World Book LInks

Check out---> http://www.worldbook.com/all/item/1380-learning-mathematics-books-kids?wbredirect=1&Itemid=112 Comic style Math Books for kids. They also have science topics here --> http://www.worldbook.com/all/item/1911-building-blocks-of-science We got all these books from the local library.

Pinterest is great

I have been using Pinterest as my little website filing cabinet for everything. I love it. Today I made a natural cough medicine for my little sick guy-

Source: justapinch.com via Pennie on Pinterest

Yesterday I made a homemade coconut oil & egg frozen face mask:

Source: safecosmetics.org via Pennie on Pinterest

The kids and I made brain hats a couple of weeks ago and learned about the different parts of the brain:

Source: ellenjmchenry.com via Pennie on Pinterest

I just wish it had buttons for already tested and a review section. I'll just have to catch as catch can and make a new board labeled tested & reviewed.

100 best video sites for teachers

best video sites for teachers

NYC Homeschool Parent Support Groups and Resources

Mommypoppins article

Students go to head of the class with homeschooling - wtop.com

Students go to head of the class with homeschooling - wtop.com

Spring cleaning time, folks

I found this lovely article on where you can donate all that extra stuff in your closet:

http://slideshows.momtourage.com/momtourage/2009/02/countdown_to_clutterfree_close.html

for old gowns, bridesmaid dresses, prom dresses - http://www.glassslipperproject.org/

old sneakers - http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/

business suits - http://www.dressforsuccess.org/

coats - http://www.onewarmcoat.org/

got clothes in great shape - http://www.freecycle.org/

stuffed animals - http://www.projectnightnight.org/

hope this comes in handy

Long time no post

Wow, we are mid summer already.. when did that happen?

It has been quite a year

The adults stories:

Will has been working for Business week for almost a year, and loves it

He's been using his company perks extensively

He's currently attending one of his computer geek fests (in Boston no less) with some ARG friends

He had a stroke of bad luck when he caught the chicken pox from God knows where. He suffered through it for two weeks and, got himself a few new marks and, a couple of new nicknames from moi but, came through it intact.

I took a few college classes and passed them all. Still need like 7 classes to get my AS. It's a good thing I like learning.

Decided on Christmas break I would renew my real estate license. So I did that.

Got hired by Prudential Douglas Elliman of Bayside

Currently setting up my business in my new profession, love it

The kiddies stories:

The are getting so big :(

Both did very well academically in school this year. Gail is moving up to second grade this fall and Christopher is going to Kindergarten.

Gail was in a ballet recital, received tons of awards in school, is an avid reader of chapter books, loves to watch tv and play computer games. This summer she is in day camp and is having a blast with all the new friends she has made. She continues to be a really patient and caring big sister to her brother (when they are not yelling at each other that is).

Christopher is an active and curious little imp. He drove his teachers crazy. He is a fresh little boy at times and just loves to talk your ear off. He is happy to be home with his mommy this summer since camp decided he was too much for them to handle (after only being there one day). So now he spends his day making friends at the park, playing too many computer games and making his mommy laugh.


Soon to come posts about:
free movies in the park
Astoria Park pool
Getting out of the city and attending a good old fashion county fair
5 yr old birthday parties
Annual BBQ parties
new cocktail recipes
fights about school placement with the Board of Ed
Real estate success and horror stories
feelings about the ending of summer
and whatever else the summer had to offer

Christmas, and teaching values the Kathy Lee Gifford way

This Christmas is hard cause they understand so much more.

Chris the other day got in trouble for writing on our computer screen with crayon. I told him why did he do it and what if he broke it, then we couldn't use it anymore yada yada.. he says to me in all seriousness and frank, quite sweetly too, "Don't worry mommy Santa will just bring us a new one". You have never seen a more stunned look on my face. I said "no he wont" all annoyed.. as too which Chris asked "but why?" looking all confused.. So how to explain to this little kid now that Santa does not bring you all you ask for, that you should work hard for what he does give you, and you should always try to take care of your neighbor in the process, etc.. esp when they get more than they could ever imagine from all the people we exchange with. Needless to say he didn't get it!

So I went scouring amazon for Christmas books. I mean first I had to decide what to teach them. We are trying to raise them Christian, Greek Orthodox (big, big into Jesus) but very Americanized (less fasting, less church going, less praying etc..) I mean I was looking for something age appropriate to incorporate Jesus Birthday (Nativity scene- reason for the start of)/ Saint Nicholas-Santa (the start of the gifts & charity)/ the magic (the season, lights, trees, ornaments, etc..) I had to buy 3 different books!

So this months family lessons will be interesting. Now how to keep all the presents from spilling out of the closet is another story. And how to convince all my relatives to return some of the gifts they bought us, or save them till our birthdays.

Maybe I should introduce the Kathy Lee Gifford Christmas Exchange rule into our household? only 3 gifts per person at Christmas and save the big parties and tons of presents for our birthdays. I mean she has a point it's Jesus birthday not ours!

Care Packages

Found out about this site sent to me by my god sister in Greece that I wanted to share:

http://www.iocc.org/giftsofheartfaq.aspx

How to set up care packages for kids/ people in need.
Such a good idea.

Was wondering if anyone was interested in preparing some care packages ? If is was kept small and just a few people donated some care packages I would pack them all in one box and pay for the shipping. Or if we got something bigger going (say with the help of a certain fraternity) I might be willing to drive down and bring a large amount of care packages to IOCC head quarters in Baltimore.

Let me know if anyone might be interested in doing this.

Thanks
Pennie

Pig Anatomy Test, Halloween Update

So it is a little calmer around here. Back to the weekly routine for now.

Had my study group over, and aced my anatomy test. Now I am waiting for my results on the written Bio test and World Civ paper.

For Halloween, Christopher was a dragon. He so cute. Gail was Strawberry Shortcake complete with hat and red wig. She was a perfect esp. with her own freckles. We went trick or treating over by my cousin Dinas and Nicks place out in Jackson Heights. They really like to do it up out there. Chris was sick and later that night told me his ear hurt. So he got to stay home the next day & we went back to doctor for yet another check up. As of monday he's been much better and back to school. I will try to post Halloween pics over the weekend.

Gail received her first report card she did well on every subject, esp Math- hum another computer science major in the making? I mean she looks like, smells like, acts like, and giggles like her father so why wouldn't she get the Math gene too? :)

I noticed the other day Christopher has an accent. He was singing "if your happy and you know it.." but it sounded more like if your "huppy and you know it" . I should really be taping this kind of stuff.

We had lost our dvd recorder a while back. We still have no idea what happened to it. I've been sad. But I will wait till Christmas I am hoping Santa will be kind to stupid people.

More later. ..time to think about what to make for dinner.

Birthdays done, cold is rolling in, Gilbert, & Halloween costumes

It's been busy. Good. Just busy.
I've had some kind of flu, cough thing. It's still lingering but on it's way out.

So the girls of our little clan are a year older.
One lost a tooth and the other has lost some more hair :(
Gail had a cool party at a birthday joint, complete with dancing, crafts, pizza, cake, and pressies.
I got new gadgets (phone & dig. camera) from the other half :)

Still waiting for my night out with the girls. Now where should I make them take me?
I say make them because my tastes are more exotic than my Astoria girlies can handle.
One year I made them take me for sushi..oohh.. they all ordered teriyaki! When I mention indian or thai food I get groans.
Maybe back to Asia De Cuba for the short ribs and pink champagne. Yum.

To tell the truth I am anxiously awaiting my Biology study group to come over and study than I am about going out to celebrate the fact that I am one year older now. Does that sound sad?
We have a huge Lab exam Tuesday in 2 weeks so I invited a bunch of us over to cram on the Sunday before. Did I mention that Gilbert the dissected piggy will be the center of our focus. It should be interesting. Now what to make for appetizers. No pork right?

So Halloween is gonna be here before I know it and Gail does not have an appropriate costume yet. I mean she has 2- pink wonder woman and original wonder woman. One is too small and the other she might as well be wearing a bathing suit! And the good old board of ed has decided to stop fighting Halloween and are now allowing children to go to school in costume. Chris gets to go in his pajamas :) Now the rush is on to get Gail a costume that fits board of ed policy: manageable for the loo, tasteful and none violent. So we are changing tactics and I will now go on the hunt for the greatest witch costume ever? So confused.

Ok on the agenda for today: must clean my house a little, find costume for Gail, study for Bio test, take kids to Halloween party, at some point do Math homework for class tomorrow.

Chow

Where did summer go?

So, since we've gotten back from vacation it has been busy around here.

Kids started their new schools. They both seem to be assimilating better than I expected. The teachers seem to like them.

Christopher sang me his rendition of "Good morning to everyone" today. It's the song the teachers use to get everyone interested in morning activities. He is such a delicious little kid sometimes. Especially when he's being good. Music classes are a must for this kid. I will tape him with the digital and upload it tomorrow. We are also going to go check out a karate class for him this week and see how he likes it.

Gail started a new school as well as her extra curricular activities. She is taking Greek classes and a ballet/jazz/tap combo class. She wasn't too happy about Greek esp since she only understands very little bit and she hates to not be an expert at everything. But she was happier at the end of it today. It turns out there is a little girl from her class at public school that just so happens to be in her same class at Greek school too! She can't remember what her name is but she is very excited about the prospect of making a new friend at both schools. The importance of friendships is so crucial at this age. She keeps telling everyone she meets that her birthday is coming. I mean complete strangers on the street now know our names and birthday's. My "don't talk to strangers" conversation constantly gets pushed to the side because she seems to think informing the stranger who her mommy is (by full name) and when our birthdays are takes precedence!

Have a told you the time she was introducing me to people (multiple) in Eckerd drug store while I was walking around with tampons and a huge package of maxi pads in my basket? and people were actually stopping to hold long conversations with us! The older ladies seemed to take a keen interest in my basket and future purchases. I can only imagine what color my face was.

Anyway back to what we've been up to.

Will just started his new position as a web developer at Mc Graw Hill. It was only his first day but he seems to think he will get along with the people he will be working with. It is corporate so no more jeans and tees. Khakis and polos for his new svelte shape. He managed to keep all his weight off that he lost over the summer. I am green with jealousy. I will try to get him to blog more often now that he has some fodder. No promises.

I started school again too. It is a heavy reading semester: second half of advanced bio, western civ, and math for educators. Have I stressed to you about how much I hate math? The class is interesting I guess mostly because, it attacks it from an educators point of view and we get to use the computer lab for it. Oh and I think I might need glasses. All that late night reading in dim lighting has taken its toll on me. {(No Pat, I have no floaters)} As soon as our vision plan kicks in I will check it out.

Needless to say everyone is really tired come the end of the day.

My March of Dimes walk is this weekend. I am looking forward to getting out the city for a bit. I didn't hit my goal of $300. I'm a little bummed about that. Maybe next year.

Possible future postings: American people have gone nuts over children's birthday parties. Their trying to get me to go to Weight watchers but I say no, no, no. Turtle Care 101- Why won't this turtle eat anything green?.

BTW..keep forgetting to tell everyone..pass it on

Its that time of year again.
I have joined the march of dimes walk to help raise moneys for premature babies and their famillies.

I hope everyone can help with a donation to this worthy cause and reputable foundation. If anyone would like to join me and walk the more the better.

Thanks for all your help. Here is a link to my personal page at march of dimes:

http://www.walkamerica.org/panayou31



why I'm walking:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVghSy-Cens

Kids and their observations

So Gail says to me the other day " hum, you didn't have any coffee yet". As she stares at a the coffee pot disapprovingly. Me "what makes you say that?" Gail "there isn't any spilled coffee on the table (meaning the counter top). How's that for observation? Maybe its because she has a perfect view of the counter top from her vertical angle. Maybe she makes little observations like this all the time and just doesn't discuss them with me. But the truth of it is. I need to wipe the counter top more often after making coffee with my always leaking coffee pot.

Sleep is elusive

Why can't I sleep? If I could stay up till 3 am and wake up at the crack of dawn, like my husband does, refreshed and ready to go I would stay up all hours of the night. But I don't. I've hit the snooze button until the poor clock radio has given up and let me get up on my own accord. That was back in the good old days, back in my college roomy days. I don't get that luxury anymore. That's why I need to sleeep!

OK 1:05 am here. If I get to bed now and the kids poke me in my eye at 8:30.. that's like 7 1/2 hours. That's not bad. It will be like the fourth or fifth time I got less than 8 hours this week. But I gladly give up some sleep to stay up and listen to Regina Spektor "Samson" song and Bon Jovis new song "Let's make a memory". http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=6961441

OK, I need to invest in a good alarm for the 8 am History class I registered for this Fall. I found two that I am debating ordering.

One rolls off the table and doesn't stop rolling around till you get out of bed an chase it down to turn it off.
http://tinyurl.com/2d6mbw

The other is a sensory assault alarm clock "a strobe light, a vibration pad and high decibel sound".
http://tinyurl.com/2zfrz6

Hum which one to get?

Okay 1:19am. Must sleep. Busy day tomorrow.

Kidisms

Chris wakes up, middle of the night, groggy.

Christopher "Mommy, can I have some water?"
Me" Ok honey hold on. I'll get you some"
Christopher "In my blue cup there"
Me "Is this todays water"?
Christopher "No, it's night water"

:) Could just be a mommy thing but I thought his reasoning was so cute.

Mostly packed, weather is looking good

So I am mostly packed. The kids stuff anyway. I tell Will "I think we should be good with this one big piece of luggage". He looks at it with doubt on his face. Damn know it all. In the end we will have five bags, 3 small carry-ons and 2 checked under the plane. Hope we got enough room in the compact car we rented :0)

Its more than a week. I packed enough stuff for each kid for one week under the assumption we will get to do laundry once. That's reasonable right? Gail's spare implant stuff is taking up tons of room. I even decided to leave the dry and store behind because I was worried the bulb would break. I hope Portland doesn't get rainy as soon as we touch down.

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USOR0275?from=search_10day

Whew, gonna be clear and dry while we are there. Awesome!

Can't wait to see my nephews and see how big my cousins kids have grown. I am gonna spend the better part of this trip just hugging those baby Bagby boys.

Contest.. any film students reading my blog?

http://www.current.tv/ecospot

Make an ad to show what you or others could do to help save the ecosystem/ Earth and win a car.

Barfing, Comfort Stations, and Red Ear Sliders

So my uncle and cousin from Oregon are in town.
My cousin Natalie wanted to go check out some jewelry and bags down on Canal Street and I volunteered myself and Christopher to help guide her around. It was an adventure.

So where is the worst place to take a person suffering from stomach flu/food poisoning? Chinatown. You want to talk about the variety of different smells? just head down there for a couple of hours. The poor thing. We got off the train, trekked up five flights of stairs, started to fight to get into step with all the pedestrians, stopped at a dollar cart for some water and she turned grey.

Thank goodness for the shady nook with big trash cans that we were able to find real quick. Talk about subtle puker. The two people eating lunch near by didn't notice. Christopher did. "Mommy what is that"? Turn his stroller around. "Nothing honey, Aunt Natalie is throwing away garbage". Christopher, "Oh!"

I suggested the park near by for a quick use of their restroom and Christopher could burn off some steam. Well the public park restroom sign read "comfort station". They really need to reconsider the sign. It did have toilet paper and soap so things could have been worse.

Half hour later, one more trip to the rest room in a nice well kept Funeral Home and off we go. Fist we stop at this crazy Chinese candy store. Aji Ichiban I tried the candied fish. Not so good. The candied shrimp better. We bought dried sugary plums and cherries, honeyed strawberries and an assortment of candy with wrappers we can't read.

We walked around and the hunt for the perfect silver bangle and ring ensues. We hunted far and wide but only a ring came of that endeavor. We got solicited for purses but Natalie wasn't up to the half hour search through hundreds of bags after her garbage can experience. Also, I wasn't up to traveling down any dark alleys with my talkative, inquisitive Christopher and stroller. So the purse will have to wait to be found on her next trip to New York.

Lastly a block away from Jaya Malaysian restaurant (to pick up gingered pork for a late lunch for Will and me) we see the cutest little turtles for sale.
http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?restaurantid=2050

Christopher chose the one he wanted us to get. So we now have a new member of the family- Mr. Chow, since he hails from China town. A visit to the pet store and we now know we are owners of a red eared slider turtle very common to southern states in the US :)

We bought him a tank, pebbles, food, and vitamins. Let's hope he makes it.

70 year old cats

So took the cat to the vet. Was dreading it. He was very well behaved all things considering. It was a pleasant visit. So turns out he hasn't been constipated. Poor baby has a urinary tract infection. So 1 visit, 1 x-ray, 1 steroid shot, and 1 week course of antibiotics @ 185 dollars later and we have a kitty that feels better. I hope.

The last time we were there we saw another vet, got taken for 600 for a cat enema, and were told he had a bladder stone that needed to come out ASAP.
BTW Bladder stone has magically disappeared and there is no way for them to retrieve the old xray- its in STORAGE.

The moral of this blog? Get a second opinion before you allow a vet to perform any pricey procedures on your pet. Or ask to watch them take the xray!

Ok more later, I have to go fish Chris out the bathroom sink. Need a damn lock on that door.