Day Trippin'- NC Transportation Museum and Dan Nichols Park

One of the things on our big summer to-do list was to visit the NC Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC. Spencer is just under an hour outside the north side of Charlotte.  The museum is housed in a working railroad site that dates to 1896.  Almost all the buildings are original and includes one of the few intact roundhouses in the US.  A local mom blog, Mom in Chapel Hill, visited this summer and since reading her write up, I knew my boys would love to go. This past Saturday we slapped on our matching Camp Mommy shirts and headed out for one final road trip of the summer.

The cost of the museum included all the buildings, each of which included actual train cars or restored vehicles. Some were set up to be toured included a WWII medical train car and a US Post Office mail car. The main area to tour is a working roundhouse that would put Thomas to shame.  Speaking of everyone's favorite English train series, sure to bore every parent in the US, the museum offers Day Out with Thomas several times a year, the next one in late September.  If you kid loves Thomas, by all means this is a closer drive than Tweetsie Railroad in the mountains.  But, if like my boys, and just like things that move, then just go whenever and save your money.

Ben and Ian were equally wowed by the other displays of antique cars, planes, and machines they could manipulate.  In the roundhouse, a train was being refurbished and spectators were allowed to watch. Ben was especially enamored that a collection of toilets had been removed from some of the trains.

You can opt to take a 25 minute train ride around the property, including many of the non-tourable original buildings on a refurbished train. I would recommend the extra cost for the train, as it was a nice way to catch a breeze on a hot day.  The exhibits are split between a handful of air conditioned buildings, but mainly in warehouse like conditions.  All of us were filthy dirty by end of day. The hallmark, I believe, of a good road trip.

 *Note- the boys could not believe these old style computes ever existed.

If you go, pack a lunch and several snacks.  There is a outside, covered picnic area as well as indoor area with vending machines, but no restaurant on property.  The gift shop does sell ice cream as well as the most Thomas train sets I've ever seen.  

We spent around 4 hours at the museum including the train ride.  My neighbor had told me about the nearby Dan Nichols park that contained a super playground, putt-putt, paddleboats,carousel, splash pad, and gem mining.  I had only thought the museum would hold the boys' interest a couple of hours so we cut down our list to visiting the playground and gem mining.  We stayed another two hours before heading home.  I might consider a day trip just to this park to take advantage of all the nearly free items it included.

If you are within a 3 hour driving radius this is a day trip not to be missed for kids of all ages.

*Added bonus if you create a surprise map for your kids.

Camp Mommy- The Final Weekend of Summer Edition

I'll cut to the chase in the first line, Bill needs to get out of town more frequently.  WHAAT???

While I love that he has never had a job that requires travel, I will say the house worked like a well oiled machine since I saw him last on Thursday morning.  I seriously hoped that he would stay in Atlanta until the last goo pod or inappropriate sci fi costuming parade closed down the annual DragonCon convention he went to with his friend.

You mean to tell me that parenting solo has you singing like a soprano in church choir on Easter Sunday. Yep.   Let me break down the last 5 days Bill-less for you.

Thursday- Dead tired from a long first week back with students, but revived by a picked up dinner using up an about to expire Groupon and the knowledge that Friday was almost in the bag.  Kids bathed, homework done, kids in bed by 8:30. Mom finished up with grading, laundry and in bed by eleven.

Friday am- Stepped out of bed in the 5:20 darkness onto a bug... eek. Nasty and so not the way to start a day.  Nasty 2:  Dog vomit, but come on karma.  Still, I managed to get the kids up, Ben on the bus by 6:40, Ian at daycare when they opened at 7 and managed to walk in 15 minutes into first block.  Kudos to my partner teacher whom I had pre-arranged to cover for me.

Friday pm- Hit the gym and ran almost 2 miles.  I have been re-doing a Couch to 5k for the last couple of months to try to get back in the habit of running as part of an exercise commitment.  Yay me for not tying one on like I wanted to, and instead tying on my running shoes.  Picked up kids, easy dinner, family movie night, bath/books, kids in bed by 9, me just before 10.

Saturday- Got up at 5:30am to work on grading and planning for next week.  Ian ruined any real work by being up at 6. Thanks. Left for a day trip to Spencer, NC around 9 am.  Another post soon on what we did... hint... Thomas the Train can suck it.  We saw a real working roundhouse as well as so much train/transportation stuff even I was feeling like a seven year old boy in the excitement department (as well as the filthy dirty dept) once home. Went gem mining at a super cool nearby park, dinner in the car, home at 7:30. Bath/book, kids in bed by 9.  Mom got her Breaking Bad fix once kids confirmed asleep.

Sunday- Intended to get up at 5:30again but was up multiple times with Ian having growing pains in his feet during the night.  Poor guy, all Vinsons slept until 7. I  punted on church when I realized I would never make it on time, and instead worked on school and house stuff while the kids watched tv until our friends from Wilmington arrived and we headed to 3 Bears Acres.

Damn, that place is awesome.  Even better when you have it almost completely to yourself.  We stayed until just after 5 and managed the mother of all timing missing rain moving into the area. Quick dinner, popcorn and a couple of shows with the kids while I graded papers, bath/book, kids in bed by 9. Another night with my favorite meth cookers.

Monday- Got up at 5:30, worked until kids were up at 7.  Managed to get an entire unit of notes plus "Smokin' it Up for Federalism" assignment written.  What better way to teach boring stuff than to splice it with a debate about medical marijuana in California?

Met up with a friend and kids at the park, picnic, paddle boats.  Home for some kid quiet time and more grading/planning. Made a batch of homemade cookies and ran a thank you batch by our summer swim teacher's house. Weekend errands with kids in a two hour blitz. I got lunches made, daycare bag packed, to do list updated, more grading and read some on a book I'm trying to finish.  Went to bed around 10:30.

Don't get me wrong, I love that Bill is home by 7:30/8 pm most nights to do a bath or help me get kids into bed. The weekend went so much smoothly just being the three of us for a change.  No fighting other than the regular sword battles or tiffs over toys. Note that mom was not screaming at any point of the weekend. I managed to get a lot done without feeling I did nothing but work all weekend. Plus, we managed two all day outings over a holiday weekend..

Yes, I rocked it like a hurricane.

New (School) Year Resolutions

Ah... the end of the first week back and I am... tired.  Normally we have a partial week with a much needed weekend after days of prepping to be back.  Not so this year as NC traditional schools that cannot start earlier than Aug 25th. I hit the ground rolling on Monday with a 5:20 wake up call. Luckily I've been up at 6 or 5:30 for the last 2 weeks getting back into the grind.

It has been a good week.  Ben has consistently gotten up by 6:15 with his alarm and made the 6:40 bus each day.  I'm sure part of this is the excitement of back to school, a new class, and being back with friends. We've done well with the dinner/bed rush.  In part due to trying to keep some guidelines as we head back to school.  Just like many of us make resolutions in January, I make a different set to help us back into the routine of school.

1.  Get up on time to be on time to work.  Be downstairs by 6 am to take care of the dog, finish up any last minute prep to help get kids out the door.

2.  Leave work at a reasonable time.  On time was a 5 pm alarm on my watch last year.  This year it is 4:00. Unless I have a meeting, pack it up and get out. This week I managed to STILL make it out even with multiple after school meetings and traveling to another classroom last period of the day.  Even with an extra classroom to prep each day, I made getting out a priority.

The thing about teaching is you are really never done.  There is always grading, planning, parent contacts, logging parent contacts and following up, meetings upon meeting.  This year I have a student teacher and am mentoring a 1st year teacher, serving on School Improvement Team, and oh yes, teaching just over a 100 students each semester.  All classes are filled to brim as without caps on class sizes the result is my classroom resembles more of a refugee camp with students everywhere that my room will hold.  Granted they are a well-dressed lot with electronics nicer than mine!

3. Get exercise back in to my schedule with 2-3 times at the Y, a weekend class, and walking the dog a mile daily. I have no excuse after 10 personal training sessions with a variety of intense 30 minute workouts to choose.

4. Have both boys picked up by 5:45 and dinner ready by 6:30. I've worked hard over the summer to restock my freezer.  *Note the almost 50 meals ready to go including 4 Butternut Squash and Basil lasagnas. Yum.

5. Have the boys ready for bath and bedtime starting at 7:30 and lights out by 8:30. At 8 pm I turn into the Mommy Monster.

6. Go to bed myself by 10:30.  My almost 40 self just can't do it much longer on less sleep.  I hit this target once this week, but was in bed asleep by 11 all other nights.

7. Continue to choose reading once I finish up school work.  I moved my Goodreads yearly challenge from 30-50 books by year end after finishing nearly 20 books this summer.  Granted this week I've been reviewing my 26 IEP files and prepping classes, but next week I hope to be back to some nightly reading.  I may be the only person on the Earth that didn't see Miley Cyrus strut her stuff this week on the VMAs. Guess what, I don't care being out of the loop.

8. Stay on top of errands and housework during the week so the weekend is not a giant to-do list.  Use the 4-5 pm time effeciently with a daily punch list that is reasonable to finish in one hour.

9.  Remember that working harder is not working smarter.  Use shortcuts, lower standards for perfection, ask for help, refuse to just do it all alone because it is easier than a fight.

10. Focus on the good stuff. My boys and creating a stable, loving environment for our family.  The sage advice that, "no one ever wishes they had worked harder and saw their family less on their deathbed" is true. Consider this for a tattoo.

Happy new school year.

1st Day Fun

Sunday night, we read Oh the Places You Will Go before starting a new school year.  Yes, cliche but so appropriate that we talk about hopes and dreams for a new school year.  I love that Bill caught this picture, especially Ian smiling as we read.

Ben is getting up at 6:15 with his alarm and trying to make the 6:40 am bus.  So far he is two for two being up and helping fix his own breakfast.  As a seven year old 2nd grader it is amazing at how grown up he feels, even just since the end of the last school year. I am trying on multiple levels to give him more responsibility and hold him to expectations beyond just behavior.  We "practiced" am wake up all last week with a reward for doing well.

Ian also is starting a new preschool class at daycare and has slept ever.single.day since he returned last week.  The trade off was at 10:00 pm last night when he was still up and coming out of his room.  He too looks so much older than just a few months ago.

Like everyone, we took obligatory1st day of school pictures including new backpacks or "pack-packs" according to Ian.

*Note in the best picture of them BOTH looking at the camera, our neighbor has just walked out to play and Ben has noticed.

Last night we played outside with our friends, rode bikes/trikes, shot off silly string and welcomed a new year.  Ben's smile at 6:40 am was as happy as the same one at 5 pm when he greeted me with a monster hug and reports of a great first day.

Everyone has hopes and dreams for a new start every school year.
Happy 2nd grade and 3 year old, my sweet boys.

You Can Go Home Again

I had all plans not to attend my 20th high school reunion earlier this month.  Social media has completely changed how we connect and stay in touch.  Plus, I was driving home from being in Florida with the boys and didn't really want to go solo.  I had just seen my high school girlfriends over the summer at our annual summer meet up in Charlotte.

Enter in my friend Jamie who the week before the reunion texted me to say her husband had a last minute trip for work and was planning on going it alone.  We convinced our other good friend, Melissa, who was planning on coming down as well, but with her spouse to ditch him and go stag with us. .

We had, SO.MUCH.FUN!

I offered to be the designated driver and picked up everyone for a pre-reunion dinner out.  It was like old times, talking to my friends parents and catching up before heading out.  Instead of talk of high school it was about kids and families and where life had taken us in twenty years.

The event itself was at a small venue in downtown Greenville, SC.  Most anyone I really wanted to see had come and before the night was over I had gotten the scoop on the lives and happenings for those that had stayed local, and those that had ventured far beyond the class of 1993 at Easley High School.

This was the best aspect of the night, spending time laughing with friends over the stupid, mundane, and  petty.

The stuff that good high school memories are made.

More than one way to loose all your money on Vegas

I recently mentioned to a friend that going to Disney World was like standing over a toilet and emptying your wallet.  Similar is the current financial situation with our dog.

The backstory:

Eleven years ago we adopted Vegas from our local SPCA, pre-kids as a 9 month old puppy.  Her history was she had been returned to the SPCA after the adoptive parent, "couldn't deal with the hyperactivity of a beagle/jack Russell mix." Uh... hello.  Were you around this dog for .912 secs to not notice her activity level at the shelter?  Over the last 11 years she has brought us much joy and I secretly don't see walking her each day as a chore, especially if it gets me out of doing baths.

Vegas is a good dog and is never aggressive.  The boys love her, attempt to ride her like a horse.  If they are outside playing, she is as well.  Over time she has moved from 100% active all the time to about 10% active some of the time. She sleeps most of her days away or stares out the window from her perch checking out the scenery on the multitude of animals just out of her reach.  I have though, in the last year, seen her personally kill a squirrel and a baby rabbit.  Sadly, the boys were with me both times on a walk so it played out like an Animal Planet special gone very, very wrong.

About three years ago she started having seizures and after a very expensive summer of tests and some overnight calls to the emergency after hours vet, she was put on phenobarbital twice a day.

Let's come back to Summer 2013.

Cost 1- The week I was gone to DC in June, Bill forgot to give her any of her medication. She became very sick and started having seizures.  The morning after I got home, I took her to the Vet where they hospitalized her, ran a bunch of tests, and finally determined that she would be ok, but we would have to repeat the blood work to make sure her blood levels stabilized.  Total- around $400 initial with additional $85.00 specialized blood tests to be completed multiple times for the next 6 months. What fun for something so completely preventable.

Cost 2 - About a month later I thought she had eaten a couple of raisins while I was cleaning up the kitchen.  She seemed fine and I began to think that maybe she hadn't actually eaten them anyway when she didn't show any stomach issues.  Around midnight, when I took her out one last time, she seemed completely normal.

Just before 6 am I was awoken to quite possible the nastiest smell ever, waffling up the stairs into my bedroom.  I find her collapsed in a giant pool of her own bloody vomit and diarrhea.  The "pitch the rug as there is not amount of carpet cleaner out there to help", kind of  mess.  I called the emergency Vet who recommended that we immediately take her to our normal Vet that was opening within the hour.  I take her, where they again admit her to the dog hospital for 2 days of observation and multiple tests for multi-organ failure.  At one point I said to the Vet, "we love this dog, but please tell me if we are fighting a loosing battle".  Luckily after two days of hospitalization, lots of medicines and even more tests she came home and has been fine.  Cost: $ 600.00

*Note- If you didn't know raisins and grapes are toxic to dogs, you have been schooled.

Cost 3-  We subscribe to our Vet's wellness plan that allows us to pay a monthly charge and get multiple services at a discount.  If ever it was a good call to enroll, ahem... this was the year.  As part of the plan she get a dental cleaning each year.  Seeing that her favorite thing to eat on a walk around the lake is goose poop, yeah.. let's take full advantage of the plan.   Except it really wasn't free when I went to pay on Monday.  I was contacted during the cleaning that she had a cracked tooth that extended into the gum line and that the humane thing to do was to extract the tooth.  What kind of person says, "hey my dog needs to be in pain every time it eats so I'm going to do nothing."  So I consented and another $244.00 later I am $244.00 poorer.

Plus I get to take her back for several visits to make sure the area that included three separate root extractions are infection free along with more blood tests!  I even played the "hey, I'm a teacher who has gone without a paycheck, since the end of May. I love my dog, but also making sure I can feed my kids is important."  Luckily the Vet consented that she would do the necessary follow up but not order anything else unless it was dire to use as a diagnostic tool and would contact me first.

So the moral of the story is, yes I love this animal, and  for the boys sake alone, will continue to provide her the best care we can, I can't help but wonder if the dog is a parallel to Disney. You get all hyped up on emotion to ride Space Mountain until you are puking and wishing that someone had talked some sense into you.

On a side note, I let the boys pick out a treat for Vegas during the hour we spent waiting to pick her up. This is what they selected.  Somehow the phrasing "needs a soft chew" went right over their heads.

*Note- mom went for something else

If I ever find a home video of Oprah crying into a Lean Cuisine, I know who to call

What better way to head back to school today than to have spent the weekend with this group of lovely ladies.

Seriously.  I never in a million, gazillion years imagined when I commented to a non-judgemental Laura with our 6 week old babies, "hey, you didn't see me shove that paci back in Ben's mouth directly off the floor," that 7 years later I would have such a great circle of ladies to call friends.

Thank you Kim for offering up your mountain home for a weekend of relaxation.

Thank you Jen for taking the bitch seat the entire drive.

Thank you Katie for the zero calorie desserts you provided.

Thank you Laura for the Games Against Humanity card game. So inappropriately wrong and raunchy and so, so, perfect.

Thanks ladies for a memorable trip as well as your friendship over the last 7 years.
Everyone should be so lucky to call you part of their tribe.

Camp Mommy Week! Instructions for campers

Kicking off a week of Camp Mommy fun at the Spray park yesterday.

Camp Mommy Logistics

Number of Camp Days- 5

Hours of Camp- 9-5 pm.  Wait, who am I kidding? Camp Mommy begins when the first kid is awake and ends when they collapse into bed.

Please make sure campers wear Camp Mommy 2013 t-dyed tshirts, apply sunscreen and bug spray if appropriate at least 30 minutes before arrival. Please send campers in hard soled shoes, as we expect to play hard this week.  A change of clothes is recommended for all parties, especially if water play is added last minute.

Campers will carry their own backpacks daily.  Backpacks can contain no more than 5 HotWheels cars and 2 library books. Binoculars optional and will be forfeited if fighting ensues over said binoculars by campers.

Campers will be expected to pack their own lunches.  Assistance available for the 3 and under crowd. Choices include PBJ, chips, daily fruit selection, 2 snacks, and refillable water bottle.

Camp Mommy will provide all tickets, transportation, potty patrol, band aids for injuries, as well as a healthy dose of patience, common sense, and the ability to keep her s*it together when said campers are driving the director crazy.

Agenda

Monday- Defy Gravity and the RDU airport park

Tuesday- Durham Science and Life and ice cream at the Parlour in Durham. Cooking with Katie for dinner.

Wednesday- Cary Creative Center and the "Giant Dragon" Park

Thursday- Playdate (mom has 1/2 day training at NC State with her student teacher) Afternoon at Pullen Park train, boats, and playground.  Locopops!!!!

Friday- Camp DADDY day!!!! Mom is heading to the mountains for a girls weekend.  Dad is taking Ben, Ian and our neighbor to the NC Zoo.

Camp Mommy will actually conclude Labor Day weekend with a super-secret treasure hunt weekend filled with NC Train Museum, 3 Bears Acres, and a surprise overnight guest.

Falling into one of two camps

Thank you dear friends for your kind thoughts, messages, and comments yesterday.  I laid low most of the day, spending it with the boys after camp pick up playing outside, doing housework, a library run for new books, and working on a paid contract writing standardized test items.  It was a average day and I was thankful for the normalcy.

I did get together with my friend Eileen to celebrate her birthday yesterday morning.  To be honest there are few people that can make me laugh harder than Eileen.  I didn't mention it was two years out with my mom, as I wanted it be what I intended, a time to catch up and celebrate her birthday.

We headed to Southern Season in Chapel Hill for lunch and quick shopping trip through their market.  Some where along the shelves of gourmet food, we came across fish balls.

Insert lewd joke here ____________.

At check out I whipped out my Disney to pay for lunch and Eileen commented, "of all people, YOU have a Disney Visa."

I replied, "yeah, because when you think ideal Disney customer, you think of me."

Eileen: "only if they issued cards with images of people giving Mickey the bird"

Me: "or junk punching Mickey in front of the Magic Kingdom"

It got me thinking that my friends from both now and those who have know me all my life fall into two camps:

1. Those who comment on how cute my Disney Visa is and where they can get one for themselves
2. Those that laugh and comment I am the last person Disney wants as a walking advertisement

Let's face it, the only reason I have the card is the Disney rewards it earns. Last trip we had close to $800 in essentially "free" money to spend in the Park.

I am so very appreciative for friends who get me, who know that what I needed more than anything yesterday was a space to laugh, talk, and remember that one day does not define me.

The disconnect between head and heart

Yesterday I was making a triple batch of my aunt Betty Jean's cornbread dressing to freeze ahead.  I couldn't remember how much marjoram to put in and for the briefest of moments thought I should call my mom.

But I can't.

On this 2nd anniversary of her death I morn the smallest of things. It is the artwork from the boys that will not be sent. It is getting crazy notes in the mail, likely written while at dialysis detailing the mundane that I will never find among the bills and junk mail.  I even miss that rushed, weekly Sunday night obligation call. I now regret I didn't take more time and effort to just hear her.

I was perpetually busy and while no excuse, the regret that speaks most loudly is that I marginalized her.

While at Brian's last weekend I came across a picture I hadn't seen before.  I love it.  It is undated, but my guess is she is in college or newly married.  She is young, healthy, with her whole life ahead of her.

If I had only know that I had limited time left, what would I have done?

With several months, I would have loved to have to have planned a beach trip filled with shrimp, ice cream, and watching her face enjoying the boys playing in the pool or in the sand.

With a handful of days I would taken her back to Furman University, to where my dad proposed and the site of many a family picnics near the Bell tower.

With only hours left I would have sat likely at her kitchen table and really listened without silent judgement. I would have hugged her not in the "I'll be back next month" way I always did as I hurriedly tried to pack up and get home to my own family, but really hugged her knowing it was the end.

But I can't. No amount of flowers I can arrange and leave for her will bring a minute more with her.

I can only hug my own boys for her today.  I will because that is what she would have wanted.  I know in my head that she is in a better place, one free from the shell of pain and suffering that was her existence at the end.

But still, my heart hurts.

I loved you.

I still love you.

-h

Four pictures for 1,400 miles

After nine days, over 1,400 miles logged as a party of three, we were finally home on Sunday night.  Without a long post, this trip was much like the six of prior years filled with time at the beach, time in the pool, a grill out with extended family, a water park trip, a morning child-free to visit one of my happiest places on Earth.

I kept thinking why it is so important to me to make this trip year after year, even if it is a haul to make the drive alone.  So why do I keep going back?

To visit with Ben and Ian's sole living grandparent for the longest amount of time we will see her all year

To regret the phrase, "yeah, go ahead an pick out a snack in addition to a triple insulin buster bubble gum, cherry, and blue raspberry slushy that is likely to be spilled in the back seat."  .

To remember that even though all the moments of the trip were not sunshine and roses, that a final night sunset walk on the beach in search of treasures was one to cherish.

To take silly pictures in front of the giant tree in our front yard with my brother Brian before heading home. We walked through our neighborhood showing the boys our secret childhood hideouts and grinned at inside jokes shared between us.

.

Until next summer and another 1,400 miles,

xoxoxo- V-Boys and Mom

Gettin' Busy in the Burger King Bathroom

No, we were not doing the Humpty Dance. Not close.  But much like the 90s classic by Digital Underground, there was limited clothing involved.

Cue to last night, a rare non-humid, actually nice summer night.  Perfect, one would think, to watch America's pastime.  Pastime if you count a field of six and seven year olds playing t-ball including kicking the dirt and scratching themselves constantly.  Hey, at least ONE is a real characteristic of baseball, not just the average actions of my seven year old at every game.

This summer, Ben's team has been assigned to a ball field that includes a playground within steps of the field. This sweet goodness, as I always have Ian with me at practice and games, is proximity.  The field is close enough to the bleachers that I can actually sit and watch both the game and keep an eye on Evel Knievel.

The bathroom is also within steps of the bleachers and playground.  When asked if he could go wash his hands showing me filthy, dirt-caked palms, I of course said, "yes, but come right back."  I'll admit the lazy parent, the same one that can count on one finger, on one hand, the number of naps said three year old has taken the entire summer, was tired.  The mantra this summer is, "how can you possibly still have energy given you haven't slept all day,  plus you were up at 6 am."

I digress.

I notice that Ben is yelling, "mom" at the top of his lungs and pointing in the direction of the bathrooms as Ian has not "washed his hands," but rather has taken off all his clothes, minus his sandals and his shirt is hanging like a noose around his neck. Ian is running towards Ben's team dugout. Seeing this, as well as hearing behind me lots of laughter from the crowd of parents, run interference and grab Ian and head back to the bathroom.

Of course he gave me his three year old logic for why he decided to take off his clothes.  It defied logic. It defied reason.  It was, simply put, gettin' busy in the Burger King baseball bathroom.

It's Always Sunny in

 Philadelphia wait.... make that Florida!

After a crazy, long traffic-filled first leg to Uncle Brian's, and a crazy, shortest-ever 2nd leg we are in Florida!

This was an awesome sight come late Friday when we rolled into Easley, SC.  Brian has remodeled much of my mom's house using his own sweat and oodles of friend labor.  I especially like that he took out the wall separating the kitchen from the living room, where she used to teach piano.  It doesn't look like the same space, and while it remains hard not see her in every room, I'm glad that he is making the house his own.

So Where are we?  Bill's aunt Mary and uncle Don's home outside Destin, Florida.  They actually live on one of the beaches off of 30-A where you will find Seaside, Watercolor, and Rosemary Beaches.  We are within a 20 minute drive to civilization in Destin.

Who else is here?  Bill's mom Pam, his brother Jamie and fiance Kate. Later today Bill's other uncle, RG and his wife Lynn to grill out tonight.  This year their adult children and families are not driving down from Atlanta due to the start of school.

What are we doing?  Being lazy, reading books, riding scooters, playing on the nearby playground with a super-cool giant hill to roll from top to bottom, seeing the new kid's movie Turbo, one day heading to a water park, trips to the beach, and lots and lots of this

And some of this

And most definitely this

Back next week with tales of lazy relaxation as we wrap up the final weeks of summer vacation.

Bookin' It

Last year I finished 25 books.  It was the most I have ever read outside of college/graduate school required reading in my adult life. I decided to challenge myself to finish 30 books by year end.

I've read some really wonderful books in the 29 books listed below. I would go as far to say that some of my favorite books of the last 5 years have been read recently.

5 Stars- OMG so, so good

The Age of Miracles

Where'd You Go Bernadette

We Live in Water

Nobodies Album

The Dovekeepers

Mary Coin

Tiny Beautiful Things 

4 Stars- Solid, wonderful reads

Behind the Beautiful Forevers

And When She Was Good
Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls

Mudbound

The Power of Habit

Beautiful Ruins

The Financial Lives of Poets

Stiff

Lean In

Supreme Conflict

29 Gifts

The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing

3 and Under Stars- Finished it, but wouldn't recommend it

Sum

Full Body Burden

The Samurai's Garden

Serena

You're Not Doing It Right

Looking for Alaska

After Visiting Friends

Deconstructing Amelia

The Silver Star

A Land More Kind Than Home

As we head to Florida today I have packed 3 old school books and 4 audiobooks for the drive.  By these stats I've read a book a week in 2013.   As someone who typically is not a fast reader, I attribute being further along this year for several reasons:

1.  Weekly trips to the library on Friday afternoons with the boys.  It is a perfect time for pick up and returns of my own books in time for the weekend.

2.  Increased use of the eBooks at my local library for audio and Kindle books.  Often the wait is shorter. 

3.  Keeping the Kindle in my mom bag with at least a couple eBooks for waiting.

4.  Allowing myself to read and not grade when waiting at weekly appointments for Ben

5.  Frequent use of Goodreads for friend recommendations and updates of new books by authors I've read 

5.  Choosing to curl up with a book most nights after getting the kids to bed and finishing up schoolwork.  Most of the time I rarely reach for the remote or my laptop as a way to wind down at the end the day. 

Of the lists above my favorite books of the year so far

Where'd You Go Bernadette

The Dovekeepers

Tiny Beautiful Things

Nod for We Live in Water for short story aficionados.  Quite possibly my favorite collection by my new favorite author, Jess Walters.  I'm changing my goal on Goodreads to 50 books by year end.  It is a lofty goal, especially when the new school year starts, but one to shoot for given 2013 progress.  

Groundhog Day

I'm back from as of last night and am preparing to head back out of town tomorrow with the boys to Destin. It is starting to feel like a little like the movie Groundhog Day with duel trips to DC and FL this summer.  I've spent the last three days at the National Archives and the Smithsonian American Art Museum working on lesson plans integrating photography as primary sources as part of the Archives new online for teachers called DocsTeach.

I'm currently working on an idea to turn the back wall of my classroom into a manipulative gallery of historic images as we move through the course. I was able to draw on many resources presented at the workshop as I start to design and work on this idea.

One of the coolest things I saw was the real instillation of one of my favorite exhibits in the Smithsonian.  I have the poster in my room and award candy to the student who figures out first the message.

Can you?

I also picked up more kitsch for my bookshelf and yes that IS a Harry Truman doll, some Presidential Mad Libs for first day back to school fun, and tattoos.  OMG, they actually make Constitution tattoos!  I am SO tempted to wear one on the first day of school and play it off that I am just that dedicated.

Sadly I left the John Brown one on the shelf.  What kid wants a John Brown, famed abolitionist of Harpers Ferry fame?  Speaking of, who wants a Harry Truman doll other than me?

One more thought on education.

Yesterday our state legislature passed a budget that eliminated just over 9,000 teaching jobs, ended tenure for teachers in place of merit pay for the top 25% of teachers, will no longer pay a percentage salary bump for masters or doctoral degrees, and has adopted a grading system for schools with 80% weighed on standardized test scores.  The new budget does include a provision to fund $50 million in tuition vouchers.

All indications are the bill will be signed by our governor based on other contentious legislation also recently passed.  As much as I have strong feelings about those bills as well, this hits my livelihood directly.  I never left my job in baking in 1999 thinking that changing careers would allow me to live in the lap of luxury.  My own spouse continually questions why I ever wanted to do and now continue this profession.

As I head into my 14th year into a job that has not had any type of raise or cost of living adjustment in the past 7 years, I have obvious feelings about these decisions. Given I am a public employee, this public space is not the forum nor is any other type of social media to play out my feelings as we move forward.  While I also have no intention of belaboring the situation or what may come of these decisions with friends or family, please know that this weighs heavy on my heart.

Birthday party, cheesecake, jelly bean, boom....

Not quite that crazy as end of the world, but close. Friday was Dog Watch, Day 2 with another day spent at the Vet for IV fluids and observation. The good news is that one more test and she will be cleared with no lingering illness.

Ian coming off 6 straight days of no nap and waking at 6:15ish had a colossal meltdown, as in the clerk commented, "Maybe you could come back when he is feeling better." I am sure in his infinite 17 year old wisdom thought he was being helpful.  I politely replied, aka glared at him and said, "I'm close to being done, I guess we all are in for some afternoon delight."

Friday night my friend came over once Ian was in bed and Bill had taken Ben to an outdoor movie.  We drank margaritas and watched a subtitled documentary. I was spent or maybe just tipsy by 9:30 and couldn't tell you one important thing about the movie.    

Saturday included a blitz of 8:30 t ball, birthday party where again, Ian had a nasty meltdown blocking the door rolling around sobbing about leaving, also keeping everyone else from leaving. The party was cool to the point that we might consider for a birthday party or for a camp in the future. 

Like a fool on a suicide mission pushed on for library returns/pick ups, hair cuts, grocery run for the 5 things I had forgotten plus prescriptions not ready the day before (or more likely I just forgotten), and returns to Old Navy. Somewhere in there we ate lunch and I had the boys Facetime with their grandmother to say happy birthday.

Somewhere also during the day I realized I was only wearing only one earring.  In a panic I retraced all the places we had been only to realize once home, that I never put the 2nd one in when rushing to get out the door earlier.  

I did escape child-free to buy some replacement school old lady shoes. Each passing year I wonder where the downward spiral, the curmudgeonly shoe edition, I will land? Saturday night I did laundry and packed, all while drinking the rest of the margaritas while Bill went to see a movie.  

Around 11 pm my sorority sisters prank called me or as I would rather think of it, spent 5 minutes of a final night celebration trying to include me not being with them.  As sad as I was as they posted pictures and inside jokes all weekend, it would be been crazy to have tried to go and make the drive to DC last night after a drive home from Charleston.

Sunday I took the boys to early church then on to our local children's museum before returning with Krispy Kreme's in hand for what I hope was today's breakfast.  I finally made it DC last night where I will be until Wednesday at the National Archives.   I'm hoping for National Treasure kind of excitement.  Chances are it will be more like dorky teacher kind of excitement.  Regardless, I'm here and excited.  

Project Runway- An Occasional Friday Series "Have dress, need venue"

Where had I planned to be on July 19th and then August 2nd?

Wearing this maxi dress purchased at White House Black Market for double summer reunions

I should be wearing it with my sorority sisters sitting on a rooftop bar overlooking historic Charleston tonight.

But I'm not :(

Actually the idea of driving 5 hours yesterday after being awoken to a dog that had vomited blood and pooped herself to near exhaustion wouldn't have happened even if I hadn't already not planned to go.  The dog ingested two, yes only two, raisins which can cause internal organ failure in dogs.  She spent all day on IV fluids and under observation yesterday, is back today for more fluids and back again Saturday for a repeat organ failure test.

The good news (yes, there is good news) is that we caught it very early and we were not gone on vacation when it happened.  The Vet feels that she will make a full recovery.  My wallet though, will need the return of my paycheck to make a full recovery!

While on the topic of reunions I'm not going to, I'm also not going to my 20th high school reunion as planned on the way home from the upcoming Florida trip with the boys.  I had planned to take the boys to the family bbq portion the night before the actual reunion at a swanky downtown Greenville, SC hotel.  But when the BBQ was canceled I feel a little funny about showing up stag to a couple-filled event.

Really, the people I want to see most I keep up with on Facebook or already saw at the start of the summer when my high school girlfriends got together.

Still though, I love this dress and need somewhere to wear it before summer end.

Happy 500th!

This past week my beloved This American Life celebrated 500 episodes.  I finally got to hear the milestone episode earlier this week while what else, working on some freeze ahead meals for back to school. I'm currently working my way back through all the archives.  I'm currently in Year 2000 from archives dating to 1995.

After some thought and some re-listening here is my favorites.  If you haven't listened, pick any linked below or just head to the general site.  This week their main page has links to ALL 500 directly on the front page!

Thank you Ira for being a part of my week.  Thank you for the many afternoons while wrapping up the school day I've been working my way back through all the old episodes. Thank you for bringing important, newsworthy stories as well as just those of human interest.  If I were to ever get a tattoo, I'm fairly sure it would say, "IRA 4EVA."

My gotta listen list in no particular order of favorites:

Why TAL will make you laugh until you wet with tears or urine or maybe never eat calamari again- From Fear of Sleep-Act 1 Stranger in the Night, Doppelgangers

When listening will require you to pull over to the side of the road with the ugly cry in full force- Act 3 from Scene of the Crime- Our Man of Perpetual Sorrow,  How to Rest in Peace,  The Greatest Thing I Ever Saw on Stage

Dammit Mrs. Vinson, my parents already make me listen to NPR in the car, now in class too!

This is Not My Beautiful House
Giant Pool of Money
Trends with Benefits

Because Ira Glass has ball of steel to revisit each part of the Foxxconn expose that landed TAL in some rare negative press with a Retraction.  Seeing him live the VERY week the story hit nationally in Durham cemented that Glass is a man of character, and yes very huge balls for not passing the buck.

The Psychopath Test- The book was good, but the final act guessing WHO would score the highest, priceless.

When TAL goes to the mat and can make a difference in someone's life Very Tough Love, 81 Words

Jenny McCarthy, you are an idiot of epic proportions.  From Ruining It for the Rest of Us Act 1- Shots in the Dark

One for teachers. One for anyone who every wonders why you just can't walk away from the hardest job you will ever love.  Two Steps Back

The one show I have re-listened to more than any other.  Yes... it is about high school, BUT the two part Harper High School Episodes (Part 1, Part 2 ) moved me to my core.  No other episodes have given a more intimate look in to the daily lives of average Americans, true stories of loss, hope, courage, and just why TAL is just that good.

Happy 500th TAL.  I already want 500 more stories.

And how do you know you are home from vacation?

You are greeted with a tree that fell and hit your house during yet another day of rain.  Bill and I cut up the tree last night, leaving only the stump.  We were very fortunate that the tree hit the side of the screened in porch without causing any damage.We also lucked out with our vacation weather.  Was it hot and humid, this is central Florida people, but almost no rain for 9 days.

On day 3 of our trip we were notified by our water utility that we had a high, sudden use of water at our house. YAY that we are 3 states away and our dog is at home. Imagining massive water damage to our downstairs hardwoods and a freaked out dog, we contacted our neighbor who was pet sitting.  She reported that it appeared that the leaky toilet was the culprit and shut off water supply.  Luckily we had no water damage outside of a $117.00 plumbing bill for less than 20 minutes of work.

We had a good trip and at some point I'm sure I'll post some favorite pictures with a few tips garnered after another trip to Disney.  This year we opted to stay longer and do Legoland and an additional waterpark for the trade off of staying off property and saving money.  We rented a condo that was 5 miles from the entrance of Disney that we hoped would allow us to spread out, ok realistically separate the boys during what seemed an ever present wrestling match or sword fight.

Even at the water park, they were wrestling. Note that of purchases on this trip (by Bill) included 4 swords and 2 pistols. When they use all 6 weapons, it's like reliving a school age version of The Texas Chainsaw massacre, mainly over breakfast. Presently 3 swords and 1 pistol are in time out until Friday.

We did luck out that they gave us a 3rd bedroom that included a trundle bed for the boys.  Just in case you have ever wondered if we can actually tucker them out.  Yes, achieved by 7 hours in a water park.

Was every moment filled with unending Disney magic? Of course not.  Ian tries every bit of patience I have at age three.  He refused to nap almost every day when we returned to the condo. In general he acted like a tool during much of the trip. I reminded Bill daily that three year olds are a-holes, granted cute ones that need lots and lots of redirection and boundaries.  Ben did a really great job overall and was helpful with being an extra set of eyes for Ian.  I think it may have been some of his best behavior this year on this trip and I have praised him continuously for good decisions and thinking before acting.

One of the things we did differently this trip was to give each of us a free day without kids.  While Bill was at Legoland I pool hopped at the premium resorts on the monorail line and hit up World Showcase since the kids could care less about anything related to another culture unless it was the Donald Duck boat ride in Mexico.  I also ate my way through the day with Dole whips, pastries from the French pavilion, and Kona coffee.

All this on top of a Mediterranean feast at the Morocco pavilion.  I also finished my 3rd or 4 total books read on the trip while laying in a hammock at the Polynesian.  I took the boys the following day to a different water park than we had visited earlier in the week.  Bill and I both agreed that an adult day was a sanity saver.

We did have a fantastic final night and surprised the boys with an all you could eat dessert buffet while watching the Electrical parade and then the Wishes fireworks display.  Ian ate 5 bowls of ice cream and Ben, 7 cupcakes and 5 cookies.  Both boys slept in and allowed us to pack the car in peace to get on the road home.  This week I'm at mentor training, luckily at a nearby school.  The boys are in 1/2 day camp and with our favorite babysitter.  I'm punting on driving to Charleston tomorrow to my sorority reunion as I was going to have to leave early anyway to be back in DC on Sunday night for a teacher seminar at the National Archives next week.

It is good to be home, even for a few days to catch our breath, wash clothes, and prepare for a longer Florida roadtip to see Grandmommy later this month.  Note that despite the wrestling and fighting, I hope the kids will remember the trip. If for nothing else the number of desserts eating in one sitting and the number of weapons purchased.

Big Summer Fun List!

It may be July and on day 5 of rain but it is SUMMER!   What does summer mean at Casa Vinson?   A less busy schedule, camps a plenty, lots of obligation-free unstructured time. SCORE.

I have several lists going, including the giant summer to-do list of awe inspiring tasks like a freezer inventory and purging the medicine chest of expired medicines.  Jealous? (likely not)

What is making the most important list? The 2013 list Big Family fun list?

*Items already completed or in progress are checked off!

1. Check out the super cool tree swing Mom discovered on the greenway creek trail
2. Make Camp Mommy t-shirts for field trip days
3. Update our car playlist
4. Visit the Bynum Front Porch music Saturday nights
5. Field Trip on an Amtrak Train to the NC Transportation Museum
6. Visit the Cary Creative Center and replenish our art box
7. Play t-ball
8. Catch a fish
9. Go Canoeing
10. Mystery trip/scavenger hunt adventure
11. Family cooking night
12. Ice cream taste test
13. Go to summer camp
14. Ride go karts
15. Take swim lessons
16. Go to the NC Zoo
17. Stay in a lakehouse and ride in a boat

18. Picnic, Train, Carousel at Pullen Park
19. Volunteer with Food Bank and Animal Shelter
20. Trip to Durham Science and Life
21. Krispy Kreme run after Marbles Children's Museum
22. Finish the playroom "secret room"
23. Visit the library weekly for new books and storytime
24. Family puzzle or game night
25. Make a recycled art project at the Scrap Exchange
26. See a Durham Bulls game
27. Beach weekend with friends
28. Eat Locopops!!!
29. Nature walk at Eno River State park
30. Watch the Paperhand Puppet Intervention at NC Museum of Art
31. Buy fruits, veggies and plants at the Raleigh Farmers Market
32. See a movie outside
33  Road trip to see Grandmommy in Florida
34. Make smores by the new fire pit
35. Visit the spray park and pool as much as possible!

We are heading out later this week for a family vacation to you guessed it, Disney! Bill has once again planned all details down to times and places to visit by day. All I have to do is get us packed and out the door.

This year to save money we are staying off property in a rental condo a few minutes away from the entrance.  We are driving, not flying, and are not doing a Disney dining plan.  Instead we have two special meals planned including an all you can eat dessert buffet watching fireworks over the castle.  We have our divide and conquer plan in place to let me take Ian back earlier to get him to bed and Bill stay on later in the parks with Ben.  This has worked well in the past and keeps the boys to somewhat a normal schedule.

We are also heading to Legoland, a first for our family. I convinced Bill to take the kids alone for the day since he was almost as excited about Legoland as the boys were.  Mom is looking forward to a quiet day, sitting pool side with a book.  That, my friends, is my definition of vacation.

June Wrap Up

Where did June go?  It seems like it was only yesterday that I was wrapping up the school year and starting summer vacation..  June was busy, but July may be busier with travel in particular with double Florida trips and another DC teacher conference.  

During June 2013 I/We

-Wrapped up year 13 of teaching and for the first time, an exit plan with date on the table

-Finished  a successful 1st grade year and Preschool age 2-3 class

-Celebrated a big 7th birthday with a epic waterslide party

-Uncle Brian visited!!!

-Chance of a lifetime at 2013 Supreme Court Institute

-Finished 6 books (a record in a single month!)

-Went to the first of several summer camps (Ian- Y Kindercamp, Ben- Y Camp Rising Sun and 1/2 day Blazing Trails, and Jr. Jazzercise)

-Attended HeroesCon with Bill in Charlotte (Ben)

-Reunion weekend with high school friends and families on Lake Norman

-Made Camp Mommy t-shirts

-Finished the playroom secret room and V-boys library

Of all the awesomeness of DC and the Supreme Court, I'm voting for my favorite picture from Ben's party as my favorite of June.  The answer to life's problems can be answered with, "more waterslide."

Paddle faster, I hear banjos

We had a fairly uneventful weekend other than dodging lots of rainstorms and cursing my still broken car air conditioning.  As Bill had the boys for several days straight and has a release later this week, he's been catching up on work while I've had the boys for the bulk of the weekend.

The boys and I hit the park, the farmers market, grocery story, Target, breakfast out, movie night at home, library run, lots of playing  outside when not raining.



Of note during the weekend, the boys and I finished recovering an old bookshelf to move into the playroom and turn into a V-boys library.  Right now each boy has a bookshelf that is half used for books and half Lego creations, stuffed animals, randomness that matters only to the under 8 crowd.  I'll post before and after pictures once I reassemble.

My plan is two fold including finally thinning out bedroom bookshelves by purging and passing a sizable chunk of the collection, and then move the bulk of the books into the playroom.  I have method in my madness to try and keep library books separate from our own collection.

The other item of note was Ben and I went to a local park for Paddle the Pond event.  After a year in Y guides as well as a weekend at Camp Seagull with his tribe I thought this would be fun.  It was, minus mom running our boat into a thicket of pond vegetation and had to work a good 20 mins to free us. Luckily no one had to come to our aid, so I'm calling the trip on the side of success.  

Before Bill took Ian home for a hopeful but non-existent nap, he took some pictures.  This was the first time I had been to this park and we will be back for the fall paddle.  While waiting for the weather to cool down,  I promised I would work on my canoeing skills.