In case you haven't read Lindsey's Blog. She and some of her friends went Roller Skating with there teacher, Mr. Whitman. They had a lot of fun, and the skating rink is so close. I can't wait to go back and skate for myself.
Here's a video of Lindsey Skating.
I went out tonight to do Kareoke, and I sang Santa Baby. Everyone really liked it.
That's it for now. it's late, and I gotta get the kids in bed.
I'm taking an English class at the local JC. We are doing a research paper, and we were supposed to have our first rough draft at class last night. I spent all week working hard on that paper, finding books on the subject, and putting it all together. I was pretty proud of my paper, ready to have it critiqued by the other students. I went to class last night, and as always there was a warm-up question to write about. It happened to believe about the Declaration of Independence. I put my name on my paper, and asked the person sitting next to me if they knew the date. "It's December 4th". OMG it's my brother's Birthday, and I totally didn't find out if I could call him or anything. I'm such a horrible sister. I thought maybe Jared would understand, seeing as his wife is also taking classes, so he would kinda know how it is when you're focusing on a paper. I refocused on class, even mentioning "my brother in Iraq" in my writing, when talking about "the people have the right to ...abolish [the government]"
After the warm up writing, the professor gave us our next essay assignment, and sent us on our way. No peer review. GAH! how am I going to know if my paper is any good? So not only am I a horrible sister for forgetting my [older] brothers birthday, but now I have to stress out even more about my paper, because I have no feed back. In the words of one Charlie Brown "GOOD GRIEF!"
So Anyways, I hope you read this Jared, because I do wish you a happy (belated) birthday. We love and miss you, and know you are doing good over there, and you are protected.
And maybe you'll forgive me one day for being a horrible sister.
So, our choir is having it's performance this weekend. Last night was the first time we rehearsed with the orchestra. There are two tiny parts where I get up and sing. (ones a solo, and one's a duet with someone else) When I practiced my solo last night, the first time, I was literally shaking. I really was nervous. I almost couldn't believe it, me, one of the biggest hams of the Bree family, was nervous? Well, they had professional soloists there and the dean of the music department sings in the choir too. So yeah, a little nervous, but I got over it, and everyone said I sounded great. I was a lot more comfortable with the duet. I think the concert is going to be great. The Professional soloists are awesome. The soprano goes all the way up to a high c# (A really high note for you none musical folk) and she's not shrill at all.
Anyways, I think I'm ready for the concert and I'm really excited. Mom and Dad are going to come, and my Mother-in-law and Brother-in-law are also going to come. It's going to be great!
Dad called me on Friday afternoon, and asked what I was up to. I told him, and upon thinking about it, I thought "Why would he want to know?" My first thought was that Mom and him had come down to surprise us or something. "Are you guys down here?" I asked. Dad said something along the lines of "I wish", and then bad possibilities came into my head. He wanted me to call him back later, after Halloween. I said I wanted to know whatever it was. I think I actually said "Is something wrong with Grandma?" and he told me the news. Grandma Beverly passed away on October 31. I was glad he told me, but it was hard to keep it from the kids until after Halloween. Lindsey was pretty sad about it, but she is glad we get to go down and visit Aunt Terrie and the cousins.
So with that as my starting point, I then had to work this week. And what song were the kids supposed to learn this week? "Over the river and through the wood". The original words read like this:
"Over the river and through the woods to Grandfathers house we go. The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh thru' the white and drifted snow. Over the river and through the wood, oh how the wind does blow. It stings the toes and bites the nose, as over the ground we go.
Over the river and through the wood, trot fast my dapple gray. Spring over the ground like a hunting hound, for this is Thanksgiving day. Over the river and through the wood, now Grandmothers face I spy. Hurrah for the fun, is the pudding done? Hurrah for the Pumpkin Pie."
I've actually been pretty numb since finding out about grandma, and yesterday teaching this song to the kids didn't seem to bother me, but today I broke down. It was the last class and they weren't being very good. I was trying all the usual things to get them to quiet down, and nothing was working. So I broke down and cried, and told a whole class of first graders how I just lost my grandmother. Well, they were pretty good after that, but class was pretty close to done too. And they all wasted no time in telling every adult at the school that I cried because my grandmother was gone. Sweet and Embarrassing all at the same time.
and now I'm just waiting for time to pass, until I can be with other Family and Friends who feel the loss.
Lindsey was in another drama club this year, and they put on "Little Red Riding Hood" Lindsey was a squirrel. I helped make the tails, and the masks. Anywho, here's the video of her singing. This is taken from my phone. when I get the higher quality DVD I'll post that.
And of course I have to share with you this little video of Westley in a jump house.
So to update you on things, Jason and I had our 8th anniversary. He took me to a really fancy resterant, and the food was really good. Dad came down and took the kids and me to the Northern California Ren Faire. The kids had a great time, espeiaclly Westley, who was dressed as a pirate with a monkey on his back (which was the kid leash) There was so much to see and do, that we didn't watch too many shows, but we had a great time. Then Dad bought Lindsey her halloween costume. She wanted to be a werewolf and found a costume with a mask and gloves. She's really excited about it, and she loves Grandpa so much for buying it for her before they ran out of her size. This Past weekend was the Ham Radio Convention that our radio club puts on. Jason's the president of the radio club, so he needed to be there most of the time, so we got a room at the Marriott there and stayed two nights. The heated pool was cold. Lindsey didn't seem to mind it, but when Westley started shivering we went back to the room. Which turned out to be ok, because there was a bathtub, which Westley called the little pool. He had so much fun in the tub that he snuck back in when Lindsey was having a turn and jumped in with all his clothes on. Then Jason's Dad came over and had Pizza with us in our room. Saturday was the school Carnival. The music teacher for the older grades, and her husband have a band and they played. Here's some video, but it's wobblly because Westley kept jumping in my lap as I was recording, and then in cut off a little early. Still I love this Band!
We had a great time at Carnival, and all my students were happy to see me, even though I didn't dress up in my costume (I told them I had to save it for Halloween because it's THAT cool) Lindsey won the raffle for her to go roller skating with her teacher (plus two friends). Westley won enough tickets to get a mini basket ball hoop and balls. He loves dropping the balls in. He also got a blow up microphone, which he has been having a blast with.
School has been going great. The Kinders are going to preform for the PTA meeting in December, so we've been working on songs for that, along with a halloween song, with the cutest actions I've ever seen. I'll try to post a video of one of the classes preforming soon.I taught them "Once there was a Snowman" this week, and they love it. Of course I have to play it faster and faster each time, so I gotta really work on the piano part so I can it "super fast". We also started "May peace be always with you." which is really slow, and they don't really like, but I told them there parents will love it, so they are trying there best. We are going to start "Over the river and through the woods" later, and that will be our whole concert.
The First and Second Graders are working on a "hello" song and we've already learned it in English, Spainsh and French.I am so proud of them! The Second graders even started a song called "did you ever want to be the president".
So everything here is fine. here's a couple pics. Westley with his Chef Boy Ardie, and Lindsey doing a flip on the swings.
Everything here is going Fine. School is really going great. All I'm taking is choir and an english class (where amazingly enough I'm one of the few who know how to speak it) but I'm doing well in my classes. My last essay I got an A, and I have high hopes for my next one.
Teaching is going so well. I love all my kids, and they are really starting to come along. I taught each grade a pirate song for Internation talk like a pirate day, and on that day I dressed up like a pirate. Now we are starting to learn Halloween songs, and it's great. I went to a music colaboration meeting with all the other music teachers in the disrict. One guy keot complaining how he doesn't get paid enough. All I could think was "I'd do this for free if that's what it would take." of course, with Jason's super cool job, We haven't had to worry about money for a little while, so I guess I'd feel the same if this job was my only paycheck.
well, that's it for now. I'll post more next week.
I haven't posted pictures in a while. This is Westley before and after his hair cut, and Lindsey on her Brithday.
Doesn't Westley look like such a handsome little boy with his hair cut!
So today was my first day teaching music. I had two kindergarten classes, and three sessions of first graders. The first Kindergarten class got off to a rocky start, and we went through all my planned stuff a little too fast. The Second Kindergarten class went a little better, as I was able to pace myself better.
The first 1st grade class fell apart. I wasn't able to keep control for very long, thanks to a few really rowdy boys. After that class I was thinking "What did I get myself into?" but I was determined, so I tried harder in the next class, and it paid off. Everything went smoothly, and we had just enough stuff to do in the time aloted. The last class went even better, and again, we almost ran out of stuff to do before class was over. I just jumped back to the begining, and it all worked out.
I'm really glad I got this job, and I know things will get better as the weeks go on.
So out of ten I'd give my first day a 7.5
Go me!
Coming up with lesson plans (that are enough, but not too much)
Filtering through the millions of ideas I've had since I found out I was going to be teaching this year.
Coming up with an idea for an essay for English-118
Writing rough draft for said essay
getting someone to read said essay, and comment on it (without hurting my feelings)
writing "revised draft" of said essay
getting someone else to read revised essay
Writing Final draft of essay
all while trying to be a good mom to a 2 year old and a third grader.
So it is getting closer to that time of year. We went back to school shopping yesterday. First we went to Walmart, and the clothes shopping took quite a while because Lindsey isn't into Hananah Montana, and so the picks were a little slim. She did find some cute stuff tho. I will post pics later. The Camera battery is charging.
I bought some clothes for Westley. I don't know what I'm going to do with him. He is now in size 2t shirts, but 24month pants, and even then we have to roll them up a bit. Well, that just means they'll last a while right?
Lindsey didn't like any of the backpacks at Walmart, so we had to go to Target for that. And of course Westley had a huge tantrum in the store. I don't remember myself ever being that bad, but if I ever was "I AM SO SORRY MOM AND DAD"
Now we have to wait for Lindsey to get her class assignment so we know what supplies to get.
I got myself some supplies for the English class I am taking this semester. With my Brother-in-law's help I've figured out what classes I need to take at the Junior College so I can transfer as a Liberal Studies - Elementary teacher preparation major. I'm a little behind in English and Math, but when I transfer my units that I took WAY BACK WHEN at Stanislaus, I will be ahead in some of the other subjects.
I'm also taking the Materworks Chorale class again. We are doing Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem, and another peice we haven't gotten yet. It feels really good to be a part of a choir again.
so that's Back to school. I promise I will try to play catch up when I have pictures to post.
love you all
Yesterday when I got the junk mail out of the mail box, I just set it down on top of the trash I was about to take out. I happen to glace at it, and saw an ad for Childcare. so I fished out the ad, and took the rest of the trash out. The ad said there is a new child care place opening really close to BART and they have extended hours, and only charge $8/hour. So I e-mailed them to make sure Westley would be a good fit, and if the hours that I'm going to work (It's looking like mondays mornings from 8-11 or so, wednesdays all day and Fridays all day) are ok with them. they are totally fine with it. And he doesn't have to be potty trained. they said they would help him, and urge him to go, but if he was still in diapers it's no problem.
Who knew that you could find important stuff in the junk mail. I guess I'll have to start looking through it more often.
and just because, here's some pictures of the kids.
I was just wondering what all my brothers and Sister-in-laws were up to, when I thought how bad it is that they never call. Of course I never call either, so I guess I'm part of the problem. So I settle for reading my family's blogs and getting all my news from Mom (Who I'm not ashamed to say I still call quite often). She gives me the report of everyone whos called her, so that's good enough for me. But then I thought, If my brothers and sister-in-laws are trying to read my blog to see whats up, they be pretty disappointed, because I hardly ever post. So I am going to do my best to Start posting every week, so that my family can know what's up with me. I still recommend calling Mom every week tho.
Anyways, right now we are in the lull of summer. Lindsey and Westley both finished there swimming classes (Lindsey moved up a level and isn't afraid of the low dive anymore. I'm so proud of her.) This weekend Lindsey is going camping with the girlscouts, on her first overnight. She is really excited. Westley thinks he is ready for a bike. Everytime we go outside, he trys crawling up on Lindsey's bike. I would show you pictures of this stuff, but I left my camera at mom and dad's when we were up for the forth of july. So right now, we don't have much going on. I'm trying to prepare my lessons for Nest year.
At this moment unless the superintendent decides he doesn't like me, I will be teaching K-2 grade music at Buena Vista Elementry. I'm very excited. I have a lot of ideas, and I'm working hard on trying to make most of them work. I'm really nervous, but I have a lot of support and I think it will all work out.
so that's the news as of right now. I gotta go and try to get my kids to bed.
Tomorrow is the last day of school. WOO HOO! Lindsey will officailly become a third grader at 11:31am tomorrow morning. I even told her we'd go out to lunch to celebrate.
It's so hot here. I hope the rest of you all are doing ok.
We went to the county fair. Other then spending money, and some good ol' fried food, it wasn't much. The kids did go on a few rides tho, and we got to see the Bears. I didn't knoiw bears liked country music, but apparently these bears did. here are the pictures. I'll post later with other updates.
Well, I've been so busy. What with Westley growing up so fast, and Helping out with Lindsey's Drama class at school (I made costumes [yeah mom I finally opened and used the sewing machine] and I'm plsying piano for most of the songs. (There are a few that the director really wanted to use the CD music). Weekends have been full of Lindsey and me riding Bart to her Acting classes. She is doing well tho, so it's coming along. I got a new cellphone and had to figure out how to work it, and now I've gotta come up with some cool ringtones for everyone. I was really sick for a while, because I had a bad reaction to some medication that made it hard for me to breathe. I didn't do anything about it the first day, but the second day it was really bad, so I went to the doctor, and she sent me to the emergency room. After two breathing treatments I felt a lot better, and could say full sentences without gasping for breath. I went home, and when I saw my Regular Doctor next, he put me on steroids for a week. After the first couple days of steroids I felt much better, only now my dreams of being an olympic gymnist in the upcoming games have been dashed ;-) Now I am back to normal, or as close as I can get, and have been trying to find time to do everything. We are getting two new couches so I've been working hard on making room in the house for them. If everything works out, we might have them by this weekend, so when Mom and Dad visit thay can sit somewhere. Still working on the bathroom tho, so they won't place a place to go pee. One step at a time. well, that's about it. OH yeah, here are some of the videos I promised to post. sorry it took so long. Love you all
Jason's Family met up in Tahoe for Skiing and Snowboarding, and fun stuff for Easter. We went, and Lindsey had Skiing Lessons (she's really good too, made it to second level after only 2 lessons. I have lots of pictures and stuff to post, I just haven't figured out how to transfer them. But in the meantime you can enjoy this video of Westley. He knows what a camera is for, and what to do in front of it.
hope everyone is fine. You'll hear from me again soon.
When Lindsey was in Kindergarten, I was working at a little place called "Crepevine". Lindsey went into the afterschool care called "club". Well, while I worked at Crepevine I recieved tips, and I saved these up and that's what I used to pay for "club". I ended up leaveing Crepevine in Febuary, because Westley was on the way. So I took Lindsey out of club because I could no longer afford it. Well, they had a summer program, and I needed a break from her, because Westley was taking up so much of my time. I enrolled her in the "summer club". It was a kind of "pay as you go" type thing. I know i didn't make my last payment, but I couldn't remember how much I owed. I had someone look it up for me, and they showed me I owed 234.00 for the summer, and 375.00 for the month of January. I was like "Oh my goodness, this is not right I KNOW I paid them for January". I tried talking to several people there and all they could say is "well that's how much you owe."
So cut to today, I finally get a hold of the "director" of the place, and tell her my side of the story, and she's totally willing to drop the January charge. So now, all I owe is the 234.00. I told her I would write a check and drop it off by the end of the week. So now, Lindsey can go to club if I need her too (course I'll have to pay for it and rates have gone up a bit, but it might be worth a few Lindsey free hours, and they'll help her with her homework)
I have also found a little place for Westley to go, even while still in diapers (because other then pulling down his pants he shows no other signs of potty training) Which is actually even more reasonable then "club". In fact, if Lindsey could go to this place, I'd take them there just for some alone time, and to get more things done with finding stuff for the kids to do. But they only handle the younger pre-school set. I'm really excited about it though, because Westely hasn't had much of a chance to interact with other kids his age.
So things here are going along fine. Jason still LOVES his new job, and Lindsey is excelling in reading so much, we started reading Harry Potter, because it would challenge her enough. And she's doing really well with it. Westley is getting bigger and bigger. And still has yet to really talk. Unless you mention Deigo, in which he'll respond with a big "Go Go!"
well that's it for now. Hope everyone is good. Hugs All around.
So here is Lindsey's slideshow. She really is growing up too fast, but that's just Life I guess. I don't know where her baby pictures are, I think I just have hard copies of them, I mean back in 2000, not everyone had a digital camera, right? Enjoy!
As I tried to squeeze Westley into a onsie that was clearly too small for him, I got hit by the notation that he is growing up so fast. Lindsey is the same, and I will post a slideshow for her, but I completed Westley's first, since there aren't as Many pictures of him, only being 20 months instead of 7 years.
So I hope you enjoy the many faces of Westley. He's changed a lot, but he is still my little boy.
Ok, I haven't been the best Poster lately, but I decided I needed to post today, and let everyone know how things are going (since nobody ever calls me *sniff*)
Jason's new job has been great for us. We thought the cummute would be really hard, but it's been alright so far, and he just loves the work he does there. It's barely been two weeks, and he's all set up, with Swag (he got a hat and fleece jacket with the company name on it) his own Laptop (much smaller then our family laptop, which has a huge widescreen) Business cards, (I keep a bunch in my purse and drop them off at resterants that offer a drawing for free lunch) And a new Cell Phone (well, not yet, but it's coming. He's waitting for some guy to come back from vacation).
He's extra excited because he's heard they might need to send him overseas to some of there other offices. He's getting ready to go down and get his passport. I don't think there can be a better fitting job for him. He's so happy, and that makes me happy.
Things at home are fine. I'm still having the issue with Westley not likeing Pants. (If you know where to buy kids suspenders PLEASE let me know!) But he's fine. He loves Diego (on Nick Jr.) so I got him a sheet set with Diego on it. He smiled so big, and it seems he's been sneaking into our bed a lot less often. I also found, while visiting a friend, that he loves Mega Blocks. My friend and I watched a 2 hour movie without a peep from him cause he was playing with those blocks. First thing I'm going to buy with Jason's first paycheck is those blocks. Westley's been getting more talkitive, which I think is impart with all his watching of Diego on tv. He says "Go Go" very well now. 
Lindsey is doing Great! She very excited about her oppertunity to do Acting Classes. She also sold 52 boxes of girl scout cookies, so she is very proud of herself. She's doing well in school, and aside from always having too much energy at the end of the day, has been "in" bed on time lately.
One Monday, I went to the store, and Lindsey was standing on the edge of the cart. I stopped the cart and told her she couldn't do that, and I totally flashed back to when my mom would tell me and my brothers not to hang onto the cart. One of those times when your a kids and go "when I grow up and have kids I'll let them hang on the cart". Well, I'm grown up now, and I don't let my daughter hang on the cart, Why? She could fall and hurt herself, and it makes the cart really hard to push. I sure these are the same excuses my mom gave me when I was little. What goes around realy does come around.
On a final note. Today would have been Gram and Gramp's 60th Wedding anniversary. So if you are related to Gramp and are reading this post, you should give him a call.
Well that's it for now. If you want more news, you can always call ;-)
So I have a lot of News that I need to post. I guess I'll start with the REALLY big news. Jason got a job offer!!! It's for a unix system engineering position (whatever that is) at Palantir Technologies He'd be making VERY good money, with benifits, and other perks. He really excited about it. The Job offer came in on Friday, and he's going to go ahead and accept it tomorrow. It feels like a heavy weight has been lifted from us, and I just hope that he won't have to look for another job for a VERY long time.
The second news has a story with it, so let me start with Saturday afternoon. Jason, Lindsey, Westley and I were at the Mall, to buy Lindsey new shoes, and just look around at the new shops (we hardly ever go to the mall except for Santa, and we kinda skipped him this year). We had stopped outside the Disney store to look at the displays, when a woman approached us and said, "Your daughter is beautiful. Have you ever thought of putting her on TV?" Jason and I were dumbfounded. Well, she went on to explain that she was a scout for a Talent Scouting Agency. She invited Lindsey to go to an audition being held close by the next day. Lindsey didn't really know how to feel about it, so we were unsure if we were going to go. However, the next morning while we were at the Farmer's Market, another "scout" spotted Lindsey, and told her she'd do great if she went to the auditions. Well, that convinced her and us. We stopped by Ross, and got her a new outfit (totally cute for only 8 bucks!). We went to the Audition, and she did great (well, better then some of those other kids anyways). So we talked to an "agent" and he said we could get a call back sometime this week. Lindsey is so excited.
Did you know yesterday was super bowl Sunday? Well, we went and watched the game at my Mother-in-laws house, who has a huge widescreen hi-def tv. Tons of chips, dips, nachos, tortilla soup, Cake, Cheese Cake, Ice cream, and soda. Tom Petty did an awesome show at halftime, and the game was pretty interesting in the second half. Afterwords we played Wii for a little bit, before heading home. I think nextyear, we'll plan a healthier superbowl party. More salad and less cheese. Anyways that's all the news from here. I glad I got you all caught up, and maybe later this week I will have time to post my 7 things, I'm supposed to do since Suzanne tagged me.
Westley and I were getting ready to go pick up Lindsey from school. It finally stopped raining, so we were going to walk. I got Westley all dressed, and cute looking. We still had time before we needed to leave, so I went out to start a load of Laundry. Westley seemed to be fine, watching TV. I was gone for only five minutes, and when I 
got back, he had his shoes and socks, and pants off. Plus his outter shirt. Krafty little guy huh? I took a picture of him undressed, then I dressed him again, and took a picture, so you kinda get a before and after. Take a look.So, Jason was laid off work. They gave him a bunch of excuses, like the department (of 3 people) was too big, and they needed to scale it back. They were moving all there IT stuff to Corporate, and so on, but Jason kinda knew this was coming (though it was still a shock to me)
I had gone back and applied for a job at the theater, just because I thought we could use the extra money, and not have to go to the Bank of Mom and Dad as often. I haven't herd back from them yet, but I'm pretty sure I'll get the job, and now my hours are pretty open till Jason finds something else. Hopefully it won't take him too long. Everyone's trying to help him. Even his Dad took his reseme to show it around to people he knows. The sooner He gets something, the better I'll feel.
As for everything else. It's been fine around here. Lindsey's doing great in school, and Westley is learning to wave to people.
I hope everyone is well, and that none of you hit a bump this hard.
It's almost been nothing but rain over in in W.C., but nothing was as bad as this past weekend, almost flooding our back yard like it did a couple years ok. Thanks to some quick thinking from Jason, and Lindsey being so great to watch Westley while Jason and I got soaked to dig a trench for the water to drain from, and we were able to avert disaster. It even snowed on top of Mount Diablo. How do I know this? Well, as Jason's first act as the Ameteur radio club president, he had to go fix something that had broken in the storm. So we went to the top of Mount Diablo, and saw the snow first hand. Here's a few pictures. So, aside from staying dry not much going on here. Lindsey's back at school, and Westley and I are back to our everyday battle with laundry, dishes, and dust. I hope everyone is well.
Yesterday was Jason and my Brithday. We had a good time, sleeping in, and playing Wii over at my in-laws. We had a good dinner, and then Lindsey stayed the night at the in-laws, so it was easier on Jason and I. Westley went to bed early, so we watched a few movies together, which was nice.
So it was a nice Brithday.
Thanks to everyone for calling. We love and miss you all.
