Halloween Pumpkins

Here are the promised pictures of the girl's pumpkins. They are so proud of thier designs. Tomorrow I'll post pictures from Halloween. Now I have to get grading so I can return papers to my students tonight.

Sydney was so proud of her pumpkin.


Sarah has gotten old enough to try the "sweet" pose!


The girls with their pumpkin. This was right after Sydney told Sarah that the pumpkin she carved was Sarah's mad face!


I love this picture of Sydney looking to see the candle inside. As soon as she sat down she peeked inside. Thankfully I was ready to snap the shot.

My two cars

Here are my two cars from Halloween.


This is Sydney digging for coins. Hard to see what is under your feet when you are wearing a car!


Last night was the girls first night of ice skating lessons for the year. Sydney is taking lessons for the first time. She did really well - except she doesn't want to do the early skills, she wants to jump to what Sarah and I are doing. I started to skate backwards last night, so Sydney (who has barely been on the ice) turned herself around and started to scoot herself backwards on the ice.

I spent from 5 - 6:20 on the ice last night. My legs are a bit like jelly today. But, I know that if I keep on the ice for an hour each week, I'll have nicely toned legs.

She looked at Joe last night when she got home and said "I have dance, tumbling and ice skating. I'm going to be a busy girl!"

I'll post pictures of the pumpkins we carved this weekend tomorrow.

Sunday Six - BOO!

"Sunday Six!" is a game where Kelly asks us to have six questions answered. Remember, the idea is to post answers to the following six question, but the trick is to get your kids to answer them! If you don't have kids, use your imagination... Your pet, your neighbor, your elderly family member, your roommate, etc. Did you play? Let me and Kelly know so we can visit you. Today I was able to ask Sarah (SB - age 6) and Sydney (3) the questions.

1. When is Halloween?

SK: I don't want to tell you any quesitons.

SB: October 31.

2. What do we do on Halloween?

SK: (mumbles - i don't want to . . . ) Get Candy

SB: We carve Jack-O-Lanturns

3. Why do we celebrate Halloween?

SK: I don't want to tell you anything about Halloween

SB: I don't know.

4. What happens on Halloween?

SK: I don't want to tell you anything.

SB: We get candy.

5. Why do we wear costumes?

SK: I don't want to tell you anything.

SB: I don't know.


6. What do you get on Halloween?

SK: I don't want to tell you anything.

SB: CANDY.

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Last night, we took the girls trick or treating at the dorms. The residents set up two paths - one that is not so scary for 0-7 y.o. kids, and one that is scarier. You have guides to help you make sure you don't get mixed up.

Each of the hallways (that have chosen to participate) set up a scene and have candy to give the kids. The girls really enjoy this. My favorite was the hall that had a Scooby Doo mystery with scooby clues. They also set up a little game area with a bunch of coins buried in newspaper. Kids had to find 4 coins to trade for their candy. They also had a matching game and a bean bag toss.

Here are a few pictures. We also carved pumpkins yesterday. The girls drew their designs on paper and I transferred them to the pumkins. I'll post those pictures tomorrow.

OK, check later for pictures of my cars. Blogger won't let me post pictures.

OH, an adult evening!!

Last night we had a guest speaker. It was a journalist who research topic is on First Amendment and Religion. His research topic (he is on faculty at a few schools in the DC area) is related to my class. I ended up chatting with him at the end and he said "Hey, we're going out for a drink, why don't you join us."

I had a question for him about my class and how to handle a topic. Well, it took me until the very end, after everyone else had pretty much left before I was able to ask my question, but I was able to get some ideas, some thoughts, and his email address so he can put me in touch with someone else.

Amazingly, when I mentioned to him that my class was looking at religious, political, and business cultures - he suggested a book called "Applebee's America" that combines all three into one topic.

I can't wait to start ordering books - I love being on faculty and getting desk copies to review!!
So, I got home late and I'm so very tired, but I had a lot of fun.

Kirsten

Sunday Six - Happy Birthday Jenelle

Today is Oct 22 - National Nut Day.

It's also my dear sweet friend Jenelle's birthday - Kelly's daughter. I remember when Jenelle was born. She is such a special little girl, she suffers from a severe form of epilepsy. Clicking her link will take you to a blog about her journey. She is doing so much better than she was just two years ago. I even had the honor of listening to her chatters and giggles while I was on the phone with Kelly one day.

Are you interested in knowing what strange holiday is on your birhtday? Check this link: http://library.thinkquest.org/2886/INDEX.HTM If you check it out, leave me a comment letting me know what American Holiday your birthday falls on.


"Sunday Six!" is a game where Kelly asks us to have six questions answered. Remember, the idea is to post answers to the following six question, but the trick is to get your kids to answer them! If you don't have kids, use your imagination... Your pet, your neighbor, your elderly family member, your roommate, etc. Did you play? Let me and Kelly know so we can visit you. Today I was able to ask Sarah (SB - age 6) and Sydney (3) the questions.

1. How do we celebrate birthdays?

SK: I want Sarah to say.
SB: We go to a place that we have our birthday and we get lots of presents (humm, I might be treating them too well).

2. Do you know anyone having a birthday today?

SK: No, it’s not me.
SB: Jenelle

3. Why do we celebrate birthdays?

SK: Because they are fun.
SB: Because they are fun.

4. What happens at a birthday party?

SK: I don’t know. Let’s do the next question.
SB: We get lots of presents.

5. When is your birthday?

SK: Mommy, you say it (January 15)
SB : January 8th

6. What do you do on your birthday?

SK: Put candles on the cake.
SB: Get vsmile game presents (presents from last birthday)

Bullet Update

• Not been around much - needed to grade my students first paper. Unfortunately, I will also have to grade a boatload of re-writes as many of them are a bit surprised about how low their grades were. It's not that they are bad writers - it's that they tend to write more as they did in high school - report facts, but not really analyze. For example, in one paragraph, they address three different barriers to entry women experience in national political races. But, it really should take them three paragraphs to cover this information.

• Going to the Pulmonologist today to see why this pneumonia is hanging on.

• Get to go to Target as the Pulmonologist is in the same town.

• Dropped my keys down the elevator shaft at work on the way home yesterday. Had to wait until this AM to pick them up as the building attendant had already left for the day. Sarah was a bit concerned that I would never get them back. She will be so happy to know they are back home again.

Sunday Six - Pumpkins

"Sunday Six!" is a game where Kelly asks us to have six questions answered. Remember, the idea is to post answers to the following six question, but the trick is to get your kids to answer them! If you don't have kids, use your imagination... Your pet, your neighbor, your elderly family member, your roommate, etc. Did you play? Let me and Kelly know so we can visit you. Today I was able to ask Sarah (SB - age 6) the questions. Sydney (3) answered one because she wanted something. Her answers aren't in order asked.

1. What is a pumpkin?

SK: I don’t want to answer any questions.

SB: It’s something that you don’t know.

2. What do you do with a pumpkin for Halloween?

SK: I don’t know. Easy ones, pick easy ones.

SB: You carve it into a Jack o’ lantern.

3. Is there anything else you can do with a pumpkin?

SK: No

SB: You can eat the pumpkin seeds.

4. Where do pumpkins come from?

SK: I don’t want to tell you.

SB: A pumpkin farm.

5. What color is a pumpkin?

SK: Orange.

SB: Orange.

6. What shape is a pumpkin?

SK: I don’t know mommy. I only will answer easy questions, not hard ones.

SB: It’s either an oval or a circle.

This I Believe

On Tuesday, we discussed Martin Luther and the protestant reformation. Thankfully, only one student thought we were talking about Martin Luther King, Jr. Then again, he didn't do the reading because he lost his syllabus and didn't ask anyone for the information.

But, I digress.

For the past year, I've been reading the essays submitted to the "This I Believe" segment on National Public Radio (NPR)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4538138

I decided to incorporate this into my lesson plan. Martin Luther held very strong and very public beliefs. So, I assigned an essay to my students. They were to write their own submission. I was very impressed with what some of my students shared.

Since we were watching a movie in class last night, I decided to review them during the movie.

One student shared how much his mother meant to him and how she helped him define his belief in family. She was a single parent who made every effort to attend her son's sporting and school events. She sacrificed to ensure that her children were loved, fed, and had their needs met. I encouraged him to share his essay with his mother. I truly hope he does.

As these students were sharing their personal views, I opened myself to them as I read them.

But, I am looking forward to next week when we study the First Amendment and the Separation of Church and State (esp since one student wrote about her belief that the citizens of the U.S. were in favor of rejecting God). It should make for a lively discussion.

Snow 1, Peppers 0

My peppers didn't beat the snow. I picked everything last night.

Woke up to this:


More is coming down. Schools were closed.

Growing season in the midwest

Earlier this summer - end of June maybe - I planted a patio tomato plant, a cherry tomato plant, and a red pepper plant. These were starter plants.

My yard doesn't get a ton of sun, but the back patio does ok.

During the course of the summer, I had 2 patio tomatoes turn red and about 3 cherry tomatoes. The peppers grew flowers, but no fruit.

During Sept, I had about 6 more patio tomatoes grow. They are now in my window so they can turn red. There are now quite a few green cherry tomatoes on the plant. And, I finally have some red peppers growing. So far, we are having a mild fall - in the 60s. But, we have been known to get dusting of snow on Oct 13 and measurable snow by Halloween.

Here is a picture of my yard today. Looks like growing season to me!:


And the leaves changing over the lake at sunrise:



And these are the peppers growing on my plant. Do you think they can beat the snow?

Sunday Six - Apples

First, Happy Birthday to my buddy Spikey
Looks like I'm older than you!!

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"Sunday Six!" is a game where Kelly asks us to have six questions answered. Remember, the idea is to post answers to the following six question, but the trick is to get your kids to answer them! If you don't have kids, use your imagination... Your pet, your neighbor, your elderly family member, your roommate, etc. Did you play? Let me and Kelly know so we can visit you. Today I was able to ask Sarah (SB - age 6) the questions. Sydney (3)wasn't in much of a mood again today.

1. Who was Johnny Appleseed?

SK: I don't want to.

SB: *Shrugs Shoulders*

2. What did he do?

SK: No.

SB: He picked apples. They wrote stories about him.

3. What does his last name (Appleseed) mean?

SK: Uh uh. I don't want to answer any questions from mommy.

SB: It means Apple Seeds.

4. Where did Johnny Appleseed live?

SK: I don't want to tell you.

SB: Under an apple tree?

5. What did Johnny Appleseed like?

SK: I don't want to tell you that either.

SB: Apples.

6. Do you like Apples? If so, how do you like to eat them?

SK: Me too.

SB: Yes!!!! I like to eat the washed and cut up.

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This week, I had to lay into my students. My class is discussion based. I usually assign readings that we then discuss. So, when we arrived on Thurs, we first talked about the speaker they saw on Monday and then I asked who did the reading on Martin Luther. Most gave me blank looks, one said she couldn't find the web site address in the syllabus (but didn't ask for help), one commented that he learned enough to know that Martin Luther wasn't Martin Luther King Jr.

So, I cancelled class. We are going to talk about this Thurs instead. I told them I was disappointed and I assigned a 2 page writing assignment on the reading. This is in addition to their formal paper which is due Tues (but their rough draft was reviewed on Thurs so it shouldn't be too hard).

Next time they don't have the readings done, it will be an unexcused absence. I'm just not tolerating this.

I guess I need to have some more in class writings. I've had one, you'd think they'd realize that I'm serious about this.

UGH.

Late night kisses

The other night, Sydney fell asleep in my arms. I love when she does that as I know there aren't too many more nights like this left (she's 3.5 and barely fits on my lap).

But, as a result, she didn't get to give me her kissing routine. She created this routine where she kisses my cheek, then gives me a hug which is laying her cheek on mine and going "mmmmmm", then blows a kiss onto my cheek (called a blow kiss), then another cheek hug. Then, we do the other cheek.

So, at 5:30 am, she comes running into my room "Mommmy, I forgot to give you a goodnight kiss." We go through the routine, she runs back to bed and falls asleep.

WHY she realized this in her dreams, I'll never know.

Silly girl!

Is it that people don't comprehend.

First, let me start by saying that I have not watched ER this season.

This season, ER finally wrote about my experience - a Post Partum Hemorrhage requiring a hysterectomy that occurred in a hospital. I will admit, I have never had a premature baby, but I do know what it is like to have the best day of your life also be one of your scariest.

I will admit that I won't watch ER until I know that they have not glossed over Abby's story. Then I'll watch it in re-runs.

But, if the discussion groups for ER are any indication - they might only gloss over it. It seems that the general public is much more concerned about how ER will handle the baby. It's not surprising as ER storylines are not always kind to babies.

Some have mentioned Luka's pain as he wondered if Abby or the baby would die. My husband lived this.

But, Abby's ordeal was barely mentioned, if at all, in these online discussions. Was this that the general public believes is so far fetched? Do they think its so rare unlike trauma to babies?

Post Partum Hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality. It's low - probably in the range of 1% of 1,000 births for the U.S. (I can't find exact statistics) - but world wide - PPH is the cause of death in 25% of maternal mortality. In Africa - once women arrive at a hospital - sometimes taking a day to travel to - Doctor's won't operate until the bill is paid in advance or won't risk using limited blood products for a woman who may die anyway.

Most women don't even seem to know that PPH is a risk, even though it's the greatest risk to the mother. Most know about preclamsia as a risk, but don't realize that PPH is. In one study, of the 11 PPH/hysterectomy cases - 8 were from c-section births and 3 from vaginal.

So, for those of you who have kids - did you ever know that PPH could be a risk? Does anyone have an idea why the viewers of ER don't seem to connect with Abby's ordeal beyond the stress of a premature baby?

WOW, what a cool present

Sarah (6.5) decided she wanted to make me a wooden box that can hold a picture for my birthday. She drew a picure and brought it to DH in his workshop. (Joe often draws his own designs on notepaper.)

Today I finally got my birthday presents. Here is my box:

Sunday Six - Falling

"Sunday Six!" is a game where Kelly asks us to have six questions answered. Remember, the idea is to post answers to the following six question, but the trick is to get your kids to answer them! If you don't have kids, use your imagination... Your pet, your neighbor, your elderly family member, your roommate, etc. Did you play? Let me and Kelly know so we can visit you. Today I was able to ask Sarah (SB - age 6) the questions. Sydney might answer later.

1. What is Fall?
SK: I don't want to do this (as she curls up on her chair).

SB: It the season where all the leaves fall off the tree before winter comes and all the leaves pile up on the snow.

2. Why do leaves change color?
SK:

SB: So that way they can fall off of the tree.

3. What colors remind you of Fall?
SK:

SB: Red hearts, yellow sun, green grass, the brown horses (?HUH?)

4. Why do we call it Fall?
SK:

SB: Because all the leaves fall from the trees.

5. What is your favorite thing about Fall?
SK:

SB: You get to jump in piles of leaves.

6. What is the weather like where you live during Fall?
SK:

SB: It sometimes cold and you have to wear jackets and sweatshirts.