Obama junk

Okay, I have to vent. I vented on my Facebook a little.. but I'm going to vent a bit more before I go to school. I'm tired of Barak Obama. I'm tired of Hillary Clinton. I'm tired of people jumping on the media bandwagon. Do I know who the best candidate is? Not sure. I do know that it is hilarious how people are flocking to this man because he promises "change". Wow, that's a reason to treat a candidate as if he were the second coming.......well, which brings me to the whole Revelation thing. Read your Bible. Me thinks there's some substance to that.

I read a nice essay yesterday on how people are becoming Obama followers and don't even know what they are following. He's made hollow promises that he cannot stand upon. My mind is foggy, and I will have to come back with better supports later on this matter. Our nation is like a bunch of three year old toddlers eating up the Oreos and ice cream of the media frenzy on Obama. All of the noncomformist liberals have turned into a mess of conformists. Being an Obama supporter is like supporting the latest Aeropostale trend at your local high school. Everybody's doing it, so maybe I should too. Well, I'm not buying into it. Shut off your t.v.'s and go outside and enjoy life.

Ramblings of someone who doesn't want to give up and sleep...

I have nothing really exciting to blog about. I'm just wasting time as I'm not sleepy, but have no desire to do anything productive. I need to go to bed, but that would mean closing the book on another day with many things not crossed off my list.

Tonight I had great plans to do many things which included getting my classroom ready for tomorrow's open house, cleaning up at home, and going for a walk. Well, I am happy to report I went for a wonderful walk with our dog while Noah biked. Half-way through the walk, one of my most memorable and enjoyable first graders I had last year was out riding her bike, so she rode along and chatted with me while I walked. Toward the end of the walk, I told her I must get back home. She asked......., "Oh, is your house still messy?". I think I mentioned a few times to many last year during class how messy my house was.

I found a GREAT website! It is the technological answer to inspiring your kids to do chores and become more independent, responsible, healthy, and smarter! You can find it here. It is so cool! Sit down, play around with it. I love that you can customize your child's chores to goals that you have set for them. The rewards are awesome! You can go through and select awards for your children to choose from. It makes managing this part of our life so much better!

I think I better turn in for the evening. I need to be kind of alert tomorrow as I teach all day, have a meeting, and then immediately following is Open House. WHAT?!

Oh.......need a pic to make this a complete post.....Check this one out: It's my little brother in some strange get up when he was abou 7 or 8??

I just scanned a bunch of pics and sent up to him for his upcoming wedding (September 6). Since they are still on my computer, I thought I'd share a few with you. The one to the left is just hysterical.......A strange (and scary) resemblence of Goob and Noah). The other photo is of me wearing my "almost mullet" hair style alongside Grandma Dorothy's everpresent red polyester "jump" suit with her infamous crazy patterned shirt. Check out Rob's trendy sweatshirt and my not so trendy sweater. Still the same today................

Must get to sleep.

School pics!

Okay....so I'm a few days late, but here are the pics of my room. I went with a "circus" theme this year. Last year was monkeys and zoo animals (and was it a zoo in there). Maybe I should opt for calmer things, like Linda Ronstadt, turtles, or slugs.....

Here's my bulletin board outside the door. Sorry about the glare--ooops. It says "First Grade" on the megaphone, and then "Step Right Up!". At the top is says, "Starring" and then all the students names are on the stars. I need to send their photos into Walgreens tonight so I can have their pictures on their stars by Open House, which is this Thursday--egads!

The next Picture is of the "Big Top" reading corner. The class really loves this area. Since I moved my desk out of my room, I was able to create a large space for silent reading. Each day, the star student, and a different colored group (I separate my class into groups and assign them a color. This helps a lot in all kinds of classroom management) is entitled to spending time in the reading corner when they have all of their work finished, AND if they have not changed a card. Mean Mrs. Bledsoe.

To the left is the side view, and the right pic is the front view. My work area is to the right (hence the mess) of the big top.

Below is the reading bulletin board inside the "Big Top". I was going to use this as my welcoming bulletin board outside of the classroom, but when I told my dear co-workers, Mary Anne and Lindsay, that I was going to title my bulletin board, "Mrs. Bledsoe is nuts about her class", they giggled and turned away. They were concerned the passing Jr. Highers would take it too far. I'm glad they stopped me from putting it in the hallway, because my homemade peanuts looking like flying poop. Not good.

Now the fun stuff is out of the way and I'll show you my next project.....affectionately known as.....the closet. When I moved into this room last year, it had sage green shower curtains spanning the width of the closet. I didn't likey. My principal didn't likey. I took the curtains down and pinned them over my boss's door. I thought I could make it look nice and organized. TAke a peak at the pic. This is where the reader can form his own opinion and keep it to themselves...... Okay....This end of the room is needing some major CPR. Soooo, I bought a lot of felt tonight with a handy dandy coupon at JoAnns. I'm going to back the felt by sewing a sheet. Then I will attempt to slide a dowel rod, or something else into a pocket at the top of the felty curtain-like object. Hang it on a hinge and call it a "bulletin board curtainy door thing". Yep. I need some higher level vocab help.

So, my original goal was to complete the closet curtain contraption by Open House. Yeah. I had high hopes and then realized....I don't have the time. We'll see what the next 48 hours brings us. Probably nothing. I guess this is the part in my marriage that would be really great if I had a husband that not only worked with tools, but also...SEWED.

Speaking of husband, men, disorganization, and myself. I have a story--short and pointless--like most of my stories.

I was driving across Galesburg tonight and saw a garage with the door opened. I looked in the garage and it was CLEAN, ORGANIZED, INVITING, and....had some weird but cool garage-like CHARM. Yeah, this guy's garage looked like a sweet ocean cottage next to my home. All those words in caps above are antonyms of my home. Let's not even begin to discuss our garage. I figure, if a man has that much time on his hands to keep a GARAGE that nice, there's a problem. Does he not like spending time with his lady? Is his house so organized and clean he had to move onto something bigger and better...the garage? Maybe his garage IS his home. Anyways, it was lovely, but wrong.

Okay, I've senselessly babbled for way too long........need sleep.

School's in Session!

They're back! So here's our first day of school picture! I failed as a mother and did not get Kyla's "First Day of School" outfit done. It was a bit dramatic when she found out since God didn't create an eighth day (or ninth or tenth, for that matter), that I simply ran out of time. I have to say, being a full-time teacher now makes it difficult to hype up back to school with my kids.

Did you notice Noah's ginormous feet in the picture?! The boy is only nine years old and wearing a men's 8 1/2! Yikes! That is about the same size as his sister, who is in sixth grade. We breed 'em big in the Bledsoe home!

Speaking of big kids....Brody is going to be the ring bearer/flower girl escort at my little bro's wedding in two weeks. I took Brody to Ducky's in Galesburg to get measured, and then I called his measurements into the tuxedo shop in Chicago. The clerk first asked his age. I told her he will be four in November, so she marked down he was 3 1/2. I started giving her his measurements and she replied, "Is he a big kid?". I told her he was. I gave her more measurements. She again commented that this could not be right (he was a boys size eight tux jacket). She asked me if he had a big belly. I told her somewhat. She just couldn't fathom how large my boy is. I finally told her that he wears size 5/6 clothes and he wore a size seven suit last Easter. She said (somewhat under her breath), "This I've got to see!". Yes, we have big kids.

Kyla is in sixth grade and absolutely loving her teacher (who also serves as principal). Her teacher has a lot of energy, humor, and fun assignments. She is still considered a "grade schooler" at ROWVA as Jr. High begins in seventh grade (thank goodness). At our church, though, Jr. High begins at Sixth Grade (gulp). I had forgotten that fact until she received an invitation to the kick-off event for Jr. High youth group! Oh my goodness! Where'd my baby go???

Noah is in Fourth Grade this year. He also has the building principal as his teacher. He loves her and should get along fine (they both have a funny sarcastic way about them). He is looking forward to when his teacher goes on maternity leave, as he gets to have his favorite substitute teacher (who retired from ROWVA two years ago), Mr. Panther. Noah loves Mr. Panther because he does cool Science experiments...academic heaven for this boy! This will be the first time he has a male classroom teacher--so cool!

Brody, goes back to the sitter full-time. He still has this school year and next school year before he goes to school. At the rate he is growing, he may be mistaken for a Third grader when he finally lands in Kindergarden!

As for my first day of school....sorry, no pics of me! I have a great class of seventeen enthusiastic students right now. We had a great start to the week with some fabulous weather. I feel much more relaxed about this year. I'll let you know how long my "relaxed feeling" lasts!

The kids have settled well into their school routine, and now that everyone is recovered from surgeries, and such, they are getting a lot more outside play time......They really have enjoyed playing with the trees to the south of our house. Nothing says "fun" like a rope, an old tire, and a piece of wood. Crazy. Why do I have a Christmas Club account? I think if we gave them a load of wood, tires and rope for Christmas...they'd be set. Kyla made some cool contraption hanging from the tree with ropes today. It looks like two nooses next to one another (not good). You stick your feet in the nooses and then you can do some pilates movements. Soooooo, if you drive by our house early in the morning and see me dangling from the tree all contorted and stuff---I'm just exercising before school. I think this could be the next thighmaster if used correctly! Here are some pics of the kids climbing the tree.....

Speaking of trees, one Sunday morning while I was sitting on the couch reading the latest gossip in our local newspaper, I noticed our apple tree to the south of our home was shaking as if a storm was blowing in. I looked out the other window and it was calm....no wind or breeze. I looked back at the apple tree and it had split into two! Fortunately, it was an apple tree that we don't really use as much as the others because we're not even sure what kind of apples they are---maybe crabapples? Jamie and the boys went out and cut it down. Here's the head lumberjacks doing what they do best...smiling and sitting! We tried to burn the limbs tonight, but too wet for some reason.

Kyla is pretty much recovered from her T&A. She's got a bit more "shedding" of the film (ooey) that forms in the back of her throat, but for the most part, she is ready to get back into the swing (and dance) of things. She has missed almost a whole month of dance, which is unusual. Her voice is a changed a bit. It's cute. She's hoping that since her voice has changed, that it means her singing voice has improved. With the singing genes she was born with...good luck, dear. Kyla mentioned to me tonight that she just feels better all around. She told me since her tonsils have been romoved, she has better self esteem, is happier, and more grateful for people. Whoa, Dr. Gootee--what did you do to my child, and can we do this on a regular basis? She received a few "get well" cards from classmates and family members that really boosted her, and then on a day when she really felt yucky, her cousins came over and stayed the night. They were even able to pull her outside to eat for a picnic.

I tell you, it has been so fun to watch these cousins grow up together. They are going to wear a path between our house and theirs through the years. They have a lot of fun

together and get along so well. What a blessing for them!

I will try to post pics of my classroom someday soon! I keep forgetting to take some. Maybe I'll take some at Open House this week. Yikes...OPEN HOUSE!!

Things are looking up!

Kyla just woke up this morning and gave me a thumbs up. Usually mornings are the toughest for post T&A patients (according to the info sent home and according to experience with Brody). She has a sparkle in her eye and I hope this means we are on the way to recovery. Yesterday was a tough day for her. She was in pain in the morning, and then had quite a tummy ache in the afternoon. Me thinks its from drainage and sleeping with her mouth open. She barely moved from the couch yesterday.

I have gotten a lot done in my classroom and hopefully will be able to stop in this afternoon and wrap things up. Mom was a great help yesterday as she served as official laminating cutter. I was going to take her out to b-fast this a.m. and then realized she had to work--hate that weekend schedule she has. She does too. I pray things change soon in that department.

I'm going to Staples for their teacher appreciation day. Woo woo! Don't know what that will entail, but hey--it's worth a try. My friend, Nora, said she thinks the special this week is free pencil sharpeners--JACKPOT! My goal was to have a pencil sharpener for each student to have in their work boxes. This would totally cut the cost for me--can I hear a yahoozy?!

By the way, Nora, who is teaching at a Charter school in Chicago, thinks (actually is dreaming) I am coming up today to help her with her classroom. She's so funny. I start school in two days. She still has two more weeks before she begins, but thinks I can squeeze in a trip to Chi-town and back before school Monday. She's being so funny. Maybe I need to take a pic of my classroom and my living room (still housing so much First Grade stuff) to prove to her that I cannot travel ten miles from my home for the next few days. Love you anyways, Nora.

Kyla is even going to try to go to town with me today. She wants to pick out a pattern for the fabric we got her for her back to school outfit. I think I will help her lay it out, but then leave a lot of the sewing to her. She has learned a lot in 4-H this year and can put some of that to practice now.

Word of the day: The other day, Noah was asking me about different religions. He really had a lot of questions about the Catholic faith. I tried my best to explain it to him (I taught in a Catholic school for 4.5 months). He paused and asked, "Is my friend, Evan, Cathletic?". I thought that was cute. Well, his friend does like to swim and I do believe heb is Catholic. Therefore, I guess that would make him "Cathletic".

Sorry--no new pics.....I'm too lazy to go up and get my camera.....So I'll leave you with this FABULOUS and STUNNING picture of my older brother, Rob, my little brother, Ryan, and myself sometime in like 1980. Wow......I'm hoping when you see this you are saying, "You've come a long way, baby".

Okay........here's my first attempt at posting a slideshow. Thank you, Sherri, for the tips! For all of your help, I will allow your scrapbooking stuff to be released from storage, free of charge (wink, wink). I will post later about school and how it's going. For now, enjoy the show. I will make another one with some other pics sent home later. I use the word "later" on this blog a lot, don't I?!

Tonsils, anniversaries, and whatever else is in my brain.....

So things are picking up at the speed of a rocket launch around here. School is literally around the corner and I'm in a bit of a panic. My classroom is still not together and I have two more bulletin boards to do besides the little things (name tags, name tags, and did I mention MORE name tags?). I did get my students' cards sent out today. I hope none of their mothers are stamping wonders! I stamped the cards but it was very simple and not real exciting. I have a class of seventeen so far. I had eighteen last year, which is peanuts compared to what my friend Nora has (30 students...20 boys and 10 girls.......WOW). She is teaching in Chicago. If I knew how to do a mobile upload of photos, I would upload a couple of my classroom for ya. A project I have been nursing for the past few weeks is my new reading corner. I think it is so cool when a classroom can support a cozy reading hideaway. I received some extra $$ for my classroom this year, so I focused on using it for literacy in my classroom and literacy at home (take home literacy bags). I will get some pics on here soon because I know all are just DYING to see what I'm talking about.....chuckle chuckle.

So, Jamie and I celebrated our thirteenth wedding anniversary over a cup of coffee and delicious muffins served to us by the very friendly staff at OSF Health Center in Peoria. Kyla had her tonsils and adenoids removed on our anniversary, and Jamie and I still managed to squeeze some "alone" time in while waiting for her to come out of surgery. She came through wonderfully and has proven to be much braver than she let on before surgery (thanks to many many prayers lifted up on her behalf).

I wish I would have taken a "before" and "after" photo of Kyla's tonsils, but didn't...so I will have to get a bit creative with some graphic illustrations. To the left is an illustration of what Kyla's throat looked like before they were removed. Yes, those are the Golden Arches. The purple ball like things are representing how her tonsils were touching her uvula. Snazzy, ehh? Well, her tonsils were huge...I mean HUGE. Her dr.'s eyes were huge when he came in to brief us on how it went. He said he had forgotten how big her tonsils were when he first saw them in the office. When he took out her tonsils, they were the size of ping pong balls. Can you imagine that? How in the world does one breathe, or eat with ping pong sized flesh in the back of there throat?! Kyla never let on that she was in any discomfort at all. She has always had a great disposition, so I can't imagine what she'll be like when she heals! Let's just say at that point in the conference room with Dr. Gootee, it was confirmed to Jamie and I that we made the right decision to get these boogers out!

Two nights ago, Kyla asked me to look at her throat. People, I could now see all the way down to her toenails. It looked like the Grand Canyon........well, it looked like this:

No more snoring for this girl. Wow! And no, I'm not putting any subliminal advertising in here for a certain restaurant. Just trying to give you an image.

Let me backpaddle a few days before the whole tonsillectomy thing...Jamie took the older two kids to D.C. for a short trip to visit one of Jamie's friends from his youth. This guy was an amazing host and tour guide. They had so much fun and learned so much while out there. I was amazed at all the information they retained and returned to me! Below are some pics that I thought you may like to see........

The kids loved the Museum of Crime and Punishment. They spent several hours there and then got fingerprinted and I.D's for a child safety thing. Very cool. Kyla dreaming of landing a part on a newer version of CHIPS....wasn't that what it was called? Noah's looking a little Eric Estrada-like...he needs a bit more sun, I suppose.

The first pic to the right is of Kyla and Noah at the U.S. Capitol Building. They are standing on a star that is designated as the "Center of Washington D.C.". To the far right is, well, self explanatory. Cute pic, eh?

Below right is the FDRMemorial. Kyla and Noah are exhibiting their talent in the dramatic.......

To the left are the fearless travelers at the Lincoln Memorial. As you can see, I REALLY need to learn how to do the slideshow upload. I will try that later, but for now, this is all I'm offering ya as I really need to get busy on school stuff. I'll check in when I can.

It's HOT!

Man, it's HOT out there! I took the afternoon off from getting my classroom ready and so the older two kids and I could go to a gathering of Central staff and their children for an afternoon of swimming. Boy, did that pool hit the spot! Kyla and Noah were thrilled to finally get some swimming in! I have to say, I was tentative about Noah's swimming skills, but he fared pretty well! I think with more swim lessons, he will be set! Kyla proved to be a seasoned fish in the water.

Speaking of swimming, Noah and Brody's first swim lesson went well. Noah was going off the diving board, learning the basic stroke and did very well. Brody did very well...as long as he was in the water. Let me tell you....those thirty minutes of his lesson were the l-o-n-g-e-s-t thirty minutes in a "mother-of-an-active-three-year-old's" life! Once his instructor told his class to stand in a line and take turns jumping in the pool........that was all she wrote. Eighty percent of Brody's class was standing perfectly still in line. It was a very mature 80%. Twenty percent of the class (did I mention Brody IS THE twenty percent of the class?!) could not handle standing still in line to wait his turn. He was all over the place...hopping, bouncing, flapping, dipping his toe in the water,etc. In the great words of my wonderful colleague, Mary Ann, Brody was throwing his "hairy little toe over the line" several times. Brody's instructor was a young, but well practiced, instructor. I have to tip my hat to her because she was very good with him.

I haven't blogged since the dramatic blood draw! Thank you our wonderful friend, Kris, Kyla had the best blood draw. She was so stressed and worried. Cried big alligator tears, and then it was over so quickly because a woman named Star did a beautiful job! Thanks Kris for taking care of us and making sure we got a good one! Here's a pic of all the suckers and stickers even an eleven-year-old wants! One week from today is the big T&A......still could use some prayer deposits;).
We had a wonderful time over the past several weeks getting to know so many people that took part in the musical production of Charlotte's Web. This past weekend was the culmination of all the actors' hard work. The production was absolutely fabulous. Kyla had a small part as a baby spider, and as a townsperson. She had a great time..... To the left is her friend, Molly, who played a lamb--she did an excellent job and has a beautiful singing voice. To the right is her cousin, Lexy, who came opening night to watch the girls.

Well, it is a bit late and I should put in a few hours of rest before the sun comes up. I'll leave you with this cute pic I took the other night. I had stayed downstairs to do some schoolwork on the computer. When I went upstairs to check on everyone, I found the boys (and Annie) crashed....so cute! Jamie fell asleep in Brody's bunk, and Annie wasn't too far behind. Notice the cool green walls I painted to coordinate with their quilts. I will take more pics of the orange lockers and such when I get the trim and window treatments done.