "Wang Dang Doodle" when it comes up in the song.
My favorite song of the disc is Catherine Russell's "Put Me Down Easy." I wasn't sure at first what drew me to the song, but I figured it out when I read the liner notes. The song was written by Sam Cooke, an artist I grew up listening to. Perhaps the style resonated with me? Either way, Russell gives this tune a passionate turn.
So, want to hear Rhythm & Blues for yourself? Putumayo World Music is providing one lucky Buried in Laundry reader with a copy of the CD. To enter the giveaway:
- leave a comment telling me what artist you've dreamed of seeing in concert, especially if money were no object. Please be sure to include a valid email address in your comment.
- earn a second entry if you become a follower of Buried in Laundry or are already a follower (you MUST leave a separate comment for your additional entry to be counted)
- earn another entry if you blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post and a link to Putumayo World Music (again, leave a separate email if you do this)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)