Monday, August 1, 2011
Made by Me Monday: first grade bulletin board idea
I am skippin' along with Lou today and posting some items I have cut for one of the first grade teachers in our building.
These sweet little cows are from the create a critter cartridge for the cricut and they are cut at 4 inches. The barns are cut at 4 1/2 inches and the grass strip is 1 1/4 inch by 8 1/2 inches.
The words, which are not pictured, are also at 4 inches and say "First Grade is Something To Moooooooo about."
Friday, July 29, 2011
Poolside Perspective: What I learned (Week 5)
It is time once again to review what we have learned this week at the pool. The weather was spotty with rain on Monday and a sky full of clouds on Thursday. Cloudy days at the pool are the best as it keeps most of the sun-lovers away and allows for the entire pool for the kids to play.
Here's what we learned:
- Monokinis are mocking me. I have already lamented about these dreadful swimsuits and this week I had the pleasure of seeing a toddler in one. Seriously? Have you lost your butterfly size mind?
- Concessions are addicting. Apparently the most disgusting of concession stand foods is more appealing than whatever Mommy has packed in the cooler.
- "Devious" is the new IT word. My son has started calling everything devious. My favorite line from the Princess Bride, "I do not think that word means what you think that word means" comes to mind often as I listen to him. "That slide is devious." "That diving board is devious." "That little girl's eyes are devious." Okay...he may have been on to something with that last one.
- Umbrellas are temperamental. As we were leaving for the day, a big gust of wind picked up one of the picnic table umbrellas, tossed it over the fence into the parking lot and directly onto of my son. Like an episode of Bay Watch, cute & petite lifeguards (with 0% body fat) rushed to our van. Both the van and my son were unharmed.
- Planking. I am finding this unusual activity somewhat annoying. I watched at the pool as two grown adults decided to have their pictures taken planking both the high dive and the low dive. Needless to say, it wouldn't surprise me if their kid was a toddler in the monokini.
What did you learn?
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Writer's Workshop: what I miss about the school year
Since starting to work in the school cafeteria, I have an entirely new perspective on the start of the school year. Summer has an entirely different feel to it. It used to be something I looked forward to ending. Now? I embrace it. I enjoy every fleeting moment of it.
However, I will admit that come August I start to long for my routine, I start to look forward to my return to the kitchen.
This week Mama Kat had great prompts including how you knew your child was growing up. Since I have already posted this letter to my 12 year old as well as this post about the tortures of puberty, I decided to skip the first prompt.
So today I will share with you five things I miss about the school year and five things I don't miss.
I miss the daily interaction with my co-workers.
I DO NOT miss the chaos that is our morning routine.
I miss having lunch with my principal.
I DO NOT miss my hairnet.
I miss the kindergartners.
I DO NOT miss the mess the kids make of the cafeteria.
I miss (most of) the teachers.
I DO NOT miss government meat products.
I miss, dare I say it, my boss.
I DO NOT miss the dish room and the dreaded GREEN SCRATCHY.
However, I will admit that come August I start to long for my routine, I start to look forward to my return to the kitchen.
This week Mama Kat had great prompts including how you knew your child was growing up. Since I have already posted this letter to my 12 year old as well as this post about the tortures of puberty, I decided to skip the first prompt.
So today I will share with you five things I miss about the school year and five things I don't miss.
I miss the daily interaction with my co-workers.
I DO NOT miss the chaos that is our morning routine.
I miss having lunch with my principal.
I DO NOT miss my hairnet.
I miss the kindergartners.
I DO NOT miss the mess the kids make of the cafeteria.
I miss (most of) the teachers.
I DO NOT miss government meat products.
I miss, dare I say it, my boss.
I DO NOT miss the dish room and the dreaded GREEN SCRATCHY.
What do you miss about the school year?
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Hump Day Craft Post: a few scrapbook pages
My goal this summer was to make 30 scrapbook pages.
I figured, "How hard could that be? That's only 10 pages a month."
I am failing miserably.
This is my son, circa (2008) with his beloved blue blankie. Yes, he still has it.
I think he always will.
I love to make an entire page of photos. I love the clean look it give and how each photo just rolls right into the other photos. This is a creek near our house. We are playing there with some friends. In case you can't read the the title, it says "Creekside Adventure"
circa: 2008
This is one of my favorite pictures of Middle G.
She is missing so many teeth she looks like a hockey player.
It's not all that flattering.
The fairy is from the first Cricut Paper Doll cartridge.
Thanks for stopping by. Let me know if you are posting a craft by linking up below.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Five of my most favorite movies
While touring the great state of Florida this past week, my hubby and I decided to discuss our all-time favorite movies. I couldn't pick just one. As of today, these are my top five. (who knows...they might change tomorrow)
In no particular order...
In no particular order...
The Princess Bride
This movie has everything...romance, violence and, of course, true love. I love the character that Billy Crystal plays and his line "Have fun storming the castle" has become a sort of mantra around our house. Who wouldn't cheer for Inigo? And who doesn't love Andre the Giant.
Favorite line: "I do not think that word means what you think it means."
Favorite line: "I do not think that word means what you think it means."
Undercover Blues
Jane and Jeff Blue are ex-spies on maternity leave visiting New Orleans and finding themselves caught up in all sorts of mayhem, including multiple mugging attempts by the worst criminal in the world...Muerte.
Best quote:
Muerte: My name is Muerte, my name is death!
Jeff: Oh, hi, Morty.
Best quote:
Muerte: My name is Muerte, my name is death!
Jeff: Oh, hi, Morty.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
This is a classic. If you have ever had an overdose of family, especially during the holidays, then this movie is sure to make you laugh yourself silly.
Best quote...
Clark: Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?
Eddie: Naw, I'm doing just fine, Clark.
Best quote...
Clark: Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?
Eddie: Naw, I'm doing just fine, Clark.
My Cousin Vinny
This movie makes me laugh and laugh and laugh. From the moment the duo gets arrested through the arrival of Vinny and his learn-as-you-go approach, this movie kills me.
Favorite quote:
Mona Lisa Vito: Imagine you're a deer. You're prancing along, you get thirsty, you spot a little brook, you put your little deer lips down to the cool clear water... BAM! A fuckin bullet rips off part of your head! Your brains are laying on the ground in little bloody pieces! Now I ask ya. Would you give a fuck what kind of pants the son of a bitch who shot you was wearing?
Favorite quote:
Mona Lisa Vito: Imagine you're a deer. You're prancing along, you get thirsty, you spot a little brook, you put your little deer lips down to the cool clear water... BAM! A fuckin bullet rips off part of your head! Your brains are laying on the ground in little bloody pieces! Now I ask ya. Would you give a fuck what kind of pants the son of a bitch who shot you was wearing?
Alice in Wonderland
This is a masterpiece. The visual effects in this movie are stunning AND it has Johnny Depp in it. It doesn't get much better than that.
Favorite quotes...
The Mad Hatter: [to Alice] You used to be much more..."muchier." You've lost your muchness.
The Mad Hatter: Have I gone mad?
Alice Kingsley: I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are.
Leave me a comment and share with me your top five movies.
Favorite quotes...
The Mad Hatter: [to Alice] You used to be much more..."muchier." You've lost your muchness.
The Mad Hatter: Have I gone mad?
Alice Kingsley: I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are.
Leave me a comment and share with me your top five movies.
Monday, July 25, 2011
What do you mean you were in Florida without your kids?
Stealing from bloggy genius Jenners her Q&A format and I will attempt to interview myself about my recent Florida vacation.
Did you really stay on a golf course?
Yes. This is the beautiful resort where we stayed. Our friends L&D have a vacation club that booked this placed for them for the week. We stayed with them on Thursday and Friday night. They left Saturday and because we had a very early Sunday flight, we decided to stay close to the airport Saturday night.
The best part is that grammie and pappy agreed to stay with all three kids.
Did you see any turtles?
Yes. Someone actually caught this little guy while we were on the Naples Pier. He was released from the beach and he swam away, quite irritated.
There were nests everywhere and I so hoped to see some babies breaking through in a mad dash to the water, but no luck.
Was the wedding as beautiful as you thought it would be?
Even more so. Our friends were blessed with many guests, beautiful weather and each other. It was great to see them and we had a a fantastic trip to a part of Florida I had never been to.
Did you really wear a dress?
Ummm...yes. I know it is surprising, but that really is me on the far right...in a dress.Don't get used to it.
Did you see any gators?
We saw BoBo, who at first I thought was a statue.
We took a tour of the Everglades on a air boat...on alligator infested water. We may not be that smart. 
We had to wear this sexy ear protection. We look like we're at a NASCAR event.
I learned that Florida has exceptionally beautiful flowers....
in lots of colors.
I learned that Florida is home to an endangered species of panthers that apparently cannot cross the road very well and may be related to the Pennsylvania white tailed deer. The panthers, contrary to popular belief are not black. 
I learned that seahorses make cute mailboxes and...
that gopher tortoises get signs too!
It was a fantastic trip full of sun, fun and laughter. Hopefully someday I will return.
Yes. This is the beautiful resort where we stayed. Our friends L&D have a vacation club that booked this placed for them for the week. We stayed with them on Thursday and Friday night. They left Saturday and because we had a very early Sunday flight, we decided to stay close to the airport Saturday night.
The best part is that grammie and pappy agreed to stay with all three kids.
Yes. Someone actually caught this little guy while we were on the Naples Pier. He was released from the beach and he swam away, quite irritated.
There were nests everywhere and I so hoped to see some babies breaking through in a mad dash to the water, but no luck.
Even more so. Our friends were blessed with many guests, beautiful weather and each other. It was great to see them and we had a a fantastic trip to a part of Florida I had never been to.
Ummm...yes. I know it is surprising, but that really is me on the far right...in a dress.
We had to wear this sexy ear protection. We look like we're at a NASCAR event.
that gopher tortoises get signs too!
It was a fantastic trip full of sun, fun and laughter. Hopefully someday I will return.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Poolside Perspective: What I learned (Week 4)
It was again hotter than the surface of the sun in Pennsylvania and that tends to bring people in droves to the pool.
All kinds of people.
You just never know when a life lesson might present itself. Best to have a notebook.
- Get your own table. Imagine if you got to the pool before everyone else. You sat your cooler down on a picnic table with an umbrella and started to spray your kids with sunscreen only to be accossted by a freak and his whining 12 year old implying that you "stole" their table. Say what? I don't see you name on it. There is one there, and there, and there and oh look there is even one over there.
- Butterflies have small brains. This really isn't all that hard to imagine when you think of how tiny their heads are but seriously you have an entire open meadow to fly around in and yet you can't stopp landing on the water? Are you suicidal? There's a kids book for you--Ben the Suicidal Butterfly and how he learned that life is worth living. My kids had to save his sorry butt like four times. Finally they released him on the other side of the fence.
- Friends vs. siblings My kids can play for hours at the pool without annoying me as long as they have a friend. God forbid that friend is on vacation and they have to play the same game with each other. This will result in incredible amounts of whining, physical assaults, and crying.
- Rafts, Rafts and Rafts. We have a handful of rafts. Some of which we store at the pool and some of which we don't. The raft room has become so overcrowded as of late that it takes at least 20 minutes to find your raft. The kids love to search for the raft (which works out well for me) but this week they learned why keeping them there isn't the best idea when the found out their beloved innertube was trampled and popped.
- You took a bite of what? My neighbors little girl has these foam squirt guns. They are really cool and the squirt really far. She left it by the stairs when she realized she had to go to the bathroom. Some little boy picked it up and took a HUGE bite out of it. Really? Who does that? Even if you're four, that still seems like an unacceptable behavior. Him mom took it off of him, sat it back down and walked with him to the other side of the pool. No I'm sorry. No Nothing.
What did you learn this week?
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About Me
- kisatrtle
- I'm a 41 year old (gasp) freelance writer, school cafeteria manager, wife and mother. I have three children and one anxious and overweight beagle. I use my blog to make others laugh, to share some cool crafts, to document my lunchlady adventures and to lament about the challenges faced by us all on the journey called life. Thanks for visiting. Please leave some crack...um...I meant some comments.
