Yeah. It was a bit ridiculous. I always double check my list, the tags AND the numbers ON the bus the first few days before telling the kids to climb onto the bus. And I'm glad the bus driver knew, even if I did have to argue about it. These bus drivers have been at our school for YEARS and they DO get to know their kids. That boy was the FOURTH child in his family, and she knew him from picking up the other three for years and was excited for him to finally be riding the bus with them! (The next day, both moms wrote a note stating the bus number had changed!!) LOL

I just fed Kayano a few more things. Still have about 10 to go. Have not even started reading the books, but at least they are off the wishlist and into my book storage gallery.

It has RAINED all weekend long and is RAINING today too, supposed to rain today, tomorrow, thursday and friday - so UGH yeah. No recess outside this week. What fun on the first full week of school! Not to mention LONG car rider in the rain. whoo hooo. At least car rider has gotten over before time to clock out so far. Hopefully it continues getting shorter (on average last year, car riders dismissal began at 225 and car rider was over by 245-250). I get to clock out at 315. So thats an extra 30mins more than "normal" car rider times. The first week/two weeks is always much longer than "normal". Due to parents trying to get out of their car and put the babies in, buckle them up (we have to tell them NOT to, even tho we've already said this at open house or in letters as well as a sign along the side of the school drop off/pick up zone...) - we ask that they let US open the doors and help kids in, and they go to the parking lot to buckle them up. Also due to lots of parents picking up their kids for the "first week" of school or whatever AND those who are waiting on a bus assignment, due to NOT arranging it as asked over the summer.

Oh, here you're not allowed to move the car AT ALL unless the kids are properly buckled, including just moving it forward to the parking lot.

I always said they should have a seperate pickup line for the k-1st graders who are still mostly in 5 point harnesses, so that the other line would go faster, you know?

Yeah. I get that. I'd rather the parents were able to buckle them, but the admin wants the car rider line to MOVE (aws we have almost 600 kids at our school and probably at least half of them are car riders) and get over and done with, so we are told to ask them to pull into the parking lot to buckle up. TO be fair, the car rider line is in between the school building and the parking lot, so they do NOT go on the road at all during this time. i've had people pull up with 2yr old (sized, not really sure of actual age) kids in the back seat in just a regular seat belt. I'm always so freaked out and hope they didn't drive far. I've also had people pull up and when I open the car door practically get a contact high - so yea, I feel SO GREAT letting kids get in THOSE cars - I asked about it once or twice my first couple years and was told once the kids are in the car there isn't anything we can do - but at the same time I can't refuse to let the kid get in the car - so .... Yeah. That sucks too. Many MANY MANY of my 4-5 yr olds are NOT in 5pt harness, some aren't even in booster seats at all. And yes, thats against car seat laws here, but WE don't regulate that.

Meh.

Oh my goodness. We have someone from the local police at pickup/dropoff, and she does car seat checks at least once a month at random spots.

Though as long as they're at least in a booster, she doesn't really care.

We have "security" this year. I'm surprised and also...not surprised We had three lockdowns happen at our school last year, but that was because someone at the highschool caused a lockdown and we being so close, automatically go in lockdown if they do!! We got these "centigix" badges with panic buttons last year At least one of those lock downs (if not more) were because a high school teacher panicked and pressed the button too many times over a fight. Three times brings admin help. More than that brings lockdown and downtown/police help.

So this year they added security guards to all elementary schools...(middle and high already had police officers on site, resource officers). Ours are NOT police but more like as our VP put it, mall cops lol. Able to help with minor things and call in the police as needed.

Oh wow.. that's a little crazy.

We have resource officers, but mostly they just hang out in their offices and do their other police work LOL.

Thankfully, not much actually happens, including fights! There's generally about one a year.. and for some reason, it's always girls?

We get a lot of fights at the high school. There has also been drug usage and sometimes alcohol :( Not sure about middle school. We have some fights at the elementary (and weird things get brought in, yesterday one of my 4yr olds had a lighter in their backpack!), but not any that are as crazy as I've heard the high school gets. Kids just aren't taught to keep their hands to themselves and talk about stuff now (by parents, believe me, that is one thing we DO try to teach in class, but if they aren't seeing it at home too welllllll - instead its lets hit someone because they made me mad eyeroll I bet smaller towns are better about that - or at least, less of it, since there is less kids anyway. We did have a bunch of 3rd graders last year getting in fights, so they had to start taking separate recess times instead of all at the same time. AND split apart by classes for the ones that had the same time or close times. I don't think anyone was injured in the fights, but it happened frequently. Those kids are 4th graders now, so we will see how that goes.

The new security people so far just walk around the hallways, they also monitor the entry doors and car rider doors in the mornings/afternoons. I think they are mostly there to keep anyone who is not supposed to visit out of the building? Again, not exactly sure of the role or why we got them other than to help parents feel like we are doing whatever we can to keep their kids safe. Oh the high school (again, not sure about the middle school, but I think them too) has walk through metal detectors on all entrances as well. Yep. Big city living here now days. Nathan I think was the only kid who had the metal detectors while he was in high school. He didn't have them in middle at that point in time.

In different news - I am having to wake up Nathan to take me to work today - can't remember if I've mentioned by my car has been being a bit weird about going into drive when I first crank it up. I asked my brother, he said try changing the transmission fluid - so I called a shop to see about that, they recommended I take it to a transmission shop specifically because they didn't want to mess anything up further - all they'd do is drain and fill the fluid anyway. So I called that shop, he got me in for today. He is draining, dropping the pan, cleaning the pan, changing the filter, refilling the fluid and adding conditioner and he THINKS that will fix the problem, he thinks its just a hardened piston in the transmission, since it doesn't do it while driving, it doesn't do it in reverse. Only when I put it in drive when I first crank it up. And if I hold the brake and wait, it does usually go into gear, but acts like it doesn't want to for a bit cars are weird sigh I hope this fixes it. And poor Nathan and Asher are either going to sit in the rain at this guys transmission shop, OR he said he would take them to like the nearby park, so they'll sit there until he finishes the car (he hopes around noon) and its been RAINING for three days and is supposed to rain all day today too UGH Nathan tried to get a friend to come get them instead, but no one answered/could do it I guess.

How'd the car go?! You didn't mention it, but ugh. Hopefully that fixes the problem!

We have some vaping in the bathrooms, but that's about it. Well.. at school, anyway!

Wednesday after our appointments we went to the Steamtown National Historic Site (one of Lilys favorite places) to take some pictures and see the trains, and we got to go on a behind the scenes tour, which was really cool.

Then yesterday we went to the Sunflower fields at the same farm we went to see the tulips at. That was really neat, they had a lot of fun playing after we took pictures.

Band camp starts Monday, and that's basically it for summer :(

Ooh yea, the car seems lots better. I need to get the oil changed this weekend as the light came on for that....but it shifts into gear much better now after cranking it. However, Nathan texted me at like 945 that morning, saying "Um, the guy said he had you down for yesterday?" OH HECK NO, WHAT!!?!?!! I ran out of the classroom and called Nathan to see what the heck was going on. LOL But I guess the guy just wrote down the wrong day, he still fixed my car Tuesday like we DID agree on :P And luckily it did not rain on them at the park.

First full week of school down. Three sick kids already (slight fevers, coughs, tummy aches, etc) Two were still out today but the third (first to get sick) came back today. We still only have 18. I am so surprised. We normally have a full class PLUS a waiting list for kids to get in at our school. We are not the only school with space either (others often have space tho, and they will offer the kids normally on our waiting list a spot at those schools when that happens)

I saw some of your pictures, Just beautiful. Makes me wanna do a road trip up that way so I can visit that farm you go to. :P

This one was a new farm this year, but it was still gorgeous!

You're always welcome to come visit, kat :)

Ugh. Three sick in the first week though?! Boooooo.

I would totally go to both places if I come visit hehehe!! Maybe after I finish my schooling and get a job as a certified teacher, I will be able to find funds for trips like that, and also to visit my family more often. I REALLY hope that happens - a big enough increase in income w/o the corresponding expense increase that usually happens when something GOOD happens :P

Going to go shopping and get my oil changed. May or may not go back out later to look for some new blouse type shirts and shoes at some stores that open later in the day (depends on how I feel later today). I'm trying to find some sandals that have better support like the tennis shoes do. :/

EDIT: 945am I need to lose my debit card for a while LOL I just spent $260 at walmart. Mind you, $60 was for the oil change, but still. That is AFTER spending $250 for the transmission stuff this week. AND I spent $200 (maybe a bit more) last week for groceries. Hopefully I won't need much at all the next week or two so I can keep my spending down :P I spent $30 on monopoly add-ons because IMPULSE BUY while wandering, killing time during the oil change. I got all three of the new monopoly add on game things. LOL Where you can buy jail, where you can buy free parking and where you can buy EVERY SPACE ON THE BOARD (including go!) They sounded fun, and y'all know I am a Monopoly addict!! :P

Yolu know what, if you come visit, I'd be willing to go to both places, too! LOL.

But.. did you find the sandals?!

Also. How much do you normally spend on groceries per week? I think we end up averaging $300-350. It's by far our biggest budget killer!

That does sound kind of fun, though! Changing monopoly up!

You got a forum point while making a post! Check out the shop here!

Nah I did not go back out to look for sandals or shirts yet. Maybe tomorrow since Nathan has to be at work at 3. I do have one pair of sandals I bought a few weeks ago, so I'm not completely without. They just aren't quite as supportive/cushioned as the tennis shoes. My feet get SO HOT in shoes tho.

Mmm. I would say on average, around 150 a week? But thats not just groceries, thats anything for the household - like dog & cat food, ziplock bags, trash bags or whatever too. For example, last week was around $100 at walmart for various food/snack/household items and around $100 at Ingles for meat. (That meat will last 2-3 weeks depending on how much I decide to cook vs eat out or quick meals like skillet stir fry type things). This week was umm a lot more impulse buys. The actual grocery/household part was maybe around $100-125? Some weeks I only spend $100 ish. (If I don't need a lot of random stuff and don't need to stock up on anything) I try to get the laundry soap, toilet paper, water and some other things in bulk when I need it, at Sams.

Yay for a forum point!! :D

Hmmm see, now that I look back I think I'd say $350-400 a week for groceries and cat food, etc. Which seems like so much! But I guess it's not, really? Ugh. That includes eating out really, which.. we don't do much at all, maybe once a month?

No, thats not too bad for your household size. I know I spent a LOT more when all three kids were here, plus Ryan. I don't think what I spend is too bad either, for just me and Nathan, plus the cat and dog. I do know I could spend LESS if I really focused on it, and used what I have vs just buying more, and did like meal planning or whatever, but I just CANNOT get into that very well. Like ok - I can say I have pork chops, ribs, hamburger meat, pot roast and two skillet meals in the freezer. So yeah, I will "plan" to cook those meals since I have stuff for dinner for a week. But I might forget to thaw out the ribs or just do NOT feel like cooking, so we end up with Zaxbys or something instead. It doesn't help we do not like very many things as leftovers. I did eat the third steak for lunch yesterday - it was ok. Not great reheated. (I had bought a 3pk to cook while Asher was here, but yeaaaaahhh that didn't get cooked). I have leftover spanish rice right now, that I will eat leftovers. I took leftover taco stuff and had taco salad for lunch one day last week. But usually, left over steak, roasts, ribs or pork chops just do NOT taste good so I won't eat them. I cannot stand leftover spaghetti for some reason. Nor leftover mac&cheese either! But I like leftover chili, leftover chicken is ok, especially if I mix it into something else like ramen or broccoli/rice casserole. leftover ham is ok for a day or two but after that I am sick of it. Honestly we probably eat out at least once a week or more, its more likely to be more once I begin college classes again, because I'll be pooped or busy by the end of the day and not want to do anything!

Plus its been hard to settle on a scheduled dinner time to make it easier to plan meal time - partly because of being lazy but also because on Nathans work days you never know what time he'll get break. It depends on who else is working. Its been pretty regular this past few weeks at 630 but could change again at any time. And then there is me about to start classes again, so I will have to arrange dinner around that again those days, plus the daycare work day I'll have to set up (I am hoping for Tuesdays, so I'll be busy MTW and Nathan will hopefully stay on schedule as FSS like he has been...giving us Th for a day with no one doing anything) But all that makes timing a pain. I hate having dinner at 5pm one day and 630 two days and then 7pm another day. Drives me nuts. (I do what I gotta but still!)

See, what I'd do in those cases is.. just not cook the third one until you were ready to make lunch. Sometimes we do that, though I do like leftover protein, so that I don't have to worry about it LOL.

But ugh, eating at different times if very annoying, especially if you can't just.. make dinner when you're ready, then have the other person reheat it. :(

We normally eat at 4:30, though sometimes it moves to 5 or so, depending on what's going on (like Mondays for marching band until 5).

We take everything out for 3-4 days at a time to thaw, and always have something that doesn't need to be thawed and something (or two things), that can be pushed off until next week. So it's really very loosely meal planned, but it works super well for us... because I can't just not have something planned or I'll just die instead, apparently LOL.

Eh I'm too usually lazy to cook things for lunch unless it's in the oven (like corndogs or pizza lol) Maybe a grilled cheese sometimes. When school is in, I eat school lunch normally and on weekends, I have leftovers if I have any I like or things I can microwave or oven things like corndogs/pizza. In the summer I am more likely to cook something like tostadas or spanish rice or ramen or grilled cheese.

I guess I am just in the habit of everyone eating at the same time, I just try to have it all ready at AROUND the time he'll be home for his break (good thing his work is like 5min from us, so he drives home, grabs food, uses the bathroom and drives back to work and eats in the car before going back inside) LOL Crazy kid. He is making PBJ sandwiches when I don't cook something. Then comes home and has a pizza or pizza rolls usually (even if I do cook).

Mmm, I normally only thaw one or two things out (like, if I want to do a pot roast, I'll put it in the fridge the same time as pork chops for example)...never more than two days, probably because then I'd never cook it because I'd feel lazy and then end up throwing it away because it goes bad sitting there forever.

Eating at 5 is early for me, and its only because if I have to be in class at 530 and won't get out til after 9. And thats usually just the days I'm in person or know I won't get a break during zoom meetings. Lots of teachers give 10-15min breaks or get off after an hour of class so I have time to eat after/during class (if during, its usually something I can microwave!) Or they don't care if you turn off the camera to eat,or eat in front of the camera. lol Normal mealtime for us has been between 530-630 on average.

I wish I could be more planned about it, but like I said, lazy me. Just won't feel like cooking that night, or don't feel like eating that item anymore, eh. Bad bad me. I really wish I could find crockpot meals that I could cook ALL day long (like 9+hrs) so I could put it in when I leave and just let it be until I am ready to eat. But most meals are 4-6hrs and the longer ones are still only 6-8hrs. Even if I do something like pot roast, and it has to be a big one or it gets over cooked, I turn it on warm when I get home if I start it before I go to work. On weekends, I don't start it until like noon. And then I still have to cook the side dishes as thats usually just a main thing, in the crockpot when its a roast or whatever. Eh. If I could rely on Nathan to start things I would, but I never know if he will wake up or not during the day to do anything. I've looked up multiple meals for the crockpot to get ideas. I've also looked at the food prep/meal planning things, where you make/store stuff you've precooked or prep and have ready to cook, but I could NOT eat the same meal 3-4x weekly, and as I've said, leftovers are weird for me. If I end up not liking it, it just sits forever until I throw it away.

I've even looked at those food delivery things - where they let you pick meals for the week and ship it to you, and you only have to heat it up? :P And the ones where they ship you the items and you put together and quickly cook the meal too....But I figure that's probably too expensive (i haven't actually priced it but still!) and I am not sure I'd like many of the selections, and I wonder if I'd still be hungry because some of those meals look SMALL to me. I've even looked at "meals for $20 for a week" menus and "meals for two" menus and stuff like that trying to get ideas. lol

Maybe you just need a new crockpot? There's ones now that are cheapish, but you can set them to start at a certain time!

But yeah, I couldn't eat the same thing that many times, either. I like leftovers, but only certain things.. I won't eat the leftover mac and cheese, for example..

Ooh. Yeah I forgot they made programmable ones now. Mine is just a "high, low, warm" type. Might look into that. But would the food be ok sitting in the crockpot at room temp until it starts cooking?? hmm...

I used to eat leftover mac and cheese. I just can't now. Nope nope nope. I do love leftover broccoli/rice casserole ;) Its just YUM (it has cheese in it lol) I think its one of those things that are just BETTER reheated. Like chili.

Meh. Its been a very nice weekend and I don't really want to go back to work tomorrow (I mean, I DO, but I don't...) I did all the dishes, and all the laundry too. Go me! I also sprayed the porch with weed killer again, and shoveled off all the dead stuff again (patio stones and grass/junk grows between them). AND I tried to weedeat around my roses, but the weed eater kept messing up on me sigh Nathan thinks if I get new string and he restrings it, it will work better. (its old string, and loose on the spool) shrugs No idea. I am not a weed eater person. Ryan always did that, and then I keep trying to get Nathan to do it, but he hasn't in forever so I tried. I did mow the lawn Friday evening. :D So other than needing weed eated and cleaned up, the yard looks nice hahahah :P

Great job! I need to do yard work, I haven't mowed the front in forever, Lily did the back of the front on Saturday after our meeting, but it needs to be weedwhacked but yeah, Alex needs to put a new string on LOL. I can never get it open. :/

Ours is the same, just low, high, warm, but I know there are some! We don't really use ours to cook in, though.. mostly just to hold stuff warm when we go places or if we have parties. Hmmm that's a good point about being just.. out at room temp. You'd think so, if they're set that way, but mayb eyou'd need certain recipes?!

Lily and I went grocery shopping this morning.. yikes! Spent $250 at walmart and didn't get meat or snacks?! Or even a lot of produce?! Then another $90 at the grocery store, but I did end up getting some meat there.. hot sausages, ground hot sausage, and some steaks that were half price.