THANKFUL FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION

Today was the Thanksgiving lunch celebration at my son's elementary school. Alas, it will be the last year my children willingly invite me to eat with them at school...in front of their friends. And I'm very grateful that my tween actually wanted me to be there with him today and for that I give thanks.
As a matter of fact I received quite an education while chatting with and watching all of the teachers, parents and students at lunch today. Although it's been a few years since I was an official student of the northern Virginia public school system I definitely learned a lot in just one short hour.
It makes me pause to wonder why, when my husband and I ask every single day, "What did you learn at school today?", the children draw a blank face and shrug. They obviously aren't paying enough attention.
Here's what I learned at school today:
1. Even big 5th graders love having mom and dad show up for lunch on important days.
2. Sadly, the kids who need to see mom or dad show up the most ate without them today.
3. If you wear high heeled boots to school everyone compliments you on how much weight you've lost. (Hint to hubby: you'll have to bury me in these boots, 'cause they're never coming off!)
4. What I've suspected all along was confirmed today: my son's insta-tears are, in fact, fake. I spotted him giving fake crying lessons to his buddies today in an effort to get all the mothers to sign their kids out of school and take them home after lunch.
5. Crying 10-year old boys who wish to come home are really attempting to dodge their 6th period science test.
6. Even plastic knives would rather break in two than touch compressed turkey slabs.
7. Broken shards of plastic knives can be perceived as a threat to national security by strict cafeteria monitors.
8. Moms who haven't seen each other in a while are louder than 150 4th and 5th graders sitting in a cafeteria.
9. On a busy day the school parking lot looks like a poster for an SUV/monster truck mud derby.
10. Even if your son's vice principal knows that you're crazy enough to name your truck Penelope-the-Purple-People-Eater, he's still willing to accept a ride on a rainy day.

I'M MOVING...AGAIN

PS - I know you're wondering why I'm posting here when I said I'd only be blogging on my new site: www.JenniferHeyns.webs.com but I have a good reason. Really, I do.

While I love the look of my new site, it's not really living up to my expectations in the technical areas. So, keep checking both sites often to see what's going on and be prepared because as soon as I can muster it, I'll be putting my site up on another hosting site and hopefully I'll be able to find one that I can call home for a good long time!

HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH

It's true what they say, Disney World is - in fact - the happiest place on earth. I should know. I just got back from Orlando on Thursday. The days were sunny and warm and the evenings were cool and breezy.

Good weather aside, we had nonstop entertainment day and night for 8 straight days. We visited with our Florida-based relatives, got to see and hang out with some dear friends, vacationed with family who flew out from Utah to join us and had a new experience each day.

Oddly enough when my brother-in-law showed up with his wife and kids we realized just how strong the Heyns genes are when it comes to producing offspring. Our oldest son and their oldest son look more like brothers than their own brothers and even weirder, your youngest son and their look like they could be twins - in fact if they weren't 1 1/2 years apart you would swear that they are.

Same lean build, same blond hair-in-my-face-'cause-I-don't-care hairdo, same impish laugh and propensity for causing trouble.

My 4-year old neice even caught on to the likeness. Apparently she's completely attached to her 8-year old brother, but when the 10-year old stand-in showed up she was totally smitten. She stuck to my youngest like white on rice (that's not racist, is it?)....like hot glue on my fingers and not on my crafts.

I thought it was adorable. Not only were they the cutest little couple ever, she was keeping him so busy he didn't have time to get into trouble...or irritate his own sibling (and don't think my oldest didn't notice the respite). I knew he was loving every minute of it, too - he's been begging for a little brother or sister since way back when. What could be better - a little sister-on-loan - and she was way easier on my hips than the other two.

We all dined together, watched movies, stood in countless lines, rode numerous rides (even a few roller coasters, thank you very much). My little guy was an amazing baby sitter, he looked after her at every turn and when he tired of her, well, she was still there so he entertained her some more. He acted a little burdened, but I knew he secretly relished her toddler-sized attention. And then she bit him. Hard. The spell was broken. She had officially become like a real-life baby sister.

So, after a week of having his all of his dreams come true - yeah Universal Studios, Daytona Beach and Disney were great but the baby brother/sister thing has been on his mind for YEARS - he came to his father and I and thanked us for the awesome vacation and told us how great it was to visit with everyone but that one week with a toddler was exhausting and that he's over the whole little brother/sister thing.

Like I said, happiest place on earth.

IMPORTANT UPDATES

I'm currently in transition mode, but wanted to make sure you were all kept in the loop! Here are a few things you need to know:

1. You can now keep up with my blog updates, as well as all of my new book info at www.JenniferHeyns.webs.com. Please check out the site weekly for updates and help me spread the word by sending links to others! (I really do appreciate it.)

2. My son's fundraiser is going on until October 28. You'll find lots of great holiday gift items - mostly nuts and chocolates, but some very unique items - at www.VirginiaDiner.com. When you get to your shopping cart click on Virginia - All Other, Marshall MS Music and type in Sterling Heyns. (He really does appreciate it - he's working toward a NetBook!)

3. Did I mention I have a book coming out and a new web site? There are already 2 blog posts over there - did you miss them? Go see! By the way, it's www.JenniferHeyns.webs.com.

See you there! (Hopefully again and again!)

NEW BUSINESS

Some exciting things are afoot over here at my place - mostly virtual, but some reality as well. First things first, though - the kids. Back to school for the kids means so many other things than new clothes, bookbags and composition books. It means exposure to billions more germs, getting sick every other week and fundraisers.

I. Now, before you go rolling your eyes at the mention of fundraisers, hear me out. My son's band class has come up with something fun and tasty. It's called Virginia Diner. They have tons of nuts and chocolate goodies. It's not just the traditional chocolate covered peanuts and peanut brittle - they've got all kinds of Virginia nuts and spicy treats.

Many years ago one of my husband's business suppliers sent us a tin of Virginia peanuts every year at Christmas. They were so good and we looked forward to their arrival every year. So, this year, think outside the box - these treats are great for your family, but they make great gifts for friends, out-of-town relatives and customers you wish to give preferential treatment to.

My son's goal is to sell 180 items, which will earn him a NetBook. I realize this is a bit of a lofty goal but he's determined to give it an hostest, earnest try and I admire his optimism - so I've promised to help in any way I can.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it is to log onto http://www.virginiadiner.com/ and take a look at what they have to offer. If you would like to order something to help out the school's band and my son - when you get to your shopping cart you will be prompted to enter our information. Under "Region" click on "Virginia - ALL OTHER", under "Organization" click on "Marshall Middle School Music" and in the "Participant's Name" blank, please type Sterling Heyns.

I/he/we/they truly appreciate it! Orders that are placed online are subject to shipping charges although they are tax exempt. If you know us personally and are local, you can just email me your order and we can place it directly through the school and you won't have to pay any shipping.

II. The Book, The Blog and The Site: As many of you (hopefully all of you by now) know, I am working on my first book. I am happy to announce that it's just "this" close to being finished. I have written all that I have to offer and am now scheduling interviews with medical professionals in order to be able to add official quotes and information to give the book even further credibility.

In light of the fact that the book is so near completion I have started constructing a new web site where people can buy the book as an eBook download, find out more about me, the fabulous author, and about other things I've written and other sites I write for or network on. Also, because of this, I feel I have to "out" myself here. My two personalities must merge and become one (again). Although I've truly enjoyed giving my alter ego, Adivah Israel, an outlet of her own, it's time for me to own up to the fact that I'm me - no surprise to most of you, but my name is Jennifer Heyns and I need you all to remember that. Jennifer Heyns is the name you need to know when the book comes out - cause I'll want to you tell everyone you know about it!

The new site is up, but I still want to make changes. I could use your help to decide what's good about the site, what's bad about the site and what's ugly about the site. Please jump on over to http://www.jenniferheyns.webs.com/. (see there's that name again!) The book isn't on it yet, but the plan is to complete the book, complete the site and then merge them together no later than Christmas!

Your second mission, should you choose to accept it is to grade me on my new website and report back - I need to know what you think of it and what needs to be changed, added or deleted. Also, please note that once the site is complete and the book is on it, I will be posting my blogs there instead of here. So, again - remember my name - Jennifer Heyns - so that you can keep up with the post-book blog. It'll have more serious healthcare stuff on it, but I promise to let Adivah out regularly so that she can keep you laughing!

Thanks - love to all!