Mel's Box of Chocolates

Halloween seems to always be a touchy subject. At the beginning of the school year, I send out a parent inventory to get to know the students and their families. On the inventory, I always ask "What holidays does your family celebrate" and "Are there any that you do not want your child to celebrate in school". Thankfully nobody has ever said not Christmas because that would kill me, but every year I have one or two who do not celebrate Halloween. So what do I do? I have a Book Character Party where the students complete a book report and then dress up as the character to present their report at our "fall" party, which just usually seems to fall on Halloween. This usually appeases everybody although I do make sure to call the parents who requested their child not celebrate Halloween to make sure it is okay. Those students are also given the option to present on a different day and to visit another 3rd grade classroom during our presentations if the parent w...

While we got our pumpkins a couple weeks ago we always wait to carve them the week before Halloween. So we decided this past Monday night was the night for carving. We spent the evening scooping out pumpkin guts, cutting faces, and spending quality time together as a family. After our carving we enjoyed dinner of hot dogs roasted in the fireplace, french fries, and S'mores for dessert. It was truly a perfect fall night!!

One of my best friends is having a baby! There is a group of us, known as "The Girls", who met about 4 years ago by pure chance. While I say chance, we all know that it was basically an act of God. I was transferred to a new school and placed in a classroom right across from Lyndie . Holly was a paraprofessional in the school for a special needs student who usually stayed home bound , but came to school that year, and Manuela was a student teacher placed with Lyndie . The four of us became very close and often commented how the power to be had made sure that we were all placed in that school because we were meant to be friends. Holly was also friends with another teacher, Karlin , and slowly we all began to hang out making sure to plan a "girl's night out" at least once a month. Four years later, Karlin is now one of my best friends ever and I truly don't know what I would do without her. She is one of those beautiful people both inside and out. Her husban...

After yesterday's post I thought maybe it would be helpful to hear how people are tackling cutting costs. As I mentioned in that post , we have to do what we can with what we have. Here are a few ways that my family has been tackling the spending... Combining errands in order to use less gas. I drive 45 minutes to and from work going through local shopping areas. I try to run my errands throughout the week so on the weekends I don't have to drive hardly anywhere. I was thrilled when I made it a whole week on one tank of gas!!! Last year we purchased a digital thermometer. We set it to be much cooler during the day while we are at work and school and then have it warm up right before we get home. We also set it lower during the night. We're trying to watch our energy consumption by being more conscious of turning off lights, running the dishwasher, doing laundry, etc. I cancelled my housecleaners. It's tougher, but everybody has been pitching in and it's working. W...

Yuck. I hate talking about money. Unfortunately though with today's economy, money is on the forefront of everybody's mind as we are inundated with news about our failing economy. Wallstreet dropping, banks crashing, unemployment rising...it's pretty doom and gloom. No matter what, we are in some difficult financial times. Regrettably many people are going to find things much tougher than usual. However, I also think that we needed a wake up call. We need to take a hard look at where we have gotten ourselves and learn from our mistakes. We have to face the fact the people were buying houses, cars, and getting loans that they had no business getting. Who's fault is that? Everybodys. Today we are so caught up in materialism that we have buried ourselves in debt. If you are completely out of debt I commend you!! I envy you. My parents just got there after many years of being financially responsible. They are my inspiration. I realize that if you have reached t...

After perusing my blog (Yes, I do read my own blog) I realized that I haven't really chatted in awhile. I've been participating in my weekly posts with Wordless Wednesday, Tackle It Tuesday, and trying to get my Five Point Friday up, but other than that I haven't really "written" anything. I have to admit that I've been in a bit of a funk. I can't really put my finger on exactly what has been wrong, but I just haven't been feeling myself. I feel like I have this cloud hanging over me and it's just waiting to dump one heck of a rainstorm. Like everybody else I am sure the economy has something to do with it although it really shouldn't. Luckily, I think my family is secure in our job situations, we're not behind on any bills, we are all clothed, fed, and have a comfortable house. We do have quite a bit of debt though and I feel very responsible for that. I foolishly got caught up in the materialism of today and now am paying the price. I do ...

I am a huge Ebay fan! There is just something about searching for this and that, then bidding, then sniping, then winning. I have to admit when I first started with Ebay I went a bit crazy. Thankfully I have curbed my shopping to a more reasonable amount and even better sell things often. My favorite thing to list is my kids last season clothing. I live near outlets so most of my kids clothes are Children's Place, Osh Kosh, and Gap just because that is what we have. Plus now we have Gymboree so watch out. Really, did you know that there is huge demand for Gymboree on Ebay? It's like a cult. You get sucked in to finding the newest pieces of the latest series of clothes. Anyways, I digress. At the end of every season I clean out the kids closets and make piles for donation, friend giveaways, and Ebay. Then at the beginning of that season the following year I'm listing queen, selling all the outgrown outfits. What is my point, you ask? Well this week's Tackle it Tuesday w...

When I first started Weight Watchers I jumped in with both feet and was determined to be a weight loss success. I absolutely could not stand those people who would start their diets on every Monday, have a bad day and then go crazy, complain and complain about their weight while they were enjoying a Big Mac, try the latest fad diet, or continuously make excuses about why they lost weight. So when I began Weight Watchers I knew I would be better. I wouldn't lose interest until I got to my goal weight. I wouldn't let dieting consume me. I wouldn't fail!! Then here I am, almost two years later and still not at my goal weight. Yes, I am thirty some pounds lighter and am proud of what I have accomplished, but I am angry with myself for losing momentum and becoming one of the people I couldn't stand. As I read through my last Weight Watcher posts I hear myself continuously making the excuses, setting goals I never reach, and basically repeating the same mistakes over an...

2007 2008

I guess when you turn four your birthday just seems to go on and on or maybe it is just because your mommy won't let it end! As you know, for Zoe's birthday party she and her little girlfriends were pampered and went out for tea, but the party continued on Saturday (her actual birthday). One of her friends spent the night and after staying up till midnight and getting up at the crack of dawn, we started the day with pink, chocolate chip pancakes. Yes, I impressed myself too. You gotta love food coloring!! We took her little friend home that morning because she had a soccer game and then it was time to get ready for a family party that night. Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt Steph came in from out of town and Deb from our next door family also came over to help celebrate. Zoe got to pick the menu, which included steak, mac and cheese (who knew you could actually make this without a box...I made it homemade for the first time and it was yummy), carrots, and crescent rolls. All of Z...

Remember last week when we were in the midst of this ? Well when I stepped on the scale I was down two pounds. That was Wednesday. Saturday was my weigh in and the scale did not end up showing the same numbers. How could that be you ask? POOR CHOICES!! I had a rough end of the week and weekend, food wise. For some reason I was eating anything and everything without thinking one second about the points. My excuse? None. I just really stunk at the point thing. Instead I celebrated Zoe's birthday with tea cakes, scones, birthday cake, McDonald's, Arby's ...I think I'm going to stop there, but let it be known that my food intake did not do the same!! So where does that leave me? Well for weigh in I was the same as last week without any loss or gain. (Sorry Lose for Good Campaign) However, when I stepped on the scale this morning it was up almost 4 pounds. Now I really don't think that it will all stick, but I know that it is going to be a tough week in front of me if I ...

I am a big birthday person! When it comes to my kids parties I like to pick a theme and then I go all out. Usually I have the parties at our house, but this year I decided to be different. We went with the theme of Fancy Nancy , a book character that is very near and dear to Zoe's heart. Mostly because they have so much in common. If you have a little girl and don't know about Fancy Nancy, you must check her out!! For the party, we decided to invite 4 of Zoe's little girlfriends for an afternoon of girl fun. I picked up all the girls from their daycares and then we hit Diggity Doo's , a new little girl spa that just opened. It is the cutest spa evah! It is done is bright pinks and greens, has little cars you sit in, and pink manicure/pedicure stations. All the girls had beautiful princess dresses that we changed into first (Thanks Karlin for coming to my rescue!) and then they were pampered with manicures, makeup, and gorgeous hair styles. Once they were all dolled up,...

When I became pregnant with Dylan I prayed and prayed that he would be a boy. I remember laying on the sonogram table and thinking what I would do if they told me it was a girl. I was wondering what everybodys reaction would be when I burst into tears. For some reason I was terrified at the thought of having a daughter. After having Dylan though and realizing that I seemed to be halfway decent at this mom thing, when I became pregnant again I started thinking that it may be kind of fun to have a little girl. You know one of each. Family of four. Perfect. God did bless us with a little girl and I have to admit that I don't know what I would do without my little princess. Yes, she talks a lot. Yes, she pushes the boundaries. Yes, she is stubborn. Yes, she does her own thing. Why yes, she is a mini mommy!! and I wouldn't have her any other way. She is full of love and is always ready to take care of anybody or anything. She enjoys helping people and making sure that they are happy...

It has been quite the sick week around here! First, Zoe was sick all Saturday night, which meant little sleep for mommy. Then Sunday, Dylan shares that his belly is hurting and he feels that he is going to throw up, which he proceeds to do all over the living room. Thank goodness daddy was home because I do NOT do bodily fluids! Monday, Dave, Dyl, and Zoe stayed home to have one day of recoupment. Tuesday, Dave and Zoe stay home for their usual day off and Dave ends up getting sick. Dylan and I went to school and I felt okay until about 4 pm during a parent conference. Luckily I made it home before the bug bit me full on. I ended up spending last night sitting on the throne. Which normally I don't mind being the queen, but last night...not so much! Today, I'm still feeling blah! The good news though...I was down 2lb this morning when I peeked on the scale. Now hopefully I don't start feeling well and then overeat!! Hope you all are having a better week so far!!