Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Bittersweet...
That one word pretty much sums up my last 2 weeks. The 2010-2011 school year is winding down and thoughts are becoming more and more focused on the carefree days of summer. Class rooms are being packed up, lockers have been cleaned out, and final report cards are arriving home today.
This year ending is especially hard because every one of the Wealsey children will be moving up to a new school in the fall.... new routines.... new expectations. I think I am taking it harder than they are. They see all the possibilities, the thrill of something new, the adventure of a new place.I see the sadness of saying goodbye to the teachers that have been such an important part of our lives for the past 9 months or in some cases, years.
This morning we made our last walk ever through the front doors of the Auburn Early Education Center. Wow, that really hurts to say. Jacks will be hugging his fantabulous teacher, Mrs. Dixon, for the last time this afternoon. She has been more than I could ever wished for in a Kindergarten teacher. Jacks has thrived under her care and she is loved and adored by the both of us. I might handle the situation just a little better if I hadn't found out that Mrs. Dixon is also leaving the AEEC for a new teaching adventure. With that knowledge, today is just that much harder. Thank you, Joy, for all you've been to Jacks this year. We wish you all the best.
I even checked Haybug in late at Dean Road so she could be in on the AEEC milestone...we stopped by her old classroom in the Blue Pod to give Ms. Donaldson a hug....hard to grasp 5 years have past since Haybug was under her care. 
Dean Road has now had a hand in raising and teaching 3 of the Weasley children....the teachers are hard working, have great expectations and help their students realize that there is some much more to the world than just yourself. When we moved back to Auburn so many years ago, the quality of the school system played a huge part in the decision. However, I never realized the extent of attachment I would have to our schools and our teachers.We are blessed to live in a community that puts education first.
Today, the Twins will wrap up their last day as middle schoolers. The 2 years at Drake have been a blur, and I have lots of trouble believing that my boys will be at the Jr. High in the fall....is that even possible? I am thankful for all the teachers at Drake; Alecam's years there resulted in fantastic memories and the teachers played a huge part in that. I also feel like we are on firm ground with Haybug moving up. I know the ropes, the expectations, the teams and that takes a huge amount of worry off my mind.You know I am weak with sentimentality when I am willing to help with the 7th grade celebration...an all day party complete with a cookout, rock band, and 500 teenagers. Lord, help me, as I get ready to head over there.....
Here's wishing for a fantastic, and relaxing summer...heaven knows after the last few days I will need it!
This year ending is especially hard because every one of the Wealsey children will be moving up to a new school in the fall.... new routines.... new expectations. I think I am taking it harder than they are. They see all the possibilities, the thrill of something new, the adventure of a new place.I see the sadness of saying goodbye to the teachers that have been such an important part of our lives for the past 9 months or in some cases, years.
This morning we made our last walk ever through the front doors of the Auburn Early Education Center. Wow, that really hurts to say. Jacks will be hugging his fantabulous teacher, Mrs. Dixon, for the last time this afternoon. She has been more than I could ever wished for in a Kindergarten teacher. Jacks has thrived under her care and she is loved and adored by the both of us. I might handle the situation just a little better if I hadn't found out that Mrs. Dixon is also leaving the AEEC for a new teaching adventure. With that knowledge, today is just that much harder. Thank you, Joy, for all you've been to Jacks this year. We wish you all the best.
I even checked Haybug in late at Dean Road so she could be in on the AEEC milestone...we stopped by her old classroom in the Blue Pod to give Ms. Donaldson a hug....hard to grasp 5 years have past since Haybug was under her care. Last week we sat through our second experience of Dean Road Elementary's 5th grade graduation. I am proud of myself for holding it under control as the slide show of Haybug's last five years flashed on the screen during the slide show. I saved the ugly cry for the next day while I was home alone. Can't have witnesses to that little show. 
We are blessed that Haybug has a strong core group of girlfriends moving up to the middle school that are fierce supporters of one another. I have been so honored to be a part of all of their lives and I am thrilled I get to continue to watch them grow into the wonderful young women I see developing before me. I wish I could have gotten them all rounded up for photos afterwards...oh well, another opportunity will be happening this weekend at a year end celebration. :0)
Today, the Twins will wrap up their last day as middle schoolers. The 2 years at Drake have been a blur, and I have lots of trouble believing that my boys will be at the Jr. High in the fall....is that even possible? I am thankful for all the teachers at Drake; Alecam's years there resulted in fantastic memories and the teachers played a huge part in that. I also feel like we are on firm ground with Haybug moving up. I know the ropes, the expectations, the teams and that takes a huge amount of worry off my mind.You know I am weak with sentimentality when I am willing to help with the 7th grade celebration...an all day party complete with a cookout, rock band, and 500 teenagers. Lord, help me, as I get ready to head over there.....
Here's wishing for a fantastic, and relaxing summer...heaven knows after the last few days I will need it!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
My apologies to Edgar Allan Poe
While making the never ending loop to the schools this morning, I found myself running though the lines of Poe's "The Raven". Don't ask me why of all the poems I had to memorize over the years, this is the one that called to me at the start of a beautiful spring day. Surely I learned much happier poems at Auburn High, right? Hmm, lets see there was "The Blue and the Grey" about the Civil War and that was a pretty sad one. Hey, how about "Annabel Lee", also by Poe? Nooo, that one is depressing as well. "The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner"? Hmm, yeah, another on a long list of downers.
And we wonder why teenagers are so moody?
Anywho, with the raven shouting "nevermore" repeatedly in my thoughts, I started to twist and manipulate the poem into something more of my own. I would love to keep playing around with this and tweaking it to fit my warped sense of humor, but alas, there is a huge amount of household destruction at the Weasleys' to deal with. I share this with you now because if I don't get it out of my head it will keep demanding attention even if this is as far as I can go with the poem for now....
With the school year ending nearly, as I pondered weak and weary,
Over many quaint notices and forgotten permission slips galore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
Someone gently rapping, rapping on my noggin sore.
"Tis my annoying kids,"I mutter" Needing money for year end parties four---
Only this and nothing more."
Presently their existence grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Kids", I growled," your patience I do indeed implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and loudly you did come a-rapping
requiring attention as you tapped upon my noggin sore,
You missed the fact that I was very much ignoring you---
Mom's off duty, nothing more."
Deep into those bright eyes peering, long I sat there wondering, fearing,
Doubting this reaction to the year end chaos never happened like this before;
But my fussing was unbroken, and the teachers gave me no token,
Of ceasing papers, permission slips, and requests galore.
Chaos would continue to prevail,
Merely this and nothing more....
And we wonder why teenagers are so moody?
Anywho, with the raven shouting "nevermore" repeatedly in my thoughts, I started to twist and manipulate the poem into something more of my own. I would love to keep playing around with this and tweaking it to fit my warped sense of humor, but alas, there is a huge amount of household destruction at the Weasleys' to deal with. I share this with you now because if I don't get it out of my head it will keep demanding attention even if this is as far as I can go with the poem for now....
With the school year ending nearly, as I pondered weak and weary,
Over many quaint notices and forgotten permission slips galore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
Someone gently rapping, rapping on my noggin sore.
"Tis my annoying kids,"I mutter" Needing money for year end parties four---
Only this and nothing more."
Presently their existence grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Kids", I growled," your patience I do indeed implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and loudly you did come a-rapping
requiring attention as you tapped upon my noggin sore,
You missed the fact that I was very much ignoring you---
Mom's off duty, nothing more."
Deep into those bright eyes peering, long I sat there wondering, fearing,
Doubting this reaction to the year end chaos never happened like this before;
But my fussing was unbroken, and the teachers gave me no token,
Of ceasing papers, permission slips, and requests galore.
Chaos would continue to prevail,
Merely this and nothing more....
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
They really should consider renaming.....
........Baby Blues to Life at the AuburnWeasleys! This one is soooooo Jacks and Wayne:
Jacks is always wanting to help Wayne with projects around the house. I do believe that is why my dear husband begs me to just hire someone. :0) Santa even brought Jacks his own ratchet set for Christmas last year, not that the kid always uses the set for its intended purposes.
Jacks is always wanting to help Wayne with projects around the house. I do believe that is why my dear husband begs me to just hire someone. :0) Santa even brought Jacks his own ratchet set for Christmas last year, not that the kid always uses the set for its intended purposes.
Where everyone knows your name.
The family got creative for this year's Mother's Day celebration. We loaded up the Expedition and headed out for the Georgia Renaissance Festival. How did we make that decision, you ask? Well, the Twins were supposed to attend the festival on a school field trip, but it was unfortunately scheduled for the day the severe weather blew through the state. The trip was called off ten minutes before the buses were to pull out. The boys (including Wayne who was chaperoning), needless to say, were devastated. My guys are all about knights and castles and dragons and wenches..... Oh wait, hmm, I was thinking of Daddy Weasley on that last one....moving on!
So, due to unfortunate field trip the Festival was nice enough to send four adult tickets for the festival. We hated to see $80 in tickets go to waste and therefore decided it would be a great way to spend some family time. It turned out to be a most excellent choice. :0)
In honor of my day, the kids bounded out of bed and quickly prepared for the adventure. No screaming, fighting or crying on my part to get them out the door was required. Oh, how I wish I could figure out how to make school day mornings that easy! The kids continued with their generosity in the car and only had me utter the "don't make me turn this car around" threat three times in an hour and a half trip. I do believe that is a new family record.
I am not sure what I really expected, but upon arrival it was cool to see that the festival would be set up in actual buildings depicting the medieval times and not make shift booths and tents. And the amount of people in period costume....Loved it!! We saw knights, Queens, fairies, wizards, peasants, pirates, and even a Roman Gladiator.
Once inside we were able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Renaissance times...
.... and amazingly, everyone there knew us as the Weasley Family. I guess our reputation preceded us. *wink*
Jacks had to greet the Dragon of course....
There were all kinds of shops, demonstrations, shows and rides for the kids.
If you go, be prepared to have a sense of humor and an open wallet.
*I* really liked this one..... $900 was a bit out of my price range though.
All thru the park they had little photo ops set up.....I think by the last one the kids were getting tired of me pointing, ooohing and yelling "line up"!!
You have to admit...he would make one excellent Court Jester!
Cam and Jacks learned a thing or two at this stop. I have warned them against using the dogs, knives or my good china as props.
Jacks decided to try his hand at the Vegetable toss (we were informed after other attempts at the dunking booth that Weasleys' are evidently born with a genetic defect where throwing is concerned). His first attempt landed in the audience, but unknown to any of us, he has ripped his tomato in two and got a surprise throw.... 
The kid has excellent form...even if his aim is a bit off....
As I said before....we saw all sorts of creatures and characters.... Here are some of the kids' favorites including Pirate Matt, a tree creature we assume lives in Narnia, and the fairies that tried to leave with us....
So, due to unfortunate field trip the Festival was nice enough to send four adult tickets for the festival. We hated to see $80 in tickets go to waste and therefore decided it would be a great way to spend some family time. It turned out to be a most excellent choice. :0)
In honor of my day, the kids bounded out of bed and quickly prepared for the adventure. No screaming, fighting or crying on my part to get them out the door was required. Oh, how I wish I could figure out how to make school day mornings that easy! The kids continued with their generosity in the car and only had me utter the "don't make me turn this car around" threat three times in an hour and a half trip. I do believe that is a new family record.
I am not sure what I really expected, but upon arrival it was cool to see that the festival would be set up in actual buildings depicting the medieval times and not make shift booths and tents. And the amount of people in period costume....Loved it!! We saw knights, Queens, fairies, wizards, peasants, pirates, and even a Roman Gladiator.
 |
| This is the entrance for the Festival |
Once inside we were able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Renaissance times...
.... and amazingly, everyone there knew us as the Weasley Family. I guess our reputation preceded us. *wink*
Jacks had to greet the Dragon of course....
There were all kinds of shops, demonstrations, shows and rides for the kids.
If you go, be prepared to have a sense of humor and an open wallet. 
Jacks really wanted to bring this little guy home....
*I* really liked this one..... $900 was a bit out of my price range though.And of course, we picked a hot and muggy day to go, so I was an easy mark when Haybug asked to have her hair braided at Rapunzel's....
She was much cooler and much, much happier once all her hair was up and off her neck!
AleCam and Jack's decided to try their hand at the maze....they did quite well.
All thru the park they had little photo ops set up.....I think by the last one the kids were getting tired of me pointing, ooohing and yelling "line up"!!
You have to admit...he would make one excellent Court Jester!
Cam and Jacks learned a thing or two at this stop. I have warned them against using the dogs, knives or my good china as props.
Jacks decided to try his hand at the Vegetable toss (we were informed after other attempts at the dunking booth that Weasleys' are evidently born with a genetic defect where throwing is concerned). His first attempt landed in the audience, but unknown to any of us, he has ripped his tomato in two and got a surprise throw.... 
The kid has excellent form...even if his aim is a bit off....
If you look close in the last picture you can see the red blob right above the guys arm. Thats my boy!!
As we wrapped up our adventure, Daddy Weasley bought me a bouquet of flowers.Sweet, I know. I sat them on the dash of the car so I would enjoy them on the ride home....the perfect ending to a perfect family outing.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
New excuse to avoid laundry...and totally worth it!
Have I mentioned how much I hate laundry? Really? That many times, huh? Well then, I am glad we are all up to speed and can move on ....
I am always on the prowl for new ways to avoid the pile of never ending laundry at my house. Yard work, volunteering at schools, supporting the local economy by shopping and running errands (hardship yes, but someone has to do it)....you name it I will try it. Today though, I put others ahead of me in my quest to avoid the washing machine. Life South was at Grace Preschool to hold a blood drive. And at this point blood drives are even more important than usual after all the tornadoes that devastated the great state of Alabama last week.
If you missed out on the Grace Drive, don't fret. Haybug's school-- Dean Road Elementary-- will also be holding a drive on May 19, 9 a.m. -2 p.m. And I'm sure there will be lots of other drives in the area as they try to replenish supplies. So, go ahead..... sit back, relax and give the gift of life. Trust me, the laundry can wait. 
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