Our garden grows!

As the year came to a close I had mixed feelings that every teacher understands. I was a little sad. Some of my students will not be back for the summer. I may not see them again. As they have been a part of my life since August, I will miss them. I was also happy. My students made good academic gains and I was proud of their progress. I was excited about the long summer before me and eagerly anticipating the summer camp I am leading.

Like the corn my students are growing in our school garden, the best things in life take time. Anything worth doing... worth learning... worth having... is worth the time and effort it takes to nurture it. If we were to stop tending our garden now, we would get nothing but perhaps a few ears and a lot of weeds. Since I am looking forward to having a "corn party" and enjoying tomatoes with my summer campers, this is not an acceptable option.

Because of this, I will help my charges tend our little oasis of nutrition. Day by day, I will teach them how to weed, when to water and what to do about the pests that may arrive. Together we will learn... together we will work... together we will share the joy when our efforts pay off!

Just one plastic cup

Hot...

so hot...

Our students hiked at Blendon Woods today.

Finding so many colored mushrooms...

Squealing at giant daddy long legs...

Chasing each other up the path...

Though the walk was mostly shaded,

everyone was about melted

when we headed back to our meeting point.

Don't fear...

One plastic cup + one drinking fountain + children standing in a line= wet happy students!

It is such a blessing to work with such delightful little people.

Water...

just water...

and they smiled...

laughed...

relaxed...

Sigh...

Have I ever told you?

I love my job!

playing at camp

This morning
my ladies at camp
were turning cartwheels.
During the course of their dizzy happiness,
they recalled that some teacher...
(mmmm... who could she be?)
knew how to do them too...

Sigh...
yup...
that would be me...
playing
with my crew
at
summer camp!

Meet Google

Today,
in addition to our caterpillar,
that is comfortably resting in our butterfly habitat,
my students found a bitty toad!

We all had to get a good look,
we even showed the "babies" next door,
who were out having a water play day.

With my Principal's normal grace,
she accepted it all as a matter of course,
and we now have a new pet.

I normally would be against capturing a wild critter.
However,
I can keep it safer in our classroom
where it will be looked at
and not repeatedly caught
or squished by the lawn people
like the last toad we found...
(yikes)

Blissful Chaos

Picture thirty children

now add a few more.

Imagine a teacher calling roll.

Kids are answering automatically.

The one or two more mischievous kids

are prompted to speak by their teacher

and then the task is complete.

Now close your eyes and picture something else.

The same thirty odd kiddos

all wearing name tags

bearing a name other than their own.

As attendance is called,

they don't all remember who they are supposed to be.

They are prompted several times before,

with a gasp or a giggle

they are nudged

and happily recall the silly daydream

they are a part of at summer camp.

Today's "Star Day" was a hoot.

Although we did talk about burning balls of gas

that shine brightly in the night sky.

The most fun...

The true monkey business

was the chaos that ensued

from allowing the students to choose

new names for themselves.

After all,

being famous...

is often referred to as being a "Star"....

And if you are a star,
it can be exhausting

and some days,

you just want to relax

and be someone else.

My co- teachers and I had new names too.

I was Ms. Sam,

my friends?

Ms. Oprah and Miss Purple!

The entire day we refused to answer if we were called by our "incorrect" names.

At lunch we ate starburgers

and

after a zany romp in our empty adjacent field,

the students who found the star stickers hidden among the waving forest of Queen Anne's Lace became our kid crew leaders for the day.

They were our line leaders and were asked to make all decisions for their group that required camper input. There was no group voting today!

What gleeful nonsense.

What a blessing to have a boss who laughs

and goes along with the fun.

sigh....

I do love my job.

I do not know what kind of day you had.

You may have had a hard day.

Perhaps someone was unkind.

Maybe your day was enjoyable.

It is possible you were bored.

Whatever happened today...

I hope that tonight,

you have found a happy peaceful moment.

The world is better because you are in it.

Thank you for what you do...

for who you are.

May you be blessed this night

and always.

I wish you only good things.

(and comfort in times that rotten things come your way instead!)

=-)

My choice from our Dollar Tree stop!

Back home after Adventure Day...
I tried on my choice from the Dollar Tree...
On our first stop,
Everyone had received a dollar and seven cents
to choose any one item from the store.
My youngest daughter chose sour gummy worms,
which she shared with her sister and I.
My oldest kiddo's choice?
lip gloss with lip liner.
I chose these stylish glasses!
I'm wearing them for "Star Day" at camp on Monday.
I laughed as my son's caregiver took the picture for me.
My students are going to be so amused.
What fun.

Secret Pirate Cookies

Today my students built a Lincoln log style tower
more than six feet tall
with "pirate sticks"
...(carpenter pencils)

We searched for our missing breakfast
and discovered the food
and another clue
outside in the back parking lot.
("How could I have put it there? I was with you all morning")

Deciphering the clues,
we were directed to our Principal's office
where yet another mysterious brown note
suggested we head to the front of our property
and pay a visit our daycare's front office.

Happily chattering,
more than twenty children
went on a merry hike
to visit a highly cooperative administrator.

Left,
in a box,
was our missing afternoon movie,
an apology,
and a peace offering
of crackers,
margarine
and a pack of Hershey bars.

The note suggested we make a secret pirate recipe...
Pirate cookies!

We did....
Later we made eye patches, hats, parrots....
Played pirate reading relay games...
as well as a strange game of follow the leader where students were "lashed" together with friend and had to do everything I did or risk being disqualified...
(yeah, like that was going to really happen!)

We even made up a pirate song!

I laughed so hard trying to sing it,
the kids did too.

It was the kind of day that leaves me deeply satisfied.

I love teaching.
I love summer camp.
yup...
I love my job.

Tonight I give thanks for working somewhere I love.
Somewhere I can use the talents I have been given.
I pray that you are able to find a way to use your gifts.
You are a blessing to those around you.
Your smile can make the difference to those having a rough day.
Your call, your card, your prayers...
can help those you care about.

May YOU know that you are loved,
that YOU are prayed for,
that YOU are a blessing.
That you are blessed.
Now, Always and forever...
I wish you peace.