Toy Hunt-White Toys

The idea is to gather your kid's toys to match whatever the theme is...
This week's theme is White Toys! Click here to join in and/or check out others' toys!

This is all I could find for white toys:Storm Troopers and a plastic plane!

Thursday Thirteen-Favorite Movies

My list this week is thirteen of my favorite movies. It is by no means inclusive and is in no particular order. To join in, click here.

1. Forrest Gump
2. Sixteen Candles
3. Stealing Home
4. Footloose
5. One Crazy Summer
6. St Elmo's Fire
7. Breakfast Club
8. Grease
9. There's Something About Mary
10. When Harry Met Sally
11. Field of Dreams
12. Ghost
13. Wizard of Oz

What I found in my salad today...

...and no, it wasn't a bug!

I found a note from Tucker! (I tried to take a picture of it but the light kept reflecting off it and you couldn't make it out!)

Apparently, he enlisted Michael's help in opening the container and he left me the following note (I'll include the spelling):
"Hi Momy, I hope you have a great day. me and Dady will be at home befor you. enjoy yer salid! love, Tucker"

How adorable is that?!

A Fun Weekend (A Couple Days Late!)

(**Warning--LOTS of pictures**)

We had a busy but fun weekend and I am just know getting around to posting it!

We started out on Saturday with Tucker's first t-ball game of the season. Here they are warming up(before they got their shirts). Tucker was being silly in this one


Running the bases to warm up


I made signs with the kids' names to hang in the dugout-it helps them know where to go and helps me learn their names (had a real issue with Jared and Jarred, also Jared has a twin named Luke). Here's Tucker sitting in front of his name:

Keeping an eye on the ball


It wasn't quite a homerun but it was a good hit!


Tucker on the pitcher mound-the kids don't actually pitch but it makes them feel important to be on the mound!


After t-ball was over, we went to sign up for soccer and then met his friend Andrew (and sister Emily, and their mom Tracy) for a picnic lunch and playing at the playground at one of the schools. Even though Tucker sees Andrew every day now that he's back in daycare, I've missed my time to catch up with Tracy! As usual, the boys had a good time and Emily is now a big girl of 14 months so you know she's all about wanting to play with them! Here they are playing under the playscape; it was really hot and that was the coolest spot they could find! They were scooping up the wood chips like it was dirt into their buckets.

I tried to catch them on the slide but Tucker went down! I thought it was still a cute picture!

I did manage to burn my arms after sitting out in the sun for 2 hours while the boys played. Tucker reminded me to bring the sunscreen to the beach "but I don't burn like you do, Mommy" I told him that I didn't used to burn when I was his age. His response? "You're closer to the sun now so that's why you burn!"

On Sunday we headed to Rocky Neck, a local beach, around 10. It was crowded even then! Tucker never packs lightly to go anywhere so he had a wagon full of trucks and buckets. We had a cooler with water and juice as well as a bag with blankets and a picnic lunch! Oh and a beach umbrella, too!

It didn't take long for him to get started!


Digging a hole (one of many)

He also dug an elaborate sytem of tunnels and bridges and poured water into it "so the water can go back in the ocean"

Gathering water


Building a moat in front of his retaining wall-so the water didn't get into his hole- or as he referred to it: "the angry sea"


Michael even got involved in the digging (notice I didn't; I spent the time reading a book under the umbrella!)


Getting out the machines and putting them to work


We did also walk the length of the beach and Tucker and Michael walked out on the rocks where kids were crabbing (I was too chicken). We ended the day with ice cream and then headed home around 2. Even while we were leaving, people were still lined up to get in!

Teaser Tuesdays

Every Tuesday, Should Be Reading holds a weekly event called 'Tuesday Teasers'. For this event, you do the following:

1. Grab your current read
2. Let the book fall open to a random page
3. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.

You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

There is only one VERY IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER:
*** Do NOT post anything that could spoil the plot of the book!!! ***

If your sentences that fall between lines 7 and 12 on the page you turn to give too much away, choose a different page, or a different spot on the page… we don’t want to ruin any surprises for anyone!

My teaser this week:

There are wonderful books that can help you have conversations with your child about some of these techniques of language. Don't be afraid to talk about what you don't know that well either.

From What To Read When by Pam Allyn, p. 112

What's On Your Nightstand?

On my nightstand this month, you will find the following:

-The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker. My current read.
-Magic Hour by Kristen Hannah. Just finished Firefly Lane by the same author and loved it; found this at a tag sale this weekend.
-What to Read When by Pam Allyn. Trying to get some ideas for reading with Tucker.
-Saving Graces by Patricia Gaffney.

I'll also share Tucker's stack of books with you:

-Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
-Freckle Juice by Judy Blume
-Watch Me Throw the Ball! by Mo Willems
-The Magic School Bus Weathers the Storm by Kristen Earhart
-Mud Pies by Judith Grey
-Skunks! by Lynn Munsinger

don't forget to ckeck out Kid's Picks on May 12th to see if any of these were Tucker's favorites!

Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Monday, April 27

Outside my window...it is dark and a lot cooler than it was earlier today!

I am thinking...about my Gramma Palmer (my dad's mom) who died nine years ago yesterday.

I am thankful for...a fun weekend in the nice weather

From the kitchen...Hamburgs on the grill last night because it was so nice. The rest of the week: tacos, spaghetti and meatballs, maybe chicken on the grill, pizza on Friday.

I am creating...not too much in this department. Never got around to doing an Earth Day craft with Tucker. Would like to do a craft for Teacher Appreciation week for Tucker's teacher and need to start to planning a craft for Mother's Day-we usually at least make cards.

I am wearing...jean capris and an American Heart Association t-shirt

I am reading...Finished Firefly Lane and started The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker. Also finished listening to The Great Gatsby and will be starting The Letters by Luanne Rice on CD.

I am hoping...to get back to do doing more weekly-themed posts; I just couldn't get it together last week and I missed doing them!

I am hearing..."Home Improvement" and the humidifier

Around the house...more issues with water that will be fixed by the end of the week hopefully...laundry needs to be folded...it's messy because we spent the weekend outside enjoying the gorgeous weather!

One of my favorite things...how Tucker says "don't try this at home, folks. we're professionals" while he's playing (it's the opening line from "mythbusters" which is one of our favorite shows.

A few plans for the rest of the week...home visit on Thursday...t-ball practice Thurs...T-ball game Sat...cub scout den meeting on Sun.

A picture thought...
I took this yesterday at the beach...I love beach scenery!

The First Month

I have officially been at my job for one month today and I have to say that I am absolutely LOVING it! Our facility is 124 beds so there are two social workers (CT requires 1 Full-time social worker per 120 beds); Kayla works 10 hours a week. We have mostly long-term residents nut about 15-20 are short-term and they are my primary responsibility-setting up community resources including visiting nurses once they are ready to go home. Also having meetings to discuss whether it is realistic for them to go home.

When I tell people I am a social worker in a nursing home, inevitably someone asks what it is that I do. I spend my days doing any number of things. Some of the things I have done this week:
-arranged a transfer to another nursing home so the gentleman can be with his wife
-set up visiting nurses for a resident returning home
-set up out-patient physical therapy for a resident going home next week
-spoke with a family member who's grandfather is actively dying
-spoke with family member who's mother needed to change rooms due to difficulties with her roommate
-completed assessments on residents (when they are covered by Medicare, we have to assess them at 5 days, 14 days, 21 days, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days and then every 90 days after that.)
-had a discharge planning meeting for a gentleman returning home Saturday
-met with a resident and his daughter-in-law to discuss his plans to return home on Monday
-met with two new residents to complete my initial admission paperwork (I have to ask their education, work history, religion, etc, as well as find out how much if any support they have from family/friends and what their placement status is-are they short-term, long-term, uncertain.)
-reviewed all Medicare and Managed-Care residents with interdisciplinary team to discuss their current status, plans for discharge, if any
-faxed paperwork to doctors for their signatures
-met to discuss plans for National Nursing Home Week in May
-had 2 resident care conferences (we have to meet within 14 days of a new admission and every 90 days on long-term residents)

So there you have it---just a small idea of what I do! I am really enjoying working with the residents. It can be frantic at times but I enjoy the fast pace.

Eights

Mari of My Little Corner of the World had this on her blog and I thought it looked fun. Here's a few things about me, in groups of 8:


8 things I am looking forward to this summer:
1. warm weather
2. tiger lilies blooming
3. going to the beach
4. having fresh fruits and veggies
5. getting togther with friends
6. going to Six Flags
7. not having to wear a coat
8. sunshine

8 things I did yesterday (Wednesday):
1. went to work
2. made meatloaf and mashed potatoes
3. did laundry
4. went on Facebook
5. read "Firefly Lane"
6. watched AI results
7. read blogs
8. listened to "The Great Gatsby" on CD


8 things I wish I could do:
1. travel
2. draw
3. pay off my bills
4. get motivated to exercise more aften
5. be more patient with Tucker
6. scrapbook more often
7. actually get all the laundry done (even for one day)
8. keep the house clean

8 shows I watch:
1. Amazing Race
2. CSI
3. Survivor
4. Dancing With The Stars
5. Extreme Home Makeover
6. American Idol
7. Cold Case
8. Jon and Kate

I'm supposed to tag 8 people to do this but if you're interested, feel free!

It's Raining, It's Pouring!

This is what our driveway looked like yesterday! Tucker thought it was great, of course, and got right out there to make sure the drain at the bottom of our driveway didn't clog with leaves (when it does, it backs up and floods into our garage, even with the doors shut; we need new doors) Anyway, after doing this, he decided he needed a shovel and went out back to get one from his construction site. He was taking awhile and so I yelled to him from the deck to ask what he was doing. His response: "building a retaining wall so the dirt doesn't get ruined!".

Well, of course, why didn't I think of that?! (I didn't get a picture because I wasn't about to get wet!)

Here he is in the driveway (taken from the safety of the garage)

Earth Day

Earth Day is a day to both celebrate the environmental victories of the past and to reflect on the many remaining opportunities for improvement. Whether you celebrate Earth Day by attending a rally, signing a petition or switching to highly efficient light bulbs, make an effort to be mindful of the original vision for this day: to serve as a national learn-in for the sake of the environment.

On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was celebrated by 20 million people across America. This once small, grassroots movement has evolved today into a worldwide campaign to protect the environment.

More than four decades ago, when the first Earth Day was but a dream in the mind of its founder, Senator Gaylord Nelson, the environmental landscape in America was bleak: US cities were suffocated by smog and rivers were so polluted they actually caught fire. And yet the American public was largely silent, legislators were uninvolved, and industry polluters were unconcerned.

The mounting environmental crisis prompted the then US Senator from Wisconsin to propose the first ever Earth Day. Senator Nelson called it a protest movement, intended to "shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda." The Senator succeeded in passing a Congressional resolution declaring April 22 a national celebration of the earth a day he referred to as a "national environmental teach-in". This groundbreaking effort earned Senator Nelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award.

Despite its Congressional backing, Earth Day was a decidedly grassroots movement. Under the leadership of organizer Denis Hayes, April 22, 1970 saw millions of Americans calling for a healthy and sustainable environment in coast-to-coast rallies and thousands of campus protests. Once isolated non-profit organizations also gained national recognition and began working together toward their common agenda.

For two decades, Earth Day continued as a national focal point for the promotion of environmental awareness in the United States. Then in 1990, Hayes took his operations global. More than 200 million people in 141 countries were mobilized in Hayes campaign to put the spotlight on international environmental issues. Among its victories, the campaign paved the road to the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Another decade passed and people around the world continued to celebrate Earth Day. As the millennium drew nearer, Earth Day activists turned to their retired leader Denis Hayes to spearhead another international campaign this one focused on global warming and clean energy alternatives. On April 22, 2000, the 30th anniversary of the first Earth Day, more than 5,000 groups from a record-breaking 184 countries celebrated Earth Day. National events were held around the globe: From Gabon, Africa, where a traveling drum chain brought the message from village to village, to Washington, D.C., where hundreds of thousands of people marched on the National Mall.

Today Earth Day is an opportunity both to celebrate the environmental victories of the past four decades and to reflect on the many remaining opportunities for improvement. Whether you celebrate Earth Day by attending a rally, signing a petition or switching to highly efficient light bulbs, make an effort to be mindful of Senator Nelsons original vision for this day: to serve as a national learn-in for the sake of the environment.


source: holidaysonthenet.com

Teaser Tuesdays

I'm joining another weekly post! Every Tuesday, Should Be Reading holds a weekly event called 'Tuesday Teasers'. For this event, you do the following:

1. Grab your current read
2. Let the book fall open to a random page
3. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.

You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

There is only one VERY IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER:
*** Do NOT post anything that could spoil the plot of the book!!! ***

If your sentences that fall between lines 7 and 12 on the page you turn to give too much away, choose a different page, or a different spot on the page… we don’t want to ruin any surprises for anyone!

Here's mine:

He's told her that phone calls could only be made with dire need (to which she'd argued that her need was dire, and why didn't that count?), but that faxes were not only possible but relatively easy.

From Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

To join in or check out other Tuesday Teasers, click here.

A Funny Award

I picked up this award from Mari at My Little Corner of the World and it came with this descritpion: "These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words."

I'm also going to follow Mari in how I bestow this one: since I follow so many awesome blogs, I can't choose who to pass it on to! If you're reading this, go ahead and grab it-it's yours!

Simple Woman's Daybook

For today, Sunday, April 19, 2009

Outside my window...it is dark. It was an absolutely beautiful weekend!

I am thinking...about how tired I am.

I am thankful for...my son's laugh.

From the kitchen...we had Cub Scouts at 4 today so we just did Hamburgers on the grill. For the rest of the week, I'm planning meatloaf/mashed potatoes, chicken stroganoff, and chicken pot pie.

I am creating...not too much this week. Thinking of doing an Earth Day craft with Tucker for Earth Day on Wed.

I'm reading...almost finished with Revolutionary Road. Listening to The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald for the Classics Carnival on May 5.
With Tucker we are reading some baseball-themed picture books and assorted others.

I am hoping...to get some good sleep tonight.

I am hearing..."Amazing Race" on TV and the fish tanks gurgling.

Around the house...it's actually pretty clean right now...Easter decorations are finally put away.

A few plans for the rest of the week...t-ball practice and Cub Scout Pack meeting Thursday night (5:30 and 6:30, respectively)...first t-ball game on Saturday...can't think of anything else right now but I'm sure there's more!

A picture thought...
Today we participated in the Coastal Clean-up sponsored by Mystic Aquarium at Bluff Point Park. It was a gorgeous day and we picked up two garbage bags full of garbage!

Mashantucket Pequot Museum

We live about twenty minutes from the casinos in our state-one is owned by the Mohegans (called Mohegan Sun) and the other, the first, is owned by the Mashantucket Pequot. The Pequots have a fabulous Museum and Research Center that I went to a couple of years ago with a friend and wanted to wait for Tucker to be a little older to appreciate it. We won tickets at the Family social and decided to use them today!

They don't allow cameras inside so I could only take pictures outside. It is amazing to see the exhibits and they are so realistic-looking that you honestly feel that if you looked at them long enough, they would move! The journey starts in the World of Ice which you travel to on an escalator; as you descend, it gets colder! Tucker thought this was very cool (no pun intended!) The exhibits you go through show what the area was like 11,000 years ago, including how the Indians took part in a caribou hunt.

One of my favorite areas is the Pequot village where you can see how they actually lived their lives day-to-day.

Once you leave the Village, you head to an area where you can see what it is like to live on the reservation, from when they first lived on the land (and fought against the English) to the present. There's even an outdoor area where you can go to see how they would have had everything. These two pictures are from there:


They also have a really nice observation tower that you can go up in. At first, Tucker didn't want to go up but after we left, he said that was his favorite part!
(and yes, it is as high as it looks!)

We ended our day out with ice cream from Dairy Queen on the way home! It was a good day! We liked the museum so much we're considering getting a membership. It's pretty reasonable and they have a lot of great programs and activities for kids that are only available to members!

Toy Hunt- Rabbit Toys

The idea is to gather your kid's toys to match whatever the theme is...
This week's theme is Rabbit Toys! Click here to join in and/or check out others' toys!

This is as good as it gets around here for Rabbit toys! He actually got this a couple of years ago for Easter!

Thursday Thirteen

Thankfully a prompt was provided this week for the Thursday Thirteen because I am truly brain-dead this week! The prompt is 13 things you liked about your wedding (or a wedding you attended if you aren't married). Click here to join in and/or to see others' lists.

1. The groom (okay, so that's a given)
2. The DJ
3. My wedding cake
4. My flowers (tiger lilies and roses)
5. Dancing with my dad
6. the wedding party made up of good friends and family
7. My dress and veil were exactly what I wanted
8. Even though my soloist got sick, she found her own replacement
9. The only thing that went wrong was #8
10. A great photographer
11. The ceremony wasn't too long or too short
12. The reception was a BLAST
13. The honeymoon (we went to Disney World!)

Sisterhood Award

Tiffany from Hillside Hollow has very nicely given me this cute award!

I now get to bestow this award to up to 10 blogs. This won't be easy because I read so many great blogs. Here are the rules...
The rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude!
3. Be sure to link your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Remember to link the person from whom you received your award.

So without further ado, in no particular order, I bestow this award to:

-Paula at Boogers and Burps
-Beck at Frog and Toad are Still Friends
-Jennifer at Snapshot
-Mari at My Little Corner of the World
-Crispy at Peter's Peapod
-Heather at Cool Zebras
-Aliceson at Feet Off The Table!
-Sandra at Diary of A Stay-At-Home Mom
-Jen at Loving Confusion
-Deb at Mom of 3 Girls