Clean Teeth...and maybe some crooked ones...

So the girls had their check up this week and even Allison has happy to lie down all by herself! It's funny taking your kids to the dentist, if there are bad habits they are your own! I mean how can a 5 year old be blamed for not brushing...only if no one is asking to right? So I feel I like deserve the balloon, the new toothbrush, floss, stickers and everything else in the goody bag.

Dr. Seth, the adorable dentist, also REALLY liked my idea and said he'll share with his families so I thought maybe you'd like the tidbit too!

Natalie is very excited about the prospect of a loose tooth and the idea of a fairy visiting her pillow that night...in order to keep tooth brushing important, I have explained that the tooth fairy LOVES clean sparkly teeth...so when she is nearby she'll pop in just to leave a treat for good teeth brushing, just a sticker or a something small, but a friendly reminder to keep those teeth clean!

Natalie's X-rays were spot on for the largest most crooked teeth I think I have ever seen...oh my they were scary to see and so HUGE too! I am rather fond of her baby teeth and we have taken such good care of them too. Regardless, Dr. Seth says to expect braces around 8 years old...I'm thinking if a set of bad teeth hinders dating we may keep them crooked for chastity sake!

Never say never!

Becoming a mother changes a lot of things.

Things you never thought would change...

Through my 5 years of parenting I have said, "I told you so", I have let me child wear "dress up" to the grocery store, I sometimes to forget to brush their teeth, I have forgotten to feed them lunch, I have gone more then 48 hours without a shower, I have let my kids eat foods that have dropped on the floor...the list goes on and on and these are things that I SWORE would NEVER do...here is the most recent "I'd never" that has been discussed at our house.

****Homeschooling****

Is that weird? Here I am a certificated school teacher. I LOVED teaching! I thought the best place for your child was in MY room. Not because I was the best teacher but because I would do ANYTHING I could to get your child to succeed. My job was not done until I met your exceptions and you saw how excited your child was about learning. Even though sometimes my job also included teaching the parents, I ALWAYS loved my job! Then I had kids....

and my job changed...

While teaching in the public schools, more specifically THE public school my own daughter attends, I spoke loudly about homeschools, charter schools, private school, any alternative education. I was against homeschooling except for those extreme cases...

I was AGAINST it...

Can you hear that? I say it now and it tastes horrible...how could I have been against something I didn't understand? What I can't get past is that I am still against it??? But not for my kids, and not for those kids I know and can understand why...does that I mean I am open minded to only those people I know and love and judgmental towards strangers?

So what does it mean to homeschool?

I am qualified to educate my own kids and your kids, technically, through 6th grade. I am also credentialed to teach English up through 9th grade. I am deemed culturally sensitive and trained for both underachievers and gifted students, I can analyze data and plan future lessons to obtain the results I'm looking for. I can backwards plan and formulate BIG ideas and SMART goals. I can reflect, self assess and be part of a professional learning community. I'm even qualified and credentialed to be a principal.

Does that mean I can replace a school?

That is where I am stuck....I know I can teach my kids, at least as well as the teacher I get the privilege of selecting. I know I can handle the behavior, the pace, the assessments and data. I know they'll be academically sound and probably advanced among public school peers...

But can I replace the "package"?

The idea of "team" a student shares with their class. Dealing with the kid that always breaks the rules and having to see their consequences. What about learning how to focus when the other 5 year olds are loud and tapping their pencils? What about the feeling of knowing more then your peers in math but realizing your slower then your peers in reading? What about when you HAVE to learn something that isn't relevant but part of the public curriculum?

When we apply those life skills outside of the classroom I think our kids would be more successful in LIFE.

I have been reading this book called "Free Range Kids" or something like that. It talks about teaching our kids life skills, safety skills and "street smarts". I want my girls to be prepared for the world...not just be an excellent reader.

If I could have my way, I would teach my child the academics, then send them off to a social skills school - where they can be part of the masses and learn those social behaviors that I feel inadequate to teach at my kitchen table.

My momma instincts think keep my kids home, teach them what they need to know, keep them in sports, girl scouts, church, playgroups, etc...if you have met my kids they are very social.

They have heard the *butt* word plenty and have been taught we prefer bum bum, or bottom. They know who Sponge Bob is but know that our TV won't be showing that channel. They listen to the radio, sing along to Taylor Swift, they dress up in chiffon and high heels, they even play with *gasp* BARBIE dolls who dress inappropriately. My older daughter even asked if she could have a skirt like the one her Barbie had - definitely NOT! But don't we as women, have to learn the women we see in magazines and on TV are fictional and not reality? Don't ALL women learn the difference between reality and Barbies?

My momma instinct sees the flexibility, the family bond, the academic attention, but something in me is holding onto our neighborhood school.

The public school is a harder choice for me. I have to worry about influences, a loss of control, another adult mentor, more contact with public/strangers, etc...

So why don't I order my curriculum kit and pull her out tomorrow?

I ask you? What is holding me back when all I want to do is keep my child home???

PTA

So here I am...finding things to do. If I could find a training, a seminar, even a book on ways to fade in to the background rather then jumping out of my seat with enthusiasm and a waving arm I would ask my best friend to sign me up or buy me a copy.

So I found the PTA....I am the Fall Festival Coordinator. One of the reasons I picked this "job" is because the amount of $$$ it can raise for our classrooms. In addition, it will be OVER in October. Then I hopefully can sit through the next monthly meetings while sitting on my hands.

I had to present to the board today my ideas for the festival. My changes I suggested, my food ideas and assignments to my former colleagues for extra work. Game booths, silent auctions, etc...

It's funny that someone else could have taken this job and I never would have known any different. However I hope that because I have a hand in it, it will bring a satisfaction to my former school that I am giving back. School's need us to give back. Even if it's a hand written note thanking a teacher or complimenting a support worker. School's need you.

I am privileged to be able to serve on the PTA, thankful that I have the skills to plan an event that should bring in several thousand dollars to our budget this year. Amazed that by my small contribution a student will be taught and a teacher will have the supplies to do so...

Find something that you can do for your school, a note, some fresh flowers, a donation, your time. Our kids are worth it, our future is worth it.

Potty Training - Do I have to?

Here we are...reluctantly trying to potty train. The first time around I was so excited and started right after Natalie turned two! We were done by Christmas and she wasn't even close to 2 and a half. I remember it being easy...why aren't I ready to train Allison?

She is almost 2 and a half and I haven't once had the urge to put her in panties or "take away" the diaper. Well, she just spent the weekend with my mom and even she said, " You know Ally is really ready to start potty training." I can deny my own suspicions but I can't deny my own mom telling me it's time....

So the potty is now a fixture of our family room...then it will get moved to the hall, and then onto the BIG potty...the panties are out and the bribe candy is on the counter...

Really? Do I have to do this?

Natalie's transition from sickie to kindergartner...

Natalie getting some rest in her throne bed.This was taken before the hospital, the only movie we could convince her to watch for over 48 hours....My sweet angel...

Feeling a little better, Natalie received this balloon from her friend Sage:)

Her first morning home from the hospital we were able to sneak a visit to her classroom. She was so excited to get to go to kindergarten.

Natalie's first day of school was also the day she was admitted to Palomar Hospital for Pneumonia. She came down with a fever and was severely exhausted. Sometimes lying still staring at the walls in her room for an hour or more at a time. She wouldn't eat, pee, and she didn't want any company...she just laid there sometimes with fever above 104. I took her to the pediatrician the next morning. Dr. Pillai checked her over and declared it a stomach virus. She reminded me to keep fluids in her and keep her comfortable with Tylenol.

She did not improve all day...she had not used the bathroom and she now had been vomiting for over 24 hours. Nothing would stay down. I called Dr. Pillai again because I was worried about dehydration. She said if I couldn't get any fluids in her and get her to pee they we needed to go the ER. Daddy came home and he worked his magic. She drank two glasses of water and kept it down for a few hours....then it started again. By Wednesday (when kindergarten began) we headed to the ER suspecting dehydration. Still unsure about my decision but feeling that I had nothing to lose if they sent us away...

They did not send us home. Her white blood cells were through the roof and after a chest x-ray the doctor said she had full blown lower lobe pneumonia and we would be taken to Palomar Hospital for admission. WOW! And this was supposed to be her first day of kindergarten?

She made a nice speedy recovery and she rested took all her medicine even though it wasn't always easy.

Fast forward to the following Monday...

We had a special breakfast.

These are the hand print tiles from the first year FVES opened. My hand is up there too!

The morning was a success. No tears! Natalie asked what time the school bus was coming? We brought lots of chocolate for the office and kinder teachers, if there's one thing my dad taught me it's to keep everyone happy....Since technically it is the second week of school parents were asked NOT to enter the playground or classrooms, they just wanted us to drop off at the gate (where Natalie and Jillian are posing). I figured that was best, I didn't want top be the ONLY parent lingering then have Natalie watch us walk away. It worked perfectly, she ran on to the playground happy as could be YELLING, bye mom, bye dad! I hope her enthusiasm lasts all day.

Natalie and Jillian

A few extra details.....French Valley Elementary is where I used to teach. It is great comfort and excitement to know everyone there! Her teacher is Marcy Kuker a dear friend and a colleague of mine. We taught both 4th and 1st grades together. This particular year is special at French Valley because many of us all had babies the same year. There are 6 teacher kids all starting school this year. Plus, through my Mom's Club, there are another 4 kinder starting...10 families of friends all beginning this adventure together, we could not be more blessed.

Love, The Straders

P.S. My PTA meeting is this afternoon, somehow I found my self on the board as the Fall Festival Coordinator.

Ocean City, Maryland

Ever been to the beach on the east coast? Here are some fun facts....

1. The sand is perfect for sandcastles...it is able to be formed into cool shapes, it is grainy and clean, no seaweed, no flies, and thick between your toes...a young man, AKA HOT GUY will come put up an umbrella for you and you can get your sandy pictures taken by another young man, known as "Scopes"...

2. The board walk is really made out of boards, the wooden ones that you hear about in songs. It is walked on by hundreds of people, bikes can only be on the boards before 11am, and food is served 18 hours a day. You can get a tattoo, a nose ring, a bucket of $10 fries, a beer, a kite, a hermit crab, an iron on T-shirt, an ice cream cone, a dunkin' donuts donut and coffee, a beach towel, sand toys, snow globe, did I miss anything? The list goes on and on...

3. The best rides are found at the piers, yes Rides like at any amusement park, roller coasters, the Freak Out!, fun houses, kiddie rides, vintage rides, mirror maze, Tilt -a -Whirl, etc....

4. Sharing Great Grandma Green's porch with the 5th generation of the family= priceless. Rocking on the porch just doesn't happen at west coast beaches....find me a porch on the eastern shore and you will find a rocking chair - probably more.

5. Parasailing is not thrilling it is peaceful. Had no idea on this one. I thought it would be crazy fun, make me anxious, scream for more...no way...it was quiet, soft, calm and watching the sting rays, jelly fish, dolphin, and even a hammerhead shark swim 800 feet below was amazing...

Strader Reunion - Raccoon Lake - 2010

One always imagines marring into a big happy family. Lots of cousins, good home cooking, reminiscing, all of this makes you feel like you are a part of something. For the 6 years I've spent being a Strader I have seen bits and pieces of the family. Aunts here, an uncle there...a story about someone - old snap shots one at a time...Now I have it put all together!

As it turns out I am part of one of those families! My girls have more then 10 cousins, most under 10 years old! The Aunts and Uncles all welcomed me so graciously even though I was that crazy wife of Ben's that started this crazy thing...

I initiated a family reunion. Thanks to Facebook, I started the basics of putting together a date, rounding up the family (some of which have never met me) and started pushing. It was well worth the effort!

All of a sudden I had people helping with the location, the dates, the names and contacts...

30 people showed up! Can you believe it? I am amazed! There were many who WANTED To be there but just couldn't be so I assume in the future our next reunions will top out close to 40!

Our reunion was fantastic! People drove from all over Indiana to gather at Raccoon Lake. We took up 6 camping spaces and had 10 tents, and a pop trailer. We ate breakfast, lunch and dinner under the trees, in the humidity, wearing matching t-shirts! We hugged, we laughed, Natalie learned who her cousins were based on the fact they were wearing the Strader T-Shirt - that was funny! "Look mommy they are my cousin, they have the same t-shirt as me".

We survived the heat, the lack of breeze (did you know they camp with fans in Indiana?), the BIGGEST thunder storm I have ever experienced passed right over my tent (and under as the rain came rushing down)!

Everyone helped out in their own way. Some brought food, dessert, a 40 min. DVD full of old family pictures, a homemade quilt of a cousin, son, grandson, nephew that passed. We missed and talked about those that weren't able to come, we talked about getting together again, SOON! I was so proud to meet these strangers, my family, my aunts and uncles and cousins by marriage. I am so happy to have these pictures, see my girls smiling and loving their family.. So amazed at how blessed I am to be a Strader!

These people are a gift to me - and my daughters. I hope they feel as loved by me as I do by them!

P.S. I am already designing the T-shirts for the next trip!