My two preschoolers are over the moon with excitement!
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Monday, March 9, 2015
St. Patrick's Day 2016 Preview
My two preschoolers are over the moon with excitement!
Monday, December 29, 2014
Wrapping up 2014
I'm sitting on the couch watching my Arkansas Razorbacks in the Texas Bowl. It is the first time this since school let out that I've pulled out my laptop and done anything at all work related. Even then, it is mostly fun and not "work." I have stopped by my classroom a few times, but only to feed the fish and water our seedlings. Newspaper pots, anyone?
My husband and I splurged a few days before Christmas. We hired "The Maids" to come in and deep clean the house. It had to be one of my very best ideas ever. After that, I declared this to be the Christmas of no mess and no stress. Amazingly enough, it actually worked. I'm considering making 2015 the year of no stress and no mess. We'll see how it goes!
If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you saw my big news.
I'm still in shock! I submitted two proposals for ISTE 2015. My goal was to try for a poster session so that I could just attend the conference. My husband said that I was selling myself short. To humor him, I submitted a modified version of the session I did at the NCTM regional conference. On the day that resulted were announced, I had my Tweetdeck open and waiting for word that the notifications had been sent out. I was so sure that I was going to get a rejections that I didn't add to the "still waiting to hear" posts. I logged in to my account at 8pm to see that both proposals were accepted. I was left flabbergasted!
Before then, of course is FETC. I had an amazing time last year. If you are going to FETC, so sure to check out this post. I first learned about the PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovator program at a session at FETC. If you are a teacher that is passionate about using technology in the classroom, I would highly recommend looking into this program.
Happy New Year! My the rest of your break have no mess and no stress!
My husband and I splurged a few days before Christmas. We hired "The Maids" to come in and deep clean the house. It had to be one of my very best ideas ever. After that, I declared this to be the Christmas of no mess and no stress. Amazingly enough, it actually worked. I'm considering making 2015 the year of no stress and no mess. We'll see how it goes!
If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you saw my big news.
I'm still in shock! I submitted two proposals for ISTE 2015. My goal was to try for a poster session so that I could just attend the conference. My husband said that I was selling myself short. To humor him, I submitted a modified version of the session I did at the NCTM regional conference. On the day that resulted were announced, I had my Tweetdeck open and waiting for word that the notifications had been sent out. I was so sure that I was going to get a rejections that I didn't add to the "still waiting to hear" posts. I logged in to my account at 8pm to see that both proposals were accepted. I was left flabbergasted!
Before then, of course is FETC. I had an amazing time last year. If you are going to FETC, so sure to check out this post. I first learned about the PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovator program at a session at FETC. If you are a teacher that is passionate about using technology in the classroom, I would highly recommend looking into this program.
Happy New Year! My the rest of your break have no mess and no stress!
Monday, July 21, 2014
Irish Summer
I've been to Ireland many times. My husband is from Cork, so I've made about eight trips over the last 10 years. This was my first summer trip and it was by far the most fun!
We spent two and a half weeks with my in-laws. The days were long, the weather was lovely. My kids spent time with cousins, aunts, uncles, Nana, and Grandad. We had a picnic at the beach and fed cows on a farm. From exploring the city to "Christmas in July" with the Irish family, it was the trip of a lifetime.
Now I have a million things to do. I have over a thousand pictures I'd love to edit/print. I have only finished 19 of 80 assignments for my online classes. I somehow managed to get myself locked out of my school e-mail tonight. I think I'm going to cave in to the jet lag and head to bed.
We spent two and a half weeks with my in-laws. The days were long, the weather was lovely. My kids spent time with cousins, aunts, uncles, Nana, and Grandad. We had a picnic at the beach and fed cows on a farm. From exploring the city to "Christmas in July" with the Irish family, it was the trip of a lifetime.
Now I have a million things to do. I have over a thousand pictures I'd love to edit/print. I have only finished 19 of 80 assignments for my online classes. I somehow managed to get myself locked out of my school e-mail tonight. I think I'm going to cave in to the jet lag and head to bed.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Unintentional Blogging Break
I’m back! I started three posts this week, but never had a chance to actually post anything.
Last weekend was our first ever cardboard arcade. Each of my 18 classes made two projects. It was my ideal STEAM project. I was at school for 20 hours Friday/Saturday of last week. The end result was a LOT of work, but it was a success. Expect blog posts to follow. Most likely more than one!
For now, I’ll give you a quick preview with pictures of my own kids having fun with my students’ creations.
They had so much fun that day that my son actually managed to fall asleep standing up. They cannot wait to be big enough to come to “Mommy’s school.”
Of course spending that many extra hours at school + two small kids = getting sick. My two-year-old was happy to tell anyone who would listen that “Mommy got my boogers.” After living on hot tea and cough drops for most of the week, I’m feeling better.
Our home computer also took ill since my last post. Thankfully it was still under warranty. During a call to Apple during my lunch break for help getting the iPhoto pictures off the dying machine, they asked if I happened to have another Mac in the house. I laughed and said no, but that I was in my classroom which just happened to have 25 iMacs in it. They talked me through it and I am happy to report that the photos are safe and the hard drive has been replaced. My husband spent most of today trying to put everything back the way we had it. Fun times!
It is date night, so I’m off to spend some time with the Irishman. He just picked up dinner from Outback and we are going to watch The Help. After a PJ day, it is the perfect way to end to my Saturday!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Last weekend was our first ever cardboard arcade. Each of my 18 classes made two projects. It was my ideal STEAM project. I was at school for 20 hours Friday/Saturday of last week. The end result was a LOT of work, but it was a success. Expect blog posts to follow. Most likely more than one!
For now, I’ll give you a quick preview with pictures of my own kids having fun with my students’ creations.
They had so much fun that day that my son actually managed to fall asleep standing up. They cannot wait to be big enough to come to “Mommy’s school.”
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
In other “more about that later” news, I was picked to be a 2014 PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovator. I submitted a video back in February, and I am thrilled to get to be a part of this program. I’m just starting meet some of the other educators on Twitter.
~~~~~~~~
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Monday, March 17, 2014
Sunday Funday: Consignment Shopping
We are on spring break this week. It is a great time to link up with Molly and Deirdre We started our break with the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Our Sunday Funday was shaped around the Liverpool game. I wanted to go to a big children’s consignment sale, so I left just before 8am to ensure that my children were not left unattended once the game started. (I joke…sort of!)
It was a great day! Not only did Liverpool beat Manchester United 3-0, but I found some amazing deals at the Just Between Friends sale. The last day of the sale, most items are 50% off. I have gotten to the point where I only buy clothes for my kids at these sales. I also only allow myself to shop once they reduce the prices.
The pictures don’t do it justice. My cousin is getting married this week, so I bought my daughter four gorgeous dresses for $3 to $4 each. She is still deciding which one twirls the best. My son is going to wear the Ralph Lauren shirt in the picture. It was $2.50. The athletic shorts were $2 each. They are all branded. The blue outfit and matching hat are from Gymboree. I got all three pieces for just $3.75.
According to my receipt, I paid an average of $2.44 an item. My daughter was having a blast trying everything on. She was thrilled with our little impromptu fashion show.
So far spring break is off to a great start!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Pumpkin Week
My husband is amazing. Last night he went to Walmart to buy pumpkins for Pumpkin Week in the STEAM Lab.
Not only did he get them for cheaper than expected, but he managed to load 36 pumpkins into our minivan. Impressive!
Not only did he get them for cheaper than expected, but he managed to load 36 pumpkins into our minivan. Impressive!
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Math and Mickey
I found out last month that I would be presenting at the FCTM conference in Orlando. I was going to be the only one from my school going, so I suggested to my husband that he and the kids come along. The hotel is right next to Sea World, so I thought they could spend the day at the park while I was at the math conference.
Then we got a letter in the mail from Disney. We could upgrade the tickets we had from this summer to season passes for about $100 a person. My little guy is still free, so for $300 we could have passes good until June. The offer was too good to pass up. Sea World was out, Disney was in.
The plan was to leave right after work on Wednesday. My daughter was so excited she couldn’t sleep on Tuesday. After finally getting her to sleep, I was up until 2am packing/prepping. Then Wednesday the Irishman and I both ended up working later than planned. By the time we got on the road it was 8:00pm. When we got to Orlando just before midnight, the kids were suddenly wide awake. It was 1am before we got to bed.
My little guy woke up at 5:50am. We were exhausted. The kids were wired. I got them dressed, packed, and ready for the 7:30 bus. Unfortunately that meant that I threw on clothes to check in for the conference and attend the opening session.
I headed back to the room after that for a nice shower and to make the finishing touches on my presentation. I ate lunch and headed to my session.
I was worried that no one would show up. The presentation started at 12:45. By 12:30 it was standing room only. I was so nervous.
I am not a fan of session where you have to get up and move around. I don’t particularly like to chat with my neighbor. I teach that way in my classroom with my students, but it is not my thing at a conference. I decided to try having people backchannel using Todays Meet. It worked! In hindsight I wish I’d have stopped to talk about the comments in the middle, but live and learn. People actually logged in and took part in the discussion.
I am really happy with how the whole thing went. I titled my session “New Ideas in Technology for the Elementary Math Classroom.” I did finish a little early, but then again it started a little early due to the full room, so one seemed to mind. I’ve met some lovely people and had nice comments from others who were in my presentation. All in all, I’m considering it a success!
While I was presenting, my husband sent me this picture:
When the kids got back we had dinner in the room (we brought food) and explored the playground/mini golf. The room only has a shower, so we decided a quick swim in the pool and showering off there would work. (Don’t judge – you wouldn’t want to manage a 2 year old and a 3 year old in the shower here!)
As a special treat, we used the projector I brought along for the presentation to show the kids a movie.
They lasted about 15 minutes before falling asleep.
After getting about 5 hours of sleep the night before and then spending the day at Disney, they slept solidly. I can’t remember the last time we all slept to 7:30!
Today was another day of conference for me and Disney for them. I picked up a few new ideas I’ll be trying out soon. It looks like our old Wii may be coming to school with me for some golf subtraction fun! The Irishman and the kids aren’t back yet, but from the pictures I got I’d say it was a good day today, too.
I’m excited to get to join them at the park tomorrow after a couple of morning sessions. I’ve questioned our sanity a few times this trip, but in the end it has worked out really well!
I wrote this on Friday, but the hotel Wi-Fi wasn’t working and this is the first time I’ve had a chance to get online. We had a great time at the park on Saturday and a lazy day around the house today. I was all set for a productive teacher work day tomorrow, but it looks like I will have my little guy with me. It wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t also plan to purchase 18-36 pumpkins tomorrow for pumpkin week in the STEAM Lab. This could be interesting!
Then we got a letter in the mail from Disney. We could upgrade the tickets we had from this summer to season passes for about $100 a person. My little guy is still free, so for $300 we could have passes good until June. The offer was too good to pass up. Sea World was out, Disney was in.
The plan was to leave right after work on Wednesday. My daughter was so excited she couldn’t sleep on Tuesday. After finally getting her to sleep, I was up until 2am packing/prepping. Then Wednesday the Irishman and I both ended up working later than planned. By the time we got on the road it was 8:00pm. When we got to Orlando just before midnight, the kids were suddenly wide awake. It was 1am before we got to bed.
My little guy woke up at 5:50am. We were exhausted. The kids were wired. I got them dressed, packed, and ready for the 7:30 bus. Unfortunately that meant that I threw on clothes to check in for the conference and attend the opening session.
I headed back to the room after that for a nice shower and to make the finishing touches on my presentation. I ate lunch and headed to my session.
I was worried that no one would show up. The presentation started at 12:45. By 12:30 it was standing room only. I was so nervous.
I am not a fan of session where you have to get up and move around. I don’t particularly like to chat with my neighbor. I teach that way in my classroom with my students, but it is not my thing at a conference. I decided to try having people backchannel using Todays Meet. It worked! In hindsight I wish I’d have stopped to talk about the comments in the middle, but live and learn. People actually logged in and took part in the discussion.
I am really happy with how the whole thing went. I titled my session “New Ideas in Technology for the Elementary Math Classroom.” I did finish a little early, but then again it started a little early due to the full room, so one seemed to mind. I’ve met some lovely people and had nice comments from others who were in my presentation. All in all, I’m considering it a success!
While I was presenting, my husband sent me this picture:
When the kids got back we had dinner in the room (we brought food) and explored the playground/mini golf. The room only has a shower, so we decided a quick swim in the pool and showering off there would work. (Don’t judge – you wouldn’t want to manage a 2 year old and a 3 year old in the shower here!)
As a special treat, we used the projector I brought along for the presentation to show the kids a movie.
They lasted about 15 minutes before falling asleep.
After getting about 5 hours of sleep the night before and then spending the day at Disney, they slept solidly. I can’t remember the last time we all slept to 7:30!
Today was another day of conference for me and Disney for them. I picked up a few new ideas I’ll be trying out soon. It looks like our old Wii may be coming to school with me for some golf subtraction fun! The Irishman and the kids aren’t back yet, but from the pictures I got I’d say it was a good day today, too.
I’m excited to get to join them at the park tomorrow after a couple of morning sessions. I’ve questioned our sanity a few times this trip, but in the end it has worked out really well!
~~~~~~~~~~
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Family First
Last week a five-year-old little boy lost his battle with cancer. His mom and I were sorority sisters, though she was older and I did not know her well.
Sunday afternoon my own little one was napping and the Irishman took our three-year-old mermaid to the pool. I had the house to myself and I checked Facebook before taking a nap. Several of my friends had "liked" a video made to honor the little boy who died. I had tears streaming down my face as I watched it.
One of the other interns at the school I did my student teaching at lost a daughter to cancer a few years ago. It is heartbreaking. I cannot even imagine the pain.
I looked at the photos of first steps, Halloweens, Christmases, and memories that will be cherished forever. I thought of my own two little ones and thought of how lost I would be without them.
Some friends of mine are collecting money to help this family. They are trying to respect the privacy of the family, but I number of us have contributed. I am going to donate all money made in my TpT store between now and Thursday to this cause.
Be sure to hug your loved ones extra tight tonight. Life is precious!
Sunday afternoon my own little one was napping and the Irishman took our three-year-old mermaid to the pool. I had the house to myself and I checked Facebook before taking a nap. Several of my friends had "liked" a video made to honor the little boy who died. I had tears streaming down my face as I watched it.
One of the other interns at the school I did my student teaching at lost a daughter to cancer a few years ago. It is heartbreaking. I cannot even imagine the pain.
I looked at the photos of first steps, Halloweens, Christmases, and memories that will be cherished forever. I thought of my own two little ones and thought of how lost I would be without them.
Some friends of mine are collecting money to help this family. They are trying to respect the privacy of the family, but I number of us have contributed. I am going to donate all money made in my TpT store between now and Thursday to this cause.
Be sure to hug your loved ones extra tight tonight. Life is precious!
Saturday, June 8, 2013
I’m Back!
School ended for the students Wednesday at noon. I was in the car and on the way to Disney by 2pm. My dad was in Orlando for a conference and had asked if we would drive up for a couple of days. I’d initially said no because of the end of school. He called back and asked if the Irishman could drive up with the kids even if I couldn’t come. I talked to my principal who gave me the okay. She actually shooed me out the door on Wednesday afternoon.
Trying to get everything together to leave town on the last day of school was more than a little hectic, but it was wonderful to have a few days right after school to spend with the family!
I’m working afternoons at the enrichment camp at school starting Monday. I will be spending the mornings before camp packing up my classroom of 9 years and setting up my new room as a STEAM lab. My little break made it feel like summer was really here!
Trying to get everything together to leave town on the last day of school was more than a little hectic, but it was wonderful to have a few days right after school to spend with the family!
I’m working afternoons at the enrichment camp at school starting Monday. I will be spending the mornings before camp packing up my classroom of 9 years and setting up my new room as a STEAM lab. My little break made it feel like summer was really here!
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Five for…err…Sunday
I started working on this post on Friday, but it didn’t happen. One of my husband’s sisters flew in from Ireland Friday night, so we’ve been busy enjoying time with Auntie June.
So, I’m going to be one of those people who link up for Five for Friday on a Sunday. Better late than never, huh?
By now we have three pupa. We were on our way to the beach yesterday when we saw one of the butterflies in the neighbor’s yard coming out of the chrysalis. It was drying its wings when we left and then flew away right as we got home. My three year old daughter was so excited! She cannot wait for our three caterpillars to become butterflies!
So far it is working great! The dull pencils go in the cup point down and the sharp pencils go in the straw dispenser.
The Irishman and I had not had a night out since November. Auntie June babysat last night and Auntie Chris sent us a little something to help fund our night out. (The Irishman and I were both sick when Auntie Christina was here in February) We started car shopping, went to a movie, and had dinner out. We love our kids, but it was a real treat to have some time to ourselves!
I have an award ceremony on Tuesday night, so we get TWO nights out this week. As an added bonus, Auntie June is a teacher in Ireland, so we can talk teacher stuff, too.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
So, I’m going to be one of those people who link up for Five for Friday on a Sunday. Better late than never, huh?
1
I mentioned in my last post that I had my formal observation this week. I get nervous for observations at the best of time, but the film crew did add to the nerves!
I created a Root Word Safari for my class as a culminating activity to our Reading Olympians study. We used animal fact cards to find, define, and substitute multisyllabic words containing Greek and Latin roots. For the final (observed) lesson each student created their own animal card for a creature they created and described using multisyllabic words containing Greek and Latin roots.
The observation went really well! Most are still putting the finishing touches on their animal cards, but I will add the activity to my TpT store soon.
In the meantime, I have lots planned for the safari clip art I bought this week!
2
This week my daughter discovered caterpillars in our neighbor’s yard. I had just mentioned to a friend that I was thinking about buying a butterfly kit for her. The friend sent me home with one that same day that she wasn’t using.
We took in three of the caterpillars. Internet research showed that they are monarchs. I’ve never taught in a grade that does life cycles, so I am a butterfly newbie.
Friday we came home from school to find this:
By now we have three pupa. We were on our way to the beach yesterday when we saw one of the butterflies in the neighbor’s yard coming out of the chrysalis. It was drying its wings when we left and then flew away right as we got home. My three year old daughter was so excited! She cannot wait for our three caterpillars to become butterflies!
3
When my grandmother passed away a few years back, one of the things I ended up with was a straw dispenser. I had it in my classroom holding straws for experiments and such. This week I found a new use.
So far it is working great! The dull pencils go in the cup point down and the sharp pencils go in the straw dispenser.
4
Friday afternoon I told myself that I was going to do my weekly newsletter, plan, grade papers, and make copies before going home. I knew it was lofty, but I somehow managed to get it all done!
I’m choosing to focus on that and not the fact that I just got an e-mail saying that I sent home my progress reports with third quarter grades instead of fourth quarter. Oops! You win some, you lose some!
5
Auntie June is in town so we took the kids to the beach on Saturday morning. The kids love when their Irish family come to visit! My husband’s parents and 5 siblings all live in Ireland. We love spending time with them and doing “Florida” things while they are in town!
The Irishman and I had not had a night out since November. Auntie June babysat last night and Auntie Chris sent us a little something to help fund our night out. (The Irishman and I were both sick when Auntie Christina was here in February) We started car shopping, went to a movie, and had dinner out. We love our kids, but it was a real treat to have some time to ourselves!
I have an award ceremony on Tuesday night, so we get TWO nights out this week. As an added bonus, Auntie June is a teacher in Ireland, so we can talk teacher stuff, too.
~~~~~~~
Friday, April 19, 2013
Friday for Friday: April 19th
I managed not to blog at all this week. Between what was going on in the world, testing, and late nights working on projects, it was not top priority.
I happy to be linking up again, though!
My maternal grandmother passed away several years ago. Grandma Jo loved her shoes. I happen to wear the same size, so I acquired a few of her favorite pairs. These particular shoes are extremely comfortable. I always wear them for the first day of state testing or any other big days at work. There is something reassuring about wearing her shoes on days I feel like I need just a little extra comforting.
Speaking of testing, I had fun with my kids this morning. Yesterday was our last day of testing, but when the bell rang I met them at the door. I told them they needed to leave their bags in the hall and line up to enter the room. There were confused by the fact that I was requesting testing protocol on a non-testing day.
They lined up and entered the room. I’d spread the desks apart in testing position. I told them that they had one more test to take. They were confused and bordering on concern.
I started the script and they all started laughing. It was fantastic!
After testing this week we started Hope King’s iPoetry.
We’ve already read Love that Dog, so they were familiar with concrete/shape poems. It was the perfect activity for after testing.
This morning they wrote Sensory Poems that gave me goose bumps. I can’t wait to share the finished product!
I’ve taught Because of Winn Dixie for years. Last week I was looking on TpT and I came across Kathy’s Because of Winn Dixie Literature Resource Kit. After using her book clubs I decided to give it a try. I am SO glad I did. I love it!
I already had vocabulary lists and quizzes, so I decided to use an organizer from Jen Jones’ Vocabulary Rubrics,Templates & Graphs for Common Core Instruction to teach it. I love it!
I usually set up a folder with brads, but I copied these two resources into two stapled booklets instead. I printed the cover of an online activity guide in color and laminated two pocket folders to hold everything.
I’ve taught this for years, but I am excited to add these new twists!
My little guy was back at day care this week. My grandmother bought a little picnic table for the great grandkids a couple of weeks ago, but they had not been well enough to enjoy it. Thursday afternoon she invited us to stop by for a snack after school.
My grandparents’ backyard is one of my favorite places in the world, so it was a nice Thursday afternoon treat!
Thank you so much for the kind e-mails. My son got a good report at the specialist, so it looks like we are all getting back to normal!
I am presenting at a conference for pre-service teachers tomorrow. I am preparing two presentations about using technology in the classroom that I will share on my blog next week. Though if I don’t get back to work now they may never get done…
Enjoy your weekend!
I happy to be linking up again, though!
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~
They lined up and entered the room. I’d spread the desks apart in testing position. I told them that they had one more test to take. They were confused and bordering on concern.
I started the script and they all started laughing. It was fantastic!
~~~~~~~~~~
We’ve already read Love that Dog, so they were familiar with concrete/shape poems. It was the perfect activity for after testing.
This morning they wrote Sensory Poems that gave me goose bumps. I can’t wait to share the finished product!
~~~~~~~~
I already had vocabulary lists and quizzes, so I decided to use an organizer from Jen Jones’ Vocabulary Rubrics,Templates & Graphs for Common Core Instruction to teach it. I love it!
I usually set up a folder with brads, but I copied these two resources into two stapled booklets instead. I printed the cover of an online activity guide in color and laminated two pocket folders to hold everything.
I’ve taught this for years, but I am excited to add these new twists!
~~~~~~~~~~~
My grandparents’ backyard is one of my favorite places in the world, so it was a nice Thursday afternoon treat!
Thank you so much for the kind e-mails. My son got a good report at the specialist, so it looks like we are all getting back to normal!
~~~~~~~~~
Enjoy your weekend!
Thursday, April 4, 2013
An Update
They tried taking my son off the oxygen last night, but his stats kept dropping so they turned it back on. I was really discouraged this morning.
My husband spent the day with the little guy at the hospital. I went home this afternoon to take a shower, enter the last grades into the online grade book before the midnight deadline, and fold laundry in my PJs while watching TV. It was only a few hours, but it was a much needed break!
Thankfully he has had the oxygen tube turned off all day. On the way to pick up my daughter and head back to the hospital I got a text from one of the teachers at school. A few of them wanted to buy us dinner and take it to the hospital.
Spaghetti anyone? They loved it! It was worth the mess I had to clean up. The linens needed to be changed anyway!
It was the first time we’d brought my daughter into the hospital. It was the first time in a week we'd been together as a family of four. The kids loved seeing each other! His face lit up when she walked in the door.
Unfortunately she did not want to leave to go home. She wailed for mommy all the way from our room on the 4th floor to the car. My poor husband had to carry her out in the rain, kicking and screaming. We have talked via Facetime twice since then. Even as the healthy one, this is a lot for a three-year-old to deal with.
All in all though it was a good day. The patient is now sleeping soundly and his stats are good. My husband and I are watching Grey’s Anatomy together – sort of. We might be in different places, but it works!
I’m praying that the night will go well and we will be home soon. Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers. It means a lot to us!
My husband spent the day with the little guy at the hospital. I went home this afternoon to take a shower, enter the last grades into the online grade book before the midnight deadline, and fold laundry in my PJs while watching TV. It was only a few hours, but it was a much needed break!
Thankfully he has had the oxygen tube turned off all day. On the way to pick up my daughter and head back to the hospital I got a text from one of the teachers at school. A few of them wanted to buy us dinner and take it to the hospital.
Spaghetti anyone? They loved it! It was worth the mess I had to clean up. The linens needed to be changed anyway!
It was the first time we’d brought my daughter into the hospital. It was the first time in a week we'd been together as a family of four. The kids loved seeing each other! His face lit up when she walked in the door.
Unfortunately she did not want to leave to go home. She wailed for mommy all the way from our room on the 4th floor to the car. My poor husband had to carry her out in the rain, kicking and screaming. We have talked via Facetime twice since then. Even as the healthy one, this is a lot for a three-year-old to deal with.
All in all though it was a good day. The patient is now sleeping soundly and his stats are good. My husband and I are watching Grey’s Anatomy together – sort of. We might be in different places, but it works!
I’m praying that the night will go well and we will be home soon. Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers. It means a lot to us!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Worries, Worms, and Winners
Well when I said I didn’t want spring break to end, this is NOT what I had in mind. My poor little man has pneumonia. We came into the hospital on Friday morning and thought worst-case scenario would be that they keep us overnight. We quickly learned it was going to be a longer ordeal. Much longer. We are at 6 days and counting.
Monday was downright frightening. Mid morning he went into distress. The room was full of people trying to increase his oxygen levels. I called my husband and told him he needed to come right away. He asked me to leave the phone on speaker as he drove. I am sure it was as scary on the phone as it was in person.
After that we met the head of the PICU. He assessed my son and ordered a number of tests. I left Monday afternoon to pick up my daughter and heard the doctor’s assessment over the phone while watching my daughter at gymnastics class.
They decided that he did not need to be moved to the PICU, but they adjusted medications, ordered a few more tests, and had some outside specialists come in to see him. My husband and I are both feeling a bit under the weather. I’d been at the hospital for four days straight, so I took a break and went home to see my daughter, sleep in my own bed, and get an appointment with my doctor.
I got home and cried on Monday. He had more tests done after I left and I felt helpless that I couldn't bet there. I was afraid that I was going to get too sick to see him in the hospital. I was worried about my daughter. She heard me cough and was worried that I was going to have to go to the hospital, too.
Then Tuesday happened.
The staff here all admitted that they were really worried about him on Monday. Tuesday he was eating, sitting up, and playing. I came to visit, but I let my husband stay the night at the hospital again. I went home almost giddy. My daughter and I used up a Groupon for dinner.
We also stopped at the store on the way home to buy balloons for the little guy. She is only three so this is hard on her as well, but it was a good night!
This morning there was talk of going home soon. They tried to wean him off the oxygen, but he isn’t ready yet. It looks like it is going to be another couple of days. It is disappointing, but we told the nurse this morning that after Monday we have a different frame of reference. If he needs another couple of days, that is okay with us.
On the school front, my student teacher has been a star! She got a lot dumped on her this week and she has really done well.
My Donor’s Choose project was funded recently and I’d arranged for two pounds of red worms to be delivered today. It was too late to change delivery, so I talked to one of my teacher friends with vermicomposting experience. Christine helped some of my students get the worms set up in their new home after school today.
Better yet she sent me pictures! There are enough to do a blog post on the worm delivery I was not there to see.
I can honestly say I did not intend for my student teacher to have to deal with worms this week on top of everything else! I cannot wait to be back in class to get the worm project underway!
(Side note: My husband looked over at the screen this afternoon and asked if the winner really was Jen O. What are the chances Jen O. winning Jen O’s giveaway?)
I have e-mailed the winners and will be e-mailing my friends who donated prizes soon to make sure they get the goods. (Tonight I hope if my son and hospital wifi cooperate!)
Monday was downright frightening. Mid morning he went into distress. The room was full of people trying to increase his oxygen levels. I called my husband and told him he needed to come right away. He asked me to leave the phone on speaker as he drove. I am sure it was as scary on the phone as it was in person.
After that we met the head of the PICU. He assessed my son and ordered a number of tests. I left Monday afternoon to pick up my daughter and heard the doctor’s assessment over the phone while watching my daughter at gymnastics class.
They decided that he did not need to be moved to the PICU, but they adjusted medications, ordered a few more tests, and had some outside specialists come in to see him. My husband and I are both feeling a bit under the weather. I’d been at the hospital for four days straight, so I took a break and went home to see my daughter, sleep in my own bed, and get an appointment with my doctor.
I got home and cried on Monday. He had more tests done after I left and I felt helpless that I couldn't bet there. I was afraid that I was going to get too sick to see him in the hospital. I was worried about my daughter. She heard me cough and was worried that I was going to have to go to the hospital, too.
Then Tuesday happened.
The staff here all admitted that they were really worried about him on Monday. Tuesday he was eating, sitting up, and playing. I came to visit, but I let my husband stay the night at the hospital again. I went home almost giddy. My daughter and I used up a Groupon for dinner.
We also stopped at the store on the way home to buy balloons for the little guy. She is only three so this is hard on her as well, but it was a good night!
This morning there was talk of going home soon. They tried to wean him off the oxygen, but he isn’t ready yet. It looks like it is going to be another couple of days. It is disappointing, but we told the nurse this morning that after Monday we have a different frame of reference. If he needs another couple of days, that is okay with us.
~~~~~~
My Donor’s Choose project was funded recently and I’d arranged for two pounds of red worms to be delivered today. It was too late to change delivery, so I talked to one of my teacher friends with vermicomposting experience. Christine helped some of my students get the worms set up in their new home after school today.
Better yet she sent me pictures! There are enough to do a blog post on the worm delivery I was not there to see.
I can honestly say I did not intend for my student teacher to have to deal with worms this week on top of everything else! I cannot wait to be back in class to get the worm project underway!
~~~~~~~
Thank you to everyone who entered my 100-follower giveaway!
The winner of the K-2 giveaway is Entry #293 Leeann F.
The winner of the 3-5 giveaway is Entry #348 Jen O.
I have e-mailed the winners and will be e-mailing my friends who donated prizes soon to make sure they get the goods. (Tonight I hope if my son and hospital wifi cooperate!)
~~~~~~~~~
I have literally been working on this post all day. It is my night at the hospital again and my little guy is finally asleep. We are all looking forward to being back at home with healthy kids. Thank you so much for all the thoughts and prayers! Please keep them coming!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)