You know that the Young One has been sick for a week. I've whined about it enough, all of FB knows! Well, he is better, no longer contagious and back at school today for the first time in a week. I got the following message from one of the 2nd grade teachers today:
I was trying to get Josh to slow down a little on the playground this afternoon cuz I knew he had been sick. When I asked if he wanted to take a break and go get some water since he had just recovered, he said "No thanks, I don't really know how I got sick, but it wasn't from playing outside!!" He was so sweet and sincere and it took everything I had to keep a straight face. Gotta love little boys!!!
I love his perspective on the world!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Not always sunshine and rainbows around here
What a day it has been! Son # 2 is still sporting a mystery fever and cough (day 6). I am out of days to be out at work, so it is getting docked from my paycheck everytime from now on. Son # 1 randomly decided to slap his brother in the face for not doing something he wanted. The dog peed all over my entryway. And my husband has to go back to work in 5 minutes after being home for a total of 1 hour and 22 minutes today. I'm getting cabin fever from being with a sick kid all weekend. We are back to teaching full curriculum at work since the testing week is over. That means that it'll be a week getting students back into the learning routine.
In honor of the crap day it has been, I am SO getting dinner out tonight. Although that means I'll have to put clothes on that are appropriate for public viewing.... small price to pay.
In honor of the crap day it has been, I am SO getting dinner out tonight. Although that means I'll have to put clothes on that are appropriate for public viewing.... small price to pay.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Weather that makes me go "Whoa!"
The weather this beautiful day was perfection.. light breeze.. mid 70's.. clear skies.. I just know this is what heaven is like.
So, the family and I took a little walk around The Woods. We trekked along the Waterway and through Market Street with a stop at Kirklands to buy some stuff on clearance. Then we made it to THE bookstore to just read for a bit. I was researching Disney guides for our trip this summer. The boys were.. um.. I have no idea what they were interested in. Just walking and laughing and enjoying the family was blissful.
I am so thankful for a family that likes to be together.
So, the family and I took a little walk around The Woods. We trekked along the Waterway and through Market Street with a stop at Kirklands to buy some stuff on clearance. Then we made it to THE bookstore to just read for a bit. I was researching Disney guides for our trip this summer. The boys were.. um.. I have no idea what they were interested in. Just walking and laughing and enjoying the family was blissful.
I am so thankful for a family that likes to be together.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
And this week on "It's My Life"...
It has been a great week. I got to spend Easter with my parents! It has been years since we got to be together for this holiday. Just one of the prices of being a church staff family. Dad was supposed to pipe in the service, but a series of unfortunate music issues later, he didn't. I got to cook a big Easter dinner. I forgot all the hard work that goes into planning and prepping a meal like that. Whew!
By the time they headed home on Sun afternoon, I was pooped. The kids were hyped up on candy and I took a little nap on the couch.
School has been rough this week. Students are being naughty. Lots of fighting on the playground and talking in class at the totally wrong times. We are 2 weeks away from the big state test and we are reviewing and reading and hoping to activate their memories and build their vocabularies in time for others to see our hard work pay off. Because, let's face it, the goal is for the kids to learn stuff. But if they can do it where people can see it, even better.
And I'm tired. I find myself dreaming of the days of the cruise, with the wind blowing off the ocean and no one pestering me about losing their stuff. I find myself wanting to color, too. Yeah, color pictures. I have some amazing cool coloring pages that just came in and I can't wait to try them out. I just have to make master copies first.
But mostly I want a nap. And time to paint my nails. And someone to organize my closet. And someone to wash the laundry. And I want to find some really cute summer clothes because I really hate what I have to wear right now. And if they could be free, that would be great!
And on a happy note, today is the 100th day of my read through the Bible in a year plan and I am still all caught up! The psalms today were awesome. It was a great way to start my day.
I think I'm off to finish off that Easter dessert I made. MMMMM. It was yummy. I know you are jealous now. You can find the recipe on my Pinterest board and make it yourself. It was really easy.
And that's my life this week.
By the time they headed home on Sun afternoon, I was pooped. The kids were hyped up on candy and I took a little nap on the couch.
School has been rough this week. Students are being naughty. Lots of fighting on the playground and talking in class at the totally wrong times. We are 2 weeks away from the big state test and we are reviewing and reading and hoping to activate their memories and build their vocabularies in time for others to see our hard work pay off. Because, let's face it, the goal is for the kids to learn stuff. But if they can do it where people can see it, even better.
And I'm tired. I find myself dreaming of the days of the cruise, with the wind blowing off the ocean and no one pestering me about losing their stuff. I find myself wanting to color, too. Yeah, color pictures. I have some amazing cool coloring pages that just came in and I can't wait to try them out. I just have to make master copies first.
But mostly I want a nap. And time to paint my nails. And someone to organize my closet. And someone to wash the laundry. And I want to find some really cute summer clothes because I really hate what I have to wear right now. And if they could be free, that would be great!
And on a happy note, today is the 100th day of my read through the Bible in a year plan and I am still all caught up! The psalms today were awesome. It was a great way to start my day.
I think I'm off to finish off that Easter dessert I made. MMMMM. It was yummy. I know you are jealous now. You can find the recipe on my Pinterest board and make it yourself. It was really easy.
And that's my life this week.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Monthly update?
It has been way too long since I shared anything. The rhythm of my life is just like that right now. The boys are getting all grown up and say less cute stuff and do a lot more eye rolling and arguing. So I could tell you about the time I told them to "talk it out and remember you will be best friends when you are older" or "stop fussing before I take away your video games." That was quickly followed by "So, I guess you are both ready to get grounded?Becuase that is what this argument sounds like to me. You say He made you mad. I heard "Mom, please make sure I have no fun for at least a week" Funny how that works.
Work is work. Everyday. And not the fun work kind of work with laughter and a sense of Job-Well-Done. More the It-Is Impossible-to-Teach-Children-Who-Don't-Try-To-Learn kind of work. Oh, and there will be a test in a month to prove that even though I am a great teacher, it is a student choice to learn or not.
I'm reading the book of Judges this week in my Bible reading, so maybe I'm a little pessimistic about things. If I could talk to the Israelites of history, I would sound just like my grandmother. With smoker's gravel in my throat, I would lecture, "Well, if you would just do it the right way, you wouldn't get dead, now would you?" (In her defense, she never actually said that to my knowledge, but I could see her thinking it.)
On a happy note, I've decided to become a student again! Yep, I filled out my online application to join the Master's Program at Sam Houston State for Library Science. Hopefully I will start this August. I forgot about the butt load of paper work it takes to get into school. And money.. wow! Application fee, GRE testing fee, transcript fee.. and I haven't even registered for classes!
You, both of you, might be wondering why, after all these years, I would want to go back to school. It's because I want options. I want to be able to do something other than teach that still works with kids. And I want to love what I do. I love books. I love sharing books with others. I love the beep of checking in books. I love seeing the smiles of anticipation when kids get the book they were looking and waiting for. I have always said that I would teach until I couldn't. Whether that was for age, health, or moral reasons, I knew the time would come. It's not here yet, but I need to be prepared. And I might just be ready for some new adventures. After 17 years in the classroom, I think I might be exhausting my limit of dealing with the day to day junk that comes with raising other people's kids.
So, that is the month in review. I hope I get back to you sooner next time.
Work is work. Everyday. And not the fun work kind of work with laughter and a sense of Job-Well-Done. More the It-Is Impossible-to-Teach-Children-Who-Don't-Try-To-Learn kind of work. Oh, and there will be a test in a month to prove that even though I am a great teacher, it is a student choice to learn or not.
I'm reading the book of Judges this week in my Bible reading, so maybe I'm a little pessimistic about things. If I could talk to the Israelites of history, I would sound just like my grandmother. With smoker's gravel in my throat, I would lecture, "Well, if you would just do it the right way, you wouldn't get dead, now would you?" (In her defense, she never actually said that to my knowledge, but I could see her thinking it.)
On a happy note, I've decided to become a student again! Yep, I filled out my online application to join the Master's Program at Sam Houston State for Library Science. Hopefully I will start this August. I forgot about the butt load of paper work it takes to get into school. And money.. wow! Application fee, GRE testing fee, transcript fee.. and I haven't even registered for classes!
You, both of you, might be wondering why, after all these years, I would want to go back to school. It's because I want options. I want to be able to do something other than teach that still works with kids. And I want to love what I do. I love books. I love sharing books with others. I love the beep of checking in books. I love seeing the smiles of anticipation when kids get the book they were looking and waiting for. I have always said that I would teach until I couldn't. Whether that was for age, health, or moral reasons, I knew the time would come. It's not here yet, but I need to be prepared. And I might just be ready for some new adventures. After 17 years in the classroom, I think I might be exhausting my limit of dealing with the day to day junk that comes with raising other people's kids.
So, that is the month in review. I hope I get back to you sooner next time.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
8 Years Already?
Eight years ago, I was planning on going to my baby shower. Eight years ago, I thought I had a month left. Eight years ago, my sweet boy came early and has kept surprising me ever since. He walked early. He talked early. And he has been a snuggle bug since birth. Josh is quiet as a ninja when he is up to something. He can sneak away from the family when we bore him and we don't even realize it. He laughs with abandon. He is wicked funny and can connect seemingly unrelated things in ways that make me think "Huh, I never thought of it that way." He cares for others deeply and is most likely the most empathetic person in the family. Whether it's offering his money to his brother to help him buy something or just laying his head on my shoulder after a long day, he offers love tangibly to all around him.
This year, my Josh has changed a lot. He is more outspoken and loves Power Rangers. Power Rangers? Yeah, last year he didn't even know they existed. He is taller and his face is lengthening. He has an older look of wisdom now that comes from a year of learning and living and growing more independent. He continues to love the Lord and share insight from Bible reading and then application when it comes. He is never too shy to ask the hard questions. He just doesn't realize that most 7 year olds don't think about "Why did God not just kill Satan instead of letting him mess with us?" He is growing up deep in thought, this one is.So happy birthday, my baby boy. You are my laughter, my joy and a delight to my soul.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Plagues of Public Education
In honor of the reading of Exodus.... the ten plagues with ten helpful commandments
1. new students with stupid names - Thou shalt not name thy child something unreadable or unpronouncable or any combination of letters that will inflate thine own ego
2. students who don't realize they are not the only child in the room - Thou shalt recognize other living things around you and treat them as you would like to be treated
3. sarcastic administrators - Thou shalt lead with honor and integrity and save off color comments for after hours events
4. young boys sharing information gleaned from late night pay per view television - Thou shalt not profane thy children's eyes with thine crappy television choices
5. overly eager students- Thou shalt respond in temperance and not peck thy teacher as ducks
6. broken pencils- Thou shalt bring quality implements to complete thine assignments
7. unplanned parent conferences- Thou shalt respect the schedule of thy child's teacher
8. insecure children who require constant assurances that they did their work- Thou shalt teach thine own child that life does not come with a constant assurance that they have done well. Allow them to walk in faith in their own products
9. dehydration myths- Thou shalt not abuse the free water granted to you, less it become bitter and foul in thy stomach
10. differentiated instruction vs. SpEd modification vs. best teaching practices- Thou shalt allow teachers to teach, adminsitrators to administrate, and children to learn without the confusion of philosophy that is wispy like the wind
1. new students with stupid names - Thou shalt not name thy child something unreadable or unpronouncable or any combination of letters that will inflate thine own ego
2. students who don't realize they are not the only child in the room - Thou shalt recognize other living things around you and treat them as you would like to be treated
3. sarcastic administrators - Thou shalt lead with honor and integrity and save off color comments for after hours events
4. young boys sharing information gleaned from late night pay per view television - Thou shalt not profane thy children's eyes with thine crappy television choices
5. overly eager students- Thou shalt respond in temperance and not peck thy teacher as ducks
6. broken pencils- Thou shalt bring quality implements to complete thine assignments
7. unplanned parent conferences- Thou shalt respect the schedule of thy child's teacher
8. insecure children who require constant assurances that they did their work- Thou shalt teach thine own child that life does not come with a constant assurance that they have done well. Allow them to walk in faith in their own products
9. dehydration myths- Thou shalt not abuse the free water granted to you, less it become bitter and foul in thy stomach
10. differentiated instruction vs. SpEd modification vs. best teaching practices- Thou shalt allow teachers to teach, adminsitrators to administrate, and children to learn without the confusion of philosophy that is wispy like the wind
Monday, February 6, 2012
Overheard at dinner
Hey, guess what I'm thinking..
No way, I'm not psychic!
Nope.. it was a cheesestick.
They make me laugh!
No way, I'm not psychic!
Nope.. it was a cheesestick.
They make me laugh!
