Mel's Box of Chocolates

The radio was playing a song which led to this conversation with Dylan... Dylan: "Hey, this song is on my iPhone. I never ordered it, but when I got my phone it was already on there. I like it." Me: "Huh. Who sings it?" Dylan: "Some band I've never heard of...U2. It's just a 'U' with a number '2'. I actually have a few songs of theirs that was on my iPhone. They're not too bad." Me: "Oh U2. They've been around for awhile. Pretty popular" Dylan: "Oh I thought it was a new band or something." Dare I ask about Paul McCartney?

I feel like I'm still 18. So how can I possibly have a kid headed to high school next fall? One of my first posts was my little boy beginning Kindergarten. Now I'm writing about him getting ready for high school! Somebody stop the time! This past December, Dave and I attended a parent information night at the high school to learn about the pathways that students are expected to choose in 8th grade to follow throughout high school. Pressure much?  Dylan had visited the high school that day and came home very overwhelmed with all the choices. He was extremely nervous thinking this was going to be one of the most important decisions of his life. We assured him that really it wouldn't be. Not even close. So we started by eliminating pathways; performing arts acting and vocal, nursing, construction, vet, sports medicine, etc. That narrowed it down to three: Performing Arts Instrumental, Communication Arts, and Pre-Engineering. We then started discussing career interes...

...that is what Zoe told me last night and it brought tears to my eyes. On the way home from gymnastics, out of the blue, Zoe asked if I was the one that moved our elf. I asked, "why" and she said, "just tell me the truth." I evaded the question. She again said, "just tell me the truth." So I did. Through the sobbing, I could hear her saying, "I should have just kept it a wonder. I didn't want to really know the truth." Then came the other questions. What about Santa? Easter Bunny? Tooth Fairy?  So I told her. This past Christmas I read The Truth About Santa and I thought about how when the time came I would totally steal the letter. So I did. When we got home I held her tight while she read the letter and more tears came. I told her how we were all Santa and by helping her believe we were able to share in the Christmas magic. She was surprised to hear that her brother knew the truth, but still shared in the elf antics and Santa st...

Is there even such a thing as Wordless Wednesday meme anymore? 2009 2014

While we are 4 days into 2015, my New Year really doesn't begin until about 8:20 tomorrow morning when I welcome my 3rd graders back to school. While many parents are jumping for joy I go from being a mom of 2 back to teacher of 24. It's a good thing I LOVE my job. Vacation has been PERFECT! We are very lucky that Dave is off between Christmas and New Years so the whole family is on vacation together. It's been relaxing with lazy days of sleeping in, staying in pj's, and following our noses. We saw more movies in the last two weeks than all year. My reviews? Two thumbs up for Annie and Mockingjay. Into the Woods? Not my cup of tea. We've went bowling, ice skating, shopping, played games, and just enjoyed being together. I always like rediscovering how much I love my family! Now it's back to the grind. The house is as good as it's going to get (with Christmas decorations still on display), lunches are made for the week, dinner for the next two days are pl...

Way back in 2006 when I started the blog my focus was my family and sharing stories of our adventures. This blog's first title was even "Tuttle Family Adventures"! I loved writing and sharing our stories with pictures...lots of pictures! One of the first photos I shared on this blog in 2006. Over the years, the blog transformed (as most things do over time). I shared personal stories, my weight loss journey, anecdotes from my life as a teacher, anything that popped in my head. But then I found my purpose start to change. As I gained readers, my focus was not on writing for me or sharing my story, but trying to write to please them. I craved their comments. As I watched other bloggers who had began at the same time gather sponsors, advertisers, receive fabulous products, and collect readers I was envious. I wanted the sponsors, advertisers, opportunities, products, and above all the readers! I began writing what I thought others wanted to hear. I said "yes...