Mels Box of Chocolates

Olympic Concerns

2013-01-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

While the Olympics have been over and done with, I just stumbled across this draft I had started and I just can't let it go to waste.

It has been an interesting Olympics this year especially when it comes to the swimming and gymnastics. In previous years we would do the American thing and watch the nightly recaps cheering on the American's and their victories. We were watching history happen. It was great. But, we were pretty removed from the action.

This year though, we were watching from a whole new perspective as we now have our own swimmer and gymnast in the house. As I watch, I can almost imagine what those athletes parents are feeling. I can hear their thoughts...finally all that money I paid is paying off! I watch the strokes and the routines through new glasses. I sit at the edge of my seat as swimmers dive off the blocks and reach to cut off that last hundredth of a second that separates first and second. I hold my breath as the hands come off the bars and reach for it again and as that big breath is taken before the run across the beam for the final dismount. My own kid swims those strokes and does those routines (albeit at a slower pace and lower level), but we go to the pool and sit at the gym nevertheless.

Of course while watching the events, Dave and I joked with our kiddos about them being in the Olympics one day. Not that we aren't completely supportive but Olympic dreams aren't really on our horizon. We aren't those parents. We are realistic.

However, the other night we were all snuggled on the couch for our evening event watching when Zoe said she was worried. I asked what she was worried about and in a very concerned voice she said, "But mom what if Dylan has a swimming race at the same time I have a gymnastics routine when we are in the Olympics in a few years. We won't be able to cheer for each other. Who will you and daddy watch"?

After a quick chuckle, I assured her that we would definitely find a way to work it out if the situation presented itself. I also said that there was absolutely no reason to start worrying now about something that was so far down the road. She seemed content with that answer and went right back to watching the Olympics.

So who knows?
Maybe one day we will be watching those Olympics from the sidelines after all!

The Empty Dinner Table

2013-01-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

I remember those days.

We'd come home from school and work, make dinner, and sit down as a family to enjoy dinner. We'd talk about the day, ~~yell at the kids for not using their table manners,~~ share our stories, ~~yell at the kids for complaining about what they were eating,~~ and basically just spend quality time checking in with each other. We connected. I always swore that no matter what, we'd always make time for dinners. Together. At the table.

Ignorance is bliss they say.

Time passed.
The kids grew..
Gymnastics started.
Swim practice began.
Homework commenced.
I started teaching a night class at college.

Now our dinners at home around the table are few and far between. One or two and sometimes if we are lucky, 3 of the 4 of us are able to eat together now and then. Our dinners have become whatever is easiest to grab and warm up, or pick up from the pre-made section at the grocery store, and yes, may even be a bowl of cereal.

I miss those days where we would gather around the dinner table.
I want them back.

How do you manage dinner along with sports, music, after school activities, and the rest of life?

Did His Dream Come True?

2013-01-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

Every year, I spend a day or two sharing the story of Martin Luther King, Jr. around his holiday. Considering that students get this day off school every year you would think that most know a bit about him, but I still find that there is always more to share about his story.

I usually read a picture book, show an excerpt of the actual speech, and have the students complete some activity related to MLK.

Of course, his dream is shared throughout the lessons.

"I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice

I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."

~Martin Luther King, Jr.

I always end our mini unit with this question,
"If Martin Luther King, Jr. was still alive today, do you believe he would say his dream came true?"

Students must then write a paragraph answering the question with support. The responses are always as diverse as my class. The examples that they provide to support their opinion are sometimes very eye-opening. They become my teachers, allowing me to see the world from the eyes of a child.

As for me, some days I do believe we are close to seeing one man's dream come true, but then some days I feel we still have a long way to go. But, have we made progress? Absolutely.

What about you?
Do you believe that Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream has come true?

What are you Watching?

2013-01-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite things about January is that new shows are back on tv. Nothing like spending a winter evening caught up in the drama, reality, or humor.

Some of my favorites.
Scandal, Revenge, and Modern Family.

We will see about Biggest Loser, American Idol, and The Bachelor. Sometimes I find myself sucked in and sometimes I miss the whole season. Haven't watched yet.

Starting to get curious about this Downtown Abbey show. Lots of twitter and facebook chatter about it. I heard it was on Netflix so thinking it deserves a watch or two.

What about you?
What are your winter favorites?