tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15203958978892107702024-03-08T00:02:50.436-08:00The adventures of Kaitlyn and MommyChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-76868598305519124352012-10-22T21:03:00.003-07:002012-10-22T21:03:35.716-07:00We have a singerIgnore my singing voice and focus on the cuteness.<br />
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Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-9923962369910429152012-10-22T11:54:00.002-07:002012-10-22T11:54:47.671-07:00passed outLast night was only the second time ever Kaitlyn has fallen asleep on the couch. I have fond memories of falling asleep on the couch with my mom or dad and being carried off to bed. Some times I would fake being asleep just so I could get carried to bed.<br />
At any rate this was the first time I got to carry her to bed. I loved every single minuet of it. She snuggled up next to me right when I put her in my arms. I looked at her beautiful little face the entire walk to her bed. Yes I know I am a sap!<br />
Here is Kaitlyn passed out on the couch:<br />
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The reason she was tuckered out enough to fall asleep on the couch is because she did not take a nap. She decided it would be better to play quietly in her room for two hours instead of sleeping. She does this about once a week now. Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-12577066861120131692012-10-12T20:09:00.000-07:002012-10-12T20:09:06.815-07:00Rhino, Rayray, and PooI have been meaning to post this for a while but have been very busy with some large school projects and life in general. At any rate, this video is just too funny.<br />
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We had a poo incident today. I got a call from Gracie saying Kaitlyn had a poo stuck and it would not come out. She tried everything, massaging her tummy, Vaseline on the putter hole, bike petal her legs... I called the doctor and she said try a warm bath and if that did not work use a suppository. Luckily for us the warm bath worked. Poor baby, I am sure her butt did not feel good with a poo stuck part way out. <br />
Now I am off to bleach the tub and her toys.... glad it is Friday!Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-74264746054166627832012-10-02T08:35:00.000-07:002012-10-02T08:35:13.634-07:00Banana SlicerIf you are ever having a bad day I suggest you read the amazon reviews on the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MSA9AQ/" target="_blank">Hutzler Banana Slicer.</a><br />
They are sure to brighten your day. It would be awesome to publish a book of funny amazon reviews for useless products.<br />
^^^ That actually is a great idea, I could become wealthy! Don't you dare steal my idea, I will sue you!!!!!!!Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-9230103856503760222012-09-30T20:28:00.001-07:002012-09-30T20:28:34.531-07:00BeachToday was the first time I took Kaitlyn to the beach. I know, why did I wait so long when I live so close to the beach? The answer is, I have no idea what took me so long. It has been so long since I have been to our local beach that I almost forgot how to get there (drive down one street till I hit the beach) and almost forgot to bring quarters for the parking meeters. <br />
Well we made it there just fine, I did not make any unnecessary turns resulting in us getting lost. I had a lot of stuff to carry so Kaitlyn walked (holding my hand) all the way to the spot we claimed as our own. We had to climb down a lot of stairs, I should have taken the ramp, but Kaitlyn did great.<br />
Turns out Kaitlyn is a fish like me. She wanted to be in the water the entire time. We only ended up staying for one hour because I got tired, LOL. I had to hold her hands the entire time she was in the water because even the smallest wave seemed to knock her over. We were only ankle deep... Overall it was a great day.<br />
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I cannot wait to go again :)<br /><br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-83181543151578248012012-09-24T20:17:00.002-07:002012-10-18T10:27:40.891-07:00Happy Birthday KaitlynToday Kaitlyn turned two. She is such a cutie! Here are some pics from today - her birthday:<br />
Early this morning right before leaving for work/daycare<br />
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After work/daycare playing with her new birthday present - I think she likes it.<br />
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My little baby is no longer a baby. sniffle sniffle<br />
<br />
her likes:<br />
TV show: Yo Gabba Gabba<br />
Songs: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Wheels on the Bus, she sings along to them as best as she can and does hand motions to them as well. Very cute!<br />
Colors: Purple and Yellow are still the only crayons she grabs to color with.<br />
Drawing skills: She now does more rounded scribbles where as before it was just back and forth scribbles.<br />
Toy: a stuffed monkey from Build a Bear that she named Pizza. Pizza is her best friend, he helps her clean up, rides in her rhino with her, eats bananas, she cooks pretend meals for him, and he loves to watch tv.<br />
Skills: She loves to jump. She has a bounce house that she loves and a trampoline that she loves. Her new trick is to try to jump over something or from one spot to the next.<br />
Games: I got you is her favorite game. Her and David play it together. It is hide and seek with some chasing involved.<br />
Books: She still loves Potty by Leslie Patricelli and even reads along with me. She like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? and The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss. Her good old favorites still get pulled out every once in a while: Sally Sheep, Dolly Duck, and Happy Hen.<br />
She still loves shoes but is very particular with what she will wear. It takes her time to get into a new pair and she does not like to mix things up much, as in a different pair of shoes to match an outfit. Her pink glitter shoes are worn with everything.Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-44035544626789802232012-09-24T08:21:00.002-07:002012-09-24T08:21:55.131-07:002nd birthday partySaturday was Kaitlyn's 2nd birthday party. It was a hot and muggy day so in addition to the jumpy I took the water table out. That was a great idea. All the kids loved it. Here are a few pics of the decorations:<br />
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The cupcakes I made:<br />
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And the birthday girl:<br />
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Kaitlyn had a blast with all her friends and cousins. I wish we could do a party once a month just for her to get to play with everybody.<br />
Today is her actual birthday! I want to go to Disneyland!!!! Instead I am stuck at work and Kaitlyn is at daycare.<br />
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PUMPKIN. <br />
<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-48082915309548750572012-09-20T08:21:00.001-07:002012-09-20T13:39:17.718-07:00Cash GiftsWhile I am not the only one to admit I absolutely love getting cash as a gift now that I am older; I do have to say the strings attached to it kind of suck. What I mean is when a dear family member gives you cash then tells you "this is so you and David can go out to dinner" or "Make sure you get yourself something special". Why does there have to be a specific reason to give a person cash? Can't a cash gift be given and received without expectations on where it will be used? The absolute best part of all of this is when the giver calls the recipient and asks them if they used the cash for dinner or something special yet. I am not one to lie but I might have to start strengthening that skill. The guilt I feel when, lets say, my dad calls and asks about the dinner David and I were suppose to use my cash gift on. When I tell him we have not gone yet, the truth, and leave out the part where I actually used the cash to buy Kaitlyn something for her birthday. The disappointment in his voice says it all, "well make sure you guys get a chance to go out, some place special'.<br />
<br />
Now let me explain why I love getting cash as a gift. Cash is amazing, it can become anything you want it to become; a nice dinner, new underwear, electricity, water... what ever you want within reason.<br />
<br />
Here is what actually happens when I get cash, it goes directly in the money hole with the rest of the cash I have on hand. Once in the hole it is used to pay bills, buy gas, buy food, or what ever else happens to be needed at the time. Most of the time when I am given a cash gift there is nothing in particular that I want for myself. So why should I have to spend it on a nice dinner when I have a large credit card bill that I want to pay off? Why do I have to be obligated to spend it on something frivolous when there is something more important or needed at the time?<br />
<br />
Here is my unsolicited advice to you:<br />
**When giving cash as a gift never say this is for such and such. It makes the receiver feel crappy when they have to spend the cash on necessities. Never call the recipient and ask if they used the cash yet or what they used it on.<br />
**When receiving cash as a gift always say that you used it for such and such when asked (if it was supposed to be use for something specific). Learn how to lie and say how nice such and such was then thank the person who gave you the wonderful gift and be done with it. Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-12715264753547436162012-09-19T14:31:00.001-07:002012-09-19T14:31:55.908-07:00IOUSo a while back I received an IOU from my school program for $250 towards teaching supplies. It expires in May of 2013 I believe. There are no restrictions listed on the IOU. Well I contacted them asking if I could use the IOU towards the purchase of the IPad I am currently borrowing from them (they said they would sell them to us at a "used" price). The answer to my question was that I cannot use the IOU until I secure a teaching job and that it is only to be used for items to aid in teaching... WTF??? I already bought about $250 worth of stuff in anticipation of getting a teaching job. Now I am stuck footing that bill that I thought would be covered and I am sure by the time I do get a teaching job the IOU would be expired. What a crock of poo poo. And why the hell can I not use it towards the IPad if I turned in receipts to cover the $250? So I have to receive a check from them and write them out a check at the same time? That seems a little ass backwards to me.<br />
Maybe he read my question wrong. Maybe he thought I would use the IOU without turning in receipts? - That cannot be because I clearly stated that I do have receipts already.<br />
I should have re-worded my email I guess stating that in stead of the program paying me back for my receipts that the $250 owed to me be applied to the price of the IPad instead.<br />
What ever, I cannot even use that damn IOU anyways. SUCKER!!!!!Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-22671254258506924402012-09-18T14:30:00.001-07:002012-09-18T14:30:36.404-07:00HalloweenHere it is the end of September and I still have no clue what Kaitlyn will be for Halloween. Last year I had her costume already by this time. This year nothing really stands out as a cute costume for a 2 year old. I almost cannot wait till she can tell me what she wants to be.<br />
<br />
Few ideas: Giraffe, Horse, Minnie Mouse.<br />
<br />
It will probably be Minnie Mouse that wins. I already have a dress us costume that I got from Target that would work. It is not a nice Halloween costume but it would work. If my mom lived close by she could make a costume for Kaitlyn. She needs to hurry up and move closer!Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-36776558925364676632012-09-17T10:34:00.000-07:002012-09-17T10:34:11.706-07:00CSET take 4I took the Geo section of the CSET on Saturday. This time they offered it as a computer based test instead of paper. AWESOME. The testing location is closer to my house and you can pick what time you want to take the test.<br />
Old way vs new way<br />
1) OLD: Leave the house by 6:45 to 7am to make sure I rived at the testing location in time. Test starts at 8am but they want you there by 7:30 to check in. --- NEW: leave house 30 min before test time (my test time was 10:15am), arrive with plenty of time to go over notes before walking in. <br />
2) OLD: Test ticket always listed "limited parking so get there early to secure a spot." I hate parking. It is one of those things that has to go perfectly for me or my day is ruined. If there is no designated parking and I have to find some place else to park I get stressed out. I don't know why this is but I have to deal with it every time I go anyplace new where parking could be an issue. --- NEW: "ample parking available" AWESOME! There were so many parking spots I got to pick one that I liked best. LOL.<br />
3) OLD: Wait around outside till they let us in the testing room then sit through 1 hour of instructions, check in, and calculator checks. Store personal items in a pile at some location in the room away from us. --- NEW: Walk in, check in - 5 min tops, locker assigned to hold personal belongings. Walk over to testing room, calculator check, ear plugs issued, quick run down of rules, then walked to computer station and test begins. Total time combined 10 min :).<br />
********<br />
I absolutely love the new testing system. Everything was very smooth and quick. No lagging behind or driving forever to get there. They even supplied the #2 pencils and scratch paper pad. The only difference I see is with the new way you are only allotted 2 hours for each section of the test. The old way you could take up to 5 hours to complete what ever test or tests you were working on. This was not a problem for me though. The computer keeps a list of the problems you completed, total number of problems on the test, at running timer telling you how much longer you have left, and a warning screen pops up when you have 30 min left. I ended up finishing the test right when the 30 min pop up happened.<br />
<br />
How did I do? Still don't know - the only thing I wish the new computer testing did was give you the score for your multiple choice questions. I understand the constructed response need to be graded by a live person but at the very least it would ease my mind to know how many of the multiple choice I got correct. What would be even better is if it told you the multiple choice score and how many points you need on the constructed response to pass based on how well you did on the multiple choice. I bet in the future that will happen.<br />
<br />
Leading up to the test I was having a very difficult time focusing on studying. I don't know why, normally when I sit down and start studying I focus so much that I loose track of time. I even took part of Friday off work in the hopes that I would be able to focus on studying. I managed to make it though my worksheets just once, I wanted to go over it at least twice, even better three times but I do think it was enough this time. When taking the test I jumped right to the constructed response section to get them out of the way. I am confident that I did two of them perfectly and another one of them possibly perfectly or pretty close to it. I absolutely did not know how to do the last one (there are a total of 4 constructed response). I wrote down what I did know about the problem and drew a graph... that is about it, maybe I will get 1/2 or 1 point with that but I am not concerned about it since I knew the other three problems.<br />
<br />
I left the test center very confident that I passed this time. We shall see.Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-63114240020081005662012-09-11T15:58:00.000-07:002012-09-20T13:39:36.045-07:00Why would you tell me that?The other day I went out to lunch with a coworker of mine. A really nice lady to hang out with. I cannot remember how the conversation started but I said something about how I use to like the movie Train Spotting before I had my daughter. I saw it again after I had my daughter and did not remember there was a part where a baby dies in the movie. It was a big mistake for me to watch that part of the movie since now I cannot get that part out of my mind. It greatly affected me now that I have a child. Before having Kaitlyn I was able to see stuff like that and disconnect from what happened. Now days I am completely connected and for some reason I feel the pain as if I was the child's mother. <br />
Notice I did not say what specifically happened in the movie, rather talked about how hard it hits me now when I see stuff like that. <br />
Well, my lovely coworker decided to share an experience she had watching a video where a child died. She does not have a child of her own but she is very sensitive and loves children as deeply as a person can for not having one. Instead of focusing on how it affected her she went into great detail every aspect of the video. This also was not a movie, it is something that was caught on tape in real life. I did not say one word while she gave me graphic details of how the two year old little girl died. Horrific to say the least. <br />
Now I cannot get that out of my head. It keeps coming back to haunt me just like Train Spotting does. I did not even watch the video and yet I still hurt for that little girl.<br />
<br />
PSA: Please do not ever feel it is OK to tell somebody graphic details about something that is similar in any way to what they just said really upsets them. <br />
<br />
That is all!Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-44936620281818191822012-09-10T15:26:00.000-07:002012-09-10T20:13:05.205-07:00Liana's Bat-MitzvahWe were invited to my Bosses daughter, Liana's, Bat-Mitzvah this weekend. I have never been to one before so I wanted to go check it out.<br />
The Temple was beautiful, the ceremony was long. David even wore a kippah during the ceremony since my boss told him he had to in order to enter the temple (this was a lie but I will keep my lips closed). Liana did excellent. Through out the ceremony they sing passages from the Torah. Here is the short short version: There was an hour long per-ceremony before the "good stuff" took place. This is the main part of the ceremony: they opened the ark in which the Torah scrolls are kept, took one out and placed it on Liana's shoulder, she made a pass around the temple holding it, then sang some passages, then put the scrolls back. <br />
There was a luncheon held afterwords that we had to miss so we could pick Kaitlyn up. I am kinda bummed about that but after a 2 1/2 hour ceremony I was ready to get out of there anyways. <br />
Later that night was the after party. A dinner cruse/party. It was a blast. I need to get some of the pictures from David so I can post them. I only have a few goofy ones on my phone. The theme was casting party, there were mock movie posters up around the boat staring Liana and fun flower centerpieces that looked like popcorn and movie film. As we walked onto the boat we were handed some funny sunglasses:<br />
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Later in the night was black light party and dancing, we were given glow necklaces, finger lights, white gloves, and some flashing sunglasses. <br />
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Overall it was a very fun party and I was so worried about being cold... It was so freaking hot since the boat was enclosed in glass! I was drenched in sweat by the end of the night. <br />
Here are some other pics from the night:<br />
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-53337861412509722372012-09-05T15:28:00.001-07:002012-09-06T10:23:24.464-07:00job burn outHave I ever mentioned how much I HATE my job? This is not the field for me. When I decided to go the accounting rout I figured I would be playing with numbers all day instead I am the go to person for every stupid little thing that comes up. Insurance too high? Ask Christina to get a quote worked out. Such and such is getting married? Have Christina order them a gift even though she has no idea who they are. Light bulb out in the mans bathroom? Call Christina to get it fixed. You were not paid overtime? Go talk to Christina. Toilet is clogged, better tell Christina! All general office complaints come to me, heck I even order the office supplies.<br />
Last time I checked the accountant does not handle any of this shit. That is the job of the office manager. I am in no means an office manager. I have NO employees under me and I make way less than any other "manager" in the company, I am talking HALF as much. Not that I feel I need to make more to do all this shit, I just don't want to do it period.<br />
Give somebody else a raise and change their title to office manager so I can sit back and play with my numbers please.<br />
I hope I like teaching, I know there is a lot of prep work I am fine with that.<br />
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I guess it does not help that I had a crappy start to my day. Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-16108161945295898812012-09-05T09:33:00.001-07:002012-09-05T09:33:23.448-07:00Bla start to the dayWell today started out crappy. My neck and back have been bothering me for over a week now and this morning was no different there... I got out of bed went strait to the bath room to brush my teeth and wash my face. Kaitlyn decided that she was going to pound on her bedroom door the entire time I did these two things. (David is trying to sleep in the room two feet away... sorry about that). Once I rushed through those things I opened the bedroom door to see my cutie pie smiling at me. I asked her why she banged on the door instead of opening it as she ran by me to get the IPad. IPad is her obsession! I know she can open the door, just last night she opened the bathroom door while David was in there. She randomly opens the bathroom door all the time. Her bedroom door is exactly the same as the bathroom one. <br />
Next, I go in the kitchen to let the dogs out and Kaitlyn runs to the fridge wanting to feed the dogs. I told her it was not time yet, lets get dressed first then we will feed the dogs. She started crying... I walked away and went to get dressed. I cannot handle tantrums that early in the morning. Soon enough she came in the bedroom looking for me once she figured out that nobody was listening to her cry.<br />
It was time for Kaitlyn to get dressed. I let her pick her top today, she got a kick out of that. Then when I put her up on the changing table to get her dressed the crying started again. I was getting frustrated and asked her why she was crying. This was met with more crying so I thought I would tell her how cute she was and give her a kiss. The kiss only led to even more crying. I hurried up to get her dressed. Once she was dressed I sat on her bed for a second. She walked up to me crying and snuggled while crying for about 5 min.<br />
I have no idea what the problem was. I swear she cried from the moment she woke up till we walked out the door. And by that time I was highly irritable and ready to snap.<br />
I park my car in the garage, it fits, but there is a ton of random stuff all around it... One item in particular drives me insane, the damn car jack. It is in my way, it is in Kaitlyn's way. Every single time we are trying to get in the car she trips over it, I knock the handle down, I kick it... One day I moved it out of the way. It was wonderful! I could freely walk around the car and not trip on anything, not have a handle in my way. That lasted for about two days then magically it reappeared in the same damn spot again. URG!!!!<br />
Remember I was highly irritated already this morning. Well that damn car jack was in my way again. While trying to maneuver getting my purse, snacks, backpack, and diaper bag in the car with Kaitlyn standing in my way every move I made the damn car jack got in my way again. This time the handle had me stuck with my back pack and diaper bag between the car door and Kaitlyn. The car door semi closed onto Kaitlyn's head in the process of me getting unstuck, luckily it did not hurt her and she did not even cry. Seriously that car jack is going to get picked up and launched into the street one day (sorry David). Why does it have to be right there? WHY??????Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-69513740955033045462012-08-26T22:09:00.000-07:002012-08-27T13:25:26.356-07:00Just another weekendI feel like so much got done this weekend and at the same time feel like there was something else I needed to get done. <br />
Our little dog Jack was due for his rabies shot. I did not want to drive all the way down to his vet so I decided to check out the vet that is walking distance from our house. They are open 7 days a week and have a vaccination clinic every weekend. Turns out I really like the place and Jack did too so we are switching vet offices. Jack is getting up there in age so he was not able to walk the entire way - well he could have but I walk fast and his little legs could not keep up. SO he hitched a ride:<br />
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Kaitlyn got her first pair of ugly crocks, but these ones are semi cute with mickey mouse on them AND they are pink! Now if only I could get her to keep them on outside.<br />
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After two years of hand washing the tray to Kaitlyn's high chair I finally figured out how to fit it in the dishwasher. Since I figured this out on Friday night it has been washed in there about 4 times. LOL Amazing!!!! Wish I would have figured this out two years ago.<br />
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Kaitlyn and I were both sick this weekend so we hung around the house. I organized my school stuff, tossed old paperwork out and filed things that I need to keep while Kaitlyn learned to play the piano and snuggled her dogs.<br />
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I also got to tie up a few loose ends for her birthday party next month. Guest list is almost finalized and the invites are done. Now if only I could figure out what to do about this Helium shortage. I have at least 60 balloons that I wanted to get inflated. I will be happy if only the Mylar ones get done. I can string up the others I guess - even though I paid top dollar for helium quality. BOO!<br />
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After a month of trying to get a cute picture of Kaitlyn for her birthday invite I had to settle for this half smiling picture. Oh well... It is still cute. Got them made <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThePrintShoppeOnEtsy" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
Did I mention I cleaned of the planter window thing in the kitchen? I guess I need to get sick more often so I can keep organized. Now if only my check book would balance itself. <br />
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-73464274339443610602012-08-21T22:16:00.001-07:002012-08-21T22:19:19.128-07:00little bitsSchool starts up again on Monday. For some reason I am so not looking forward to it. I want to be done already. I know this semester is going to be easier than the last but I am still stressing about it for some reason. Once it starts up I will be fine and adjust. I think it is the fear of the unknown that is getting me right now.<br />
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Kaitlyn has been skipping naps when she is home on the weekend lately. I don't get it, she looks tired when I put her down but then she just talks and plays in her room for a couple hours. I need her to continue taking naps for at least the next year. I need that time to do homework. She is also fighting bedtime a lot lately. Hopefully it is a faze that will pass soon.<br />
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Work has settled down a little bit. I have a bank audit coming up the first week of September and after that I can finally pack the 2011 files away and have my office back ... till January when I pack up the 2012 files LOL.<br />
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I have gotten over the not having a teaching job right now part of my life, this has helped me with my current job. I have relaxed a bit and am less high strung. I think not being in school for the past week and a half has helped that as well.<br />
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Kaitlyn's toenails are impossible to cut now days. She will not let me even touch her little toes. I am getting frustrated over that entire thing! What happened to make her freak out about getting her toenails cut? It has been a slow progression that I had been trying to nip in the butt from the beginning but nothing helped. Distractions are not working anymore, not even the IPad or IPhone. I just tried to cut them while she was sleeping as a last resort but that was a total failure as well. Maybe not a total failure since I did manage to cut all the nails on one of her feet except that damn little pinky toe before she woke up. Then she was screaming because I left the room... Boy I give up on that one. I am just going to let them grow I guess.<br />
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Another foot issue, last week Kaitlyn had something sticking out of her heal. I tried to pull it out but she would not let me. I felt so bad holding her foot down but at the same time I could not get a grip on the thing with the tweezers while holding her foot down. I tried tape to lift it out, I tried a hot bath... nothing worked. I ended up putting neosporin on it and a band-aid when she went to bed so I could think about what my next move would be. I scoured the internet for a solution. Then I figured I would just try to pull it out after she had been asleep for a while. It worked! I pulled out a cactus needle a little longer than a quarter of an inch long. It was strait in her heal, not sideways at all. I don't know how she walked around with that thing in there. At any rate that whole incident was very traumatic for me. I was in panic mode. Luckily it came to a happy ending.<br />
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Planing for the big 2nd birthday party has been underway. I figure I should do as much as I can before school starts back up. One less stress to deal with. I am pretty happy with the way things are coming together. It is Minnie Mouse theme this year or as Kaitlyn likes to call her "MaaMaa". I am skipping the fancy plates, cups and stuff. Sticking with plain white plates, clear utensils, some clear pink cups that are left over from my baby shower, pink with white dot napkins (but only one small pack, once they are gone plain white costoco napkins will be used), I got three bunches of Minnie Mouse Mylar balloons and a pack of pink with white dot rubber balloons. One road block is that there is a helium shortage right now so filling up the mass amounts of balloons I bought might become a problem. We will see. I have found some ideas for using them without helium but it is such a waist because helium quality balloons are so dang expensive! This year we will have cupcakes with mouse ears instead of a big cake. It will also be a smaller affair, I cut the guest list way down. No neighbors this year (except for little Alex across the street and his mom and dad). No old time friends that we have not seen since Kaitlyn's last birthday. Just family and some of our close friends that have kiddos about the same age as our kiddo.<br />
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I got my paperwork proving I passed the Algebra CSET in the mail the other day. I think I should frame it. <br />
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Tomorrow is my birthday, I will be 35. That is all I have to say about that.<br />
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I think that is just about everything that has happened in the past few weeks. Besides me being exhausted and not wanting to do anything at all...Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-57681695883711122822012-08-18T20:55:00.002-07:002012-08-18T20:55:19.585-07:00Slip n SlideSo much fun!!!!<br />
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No words needed:<br />
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She kept going back for more. <br /><br />
<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-8904912459538560392012-08-13T10:17:00.003-07:002012-08-21T22:17:50.180-07:00Happy DayPassed the Algebra CSET!!!!!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!!!! I am so excited.<br />
Geo I got a 213 - not bad considering I need a 220 to pass.<br />
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Good news, and more good news, I have two weeks off to study for the Geo section before Fall classes start. Bonus - I only have to study for one test this time! I am scheduled to take the Geo test on September 15th.Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-26639723960699504242012-08-08T15:02:00.002-07:002012-08-09T12:17:46.225-07:00Time fliesWhere has the time gone? The past couple weeks have been crazy for me. Between the work inventory issue; then preparing final projects for school... Wow! I feel like I can finally catch my breath for a min. <br />
<u><b>Things I need to do:</b></u><br />
Register for my fall classes that start on Aug 27 - financial aid already awarded and excepted!<br />
Use my spa gift card<br />
Get my teeth fixed<br />
print my resume on pretty paper and pass it out to the schools I am interested in<br />
balance my check book<br />
plant flowers in the front yard<br />
get the final details in place for Kaitlyn's second birthday party <br />
<u><b>Things I want to do:</b></u><br />
quit my job<br />
visit my mom - but now I cannot - tickets are way too expensive and the timing just sucks with work right now.<br />
Trash the paci ceremony - no I have not done it yet, yes I could just throw them away but I want pictures to document it happening for our family year book.<br />
Get started on ideas for the family year book and organize what I have already.<br />
Make these to give out at Christmas:<br />
<a href="http://www.ambrosiagirl.com/blog/tiny-polaroid-magnets/" target="_blank">Tiny Polaroid Magnets</a><br />
Make these to put the magnets in:<br />
<a href="http://blog.swap-bot.com/rachels-matchbox-template/" target="_blank">Matchbox</a><br />
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All of the above = I have exactly 3 weekends to accomplish it in. Ya - not going to happen.<br />
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Kaitlyn went with David to the boat races in LB this weekend. From what I hear she enjoyed it. I was at school...<br />
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This semester should be a little easier compared to summer session. I will only have two actual classes, one of which is online so I will only need to go to class one night a week. I also opted to take the Saturday class during summer instead of this semester. Now I am happy I did. At the time I thought what the heck was I thinking! <br />
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Ok back to work!Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-41338598187439919402012-07-27T08:23:00.001-07:002012-07-27T08:23:43.070-07:00Ah Work...This is a little snap shot of the kind of things I deal with every single day.<br />
Background: I never lie about payments to vendors. That is the one thing I pride myself on to make sure at the very least there is trust in our professional relationship. This is an email conversation that occurred yesterday:<br />
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<div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vendor:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Christina,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Can you please confirm check is going out today via Fed Ex
overnight- B (my boss) said he signed the check.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">C</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">********</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Me:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He did
not sign the check. He had to leave early. It will be going out
tomorrow.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: small;">~~~ At this point I had already left for the day so I did not get to see the email emails that followed till this morning.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;">~~~</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">*********</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vendor:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Christina,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I am sure K (her boss) is not lying- he
said B signed the check … Let me call him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">*********</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My Boss B: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> When I spoke to Ken I was already on my way to the airport.<br />B-)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">*********<br /> <span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My Boss B:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So C you are sure that K is not lying, but you are implying that
Christina is lying about something that Christina knows for sure and K can
only guess?</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">How insulting is that???</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">B-(</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">*********</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I cannot believe that C would even say that. Thank goodness I did not see the emails till this morning, that would have ruined my day for sure. And my boss ROCKS! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Slap in your face C!<br /> <span></span></span></div>
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</tbody></table>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-89306227229078345292012-07-26T09:41:00.002-07:002012-07-26T09:41:58.333-07:00AnniversaryI am officially a crapy wife. I forgot that yesterday was our anniversary! Isn't it normally the husbands that forget stuff like that? David got me flowers and a gift card to Macy's to buy school clothes. :)<br />
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On another note, it has been one week since the paci incident. I think I am ready to toss them in the trash. Tonight I will hold my paci tossing ceremony to make it official. I will post pictures later tonight. <br />
<br />
Did I mention that I had an interview at a local high school yesterday for a teaching position? I feel the interview went well. I originally wanted to teach middle school but after meeting with the administrators of this high school I am excited to get a chance to work there. It is a very small school with about 25 teachers in total. They don't have EL students at the moment which would relieve some pressure off of me. I will keep you posted on what happens. If I do get a call back from them the next step would be to present a sample lesson to them.Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-68740401410940032272012-07-24T14:44:00.003-07:002012-07-24T14:44:57.768-07:00Paci updateWell I have stuck to it. Paci's are gone for good now. Kaitlyn is still not that happy about it and has been crying the last two nights when I put her to bed but I am not exactly sure if it is because of the lack of paci's. I think it might be that she wants to stay up and hang out with me. The first two nights after the initial night she did ask for them but it was not that big of a deal when I said "I don't know what happened to them, I'm sorry, no more pones." (she calls them pone) She just looked at me like I was crazy then went to bed without a fight. <br />
This weekend I got her a pillow too. It does not even faze her that she has it. She has been sleeping completely on top of it as if it were a bed topper. LOL. <br />
<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-1671711194938925692012-07-24T14:39:00.000-07:002012-07-24T14:39:41.497-07:00Job interviewWish me luck. I got a call today during lunch for a job interview at a charter high school close to where I work right now. Tomorrow at 2pm! I am very excited about this. I was hoping to get a job at a middle school but I heard great stories about this school so I am willing to give high school a shot if they want me. The principal seemed willing to work with the applicants as far as placing them in subject mater they are comfortable with.<br />
I am very comfortable with Algebra, am willing to do Geo BUT it is not my favorite subject at all.<br />
I will keep you posted.Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1520395897889210770.post-43914115055817103852012-07-24T09:12:00.001-07:002012-07-24T09:16:39.069-07:00Taught first lesson yesterdayIt was my turn at the lab school to teach a lesson. My partner and I were assigned "percent equation". It was nice to have a partner to help with this. He forwarded me a power point, I adjusted it to my style and I forwarded him the written lesson plan based on my changes. We each taught one period by ourselves. I was lucky to get 2nd period, the rowdy group of kids. <br />
I set up my computer and tested the smart board to make sure everything was working. When the students came in I had them working on a warm up. After the warm up I pulled out the class rules and reminded them that I expected them to follow all the class rules that were set in place when the lead teacher was teaching. Then off I went. I love the smart board - when it works. I should have used the lead teachers computer because a few slides in something went crazy. Every time I would use the markers on the smart board the text from my slide would disappear. So I had to copy all the problems on the whiteboard to work them out. Not that big of a deal but not what I wanted.<br />
Once I went over a few problems with the students I had them take out their personal whiteboards to do some practice. I set up rules and went over them before we started a one minute free write on them (to get it out of their system). When we got into actually using the whiteboards for problems I set a time limit to keep them focused.<br />
At any rate....<br />
I would say my classroom management was amazing, not one kid misbehaved.<br />
What worked:<br />
The use of a kitchen timer to set a sense of urgency and keep the kids on task. <br />
Going over the ways a % can be written.<br />
Relating the word "Part" to is and "Whole" to of.<br />
Telling the students what exactly to copy into their notes.<br />
Having students box the question and under line the key facts in word problems. This made it easier to put their answer into a sentence. <br />
What did not work:<br />
The smart board - but that was a technical issue.<br />
Showing the students how the previous equation turned into the new equation - this just confused them even more.<br />
My time management. I barely made it through my lesson and did not have enough time for class work to really see who understood what we went over.<br />
Using the seating chart to try to call on students. That chart confused the hell out of me for some reason. <br />
What I would do different:<br />
Spend less time going over examples together. I think they got the idea after the first two. <br />
Set clear steps for them to follow to get the answer to the problem.<br />
1. Box the question and under line the key facts<br />
2. Find the Percent, Part, Whole<br />
3. Change the percent to a decimal<br />
4. Plug into the formula<br />
5. Solve<br />
a. multiply<br />
b. isolate variable <br />
6. If percent is the answer change from a decimal to a percent<br />
7. Write your answer in a sentence.<br />
My questions:<br />
How do I help that one student who did nothing in class. I told him to at least write the question down if he did not know how to do it and to make sure to copy all the notes but he still did not even do that for the most part. I even asked the person sitting next to him to help him out with one of the problems. I don't have any specifics on him as in if he is EL or has and IEP, yes I should have those but I only attend the lab school every other day and was not their when this was gone over with everybody..... <br />
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082592541869843706noreply@blogger.com0