Over the river and through the FUN!

[MeMom]

My son knocked his front top tooth out when he was three. The dentist asked me if I wanted a dental implant to replace it. I thought he was joking. He wasn't. Now my son is almost seven and it has yet to grow back. It will seem weird once it does because we are so used to seeing him without it.

Trent had his knocked out so many times the dentist finally came out and just put up his hands and shook his head and said we should wait until he was grown to do anything about them. He said as long as he was playing soccer and basketball, he was going to keep getting them hit.

And I think he was running out of bondo!

Oh man... sorry to hear that this troubling situation is continuing....

Me, too, because it is troubling on a lot of levels.

Yes they did and a surprise. I booked our flights (finally!) so we are now officially official.

That deserves a few dancing bananas. One for each of you.


Is this the trip when your friends are going with you?

P.S. Official is one of our Vocabulary words this week, so when I use it in a sentence on test day, I will think of you being officially official!!!!

 

[lmillercrew]

Oh MeMom, so sorry to hear about your troubling student! It's got to be frustrating to see a parent not care about her child's welfare. It's hard for me to even comprehend, but I know that there are parents out there like that, unfortunately. All you can do is pray that you will find the strength to finish the year and not lose your whole mind! I hope that you are able to get your refund in time to make your trip happen, you need it!

 

[Nicole786]

Just wanted to spread the word, MeMom!

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=30475664#post30475664

 

[hlrababy]

No bungee jumping for Declan yet but I'm sure he would be up for it.

Our Million Dollar Monday is a storm day, even for me. Seems like the entire city was shut down this morning. Here are a couple of shots from inside our house. The first is looking out our living room window.

OH WOW!!!!!!! I wish we could get some of that here in Georgia!

 

[MeMom]

I tried to reply earlier, but the computer was doing crazy things. I hope the following is not a repeat of something I have already written.

I'm sure Hannah would LOVE it!

Jill: Glad Sleepy Puppy did his job last night and you were able to get some rest!

We'll have to meet up someday and let Hannah and Brooklynn play together. Hey, I know, we could meet in Disney World!

One inch - a light flurry.

Actually, the temperature hasn't been too bad lately. We're long past the -30 to -50 days.

Brrrrr.

Nice!! DH said that he used to do that when he was a kid in WI.

We used to support a minister in Janesville, WI, and whenever he would come through to preach, he would always have stories about snow.

It is sad how one kid takes so much of a room. I have one like that this year... the moms must be related! I hate to think of the time he gets compared to the rest of the class!

He was absent today. Not to be mean, but it made a world of difference.

I would love to do that!!



I'm SO glad Sleepy Puppy did her job last night....we will keep her on key and pray that she continues to do as well as she did on her first night 'on the job.'

B/c i know you and little BellaRie need your sleep too



OHHHHHHHHH......could you please send just a little of that to me and MeMom??!!?? MeMom might not want it but if we could just get a third of what you have I think she and I would both be out of work for a few days

And we could go sledding!!!!!

Jill said it'll have to be after the baby gets here. She's only going to be here for part of the day on the one Saturday we have an activity planned in March. The other weekends they either have things to do in Huntsville or I'll be down there or John's parents will be down there or it'll be too close to baby time. We'll try to make it sometime in May, and maybe we can work it out for a time when Dawn is in town, too.

Sweet Dreams BrooklynnsMommy it seems like "Sleepy Puppy" is doing his job.

Declansdad, I feel for you. I am so ready for the snow to be gone. As Canadians we need to just hold out another month or so. If our friends in the south only had to shovel this much snow they wouldn't wish for it....

I will continue to hope for your student. That he will get the help he needs, and is moved out of your classroom.

If only it was Millionaire Monday, you wouldn't have to think about cancelling your trip. I can relate to less than perfect finances right now, but I am hopeful for us.

We get just enough snow to make it exciting every time it comes!

I hope he gets what he needs before he ends up in major, major trouble.

The millions didn't come through.

Brooklyn went so high on that bungee. To be honest it scared me watching her. My 4yr old climbed on my lap while I was watching the video and said she wanted to try that. I told her we don't have one at our mall and she was rather upset. I liked Brooklyn's crazy hair too. Crazy hair is fun isn't it. She really is a cutie.

I'm glad she slept through the night and hope that continues. It is not fun.

Memom, I hope they can help your student it really is sad for everyone. I understand about finances. I hope you get to go. For your own sake and also for selfish reasons. (so we get more pictures)

Tammy

I'm glad you enoyed the video. We like watching other people's vides, too. Youtube is our friend.

Selfishly, I do want to go, and I want my friend to get to go, too. She works so hard all of the time and rarely does anything fun. She has a good time when she lets herself, though. I also want to make a special video for Brooklynn and Jill that they can watch until our summer trip.

I agree. Actually I like the snow but I have a snow blower.

We can usually sweep ours away with a small broom.

Oh MeMom. I'm crossing my fingers for a big tax refund, quickly. You so deserve to go back to Disney. I'm sorry about the way that student's mother is behaving. You would think she would want to do right by her son. This is his education that her selfishness is affecting (and other students!). How tiring it must be for you.

Maybe it'll at least be on its way here by the time we leave. That'll help.

Draining. It is honestly absolutely draining. It zaps so much of the joy out of teaching.

Brooklynn on that bungee is too cute! I love her little puppy, Buld-A-Bear is addictive! I went to the one in NYC to look around, I can't wait until I have kids to take my child there, they go nuts!

Lots of little Nicoles running around building bears should be fun. I wanna come!

Oh MeMom, so sorry to hear about your troubling student! It's got to be frustrating to see a parent not care about her child's welfare. It's hard for me to even comprehend, but I know that there are parents out there like that, unfortunately. All you can do is pray that you will find the strength to finish the year and not lose your whole mind! I hope that you are able to get your refund in time to make your trip happen, you need it!

Yeah, 'cause I don't have much mind left to lose!

Just wanted to spread the word, MeMom!

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=30475664#post30475664

Heading that way in a minute!

OH WOW!!!!!!! I wish we could get some of that here in Georgia!

That would make a bunch of big old Georgia snowmen! Your schools would be out for a week at least!

 

[moparop]

He was absent today. Not to be mean, but it made a world of difference.

I don't think that's being mean at all. He is taking so much energy from everyone in the room just by being there. And, sadly, it doesn't sound like the energy he is taking away is making a difference in his education... it's more babysitting. I hope the mom comes around quickly. It's hard to admit your child has a disability, but it's really what's doing for him. Although I taught special ed for 8 years, those no win situations always got me down too.

 

[Happy Elf]

We'll have to meet up someday and let Hannah and Brooklynn play together. Hey, I know, we could meet in Disney World!

Sounds great! Just let me know when!

 

[declansdad]

OH WOW!!!!!!! I wish we could get some of that here in Georgia!

I will see if I can send a cooler full down. We should have enough to spare.

 

[MeMom]

I don't think that's being mean at all. He is taking so much energy from everyone in the room just by being there. And, sadly, it doesn't sound like the energy he is taking away is making a difference in his education... it's more babysitting. I hope the mom comes around quickly. It's hard to admit your child has a disability, but it's really what's doing for him. Although I taught special ed for 8 years, those no win situations always got me down too.

He's a smart kid and an excellent speller. He's on the autism spectrum and has been diagnosed with emotional issues. I feel bad for him and for his mom, but I still don't think the rest of my class should be sacrificed at the expense of doing all of the things we have done for him. He could be learning more in a smaller special setting, and the rest of the kids in my room could have a more normal learning environment. That would be the best case scenario for both parties, but because 'they' (whoever 'they' are in the realms of all things educational) have decided that mainstreaming is the ultimate goal if at all possible, we've had to go through this horrible year. I agree that some kids may have put into special ed too quickly, but now I think the tide has turned too far the other way, and it has sacrificed the education of a lot of kids (and probably run a few good teachers off) in the process.

As you can tell, it has been a horrendous year, and I'm just ready for it to be over. I hope that by next year, they will have all the documentation they need to put him in an appropriate setting so that another class doesn't have to go through this same thing.

Sounds great! Just let me know when!

July, December 2009
2010 - not sure

You are always welcome to drop in at our humble abode here in Tennessee while traveling to Disney World. Contrary to what some think, we won't have to fetch water from the creek or send you to the outhouse. We have running water and indoor bathrooms. We won't feed you possum, either.

Just be sure to give me some warning so I can cover the still and put the moonshine away.

That goes for any of you guys who drive through the Nashville area. We'd love to meet you. We could meet at our nice Opry Mills Mall, which happens to have a Disney Store and a good food court. That's pretty much all you need for a nice Dis meet, right? We met Erica there the first time, and we're planning on meeting tinkgurl when they come through in June.

I see if I can send a cooler full down. We should have enough to spare.

If you could just go ahead and make mine into snow ice cream before you send it, that would be great!


************************


After a stop back at the room, we wanted to see the official opening of the Osborne Lights at Hollywood Studios.

We were there a little before it was time to turn them on, and it was jam-packed.

Jam-packed is more packed than just packed, mind you.
It was nose to nose where we were.

But there was snow and there were beautiful lights and the music was playing and we were in Disney World, so all was well.

As long as nobody sneezed.

Jill and Brooklynn dancing in the streets to the rockin' awesome Christmas music.

If you like crowds, you would have been in heaven here.

If you have not experienced this for yourself, you really should try to do so. There is an atmosphere as you stand there on those streets that pictures just can't truly capture.

That's it for this morning.
Time to go to school for a Wacky Wednesday!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I do so enjoy seeing all the photos of the Osborne Lights -- the crowds -- not so much...but I would rather be in a crowd at Disney than in a crowd anywhere else.

 

[moparop]

He's a smart kid and an excellent speller. He's on the autism spectrum and has been diagnosed with emotional issues. I feel bad for him and for his mom, but I still don't think the rest of my class should be sacrificed at the expense of doing all of the things we have done for him. He could be learning more in a smaller special setting, and the rest of the kids in my room could have a more normal learning environment. That would be the best case scenario for both parties, but because 'they' (whoever 'they' are in the realms of all things educational) have decided that mainstreaming is the ultimate goal if at all possible, we've had to go through this horrible year. I agree that some kids may have put into special ed too quickly, but now I think the tide has turned too far the other way, and it has sacrificed the education of a lot of kids (and probably run a few good teachers off) in the process.

Time to go to school for a Wacky Wednesday!

I totally agree. I actually said as much in job interview after I had a few years of teaching under my belt. I mean, I want students with disabilities to hang out with their peers that have none but not at the detriment to either group. Thankfully, the principal and director of special ed agreed with me and I got the job. Because I had their backing, it really was my best teaching experience and I saw real growth with my students.

Education is such a pendulum and it seems lawmakers/administrators get so caught up in following the winds of change they forget about best practice. Look at the whole language debacle of the 80s. While immersing kids in a language rich environment is wonderful, giving up on phonics is not. Once upon a time I thought I was going to become a director of special ed and push for huge changes. Now, I am happy making sure I raise my kiddos to be strong loving people.

Ok... enough of that! I hope your Wednesday is more wonderful than wild and I love the Osborne Photos. It's one of the Disney experiences on my must do list. The photos are incredible and I am sure don't even come close to doing it justice.

 

[janloz]

We loved the Osborne Lights too, they were so beautiful. We felt surrounded by the Christmas spirit.

Brooklynn looks so much older then whe we met you in Nov. She is so cute and adventurous on the bungee.

 

[lmillercrew]

I want to see those lights one day!!! Even if I have to drag DH down for a weekend, I'll see them!! oh yes... I WILL!!!

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

MeMom it is official - when you call me I now have the coolest ring ever! I might start being like Trent and letting it go to voicemail and then calling you right back. When you call me my phone now says "Please stand clear of the doors, por favor mantengase alejado de las puertas." (forgive the spelling please)

 

[tinkgurl]

we're planning on meeting tinkgurl when they come through in June.

Hey Hey Hey!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I am in love with the Osborne lights! Making it snow in Florida is pretty darn cool as well. My kiddos still talk about it and that was in 2006! I'm sad they start them later in the year now so we'll miss them on our upcoming trip. Bummer. I wonder what their electric bill runs?!

 

[micandminforever]

Loved the Osborne light pictures one day I hope to go slowly down the street and enjoy evey moment. So far I seem to be with people that enjoy the lights, but want to get out of the crowd.

Hang in there this year, you are over the halfway mark and closer to a Disney trip. I finally retired when paper work seemed more important than the kids.

I am going to be in Columbia, Tn. tomorrow for a funeral. My sister-in-laws mother died over the weekend, so say a little prayer for the her family.

Have a good day.

 

[xoktenox]

Loveee the Osborne Lights pictures!! So cool that you guys got to go on the first night too!

There is Brooklynn with her professional dancing again, she really shouldn't keep showing off like that in front of people

 

[Megablocks]

I am totally going to see the Osborne lights in person one day -- all the pictures and videos that I have seen of it are so amazing and I can't imagine how it must be in person.

 

[MeMom]

I do so enjoy seeing all the photos of the Osborne Lights -- the crowds -- not so much...but I would rather be in a crowd at Disney than in a crowd anywhere else.

Me, too. I didn't quite enjoy the bumper to bumper traffic, but the lights and music were worth staying there for a little while. You literally had to find a small opening in the crowd and scoot your way out to get off those streets and back into the rest of the park.

I totally agree. I actually said as much in job interview after I had a few years of teaching under my belt. I mean, I want students with disabilities to hang out with their peers that have none but not at the detriment to either group. Thankfully, the principal and director of special ed agreed with me and I got the job. Because I had their backing, it really was my best teaching experience and I saw real growth with my students.

Education is such a pendulum and it seems lawmakers/administrators get so caught up in following the winds of change they forget about best practice. Look at the whole language debacle of the 80s. While immersing kids in a language rich environment is wonderful, giving up on phonics is not. Once upon a time I thought I was going to become a director of special ed and push for huge changes. Now, I am happy making sure I raise my kiddos to be strong loving people.
Ok... enough of that! I hope your Wednesday is more wonderful than wild and I love the Osborne Photos. It's one of the Disney experiences on my must do list. The photos are incredible and I am sure don't even come close to doing it justice.

I would give my right arm to be a stay-at-home mom, even with my kids already grown. I would love to participate in the Meals on Wheels programs and do more things at church and maybe help out at schools where my friends teach.

Well, maybe I should give my left arm, since I am right-handed. I might not be much help in those other areas if I have my right arm.

We loved the Osborne Lights too, they were so beautiful. We felt surrounded by the Christmas spirit.

Brooklynn looks so much older then whe we met you in Nov. She is so cute and adventurous on the bungee.

It has been good for her to move up to the next class at school where she is one of the youngest. She was used to being at the top of the heap, and the teachers talked to her like she was grown. She is just a two year old, so being with older kids will allow her to be just a little bitty girl. I guess seeing how fast kids grow up makes me more aware of letting them just be little kids while they can be.

The night you saw her, she had just been up for a few minutes, and she was ill. I wish you could have met her when she was in a better mood, because she is fun and funny to be around.

I want to see those lights one day!!! Even if I have to drag DH down for a weekend, I'll see them!! oh yes... I WILL!!!

It'll be worth all the dragging.

MeMom it is official - when you call me I now have the coolest ring ever! I might start being like Trent and letting it go to voicemail and then calling you right back. When you call me my phone now says "Please stand clear of the doors, por favor mantengase alejado de las puertas." (forgive the spelling please)

It will be nice to know you are getting such great joy when I call.

The people in the stores may wonder why someone is suddenly telling them to stand clear of the doors.

Hey Hey Hey!

Do you know what day you are coming through? Jill will need to make arrangements at work.

I am in love with the Osborne lights! Making it snow in Florida is pretty darn cool as well. My kiddos still talk about it and that was in 2006! I'm sad they start them later in the year now so we'll miss them on our upcoming trip. Bummer. I wonder what their electric bill runs?!

They did start later this year, and I felt bad for those who had planned trips hoping to catch them before Thanksgiving. I know the light bill is astronomical, though, so it is understandable.

Loved the Osborne light pictures one day I hope to go slowly down the street and enjoy evey moment. So far I seem to be with people that enjoy the lights, but want to get out of the crowd.

Hang in there this year, you are over the halfway mark and closer to a Disney trip. I finally retired when paper work seemed more important than the kids.

I am going to be in Columbia, Tn. tomorrow for a funeral. My sister-in-laws mother died over the weekend, so say a little prayer for the her family.

Have a good day.

That's not too far from us. Be safe, and we will keep your family in our thoughts.

Loveee the Osborne Lights pictures!! So cool that you guys got to go on the first night too!

There is Brooklynn with her professional dancing again, she really shouldn't keep showing off like that in front of people

Jill and I are just Disney dorky enough to have wanted to be there at the official opening, thinking that somehow made it more special.

We get the rolling eyes thing a lot from the males in the family.

The girl loves to dance!
We love to watch her dance.

I am totally going to see the Osborne lights in person one day -- all the pictures and videos that I have seen of it are so amazing and I can't imagine how it must be in person.

That definitely needs to be put on one of your famous lists. It is cool to be there. We're going after Christmas this year and staying until the 2nd, so we'll get to see them again.