Disaster Prepardness

Sorry it's been so long since my last post! Let's just say that life has gotten crazy!!!!! Well, that's an understatment really, but this is our life as summer begins to wind down! I can't believe I begin student teaching in a little over a week! It's intimidating and scary and exciting and overwhelming, and I didn't know it was possible to feel so many emotions at once. I am really looking forward to it though! I'm going the private school route. There's a few reasons for this: one is that I didn't go to a private school and I'm curious, two is that since starting in the education program all of our placements have been public and I want to see the differences. I know that kids will be kids, but I've heard the politics that tend to rule in the public schools don't in the private, and it just makes for a more relaxed enviornment. I guess I'll find out over the next 16 weeks though won't I ?!?!?!

Okay, so to the title of this piece. We found ourselves last week in the basement during a really bad storm. The sky was a funky green shade and the really low hanging clouds were just swirling around us. As the sirens started to blare we ran downstairs with the kids and I realized how unprepared we are for any type of disaster: fire, tornado, flood, earthquake (believe it or not we have a fault line that runs right through Cincinnati), terrorist attack, etc. We have nothing prepared. So I started doing some research this week on putting together 72 hour kits. I started making a list of things for the kids and thought I'd share them. If anyone has any suggestions on something I missed let me know. Keep in mind, these are just for the kids. Ours would be a little bit more in depth with first aid kits, food, water, etc.

Brianna's 72 hour kit:

- 3 changes of clothes including socks, underwear and undershirts (in fall and winter)

- close toed shoes

- hair brush and hair ties/headbands

- hat

- toothpaste/toothbrush

- vitamins

- wash cloth/towel

- soap/shampoo

- Eucerin cream (for her eczema)

- small toys (polly pockets or something similar)

- coloring books/crayons

- books

- sleeping bag/small pillow

- raincoat/poncho

- ID badge with contact info

Jonah's 72 hour kit:

- 3 changes of clothing including socks

- close toed shoes

- diapers/wipes

- diaper rash ointment

- hat

- jacket

- toothbrush/toothpaste

- vitamins

- soap/shampoo

- wash cloth/towel

- lotion

- extra silkie

- sleeping bag/small pillow

- small toys (cars, animals, etc.)

- books

- ID badge with contact info

That's what I've come up with so far. I don't know if I'm missing anything but I hope to start working on them soon so I won't be so panicky any more. I'll tell you what... this feeling of being unprepared is not one that I like. I encourage you all do the same. There is lots of good info on the internet about making 72 hour kits and disaster plans. I feel strongly that everyone should have one, because you just never know when that swirly cloud might drop down and take your house! Nice thought huh?!?!?!?

Water, Nemo and Baseball

The past two weeks have been really nice. Mom was on vacation the first week in July, Steven was on vacation this last week. Mom's birthday was the first week in July, Steven's yesterday. Because there has been someone on vacation for the past two weeks we've gotten to do fun stuff with the kids that I wouldn't have been able to do on my own.

For example, there is a really cool aquatic center in one of the towns near our home. It's open to the public and very reasonably priced. It was only $9 for each adult, Bri was $6 and Jonah was free. We spent several hours just splashing around and enjoying the gorgeous weather. They had specialty areas just for toddlers and preschoolers and also a bigger pool. Over half of the pool never got deeper than a foot and a half, and they even had a lazy river that was so relaxing. We had a great time and I'm sure we'll go back before the summers over!

Jonah and Uncle Michael

This week while Steven was off we took the kids to the Aquarium. We decided to buy an anual pass, because after two visits it would pay for itself. Plus, Jonah was free, and will continue to be until our passes expire. Bri and Jonah love animals, especially fish and our Aquarium is the best!! They had a blast running around looking at all the different fish.

Last night for Steven's birthday we went to a Florence Freedom game. They are a minor league baseball team and put on a great show. I love the minor leagues! Guys who still play ball for the love of playing ball, instead of for the million dollar contracts. The fans are loyal and the baseball is good! Jonah had been running a high fever for several days (we now know the culprit- 4 new teeth, including two molars!!!! OUCH!) so mom stayed home with him so we could still go out! (Thanks mom!!!) We took Brianna and she had a ball (no pun intended!) Well, actually she did get a ball (and a bat and a cap! Her daddy spoils her! It's his birthday and she gets all the goodies!!!!) She had a lot of fun- especially since her boyfriend was there. Collin is a little boy at church and he is sooo cute! They were attached at the hip for almost the whole game! Happy birthday Steven! Hope this year is great! And don't worry, your secret is safe with me!!! (PSSSS- he's 30!!!!!)

Daddy and his princess

Bri and her Prince Charming, Collin (Bytheway, she kissed him last night! Twice! Once on the lips! His dad about had a heart attack! And she and I had a talk about appropriate behavior with little boys!!!!!)

House Pictures

Okay, so a week later I am getting around to posting pictures of the new house. I took these about a week ago, but not much has changed....except that we now have several holes in our ceiling due to a pipe leak to complete the burn marks on the walls, and the missing vinyl flooring in the kitchen! When it rains it pours. But one thing that I've learned very quickly, just because it's a new house, doesn't mean it won't have its fair share of problems! So here's some pics of the house. These are just of the outside. I hope to be able to take a video soon so that I can give you all a video tour of the house, but I need to get it in some kind of order first!!!

The same night I took some pics of Bri and Jonah playing in the sprinklers. They laid our sod the Wednesday that we moved in. That has been a full time job, keeping it watered twice a day. Each spot has to be watered for an hour at a time, so we estimated we were watering about 8 hours a day. Why? Because we only had one outside water spiket! So, Steven and his dad ran us two more. Now the watering gets done in half the time, but I still don't want to see our first water bill. The kids, however, are loving it! Even as I write this they are outside in the sprinklers and playing in buckets of water! Oh to be a kid again!

Well, I guess that's enough for one day. Got to start making dinner! We're taking advantage of the fact that the rain has broken for a few days and grilling out! Yummy!