Saturday, December 27, 2008

Evidence that Santa still does exist...

My brother and his girlfriend came back for a visit from Prague this Christmas. We took them up to Keystone for an afternoon on tubing. What a hoot! This was also the first year that Ted and I had the honor of being apart of what parents all around the world get to take part of..."Operation Santa!" We left evidence of Santa being in the house and the reaction that we got still brings tears to my eyes...Yep! Evidence that Santa still exists...if we all just believe...(Polar Express). Enjoy!


Click to play Christmas with the Schneiders 2008
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Sunday, December 21, 2008

Sleding in the house?????????

This weekend we had Christmas at Ted's parents' house. It was a riot! This was just the first of the many Christmas gathers we have in the coming few weeks!

Click to play Kerbs' Christmas 2008
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Thursday, December 18, 2008

From 32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny...


Okay, so I have been reading a book by Phillip Done, a tenured teacher, about little quips that happen in a classroom. Thank you to the handful of you who blogged about this book and championed it as it fell into my hands! Now I can't put it down! Although I have been out of the classroom for a bit, I found this chapter on "Interview Questions" to be HYSTERICAL!!!!! See for yourself:

"The other day I was thinking about the time when I interviewed for my very first teaching job. It's hard to believe that it has been twenty years.
I can still remember my first interview questions: What is your philosophy of eduction? What is your classroom management system? what is your discipline plan?
God if I knew.
This was my first interview. How in the world was I supposed to have an educational philosophy? I didn't even know what that meant.
So I made up my answers and tried to sound like I knew something. I guess I fooled them pretty well. I got the job, and they haven't fired me yet.
I still remember my responses to those first interview questions too. Boy, would my answers be different today, if I were asked those same questions.
Here's what I said then and what I'd say now:

Question 1: If I walked into your classroom, what would I see?
Answer at first interview: You would see children working collaboratively in peace and harmony, praising each other, and sharing their supplies happily with one another. You would see children thinking critically, helping their classmates, and encouraging one another.
Answer today: You'd see Brian hiding the soccer ball between his feet, Peter connecting markers together to make a really long one, and me looking for my coffee mug.

Question 2: What are your strengths?
Answer at first interview: I'm energetic and enthusiastic and extremely hardworking.
Answer today: I can pull off a Band-Aid so it won' hurt.

Question 3: What are your weaknesses?
Answer at first interview: I need to learn to not work so late at night and on the weekends and on all my holidays too.
Answer today: I steal apples off kid' cafeteria trays when I'm hungry.

Question 4: What is your philosophy of discipline?
Answer at first interview: I believe in giving children lost of positive reinforcement, and praising and encouraging students throughout the day, always working to build their self-esteem.
Answer today: Take away recess.

Question 5: What would you do with a difficult parent?
Answer at first interview: I would call the parent and listen to her suggestions. I would work closely with her because we are a team, working together for the success of the child.
Answer today: Say, "Get a life."

Question 6: What would you do if a child threw a chair at you across the room?
Answer at the first interview: First I would make sure that all the other children were safe. Then I would try to calm the student down. Next I would talk with the student and try to figure out what was bothering him, and help him explore his feelings. Together we would set up a behavior modification contract in which I would allow the child to set his own goals and choose his own rewards.
Answer today: Throw it back.

Question 7: What is a teacher's most important tool?
Answer at first interview: Love.
Answer today: Candy.

Question 8: What would your PE program look like?
Answer at first interview: Children would have the opportunity to develop multiple skills through a variety of individual and team sports where good sportsmanship is emphasized in a noncompetitive environment.
Answer today: Heads up seven-up.

Question 9: How would you meet the individual differences of your students?
Answer at first interview: I believe in giving students a variety of choices. For example, when the children are practicing their spelling, the more visual child could draw pictures of her spelling words with different colored pens. The more kinesthetic child could write his words in sand or Jell-O pudding or ketchup or shaving cream.
Answer today: I believe in giving students a variety of choices. You can do your spelling now or you can do it at lunch.

Question 10: What is your view of constructivist education?
Answer at first interview: I think it is great. I think it is fantastic. I believe in it wholeheartedly. Is there any other way to teach?
Answer today: What the hell is that?

Question 11: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Answer at first interview: Teaching at your school and working towards a masters in education and participating in curriculum review and leadership training, and organizing the school's fundraisers and selling wrapping paper for the band.
Answer today: Under an oak tree in Heavenly Gardens.

Question 12: Why should we hire you?
Answer at first interview: I like kids.
Answer today: I like kids.

So, to those of you who are educators out there, either in the classroom still or not, pick up this book! It is great!!!!!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Potty training...I'd rather pull off a Band-Aid


For the past week, we have been potty training Aidan. WHEW! He's a tough egg to crack! Although he has got the potty thing down, the poops is a whole other story. We set the timer, and he takes off like a horse in the races to the toilet. He does great and tries really hard, but some of these quotes he gives are just too darn funny to pass up!

"My peepee is hiding mommy! I won't come out!"

"How about I just try later!?"

"Hmmm....I think that later is a better idea."

"Mommy, I look like Papa on the potty!"

"I need a book like daddy!"

"I'm a big boy now, I can go to school and play soccer like the big kids!"

There are so many more, but this last one that was said last night as we attempted to encourage him to go poops on the potty was a class act!

Ted put him on the potty and said that if he went poopy on the potty that we could go to McDonald's to get icecream. Looking at Ted, I said, and you're going to take him out in subzero weather?! LOL! Of course he would take him and I would go too, but in response to this comment, Aidan said:

"Daddy, I don't think my poops will come out, it must be tired!"

Oh my goodness! Ted and I were rolling! His poops was tired!!! That is too much! If you know Aidan, if he doesn't want to do anything, then he is tired or the toy is tired, or the food is tired so he can't eat it. The kid...what are we gonna do with him?

Monday, December 8, 2008

Chai Spice "Girls" Cookies

OKay, so I found this recipe in Better Homes & Gardens magazine. I made these for a cookie exchange for MOPS and YUMO! I can't keep away from them! The only thing I wish I did different was to use a girl cookie cutter instead of a boy. That way I could have really called them Chai "Spice Girls"! LOL! Kidding...sort of... :) Enjoy!

2 - spiced chai-flavored tea bags
3 - cups all-purpose flour
2 - tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1-1/2 - cups butter, softened
1 - cup sugar
2 - egg yolks
2 - Tbsp. molasses
1 - recipe Powdered Sugar Icing

1. Remove tea bag contents (3 teaspoons); discard bags. In medium bowl combine tea, flower and pumpkin spice; set aside.
2. In large mixing bowl beat butter on medium to high for 30 seconds. Add sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks and molasses. Beat in as much of the flour mixture as you can; stir in remaining flour. Divide dough in half. Cover and refrigerate 3 hours or until easy to handle.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper. On lightly floured surface, roll half the dough at a time to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut dough with cookie cutters.
4. Bake 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheets for 2 minutes. Transfer to rack to cool completely.. Decorate with Powdered Sugar Icing.
POWDERED SUGAR ICING
In medium bowl combine 1-1/2 -cups powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 4 teaspoons milk. Stir in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until piping consistency.

Monday, December 1, 2008

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...

This weekend was a blast getting ready for the Christmas Season! Although, I wasn't feeling very well, we did have a ball! It started on Friday when Aidan and I decorated the tree and house for Christmas!



Aidan found a reindeer headband and a Santa hat for us to wear! We even sang jingle bells to boot!




Then on Saturday morning, we woke up to a wonderful snowfall! Time for tobogganing! Daddy even took the day off from side jobs just so we could have some family time! What fun!





Finally, it was back to the house to make Reindeer Treats and a Gingerbread house! We had nice hot bowls of Chicken and Dumplings while the fire roared in the background and Christmas music filled the air!






And to top it all off, we viewed The Polar Express on Sunday evening while eating popcorn and drinking "HOT CHOCOLATE!"

Our family is praying that you find Joy in the True Reason for the Season, Jesus Christ! Merry Christmas!

Friday, November 28, 2008

Who Needs Pockets!?

A friend sent this to me via email, but I had to share it with my fellow bloggers because it is too funny! A little girl gets creative in bringing frogs she found, home. I laugh at this only because I had an episode like this not too long ago with Aidan, but his fellow friends were of the worm-like-kind, this summer! So, WHO NEEDS POCKETS?

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

How about a Turkey Leg?

Just recently, Aidan's friends came over for a visit and because the three boys are nothing but HYPER together, we decided to do a Thanksgiving craft that would be edible...and of course loaded with sugar...WHAT WERE WE THINKING? It was a lot of fun! We made rice krispie treats and helped them to shape it into a turkey drumstick. Then they smeared more marshmallow cream on the top and then coated it with Cocoa Puffs Rice Krispies...they turned out so cute! Take a look!






Then, they came over again and of course, why not hype them all up on sugar again? So we made Turkey cupcakes! With candy corn as the feathers, legs and beak...too cute for words!









And who says men can't cook...err...bake? We had a ton of fun! So, what things do you do with your kiddos around the "GOBBLE, GOBBLE! Holiday?"

Monday, November 24, 2008

Be Happy!



Okay, so I know that it has been way too long since I posted on this here blog, but believe me, it has been too crazy to even mention! First, we moved! And for those of you who know us...that is one time too many! But that is besides the point.

So, moving into a new place we need, of course, FOOD! Aidan went with me to gather up all the stuff that is desperately needed to make a house a home...CHOCOLATE! Okay, kidding, Serious...but kidding. You know, I as I type this, I realize that the last post I wrote about was at the store...Hmmm....maybe Aidan should stay home...but I digress.

ANYWAYS! Aidan had to bring his Little Einstein's Leo Conductor Wand. This, is by a long shot, the most annoying toy that anyone could ever get a child...THANKS AUNT CAT AND UNCLE CHUCK!!!!!!! It talks, saying things like, "Conduct with me!" "Music by George Bizet!" and "Take a bow!" All the while playing music and being all around obnoxious. But hey! It kept him occupied and I didn't have to continually take out items that he continually added to my cart.

It was about the 9th aisle when I leaned over and whispered into Aidan's ear saying, "You know, that toy is a fantastic toy and it plays music to my ears, but some people may not appreciate our taste in music! How about we turn it off and we'll listen to it some more in the car." Well, I was about to get the lecture of my life! Aidan turned and looked at me with the most seriousness of voice and said, "Mommy, I just want to make people happy!" Ha! Happy! I'm sure people leave the aisles when they see me turn the corner! This toy was soooooooo annoying, but maybe it was because I had been listening to it non-stop for that last 45 days!

Just in front of us was an older lady who struggled to turn around, but when she did, she looked at Aidan with the most loving eyes and said, "Little man, you have made me happy, you just keep singing and playing that most melodious music!" To my surpirse, Aidan turned to me and said, "See mommy, I just want to make people happy and I just did!"

Wow...guess I just ate my shoe for lunch!

So, do you just want to make people happy!?

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Christmas Giveaway From a Mrs!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway
Thoughts from the Mrs is having an ultimate giveaway! She is offereing a 12 day giveaway! That means getting free stuff and winning even more.

Here is the link! You can also get there from my Easy Button on the side! Good luck!

Take Me To My Christmas Giveaways!

"Price Check on Aidans, Bob...Price Check on Aidans..."


This week, in trying to get myself together before we moved into a new place this weekend, I was at Walmart getting all the "Let's move into a new home"-stuff. Of course, Aidan is being Aidan, but I have to admit, he was pretty good. He helped me with coupons and discarding those which didn't work...yada...

Anyways! When I got to the check out lines they were full! I distinctly remember seeing the commercial that Walmart put out that they will be opening more lines for their customers come this Christmas season...yeah right! There were hardly any checkout lines open and they definitely were not playing the holiday jingle on their lights that they so artistically display on their commerical, but that is besides the point.

When I decided that I had no more than 20 items in my basket, I respectfully decided to enter into the Self-Checkout line. What a mistake! When Aidan realized that the register made a "beep" each time I scanned something, he wanted to make things scan too! So he proceeded to empty the contents of my cart onto the conveyor belt. When the cart was empty, he too wanted to "beep" the items. I'm pretty sure that I was charge twice for something...but who knows. When that was all done, I tried to put in my coupons, which, mental note, if you have coupons, DO NOT go through the self-checkout line at Walmart...they do not like coupon clippers...AHHH!!! People were now lining up behind me, of course, not a lot of lines open...! As I tried to talk to the clerk to help me, I notice out of the corner of my eye, two tiny tennis shoes that I distinctly remember being on my son's feet! What? Aidan had climbed out of the cart during my frenzy attack on the coupons and proceeded to ride the conveyor belt backwards on his hands and knees! AHHHHH!!!!! The lady behind me was laughing and the clerk giggled wondering what isle I picked him up in! Needless to say, he wanted to "beep" too!

In all my flusterdness, I had to laugh too because he was just being curious! He saw things ride this thing and he wanted to too! Oh my goodness gracious!

So now, when we go to the store, we have to go through the whole schpeal! Aidan, when you and mommy go to the store, you need to stay with mommy, hold the cart, a donut after we are done and only if you're a good boy, and NO RIDING ON THE CHECKOUT LINE'S RIDE!"

Oye Vey!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

I found a use for a treadmill!

I knew there was a use for treadmills other than what they were made for...ugh!

With the weather changing outside, it makes it harder and harder to get out to get some energy out of Aidan! But with the use of a treadmill, I have found the ultimate way to get his wiggles out without having to bundle him up and myself included! Check it out!



Check out the video!


I know you mommys out there have a great head on your shoulders...what do you do with energetic kiddos on cold days to get out their wiggles?

Whoo Hoo! I've Won An Award!



Yeah! I'm so excited that I won an award! I would like to thank my managers, my publicity team, my producers....ahhh who am I kidding! This is just cheap therapy for me! Thank you Janet of The Jumbled Thoughts of Janet for this honor! I will surely pass on this great award!

Here are rules:

1) List 5 things you love
2) Pass on the Award to 5 fellow bloggers
3) Please link back to my blog

Here are the 5 things that I love:
1) My God
2) My family
3) My quiet time in the mornings
4) A hot cup of coffee
5) My fantasy of a vacation

Check out these 5 blogs!

1) Jen of Cheaper Than Therapy...Musings of a Mom of 3
2) Angie of Moseley Musings
3) Maggie of Life With Boys
4) Helene of I'm Living Proof That God Has A Sense of Humor
5) Amy of Thoughts From The Mrs.

Check out these blogs! They are great! Thanks again Janet!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Ghoulish Halloween...Kid Style...

As I said before, bombardment is about to commence!

Over the Halloween weekend, we were staying at my SIL's house. We had such a great time! We carved Jesus pumpkins, had a "ghoulish" dinner complete with spiders, spooky worm jello, mummies (hotdogs and crescent rolls), which fingers (carrots with dip on the ends to look like fingernails) and oh so much more! She did a great Smile Box of the event, so I thought I would take the easy road and just post it instead of making my own...Thanks Sarah!

Halloween Smile Box

Welcome Home Daddy!

For the past two weeks, Ted has been out-of-town for business. During that time, we visited my precious sister-in-law and her two wonderful girls for a couple of days. Her husband has also been gone on business, but much, much longer than mine! He comes home on Friday! YEAH!

Anyways, I thought I would do something special for Ted when he came home, but I didn't know what. I really don't have a lot of cash on hand to dole out, so I went to the Good Will and found an old sheet. Perfect! And, it was 50% off! Even better!

Aidan and I went back home and found some paint. Of course, they are all Halloween colors since I just bought them...so we used them anyway. This is what we did...






After painting it, we taped it to the bottom of the garage door and closed it. Then when Ted opened the door, it would slowly raise up for him to read it and surprise him. Here is the video of it.



It was a good surprise and I think Theo liked it too. Which got me thinking, do you have any ideas on how you surprise your hubby with things like this? It could be romantic or just something you do with the kiddos!?

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Music To My Ears

Okay, so I am finally back online! Only after a couple hundred dollars later and a new computer...but enough whining! I have at least a week's worth of stuff to type about, so I apologize for those of you who follow this blog in advance about the bombardment that you are about to endure, so please bear with me! Okay...NUMERO UNO! I love to sing, however, those who know me would probably say not so much that they like to hear me sing. But the Lord has blessed me with a songster in Aidan. Those on the songlists are, Twinkle, Twinkle and Happy Birthday! Don't ask me why! But he loves to sing these! For your listening pleasure!



And this one...



Any of you have any songsters out there?

Monday, November 3, 2008

Cookies Anyone?

Computers...Emergency Rooms...Ugh...

Well, it has been awhile since I have poured out my feelings...only because my computer is on the fritz! I'm at the library now using the computer because mine has been in the shop for almost a week! And they still don't know what is wrong with it! I have so many pictures to put up, storied to tell and share that I can't stand it!

We went to visit my sister-in-law and her little girls over the Halloween weekend while our hubbys were away for work. It was awesome! We had so much fun and had girl-talk time after the kiddos were in bed with a nice glass(es) of wine to round off the days! I'll have to share some stories later.

But the highlight of our trip to Grand Junction was the Emergency Room. On Saturday, the 5 of us took a hike to energize ourselves after Halloween the night before. Aidan, of course, was his usual self by running down the mountain trails with rocks jutting out all over the place! I was just sure that he would trip and fall and crack his head open. NOPE! He was just fine, it was his momma who's blood pressue was up! LOL! I need to chill out...that's another story, I'm sure!

Anyways, we went home to have lunch. While we were making lunch the kiddos were outside playing on the playground and trampoline...just like usual. When one of the girls came inside with Aidan trailing, totally hysterical. He had fallen off of the trampoline or playground and did the pinball effect between the two. He busted his lip open, bit his cheek, bruised and scraped his chin, bruised one side of his head and got a small head wound on one side of his head. At first we were just going to stop the bleeding, only after we told him he couldn't go back outside to play...which he was hysterical about that! When I picked him up he layed his head on my shoulder and began to get really sleepy. Granted his nap time was about this time, but with a head wound, I feared a concusion. We rushed to the Emergency Room and they did a look over, and he was fine. They put Durabond on the wound and helped clean him up a bit. Giving him a couple rolls of SMARTIES helped too to keep him distracted. WHEW! Thank heaven for Halloween candy, eh?

Anyways, we are home now and he is fine...just as onery as ever, but it was a great weekend, one filled with memories and experiences!

Now, if I can just get my computer back, we'll be back to normal...errr...is there a normal?

Monday, October 27, 2008

Friday Vs Monday

Mondays...Mondays...Mondays...

Don't you wish sometimes that we could just skip Mondays and go straight to Fridays?

This is how I feel about the whole thing...! LOL!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Pumpkin Carving and Toasted Marshmallows



The other night, we carved our pumpkin, took out our chiminea and roasted marshmallows! It was such a great night! Sipping mulled wine and watching Aidan catch his marshmallows on fire! It was a hoot! I was so proud of Ted because he didn't even get ONE power tool out to carve the pumpkin! He did it all with steak knives! He definitely was the only one getting into it though. Aidan was to busy learning how to blow bubbles with his Nana!







I however, was able to enjoy a nice hot cup of mulled wine as I sat by the roasty-toasty chiminea watching my family!

"HERE'S LOOKIN' AT YOU...KID!"

Ahhhh...I love this time of the year!

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Fall Leaves with Nana!

Aidan and his Nana enjoyed the crinkling of the fall leaves on the ground the other day! It was so awesome to see the two of them enjoy one another!

Click to play Fall Leaves With Nana
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Friday, October 24, 2008

No one to dress up with? Why not a pumpkin?


Since it is just Aidan and me hanging around the house all day long...we got tired of dressing each other up, so we dressed up our pumpkin who will be carved by this weekend, I'm sure!

Doesn't he look great? His name is "CHARLIE"...from the movie...Great Pumpkin...Charlie...Brown...get it? LOL! We raided our closet to find funny things to dress him up as!

I love this picture! You can see Aidan's intent face while he is trying to color in the pumpkin's smile in the reflection of the sunglasses! It's is AWESOME! Just thought I'd share!

Gettin' Crafty!


I love seasons! I love all seasons...actually! But the fall or autumn season seems to get my crafty veins-a-pumpin'...that and having kiddos!

Aidan told his first joke the other day. He said, "Mommy, they call it FALL because the leaves FALL off the trees! HAA HAA!" Well, in a 3-year-old way, it was VERY funny!

With that in mind, we made a picture of a tree with leaves falling off of it. I gave him brown construction paper and had him rip strips and asked him to put them on the glue lines that I secretly put down in the shape of the tree. He was amazed at himself that he made a tree! Next, I brought out red, yellow, green and orange stamp pads and had him dab his finger on the pads and touch the paper to make leaves. He had a ball! First, it started with one finger, then two, fingers, then three fingers, and the next thing you know all 10 fingers are in the ink and making trees! AHHH!

Then, with the pumpkin holiday just around the corner, we decided to take the same idea with fingerprints and make a pumpkin! It turned out SOOOO cute!

Because my Fall decorations are few-and-far-between, I decided to head over the the local Good Will and find some cheap picture frames ($0.50 to $1.00 each), and frame them to be forever memorialized! They will now and forever will be a part of my Fall decorations!

Man! I'm feelin' crafty! Any ideas out there from you "crafty-type", of things to do with kiddos this season? I'm up for it!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Just Random Rants...

I found this video on a friend's facebook page...Judge for yourself...what do you think?

Leaves are falling...time to rake


A few days ago, Aidan and I went out to play in the leaves! There was a slight breeze outside where just a few leaves fluttered to the ground...a perfect autumn day. So I bundled us up, got out 2 rakes and we raked up the leaves together...for one reason only...to jump and roll in them. Granted, there were not a lot of leaves on the ground yet, but there were just enough for Aidan.









My favorite Super Man dive!








After doing this, we came in and had some hot chocolate and snuggled together reading a good book! Doing this got me thinking about what other mommies do with their kiddos during this season. Got anything you'd like to share? I'd love to hear about them!