We cracked an egg...

I have eleven new dear ones. School has been in session a week now and as I get ready for the coming days ahead, I smile. I sincerely like my new students; they are nice little people. This past Friday as we worked together, cooking for the first time, I stopped to snap a few photos. In the calm of the moment I was struck by how very wonderful it is to teach small children. Joy... true joy... all from cracking eggs and half a blueberry muffin...

Tomorrow we welcome our new pet, a lovely blue beta fish. We'll vote on what to call him and begin our final preparations for this Friday's Grandparents' Day celebration... I am so glad to be a teacher.

I pray that your week is one of peace. I wish you only good things. May you be blessed.

Adventuring with those we love

Standing in the mist,

getting ready to leave,

I sighed.

I took a picture of the happy people around me and I was so very grateful for the blessings granted to me this day. My daughters, my best friend and her son all enjoyed our outing today. A festival... a happy one... a moment of true American culture shared with those who share my daily life. Time together is so precious, happy memories were made today to hold close on days we need them. Blessings, happy times... a wonderful day.

Moments together

Tonight my eldest daughter and I continued a tradition together.

We made hardtack candy.

I used to make it with my beloved grandmother.

As a very little girl I remember how happy I was when I would be allowed to twist the tray and crack the candy.

It was so very satisfying to watch the smooth sheet of "glass" shatter into a zillion yummy pieces.

Rolled in sugar and tucked into jars,

everyone had their favorite flavor.

Real peppermint oil made the green ones icky in my book,

while yellow guaranteed a lemony treat.

After dinner tonight,

as we spent several hours together,

we talked about her journey to high school.

We discussed where she was going to go.

I had to tell her that while I would do my best to send her along with her buddies to our Catholic High School... I couldn't promise her it would happen.

This was a sad reality that she hadn't considered.

Over the course of the evening, while we stirred, shattered and sugared, we talked it out.

The possibilities,

the future.

We even ended up talking about college and career choices.

It was an important discussion, one made more natural, more tolerable by the task we were completing together.

The delicious candy,

"sweetened" the situation just a little.

Memories were made and I am so proud of the woman my daughter is becoming.

I am blessed by her gentle spirit...

Glad she is mine to love.

I pray that your own life will be blessed with dear ones to cherish...

that your walk be "sweeter" because of them.

Temptation

Fully a month before I am technically advised to do so,

I am about to go out and plant flower seeds.

It doesn't matter that it might frost.

I truly understand it might happen.

I just don't care.

I have enough seeds...

plenty of determination...

and a terrible itch to play in the dirt.

I'll plant some sunflowers every few days until I am satisfied.

One year the squirrels "won" and I only had seven.

Most years,

I get the upper hand.

I usually end up with twenty or thirty

sunny ambassadors of happiness.

The key in my mind,

and my philosophy about most everything in life...

Never give up!

If you put enough out there,

eventually some will grow!

Go ahead...

chuckle...

I know it's kinda nuts.

But,

hey...

It works!

I wish for you,

something to bring satisfaction and joy your way...

Whatever it may be...

I pray that peace and happiness will fill your heart.

May you be blessed this day,

tomorrow

and

always.

Happy Surprises!

After work,

when I was digging in my change about to satisfy my late afternoon desire for a cup of coffee,

I found something really neat!

A shiny penny caught my eye.

It was flipped to the back side

and I did a double take when I realized

that I didn't recognize the picture it bore.

Happily I picked it up and tucked it in my pocket. I couldn't resist showing it to the clerks in the store, my parents when I picked my youngest daughter up and my son's aide when I made it home. Of course my kids were impressed too and I can't wait to show my Kindergarten students tomorrow!

Apparently,

there will be four new designs this year in honor of President Lincoln's birth.

I love our Mint. It is so much fun to collect coins. I love the thrill of finding one in your change on gray days.

It really makes the day seem like more fun.

And... it's not just me... everyone seems to like them.

If you haven't seen one,

go to your bank and ask for one.

I am betting you'll smile.

Simple joys...

happiness for us all...

even when it's gray.

Thank you for sharing this day with me.
May you be filled with happiness that does not rely on the light from the unpredictable spring sun.

Now,

Tomorrow,

Forever,

May you be blessed with peace in your heart.

Did that sign say State Route 70?

My eldest daughter and I played hooky today.

I used a personal day and sprung her from school.

Our plans included running errands,

a couple donuts and a trip to her favorite Metro Park!

By around ten o'clock, our errands were done and our donuts were a vague but happy memory as I headed our adventure mobile toward our destination.

Not known for my great navigational skills,

I missed my turn.

Happily,

there are wonders to see down every road in Ohio

and we stopped at Dawes Arboretum just outside of Newark.

There we walked the two and a quarter mile Oak Trail.

...Up hills,

past breathtakingly lovely water,

near relaxing parents and playing children...

We talked and laughed and,

from time to time,

paused to sit on a bench and enjoy the scenery.

We were never,

"Lost"

as my daughter claims.

I knew where we were.

It just wasn't the place we had originally intended.

Life is full of unexpected detours

that often turn out to be at least as nice as the original plans we make.

May your day,

your night,

your adventure,

be wonderful...

Even if you don't end up where you thought you were going!

Anticipating Summer!

Escaping work a half an hour early

with my Principal's blessing,

I stopped home and picked up my oldest daughter

who had just walked in from school.

Together we headed out to run a few errands.

Of course the windows were down and we took the silly dog with us.

I'd like to blame it on the feel of spring in the air...

(but, we all know the truth...)

I simply didn't even try to resist the call of Dairy Queen.

With a new "Midnight Truffle" Blizzard on sale,

it was simply a given that we had to stop.

It seems almost cruel to tell you...

as perhaps you do not have a Dairy Queen near you,

or maybe yours is not open yet.

I am sorry if this is true,

for the creamy confection we devoured was surely worth recommending!

Tonight,

I will pray that you and yours find a way to relax.

Be it ice cream or just good company.

I hope that as your evening begins,

that you are blessed with love in your heart and a smile on your lips.

If tonight finds you troubled,

please know that you are thought of with a sincere prayer for a better day tomorrow.

May you be blessed,

Today,

Tomorrow

and

Forever.

Summer Daydreams...

I am smiling as I happily listen to my itunes.

I find that the rhythm of my typing,

is seeming to fall in line with the beat of my music.

This weekend has been wonderful.

I have had so many adventures...

so many blessings...

so much happiness...

That I will be hard pressed to fall asleep tonight.

My mind is whirling.

...with happy thoughts...

possibilities

joyous musings...

...lovely discoveries

perfect moments...

I find myself daydreaming...

looking at my pictures...

smiling at my past adventures

with my children

chuckling at the new ones

that are just around the corner...

for my kiddos

and those just for me!

All on my own.

I know I'm gushing....

(looking slightly sheepish in Ohio)

I just want to share the fun with all of you!

Pigs

From childhood tales of friendship and loyalty,

to modern day fairy tales like Babe,

there is something about pigs that captures the imagination.

A dear student of mine has requested to learn about these fascinating creatures.

So, learn we shall!

From why they like mud,

to what they like to eat.

We'll work hard to find out all we can discover together.

I smile when I think of the dot to dots, the "pig" sight word games and even a "pig" art project that will take place.

We will meet our standards and fulfill a wish at the same time.

The thought of the week makes my heart sigh.

Innocent curiosity and pleasure.

Mud and slop...

Smelly and dirty

or washed in buttermilk waiting for the fair judges...

The little one who requested knowledge of pigs will be so happy.

His classmates will enjoy the fun as well.

I am so sincerely blessed to be a teacher.

May the week before you,

the events yet to unfold,

be moments that touch your heart.

I pray that whatever you face,

that there will be some innocent pleasure

to bring you peace.

May you be blessed.

We had so much fun!

Last week, in their homework folders, my students were asked what it was they'd like to study before the end of the year.

Today, in response to one young man's suggestion,

we learned about worms!

We read a book about worms.

Visited an amazing interactive website

all about the squirmy critters!

Watched a Max and Ruby cartoon entitled, "Worm Cake".

Made our own construction paper "friend".

and....

drum roll please!

We worked in pairs,

with metal spoons,

to dig for worms!

We found worms enough for everyone and brought them inside to examine them at length. We even put wet paper towels in the bottom of our collection container so they wouldn't dry out.

I'm not fibbing...

I had students' begging to take their worm home.

I told them I could make no promises about that.

That...gasp!... not everyone loved worms.

I reminded them about how I felt about wolf spiders.

(I hope only a few parents want to skin me alive for the new "pet".)

Days like today make me so glad to be a Kindergarten teacher.

Where else could I play in the dirt and be paid?

I hope that your evening,

your weekend,

is just as blessed as my day has been!

Enjoy the simple pleasures all around you!

Nickel Nonsense

Tomorrow is the end of the Third Quarter at school. This past week has been a calm time with review and assessments.

We've gone on sight word "hunts", used shaving cream to practice word families and popped popcorn to assist with addition.

Today we played another game of, "You can keep it!" This game is my attempt at motivating my students struggling with coin identification. In most families, children simply do not see coins being used on a daily basis. The piggy bank with begged change is no longer a bedroom standard. My intelligent children do not have the life experience to intuitively know which coin is which.

My response?
Literally a group discussion.
An examination of a coin.
A comparison to the other coins.

We name it.
We talk about the possible pictures that could be on it.
(The new coins, which thrill collectors, terrorize my students.)

Then... if they can name it... and tell me its value, it is THEIRS!

...(insert chuckle here)...

Nickels, pennies and dimes still make an impression in 2009.

Please don't clue them into their actual relative value!

After our lesson, every kid could tell me what I'd given them;
they could show me where the nickel said, "Five Cents".
For the rest of our day together,
every time I saw a coin in the hands of a student,

I asked what it was and how much it was worth.

Every time, they knew!

Review time is so satisfying because the progress my students have made makes me so happy.

Kindergarten children learn so much; they are a privilege to help educate.

I hope for you this evening,
the simple pleasure my students had today
as they nibbled ten pieces of popcorn,
measured snakes out of play dough
and
collected their very own nickel!

Good night and God bless!

We found it!

Under a bush,

sitting on top of the pine needles and other leaf litter....

not under a piece of slate as it was suggested,

My dear friend and I found our first letter box!

Only one car slowed in the parking lot when I initially sat down to stick my hand under a bush.

Thankfully my buddy and I look harmless and though the woman in the car looked a little puzzled, she kept going and our quest was safe!

I ended up half way under the bushes before I found the box.

With a hushed cry of triumph and a giggle at how silly I must have looked, my friend and I quickly headed a distance away to open our treasure and discover its secrets.

Inside the box was an amazing hand created stamp featuring an amazing likeness of the famous Seurat painting the park's bushes bear resemblance to.

The logbook was a lovely discovery as well. The happy stamps from other adventurers made me smile and at the same time wish I could meet the interesting people who were there before me!

Most of the stamps were from people around Ohio and some dated back several years!

How fun to become part of such an interesting pastime.

My dear friend and I are already planning our next adventurous hunt.

She's heard of a set of seven boxes that we just must find!

Can you hear my happy sigh and feel my smile?

The wonderful break from the real world was so welcome that I seem to be unable to find words to convey the sheer joy of it all adequately.

I hope for you today,

that you are able to find a break when you need one.

I pray your days are filled with the adventures you need

and the peace we all crave.

May you be blessed!

Tears over acorns

So many times I hear people say that children are so hard to please.

I listen, and I know there is truth to what is said.

But, today when my Kindergarten kids squealed appreciatively over the acorns I collected to share, I had to smile.

I knew they would be pleased and I wasn't disappointed.

One kiddo even cried because her friend pulled off her acorn's cap!

The nuts couldn't have disappeared quicker if I'd had a room full of furry critters instead of little students.

Acorns....

:-)