Help your student SHINE

I need to rant, Good news for you!  Since that means I'm typing!!

Like I said yesterday, Mister Jr started PreK!  He was taught things at home by me, but he needs the socialization!!  He knows things that 1st and 2nd graders should know, but needs to learn how to share, proper student/teacher edicate those type things.

This is our Post School Day schedule:



We do a Seasonal Craft,








These were fall trees.  With falling leaves

Or we work in work books.  You can find them at Sam's Club Walmart, the Fing DOLLAR STORE!!

Don't try to justify an excuse with me!!  He does these things while I cook dinner, or tend to his sister!!!


The other after school activity is a NAP if he needs it!!

Point.... yes, sorry I'm really worked up.  His school like every other one in the US participates in Box Tops For Education.  If you don't already, please do it!!  Well, I always collect them, even before I had kids in School.  I'd mail them way up north to benifit the schools of my cousin's kids.  So I sent a bunch in with Mister Jr 2 weeks ago.

I was checking some e-mail and clicked on one from Box Tops.  Checked out my schools progress while I was there... $0.80  That means that the ONLY box tops that were collected were from ME!!  The school is PreK-5th.... 80 freaking cents?!?!?!  My kid, just my kid!!!  That is on top of the things we buy for the class room from the wishlist every month! *tax write off people!  You aren't breaking the bank getting some juice boxes/apples/disinfectant!!

What pisses me off is that these people who can't clip some little squares out, are the same people that will blame their kids failing education on the teachers!!!  Yea, everyone has had a shitty teacher!  But one shitty teacher in a whole school won't do as much damage an entire school full of SHITTY PARENTS!!  If they can't clip a square from a cheerio's box do you think they are making their kids do their homework, or asking what they did at school that day or pushing them to do better?????  UM NO!

I am not trying to say I am a perfect parent!  But doing something, anything makes you a good parent!

Want more craft pictures?  NO?  I don't really care!!  I'm putting them up anyway!!

Nature Art.  As the summer was winding down he collected some things he found outside and made them into art.  The page with the yellow crayon ended up becoming Leaf Fish in the ocean!!

After spending the first 2 weeks of school with the horrid 'school germs/HORRIBLE COLD' we had loads of empty tissue boxes.  They had some pretty neat designs, Mister Jr thought to recycle them, since they were so 'pretty'.  With my help we made them into picture frames for his room!!




Thanks:  I feel sorry for the teachers.  Who were practically begging us (at PreK Orientation) to keep our kids in this school (we can put in for a different school if we feel it isn't meeting our needs... OR IT BLOWS).  WAKE UP PUBLIC!  The teacher can only do so much.  If you aren't willing to also invest in your child's education there is no hope.  You are showing your kids a lot more than you realize by not involving yourself in their schooling!!!  Don't let your kids be just another Brick in the Wall, make that sucker SHINE!!!

 Just to note Our school year started 8/13/2012 plenty of time to get a few 100 box tops for a whole school!!  I have Maw Clementine, local friends, even my parent's friends are collecting for Mister Jr!!!!  Shout out NANCY!!! Invest in your kids, your grand kids, your friends grand kids, they are the future!!!

Management

Remember me???

Yes ladies and... well let's face it......... Ladies

I am Baaaaaaaacccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkk

Where have I been?  Good Fing question!!  I've been in full blown baby mode!  Baby melt down, baby who am I any more Mama mode.  No seriously where in the hell did I go and who the hell am I anymore?

I'm still me, just have my head up my ass more frequently!  Still have 2 kids and a husband, still have MS though I forget because I haven't had ANY SYMPTOMS.  It's all that working out and eating Lean and Clean!!!  Recipes and Workout Motivation on the Facebook page.  Hit the Like Button!!

Little Miss E... Remember her... you know she kinda looks like Lionel Richie.  (Click the link for further insight)  Though I don't think being compared to Lionel even on your worst days is horrible!!

<--- Don't let that fool you, she is currently teething.  She has 2 on the bottom and I think working on pushing 3 other ones through!  Which means this sleeping beauty can turn on a dime into the evil queen!!

We are still nursing, soon to be 9 months strong!!  Yes even with TEETH OUCH!!!

Mister Jr started Pre-K, so you'd think I'd have all this crazy time to blog.... but as you know that is FALSE!!  TIME MANAGEMENT FAIL

I am always up to date on the Thanks Management Face book Page, weekly sometimes daily recipes, fitness/food information, health wellness tools.









 We still love Notre Dame Football.  Yep The Mister has every game so far this season on the DVR just like the Blog Post from last year!!!

This is what they normally look like

 

 This is what the look like when the word Smile is said in a high pitch tone

I am not sure which one is better?  The first one is just funny!!!

Thanks:  That is all for now, thought I'd just give you a little tap on the shoulder letting you know I'm still here, I still think about you bloggies (keep up on Facebook).  Guess what?  I think it's about time, 5 days to be exact, for a 9 month post baby uncorking NO PAJAMA JEANS, No Muffin Top, up date!!  So you don't think I'm working out everynight and eating lean and clean just for my health!!  Though that is a big part of it!

Management

Adjust your underwear!!

What has the forums, the support groups, the message boards panties in a twist???  Didn't you hear the news, Jack Osbourne was diagnosed with MS.  Hey Jack, welcome to the club, sorry but this club BLOWS!!

Really this isn't a big deal people are diagnosed every minute.  Sorry that you got the horrible news, but maybe this will bring MS back to the front of peoples minds.  I seem to be of the FEW that aren't bashing this diagnosis.... HUH?  I know I don't understand it either!?!?!  But there are MANY out there that can't stop talking about how his MS isn't a going to be the same as theirs because he is rich... They must be suffering from the CRAZIES which many MSers also suffer from.  The self pity, Crazies!!

I mean seriously people?  Do you hear yourselves talking?  Why would you wish ill or discredit anyone who is going through the same HORRIBLE disease you are?  Flipping Hater Crazies!!  This is why I hate groups, forums, and message boards!!  Every once and a while though, some interesting research, new treatments, or interesting way to cope with strange symptoms, makes it's way through the Whoa As Me bullshit.  That is the only reason I read this BS!

Thanks:  That was all I wanted to say, Shame on those MSers in the group I described!! You should understand what this kid is going through and offer support!!  Shame on you!

Management

Little Miss E @ 5 months

I am still here, no alien abduction, no cartel kidnapping... just life with a new baby!!!  I am sure many of you Bloggies can appreciate that!  So let's start there, an update on Little Miss E.....





She is 5 months, 2weeks old currently.  She weighs a whopping (sense the sarcasm?) 11lbs 8oz, 26 and some fraction inches long.  Those are stats from 2 weeks ago.  She is out running her milestones, for the most part she is a happy baby, sleeps very well. 

All that said, it has taken a lot of work to get her here.  We've had 2 nursing strikes (I think they were caused by a low Breast Milk supply which was caused by stress) over the last 6 weeks.

**If you follow the Thanks Management Facebook page , or follow me on Twitter, @Thanksmngmt you will find loads of helpful information about Nursing Strikes, Supply Issues and many other things.

Anyway, as with anything that is the right thing to do, it has been very hard work to keep my chin up and pushing forward through the challenges.  Ultimately I know it is the best thing to do for both me and the baby.  And holding on to stress in my life is not only not good for my Milk Production, it is HORRIBLE for my Multiple Sclerosis.  I am very thankful that with the help of my husband (The Mister)we've been vigilant in taming these factors and I have yet to have any repercussions with my MS.  I've also regained through hard work and an herbal extract, MotherLove, More Milk Plus, regained most of my milk supply.   It will continue to build over the next few weeks, I hope to be @ 100% Breast feeds by July, I think that is very reasonable!!  I really feel that it works, I've called on it for both my nursing strikes, I feel full, and I even feel my breast 'filling up' more so than I normally do!!  So I recommend it for those needing a boost!  I take it 4x a day.


Starting solids when the Dr suggested, start cereal do veg then fruit, (at her last appointment * June 1st, she said start meats!!)  at 4 months didn't help my cause either!!!  Should have quit listening and followed my gut and went with the flow like I did with Mister Jr!!   Who was nearly 6 months by the time he had his first tastes of pureed foods.  But it is hard not to listen to the Dr and everyone else (it was warranted advice, I was asking for it and at the end of my rope!!  So it wasn't unsolicited and it came from very loving full hearts!!!  So thankful I have such support!!!)...sure it helped in the short term to fill her belly up, but all that (unsustainable, no real dietary values, beans/carrots/cereal) filler led to a lackluster weight gain at her latest check up!!

From now on I'm going to go with the flow, as I did with Mister Jr.  Ofcoarse at that time I had only one baby, and was going through the worst Multiple Sclerosis relapse I've had to date.  Which meant we did a lot of snuggling, napping together, a whole bunch of nothing!!  So he was a breast feeding champion, since that was the one thing I could do at the time.  Couldn't see too well, horrible balance, and my brain was a thick fog.

Here is a typical day in the life of Little Miss E

Breast Feed, 8-10 x a day, with *maybe 6-8 oz of Formula (until my full supply returns) a day, with one 2/3 cup of puree foods @ the dinner table with us... HIGH CALORIE/FAT Food... ie Bananas, Avocados.  This change in her diet has helped her sleep schedule!!  2 naps 2-4hrs a piece, bed at 7pm-Feed @midnight, Up @6:30/7am. 

We will know the real significance when she is weighed at her August Appointment.  The Mister keeps reminding me that Mister Jr was long and skinny the same as she is, and as long as she is happy doing all the correct developmental things, we shouldn't worry ourselves to death.  Some times I just need to be shaken a little!!!  Probably why I married him, to hold on tight to my balloon string so I don't float away with my spinning thought filled head!!!

What drives me to keep pushing forward with this Breast feeding business?  Besides the MILLION main stream reasons of why Breast Milk is best for Mom and baby?  Well for me, as a Momma with Multiple Sclerosis, who's babies are 6x more likely to develop MS then their counter parts, new research is what drives me!!

"Breastfeeding may reduce the risk for subsequent inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and childhood cancers."

 MS Protection from Breast Milk... read on

Hey lady, relax!  I'm perfect, SEE!!!

Thanks:  I do not want to start preaching, Breast is Best, I like to think that you bloggies are intelligent, and know that to be fact.  But I also know loads of people that just can't produce enough or any, can't pump, or formula was the choice for their family.  I do not think people should be ridiculed either for not choosing to Breast Feed, let me be perfectly clear on that!!

Management

Are you Corrugated?

Let me ask you a question, you can tell me your answer in the form a comment!!
Are you
A. Silky
You enjoy the fact it's 2012, and you don't have to DIY a lot of things.  Technology made it possible for you to purchase and consume nearly everything you need.  LIFE IS GOOD!!

B. Textured
While you consume somethings, brought to you by 100s of years of manufacturing, soap, shampoo, maxi pads.  You also like to DIY lots of things.  Curtains, cloth-diapers, tend a vegetable garden to feed your family off of, can those vegetables for the winter.  You feed your family lean clean, unprocessed but don't own a farm, so it comes from Walmart, or the Farmer's Market! 
 

C. Crunchy  
You are a DIY, self sustainable wonder of the world!  You make your own soaps, clothes, have a vegetable garden and a chicken coup out back! Proctor and Gamble have noting on that luxurious body soap and cleaning products you make!

Keep in mind I have friends that run the spectrum!  I was way more Crunchy in HS and college... no surprise I was an BFA major with a philosophy minor in college... YEA, lot of good that is doing me these days!! :)  

Remember my rant about 'trending' bean sprouts, yep.. those things you plant in your garden!!  The fact that people would pay big money for something I accidentally sprouted in my COMPOST!! Yea that pretty much still pisses me off!  But these next things are a multi layered type things.  On paper most of it actually makes sense!  And it shouldn't be a 'Trending' Topic, because it has been around for freaking ever and just makes logical damn sense!!  Why are people too lazy to think??

This is how I eat...

 I've been eating like this since shortly after Mister Jr was born.  LONG Before I spotted this video >2months ago, In the National MS Societies, group FB page.  I suffered from a knock down drag out MS relapse after I had him.   So I knew it was time for a change.  I started with diet and exercise, stress elimination!  Something I seem to be battling on a daily basis!


HEY POINT, where the F are you???  I started this post, 3 weeks ago!  A 900 mile trip and Nursing Strike Number 2, trying to juggle the world and do it with out breaking a sweat, or at least not one anyone can see, have come in between me and the bog.  Good thing this isn't a freaking job, nor am I getting paid to type cuz I'd surely get my ass canned!!!

Oh yes, add to the 'Trending' tab Paleolithic diet.  So gluten free, carb free, fake sugar free is no longer enough for people to go CRAZY over..  let's all 'rediscover' the way that people have been eating since we wiggled ourselves out of the molten pools.... ANNOYING.. It's called eating with a brain, if it isn't made from real things don't put it in your mouth!.

I give this 18months and everyone will be back to eating chips... remember those chips that never made you fat, just your ass leak.. yea that was a great idea!!  Anyone remember what they were called???

I see this not being a life style for those track suit wearing housewives.  They'll jump this diet ship once they realize how hard it is, and how much inconvenience it is to their lives!  These 'diets' take real balls!  This way of thinking/eating/living is with purpose.  For me it is for my health, for my husband's health, and for my children's.

I mainly just wanted to show this clip for the zillionth time.  It's all over my Facebook and twitter the last 3 months!

Thanks:  I am Textured, for health reasons and well it's cheaper to cook 3 square meals and grow/can vegetables then have green giant do it for you!!

Management

A Day in the Life

A day in the life of Little Miss E.  This is a tentative day for our nearly 4 month old.  A great guide to go off of!

7:30-8:30 am she wakes up,

**I can be found rocking in the fetal position whining NOOOOO NOOO NOOO!!  Still mourning the fact that my days of not opening my eyes past 9am are forever O V E R!!

We play, make the beds, gather the laundry, and cook her brother, Mister Jr, breakfast.

She nurses 2 times during this period.

at 10-10:15 she goes down for her morning nap until 12pm

Then she wakes up plays with Mister Jr on the floor, while I make both their lunches.  We finish 3tbs of cereal mixed with breast milk by 1:00.  Clean up lunch, play, nursing up to 2 times during this period after her morning nap.

at 2-2:15pm-no later than 4:30pm it is nap #2.  Mister Jr also goes for his nap at this time, he is nearly 4 yrs old.

Wake up and placed in a jumper, or high chair watches me prep/cook dinner, vacuum, and play on the floor with Mister Jr.  Nurses upon waking up.  Eats a serving of pureed veg or fruit.  They are veg that I've canned fresh from the garden, or fruit from the farmers market 5:30pm, while dinner finishes. 

**foods so far, single grain rice cereal, sweet potatoes, string green beans, bananas, soon oatmeal and apples

Yep he eats salad now!!

Then sits at the table while the rest of us eat dinner.  Watches me clean up dinner, and cluster nurses, PJs go on at 7pm.  At 7:05 she sometimes receives a 4 oz bottle of breast milk or formula if the nursing isn't satisfying her, maybe 2x a week (as she falls asleep and doesn't fill up on the breast)

She is tucked in her nursery by 7:30, she isn't always happy about that!!

There have been recent nights where I've had to feed her once or twice in the wee hours of the morning, I believe it was a total of 3 nights during this past week.  But I've noticed that it only happens if hasn't nursed properly through out the day!!

She Nurses between 8 and 9 times a day.  And since starting solid food averages a BM every 3rd day

Thanks: I wrote this here mainly for myself to keep track of what she does in a day, Thanks to my MS brain!!  And to help other Momas trying to figure out how to navigate their 4 month old!!

Management

Garden Party

Here is that LONG awaited Garden Party Post!!  *phew*  Let's start at the beginning.  First step to a successful garden... PLAN PLAN PLAN!!!  Here was my plan for this season!

It is missing plans for Kale.. But as I've already planted the above, I realize I have room for some Kale along side my peas!!

BOX ONE

What is with the netting?  Well last year when my never going to turn red tomatoes finally did turn, the local Mocking Birds dove in for a sample.. I am hoping that the nets will make them think other wise!  Since a giant German Shepard doesn't work!!

BOX TWO

Climb peas Climb!! Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower and soon KALE

BOX THREE

These squash, with the blossoms, are transplants from my 'Not So Compost' Compost!!  What??  Here I'll show you!!

"Now You See It, Now You Don't See-Through Compost Container"$25.98 Wayfair

You probably shouldn't be taking Composting Tips from me... Clearly I am doing MANY THINGS wrong... or am I!!  I think that this is a very happy Squashy accident!!  I should have turned it more regularly, not threw the runts in there (you know when you have to thin out your rows!!) and cut up the kitchen waste smaller so roots of scraps couldn't keep growing, AND a LID!!  Just to name a few!!  Just buy the pre-done ones... you more than likely won't end up with a garden in a box where your compost should be!!

Herb Garden

Hate your Bradford Pear Tree, Not a problem!  Smother the crap out of it with an herb garden!  Then no more Horrific smelling blossoms every year!  Just an ugly dead tree sticking out of your pretty herb garden!!!

Thanks:  So that is what I'm growing!  Even my scraps are making new vegetables!!  Not too shabby aye?

Management