The Latta Family

This past week, Alexa was at Girl Scout Camp from 8:00- 5:30 everyday.  Doug was in Raleigh for several days, so Andrew and I got lots of time together.  I don't get as much one on one time with him.  He's busy and wants to follow along with Doug because as I am told often, "Dad is lit.. . . you are too Mom, just in a different way."  It doesn't hurt my feelings.  I want him to like Doug and follow him around.  Sometimes I want this because Doug's a fairly good role model.  Sometimes I want this because Andrew is a 12 year old male.  Enough said. But- it was just me and Andrew this week.  We do totally different things than Alexa and I.  He and I went to the Aquatic Center (which is like a YMCA).  I swam laps, and he played basketball.  We attempted racquetball. In case you weren't sure- we weren't all that good, but we had a super fun time. We went out to eat a LOT.  I love going out to eat with Andrew.  He's the m...

Sweet Alexa.  Sweet, sweet Alexa.  She about broke my heart on Monday.  Like in a million pieces. She is going to Girl Scout Camp this week.  She and a friend from her troop.  This is a really big deal- and she doesn't even realize it.  This is the first thing she has done completely without Doug, me, or Andrew.  When she went to daycare . . . Andrew paved the way for her.  Her teachers and directors KNEW us.  When she went to dance, I sat in the lobby on the other side of the door.  She had a friend in her class.  The owner of the studio had volunteered at my school, and her children went through my school, a friend taught lessons there, other friends had children dance at that studio. I KNEW it.   When she played t-ball- she played because that's what Andrew did.  Doug coached her team.  I was the dugout mom.  When she went to kindergarten, Andrew was at school with her, and he had again paved the way for her...

I recently made it possible for Alexa to use the text messaging option on her ipad.  She's a texting maniac.  "Where are you?"  "I love you!" "I miss you"  She sends my mother and a long time family friend texts.  (No worries . . . I monitor this and Andrew's texts- and she can't initiate contact with people that I have not set up for her). Keep this in mind.  Alexa, a young student.  She just completed first grade and yet, is a FAR better texter than her brother.  Andrew texts me as though he's a male.  Oh. Wait.  He is.  In every possible way, Andrew is male.  I get the most aggravating texts from him.  The other day he went to Carowinds with friends. I was trying to find out when or even if I should pick him up from the friend. This is our text exchange (in case you are unsure- I'm the blue boxes, and Andrew is the grey): How is a person supposed to determine what the heck I was supposed to do?  Alexa was with...

I won't lie, I am totally spoiled during the school year.  I rarely take both of my kids with me- at the same time- to a store; unless Doug is with me.  I typically run errands after school and either pick up Alexa and go, or take Andrew with me, and Doug will pick up Alexa and go home.  When I need to go to the grocery store, I go before they get up Saturday morning, make Doug go, or shop on-line.  I forget what it's like to take them to the store together, without my parenting partner.  It's like childbirth: it's equally as painful, and I won't remember by tomorrow how horrible it is. Today we went to Target and the grocery store.  I needed 5 things at Target and like 3 things at the grocery store.  It SHOULD have been the type of errand that didn't take us long, or reduce me to the mom I have seen and think, "Lady- I feel ya- and thankfully I only have one kid with me right now!" And yet . . .  as we're walking up the main aisle on the way OU...

Slacker Well . . . that whole positives thing obviously fell by the wayside.  I apologize.  I got off track and couldn't ever seem to get myself back on track.  I'll say this, I have continued to think positive things. I have not allowed myself to get brought down by negatives.  And frankly- I'm glad I did purposely think about 3 positives a day.  It did give me a whole new attitude.  Instead of being aware of all the things that aggravated me, I was way more aware of the things that made me smile. I need to practice doing this in my personal life, as well as my professional life.  The experts who suggest doing that are actually right- it does help. Crying Several months ago, I bought a handkerchief, when I had gone antique shopping.  For whatever reason, I took it into my head that I needed one.  It seemed a very ladylike way to deal with any moisture that may leak from my eyes.  It's the sweetest handkerchief.  I has small, de...

Whew, y'all we are marching to the end.  The end is in sight!!!  I am excited and freaking out.  Summer is a double edged sword.  There's the whole, "Whoop, whoop!! I don't have to work!!"  And then there's the "OMG, I have to entertain 2 kids that are as different as night and day!"  I can entertain 1- doesn't matter which one, but 2?!!! I STRUGGLE and FAIL.  Anyway- back to the positives. #1: A previous student, brought me some chocolate because he knew I had children, and it's Mother's Day Weekend.  What a SWEETIE! #2: Another teacher told me I had classroom management skills.  I had no idea what to say to that- as I am pretty sure I don't, but I really appreciated her saying that. There were probably lots of other positives- but that was 2 days ago.  I can't remember anything!!! I hope you had a great weekend.  We're beginning the last 4 weeks of school tomorrow!!!!

Today was a FUNNY day.  Today is why I love teenagers. #1. One of my students brought me a bag of gummy worms- because of the slug on my shoe from yesterday!  I'm still laughing about it.  I mean- how stinking funny is he?!!!  I love teasing.  His face when he handed me that bag . . . it was priceless.  I love it. #2. I totally embarrassed a student today- not at his expense, so it's okay that it was hilarious to me. We were reading a story, and a character had a large package.  Every time I read that line- I laugh. I want to be mature.  I do, because the character is actually carrying a gift.  But I can't.  A large package?!!!  Anyway- when we read the line, I made eye contact with my co-teacher and . . . I laughed.  And the student next to me, said, "I really hope you're not laughing about what I think you're laughing about.  Are you laughing about . . . nope.  I don't want to know."  Then he turned away. ...