Love and Logic

Whew...am I pooped! I had a very busy week filling in as a sub bus driver. My days started at 5:30 a.m. The darn roosters weren't even cock-a-doo-da-doodling yet. I would hop out of bed, grab some clothes, fix a quick breakfast, and head out the door without my morning java. My first pick up was 6:59 a.m. way out in the boonies where the deer roam freely and the roads are windy and bumpy. It went well but, I learned that the elementary school kids were much harder to control than the High School and Middle School kids. The older kids were loud and they messed with me (playfully) but the little ones, had sugar running through their veins morning and afternoon. I tried remembering how it was to be their age and ride on a bus so, I tried a love and logic technique that I learned from a friend. How the technique works is to give the kids a choice and let them make a decision instead of you making it for them. One little girl decided she was going to throw paper at the kid sitting in front of her. So, I asked her to pick up the paper and sit in the front seat. When I asked her what should I do next, she replied in a solemn voice, "Tell Miss Amber". The technique seemed to have worked on her but unfortunately, it didn't for others. Some kids are ruined for life! Next time, I'm handing out to every obnoxious kid (which could be the entire bus) the Love and Logic book pictured above. Maybe the parents will learn a thing or two.

Stay tuned...the fun has just begun.

I'm Still Here...Just Busy

I feel like I'm a blogger in rut, which is not to be confused with deer in rut. I've been so busy learning new bus routes, working part-time at the YMCA, and then trying to stay on top of all the mom things to do, I haven't had a chance to collect my thoughts and blog. It's been quite challenging to say the least but thankfully my wonderful husband and Mom have been helping me with the girls so that I can juggle these crazy schedules. Thanks a bunch Matt and Mom! I really appreciate allllll of your help!

Another reason why I'm in a blogger rut is due to my camera being broken. I'm doing research now and I'm trying to narrow down my decision. I'm looking to get a Canon Rebel but I'm not sure if I need or will use all that camera has to offer.

Hopefully you'll hear from me soon and I'll have something more interesting to share with you. I have started my Christmas shopping, though, and for me, that's huge. How about you?

I Did It!

She's growing like a weed. One day she could barely reach the handles to the monkey bar; the next day, as far as her little arms would reach, she grabbed a hold of the rings and pulled herself up. Holly was sooooo proud of herself and over and over again, she proceeded to reach for the rings, kick up her feet, and swing. An accomplishment of this nature deserves a spot on my blog.

I Did It!!

My New Job

It all began back in March 2009 when I took Gabby in for Kindergarten registration. After speaking with the school Nurse and Principal, I made my way over to the table where the Director of Transportation was sitting. When I sat down he explained a few things about the schedules for Kindergarten and then mentioned that they were looking for school bus drivers and asked if I would be interested. Without hesitation I replied, "Sure, I could do that", and five months later, here I am.

It was a lengthy process and a very hot one. You are required to complete 14 hours of class room training and 20 hours of in-bus training. By time I was ready to start the in-bus training, it was summer time and for those of you who haven't been on a school bus lately, there is no air conditioning.

The first day of in-bus training, my wonderful trainer Donna, put me behind the wheel of the 40', 14 1/2 ton bus and told me to drive. I had zero, zip, zilch, experience driving a bus with a manual transmission. The last time a drove a stick shift was probably about 20 years ago in a compact car that I taught myself how to drive. Needless to say, I was a bit nervous...okay, a lot nervous. Amazingly, I did it without taking out any street signs or hitting any curbs.

In the end, all of my training on those hot summer days paid off because I passed my test and now I'm ready to drive a bus. Maybe now I'll have more time to do what is most important...blog.

Nursery Rhyme School Fun

Gabby's kindergarten class was given the assignment to dress the part and recite their favorite nursery rhyme in front of the class on Friday. We did some research to refresh our memories and decided on a fun nursery rhyme that no one else in her class decided to do.

Can you guess which one we did?

If you guessed Mouse and Clock you're right!! And it goes a little something like this...

Hickory Dickory Dock

The mouse ran up the clock

The clock struck one

And down he run

Hickory Dickory Dock

FUN MONDAY

Our Fun Monday assignment is given by Jan and she would like to hear about what kind of TV viewer we are and share about your favorite shows and why we like them so much.

Well, without a doubt, American Idol is my favorite reality show. Although it doesn't air until January or February, I anxiously await to see and hear the obnoxiously, bizarre, and eccentric people whose performances are not cut from editing because it brings a lot of drama and character to the show, plus it makes for good conversation with other Idol junkies.

Next, I have to say the Office is another favorite. To really appreciate and relate to the shows content, it helps to have actually worked in an office environment. The writer and producer for the Office have certainly done their homework because the episodes closely depict the everyday life in an office but with extremities or exaggerations and that's what makes the show so great. Steve Carell plays the hilariously and always politically incorrect Office Manager. I love his dry sense of humor and tacky antics. His character definitely makes the show.

And finally, I have to mention Oprah. Who doesn't like Oprah? Although, I'm not sure when new episodes air, I don't mind watching re-runs. Especially when Doctor Oz is on and he's explaining medical mysteries.

To read more about what people are watching this fall, click here.

The Last Hoorah

Finally, after waiting for weeks and three days before school started, we made it to Knoebels. For those of you who haven't been or haven't heard, Knoebels is a wonderful family amusement park tucked away in the mountainous town of Elysburg, PA.

It's much different then your typical amusement parks, for example and best part of all, there is no admission costs and you can pay per ride. It's a place that gives a nostalgic feel as you walked the windy gravel paths through a maze of majestic trees with park benches, pavilions, and painted wooden signs and fences. The clanking sounds of the cars climbing the wooden coasters could be heard throughout and the smell of funnel cakes filled the air. It certainly gave the feeling of being back in time.

We enjoyed the day with my Sister In-law and her family. The kids were pooped and the adults, too but, it sure was a good ending to summer vacation. We'd like to go again next year and hopefully have an equally good time as we did this year . Here are some pictures from our day.