Parkes Family

I have really enjoyed celebrating the pre-holiday season with my Christmas Angel

 I feel like I'm in a snow globe!!! Let it snow let it snow let it snow!!! 

Well... I could say that I am absolutely enjoying this stay at home mom thing 24/7... but you know me better than that! Don't get me wrong, it's great to spend time with Allison, but remember I'm also trying to finish my Master's Degree too! I'm realizing that I actual multi-task better than single-task... this doesn't seem like a problem, but it is!!  I just figured out that in a classroom, although you might be teaching the same subject for 45 minutes, there are so many other things that happen in that chunk of time. I love that! I found myself trying to write my project proposal for my Master's class and had almost 9 windows open on my screen. I was trying multi-task while I wrote the paper... Not sure that's really what needs to be happening here! Most of the windows opened were actually related to my project proposal which involves looking into why teachers don't collaborate well with each other (or "play nice in the same sandbox"). I

 She literally just threw these on purpose because I wouldn't let her get something else to eat until she finished them... It's going to be a long day! ;( But wait... Here she is 30 minutes later... Is this prep for her teenage years!!?? 

photo.php The link above is from a page I am following by a super inspirational mom named Maria Kang I found through Facebook! She is on point with the whole concept of working out with your kids! Allison knows who Jillian Michaels and Shaun T are. She has exercised with me before she could walk! The other day she asked, "Mommy, what exercise teacher are we going to watch today!?" I loved that! I actually think the amount of times she has followed along with my workout videos or latest routines has helped her IMMENSELY in dance class. We all seem to think that copying what someone is doing is natural. It is not. I have had the privilege of watching Allison through a two sided window and know for a fact that she is beyond her peers not in talent (YET!) but in her ability to watch her teacher and imitate her. This is so fascinating to me!! I am such a fan of working out with my workout buddy, my daughter. She definitely keeps me accountable lately, especially staying at home

We. Johns painter Todd has been with us since Thursday. It has become a tradition- second first annual.... We have enjoyed spending time at mom and dad's in LeRoy. John got two the last morning in the blind. It's really neat that he shares this tradition with his dad. I wasn't a big fan of the whole idea but now I have learned to accept it as more of a family tradition than a statement of beliefs... Ah growing up.... Besides  We are still making memories like eating rainbow sherbet and playing Candyland after a long day of hunting!! Loving my family and feeling grateful...

I took advantage of being off work to spend time with my Pops. We hadn't been to Yellowstone in nine years. Going in November was incredible and quite different from the summer and early fall months. We became expert wolf trackers! It was a great time to go and escape reality! We stayed in a beautiful Bed and Breakfast place in Gardiner, Montana with great hosts. We also met some ladies who later this year will climb Kilimanjaro and were fascinating to have tea and chat with!

As some of you may know, I have left my job in Kalkaska. This was not an easy decision but one I had to do for me, my students and to stay true to my values. The injustices that were happening on a daily basis for all students was something I could not live with. I was struggling with the noncompliance issue in regards to their IEPs (individual educational plans) and the lack of discipline from the principal. I have decided to stay home with Allison, work on finishing my Master's Degree (one more class- graduation on May 1st!) and sub for Cadillac and Pine River some. I am considering, if possible, continuing from here to my doctorate program... Dreamin' big...