Ponderings

Warning...this post will be all over the place!

I'm back home from my work trip to Florida. It was a really professionally energizing trip and I'm thankful, given the economy, we had the opportunity to go. And, everyone at home survived.

I did learn that bringing home a bag of white sand (triple bagged to prevent it from spilling in your suitcase) from Clearwater Beach will ensure your luggage gets searched. I didn't realize until I got home that I looked like I was trying to smuggle a tidy package of an ILLEGIAL substance.

I also learned it is possible to do some damage to your body simply by standing. Somehow, I hurt my knee, by standing up out of a chair (no alcohol was involved!), on the first day there. It's been bugging me ever since and I can't get into the doctor until next week. Grrr.

The kids had a great time with their grandparents on Valentine's Day. My mom makes beautiful cards and Elise always looks forward to making her own creative card at Grandma's. She's been working non-stop on a birthday card for her Aunt Kristin (her birthday is April 30!). She spends every free minute working on the card! It'll either be quite elaborate by Kristin's birthday....or just plain lost!

I'm so ready for this school year to be over. I'm having so many issues with one of my child's teacher. I'm sure I've become a pain in the arse parent to the teacher and the principal (who simply gets defensive of the teacher rather than looking for ways to solve the problems). The lastest was that my child fell during recess yesterday, sprained a wrist and wasn't allowed to go see the school nurse. This same child who broke a wrist last school year and spent weeks in a cast. I have a hard time stepping aside from my professional role (which involves working with future and experienced teachers in both undergraduate and graduate programs) and just wearing the parent hat. In the school district in which we live, our kids have had nothing but EXCEPTIONAL teachers so far. So, it is very discouraging to have a lackluster teacher. I'm not sure my child is actually LEARNING anything this year and I worry about the future damage of this school year. Double grrrr....

Finally, I loved Florida weather! It was a bit breezy when we were down there, but it sure beats the 30 degree weather at home!