What I am Learning at Swim Lessons

Princess P is doing swim lessons.  And this isn't the "let's all blow bubbles in the water" kind of swim lessons.

It's the, after 2 weeks, we throw you in fully clothed and expect you to get out on your own kind of swim lessons.

I haven't had a large amount of luck teaching my kids how to swim.  I'm wondering why as I watch these lessons and something came to me.

I need to be better about making kids do things that are good for them, even if they don't want to.

She blows in Paiges face and dunks her down to grab a ring.  She comes up crying, but in 2 weeks I won't have to have a knot in my stomach every time we're around a pool (I still will -- but as of now she'd sink like a brick).  She's already able to swim a couple of feet and get out on her own -- after 2 lessons.

There is a great deal of crying involved in these lessons.  From all the kids.  It's something they don't want to do.  They're scared and they think that they should just be able to play.

I sit in ACLS class hearing about every baby that someone has gotten out of their neighbor's pool.  I see it on the news.  My kids need to know how to swim.  So she is going through a little "pain" to get a positive end result.

I feel like that's a lot about love and logic -- they go hand in hand.

So, today's question is -- what have you done that your kids don't like that you make them do for their own good?  Inquiring minds....

Do You Love a Teacher

I do.

Well, I love one teacher in one way.

And I love a lot of other teachers, in a different way.

A lot.

I used to think that maybe our first school was just THE most amazing school in the world.  And, while that is true I am finding I just ADORE people who help my children.

My pride, my joy, my everything -- they help them.  If there is anyone out there who loves my children almost as much as I do (outside of Drew and our parents) it is their teachers.

Even our swim teacher, as P has lessons right now.  I get emotional with people helping her.  I just feel warm inside, even if they're getting paid they're being amazing with MY KIDS.

Hip hip horray for them!

And now we're here, and we've got amazing teachers all over again.  All of them, some may have aspects that I don't adore but wow.  I'm just so thankful for them.

I try to write a really heartfelt, specific appreciation letter for what they have done for both my child and my family during the school year.  I find that the teachers are SO appreciative of these.  They don't take long, although I do mull over what I am going to say while I work out or do housework so I'm prepared when I sit down.  So, I would encourage you to do the same.  Let them know that you've appreciated all their hard work.

They don't get paid enough, the kids are just as horrible to them as the are to you (sometimes), they are constantly being asked to try/do new things.  Parents are often unhappy with them, even though they are trying their best.  Parents are apt to complain to a principal (or even higher) instead of the teacher, and the frustration just mounts.

So, what I have to say is to thank a teacher.  Show them you love them, and that you hope they have a great summer.  Because, boy oh boy do they need a little time "off" (and by off, I mean doing summer ed rquirements so they can keep their job paid for out of their own pockets).

Thank you teachers.  You're the best. :)

ETA:  I forgot to mention that I REALLY feel like the situations played out in Oaklahoma or Sandy Point with teachers literally shielding children with their bodies is what happens each day in the classroom.  They sacrifice their lives for those kids.  And often they just complaints and requests to do things another way.  It's not how it should be.  We need to see that these teachers are doing their very best, regardless of what is swirling around outside them.  We need to not be the tornado they are facing.  We need to ask them what they could use help on and do it.  We are lucky to have them.

Tip of the Day

I love Pinterest, but I HATE to print recipes with a lot of pictures.  Up until now I was pasting them into a word document, which can have odd results.  Until now.

Now, I just use PrintFriendly.com -- I used it on a recipe here.

For instance, I wanted to make Million Dollar Spaghetti -- so I just went to the print friendly web page, pasted in the URL and then clicked what I wanted deleted.

HORRAY, a totally great recipe that's totally useable!

Just Some Thoughts on a Friday Night

Just another boring Friday night around here... here's what's wandering in my mind:

• Drew's former principal left his job and is switching districts.  Sad.  Good guy, fought hard for Drew, gave him a lovely letter of recommendation.  I hope he's happy in his new home.  Other fascinating facts from the board meeting facebook page.  So many thoughts of Santa Clara coming full circle there. 
• I had a patient yesterday that had her last 2 babies at my last hospital.  I mean, WHAT are the chances.  It was a happy coincidence for the both of us.  Lots of warm fuzzies.
• Huh, ADHD less in other countries who may put more of an emphasis on discipline.  Imagine that.  I will say there are kids out there who really NEED the medication.  Some of the rest of them are just rowdy or the school needs a bit more tolerance for ants in their pants. I think we'll find issues with the Ritalin's of the world at some point.  Be it the next generation.  Drugs are like magic, they come with a price.  Thank you Rumpelstiltskin.
• A good friend took me for a pedicure today.  It was seriously divine.  Warm fuzzies every time I look at it.
• I didn't want to die after I ran 10 minutes this morning.  The day was busy and I got a lot done.  Still going strong at 8:36, I see that happening another 20 minutes or so. 
• Friday nights are obviously quite happening around here!
• My shins are tender to the touch sometimes (not bad at all, it's just weird).  Is that shin splints?  Or am I just tender?  Wait, don't answer that.
• There are so, So, SO many good moms out there.  I am uber impressed with moms who volunteer and take a strong interest in other's children.  They are amazing.
• Sad for President Monson on the passing of his wife.  That must be really hard.  I am guessing he has an extra strong testimony of the plan of salvation, but it's still hard.  Still trying to figure out how her not getting into priesthood session made it into the official statement.  Either way, I am hoping that's a policy that changes. 
• I went to quite possibly my last playgroup today.  13 years of playgroup down the tubes.  What do I have to show for it? :)  Oh wait, like 9 million great memories.  I love my mom friends.
• And finally, I watched the Office Finale.  I was struck by whoever (was it Andy) said that you need to know that what you're living now, will someday be the "good ol' days" -- so  very true.  So hard to treasure each moment. But I know I will miss things that happened, even today, someday.

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you all have a GREAT weekend. {mowah!}
(that was a kiss, in case you didn't notice -- an air kiss, as to prevent the spread of germs)

Running with Zombies, week 5

I am over half way done!  Honestly, if I didn't like the story so much I'm not sure I'd finish this.  I didn't really set out to think that I'd actually run 5k.  I'm not sure I want to, but I do know my endurance is increasing, which is exciting.

I ran a full 10 minutes yesterday.  It was even at the very end.  I'd probably already ran a good 25 minutes (on and off) before that, so I was pretty proud.  I had to do some serious self talk to get myself down that road and home.  It took me a good 30 minutes to settle down once I got in, but I was proud of myself.

I was pretty spent the rest of the day.  Princess P wasn't feeling well so we had a little stint on the couch together.  Thank goodness.

I still haven't lost any weight.  I know something's probably wrong with me eating, but I feel like I'm doing pretty well... I just don't know.  I'm frustrated.  If it wasn't for the fact that I actually ran 10 minutes (honestly, UNHEARD of prior to now) I'd be really sad.

So, just a few more weeks, and then I will start the Zombies RUN app.  I will say the app keeps me going.  I'm thankful for it.

My Experience at the Allegiant Ticket Counter in Mesa

Oh, Allegiant airlines.  You perplex me so.  I have had my eye on plane tickets from Mesa to Provo for a few months now, as if I bought at the right time it's pretty close to how much it would be to drive there.  Here are a few things I've learned:

1.  You can save 10 bucks/person/leg of your journey if you buy at the Allegiant ticket counter.  For us, that's 80 bucks -- which is worth what I will now share:

• They don't really want you to buy at the ticket counter.  It's only open like 6 hours/week and they only staff one person there.  She is nice enough, but yeah.  They really want your 80 bucks (it's an online "convenience" fee -- and by golly, after you go through the ticket counter the internet sure does feel convenient)
• I got there a little after 5, it didn't open until 6.  I was 3rd in line.  I was smart enough to bring my NRP book to study while I was there.  Luckily, the people there were nice enough.  We had a nice chat.  I didn't have kids.  It was moderately enjoyable.
• I think as long as I got there before 5:30 or 5:40 I would have probably been alright.  By the time I left at about 6:30 there were a good 20 people in line.  Who knew if they'd get to buy tickets, as it closes at 9 (and I have heard sometimes they do a hard shut down at 9, regardless of who's in line).
• Did I mention there's one ticket agent.  And everyone that's there is buying multiple tickets.  It takes her about 15 minutes for each person.  She's not slow, it's just a process.
• They tie your ticket to your allegiant account (if you have one) that makes adding bags later easier.
• The woman at the ticket counter can't refund you a penny.  She made that REALLY clear, SEVERAL times.  I listened. :)

2.  You can have a "personal item" and they charge for anything else.  You don't have to pay for it at the time that you ticket (and the price is constant for those items) but it does add to the price.  I will probably be bringing at carry on and one checked bag for me and the 3 kids and it will probably cost us about 70 bucks.{sigh}  I'm wondering if I could make it with JUST a checked bag and stuff a lot of clothes in the personal items.  I could always ship a box back...  The personal item just has to sit under the chair in front of you -- anything that doesn't fit there, they charge you for (and I think it's like 50 bucks/bag to do it at the airport).  They don't charge for strollers or car seats.

3.  You have to pay something like 10 bucks to pick your seat.  I have read online that parents and children will not be separated, so we haven't done this.  I doubt anyone's going to want to sit next to Princess P without me there anyway.

We flew it last fall and actually had a great experience.  It's easy with kids.  Sure, they will nickel and dime you to death, you just don't have to buy.  It's no different then gum at the cash register.  Just stick to your list.  Just like any airline they could have delays and since they fly out of small airports that delay could be substantial but I've been delayed or cancelled on major airlines.  Life went on.

Anyway, that's my info.  I had a lot of questions about the ticket counter so I thought it might be helpful to have this out on the internets.  It was worth the trouble.  Without baggage we bought for just over 350 for the 4 of us.  I did notice that every Monday night (which is when their ticket counter is open) my flight tended to be its cheapest.  It was 69/person when I left, and it was 57 when I got there.  So, who knows.  I'm happy either way.  Happy flying! {ha, that, coming from me!}

Mom Hacker: Kitchen Food Cabinet Shelves

Ok, ladies -- I had a problem.  My kids were taking stuff out of my shelves and then just SHOVING it back in.  I mean, don't they understand that I have a rhyme to each placement.  Can't they READ the labels.  No? Wait, what's that you say? -- yours don't either?  Blasted.

So, I spent some time perusing my favorite organizational bloggers

Alejandra Costello
Do It On a Dime
Organized Clutterbug

And I got a few things:
1.  These women are obsessed with baskets and I knew there was just NO. WAY my kids were going to pull out a basket and toss it back in there.  They'd just shove it around the basket, or tell me we didn't have any and open a new container.  Also, I have a hard enough time keeping my cabinets clean, BASKETS, with GROOVES, and CUTENESS?  Not a chance.
2.  Baskets waste space.
3.  These women like Lazy Susans.
4.  Lazy susans waste space.

My mind still lives in California where I had to use EVERY. SINGLE. SQUARE. INCH to my advantage.  and while I still think each inch is valuable real estate, I am slowly coming around to the fact that perhaps being organized allows that every square inch isn't being taken up in the most efficient manner humanly possible.

As if I was human.


So, I broke down and bought a lazy susan.  I then, bought another one -- after I made sure the one fit well.


AND {drumroll please} I did a VIDEO of the difference for y'all.  I LOVE watching other people's videos about their organization, so I wanted to do it up right for you all.

So, what do you think?  Do you think they're helpful or a waste of space?  Will I regret my 20 dollars in expenses?  I doubt it, I bet I can use it somewhere else if I don't ened up loving it here.  And so far, so good (I've had them in for a couple of weeks, yes, I am slow).