Dos Flaming Avocadoes: April 2009

Sunday, April 26, 2009

I Love Redbox!

On a whim this past Friday, and without cable thanks to our new and improved budget, I searched for a Redbox. I thought it would easily dispense a movie to me, and I was right! I remembered seeing one at the Cypress Creek McDonald's, but alas it was not there and I had a carload of tired grumpy kids wanting to chill out and watch a movie on a Friday night. My husband was going to be home really late, and I was dog tired myself. The thought of walking my dirty self and three dirty kids into a Hollywood Video or Blockbuster sounded worse than all three of my C-sections put together. I wanted to scream . . .

Then, Olivia said (in what sounded like a whisper from the spirit world), "Mom, I think there's one in the Walgreen's parking lot across the street." I manuevered my Kia deftly to the Walgreen's in Friday night traffic, and jumped out of the car with my wallet. The beautiful thing? My three kids were all buckled up inside the car and I, a preschool teacher and owner, could peacefully and unapologetically, without the sound of children, select a movie on the sidewalk beside a Walgreen's in complete silence. This was as good as using a drive-up Starbucks the summer of '06 when I had newborn Asa hooked to an apnea monitor and the two girls with me, loaded up in my husband's truck, just looking for somewhere to go before it got to hot, and before they got to "busy" in the house. I can get a lot done when my kids are buckled in their seats.

Anyway, Redbox is awesome, and here's why:

1. You can select movies by genre, read a synopsis, add things to your shopping cart--all on a touch screen.
2. Movies are $1/night + 8 cents tax. That's cheaper than cable on demand or a movie store.
3. No matter when you rent them, they are due by the next night at 9 PM. Now that's easy to remember.
4. You swipe your debit card, and your movie dispenses in seconds like a pack of peanuts.
5. The system is paperless--a receipt is emailed to your email address, as is confirmation of return.
6. You can apparently reserve movies online for pick-up at your local Redbox.
7. You can return the movies you rent to any Redbox!
8. The final screen suggests that you buy snacks in Walgreen's, but you don't have to march your kids past popcorn, sodas, and candy like in the movie rental stores.

Check it out! They had a lot of family movies!
http://www.redbox.com/home.aspx

I don't think my husband can believe I used something technological and efficient before he did!
I thought he'd understand what a desperate mother is capable of by now . . .

~Leslie

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Random photos of the kids in action.....

Ms. Janie's class visit Abby and Lily Belle.

Maya and Jack are the objects of Abby's affection.

Lorelai enjoys some floor time.

Lorelai and Emma Grace enjoy each other's company. They're only 8 days apart! We refer to them as "farm sisters". Smile, girls!

Jack takes a break from walking.

Kai tries out Ms. Christin's sunglasses. You're very stylish, Kai!

Jack up close and personal.

Thanks, Sarah!

Thank you, Sarah and Augie, for helping to groom our animals and for your kind spirit!

Thursday Photos

Thursday, April 23, 2009

School Announcements:
The road construction on Crystal Falls Parkway (to widen the road) will cause some traffic rerouting, but certainly will not completely close down the road from late April until December! Expect some delays over the next few months!

Infant Room: Everyone enjoyed a breath of fresh air with Caprice outside this morning. Gage is working on crawling, Ali is pulling up, Emma Grace loves to see her friend Orion from next door! Alex is taking steps with a big smile on his face.

Toddler Room: Everyone enjoyed lots of fresh air and a gentle breeze today. This afternoon, the class will be painting.

Twos Room: The Twos Room has spent the week identifying items by color and sorting by color. Yesterday, the class painted with apples--some beautiful artwork is on display in the classroom. The class enjoyed a walk outside to see the animals this morning.

PreK: This morning we spent an extra amount of time outside. We did animal chores with Reagan and helped Leslie plant in the garden. Today we planted onion sets, bush beans, pole beans, yellow squash, zucchini, and cantaloupe. We have some great looking cucumber and tomato plants in the greenhouse! Lucy has been enjoying rolling in the mud hole we make for her each afternoon. She does a dance and scoots through the mud in sheer delight! This week we have enjoyed a story about earthworms and potato bugs, and this afternoon, we will make an earthworm habitat with live crawlers!