Monday, March 30, 2009

Sibling Rivalry!

I know I never fought with my sisters when I was young (and I know Jena will back me on this one! HAHA!). But I am telling you, Sun. morning AC and M had it out on the playroom floor! All I heard was the rucus of little girl screams followed by a baby's belly laugh! I went running into the playroom to find AC and M pulling hair and punching noses all the while L is standing to the side open mouth belly laughing! The whole scene was so funny!

That same morning, AC opened a new box of Ritz Bitz and proceed to leave them on the edge of the table so that L could grab them and dump them ALL OVER THE KITCHEN FLOOR. When I got in there, there was a small zip lock bag half full on the counter. I asked AC where those had come from. She told me that she, "was able to save the ones that landed on top of the other ones, but don't worry she left the ones down there that had touched the nasty floor"!!!! Well, the honesty is promising, but the MESS...! Those rugrats, I swear!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I have a new "teacher" website!

I know ya'll are all just rushing to see my new teacher website! HAHA! It can be found at http://teacherweb.com/LA/VivianElementaryMiddleMagnet/MrsReger/apt2.stm when you have the time! I haven't added photos, etc. yet, but they are coming!

I had a very "prosperous" day today. My mom told me she has been praying for me to be prosperous both monetarily and otherwise! Well, her prayers were answered in the way of $500 dollars today! I was chosen to receive a $500 dollar grant to buy books for my classroom! I can't wait to tell my students tomorrow! I also got some writing screening grades back that were just fantastic that my students took on Monday! I am so proud of them! I think you need to hear these things every now and again to keep you waking up each morning!

I am super excited about it being HAT day tomorrow! I don't have to get up early and shower because we are allowed to wear hats all day! You are smiling because you know JUST what I am talking about! (Don't worry, I am still going to bathe... and brush my teeth... You know, the ESSENTIALS! But just that...) I love a lazy, late day!

L fell and busted her nose! Even her eyes are purple right now! I was so glad it happened at the daycare! I think they would have called child custody on me without proof on this one! She banged it up just right on the ridge of her nose. I will try to post a pic!

My kids are doing so well lately! I am so proud of them! They didn't even scream much when the tiny country mouse scurried around in the van the other morning! Yes, I swear, A MOUSE! I about had a heart attack driving down the road. AC was reassuring, saying, "Don't worry, Mom. It's just a tiny thing. I don't think he can EAT cha! He might bite the mess out of ya, though". (Dear lord, am I raising my kids on a farm or what? I just hope they turn out alright in the end!) Anyway, I was late getting AC to the bus, so I had to keep driving. I was yelling, "SHoo! Shoo!" as if the mouse could understand English, and trying to drive with the unoccupied leg lifted up in my seat! Oh, mom, I know! When I got AC on the bus, I grabbed my gradebook, opened EVERY door on the van and shooooed him out! M, of course, wanted to keep him to show her teacher! Every respectable parent in the daycare knew about mousey before I had even finished dropping the little ones off! That little rugrat, I swear, and I do mean M on this one (the child, not the mouse)!

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Smelly Balls!

That title got you reading, didn't it! HAHA! Today I was shopping at the Boardwalk (with all three kids, mind you, and yes, I know I am crazy)! When we were done purchasing Easter shoes at Stride Rite for all of the girls and were walking out of the store, AC yells out, "Mom, are we going to Academy Sports? It smells like balls, and I love the way balls smell!" (Of course, she meant the basketballs, soccer balls, etc. I just hope the other fifty shoppers around us understood that! I saw many a smiling face!)
While we were eating at the Cheesecake Bistro (also at the Boardwalk, also with three kids...) I mistakingly, without thinking, put ketchup on L's plate. She had a fine time sqeezing and spreading before my mom noticed! Yet here again, I get the mother of the year award! I also let M wear capri's today in 40 degree weather to avoid a morning meltdown! She did wear a turtleneck, sweater, and a coat if that makes it any better.
AC threw a nice little tantrum in Academy Sports because I wouldn't buy her shin socks for soccer. (She already has nice shin guards and only needed the socks, and of course the shin socks with built in shin guards are like $10 versus $4 for a two pack of the reg. socks. I know that sounds so chinchy of me, but it all adds up when they have to have the practice outfits (plural), game shorts, game socks, practice socks (different color from game socks), new ball, new cleats, new bag to fit it all in, etc., because of course none of her stuff from last season still works...it all adds up, believe me!) Of course, "EVERYBODY" else on her team (one girl, who is a snob that AC doesn't even like anyway) has shin socks and AC doesn't. I really thought tantrums ran out at say 5 yrs., but NOOOO. I am seeing now that they NEVER are going to end, they simply change to reflect the supposed need of the child. Lord, help me! Anyway, she now has four pairs of nice new soccer socks for the same price she could have had one pair of shin socks. I stuck to my guns and played the "You only wear them one season, and they have to be passed down to your sisters" bit! HAHA~
While we were in the dressing room at Academy, someone stole our buggy. Mind you, as FUN as it is shopping with three kids in tow it is much less fun to do it without a buggy to put the baby in and to have to find all the stuff twice. So to the idiot fool that took our buggy and made me have to gather all of the stuff we had with us and go back to the front of the store with the kids and do all of our other shopping over, may your conscience keep you awake at night. I really am praying for you, I swear, I just hope for your sake it is for you to go to the right place!
Last, but not least, on shopping with the kids, the girls have learned a new and horrible song from another girl on AC's bus. It goes like this, "Hey boys, whatcha doin' in tha ittey bittey car? I tell ya whatcha should be doin' Shut up and drive, drive, drive..." I have not heard the actual song, but I heard it at about 9000 decibals all over the Boardwalk today. How EMBARRASING! You know the other shoppers were thinking, "That's probably the trashy kid who taught the song to my kid on the bus." I was just thinking it was WAY better than the "Bow Chicka Wow Wow" that they had been singing after watching the chipmunks. I wonder how my preacher is going to like the new song tomorrow? These rugrats, I swear!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Risk- in this economy!

In this economy, I am forced to examine some of the risks I have taken in life, albeit very few, but wow! Look at all I have gain over the last few years, even if old Edward Jones says otherwise! Someone once asked me to define risk in an interview. Although Webster’s defines the word using negative connotations, I view the word otherwise. I have always defined risk as an avenue for change, albeit, change can be positive or negative, but no change can occur without an initial investment. Risk can be calculated in all relationships- financial, familial, friendly, and professional. Some risks taken are apt to turn south quickly and end with an undesirable whack to the posterior end. Some risks immediately skyrocket leaving the investor reeling and eager for future investment situations to arise, no matter the risk. Yet, all carry the uncertain risk of leaving the investor straddling the side of the highest glass suspension bridge over a thousand foot drop. The thrill of taking the risk is invigorating and educating, but the consequences could be dire. Do you take the risk? Maybe I’m not an altogether risk-taker so to speak, but I can tell you, I love the view! I would hate to define life without risk. Without taking that trip to the mountains or investing the inheritance in the stock market, I don’t think life would be the same. I think we have to put ourselves out there, exposed, on the middle of the bridge, to really know if we have lived in life. I know we all would make certain changes in our lives, but I am talking about the big things that we aren’t quite ready for, but we jump out and do them anyway. I can say that I would never have invested money in the stock market and then started a Masters degree and had a third baby in this economy if I were not a risk taker. Don’t get me wrong, the amout we invested may not be much to you, but to a policeman’s wife whose profession is teaching, that was the largest chunk of change we were going to see without winning the lottery. (Now I do not calculate the lottery into my avenue of change theory. Think about it, the lottery is a business, and someone besides me is ultimately profiting! So, I do not recommend the lottery for adding your element of risk.) Anyway, if you are ever asked about risk and negative thoughts come to mind, I think you must rethink where risk can take you and not negate the potential positive rewards that risk can bring. So, maybe Webster is right in that risk defined is all encompassing of the negative that can happen, but why sip with the glass half empty, you know what I mean?

Powdered Hair!

A few months ago I saw the best tip on the Today show or one of those morning shows as I was flipping to find cartoons for my then two year old. If you don’t have time to wash your hair, just put a little baby powder in it to soak up the oil, brush it in, and Viola, you are ready to roll! This tip really is fascinatingly wonderful for moms of multiple children! Especially on Sunday mornings! Last Sunday, I decided I would try out the powdered method seeing as I was down to approximately two and a half minutes for getting me dressed after getting all the kids washed and dressed approximately three times each, for different reasons! We made it to church only the usual fifteen minutes late, and afterwards I received the first compliment I had gotten in probably five years from a man other than my husband! Mr. Tom Tebby, God bless him, greeted me with a side hug and said, “What a lovely fragrance! Is it a new one, I can’t quite recall what scent it reminds me of?” I proudly turned and said, “Baby powder, they are putting it everywhere nowadays!” There is hope, ladies!! We’ve still got it!

Mom has the flu!

Ok, here is the poem I wrote to prove that Mom's cannot ever be sick, even when they are sick!


MOM HAS THE FLU
By: Joy Reger

(As mom makes soup on the stove and blows her red nose)
Mommy, I thought you had the flu?
I do.

(As mom washes dishes, coughing)
Mommy, I thought you had the flu?
I do.

(As mom brings in medicine and thermometer, with flushed cheeks)
Mommy, I thought you had the flu?
I do.

(As mom puts a cold rag on the child’s head and periodically wipes her own head)
Mommy, I thought you had the flu?
I do.

(As mom changes bed sheets after her child has an accident, rubbing her own sore shoulder muscles)
Mommy, I thought you had the flu?
I do.

(As mom does laundry, sneezing)
Mommy, I thought you had the flu?
I do.

(As mom reads to sick child, wiping both noses)
Mommy, I thought you had the flu?
I do.

(As mom rocks the sick child to sleep, snoozing with her)
Mommy, I thought you had the flu?
I do.

(As mom picks up older child off the bus and realizes that child is sick, too)
Mommy, I thought you had the flu?
I do.

(As mom starts a movie for the sick children, coughing into her elbow)
Mommy, I thought you had the flu?
I do.

(As mom sprawls out on the couch exhausted as Dad walks through the door)
Mommy, I thought you had the flu?
I do.

(As Dad puts a cold rag on mom’s head and all the sick children are piled in the bed with her)
Mommy, I thought you had the flu?
I do.
But someone has to take care of you!
I am always your mommy- even when I have the flu.

God's picture of Disney World!

The girls got a postcard from baby Frankie that he sent them from his Make-a-Wish trip to Disney. The front of the postcard showed an aerial view of the entire park. Maggie piped up, excitedly saying, "Daddy, God took that picture. That picture was taken from about where Jesus lives!" So cute! (I hope that Disney realizes God is not only watching but taking pictures as well! ...especially certain weeks they promote certain things...)