Mel's Box of Chocolates

I've never really gotten into the whole decorating for fall. That is until this year. Lately I've been tackling the house and giving it a festive fall feeling. My first part of getting ready for fall was making sure the house smelled just right. I'm not a big candle fan in the summer, but as soon as the cool weather rolls around there is nothing better than the smell of pumpkins and cinnamon. So my first step to getting ready for fall was lighting this... As far as decorations, here are a couple pictures of what I've done so far... Our dining room table all decorated for Halloween with fresh, fall flowers. The fireplace decked out in scarecrows and pumpkins. I also picked up the cutest deep red rug with embroidered leaves, some new fall placemats (to use after we put away our Halloween ones), and some cute bath towels for our guest bathroom. I'm still looking for a fun, fall wreath for the front door! I also have to tackle the outside with scarecrows, signs, and b...

In case you haven't noticed another season is upon us...It's Fall!! Now if you know anything about me, you probably know how much I love summer. My two top reasons...living at the beach and summer's off from school (I'm a teacher in case you forgot). But I also love flip flops, summer dresses, ice cream, beach fries, bbq's, and a great tan. However, I have to say that when I go back to school I look forward to FALL. There is just something about the cool, fresh air, and all the vibrant colors. I look forward to putting on my jeans, wearing a light sweater, visiting the pumpkin patch, buying some mums, and decorating for fall. Speaking of decorating...come back on Tuesday to see what I tackled this week, hint, hint! With the coming of fall also comes the busy days. It's starting a new school year, celebrating Zoe's birthday, into Halloween, then Thanksgiving, onto Dylan's birthday, Christmas, and a finally a New Year. Of course in between each comes all t...

Sorry I haven't mentioned my Weight Watchers Take Two progress lately. I just can't seem to get into the routine. I'll get there though!! So this is week 8 and I am down 1lb . Hooray! That means one more pound of food going to feed the hungry through Weight Watchers Lose For Good Campaign! My goals the last time I posted were: COUNT ALL POINTS EVERY DAY. I may have to go back with doing a daily quick post or at least a twitter on my points for the day. Any twitter people out there who will be my accountability person?? Scratch this one! I've been counting ever point for the past two weeks! Eat those fruits and veggies. This has gotten better, but still not where I want to be especially with the veggie part! Use the treadmill at least three times this week . I did manage to get in two during one week. But, funny thing about that treadmill...I downloaded a new workout playlist, which rocked. Got on the treadmill for the first run and ran my best mile and I do mean RA...

Yesterday, we took a little day trip to the Maryland Renaissance Festival. We went a couple years ago and the kids enjoyed it so we decided to enjoy the beautiful fall weather and go visit again. We walked through Revel Grove taking in all the sites of costumed people, some dressed with the times and others...well...I guess they were going more for the "freak" look and I will say they reached it. I have no idea how Bin Laden, Halloween Masks, pink hair, and more fit into medieval times, but hey, it takes all sorts to make the world go round, right? The kids had a great time sliding down the huge tree slide, riding ponies, playing some medieval games, and Dylan once again enjoyed his turkey leg for lunch. You can see by the pictures that Zoe was fascinated with the puppets. The puppeteers were very talented!! We watched the joust which is always fun. There isn't anything quite like watching the knights in their shiny armor racing towards each other on their horses with th...

Usually I do a weekend re-cap, with this week was jammed so I thought I would share what's been happening. Hopefully I won't bore you to death! Most importantly, I found out on Tuesday that I did NOT get the job . You know what? I am actually pretty relieved!! It's funny because people at my school have waited to see my reaction and when I tell them that I am happy with the results then they say "Yes!!, because I didn't want you to leave our school." Makes me feel very loved!! Honestly, as the days passed with me not knowing if I would get it or not, I found myself more and more not wanting the job. I have to clarify that I know I would have loved the job and would have kicked butt at it, if I do say so myself, however, I kept getting more and more upset about leaving the classroom, my awesome students this year, disappointing the parents, and leaving a school that I absolutely love filled with teachers who I am proud to call my co-workers and even some, fri...

Before I had children I remember looking at some kids outfits and wondering how on earth their parents could let them go out in public like that. They weren't dirty or anything, but plaids with polka dots, church shoes with t-shirts, princess dresses at the beach...what the heck?? I now understand. Clear as day. May I never judge another parent because one day I could be standing in their shoes. These are just some of the fashionable outfits my dear daughter has put together lately.

This past Saturday was opening day on the soccer fields! Dylan was hanging on the fence whether or not he wanted to participate this year, but I have been feeling lately that he isn't getting enough exercise and I'm a big fan of team sports to help build social skills so I admit it...I pushed him to going. I'm so glad I did though because once he was out on the field, he rocked!! I was so proud of him as he ran across the field, dribbling, passing, and scoring!! He played goalie for a bit and I was amazed at how aggressive he was in stopping the ball. Only two balls went in and you could tell he was very proud of himself. He has two new coaches this year and they both seem like they are going to be great. They don't have much soccer experience, but they were enthusiastic and positive. By the end of the practice they were sweating as much as the team was. I can tell it's going to be a great season!!

It has been quite a week around here. Tuesday was my Open House and it isn't ever fun considering I live 45 minutes away so I always just stay at school until after it is over, which means I don't get home till 8:30 or so. 13 hours in school is quite the day. I was also home late on Monday since I was trying to get ready for Open House and then last night I met a friend for dinner and we had such a good time that I didn't get home until after 9. Needless to say I am exhausted!! I just cleaned out my mailbox after not reading it for three days and we aren't even going to talk about all the items in my reader! Hopefully I'll catch up this weekend. Although Saturday starts soccer season so it may have to wait even a bit longer than that. I have at least gotten a couple posts written over here and here , just in case you miss me to much. Now if you will excuse me...I'm going to bed. Yes, I do realize it is only 7:00pm.

I have had a lot of people ask how the interview went and realized that I never did tell you all about it. It was first thing Friday morning, which was nice because I didn't have all day to fret about it. By the time I got to school, got my students settled in, and made some quick plans for my student teacher and the teacher who was covering my room, I was on my way. The job is at the sister elementary school in our district. I actually worked there my first year of teaching, but then got transferred to where I am now after the number of students increased due to re- districting . There was a small panel interviewing me, including the principal, assistant principal, and three teachers. I knew all of them in some capacity, which I think made it a bit tougher because I wasn't sure how professional and how casual to be. Hopefully I was somewhere in the middle! I went armed with my resume and a teaching portfolio that mostly showcased my reading achievements. A teaching por...

Remember when I told you all this . Then I shared this with you. Then nothing. nada. no news. no follow up. Well I am now getting it together. So I can share the last of my journey with you all. My first couple of weeks back on Weight Watchers weren't so hot, which is probably why I didn't rush to write about it! ((hanging head in shame)) However, once school started and I got back into the swing of things it was much better. I find being able to take my lunch to school a huge help. I've been taking some carrots, a yogurt, a fruit, and a fiber one bar, but really haven't been very hungry at school. I think it is because I am so busy that I don't think about the food, which is fine with me. Don't worry I'm still getting all my points! While I have been doing well with lunches, I still am very inconsistent with counting my points and I know that is a horrible habit to get into. I know how important it is to track what I am eating, if anything just to...

I realize that hurricane's bring devastation to many places and I would never wish that upon anybody, but can I just tell you how much I was looking forward to seeing the effects of Tropical Storm Hanna coming my way. Originally our day today was supposed to be spent at an outdoor waterpark and then this evening we were off to an anniversary party. Busy, busy. Usually those kind of weekends don't bother me, but since we were gone all last weekend and I had such a mentally exhausting week I was thrilled to hear that all had been cancelled. I am quite happy to be sitting here in my pajama's, drinking my coffee, and catching up in the blogosphere . The kids also seem content as they build their tents with the help of the couches and dining room table, play Mr. Potato Head, and enjoy some Wii . Now, of course, if the wind picks up and our power goes out my mood may quickly change, but for now Life is Good!!

If you follow me on twitter then this is old news, but for all my blogger only buddies...I did it! I applied for a new position in my district. Not only that, but my interview is in the morning! I've had many people ask why? Do I want out of the classroom? Do I not enjoy teaching anymore? The truth is that one of my biggest drawbacks of applying is that I DO love teaching and that I DON'T want to leave the classroom, but I decided I have to look at the bigger picture. The job that I'm applying for is a Reading Specialist. I would still be teaching, but only reading to a small percentage of students who need the extra instruction so that they may become proficient readers. I would also be helping other teachers learn more effective reading practices they could use in their classrooms. I would be touching the lives of way more students than just the ones in my room. I love reading!! And I love teaching reading and watching the kids eyes light up as they are telling me ...

Whenever I have a three day weekend I daydream about all I'm going to accomplish and how much I will enjoy the time to relax. Then as I am resting the last night of the loonnnggg weekend, I sit and think about everything I didn't do! However, Labor Day weekend was awesome even if I am thoroughly exhausted right now. Friday, right after school, the kids and I drove to Maryland to see my parents. The great thing with going there is that everybody else was coming to the beach while we were leaving so we didn't have any traffic! My brother, Dan, and his wife, Lizann, also came for a visit with my 3 mo. old niece. Oh my gosh she is getting so big!! We got there just in time for dinner...crab dip and pizza. Yumm. That night we just kind of relaxed and I completely vegged out after completing the first week of school. It is always nice to go home!! Saturday, my parents, the kids, Dan, Lizann, Sophia, and I grabbed some subs and headed to a state park for a picnic. We ate lunch, p...