Monday, February 14, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Daddy/daughter dance
This Valentine's Day weekend, Deer Creek hosted the first annual Daddy/Daughter dance. Whether Brian liked it or not, failing to attend was NOT an option in Camryn's book, so being the good sport that he is, Brian dutifully purchased his ticket, and made sure he had the night off from work, so that he could go on his "date" with Camryn. The result? Pure cuteness!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Perspective
I have to admit, I am a person who is fixated on details (I know, I know, big surprise to most of you, right?) For the most part, this freakish personality trait has suited me well in life. However, sometimes it does make it hard for me to step back and see the big picture of life for what it is, regardless of the details. Well today, I got a good "grab-you-by-the-shoulders-and-shake-you-silly" kind of reminder.
I found out today that a friend of mine from college, a sorority sister in fact, was killed in a head-on collision yesterday, along with her 8 year old daughter. And for a moment, I forgot about the minutia of my lesson plans, the fact that my kitchen floor is filthy, that my children were running around the living room in circles, like wild heathens. I forgot that the dinner dishes were still stacked on the counter, that the tension at work is so thick you could cut it with a knife, and that I have about 8,000 things to do before hosting a tea party for my soon-to-be-six year old next weekend. I forgot about all of it, because in reality, it could have been me. It could have been Camryn. Or Aubrey. It could have been any of us.
To be honest, I was not extremely close to Wendy. She was not inside my closest-knit circle of friends, but still we had much in common. We were the same age. We both went to Linfield, made friends, joined the same sorority, and enjoyed a privileged college experience on a nice campus. We both graduated on time, pursued careers, and went on to marry and have two children.
She was smart, honest, dependable, and responsible. She and her daughter were both wearing seat belts. Her daughter was in a safety booster seat. So I keep racking my brain, knowing she must have done everything I would have, and wondering "How could this happen???" and "What if it had been me???"
And then I thank god that it wasn't. And I cry, thinking about the pain her poor husband and her little boy must be going through. And I forget about the dishes, and the running, and the party planning, and the work. And I remember again about the bigger things. Like the two little girls who both drive me crazy, and whom I couldn't live without. The very two who are upstairs sleeping, and are quiet for the very first time all day.
And I remember. It's time to refocus. It's time to remember what's most important. And it isn't the details. It's the fact that they are here. And so am I. And that's all that matters.
I found out today that a friend of mine from college, a sorority sister in fact, was killed in a head-on collision yesterday, along with her 8 year old daughter. And for a moment, I forgot about the minutia of my lesson plans, the fact that my kitchen floor is filthy, that my children were running around the living room in circles, like wild heathens. I forgot that the dinner dishes were still stacked on the counter, that the tension at work is so thick you could cut it with a knife, and that I have about 8,000 things to do before hosting a tea party for my soon-to-be-six year old next weekend. I forgot about all of it, because in reality, it could have been me. It could have been Camryn. Or Aubrey. It could have been any of us.
To be honest, I was not extremely close to Wendy. She was not inside my closest-knit circle of friends, but still we had much in common. We were the same age. We both went to Linfield, made friends, joined the same sorority, and enjoyed a privileged college experience on a nice campus. We both graduated on time, pursued careers, and went on to marry and have two children.
She was smart, honest, dependable, and responsible. She and her daughter were both wearing seat belts. Her daughter was in a safety booster seat. So I keep racking my brain, knowing she must have done everything I would have, and wondering "How could this happen???" and "What if it had been me???"
And then I thank god that it wasn't. And I cry, thinking about the pain her poor husband and her little boy must be going through. And I forget about the dishes, and the running, and the party planning, and the work. And I remember again about the bigger things. Like the two little girls who both drive me crazy, and whom I couldn't live without. The very two who are upstairs sleeping, and are quiet for the very first time all day.
And I remember. It's time to refocus. It's time to remember what's most important. And it isn't the details. It's the fact that they are here. And so am I. And that's all that matters.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Another dropped "s"
Another adorable pronunciation:
"Kibbelwing" = scribbling
As in, "I not kibbelwing, I am colowing!"
~Aubrey
"Kibbelwing" = scribbling
As in, "I not kibbelwing, I am colowing!"
~Aubrey
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Toothless in Tigard!
My full-smile girl has become...
...toothless in Tigard!
Rather intrigued by the idea of the tooth fairy however, she decided last night to investigate further, and wrote her a letter. In the night, somehow the tooth fairy magically knew to stop in and check on Camryn, and she left her a response, encouraging more wiggling!
So this morning, as the gums had finally pulled away from the tooth, and it lay sideways in her mouth, Brian convinced Camryn to wrap a string of dental floss around the tooth, and give it a final pull. It was actually somewhat anti-climactic, since there was no pain, and minimal blood, but I could tell she was scared by the new experience all the same. She didn't cry, but came over immediately for a reassuring hug.
After a few phone calls to some very important people who just *had* to know, she started to feel proud and excited, and is eagerly awaiting bedtime tonight, when the tooth fairy will make her appearance at our house (again!) ;)
Friday, February 4, 2011
Quote of the day
"You know Mom, even though the sight of underpants make people laugh, I am glad to have them there."
~Camryn
~Camryn
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Fire station field trip
"I need you to keep your hands to yourself, please. Thank you."
That phrase must have exited my mouth at least fifty times today, for it was the much anticipated kindergarten field trip, and I was charged with the supervision of six wild, wiggly, giggly kindergarteners.
Camryn's class has been studying studying community helpers, and so Mrs. Doughty planned a visit to the post office and the fire station. It seemed like such a simple idea, yet with 24 kinders in tow...it was definitely somewhat chaotic.
The first stop was the post office, where we purchased a stamp for each student, and they were each able to mail the letter they wrote earlier this week. We also did a "number hunt" amongst the post office boxes, and managed to scare the you-know-what out of some unsuspecting patrons, as they innocently tried to get their mail amidst the confusion. As we exited the building, and the kids waved furiously at the security cameras, Mrs. Doughty and I had a good laugh about the folks on the other side of those monitors, who must've gotten an eyeful today. :)
Next stop: fire station! The kids got a tour of the living quarters: kitchen, family room, bunks, and even the bathroom, before we headed out to see the trucks! Do you know the difference between a fire truck and a fire engine? Apparently, a truck carries water and hose, while an engine carries a ladder. Who knew?
We wrapped up our visit with a walk-through of the inside of the truck (not engine), and then a demo of all the gear the firefighters must get on, in less than one minute, before responding to a fire call.
By the end of my three hours with the kinders, I was ready to head back to my self-sufficient fifth graders. How spoiled I felt as I returned and they were independently working in groups of 3 and 4, reading, and responding to their text. And so again, I made sure to thank Camryn's teacher for all that she does. Because it's a lot. And it's often. And it's exhausting. And I don't know how she does it day after day. She must be a saint.
That phrase must have exited my mouth at least fifty times today, for it was the much anticipated kindergarten field trip, and I was charged with the supervision of six wild, wiggly, giggly kindergarteners.
Camryn's class has been studying studying community helpers, and so Mrs. Doughty planned a visit to the post office and the fire station. It seemed like such a simple idea, yet with 24 kinders in tow...it was definitely somewhat chaotic.
The first stop was the post office, where we purchased a stamp for each student, and they were each able to mail the letter they wrote earlier this week. We also did a "number hunt" amongst the post office boxes, and managed to scare the you-know-what out of some unsuspecting patrons, as they innocently tried to get their mail amidst the confusion. As we exited the building, and the kids waved furiously at the security cameras, Mrs. Doughty and I had a good laugh about the folks on the other side of those monitors, who must've gotten an eyeful today. :)
Next stop: fire station! The kids got a tour of the living quarters: kitchen, family room, bunks, and even the bathroom, before we headed out to see the trucks! Do you know the difference between a fire truck and a fire engine? Apparently, a truck carries water and hose, while an engine carries a ladder. Who knew?
We wrapped up our visit with a walk-through of the inside of the truck (not engine), and then a demo of all the gear the firefighters must get on, in less than one minute, before responding to a fire call.
By the end of my three hours with the kinders, I was ready to head back to my self-sufficient fifth graders. How spoiled I felt as I returned and they were independently working in groups of 3 and 4, reading, and responding to their text. And so again, I made sure to thank Camryn's teacher for all that she does. Because it's a lot. And it's often. And it's exhausting. And I don't know how she does it day after day. She must be a saint.
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