Mel's Box of Chocolates

I'm always curious to hear about Zoe's day when I pick her up from daycare. Some kid always does something shocking like hits another friend, or takes a toy, or says a potty word that Zoe is always eager to share. Oh and there is always the days when she tells me her friend was sick and threw up everywhere in the room...love hearing those stories. But, I was not prepared when she got in the car the other day and right off the bat asks me if I had my belly button pierced. I asked her why she was asking and she told me that one of her friends mom's just got her belly button pierced and she was talking about it at school. Well then. I did answer her question and some of you may be surprised to hear this too, but yes, I told her, I used to have my belly button pierced. I went on to tell her that I took it out when I was pregnant with Dylan, then under my breath finished the sentence saying how now instead of a cute little hoop I have stretch mark decorating my tummy. Zoe ...

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As part of my one word resolution , my goal is to spend more time playing with the kids. Getting down on their level and doing what they enjoy doing. Zoe enjoys building things with blocks so we spent some time building blocks. My instructions were to follow her, so every time she put a block on I had to put the same one on. I don't know where she gets her bossiness from, or her need for symmetry either?? After many trials we finally created a piece that was perfect in her eyes. As we're sitting ar ound admiring the blockwork, I asked her what it was. Of course I was expecting the castle, or city building, or church, but nope, are you ready for this... it was a CHICKEN FACTORY Yes, it's official, we have lived in Delaware, chicken capital of the world, for way too long!! SUBSCRIBE to never miss a piece of chocolate Be Sweet, Follow Mel on Twitter

One of my favorite things about kids is how they just say things the way they see them. The other day Dylan and I were on our way home from school listening to the news about Haiti. It was a few days after the horrific earthquake and the news was not good at all. After listening to the report Dylan made the comment, "Wow mom, God must really be angry with the people in Haiti." Silence. How do you respond to that? In his eyes, God allowed that earthquake to happen as a consequence for their actions. Pretty deep thinking for a 9 year old. Rather than dwelling on the idea that God was punishing the people I steered the conversation down the path that perhaps He was trying to teach people like us a lesson. Here we are sitting in our solid homes, pretty healthy, wearing comfy clothes, while eating three meals and multiple snacks. Maybe the earthquake was OUR wake-up call to help those more unfortunate than ourselves. Society today is all about gimme, gimme and maybe we neede...

I have had this nasty cough, headache, body ache bug thing since Christmas and I just can't seem to shake it. It went away for a few days, but at the end of this past week came back full force. It's wearing me down! Today has been a completely lazy day as I have barely left the couch. I did manage to get a shower in so at least I wouldn't be a smelly, sick person. My hope was a shower would leave me feeling refreshed, but no such luck. Feeling another nap coming on... On the upside though, hubby is making me some homemade onion soup for dinner a nd the house smells divine. His french onion soup always makes being sick a little more manageable ! What's your go to comfort food when you are sick?? SUBSCRIBE to never miss a piece of chocolate Be Sweet, Follow Mel on Twitter

Doesn't everybody start their fire with a propane canister?? SUBSCRIBE to never miss a piece of chocolate Be Sweet, Follow Mel on Twitter

My one word New Year Resolution is : Last year, especially towards the end, I found myself overwhelmed with anxiety leading to a very short fuse, extreme grumpiness, and flat out unhappiness. I know my misery was also extending to my family, friends, and students. I didn't enjoy being around myself so why would anybody else enjoy being around me. With the start of the New Year though comes that wonderful idea that you can begin anew with a fresh, clean start. This year, I'm determined to learn how to RELAX . Many of the things I was worrying about was out of my control...there was nothing I could do to change certain circumstances. Other than plowing ahead it was what it was. So with my New Years resolution comes the thinking that I have to just let it all go, let it roll off, and realize that the things which I cannot control are not worth worrying about. Instead I am going to RELAX , enjoy life, and be thankful for all that I have. My house may not always be clean, ...

Zoe participated in a Christmas Show with her Pre-school class where they performed "All I Want For Christmas." I have to say that they were the hit of the night!! In case you can't figure it out she is the blondie on the left with the polka-dotted skirt. I apologize ahead of time if my video taping makes you a bit seasickish, I couldn't stop laughing. SUBSCRIBE to never miss a piece of chocolate Be Sweet, Follow Mel on Twitter

While you all are reading this post I will be in the classroom with 20 exhausted students. Being off for 2 weeks has been awesome. I've enjoyed sleeping in, staying in pj's, taking naps, visiting with family, learning/practicing knitting, and eating all the yummy vacation food...oh yeah and celebrating Christmas and New Years. Now it is back to the blackboard, well actually SMARTboard, but you get my drift. Today will be one loooong day. One in which I will be begging for a nap before lunch I'm sure. On the flip side it will be nice to get back to a routine, be forced to get dressed, listen to my students Christmas stories, and begin to enlighten their minds. Remind me again though...when is spring break???