Well, there is another Murphy who is ill. The doctor put him on antibiotic today. I hope he gets better soon. He is such a good patient, he makes things so easy. He sees how hard I try and appreciates everything. A very good soul.
Kate and I baked cookies last evening. After an initial argument, we were good together. At one point before we started, she would not help me set up and was rude. I finally said, "Just give me the middle finger and get it over with." I don't think she got what that meant, she just knew it was hateful. I was wrong for saying it. I try to keep my patience. It seems that the more I try to be patient, the more she attempts to manipulate and then I snap. She cried and sulked for about 15 minutes and rejoined me with a new attitude and we were fine. She just would not comply initially. I don't know if this is better or not, but two of my friends at school are having trouble with their daughters and they are younger than Kate!! Kate was always more challenging (stubborn, tough, single minded) but never this bad, consistently. I feel like it is a battle and if I give in, I'm telling her that her behavior is acceptable and it is not.
I think I said this in an earlier blog, but I am glad I see her with other kids. She is phenomenal like her teachers tell me. She is focused, attentive and serious. She is not rude or demanding or challenging. She does what she is told with a smile on her face.
Well, our cookies came out great. She put them on Steeler platters that she picked up and decorated with ribbons and a bow.
I really appreciate the wonderful people we have in our lives and the connection my kids have made with the sixth grade teachers. Though Jack is older, he talks to them every day and looks up to them. They are wonderful role models for him. and for Kate too. Only for them would I slave three hours baking four different kinds of cookies and buy pretty things from bath and body works.
Two school day left until Christmas vacation. I hope we are all healthy for the trip to see family.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Christmas Concert: Getting us in the Mood for Christmas
WOW, the Christmas Concert at Berlin High School was absolutely incredible. The Middle School students played piano selections before the concert and a bell choir played too. Kate has not played since May and has not played We Three Kings in two years and she was great. The 5th and 6th grade chorus did a beautiful job, as did the 7th and 8th graders. Katie Menhorn is actually teaching them how to harmonize. It will be breathtaking to hear them in a few years when they are juniors and seniors. The high school kids were astounding. Katie had a nice mixture of fun Christmas tunes and religious songs. At the end a brass ensemble came out and the audience was invited to sing Hark the Herald Angels Sing and the Gloria. It brought tears to my eyes as we sang together. I was lucky enough to get a front row seat and jumped up to start a standing ovation but no one joined me. I hope this community appreciates what they have. I was nice to be a part of something so beautiful.
After a day of shopping on Saturday, we watched It's a Wonderful Life last night. Poor, sweet Kate, the first time she saw it about 4 years ago she cried when George gets his ear slapped by the druggist. Last night she wanted me to fast forward when Uncle Billy leaves the money accidentally with Mr. Potter. I recited every line I could remember. It's the first time I did it with the kids, so they just laughed. Give them a few more years and it will just be annoying.
Jack ran a fever today but seems better tonight. Kate wrapped some gifts for me. I was tired after cooking and cleaning and doing laundry all afternoon. I did make a nice Sunday night dinner: Roast pork, mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes and carrots, gravy and corn. Plus I made meatballs for tomorrow's crock pot and I have left overs too.
Can't wait to get on the road Saturday to enjoy the Holidays with my family. We do have some baking to do this week. Jack said he will probably have tests all day Thursday so I hope we have time to do some baking. I have some nasty situations waiting for me tomorrow at school. I just need to grit my teeth and get through it. I'm getting a pit in my stomach thinking about it. Definitely looking forward to the break.
After a day of shopping on Saturday, we watched It's a Wonderful Life last night. Poor, sweet Kate, the first time she saw it about 4 years ago she cried when George gets his ear slapped by the druggist. Last night she wanted me to fast forward when Uncle Billy leaves the money accidentally with Mr. Potter. I recited every line I could remember. It's the first time I did it with the kids, so they just laughed. Give them a few more years and it will just be annoying.
Jack ran a fever today but seems better tonight. Kate wrapped some gifts for me. I was tired after cooking and cleaning and doing laundry all afternoon. I did make a nice Sunday night dinner: Roast pork, mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes and carrots, gravy and corn. Plus I made meatballs for tomorrow's crock pot and I have left overs too.
Can't wait to get on the road Saturday to enjoy the Holidays with my family. We do have some baking to do this week. Jack said he will probably have tests all day Thursday so I hope we have time to do some baking. I have some nasty situations waiting for me tomorrow at school. I just need to grit my teeth and get through it. I'm getting a pit in my stomach thinking about it. Definitely looking forward to the break.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Reading Competition and Journalism
It is no wonder my kids are readers. I started reading to Jack when he was in the womb...Dr. Seuss. Then Kate heard everything I read to him. Sometimes I hate having to sign book logs and agendas because we love to read at our house. I don't read magazines or papers much but 250 Shade Tree Lane has oodles to choose from...NY Daily News, NY Post, Long Island Newsday, Sports Illustrated, History Channel magazine, Catholic Digest, Riverhead News Review, Long Island Catholic.....Also, every Mary Higgins Clark novel and every John Grisham. My dad also has a collection of classics so "the kids have something to read." Clips from Bennington Banner (my brother's Vermont paper), there are books there from when I was a kid. Old battered collections of Tolkien and waterwarped Nancy Drew. (Those are Annie's, I took mine...too precious to leave behind.)
If you "borrow" one of these treasures, they are missed...."Did you see my American Spectator? It was right here." In reference to a pile of newspaper clippings, store flyers, catalogs and crossword puzzles. It is crazy but fun. Piles move from one side of the room to the other, much like my desk at work...put I know it's there..most times.
Back to reading competition. They competed and didn't do horribly even though they didn't win as a team there were some personal victories. Kate answered two questions to books she hadn't read because of common sense and a memory like a steel trap. (Mrs. D..... actually taught us something last year about what Jim Crow laws are) Jack got two more boys to join and had fun. Last year he was the only boy in the fall competition. He also answered some common sense questions...of course.
Journalism...these kids are great. The 6th and 8th grade boys love writing about sports...get a hook, right?? The 8th grade girls are sweet and smart. Always with a variety to write about. Kate writes what ever I ask and I can see why her teachers like her. She is focused, hard working and not silly. Some new girls joined and they are silly, annoying and rude to each other. They got the Murphy lecture today about "snipping at each other." "I can't and won't take it, if it continues, you are off. " They can't even write a Hiaku poem without being rude to each other. It's draining. My 7th graders are great. Focused and smart. They like writing about different stuff. Adds variety to the paper. Except for those new girls, everyone is respectful to each other and will read other people's stories. This is my only break in the day from craziness, so I try to enjoy it.
As I write this Kate is asking Jack questions for his History test tomorrow and they are being nice to each other!!! Such a blessing. Also, Kate is going to play the piano for the Christmas concert. She has not played since May and I nver signed her up to take them again this fall. Why she signed up to play before the concert is beyond me but I am thrilled. Looking forward to Friday night.
If you "borrow" one of these treasures, they are missed...."Did you see my American Spectator? It was right here." In reference to a pile of newspaper clippings, store flyers, catalogs and crossword puzzles. It is crazy but fun. Piles move from one side of the room to the other, much like my desk at work...put I know it's there..most times.
Back to reading competition. They competed and didn't do horribly even though they didn't win as a team there were some personal victories. Kate answered two questions to books she hadn't read because of common sense and a memory like a steel trap. (Mrs. D..... actually taught us something last year about what Jim Crow laws are) Jack got two more boys to join and had fun. Last year he was the only boy in the fall competition. He also answered some common sense questions...of course.
Journalism...these kids are great. The 6th and 8th grade boys love writing about sports...get a hook, right?? The 8th grade girls are sweet and smart. Always with a variety to write about. Kate writes what ever I ask and I can see why her teachers like her. She is focused, hard working and not silly. Some new girls joined and they are silly, annoying and rude to each other. They got the Murphy lecture today about "snipping at each other." "I can't and won't take it, if it continues, you are off. " They can't even write a Hiaku poem without being rude to each other. It's draining. My 7th graders are great. Focused and smart. They like writing about different stuff. Adds variety to the paper. Except for those new girls, everyone is respectful to each other and will read other people's stories. This is my only break in the day from craziness, so I try to enjoy it.
As I write this Kate is asking Jack questions for his History test tomorrow and they are being nice to each other!!! Such a blessing. Also, Kate is going to play the piano for the Christmas concert. She has not played since May and I nver signed her up to take them again this fall. Why she signed up to play before the concert is beyond me but I am thrilled. Looking forward to Friday night.
Thankful for So Much
OK...sorry I haven't blogged in a while...I actually had two in November that I deleted because they were crazy...Kate had been sick and I wasn't haven't my best parenting moments.
She is all better and sweet again...oh don't get me wrong...we have our moments...like last week when I was worried about her hives (again) and then accidentally woke her up in the middle of the night to check on them.....to say she was perturbed at the disturbance is an understatement.
Thanksgiving...it was wonderful....Chris and Krissy were there and Annie! Krissy feels like a sister, so easy to get along with and fun and relaxing to be with. Chris (my dear brother and her husband) continues to be sensitive but sarcastic. I love his blog! His buddy Scott stopped by... a fellow Eagle Scout...which was great for Jack to see and hear their stories.My kids love those two.... and Annie...my sweet sister. So giving of her time at the church and trying to get me into reading Twilight, which I am honestly trying to do in between reading the latest Mary Higgins Clark....predictable but always fun.
We played some fun family games. Jack, my cousin Shawn and I came from behind to ALMOST win Cranium... Kate, Annie and Krissy were our noble opponents....the fun ones are the drawings, puppets and watchng Kate figure out the song beign hummed. She gets so intense. Two nights we played Apples to Apples and Kate and Chris split. I like that because even my mom and aunt will play too.
Thanksgiving day itself was fun....Annie and I actually did most of the cooking of veggies, Kate made two apple and one pumpkin pie and Jack made homemade cranberry sauce and acorn squash.
As a family we made homemade ravioli as a tribute to my Grandmother who has been in heaven since 2000. They were...I have to admit...delicious!!!!! we are going to make more over Christmas and if I get time, this weekend.
I completed tons of shopping and hit all my favorites, Target, Best Buy, Borders, Coldwater Creek and more...even the grocery stores in NY are bigger and better....I could never afford to live there...it is so expensive.
We did not get into the city because Kate was getting over pnuemonia and I didn't want to have a set back. We will definitely go in over Christmas. I want to see the tree and go to the Top of the Rock.
Oh and now that they can both swallow pills, I gave them dramamine. I had to keep looking to see if they were breathing they were so knocked out. But no car sickness which was a blessing.
She is all better and sweet again...oh don't get me wrong...we have our moments...like last week when I was worried about her hives (again) and then accidentally woke her up in the middle of the night to check on them.....to say she was perturbed at the disturbance is an understatement.
Thanksgiving...it was wonderful....Chris and Krissy were there and Annie! Krissy feels like a sister, so easy to get along with and fun and relaxing to be with. Chris (my dear brother and her husband) continues to be sensitive but sarcastic. I love his blog! His buddy Scott stopped by... a fellow Eagle Scout...which was great for Jack to see and hear their stories.My kids love those two.... and Annie...my sweet sister. So giving of her time at the church and trying to get me into reading Twilight, which I am honestly trying to do in between reading the latest Mary Higgins Clark....predictable but always fun.
We played some fun family games. Jack, my cousin Shawn and I came from behind to ALMOST win Cranium... Kate, Annie and Krissy were our noble opponents....the fun ones are the drawings, puppets and watchng Kate figure out the song beign hummed. She gets so intense. Two nights we played Apples to Apples and Kate and Chris split. I like that because even my mom and aunt will play too.
Thanksgiving day itself was fun....Annie and I actually did most of the cooking of veggies, Kate made two apple and one pumpkin pie and Jack made homemade cranberry sauce and acorn squash.
As a family we made homemade ravioli as a tribute to my Grandmother who has been in heaven since 2000. They were...I have to admit...delicious!!!!! we are going to make more over Christmas and if I get time, this weekend.
I completed tons of shopping and hit all my favorites, Target, Best Buy, Borders, Coldwater Creek and more...even the grocery stores in NY are bigger and better....I could never afford to live there...it is so expensive.
We did not get into the city because Kate was getting over pnuemonia and I didn't want to have a set back. We will definitely go in over Christmas. I want to see the tree and go to the Top of the Rock.
Oh and now that they can both swallow pills, I gave them dramamine. I had to keep looking to see if they were breathing they were so knocked out. But no car sickness which was a blessing.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Iron Chef Murphy
The kids and I had a great weekend. We made homemade personalized pizzas Friday night and watched Get Smart that we got through Netflix. Saturday was some cleaning...OK I paid Jack to clean the bathroom, Kate made a banana bread and helped with laundry while I did dishes and made a baked ziti for a friend who lost her dad a few weeks ago. Kate also made tiny meatballs for Italian wedding soup. The soup came out great and I have enough for lunch this week. The kids liked it except for the endive. I made a veggie/fruit tray for them and we got into the holiday season and watched Elf....OK I slept and they watched.
When we delivered our meal to my friend the kids got to play with hers. They are about 5-6 years younger than mine but Kate and Jack had great time. They showed us their stories, arts and crafts and played with their puppy. I remember when my kids were that young and we would spend the evening making a craft. Don't get me wrong, we have a great time now, but I still fondly remember and grieve a little for that time.
Tonight they both made their own dinner. Chicken cutlets with as many spices as they could load on it. They are both becoming quite the chefs...and independant. I am very proud of them and the young adults they are becoming.
We are looking forward to Thanksgiving. Two weeks from today we will be packing for a trip to NY. If Chris and Krissy can't come out, we decided we would go in on Saturday for the day and visit them...maybe go to the Empire State Building...we'll see what the weekend brings. I am also looking forward to being 10 minutes from every store you could imagine! Best Buy, Target, Panera, you name the franchise and its on the Riverhead strip..Route 58. Nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there, I think.
Also, 24:Redemption is on in two weeks. Every time I see a preview, my anticipation rises and I get so excited!!!
I signed on to do Secret Santa at work. It is something positive I try to do for myself. It is fun to buy little gifts for people and to get them in return. The kids love trying to guess who has me.
Until next week!
When we delivered our meal to my friend the kids got to play with hers. They are about 5-6 years younger than mine but Kate and Jack had great time. They showed us their stories, arts and crafts and played with their puppy. I remember when my kids were that young and we would spend the evening making a craft. Don't get me wrong, we have a great time now, but I still fondly remember and grieve a little for that time.
Tonight they both made their own dinner. Chicken cutlets with as many spices as they could load on it. They are both becoming quite the chefs...and independant. I am very proud of them and the young adults they are becoming.
We are looking forward to Thanksgiving. Two weeks from today we will be packing for a trip to NY. If Chris and Krissy can't come out, we decided we would go in on Saturday for the day and visit them...maybe go to the Empire State Building...we'll see what the weekend brings. I am also looking forward to being 10 minutes from every store you could imagine! Best Buy, Target, Panera, you name the franchise and its on the Riverhead strip..Route 58. Nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there, I think.
Also, 24:Redemption is on in two weeks. Every time I see a preview, my anticipation rises and I get so excited!!!
I signed on to do Secret Santa at work. It is something positive I try to do for myself. It is fun to buy little gifts for people and to get them in return. The kids love trying to guess who has me.
Until next week!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Total Drama Island: Final Four
Jack posts:
The famous cartoon show Total Drama Island is down to the final four campers. The fat kid, Owen, the kid from juvy, Duncan, the evil girl, Heather and the goth girl Gwen. First it started off with 22 campers with a different personality on an island competing for a large amount of cash. Now only four remain. I hope the fat kid wins. He can prove to kids everywhere that no matter how fat you are, no matter how much you smell that you have the power to beat out 22 punks on an island.
The famous cartoon show Total Drama Island is down to the final four campers. The fat kid, Owen, the kid from juvy, Duncan, the evil girl, Heather and the goth girl Gwen. First it started off with 22 campers with a different personality on an island competing for a large amount of cash. Now only four remain. I hope the fat kid wins. He can prove to kids everywhere that no matter how fat you are, no matter how much you smell that you have the power to beat out 22 punks on an island.
November
Report cards, election day and the oncoming Holidays.... I do love this month, almost as much as I love the change of leaves in October.
Kids got their report cards today and they both made high honors. Not to belittle my children, but sometimes I think our grading scale is inflated ....who gets a 4.1 in 7th grade?!?!? It's kind of ridiculous and while I'm proud of my kids I don't want them to get too high of an opinion of their abilities....keep them grounded. Does that sound too negative?? I hope not. They are smart kids.
Thank goodness the election will be over tomorrow. I just hope it isn't like 2000 and we still don't know who won 3 weeks later!
Most of all I love that this month is Thanksgiving. I have so very much to be thankful for. While I may wonder about our grading scale, my kids are in excellent hands. The teachers they have are dedicated, creative, caring, enthusiast people who push them to do their best, not just to be "good enough". There are many special people at Berlin that I am thankful are in our lives.
I do love seeing my family and seeing how happy my kids are around my wonderful siblings and parents. I am lucky that we all do get along pretty well. We enjoy spending time together and have fun family game nights. I hope my kids always enjoy getting together like this in the future.
The other great thing about this November is Nov 23...the 24 movie Redemption...It's been over a year! You can only re-watch season one and season 4..(my 2 favorites) so many times!!!
Kids got their report cards today and they both made high honors. Not to belittle my children, but sometimes I think our grading scale is inflated ....who gets a 4.1 in 7th grade?!?!? It's kind of ridiculous and while I'm proud of my kids I don't want them to get too high of an opinion of their abilities....keep them grounded. Does that sound too negative?? I hope not. They are smart kids.
Thank goodness the election will be over tomorrow. I just hope it isn't like 2000 and we still don't know who won 3 weeks later!
Most of all I love that this month is Thanksgiving. I have so very much to be thankful for. While I may wonder about our grading scale, my kids are in excellent hands. The teachers they have are dedicated, creative, caring, enthusiast people who push them to do their best, not just to be "good enough". There are many special people at Berlin that I am thankful are in our lives.
I do love seeing my family and seeing how happy my kids are around my wonderful siblings and parents. I am lucky that we all do get along pretty well. We enjoy spending time together and have fun family game nights. I hope my kids always enjoy getting together like this in the future.
The other great thing about this November is Nov 23...the 24 movie Redemption...It's been over a year! You can only re-watch season one and season 4..(my 2 favorites) so many times!!!
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