No Time for a Nap...

One of a Kind

2008-10-11T14:22:00.001-04:00

Elisa wrote:

Andy was finishing his cereal. He ate all the Fruit Loops and picked up the bowl and slurped down the milk in the bowl. He looked at his father and plopped the bowl down in front of him with a grin. Toast time! Shocked that Andy ACTUALLY ate all of his meal, Timothy asked "Who are you?!"

Andy looked at him, pointed up and said "One of a kind!"

He certainly is!

Joey!

2008-10-07T16:53:00.001-04:00

This One???

The New Spokesman for Netflix

2008-10-04T10:39:00.003-04:00

I got a call from Aunt Brenda this morning, on her way back from Andy's overnight trip to her house. She was telling me how sweet and good he's been and the different things they did since leaving the football game last night.

Then she said that he was so smart, starting on the tale of his latest Andy-ism. She said that they watched a Thomas the Tank Engine movie and an episode of Sesame Street. Then, when they were over, he asked if she had a Baby Einstein movie. We have started watching those again for Joey. The boys love the music in them and will dance. The toys are pretty neat, and they tie in early reading skills, too. When she said that no, they did not have any Baby Einstein, Andy replied matter of fact "Well, you need to get Netflix."

Timothy and Andy go to mail box every day or so to see what has come in. I can't tell you how much money we've saved in not getting cable/dish and in late fees at the movie gallery by getting Netflix. We're even able to get foreign films, A&E, classics that we can not at the local movie house. Most of the are the crude blow-em-ups that we just aren't interested in because of the violence, sex, and language. We are also able to get quality movies for the boys, since we do not watch television. Before you think that we have a ideological purpose for this other than I don't want them seeing the dark and sexually explicit ads, know that since we don't have cable, our antenna doesn't pick up much without a LOT of snow and other bad signal issues. Time is the other constraint. We can be DOING so much more when not watching television. It's a heck of a lot more fun. Going to the mailbox to see what surprise Daddy ordered is pretty neat for Andy.

The "You need to get Netflix." was pretty funny coming from a three-year-old.

Ivy Tagged Me!

2008-09-29T12:25:00.004-04:00

My friend Ivy tagged me. I have to write six unspectacular quirks. Here are the rules:
So here are the tag rules
Link to the person who tagged you
Post the rules on your blog
List 6 unspectacular quirks you have
Tag 6 bloggers by linking them
Leave a comment on each taggee's blog to let them know they've been tagged.

There are two tricks here. The first is finding six people to tag and link and the second is to find ONLY six quirks.

1. I do not like getting anything under my fingernails. I will clean them so thoroughly that sometimes they are clear. This is the reason I want to get a garbage disposal. With two little boys, there is NO WAY not to get gunk down in the sink, that I have to reach in and pull out so the sink does not run over. Then, for the rest of the day, I'm picking at my nails.

2. I have to turn the milk carton label away from me at breakfast because I will read and re-read the thing through out the meal, not realizing I'm doing it.

3. I can whistle like Thomas the Tank Engine, a fact that thrills my little boys.

4. The grocery store we go to has shopping cars that look like racecars. The boys "drive" and I provide the sound effects. This, of course, I don't realize I'm doing so that other people besides my sons, who are laughing in delight especially and the tight, fast turns, until older ladies look at me either in mirth or disgust.

5. I'm the queen of spiderwebs when it comes to a story. I make Charlotte look like a "humble" spider. For this reason, I can not tell jokes. I spider web so much, the only thing I remember about the punch line by the time I get around to it is that it WAS funny.

6. I didn't have a security blanket until college. Now, I can't sleep well without it. I will jack the ac to 68 degrees so that it's cool enough in the height of summer to have both the comforter and my blanket on my bed. If I get hot, I will venture to stick one foot out from the mound to cool it off. Then turn over to cool the other.

Now, I've got to tag six people.
Timothy
Julie
Paige
Patty
Heath

You're Fired!

2008-09-16T05:00:00.000-04:00

Yes, those are the words I heard from Andy today. "What?" I replied.
"You're fired!"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Yes, my Daddy approval rating may have been down a bit since my knee surgery. I haven't been able to spend a lot of time on the floor with Andy. But I never realized it would lead to this.
"Who says you can fire me?" I asked.
"You did. You put me in charge, and you're fired!"
"OK," I replied.

Now one might ask, "where does a 3 year old learn about being in charge, and firing people?" I have know idea.

However, I think I may have gotten my job back. I took him shopping today and bought him a Transformer. He likes it, even though it turns out to be one of the bad guys. Elisa knew that, I didn't. Hopefully my Daddy approval rating will increase over the next few weeks.

Happy Birthday Amy

2008-09-15T09:35:00.006-04:00

It's time to wish my sister, Amy Anna-Catherine, a happy birthday. Today is her day!

So without further ado, here is the Hammons Boys Trio, singing that famous song to my sister!

Life Walk 2008

2008-09-10T19:34:00.002-04:00

Life Walk Form

2008-09-10T19:24:00.003-04:00

Art Photography starring Andy and Joey

2008-09-09T22:40:00.004-04:00

No Sleeping Late

2008-09-01T10:40:00.004-04:00

Usually, it's Andy. He will stand at my side of the bed and shout, "Get up!" This morning, it was Joey. He was in his crib jumping up and down screaming for anyone to come and get him. So I did. I felt like it was a good time for us to spend the morning, drinking coffee and pink milk, eating bananas, and doing whatever he wanted. That meant chasing him.

Andy finally got up and it's movie time! This morning's selection: Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again! Andy likes it because it has funny cowboys in it.

BTW, the photo was taken by Andrea P. She came over on Friday to take pictures of the boys, and we put on their cowboy hats.

Happy Birthday Mark

2008-08-30T05:00:00.000-04:00

Hi Mark,

We hope you have a wonderful birthday, even in the midst of these trials. We love you and respect you. What you are doing will be honored by Him, and He will see you through it. We are proud of you.

Have a wonderful birthday.
Love
Timothy, Elisa, Andy & Joey!

Hyper Smiles!

2008-08-22T11:19:00.000-04:00

Joey gets so excited about the simplest things. Here he is enjoying a chocolate chip cookie. What is special is that he gets just as excited when I come home from work. Makes going home all that much more enjoyable!

Happy Birthday Carter

2008-08-15T05:00:00.000-04:00

Carter turns 6 years old today! He is Andy and Joey's first cousin on their mother's side. In view of that, Happy Birthday CARTER!

The video says it all...

The Pay-backs have started...

2008-08-14T10:32:00.002-04:00

Joey has a new trick.
Andy takes out the toys in the toy box and climbs in, then closes the lid.
At that moment, Joey climbs on top shutting Andy in.
Andy can't get out with Joey on top.
Joey knock-knock-knocks on the lid to Andy inside.

He also loves to turn the lights on and off, on and off, on and off, while standing on top of the toy box.

"Weeve me a-wone. Tank you." Is the response when Joey comes off the top to play peek-a-boo with Andy in the box.

Today, Andy has started to keep his hand on the lid of the box so he can at least attempt to open if should Joey climb back on top.
I see squished fingers in Andy's future.

Joey, Brushing His Teeth

2008-08-13T15:29:00.002-04:00

Not quite yet. He still hasn't learned the hang of it, but he is trying. He has learned to climb up on the stool and play in the water, which is what he is doing in this picture.

Monday Yard Work

2008-08-11T23:50:00.003-04:00

My only goal for the day was to cut the back yard. Granted, I got a lot done on my day off. But all that was icing on the cake since none of those things were on my goals for the day. My only goal was the back yard.

But then there was Joey. Just as I was heading out back to cut the grass, he woke up. He didn't want Mommy. Not at all. We tried that. He wanted Daddy! So much so that when I handed him off to Mommy, he broke out in a cry, where I heard her say, "breathe!" He screamed so long, she thought he wasn't going to breathe again. But he did.

Elisa tried to get me to forgo the yard. She said what I needed to do was play with my boy. But I was hard headed. She even said, "why don't you put on your bathing suit, get in the kiddie pool with Joey and a beer, and I will cut the grass for you." I was so hard headed that I passed on that offer. What was I thinking?

But alas, I have to do things my way. I thought I could distract Joey long enough with the sand box or the fire engine to get started. Then, once he saw that I wasn't leaving, and would be right there, all would be well. Not so. As soon as I cranked up the lawn mower, he came around the corner of the house with a face full of tears.

Plan B. I will carry him while cutting the grass! Ha! That lasted all of three strips around the yard.

Plan C. Get the carrier from the garage, put him on my chest and finish the job. Double Ha! It was liked adding a 40 lbs. pack to my chest and heading up a mountain. After three strips across the yard, I was done.

Plan D. Let Andy and Joey play in the pool, while I recover on the porch. Accomplished.

I never did get that beer.

A Down Day

2008-08-11T10:29:00.004-04:00

A Down Day, as in, we're not doing much at all. I hope to cut the grass, but not until later this evening. Joey and Andy are watching Toy Story.

Joey has learned to pick his nose. We're trying to teach him not to. We did have some success with Andy in that realm the other day. He picked his nose so much, it started bleeding. We took him into the bathroom to clean him up, and he saw the blood all over his face. That really scared him and he has done it since.

O great, as I was reading the above paragraph, Joey crawled up in my lap and tried to pick my nose. Then he stuck one finger in each ear... my ears! I guess this is part of the learning, unlearning process.

Toy Story just ended. Now for some breakfast... or perhaps brunch since we are approaching 11 a.m. Yup, major accomplishments on the way... just not today!

Joey has also learned to open the child gate. The $90 child gate, guaranteed to keep your child locked up. Alas, we have smart boys. So Elisa tied a ribbon there to keep him from getting through. Guess what? He learned to untie it! What fun...

Cold shivers...

2008-07-28T19:21:00.003-04:00

run up your spine when he says of your potty-training three-year-old:
"Technically, he IS wearing his underwear!"

And there the three-year-old runs, all wally-wallyfied, into the kitchen with his underwear ON HIS HEAD!

One More! From July 4th

2008-07-26T15:24:00.001-04:00

Two More!

2008-07-24T22:46:00.001-04:00

Two more from VBS at GPC. Me and the boys on the inflatable castle.

The Semantics of Potty Training

2008-07-21T16:30:00.002-04:00

When your husband says “Honey, you’ve got to come see this.” you probably shouldn’t.

“Elisa, you need to see what your son is doing!” Was the first herald of alarm last week. Knowing the profound wisdom in the statement written above, I was reluctant to hear the answer to my trembling and hesitant “Why?”

“Well, Andy is standing out in the back yard naked.”

Joy, joy. Yea. Woo-hoo. That’s just never a good thing. He WAS right, I HAD to go see what was going on.

I stepped out onto the back porch and looked. It wasn’t quite THAT bad. Andy was standing there… with at least his shirt on. The rest of him was butt-naked. His shorts were six feet from him in the grass where he had tossed them. His underwear were in his hand being whirled around like a pin wheel.

“Whee!!” Look, Mommy! It go round!”

“Andy, did you t-t in your pants?” I asked with the concern of a mommy with potty-training battle scars.

“No.” was the answer as the undies continued to spin around and around.

“Are your pants wet?” I asked, wondering why on earth he took off his pants if he didn’t have some sort of accident in them.

“No.” was the blunt reply.

Dreading the next answer I asked cautiously “Why did you take your clothes off?”

Andy replied with the proud gusto of a three-year old who had just learned a new trick
“So I do dis!” and he spun the Hot Wheel underwear briefs at RPM’s that any muscle car would have been proud of.

That’s right folks. Andy took off his clothes so he could twirl his undies in the air. And what did my husband say as I looked and him, my head, my leader, my soul-mate, wondering what we should do next. What does he say as he begins the giggle jiggle, but “Honey, don’t laugh!” As if that’s at all possible!

You have to understand, this is not the first such situation. Last week, Timothy was looking for Andy at Vacation Bible School to take a photo. So he asked a Team Leader where Andy was.

“Out front. Peeing in the bushes.”
Yes. There Timothy found the pastor’s eldest son, pants around the ankles eliminating on the bushes out in front of his father’s church, where all could see, but somehow...didn’t. We’ll just say that it was not another “Kodak Moment.”
And then there’s Saturday evening in the front yard of our house. (Yes, you guessed it happened again.)

“Honey, you need to come get your son!”

At this point I must stop and point out something critical that you all may have noticed all ready, but said issue has yet to be addressed. Why is it that when OUR children do something that they should be doing fully clad, but alas are beautifully adorned with a gorgeous smile of “FREEDOM!!!WHEE!!!” that Timothy calls them “your son.” Uhm-hm. Happy thought.

Ok, now I will return to the previous thought.
When I gathered enough of curious bravery to step out the garage and see what was going on now, I saw my dear husband’s six foot four inch body clamoring after OUR little three-year old’s naked frame as he led his daddy on a chicken-yard scramble around our front lawn, and the neighbor’s next door as well.

My ears caught the frantic strain of my husband’s “Andy’s peeing in the grass…” and the glistening laughter of a delighted three-year old as he zoomed past his father butt-naked yet again.

As I write the last sentence, I am concerned with using the term “butt-naked.” It does not add the correct ambiance that I would like to add to this piece and I feel it isn’t so appropriate a term. (“Butt” was always a naughty word in my home growing up.) So, on this note, I would like to pause and do some splanin’.

Bill Cosby, excellent man, brilliant mind, and great comic, coined the term “Wally-wally” rather than using the other term for male genitalia. That’s the term used on our household as well, because the correct term is a little embarrassing to use by some sectors of our household. “Wally-wally” however, is not.

While Dr. Cosby used the term as a noun, and in some cases a proper noun, I have adapted it into other parts of speech to describe my son’s recent butt-naked trend, reflecting the joy, freedom, pride, and comfort that he exhibits while in this state. I feel that using the term “butt-naked” is a little crass and a bit undignified at best. So I heartily thank Dr. Cosby for the inspiration.

Wally-wallyfied: being clad in a t-shirt and wally-wallies.

Wally-wallyness: the emotional state of being that a three-year feels when he is wally-wallyfied- joy, freedom, pride, comfort, giggly, you-can’t-catch-me, whee.

Wally-wallyly: the adverb describing how a three-year-old does something when wally-wallyfied, in a state of wally-wallyness.

Wally-wallying: the process of becoming wally-wallyfied. Usually lasting only a split second as the articles hindering three-year-old from his wally-wallyness are thrown down approximately 6.2578 feet from his body in a determined, lightening fast, gleeful manner. Such an action happens to the most attentive, ready-for-action, alert parent before the movement of son wally-wallying registers in their minds, without any warning what-so-ever, even twenty minutes after male offspring has eliminated in the toilet (or bushes in front of their church) and received t-t candy for his accomplishment.

I was cooking the other afternoon and Andy rounded the corner of the kitchen, clearly wally-wallyfied.
“Mommy!” he exclaimed, “I t-t!! I t-t!!”
That wonderful sentence, now, had once been a harbinger of doom for my couch and/or carpet.
With excitement, I heartily praised the young man on his ability to put t-t in a potty.

With that, Andy with delight and pride said “Close your eyes. I surprise for you. Come on!!” and with great wall-wallyness led me to the restroom, eyes shut.

“Open your eyes!”
“See, Mommy! I t-t in potty!”
Yea! He had wally-wallyly led me to see his grand feat in the toilet. We hugged and waved bye-bye to the t-t as we flushed it to its new home in the septic tank in our back yard. He had earned his t-t candy. We washed his hands and de-wally-wallyfied and went to the pantry to get his prize.

As of yet, there has been no real state of wally-wallyness in our house, and certainly no public displays of our son wally-wallying in public.
It’s raining.

Stinker!

2008-07-18T12:00:00.003-04:00

Andy caught in the act of being a stinker again... that's lipstick on his face. Yes, he is trying to shave the counter top with lipstick. Fortunately for us, the razor had no blade

Response for Holly

2008-07-16T14:46:00.004-04:00

Hi Holly,
I think I need your email :).
I’m going to respond to you in the paragraph you sent so that I can address all the questions, then make it a post since it’s so long. I love helping!

Those are all great ideas! :) Thanks!

I will have mostly students who are struggling with math, so it will be important to make it interesting. I'm teaching pre-algebra and transitional math. They should be in algebra by 8th grade.
It’s highly important to make it interesting. These are the kids who are not mathmatical/logical thinkers and are right-brained thinkers. If they struggle in an area, they have a tendency to be discipline problems, too. You also have to deal with developmental issues with algebra. These guys are beginning to be more abstract thinkers, but sometimes can’t get but only concrete thoughts to gel. Algebra is more abstract. It is very important that they have the foundation for algebra laid in the 7th grade. They’ve got to know the process of balancing the equation and memorize basic formulas.
“Do unto one side as you do unto the other.”

Oh, and to the tune of Are You Sleeping-
“Opposite of B.
Opposite of B.
Plus or minus square root.
Plus or minus square root.
B squared minus 4AC. B squared minus 4AC.
Over 2A. Over 2A.“

I'm planning on having at least one big project for each grading period, so I need about 6 big ones to keep them busy. They will usually present their projects to the class after they have completed it. Some will be group projects, class projects, and some individual.
For grading, use a rubric. There are some rubric makers online. It helps the kids (and parents) see what you are expecting. Do most of the work in class.

1. Value of an Education (They calculate their salary as a high school drop out, salary as high school grad, salary as college grad..maybe find the salary of their dream job)Problem: This should only take one class?
The research will take a day or two. Then, you’ll have to show them how to calculate the salary on an example. Then, you need to have them practice the calculation with an example. Then, you need them to work on their project and make the final product. Probably 3-4 days. On this one, you’re going to have to go through the teaching cycle.

2. Degree (I'll pick a few local universities for them to research different degrees. After they pick a degree, they have to find the course requirements including general education from the universities I selected. That way they can see how many math classes they have to take in college to get the degree they'd like.)
You can write to the colleges and get a couple of their catalogs. You might have the counselor come in and help them “register.” It would be good to do this at semester when they have to pick the new electives they’ll have to take. Make sure to get Texas A&M!!!

3. I have a ton of graphing ideas. One is where I measure their height on the first day of class and then near the end of the school year... we put that on a graph together as a class at the beginning of the year and then re create the graph at the end of the year. Another idea is just get them to collect data on fellow classmates.
Take a look at the schedule on the first two days. You may have an early release, plus, seventh grades have an awful time reading their schedules. Focus on things like “This is where you sit.” “The bathroom is ______.” “My name is Mrs. Seufert.” “This is your math book.” “This is how you work a lock.” “Here’s the syllabus.” “Here’s the rules.” Seventh graders are scared to death the first few days and will be lost. Be firm and set boundaries from the first. Take care of basic needs those first two days. Do some activities that get them to meet others.

4. Planning A dream vacation (from your idea)
Map Quest. com is awesome.

5. Decorating a room with furniture. This will help them understand area. I could get them to calculate the cost involved in decorating their house as well.
Have them also figure out how much paint and wall paper is needed and how much they cost. Set a budget like they do on trading spaces. They could also make a diaramma of the new room. You might be able to get old wall paper books and paint chips from some place for them to use. Call around and get quotes from home improvement stores, or have the student check online for them.

6. Maybe a probability activity... I just need to think of a project to do on this? I could get them to come up with a probability game in groups and then show the class their game?
Have them create a board game. On their game, have them write up the probability of spinning something or rolling a die. You could also have them conduct a poll of drinks, favorite sports teams, favorite musician, tv show, etc. Have them put the results in a spreadsheet with a graph.

I agree with you about homework, but the principal doesn't like homework at all. I figured I could give them homework from the book, but use class time to get it done? Put them in groups, get a dry erase board for each group, assign a team leader, and have them go through each problem step by step? I would walk around and make sure they are solving them correctly.. This is the way they work through problems in the AVID program. I was an AVID tutor for about 2 years. The team leader (I would pick a different one each week) doesn't have to write out the problems because they are writing them on the board, but the rest of the group has to write them all out step by step to get full credit.
Yes. You’ll have to use class time for independent practice from the looks of it. It is one way to insure that you get their assignments. If they do not finish, give them until 8am to get it in to you. Make sure you have them show their work. It is good for them to use their heads, however when you’re trying to find out where they messed up, you need to see their work so you can see their thinking process. I like your cooperative activity. Assign jobs. I copied these rules and gave them a grade for participation. I counted off the participation grade when they failed at one of the expectations. 1. Everyone works. 2. Everyone works quietly. 3. Everyone cooperates. We learn best when we teach someone else. Having the team leader is a good idea. If they don’t know how to show the team, have them call in the relief pitcher- you! Only after they tried first. Trying is what’s going to have to count here. Remember that you will have special ed kids in your classes. Check with their IEP’s as well for modifications they will need.

I really like bouncing ideas off people who have taught before. :) I'm sure you were a very good teacher! :) Uhm… I have some stories to tell on this one…

Is it true that 8th graders still enjoying drawing? I have some ideas where they make key concept sheets which they can decorate. For example, I was thinking about getting them to decorate the first key concepts for solving math problems (explore, plan, solve, and examine). Does that sound ok?
YES!! Absolutely. Concept mapping is pretty cool, too. Art is an awesome way to pull in math objectives. Scale. Proportion. Rotate. Flip. Slide. Sequencing. Tessellations and MC Escher (btw I have a lesson plan for that one with art work. You can even teach a multimedia lesson with it too.)

Also, I heard you should never ever play a game on the first day. Would it be okay to have a competition between rows of students on multiplication tables?
Do games that day for sure. But make sure they understand that you’re class isn’t “fun and games.” It is a great time to practice you’re classroom procedures, expectations and cooperative rules. That’s a social-emotional strategy. Brain teasers are great, too. A math race would be a great idea. Be able to modify on the spot for physical impairments. I have a game called swat the fly that might work, too. Let me know if you’d like that.
Wong says have even a pass-in procedure. Also, have a way of getting their attention without yelling. I raised my hand. The first one who saw me raise theirs, and so on. Counting backwards from 5 works, too.

My old expectations: (No more than five, keep them positive.)
Everyone is on time and in their seat when the bell rings.
Everyone respects the feelings, rights, property, and education of others.
Everyone works and cooperates with others.
(i can’t remember the others right now. :(

BTW- Doing the “three strikes you’re out” means that the kids get to act up 3 more times before you deal with their discipline issue. Warn the first time. Act the second.

Pull up your students test data and find out which skill(s) each one needs to be addressed. Make a card for them. Have them practice those skills throughout the year. Give practice tests so you can see how they are improving.

I'm done bombarding you with questions! :) I just have a lot of thoughts going through my head…
You’re not bombarding. I love being asked. Yes. Even more will be going on as day one gets closer. Find a mentor teacher to have come along side you.

Thanks for all your suggestions! I really appreciate them. No problem. You’re going to do a great job.

July 4th Pictures

2008-07-15T15:51:00.004-04:00

I just now got around to posting some of our pictures from July 4th. One of neighbors rented an inflatable slip'n' slide and we went over to spend part of the day letting Andy play on it. When we first arrived, he was extremely afraid of it. I had to go back home, put on my swimsuit and help him the first couple of times. In fact, I just put him on my back the first few times, ran, and dove as hard as I could. He loved it.

After a few piggy-back runs, we jumped on it hand-in-hand. He would end up behind me, so I would sling him forward with one hand. He loved it. Of course, I lost all momentum and had to crawl the rest of the way, but it was worth it.

Vacation Bible School

2008-07-12T09:13:00.004-04:00

Joey and me on the bouncing castle. Pictures were taken by Andrea.

Vacation Bible School is in full swing at our church. I only have time to write this because Elisa is fully involved, and I get to watch my two boys. That is MY responsibility! Both boys are still asleep. They are tired out after the events of the first day. Once they get up, I will feed them and head that way.

The day certainly was full of humorous moments. The best two came with Andy. As you know from posts below, we have been fully involved in potty training him, and it has been an adventure. Yesterday included. We decided to let him wear his underwear up to the church, instead of a diaper because he has been doing so well. In fact, he is doing TOO well at it. During one of the more hectic moments, I had to run out and find him, because he had run off with some of the other children. I came out of the building asking where he was, and one of the boys said, "peeing in the bushes." There he was, pants and underwear down around his ankles trying to pee in the bushes. in front of the entire church... no modesty there!

I quickly grabbed him, pulled his pants up and began the long, and hopefully, fruitful explanation about how we don't pee in the bushes unless we are way, way, out in the woods. Or stuck in the back yard, late at night, when no one is looking!

The other event took place on the bouncing castle. His pants kept falling down. He would jump, jump and jump, and before you know it, his pants would be down around his ankles. He didn't mind. But Lauren sure giggled about it. I pulled him off the castle and went to find his spare set of shorts. Yet, somehow, I think Andy is proud of his Thomas the Tank Engine underwear.