Beverly Hills, 90210

I can't believe it has been almost a month since my last post.

Where does the time go?

(I feel like I say this a lot)

Let's see. . . .what is new?

Well, I am now the 2nd counselor in Relief Society.

(For those wondering, Relief Society is the woman's organization of my church, and 2nd counselor is like being a VP)

I am still teaching the teenage Sunday school, so that means that on this coming Sunday, I get to teach the teenagers, and then immediately following, teach the adult women.

I am TERRIFIED of teaching the adults.  

I have only taught kids before.

Not full-grown, opinionated, knowledgeable women.

Plus, I am in charge of the entertainment of all these women (plus more) at an activity in 2 weeks.

Talk about pressure!

And since this is my first time doing anything like this, I really feel the need to impress.

In order to combat this pressure, I have found that the Soap Network airs old 90210 episodes during the day.

Many of my day recently have been spent watching the high school years of Brenda, Brandon, Dylan, Kelly, Donna, David, Steve and Andrea.

It makes me think of being in middle school.

(talk about pressure)

If I can get through middle school (in Oklahoma, no less) then a little responsibility as an adult shouldn't stress me out, should it?

(I am currently watching an episode now, where Steve makes a half court shot for $10,000.  Talk about drama!)

We Heart NYC

 Santa's big present to the kids this year was a trip to NYC to shop.  

Since Ciara's entire letter to Santa consisted of the entire American Girl catalog, he decided that this was the best way to handle that.

So Grandma Jill met us there, and spent the day shopping in the freezing wind and snow.

 Caden with Jack Sparrow at the Lego Store.

 Ciara had her heart set on going to the Statue of Liberty.  Unfortunately, it is closed right now for refurbishing, and the weather was so horrible that we didn't want to onto the island at all.  Luckily, Lego Store had the next best thing!

  Caden at his favorite store: Nintendo World.

Ciara in the American Girl store, on our way up to our appointment with the personal shopper.

 Ciara, making a promise to Maria, the best personal shopper!

 With new doll, McKenna.

With her new baby, April.

We started the day at the 911 Memorial.  The museum is still not finished, but the fountains and the grounds are open.  It was so cold, and the kids didn't really enjoy it, but I was glad we saw it.  I would like to go back when the weather is better, and when the museum opens up.

Then we headed up-town to FAO Schwartz, where the kids began their shopping.

Then it was onto the Lego store, Nintendo World and American Girl Store.

If any of you are planning on visiting an American Girl Store, I highly recommend personal shopping.

The store is so big and overwhelming.

Our personal shopper, Maria, had Ciara tell her what she wanted, and brought it to us.

We didn't have to wander the huge store; we got to sit on some comfy couches and relax.

Maria was also great about helping Ciara figure out what she really wanted.

She made sure she didn't want the doll just for the clothes, had her look at their hair and faces, and also made sure it was something she "really, really, really" wanted.  (it had to be 3 really's, not just 2)

She also taught her how to properly take care of her doll's hair.

We had a great experience, and can't wait to go back to NYC soon!

Catch-Up

I just went through all the pictures on my camera, and realized I haven't posted any pictures since the end of school last year.  So here is a quick catch-up:

 Here are Ciara, Tate, and Miss Winder on the last day of school.  Ciara was sobbing so hard when I picked her up that day.

 We visited the Philadelphia Zoo with the Scotts.  It was so hot, but we had a blast!

 Ready to ride in the Christensen's annual 4th of July Parade.

 We made a few trips to Lake Tobias, this fun place with animals, convertible bus rides, and shirt-eating goats.

 First day of school!

 Ciara in her fall soccer game.

Halloween!

At the Christkindl market in Mifflinburg.  It was FREEZING!

Life of Crime

I know many of you have wanted to know more about my facebook post regarding Ciara and the forged signature.

Here is the whole story:

In her class, if you forget (or just don't do) a homework assignment, your name is written on the board.

For my perfectionist daughter, this is probably the worst punishment.

Not only has she made a mistake, but EVERYONE knows about it.

I think what happened is that she forgot to bring home her reading assignment one day, and instead of just doing it the next day, she chose to write her dad's signature on the paper so her name would not be written on the board.

I also think it has to do with the fact that she does not have a great teacher this year.

The teacher shows no interest in the kids, and doesn't seem to relate to them at all.

I have been very disappointed.

Because of this, Ciara doesn't see the need to try.

We have talked about it, but trying to explain to your 7 year old that you have to learn no matter who teaches can get tricky.

She is also having trouble with the kids in her class.

Some girls that she thought were her friends at the beginning of the year have become less nice.

Ciara gets very upset when people don't like her.

I blame this on the fact that my daughter has been raised to believe that everyone adores her.

(Because, let's face it, who doesn't?)

But with a teacher who doesn't care, and classmates that are not very nice, 2nd grade is becoming rather difficult for her.

Hence, her life of crime choice.

When I was informed that she forged a signature, my mind immediately flashed forward 10-15 years, and I was terrified that this was a pattern that was going to keep repeating.

I mean, if you are already forging signatures at age 7, what will you be doing at age 17??

I have tried to take a step back, and realize that this is not a pattern, just a one-time incident.

We just need a better teacher, and class.

I did beg her first grade teacher to just follow Ciara through all the grades.

We love her.

But since that probably won't happen, we will just have to figure out how to deal with difficult people.

Still, age 7 just seems too young to have to learn this.

Our Holiday

I was able to overcome my Grinch-y feeling before Christmas, and we had a wonderful time.

Santa's big gift to the kids this year was a trip to NYC with a stop at the American Girl store, Nintendo World, Lego Store, and FAO Schwartz.  

He did what he could, and wrote them a letter and filled their stockings.

But I think the kids were initially confused.

They came down expecting piles of presents, and instead saw a letter.

After they read it, they were more excited, but it was rather amusing at first to see the confusion on their faces.

For Christmas dinner, we met some friends for Chinese food, which was so fun!

I definitely would do that again, no worrying about cooking, or clean up.

New Year's Eve we went to a friends house as well.

Food, fun, a quick piano concert, and a rubix cube rounded out our evening.

And now we are already past the first week of January.

Time goes by way too quickly.

I hope we have a medically quieter year, no more cancer, tree crushings, or ear infections (or fractured fingers).

Grinch-y

I am feeling Grinch-y.

Tired of all the money being spent.

Tired of my never-ending list of things to get done before Christmas.

I am usually such a huge fan of this celebration, and I am shocked at how I feel this year.

It could be that just too much has happened in the past week.

(Ciara had a minor surgery yesterday, and we found out last week that my mother-in-law has breast cancer)

I just feel like I can't catch up with everything that is going on.

Maybe if I eat more chocolate . . . .

No, probably not.

My heart had better find Christmas soon.

The Silver Lining

I try to look at the bright side of things.

Even when I could be complaining (and believe me I do my fair share of it), I do try to look for the positive.

Complaint #1

Our family lives over 2000 miles away.

Silver lining-we are generally left out of the day to day family drama that goes on.  Also, I think we work together when it is just the 4 of us.  Being constantly surrounded by family makes our roles a little muddled-I am not just a wife and mother, but also a daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, etc.

Complaint #2

The plane ride home from said family was AWFUL.  The family in front of us had 2 small children, both of whom threw up all over, and one of which cried the entire 5 hour flight.

Silver lining-We were not that family.  Our kids were so good.  They entertained themselves (yes, the DS had a LOT to do with that), and at one point, Ciara was reading books to Caden.

Complaint #3

Ear Infections.

Ciara had 6 ear infections last winter, and we are already on our second in 3 weeks.

Silver lining-I have already scheduled an appointment with the ENT (who I like), we have health insurance, and good medical care available.

Complaint #4

Flat tire Monday morning.

Silver lining-Rocky had not left for work, so he was able to come to my rescue.  Also, I was very grateful that this happened on a Monday when I was just taking the kids to school as opposed to our 3 hour drive at midnight from the Baltimore airport

I think that is enough complaining for now.

We had a great trip to SLC for Thanksgiving.  I LOVED getting to see everyone (especially Anna, my new niece, and Kylie, my cousin's baby).  The kids had a blast, and didn't want to come home.

But we are now settled back into our routine, and looking forward to Christmas at home (in PA).