Spring Break from Mac the Moose

Mac the Moose’s Spring Break Adventure!

What an exciting week!  I spent the week with Maggie Prochak and her family.  She has a mommy, daddy, and brother named Luke.  Here are a few of the highlights from my Spring Break!

We went for a bike ride around the neighborhood.  We stopped to watch the big dump trucks bring in dirt and the other machines clear the land beside Maggie’s house.  The truck even dumped some of the extra dirt in Maggie’s back yard to level it and we got to play on the mound!  Maggie and Luke built a bridge in their backyard with wood from the garage.  We were so tired when we went inside that we relaxed the rest of the evening in her princess chair.

We boiled eggs, dyed them many colors, and decorated them!  You will see the finished product in the last picture J

Maggie’s dad and brother went to the Nascar race, so the girls and I had a sleep over with Maggie’s friend, Maelyn!  We slept on a cozy pallet with all of the blankets we could find in the house!

Maggie is a talented artists.  We spent our downtime drawing, coloring, cutting, and gluing!

Maggie’s dad had to work in Savannah so we hopped in the car on Monday night and drove down!  We watched Peter Pan on the ride down.  While in Savannah, we went to the Jepson Center for the Arts and played in the children’s area.  Maggie is so silly and was hanging on the hose pipes that were at the entrance of a book nook!  Luke and Maggie did a lot of creating with magnetic blocks, sticks, building blocks, and magnetic tins. 

It was raining when we went to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge so we decided to do the driving tour.  We spotted FIVE alligators in the water!  It was a beautiful place, but those alligators sure are scary! 

Fort Pulaski is a fort known for its use during the Civil War.  It is right on the coast near Savannah so we drove out there one day.  Maggie and Luke got a picture in front of the moat that surrounds the fort.  Can you see me sitting on the cannon!? 

One of my favorite places in Savannah was the Savannah Children’s Museum.  There were tons of oversized blocks for us to build with and oversized toys to play with.  It also had a slide, costumes, a walk-through maze, and this spinny thing!  I fell off before the picture was taken.  Be sure to hold on tight if you get a chance to ride.  What fun!  On our last night, we walked down by the river and had tasty desserts at a local restaurant.    

The best part of my entire vacation was getting to share Easter with Maggie and her family.  Did you know that Jesus died and rose again three days later?  All so that we can be forgiven of our sins and join Him in Heaven one day.

We set the table and made place cards for all of Maggie’s family for Easter dinner.  Each place card has their name and a special picture designed by Maggie and I.  Don’t you love the Easter eggs we created!?  I got to meet her Poppy, Mama C, Pops, Ammie, Uncle Troy, Libby, Uncle Trav, Uncle John, and Jenny.  We did Facetime with Mellette who is about to marry Uncle Trav.  I hope I can come back for the wedding weekend with Maggie’s family! 

It sure was a fun, adventurous Spring Break for this Moose!  

Social Media

I am finishing up in a Social Media class for work. One assignment is to blog about my experience. We have seen may different sites for social media, created user names and passwords for more than I can remember, and discussed the benefits of using social media in the classroom and as a tool for professionals.   I have found great benefit in exploring sites that are new to me and those that I already used partially.

Social media can be a huge professional development tool and teaching tool for educators. 

You can pin it, share it, tweet it, like it, blog it, tag it, hashtag it, the list goes on!  I wasn't as familiar with Live binders, wiki, or blogging. Live Binders is a place you can organize an online professional library, a wiki site can house materials for a private group (like a class) and blogging in any format can open your thoughts and opinions to the world!  There are so many more avenues for social media than I can wrap my head around!  Whatever you are looking for as a social media tool, you can find it!  Apps are being created everyday to increase the ease with which we access the world and those in the world. I have become a more connected educator and more mindful of the way I am using social media through this class. 

I am careful about the perception I give others when using social media. Although their perception is compounded with everything in their experiences, I must not provide negativity or lack of support for the job that I love!   

I will continue to be connected personally and professionally, but feel I will always be behind the 8 ball when it comes to social media. Just going to grab a cup of coffee means something new and better has been created in my absence. I plan to incorporate social media into our professional development as we begin using more technology in the classrooms and as teachers become more familiar with it. My wheels are spinning about how to move forward so it is learned and incorporated both safely and effectively. 

Balance

I often question whether or not my life is balanced.  I strive to have a balanced life and to provide that for my children.
Last night I was laying on the couch watching Jimmy Fallon with Steve and Trav, Maggie was in her bed screaming about needing to tell me sumpin' and Luke was up twice to ask us a question.  I was just listening for a few moments.  In those moments, I realized how chaotic & predictable our life is.  We have a routine at home, but are always busy with something!  I don't know any different, and doubt my kids ever will.  I find myself getting caught up in the tasks and have to remind myself to do the more important things in life... lay in bed on Saturdays, sit on the swing Steve & Pops made, leave dishes dirty while visiting with family & friends, and make a mess making cookies.
There are many days I feel I didn't give enough of myself to everyone around me.  Even on those days, although exhausted, I feel fulfilled.  So am I balanced?  I think so... I get to spend my life interacting with and serving others.

Sunday

There was an amazing turn out at RHBC this morning. Because I had my sweet Maggie in big church (she refused to go to Sunday school), I sat in the very last row. The music was so moving that Maggie ended up on my shoulders with her hands raised high. Behind me the guys added 5 extra rows to accommodate the overwhelming number of people in worship east... There were over 260 youth who participated in #greater2014. My big take away: wherever I am should be a better place because I am there. 

Great day with God!

A Saturday

Today was especially simple and especially perfect!  My morning started when Maggie crawled in our bed.  We made coffee, eggs, and waffles before Luke the ninja woke up.  The kids spent the morning playing with Legos and Hungry Hungry Hippos.  We had a birthday party and a short shopping experience at the mall... then we came home for some time outside in this beautiful weather!  The kids got out their jeep and took it for a ride up the street to our best friends' house.  We picked up their little girl and were off again... 3 deep in a 2 seater!  That trip took us to a big red dirt pile.  Luke had a big smile and belly laugh as he was throwing chunks of dirt at the large machines.  Maggie did circles in the cul-de-sac with some of the girls.  She was pushing the pedal, leaning back, hands in her lap, and a "watch me" smile on her face.  I had to jog to keep up with the 12v jeep when we headed home and Luke kicked it in to full gear.  When we got home the neighbors were outside.  Luke immediately went to the dirt to dig and make mud.  As the sun started to dip, so did the energy levels and patience of my sweet babies.  They relaxed in the back yard while I 'cooked' dinner.  We had cheese-only quesidillas and green-iced cupcakes for dessert.  All of us were in jammies by 7:00 and ready for a tv show and cuddles.  What else would you do after a busy, active day?  Nothing major, but many things specials about today.

Post #2... Over a year later!

Obviously I have not been a committed blogger. Who has time!?  2013 update: Luke loved playing fall and spring soccer with coach dad. Maggie started dance  and was a rock star in the recital doing her own thing. She tried soccer, but after she kicked the ball a few times she lost interest and I got to be the mom who was fighting the kid to stay on the field.  We went to Disney World with the kids and enjoyed every second!  Very few lines and very big smiles! Steve finally got the boat he has wanted for 20 years. I moved in to a new position at work and Steve's company sold.  We went at full speed all year!  

This year Maggie has started gymnastics, Luke is back in soccer, and Steve has accepted a job with a new company.  

We continue to stay busy with family, friends, hobbies and work. It is such an amazing blessing to share our lives with those we love and who love us.