Mel's Box of Chocolates

Ask me to describe myself and "driven" is a word I would probably list in my top 5, maybe even top 3. I always have a plan for the what next . In my daily schedule, in my personal life, in my career...I enjoy setting goals, working hard to meet them, and celebrating when I accomplish them. However, my celebration is short lived as I immediately begin contemplating my next move. The other day I was listening to a podcast on the topic of "drive" and the speaker (sorry, I wish I could remember which podcast it was to give them credit) talked about how sometimes driven people are so focused on their next move or meeting their goals that they're pretty much blinded by the future. They are so farsighted , they can't see what's right in front of them. Instead of putting all their effort into the current activity/task/job to the best of their abilities and enjoying the moment, they are just going through the motions and thinking what they should do next to...

As a teacher, I like the idea of projects for families to do with their children. Projects provide connections between home and school and are a time for the kids to share what they're learning and for parents to spend quality time with them. Switching hats, as a mom, I confess that projects can be annoying. Finding the materials, finding the time, pestering the kid, and being tempted to just do it yourself can ruin the fun of any project. That quality time with your kid becomes a nightmare. Currently, Zoe has a book report project due for her ELA class and a project display board for her academic challenge class. Yes, we have known about both projects for about a month. One project was due this week and the other deadline right around the corner. No, we had not started putting anything together before this week. We had talked about what she was going to do, but the actually doing part was lacking. This week though with some unexpected snow days, I have had a blast working ...

Always follow your mother's intuition. I finally understand what my mom meant when she would tell me she "just knows things." This week, I just knew.   Back-story:  Dylan received an iPhone at the beginning of the school year. He comes home by himself and we don't have a home phone so we agreed he would get an iPhone for his 14th birthday.  That way Zoe could get his hand me down phone to have in the house in case there were times when she would get home and Dylan was not already here. While I know some parents who actually have written contracts for cell phones, Dave and I just agreed on some boundaries with Dylan. First and foremost, the phone belongs to us. It is our property. At any time we can take the phone for a random phone check. We can (and will) look at messages, photos, apps, and anything else we want. Because after all...it is OUR phone. Over the last 6 months we've had frequent phone checks. Dylan would laugh because he said he was always...

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...

I remember those days. We'd come home from school and work, make dinner, and sit down as a family to enjoy dinner. We'd talk about the day, yell at the kids for not using their table manners, share our stories, yell at the kids for complaining about what they were eating, and basically just spend quality time checking in with each other. We connected.  I always swore that no matter what, we'd always make time for dinners. Together. At the table. Ignorance is bliss they say. Time passed. The kids grew.. Gymnastics started. Swim practice began. Homework commenced. I started teaching a night class at college. Now our dinners at home around the table are few and far between. One or two and sometimes if we are lucky, 3 of the 4 of us are able to eat together now and then. Our dinners have become whatever is easiest to grab and warm up, or pick up from the pre-made section at the grocery store, and yes, may even be a bowl of cereal.  I miss those days where we w...

How did this happen? Just the other day I was starting a blog as a way to record memories and my second post was " Dylan's Off to Kindergarten ". You really must click over to see the pictures then and compare to the pictures now.  {{sniff, sniff}} Now a few seconds later I'm writing about his 5th grade promotion. Yesterday, Dylan walked the red carpet to receive his promotion certificate.  He said goodbye to his elementary years and a new chapter is his life has been opened. He admitted he was a bit nervous waiting to walk, As the students walk across the red carpet the teachers share the activities the students were involved in throughout the year and an special accomplishments.  As a National Honor Society Member, Academic Scholar for all 3 trimesters, Student Council Secretary, Special Olympics Peer Partner, and member of band, his list was quite long.  He said he was embarrassed.  I was so very proud.  I think under that embarrassment he wa...

Warning: This post contains bragging about my son. Last week at this time, we got to attend a special ceremony for Dylan as he was inducted into the National Elementary Honor Society.  In order to be considered you had to have all A's, or no more than one B, and demonstrate leadership within the school and community. It was such an honor and boy was he nervous during the ceremony.  But, he did it.  He walked across the stage, took his good ol' time signing the book (he said he forgot how to write his D in cursive), got his certificate and pin, and made it back to his seat.  My guy was so serious throughout the ceremony.  He is such a hardworker and I'm so happy that he was acknowledged for his effort.  Way to go, Dyl! PROUD OF YOU KIDDO!! We can't wait to see what God has in store for you, buddy boy!

Over the weekend we left the beach and ran away to the mountains to enjoy some skiing at RoundTop . We headed over Friday after school so we didn't have to drive so far so early in the morning and would be nice and refreshed for skiing.  The kids were up and at 'em early Saturday morning and after a big breakfast we were on our way. The kids became pretty quiet when they saw the ski slopes for the first time. Considering they were born and raised at the beach, those mountains were quite intimidating. After going through our stations to pick up the boots, skis, and poles about forever later we were out in the snow.  The kiddos and I had lessons scheduled, but we had about 45 minutes to play in the Discovery area.  Dylan and Zoe seemed to be natural on skis, making their way down the bunny slope without any problem.  They enjoyed riding the magic carpet ride back to the top of the hill and doing it again and again.  By the time it was lesson time they looked...

The kids and I drive 45 minutes one way to school. It's a long drive! Many days Zoe usually falls asleep and Dyl plays his video games leaving me to listen to some music or lose myself in my own thoughts for a quiet ride.  It used to be I would try to get a couple calls made, but with the new law, I find that I don't talk on my cell nearly as much since my bluetooth is a speaker phone and I don't like my conversation blared through the car. But, lately I've been trying to use our commute to have more conversations.  Of course we talk about school.  I never ask how their day was because that conversations shortly ends with "good" or what they learned because inevitably they learned "nothing" or "can't remember".  Instead I try to ask questions like what made them laugh, or who did they sit with at lunch {Dyl loves talking about lunch}, what did they read, or what did they play at recess. I found this book {affiliate link} helpful i...

The scene: 5th grade graduation, my students are walking across a red carpet to receive their promotion certificate, they are getting recognized for achievements. I'm announcing: " CJ , academic scholar for all three trimesters, member of band, Special Olympics participant, and student council member."  " MD , academic scholar for all three trimesters, winner of spelling bee, and student council member." " LN "  " CR , member of band, special olympics participant, and student council member." Every year during our 5th grade promotion ceremony we recognize the students who have went above and beyond.  They get announced for academic scholar all year, any school activity winners {geography bee, spelling bee, economics bee, etc}, participating in student council, being a band member, and perfect attendance. Not everybody gets recognized. It never fails though that every year as we are practicing the promotion and handing out certificates,...

Warning: I'm sure I'm gonna step on toes with this post, but the great thing about this being my own place to talk is that I get to say what I want. Right?! Most of you know that I'm an elementary teacher.  I've shared many times how I'm blessed because I have the best of both worlds.  I always knew I wanted a career. I'm just that kind of person. I enjoy working. I'm pretty driven and I like that teaching allows me to do something for just me. I'm not mom or wife when I'm teaching. I'm a professional, climbing a career ladder.  In the future, I know that I'll move on to become an assistant principal, and further down the road principal, and my dream way on down the road would be to teach in a college for pre-service teachers. Yeah. I have pretty clear cut long term goals.  But, the great thing about my profession is that it allows me to also put my kids first and be there when they need me. Both kids go to my school so they go to and leav...

I recently read an article that asked if parents should ban music that they deem inappropriate.  As a child, I was not able to listen to any secular music and even Christian rock was pretty much a no-no.  There was some Christian pop that I could get away with, but only after listening to it with my dad and talking about the message some of the lyrics were sending. With the Rock Band and Guitar Hero my son has really began to enjoy classic rock and my daughter goes gaga over Lady Gaga, has Bieber Fever, and rocks out to Taylor Swift.  She knows way more lyrics to pop songs than I do!  She will listen to a song once or twice and then the next thing you know has it memorized and will be busting it out. I, like I'm sure many parents do, worry about my children looking up to people who may not be the best role models.  While I want them to be inspired by people's talents and success, I'm not sure I want them mixed up with their mistakes and shortcomings. ...

If you ask anybody who has seen Dave and I parenting in person they would all tell you that we are most definitely NOT helicopter parents.You may have even gotten a hint of my parenting style from the letter I wrote to the annoying beach mom . We are all about setting our children free so we can completely ignore them they can grow their own wings, and experience all life has to offer including the natural consequences they will undoubtedly encounter when they make a wrong choice. Life can be difficult, it can be unfair, people can be mean, and sometimes you are going to fall on your face. It's what you do when its difficult, unfair, mean, and you fall that is critical. I refuse to put my children in a little box and shelter them so that they cannot function in this world. My hope is to arm my children with the tools that they need to survive.  The tools to help them face the difficult times, help them turn an unfair situation into a win for them, deal with the mean people ...

I don't sew. If you're lucky I may put a button that fell off, back on, but don't hold your breath. The other day must have been lucky though because I dragged out my wanna-be-sewing box.  The one my grandmother gave me when I was probably Zoe's age.The one that holds 3 spools of thread and a pin cushion for a few needles. I pulled out one of the needles and Zoe came over to see what I was doing. "Mom", she said. "You know what I always think about when I see sewing needles" "What's that?" I asked. "I think that a poor little mouse must be really upset that he lost his sword. Don't you think that it looks like a mouse's sword?" "Now that you mention it, yes it surely does," I replied as I finished sewing on those darn buttons with a smile on my face. I just hope that the little mouse doesn't come to our house in search of his lost sword! Love my little girls imagination.

Lately, I've heard a lot of talk about how it is believed that some people are using social media to create this perfect {and delusional} world they are living in.  There have been references made on twitter to those who are "impostors".  These are the people who talk about their perfect life with their perfect spouse and their perfect children living in the perfect house.  Ring any bells?? While I could probably name a couple people who may fit the above description for the most part the bloggers and/or social media mavens that I engage with the most, keep it real.  As I thought about it more though, I started to think.  Surely I'm not one of these people. Am I? I feel that what I write is the real me.  I put it out there as it is.  Sure there are things that tick me off, make me sad, or frustrate the heck out of me that I don't share here {although some I most definitely do}, but mostly because that isn't how I am in real life.  I'm a pretty p...

Zoe has become quite the reader in the past few months.  Being a teacher to older students, I'm in awe of those who teach the littlest people.  I don't know how they do it!  I'm very blessed that both of my kids are proving to be quite the little scholars.  Some would say it's because they are a teacher's kid and while I'd love to take the credit, I have to give credit where credit is due and that is totally to my kiddos teachers.  Watching my children learn to read is one of my most treasured moments so far and hats off to the teachers who gave them the gift of reading! Back to the title of this post. My point to that little sideshow is that Zoe has been practicing her new reading skills by reading the billboards as we are driving here, there, and everywhere.  The other day she was busy reading them all when she became frustrated because she couldn't figure out a word. "Mom" she asked. "What is the word m1y?"   I thought I misheard ...

I confess, I'm not very good at playing with my children.  Now activities, crafts, games, events...I can do all that and love it.  But, playing? The other day my daughter had her Barbie camper all set up and all the princesses were off on a camping adventure for Easter {I think little miss has spring vacation on the brain}. I watched how she manipulated the dolls having them cook, watch tv, roast marshmallows, and hang out.  I listened as she pretended they had conversations and changed her voice to match her dolls.  I was totally content just sitting on the couch twittering and facebooking away, listening to her imagination at work.  Then she asked me if I would play with her. I was caught.  What do I do? So I told her I don't know how to play. Which is pretty true. To be honest I never really remember playing when I was little.  I didn't have Barbie's and my Cabbage Patch Doll pretty much just sat next to me while I was busy reading or wr...

As I lay here in bed listening to the thunder boom, watching the lightening flash, and listening to the rain pour down, I think it's the perfect setting for how I'm feeling lately...like I'm drowning! It seems like things keep raining down on me and I'm just trying to tread water in hopes of staying on the surface. Honestly, there isn't anything too serious happening and thankfully everybody is in good health, well unless you count my tooth that is getting a root canal tomorrow {which I'm trying not to think about that cause you know how I feel about the darn dentist}, it's just things...stuff...meetings...responsibilities.  Yuck. I know sooner or later though it will stop raining. The water will begin recede. I will be able to stop treading. But until then, if you happen to have any extra energy or maybe even a good pair of flippers, send it my way, please!

Remember how I told you Zoe is obsessed with her straight, blonde hair . Well as much as she likes her hair, she thinks I shouldn't like mine. Curly. Brown. Perish the thought! At least according to her. Then the other day she started comparing a couple of our parts. Wondering why mine pointed to the ground and hers didn't.  Oh, daughter of mine...just you wait! This post will come back to haunt you.  I promise! But, nothing beats the other day when she came running into my room and jumped on my bed with excitement oozing from her, "Guess what mommy?" Know she was about to burst, I said, "What, Zoe?"  preparing myself to hear about the latest tv show, barbie adventures, or Justin Bieber sighting in a magazine.  Oh how I wish that was what she was going to share. "I just saw something on tv that I know you will want.  You know how you have all those lines on your belly from having babies and everything?  Well now there is this special creme ...