summer

Summer’s Begun!

June 11, 2010September 30, 2015 Lindsey P. Brackett2 Comments

I am one week into official summer vacation. By the way, since I have to work full-time I’m glad I’m a teacher and get to utter the words summer vacation with total reverence.

I’m exhausted.

I know those of you with jobs that do not endorse the concept of “summer vacation” are thinking, oh poor baby. She’s tired of not working and playing all day. You don’t feel sorry for me. I know. But, let me tell you why I’m exhausted and maybe you’ll be glad you’re sitting at work having adult conversation and taking a break to read my blog. Not that I know anyone who does that.

I left post-planning last Thursday and did a crazy thing. I drove six hours to Harbor Island to meet up with my mom and sister who were there to relax and celebrate Kelsey’s recent high school graduation. I think we ended the relaxation period of their vacation.

And ever since we’ve been back it’s been non-stop dentist appointments, errands, visiting old friends, cleaning, and fielding demands for constant opportunities to swim, since my children think they are fish and will dry up without water.

So, today I refuse to go anywhere. I bailed on my friend who is obviously a better mom because she’s braving the water park with her three. Of course hers can all walk. Which may actually make that harder.

I’m staying home. It’s 9:30 a.m. and the girls are already happily playing in their kiddie pool on the back porch. Amelia is still asleep. I’ve had two cups of coffee and am realizing that I think I’ll keep summer exhaustion if it means I get to decide to have a do-nothing lazy day on a random Friday when others are working.

So if you’re not sick with envy, keep reading and I’ll tell you all about fun past weekend.

Now a six hour drive for two days on the lowcountry coast is crazy at any time. A six hour drive for two days with three children, one of whom is an infant, might qualify me as insane. In the children’s defense, the drive wasn’t too bad. In fact, the worst leg of it that involved a lot of mommy yelling, Amelia crying, and constant whining took place in the first hour and a half trek to E-town to pick up Audrey, my favorite 14-year-old sister who is sometimes as much trouble as my own kids.

Here is what I have learned. When kids are over-excited they don’t travel well. That’s why when we drove to Disney World last summer we left at 3 a.m. and they slept until we got to Florida. Once the girls calmed down (and mommy took some deep cleansing breaths and ate a candy bar) travel was much easier.

So, anyway, we made it for two days of fun in the sun and sand and pool. Which begs the question, Why do kids love the pool so much more than the actual beach? The words, “I didn’t drive six hours for you to swim in a pool” actually came out of my mouth.

I grew up vacationing on Edisto Island with my extended family and about every two years we revive that tradition as grown-ups with kids of our own. I have never been to Harbor, though it’s nearby. I have been to Beaufort because my brother is a Marine Corps graduate of Parris Island.

Harbor Island is beautiful and remote and unembellished. It’s just raw, natural beauty and that’s what I love about vacationing in the South Carolina lowcountry. Seems like that’s the way things are supposed to be. Simple condos or homes, no high rises, and lights out for turtles.

Here’s some pictures of our fun weekend….

Marmee had to buy Amelia a swimsuit since she didn’t have one and the smallest size she could find was a 24 mo. We made it work. She seemed to have a good time, though she spend a lot of it sleeping in her stroller cave.

Ahhh…….summer……….Love it.

summer

Coming Soon

June 8, 2010 Lindsey P. BrackettLeave a comment

Just a quick post this morning to let you know I have not fallen into blogger oblivian, but rather have been incredibly busy finishing up the school year and making a quickie trip to the beach with my mom and a couple of the sisters. Also, I have to go back to school to get my laptop cord and since I find it harder to get stuff done when I have to actually go into the office and use the PC, updates aren’t happening like I’d like. But stay tuned, I’ve got lots of fun posts coming about our beach trip, our summer plans, and some random thoughts on my latest motherhood knowledge…you know little things like if I’d fix the girls a snack before I tried to pump Amelia hers, they might actually leave me alone.

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Chicken

May 31, 2010September 30, 2015 Lindsey P. Brackett2 Comments

I like to think I’m an expert on chicken. Cooking and consuming it, that is.

You see, chicken and I have a special relationship. About this time last year my uterus was just starting to pre-heat something super good and super sweet that became our third little princess, Amelia Hope.

But before I knew she was who she is and back when I had just found out we were going for “third time’s the charm” and I lived in a fantasy world where my third and final pregnancy was going to be all bliss and happy memories, I started to get, you know, nauseous.

It’s such an understatement for 12 weeks of pure misery. And during that time, do you know what my favorite thing was?

That’s right. Chicken. See how we’ve come full circle?

For the longest time all I could eat was chicken. Poor Joshua asked if we were ever going to have red meat again. I told him to take himself to lunch at Burger King and leave me alone. But in the interest of all things economical and easy, I did learn a few things during my chicken binge. Specifically, that my family will eat chicken in any state out of any dish. And now that I am finally emerging from my sleep-deprived-return-to-work existence of the past month, I have begun cooking again. In moderation.

Hence, this post. The other night (last Monday to be exact) I took the chicken that had been percolating in my crock pot all day and turned it into meals for the whole week. Below is a photo journal of all we had…..and obviously, I’ve been reading Pioneer Woman recipes and am totally playing copycat. I’m not sure what’s better: her food ideas or her comments.

The CrockPot. Most likely invented by a busy mother.

Ahh….chicken simmering away in the CrockPot.

Another reason to love this chicken…bought on sale for about six bucks.

Half the chicken resting easy in its new home.

Topped with some Veg-All

(also bought on sale. Might have to do a tribute to Southern Savers next.)

And after the addition of some broth, a can of Cream of Chicken soup, a biscuit topping, a few yummy spices, voila! It’s Chicken Pot Pie, my girls’ favorite supper ever (even over pizza)!

Now what did I do with the rest of the chicken? And all that stuff still floating around in the broth?

On Tuesday night I whipped up some chicken salad for Chicken Salad Melts.

On Wednesday we had supper at church since I needed a break from all this creativity.

But on Thursday….

See, I forgot to tell you that on Monday night I also made a pot of chicken noodle soup.

However, the noodle to liquid ratio was not exactly soup-like, so I took that concoction, placed it in another dish and topped it with cheese.

I am a Southern girl after all, and

we know that you can make anything better when you turn it into a casserole!

Now, in the words of my favorite cows: Eat Mor Chikin!

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Random Summer Reading List

May 30, 2010 Lindsey P. Brackett3 Comments

So here’s THE LIST. It’s a little intimidating, especially considering I was hoping to be completely mindless and read a couple of Nora Roberts novels this summer, too. Oh, and I’m supposed to be helping my kids (as in the ones I birthed) develop their love for literacy at the library summer reading program. Wait a minute, am I complaining about reading? Never mind. Bring on the books!

So B. It by Sarah Weeks
I think every girl in my 4th period class read this within the first three months of school. Our media specialist couldn’t keep it on the shelf. It’s tragic and inspiring and the first one I’m reading.

Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carmen
My counterparts at the other middle school taught this book this year and the kids give it rave reviews. It’s written like a journal and has online links to help you solve the mystery. And the cover is a bunch of pictures of skulls. Sounds interesting.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never read this, but in the great words of my students, “I’ve seen the movie!” My coon hunting boys told me that wasn’t good enough and if I wanted to teach a really good book, I should teach this.

The Sacrifice by Kathleen Benner Duble
This story is set amidst the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Having visited Salem a couple of years ago, I find it hard to believe that such a picturesque place was the site of such horror. I love historical fiction and Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, so I’m pretty excited about this read.

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
He used to write for adults. But James Patterson has become a force for adolescent lit and kids who hate to read bury themselves in 400-pages of science fiction about superhuman teenagers. I tried to read this last year but didn’t really get into it. Hopefully I’ll have better luck this time around.

Runaway by Wendelin Van Draanen
I got excited about this story when I realized it was by the author of another one of my favorite books for middle schoolers, Flipped. I’ll let you know how this measures up. It’s about a runaway girl. Hence, the title.

Romiette & Julio by Sharon M. Draper
I’m a Shakespeare fan but not that fond of ‘ol R & J. But this retelling is fabulous, according to my girls and my friend Dee. So I’ll give it a try.

Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech
This used to be a summer reading assignment choice, so we have TONS of copies. I’m considering teaching it sometime. It seems like a simple, sweet story about family and special places.

Gym Candy by Carl Deuker
I know I make my kids read stuff they don’t like, so in turn I’m reading this even though it’s not something I would normally ever choose. It’s about the pressures of being an all-star athlete. I mean, come on, why wouldn’t I be able to relate to that? My boys really like it and since I know I don’t read enough for them, here’s my attempt.

Sasquatch by Roland Smith
I haven’t ever read anything by this author, but his book, Peak, was a top read for my kids a couple of years ago. This came highly recommended by my kids who want to believe that Big Foot and Vampires do exist.

Walk of the Spirits by Richie Tankersley Cusick
I like this author’s name. My brother’s best friend was a Tankersley and he was fun. But I digress. This is a recommendation from our media clerk. She says the kids really seem to like it and she personally thinks it’s one of the best she’s read all year. There’s ghosts, so maybe I’ll save it for our camping trip in July.

And if I have time, I’ve got some books just for me. A new Sarah Dessen, whom I enjoy but think is a bit too mature for my kids, a Junior Library Guild recommendation, Blessing’s Bead by Debbie Dahl Edwardson, and Waves by Sharon Dogar, which is coded “8th Grade Only” so it must be good.

Stay tuned for my very professional assessments of my Summer Reading! Happy Page Turning!

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Random Acts of…Reading

May 30, 2010September 30, 2015 Lindsey P. Brackett2 Comments

I’m a reading teacher and it’s less of a job about teaching kids how to read and more about helping them find IT–the book that makes them want to read.

Adolescent literature has grown way beyond Judy Blume and Nancy Drew, left Brian in the woods with his Hatchet, and even forgotten Harry‘s still at Hogwarts.

This year my kids have devoured Hunger Games and it’s sequel, Catching Fire, and they’re ready to stand in line to get their copy of the final chapter, The Mockingjay, when it comes out in August. Post-apocolyptic fiction world with survival of the fittest, haunting similarities to our present, and just a little romance is the perfect recipe for teenagers.

They’re still in the Twilight zone and have passionate discussions about Edward, Jacob, and Bella’s choices. Well, the girls do anyway. The boys would die before they’ll admit they read a vampire love story that’s not really about vampires.

Percy Jackson struck a cord and some are trying to solve the mystery of Skeleton Creek. Then I’ve got some good ‘ol boys who will never believe Where the Red Fern Grows is considered classic historical fiction because it’s about their favorite thing–‘coon huntin’.

So there’s a lot out there for kids to read these days. Way more than when I was an awkward middle schooler, though I still recommend some of my favorites like The Face on the Milk Carton or Maniac McGee. Those are books that never go out of style. I can’t keep copies on my shelf.

But if I’m going to keep doing this teaching thing I’ve got to keep up with the trends. Good thing I’ve always been a fast reader because this summer I’ve got an assignment of my own: read the books I haven’t read that were most popular among my kids this year. To check out my requirements go here. And leave me a comment about your favorite book from your teenage years.

Oh, and if you haven’t read something I’ve mentioned above, check out your local library (or your favorite bookstore) and settle in for some great summer reading.