Counting crayons... sharpening pencils....

Tonight I sit counting crayons and sharpening pencils. My Kindergarten students who have all eight crayons in their bag will get a special sticker for their folder tomorrow. Honestly, there are quite a few students who will be happily surprised.

Broken crayons will not be replaced, lost crayons? I'll be slipping a few replacement crayons in this week and each day I will reward those who have kept all eight. I think the number of misplaced crayons will continue to decline.

I'm not nasty about a missing crayon, just matter of fact. Today was busy and productive. We made short vowel packages and pattern Christmas trees. We even wrote about snow! I am cautiously optimistic about our new December Good Behavior Charts.

Just like my students, we are each given a new start each day. What will be do with it? What will we chose? Decisions are tough and sometimes we make choices that are not the best. One of my students had to take a Good Behavior Sheet home today that was colored yellow and the notation beside the yellow circle said that they had crawled under a table and had taken a classmate's shoe. I chuckle and shake my head. But, I am honestly glad that some of my mistakes are not written on a piece of paper for all to see.

Tonight as I prepare for tomorrow... I know that I must keep walking... I must support my students' efforts to behave with vigilance and firm kindness. NO... It's not ok to wack your neighbor... but they can not call you a name either... We must all learn to do what is right.

Instinct tells my students to respond in kind when they are hurt. Even when they know the proper choice, often they choose their own way over the adult approved method. I pause and know I must move their clip, that they must color their chart. It is not fun to know you have done wrong.

One very intelligent young student of mine was furious when he was moved to yellow and threw a fit. He verbalized that he knew he couldn't win a prize because he was not on green. I acknowledged his correct interpretation of events. The boy in question struggles with the knowledge of good and evil just like we do. He knows what will happen if he does wrong. He has even been warned and then he is mad when the natural consequence comes to pass.

Sigh... How very much like a microcosm of the adult world is Kindergarten.

Now and always,
I pray you are blessed.
I ask that we are given mercy,
peace and grace.
I even ask for happy things like cookies and best friends sharing a good adventures.

More preparations...

Today I made two trips to school. One before church and one after lunch. I put up a bulletin board for our "Star Students" (a special December behavior incentive), made copies, wrote our December Parent Newsletter and put a few things away. I find as I sit here looking at the arts and crafts I have prepped that I am tired and weary. The pastor this morning spoke about faith in hard times. The times when the path is rocky and there is not the sun and beautiful breeze at the top of a mountain. I sigh and know that he was right.

December journals lay in row waiting for small children to write in them. I see snowflake stickers and Gingerbread children. For tomorrow there is a story called "Llama, Llama Mad at Momma", It deals with the sometimes weariness of the day to day. The desire for smooth sailing and to have things our way is not an affliction limited to four, five and six year olds. I understand how my young charges feel. Yet, I see too, like the little Llama's Momma, that doing what we should do will make us happier than a nasty fit.

I sigh again, knowing that many of my young students will not want to work tomorrow. I think of the chart describing our morning routine, the new folders and brand new "Good Behavior Charts" all waiting to be reviewed, shared or introduced and I know tomorrow will be a busy day.

I pray that whatever you and I must meet tomorrow, that we are made equal to the task. I ask for God's grace and guidance because I know... I know.. I can not do it without Him.

May you be blessed this day and always.

The countdown begins!

Today is the first day of Advent.

This countdown towards Christmas is part of many Christian traditions including the Methodist Church I grew up in and the Catholic Church of my adult years. I have happy memories of watching the candles being lit, of lighting them myself and even of one year when my brother dropped a match on my Sunday School book while completing the task. Each week one more candle is lit, until on Christmas morning, a white Christ Candle is added to the middle and the wait is over.

I do not know many of you, but I truly hope that this Season of Hope will find you and I on a path that will lead us towards good things. I honestly haven't wished for something so hard in a long time. Now and always, may you be blessed!

Ordinary Joy...

This morning as I ran errands before leaving on an adventure with my best friend Betty, I turned down a street near my home. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw colors flash and I turned my head to look. I laughed out loud, found a place to turn around and came back to take a picture. With a grin and a light hearted bubble of joy I snapped the photo to share.

It was all I could do not to ring the door bell and inquire about the collection. Does a retired firefighter live here? Or just someone fun... I'm not sure... But, regardless, the happy yard made me stop and pause.

All around us each day, there are blessings... Kind words from strangers... Free samples of fascinating coffee drinks at the store... Even the joy of Christmas and Holiday cards bedazzled with snow or singing a happy tune... There is so much to enjoy... I pray that you will see something that makes your heart smile... something like my delightful discovery this morning... something simple... something ordinary... and yet so very special...

Sharing special places...

With our children safely tucked in at our homes in the care of competent caretakers, my "sis" and I started out on an adventure. Though it is very nearly December, the weather has been holding and I decided to take Betty to some of my favorite, non kid friendly places. Many weekends Betty and I take our families and head out hiking. Each time, we go someplace that we know the kids will enjoy. There are many places that are dear to my heart that are simply not a possibility because they would be "too long" or honestly just not safe for unpredictable special needs kiddos.

Yesterday, tiny flakes of white fell half heartedly. As we headed up the path to the ridge towering above Conkle's Hollow, the telltale signs of winter lay quietly whispering to us from shady areas. Bits of snow... tiny crunches of frost covered leaves... mud... each tattling that fall is on its way out. Winter is coming. Today though, it wasn't quite here!

Her camera clicked... I smiled...

Stopping repeatedly... My dear friend excitedly took pictures of the outstanding view. Cliffs and trees... beautiful breathtaking scenes each and every way you look... I grinned and stood while she clicked away. I knew the feeling. I had the same reaction on my first trip to the top. What a blessing to be able to pass on the joy of a very wonderful place.

Cloud pictures?... Nah... look at the mossy bumps!

Walking along, I tend to notice tree roots, mushrooms, mossy spots and bitty leaves. I like holes in trees, long views down and water bubbling over rocks.

Little things catch my eye. Today I saw something that made me grin. Between the two smaller trees above, on the side of a rock face, was a moss covered bump which I absolutely swear looked like... a polar bear!

A closer look at the "bear"...

What do you think?

a very good day...

After Conkle's Hollow, we swung over to Old Man's Cave and walked down to the Lower Falls. Betty reminisced about coming there as a child and commented that neither of us would need aerobics tonight as we'd climbed about a zillion stairs. I chuckled. My tired legs attest to the truth of her statement. What a very nice day. Just hiking. Good Company. Beautiful places. I am very grateful for my sis. Life is truly better with friends.

Happiness on my head...

My oldest daughter has a great love.
Her love?
A silly website with crazy cat photos.
(Feel free to check it out at http://icanhascheezburger.com/.)

An ongoing joke uses a black and a white cat to represent good and evil. The black cat is called, "Basement Cat" and the white cat is named, "Ceiling Cat". One day a photo showed a little black kitten wearing a black hat that looked like Basement Cat. Ever since, my oldest has been convinced we need hats to represent the cats. Today she made me one.

Sporting it on my head, I went to get pizza for lunch. Walking through the door of Little Caesar's, I saw an old friend who commented on the hat. It seems, her own boys are crazy for the silly website as well. She knew exactly who the hat was meant to represent. I called my daughter and laughed. What a delightful gift. Now to find a white hat for her!

Traditions that warm the heart... that set off fire alarms...

One of my happiest childhood memories of my Grandmother is helping her make hardtack candy at Christmas. I remember watching her do the "drop" test to see if the candy made a brittle thread in the cup of water. I remember being told to, "Stand Back!" and watching her pour the steaming molten candy. But, best of all, I remember that when the candy was cool I was allowed to twist the trays and crack the beautiful "glass". Then each piece was covered in powdered sugar and layered into glass jars for giving to loved ones.

My heart is warm when I think of my Grandma. I really miss her, especially around the holidays. Today, I started making candy. Blueberry began the season.

The title... you may wonder... yeah... I really did set the fire alarm off... I got distracted and burned the first batch. It takes a while to get from 200 degrees to 250 and very little from 250 to burned. I walked out of the room at exactly the wrong time. Though arguably... you should never walk out when you're making candy... I know... I know... hush! =-)

A new idea...

While talking over Christmas traditions with a friend, I talked about my Grandmother's candy. I mentioned that I never gave it to children as it was occasionally sharp and I worried about choking. My friend told me his mother poured her candy into "molds" made in powdered sugar to make small smooth pieces. I gave the idea a try today.

Success after a fashion...

The powdered sugar worked after a fashion. The shape was not "pretty" as a sucker but I think as a small free form shape it would be acceptable and it wouldn't be sharp. However, I think a lot of powdered sugar could be wasted if I am not careful. So, the jury is still out on this new idea. I'll have to work a bit more on it. It was neat to try something new anyway.

Begging berries...

Feeling snacky...
not really hungry...
I made some coffee and made a bowl of frozen berries with Cool Whip for myself.
My pup?
As you can see,
approved of my snack
and waited for me to share.

I honestly believe pets are a special blessing.
No matter if I am sad or happy...
my dog always is delighted to cuddle in and keep me company.
Truth be told,
I always put a few extra berries in...
just for him.
=-)

Games on Thanksgiving?

There is a tradition at our home that at any family gathering,
be it a birthday or a Holiday,
one is expected to take part in silly games.
Joyfully I make up the goofiest activities I can think of and gleefully convince my family to play.

There are always "normal" games like, "See how many words you can make out of the letters in "Thanksgiving"." as well as nutty ones like the "Ducky" game today.

The object of this game was to put a Ducky on your head and keep it there as you walked across the room to the pond (big blue bowl). When you reached the pond you tried to tip your head in such a way that the duck fell safely into the water.

I chuckled and took pictures.
My daughter Anna won.
The prize?
Well...
you see...
Many ducks like to eat bugs...
so...
Yup...
I offered Cheddar Larvae...
to my participants and winner...
purchased on our recent trip to Jungle Jim's International Market!
For some reason...
(wonder why)
my family seemed to think the honey filled candy and plastic bugs that were second prize sounded better...
Even my oldest,
who had eaten the creatures the week before...
wasn't so sure...
bugs...
really went well with
pumpkin pie!
ha!
gotta love that kid...

Anyone notice...

I laugh and take pictures?...

When challenged to try the game myself...

I chuckled...

Grabbed a duck...

Walked across the room...

and sent my duck tumbling to the carpet!

=-)

A safely delivered duck!

Happy Thanksgiving!

For friends and family,

on this blessed day...

I send up a prayer

of thanks.

For every gift,

both great and small...

I send up a prayer of thanks.

For God's love,

most of all.

I send up a prayer of thanks.

Dear friends...

The best part of eating the yummy baked goods pictured above will not be the creamy pie or the Cool Whip on top; it will be who I am able to share the special treat with.

My little brother will be joining my best friend and our children. My youngest sibling was originally planning to go out with my parents and my aunts for the Thanksgiving meal but because of a schedule change at his work, he was suddenly unable to accompany them. Their loss was our gain. My baby brother will be a welcome addition to our day!

Three cheers for family and friends. Like the spice in my pie tonight, they make the "dish" of life "taste" better. Now and always I wish you only the best.

Pie... thankfulness... blessings...

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving for those of us living in the United States of America. I am thankful for so many things. Most of all for my family and my friends. For a job and a home. For food, clothes and transportation I give thanks as well. I am headed down to my kitchen to make pumpkin pie. I pray that no matter where you are, you are blessed and that tomorrow your heart is able to count your blessings.

Anticipation...

Sitting here... In a long black skirt with black stockings and a construction paper hat... I am chuckling... I have turkey feathers to write with... a turkey toss game... "candles" for light (battery powered)... I'll encourage me dear ones to create hats for themselves (for the ladies... ones just like mine!) ... There will be corn muffins to eat and a silly scavenger hunt... coloring... maybe a little education too... I have a book on the first Thanksgiving after all.... How about a turkey music shaker and a silly turkey dance... Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving too! Sigh... It's a "Party" day.... Can you tell?

Say a prayer for us... Friendship... Kindness... Love... Thankfulness... Life is a blessing... we are so very loved...

Five minutes... just to play...

A job well done... a treat to keep...

Holding the car he had used for his Science experiment with wind, this young student of mine was extremely pleased that he was going to be able to keep his toy.

Happy afternoons...

Step by step, with attention and happiness, my students made a paper race track. Using a straw, a metal car and a few pom poms, the children tested out the power of their own lungs.

We discovered that red colored cars could be blown with a straw while all but one green car only wiggled. A whoop of glee erupted in the classroom when the kids blew the pom poms and sent them flying. Happily the children repeated the experiment and discovered the same results. Air does amazing things if what you are trying to move is not too heavy.

Later, questions were answered and materials were packed up to take home and share with families. After cleaning up the room, my students were given a chance to play with their cars for a few moments. You would have thought I had given them a million dollars.

Family Photos...

I'm betting...

you've been there...

How I wish all of my dear ones would smile and look at me.

Sigh....

More proof...

that the world is...

perhaps...

not...

"All about me"...

=-)
Happy Monday to you my friends.

November?

Camel meat...

Tastes like beef!

Yup, it's true.

You should try it if you get a chance.

=-)

In my crockpot...

Back home from our adventure to Jungle Jim's, I headed to the kitchen to start dinner and to begin preparations for tomorrow's lunch.

I chopped four or five small onions and added them to a pan with some olive oil. I turned the heat to medium and began to change raw harshness into something mellow and sweet. (I can not eat raw onion, but I have found that slow cooked onion does not hurt my stomach.)

In the oven, I roasted half a bulb of garlic until the individual cloves were creamy and soft inside.

In my frying pan I seared the reason for the dish...
coming all the way from Australia via our favorite International Market...
camel meat!

Yup...
I did say camel...

I deglazed the pans and added the meat juices to the crock pot and turned it on low.
I'm going to let it simmer all night...

Tomorrow,
I'm adding veggies and we'll enjoy our chance to try something truly unique.

My kids can't wait.

Have I mentioned...?
My kids are good sports.

I love Girls' Day!

POTATO!

Wandering over an acre of produce isles is a delight. My daughters and I love to ponder each exotic fruit and veggie. We also, enjoy the more traditional items.

Today Jungle Jim's had a fantastic deal on Ohio apples. We bought ourselves a bag of tasty yellow apples. They also sell red, white and purple potatoes. While we passed on this giant white potato, we did purchase two smaller white ones, two purple potatoes and two red ones as well.

I will take them to Kindergarten on Monday and we will explore them during Science and Math Class. I'm feeling a observation... a cooking taste test and even a graph or two to showcase our results and opinions.

Everyone emerged from the store smiling...

The sisters... happy... at the same time!

She ate a bug... two actually... covered in chocolate...

After enjoying an impromptu cup of ice cream with her sister and I (Yes, I do keep a scoop in my trunk.), my oldest happily started digging into our purchases which included some chocolate covered insects. Sigh... I love that kid.

A clean floor!

Tonight I pulled the carpet up in my son's room. Pry bar in hand, I crawled around the room creating a clean surface. My young man has some issues that tend to lead to yucky carpet. No matter what I do, the carpet never seems clean. So... bye bye carpet... hello significantly easier to clean floor.

I am glad to know how to remove carpet. It is nice to be able to make Andrew's room a better place to be. I find that I am headed downstairs to tackle my messy living room next.

I have two days of "real" school next week. I am so excited about Thanksgiving. I love to cook the meal and share it with my family and loved ones. My children love the meal and so does my sister. It is nice to have complete satisfaction from everyone present. I think, it is one of the only times when everyone is too pleased to squeak unhappily.

Thanksgiving afternoon the kids will be itching to put up the tree... Yeah... I guess I'm back to thinking of my living room... It needs serious effort if holiday decorations are to be quickly coming.

I am headed that way... Though I may just chill in front of the television and pop in a movie... I am tired...

Now and always,

may you find love,

friendship

and peace

on your journey through this life.

May you be blessed!

Looking out into the forest this past weekend,
I found myself in quiet awe.
Rocks,
moss,
trees,
leaves...

words that don't capture the blessing of the view

In life,
perhaps you find,
like I do,
that you'd rather skip the "times for patience"
...the chapters in your life where you must,
"wait and see".

When I look at the photo I took, it seems so "busy".
However when I captured the moment,
the same scene filled me with a deep sense of peace.

I think my photo is like life.

Looking back,
we can see times in our lives when we learned from challenges,
when we grew during times requiring patience
and moments when we were given joy from the most unlikely sources.

As I consider the past year,
I find it almost unbelievable all that has transpired.

The adventures,
the happiness,
the heartache...
the learning...
the knowledge of how much I still have to learn...

My life has been "busy".

Thinking it all over,
I find myself wishing in some ways to know how it all turns out...

Then I sigh,
count my blessings
and figure I'd better just walk the walk I am given,
and be thankful...

I am not sure about a great deal in life,
but still I pray...

As this year closes and another begins...

I ask that we are given the ability to wait when we need to,
stay strong during challenges we encounter
and accept the joy we are given.

Life is a beautiful adventure,
I truly pray that you find it to be so.

My favorite vowel activity I've ever done!

Today, using a vast collection of stuffed critters from my mother's seemingly endless supply of teaching "loot", my students and I returned "pets lost on vacation" to their proper homes. Each child sat along my classroom wall and was given an animal. When they were lightly tapped, they quickly said the animal's name and found it's home at one of the area's marked with vowel letters. For example, a fox was taken to the /o/ area while a cat was taken home to the /a/ table.

After all the pets were placed, the "Animal Rescue Boss" came and grumpily made sure all the animals were where they should be. If a creature was not in its proper "home" the "Boss" repeated the animal's name, heavily emphasising the vowel sound. After saying the pet's name, the "Boss" then yelled, "danger" and tossed the critter to a waiting "helper".

Practicing sight words on windows...

It was absolutely delightful to watch the dear ones practice their sight words and word family words today. It is amazing how fun words can be with colorful writing instruments in their hands.

The day begins...

With the recent time change,
it is still dark when I arrive at school.

I often pause and look to the sky.

There is something so very beautiful about the silhouette of trees against a starry sky.

It is the time of year to be grateful.
To count the blessings we have been so richly given.
If I stood without a possession to my name,
without a single "thing",
I would still be rich beyond measure.
My children are a priceless gift. Though there are times I shake my head and wonder if all my hair will turn gray overnight as a result of their antics, I am so blessed to be their mother.
From my loyal oldest,
my mischievous middle one
and my little guy with a heart of a teddy bear
and the appetite of an alligator....
Each one challenges and teaches me each day.
Add in parents that who are kind and truly good. Who have taught me what is right. If I fall off the path, I assure you, it is not because I haven't been raised correctly.
Even if I stopped counting my blessings at this point,
and didn't add in all the other dear ones and kind strangers who touch my life daily... I would be richer than the Biblical Solomon.
This day and always,
know that YOU are a blessing.
That your life has been given to you to use for goodness. Your very presence in this world is an opportunity for blessing. I am glad you are here and I am very sure I'm not the only one.
So..
Go ahead and hug your loved ones... smile at that stranger and let that car out when you are parked at the red light...
May you be blessed now and always with the full measure of grace and goodness that God has planned for you.

small treats... happy things...a smile in my heart...

Today the bitty gift I sent my dear one was received. It is a talisman, if you will, a happy keepsake, from a land visited so long ago. My desire to send a smile... fulfilled... The smile on my own face... dreamy and very happy. Thanks to all of you who patiently listened to me gush the day I discovered the tiny treat. =-)

Word family cars... Transportation... Happy Days...

I will not lie,

there are days,

that I,

like nearly everyone,

wish I could stay

under the covers a bit longer.

Today was one of those days.

I was sincerely tired and I wished,
oh how I wished for a day to just be lazy.

Never-the-less, I was grateful for my job and knew that so many people would gladly have mine.

So it was a sleepy,
but not honestly unhappy,
"Ms. Susan" who made her way into school.
I set up for my day. This week I am teaching Social Studies and Language Arts in my afternoon. Mornings I teach a bit of Math, Phonics, Writing and two Reading Groups. As I set up for my day, I thought things over and tried to anticipate the normal issues that can arise on Mondays.
Things went well. We welcomed back a friend who'd been out most of last week, had a guest parent reader and even received our toothbrush treats from the Tommy the Toothbrush who had visited on Friday.
When the afternoon came, I was a bit excited about the Word Family Cars my students were making. Tracing wheels, cutting, gluing and decorating. Each child chose a word family chart and several words to write on their automobile. They grinned and so did I. The first group had a few minutes left and made things that began with the vowel "A". One child drew a picture of a pretty little classmate while another made an alligator.
Perhaps you can see where this is going...
I must confess...
Maybe...
just maybe...
I laughed and suggested...
that perhaps the alligator might eat the dear one!

Glued above the little girl's likeness,
on our banner...
you guessed it...
it's an alligator...
Yes...
I do...
LOVE
Kindergarten...
And on the days when it is hard...
when things go poorly...
it is memories of smiles,
alligators...
and bitty girls that keep me going.

Can you see

the bitty stick girl

beside the green car

with the alligator

vertically above her head?

The sun was rising

There was no one on the road.

I stopped to take a picture.

To admire...

just for a moment...

the gift of the new day.

I hike...

when I'm happy...
when I'm not...
I seek the solitude of the path...

Into the Conkle's Hollow Nature Preserve

Knowing that soon

the trail I sought

would be unsafe for months...

I took one more trek up

to look out at the beauty

that defies descriptive words.

holes in trees

water bubbling over leaves...

I made my way

over beloved ground.

Back to my car... over to Old Man's Cave... on the trail to Cedar Falls...

Up and down,

over rocks and branches...

Careful with feet and hands,

falling a real possibility.

I looked down,

and

smiled.

Look and see what I did,

notice the patina?

How many hands do you think have reached

for the same spot to safely descend?

I am not alone.

Not alone in my love.

Not alone on my trek.

Not alone.

My eyes are drawn toward the heavens... yet again...

my mind... still a bit of a tangle... but better for the trail...

I give thanks this day.
For my family.
For my friends.
For my home and job.
For my life.
Regardless of what I feel...
I am blessed.
I am loved.
I am thankful.

Three Creeks Metro Park... evening beaver hunt...

Proof that we learn something every day...

Beaver it seems...

eat the growth layer of trees...

the "juicy" part full of sugar and nutrients...

Hmmm...

I thought they ate fish...

who knew?

Now I do!

The adventure ended with a treat from the gift shop

but our trip to the Air Force Museum in Dayton... was much more than a shopping expedition...

If you think you've had a bad day.

Consider this "blunder" trophy.

It wasn't given to a flying "ace".

pictures... so many taken... even a playful one of my sis and I taking photos of each other...