A bit late in posting but here are pics from Ellie's birthday. We had a fun happy hour/ happy birthday party with our neighbors! I can't believe she's 5.
March 20, 2009
February 20, 2009
Smartie Partie
During staff development this week, one of our principals gave a session on humor in the classroom. Figuring one could always use some new and creative ideas, I took the class and came away with some wonderful ideas and fun goodies. Since I don't teach again until next week I had to try things out on our own kids. The Smartie Partie was the biggest hit: starting with one, try balancing a Smartie on your nose and then catch it in your mouth! I can only balance two so far, but we are working on it!
February 13, 2009
Handmade Valentines
This week I helped the kids make over 75 Valentines for their classmates! Ethan and I were inspired by some wonderful printing scraps that a parent dropped off at my artroom. He made short work of inserting lollipops, adding the message, and signing his name. Ellie and I spent our Thursday afternoon splatter painting. While flinging paint she said, "Mom, we are like masterpieces!" She is a natural and Jackson Pollock would be proud. Olivia had the most difficult challenge, making tissue paper flowers with lollipop centers. Her teacher told them, "It would be nice if you at least wrote people's names on your Valentines--take 2 seconds to show your friends you care!" and Olivia took it to heart. She dealt with the frustration of having a few lopsided ones by reminding herself that most kids would just be ripping out the lollipop anyway! Sorry we didn't send any cards out to family!! We cut it so close on our candy counts we were actually short for a few preschoolers missing from our list--luckily we had a few fruit snacks in the pantry we could substitute! Hopefully we can send out some early spring pick-me-up cards to everyone!!! For now, enjoy these virtual Valentines!
Ethan's colorful message
Elie's masterpieces
Olivia's floral challenge!
December 31, 2008
After a two-day weather delay (our kids do really appreciate the pool at the Atlanta airport’s Embassy Suites), we finally arrived in Panama, and eventually joined the rest of the Padmos clan in Bocas del Toro, a province with a series of islands on the Atlantic side of the country. After run-ins with dolphins, sloths (ask any of us about our new euphemism: “Do you need to come down from the tree?”), red frogs, and a forest of jellyfish – not to mention endless swimming and food – we made our way to the Gamboa rainforest, right on the Chagres River and a stone’s throw from the Panama Canal. We “transited” the Canal – or at least half of it – which included two locks. Engineering marvels, those – especially for the time they were built. We also went on a “monkey tour,” with great success – not just in seeing monkeys, but also iguanas, turtles, and toucans. The latter were a nice touch since our kids have been essentially living off a certain cereal for over a week. After a couple of days (with more swimming and eating), we made our way to the Pacific side, where we are currently. We're just north of Panama City, with a view of the ocean. In fact, we can see the line-up of ships entering the Canal, which makes quite a sight, especially in the evenings. We’re at a swanky resort right now, and I have to admit some cabin fever. But Peri keeps reminding me how ridiculous that sounds, with the pools, ocean, restaurants, golf, walking trails, etc., all around us, not to mention sun and warmth, unlike a certain other place. Tonight is New Year’s Eve, and we’ll call in 2009 at a party here at the resort. More (including pictures, which I can't seem to upload at the moment) on the remainder of the trip as it unfolds. In the meantime, cheers!
October 21, 2008
There's Something About School Pictures
They are never very good--funny smiles, unnatural poses, ugly gray backgrounds--but there is something so fun about getting school pictures. Perhaps it is the mini portraits ready to trade with friends or the challenge of trimming each one perfectly without cutting into the photo next to it. Whatever the reason, I must admit I was excited to once again be getting school pictures.
October 09, 2008
What a Day!
Last night Abel had the stomach flu so we wondered what today would be like. Here is the summary: Ellie felt sick and spent most of the day in front of the TV on the couch, Olivia came home from school around 10 and joined her on the couch. Abel was still recovering and was mainly on the couch. Then at 2 we got a call from school that Ethan, the only really healthy one, had fallen and cut his head. He and his classmates were so excited that the firefighters had come to talk to the class that they were sort of jumping around the room. Ethan tripped over a friend's foot and hit his head on a table. He got a huge gash right on his eyebrow. Fortunately, the firefighters were right there to administer first aid! Kevin was working at home so I brought Ethan to the ER where after almost 3 hours of waiting he got 8 lovely stitches! Thank goodness I did not take pictures of the gash when it was open!!
Ethan was a real trooper and greatly appreciated the PlayStation and Slushie the nurse brought him. The doctor thought the game was a great distraction so he set things up so that Ethan could play while he stitched! Ethan will have a scar but maybe he will get Grandpa VanderWall's eyebrows and no one will see it!
Abel's Birthday Weekend
Abel turned two last Friday. We celebrated with a trip to Post Family farm with the Altenas and one last visit with Grandma and Papa at the cottage. What a beautiful fall weekend. Here are some pics.
October 02, 2008
more than a puddle
This is Kevin's late summer/early fall project. In some amazing way it drove him crazy and kept him sane all at the same time. Once each rock found it's proper place and the leaks were all patched there was less crazy and more sanity. Now that school has started there are no more quiet mornings sitting with coffee by the pond, but it is nice to hear the gentle trickle of the mini waterfall as I make breakfast each morning.
September 29, 2008
Thursday Afternoons With Ellie
Ellie, Abel, and I spend Thursdays together and once Abe goes down for his nap it is our special Mommy/Ellie time. I really should be productive and teach Ellie how to clean toilets or fold laundry but instead we do fun stuff. The past two Thursdays we made dresses based on a pattern from my friend Lucinda (thanks Luc!) dress pattern . A use for an old, too short t-shirt and a way to help empty my bins of fabric--almost as good as housework!
September 14, 2008
lice are not nice
We nearly made it through our first full week of school/work/childcare unscathed until Thursday afternoon when we got a call from school to let us know that Olivia had lice. Apparently they are making their way around the 5th grade. It has been a weekend full of cleaning, vacuuming, and combing. Hours of combing. Combing through everyone's hair to make sure the cirtters are not spreading. Thanks to those friends who have offered advice based on their experience. One would think that in this modern era far fewer of us should be troubled by these ancient beasts! More encouragement comes from the "Operation Nit-Picky" 7 day check list that came home from school, "Day 5: Repeat steps of day 3 Do not let the head lice win this battle! Everyone has worked hard and only 2 days to go!" So we keep up the combing, washing, and vacuuming. If there can be perks of a lice infestation they are these: ultra conditioned hair from olive oil treatments, super cute haircuts, the realization that there are more difficult things in life than getting a family of six to work/school/childcare by 7:45am!
Hopefully after this plague has passed we will be blogging more regularly again. There really are much more pleasant things to share about our family!