Remembering those we love...keeping the traditions alive

This is my eldest on her baptism day. The woman on the far left is my mother whom I love with all my heart. The beautiful lady holding my daughter is my grandmother. My grandmother has been gone for several years now and it seems like I miss her more near the holidays.

My grandma did the holidays like no one I've ever met. Her whole house turned into a Christmas wonderland. She had a big tree in the living room, one on a buffet in the dining room and even one near the television in the family room. She had a Christmas village, a collection of Christmas angels and a nativity that was amazing. (A real wooden barn with hand carved animals about six to eight inches tall...real hay... even a well...) Under the big tree when I was little, my grandpa would get into the spirit. He had a village with mirror ponds, houses, skating penguins and even matchbox cars.

Don't get me started on the stockings, making candy with grandma or how warm and cozy the house always was. There was food everywhere and so much dessert there should have been a chaperon guarding the sweets!

Yesterday, when I put my little tree above my television, I could almost feel my grandma. She would really have liked my tree! It makes me smile to think I've taken one of my childhood memories and made it mine again.

This Christmas, I think I'll teach my oldest how to make the Christmas candy my grandma and I used to make. The wonderful traditions that touched our hearts as children need to be passed on.

Holiday Traditions!

It is an Enchanted Care Tradition to ask our students to make posters sharing how they celebrate the holidays.

To help anyone who is confused, I made a sample one myself.

It was interesting to make. I tried to balance a truthful telling of my family's traditions with a professional responsibility to be sensitive to my students who do not share my faith.

I didn't mention my family's Baby Jesus Birthday cake which I have made nearly every year since my children were born. (Yup! my kids eat CHOCOLATE CAKE on Christmas morning!) However, I did put a little tiny Christmas blessing on my poster. I think I did a good job.

I can't wait to see the posters my children make!

Chuckling to myself

Yesterday I started scrubbing, priming and painting the walls in my family's living and dining room.

Last night I painted the far wall a cheery sky blue.

This morning as I set about giving it another coat and considering the line where the blue met the white ceiling I had, "a moment".

I chuckled to myself and started painting white clouds along the border of the ceiling.

This is certainly not the first time I have done this action. But, up to this point, clouds have been contained in children's bedrooms.

As I painted, I grinned and shook my head a bit. Then I stood back and considered the affect. I must confess the whole look made me smile.

My eldest, who was playing her handheld Nintendo game system, looked up midway through my craziness and said that I'd been at Enchanted Care too long. (We have murals everywhere at school.)

I laughed. I hadn't even thought of the connection.

Regardless of their source of inspiration, the clouds make me happy to look at them.

My eldest said that now the, "deed is done", I should just go ahead and paint them on the other walls as well. I don't know about that... but, I do know I'm leaving the ones I have so far.

My youngest daughter smiled and said she liked them. My little guy of course can't tell me what he thinks, but I say he likes them!

I know I do.

Teacher friends!

It is fun to go to teachers' meetings and talk to my fellow teachers!

Yes, I did just say I find something good about meetings!

Of course, there are twenty thousand things I could be doing if I didn't have to go, but... I really enjoy the professional camaraderie that meeting together fosters.

I especially enjoy collaborating with my friend Laura. A "newbie" like me, she is full of enthusiasm and fun ideas. We share Center ideas, discipline tricks and even afternoon recess duty! On Fridays we try to get our kids together for fun activities.

It is truly a blessing to be able to toss ideas around or discuss a tricky situation with another teacher!

Just the other day, I was fortunate to talk to my dear friend Bev. I worked with Bev for four years as a teachers' aide and I count her among one of my favorite people in the world.

Bev is not a "newbie" she's taught "forever".

She has an idea for every situation, a story for every problem I can encounter and a generous heart!

Her passion for teaching is contagious and her willingness to listen is a blessing. (Not to mention she has dittos and teaching ideas for every concept I must teach and she SHARES!)

There is nothing quite like the challenge and blessing of teaching.

There is also something very special about the people who love to teach. Not only do they love their students, but they love their profession and are happy to help those of us just joining the game!

Today, on Thanksgiving, I thank God for my "teacher friends" the "newbies" who commiserate with me when I'm tired and the experienced veterans who share the joy of the craft with me!

Thanksgiving eve

As I sit typing this evening, I am tired but very happy.

We had a non-curriculum day at school.

It was delightful.

• Early this morning, some of the older children helped me put up a new bulletin board and chatted me up.
• We played with our Science room pets together and even made paper airplanes.
• One of my little girls brought me flowers in a lovely basket shaped like a turkey and we only spilled water at lunch!
• No one bled at recess and the fussing was at a minimum.
• My lost library book never did turn up, but I did make a really neat Snow Lady that looked like me for our new bulletin board. Next week my kiddos will add their own snow kids for me to watch over.
• I just found a really fun Hanukkah web site, I think my kids will like and I can't wait to start my plans for December. We are going to celebrate traditions all around the world.

Volley ball and lesson plans

I sat on the edge of the bleachers today literally holding my breath as the last points of the semi-final tournament game were played. My eldest daughter's team won in the third set!

The game was a nail bitter as the teams were evenly matched and were both playing well. Today favored my daughter's team and I was so very very happy.

I really do believe that if you play well there is no disgrace in losing.

But, who wants to lose?

A hard won victory is amazing to witness. Tomorrow the team faces the only undefeated team. Since it is a double elimination tournament, they will have to beat them twice to claim the title.

It may happen and it may not. (Though I would relish a victory for the girls last game together.)

Most of the team has played together for five years. I have watched them develop from young children into young woman. From girls who couldn't make a serve go over the net to ladies who have no problem serving, setting and spiking. The joy on their faces during their final victory cheer today made me smile all the way through. I am so proud of all of them. They have come so far. Learned so much.... had so much fun.

Tomorrow as I watch the final moments of my daughter's elementary team sport participation tick away, I know I'll feel a bit melancholy. I have enjoyed every moment spent in the stands.

Tonight I sit doing the lesson plans that could have been done today, but... I do not regret the time spent with the young woman who makes me so proud. My eldest is a good kid... a fun kid... I am so glad she's mine.