Best Bubbles Ever!

Today was the last day of school.  We spent the first hour and twenty minutes packing up the room, moving books, stamping books, cleaning, and I had two kids mix up three "batches" of bubbles.

The recipe I used:
     1/2 cup of light corn syrup
     1 cup Dawn dish was detergent
     1 1/2 quarts water

My niece came and picked up some supplies, we walked the mile or so to the picnic area along the Fox River, I opened up the buckle, portioned out the liquid and...it was a hit!  The kids used it (all up) for over two hours.  They rotated out a bit by class, but a few of my kiddos stayed pretty much the entire time!

(This is one of the times I wish I had a better camera and knew how to use it...)

Enjoy!

 Yes that's me in the penguin shirt...

The kids thanked me over and over, it was pretty sweet.  What a wonderful way to end this school year!

Just Say Jesus

Last week, the first week back to classroom teaching, had me drained.  My student teacher's last day was Thursday, and I taught most of the week.  I can do this, goodness, I've done it for years, but I was straight back to exhausted day one.

I think part of it was because my student teacher was still in the room, and the kids were confused by the transition.  I think it's because though her expectations were high, mine are even higher and the kids had to be reminded to meet them again.  There was a little bit of playing us against each other by the kids that had me feeling extra alert.

There has to be a way, I thought as I drove home feeling so cranky, to bring more Jesus into my classroom.  Better yet, to recognize He IS always there, but I have to consider Him more.

That same night, Brad and I were reading our Jesus Calling for the day, and Sarah Young suggested I just say, "Jesus," before reacting.  Say His name.  Remember He's there.  Okay, that's my paraphrase for what she wrote, but it did answer my prayer. It is a prayer.

As I face the remaining school days of this year, I'm going to work to savor them and not wish to squander them.  This group is a talkative one, and many students have great needs.  I have to recognize that I'm dealing with pressure being heaped on me (on all teachers) like no other year--personnel changes, technology changes and curriculum changes. 

I have to remember they are, cool as they think they may be, little kids. I have to separate external stresses and be their teacher.

"Jesus" will help me.  Jesus IS in my classroom. Time to have Him smiling at me more than shaking His head at me.

Piecey

 See below for what's up with these cookies, 

but they're like these I made for Thanksgiving last year...

So I haven't joined Friday Fragments lately, but yesterday I decided to make it a goal.  Ta da.  I'm publishing my Friday Fragments on Saturday...

**************

Stepped out of my comfort zone twice in the last 48 hours.

One, I tried out for a musical at my former church even though I don't sing or dance.  I wasn't nervous until I crossed the threshold, and then I was a basket case.  We'll see what happens...

Two, I went to my first IT committee meeting (instructional technology).  This attendance was forced on me, but still I did okay.  There are some tech geeks (jealous) on the committee (including two brilliant HS girls), but I think the director also wants some less than tech savvy folks. He's got one in me.

*************

This past week, a young teacher at work said to me, "You do EVERYTHING, you are amazing."  This was a "just in passing" comment.  She's so kind, I was flattered but more than a little confused, so I asked her to tell me what "everything"  meant.  Really, it was nothing stellar.  Just to clarify, I am not amazing and I don't do everything.  (I'm really good at sitting on my buns; sure wish I could find more time for that.)

However two things came from this comment:  One, me counting all the ways I'm not amazing and mentally marking off the things I don't know how to/can't do.  Two, the memory of one of Brad's daughters-in-law telling me I'm a know-it-all.  Allowing all these thoughts in hurt me.  Why did I do that to myself?  For Pete's sake, a sweet young teacher complimented me, shouldn't I just accept it and not question it?

I did go to her later to see if it was a good thing, I told her about the know-it-all comment to let her know I wasn't fishing for more compliments.  So now she knows how insecure I am.

 ************

Confession:  I am a sucker for thank you notes.  I think it's important to send them.  I got the nicest one from my friend Helen's daughter this week.  A few weeks ago, I went to a baby shower for her, and she sent a cute, thoughtful, addressed-by-her-note.  

I need to send out some thanks.  As I've written recently, I don't do it enough.

************

Opened my mouth in a different work meeting this week, and now I find myself having to read a book I was only thinking about reading, implement the practice, and then teach others.

Right now, the only perk I see to this is that I don't have to buy the book as my principal is buying it for me.

*************

My class is a group of young ones this year but I think we're beginning to grow on us. This is the last week of the quarter, and I'm hoping we do some fun things to take a break, and I know we're going to start on our first service project.  Deadlines to meet?  Sure.  Fun to have? Absolutely!

(Science unit to wrap up, science quiz, writing to publish, compost bin to assemble, art for the too blank walls, witches hat birthday treat, Operation Christmas Child begins...and for me lots of grading and report cards!)

************

Best thing about this week, my son came home from LSU for a short visit.  We've managed to see quite a bit of him between his friend time.  (And we've seen his friends too.  Bonus!)

Thanks Mrs. 4444!

Today

This morning, I read this facebook status of a good friend of mine: 
"Ate at Parkside Grill with the boys tonite (Monday night basketball… for them, not for me). Missed our regular server, "Sarah," and got a very beige, uninterested guy. Not a fan of the apathetic serving technique. If you don't like your job, find something else to do!"

My first reaction was, "Yeah!"  Immediately following that was the realization that I didn't like my job yesterday.  In fact, I wanted to just walk out of my classroom and not return.  Part of me wanted to write to my friend and say, "Hey cut him some slack," or "Walk in his shoes," or some similar namby-pamby reply.  I wanted to tell her, "I had a crap day yesterday--can't even pinpoint why, but I am not going to and can't quit my job."

Why am I confessing this?  Because beyond yesterday, I am having a tough year.  Because I can't share details here other than to say I'm working harder than I ever have before, due to many circumstances.  Working harder even than my first year of teaching when I had a class of 29.  

So that's how my day started, and I can't say it got much better.  But I can say, though it was a tough day, and though my heart hurts, I found some things to laugh about.  Thank God, literally, for laughter.

Can't share those stories either.  Not for confidentiality reasons, but because they wouldn't translate here.  

Here's hoping, namby-pamby as it is, that my friend's server found something to giggle over today.

I should be...

...running.  And I will, once I publish this.

This is one of those posts about which I am feeling cautious.  I want to tell you all what's up.  So many of you have reached out to me lately via facebook messages and email, and I don't want to cause unnecessary worry because I'm okay.  I am concerned I'll write too much as I attempt to explain.  (Or I'll just bore you all!)

School started a month ago, and it has worn me out.

I had another sinus infection, and this time I opted to not go to the doctor.  In time, not in due time obviously, I will see a specialist.  Eight infections in one year is excessive.

My kids are sweet, but I have a few more than a handful who like love to talk. Now, this might not seem like a big thing, except that every time I share a direction or an ask (about 250 times a day), I have to repeat myself at least twice (some days I've counted, and it's been up to seven times--often for very simple directions like, "Take out your binder.").  When I ask for their attention, many of them think I want it for a only a second and no longer.  So I get their attention, but it's really an endeavor to keep it.

I feel bad for the kids who are working to listen all the time.  They lose their precious learning time too.

As a whole, my kiddos cannot settle down from recess, and many spend a lot of time talking during transitions, so we lose recess minutes as the day goes on.  Recess, once earned (something I've never had to qualify before), is at the very end of the day--there's no instruction readiness after recess.

I find I am working more with children at times when I am accustomed to their being independent. I run through lunch and plan time--working more than past years during those precious moments--and stay until six on Thursdays and Fridays when I don't have tutoring after school.  Homework for me is a given.

It's been super hard to get the kids into any routine, to get myself into a routine, and we're still working on scheduling and instruction changes. So any routines attempted keep changing.

There are some other challenges too.  I have received a number of emails from a concerned parent, and I have answered every one. I have been misunderstood in many of these communications no matter how I work to phrase things.  Over the weekend, I received a reply that had me in tears.  I was devastated, I think I reacted that way because I have been working so hard on so many other aspects of my classroom and instruction, and that's not going to change for the entire year.  I saw the year unfold...

(In retrospect, the funny part is that I cried in Dominick's--a grocery store.  It all just hit me whilst walking the aisles.  I couldn't focus enough to choose a cereal...finally I chose Froot Loops.  Can you say, "In need of comfort food?" When we got in the car, Brad said, "Didn't you want to go to Bed, Bath and Beyond?"  I laughed and said, "I couldn't decide on cereal, I'm certainly not going to be able to focus on choosing barware!"   I have this need for trying out that amaretto margarita idea and I love a just-right-glass...no worries, no plans to imbibe every night!)

Today our schedule changes yet again.  By next week, we'll have many reading interventions to implement, and second quarter I'm going to more with the reading workshop I've been reading about and planning for.  I'm taking on something new because it is best for the kids, but I'm waiting to do it right.

Science is new.  Math is different.  Much for me to learn before I teach.

In addition, this year I offered to be one of our building union reps, and I was undersold on the requirements/expectations of the position.  It's a big responsibility, and I want to represent my peers well.  I'm not a militant union person, but in our case we are strong and collaborative, and I think it's important to be a part of that.  (Two years ago, we all took a pay freeze to keep our peers employed.  The media missed out on thoroughly reporting that good act.)  Ours is a group that cares for children.
I have to focus on the small victories and growth I see in the kids.   And I do see growth, finding the time to reflect  is the trick.

I love my job.  It is a blessing.

I am not complaining. I am simply tired.

Sometimes I am too spent to think when I get home.

Representing my staff is an honor.

I ask that you respect because you went to school doesn't mean you know what it's like to be a teacher. Because your kids went or go to school doesn't mean you know what it's like to be a teacher.  If you taught more than five years ago, you no longer know what it's like to be a teacher--things have changed that much.  We work harder than ever.

It is an important job.

I have some wonderfully involved parents who have said and done some really nice things!  I can't wait to get to know them all better.  How generous they are!  Art mom, copy mom, valance making mom, a dad who thanks me every time I send a group email, a math mom who thanked me for wanting to include her in a group email, party moms, Operation Christmas Child donations being discussed...all smiles there!

I tutor three special girls after school who make my heart sing. 

Putting this all in perspective, this too shall pass. Jesus is with me. Brad and I are good.  He's been great at home with helping me, soothing me, and tucking me in--often early.  My team of fellow fourth grade teachers are the most agreeable people I have ever worked with. I forget to, but I should thank God for them daily.  I have friends going through trials I cannot imagine, things that make my pressures seem featherweight.  I grab hold of that and pray for them.  That helps the most.  Prayer. Knowing my prayers count and knowing friends are praying for me has held me up, so in turn I talk to God in hopes of doing the same for others.  What a gift that is.

It's so quiet...

...at least it will be until 8:55 this morning! 

Another 4S year begins.

(And this is what a DIY person I'm becoming...I want a valance for my window, and I think I could actually make one!  Hm...)

Fragmento!

• First of all since it's Friday and this is all due to Mrs. 4444, it calls for a photo of TGIFriday's appletini from Wednesday night's "anniversary" dinner (4 years, 4 months).  Tasty, but not nearly as good as my own watermelon margarita.
• We started school yesterday with an all day meeting. I'm not a fan of meetings, neither is my behind, but I am thankful to have a job.  While it's hard to kiss summer break good-bye, summer is still here--nice and kind weather for at least another month.
• This is going to be the most challenging school year I have experienced in a number of years.  "Change is good, change is good, change is good..."  I'll take your prayers if you'd like to offer them.
• Bedtime is getting earlier as I get older. Looking at:

• My friend Kimberly has been creating some whiz-bang stuff for her daughter's college apartment. I'm not talented, nor is my son interested (well, he might be, but I haven't asked).  So I will say this about his LSU apartment...I liked his shower curtain:

• On Wednesday I went to the chick doctor.  She encouraged me in my wussy running, and then she told me she's training for the Chicago Marathon but hadn't run in over a week.  It gave me license to take that day off...and yesterday too.
• I guess I'm dreaming if I think I'll get a thank you note.  (How's that for a seemingly disconnected thought?)
• Here's our very sad, started-from-seed-by-me-I-was-so-proud, solo tomato:

• Craig's List.  Whoever he is, I love that "man."  Three big items sold this week.
• My friend is having a yard sale in a few weeks. She hopes to adopt a baby from Haiti.  Boy, that gave me reason to purge, both at home and at school.  Stuff, be gone!  A better catalyst than an episode of Hoarders!  Look out when I'm on a get-rid-of-roll!
• Found a way to avoid meetings today.  More on this later.
• Don't you just love good blog friends who share your passions?  Rebecca Jo sent this to me because our library doesn't own it!  Stacy sent me a book last month that I've already passed ahead.  Reading fiends for friends?  Can't have enough! Thanks for sharing ladies. 

Waiting for Superman (not my normal kind of post)

     A number of months ago, a blogger I know* wrote a passionate post after watching the 2010 documentary Waiting for Superman.  I didn't comment on her blog, but I did address some of her statements here.  I was angry, and before engaging her in an on-line discussion, I wanted to calm myself.  Her original post lambasted teachers in general, and since I'm a teacher, well, that ticked me off.
     (Going back to review that post before writing this one, I am certain she has amended her original wording.  In the follow up comments, she also stated she cleared her post with several teachers and principals she knew. I am skeptical of this claim.)
     Weeks later, when I did work to engage her in an on-line conversation, she said she hadn't attacked all teachers, and she asked if I had seen the movie. She didn't think I should comment on her editorial without watching the film. This was all during a time when teachers were taking a beating in the media and from some local state governments, and I sure wasn't up for another punch from a movie.  When I'm in the thick of the school year, school consumes me. I couldn't watch a movie about it too.
      However, she did have a valid point.
      Finally, while Brad was away the other night, I watched the movie.

      My first thought was,  
I am not surprised by anything in this film. 
There was nothing new in it. 
What's shameful is most people who watch it are shocked.

     You see, I studied such inadequacies in both my undergrad and graduate coursework. Most notably, at one point I was assigned the book There Are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz and, and on my own, I read Savage Inequalities by Jonathan Kozol.  Both were heartrending.

     So I have been aware.  We don't talk about the real world "out there" because the classroom is the real world.
     Most assuredly, there are children in America who are not being served by their local public school system.  There are many parents who are apathetic, or students who accept the status quo--what else do they know?  But there are many, many caring parents and children who want more and know there has to be better for them.
     I am blessed to work in a strong, healthy suburban school district.  Still, I want to refute, based on my experience, some of the things mentioned in her post and in the film.  In a way both she and the film makers blanketed so much of education.

• It took me four years to earn tenure not two.  In our district, tenure does not guarantee me a job for life, it only offers me the protection of due process should an administrator decide I'm a poor teacher. Just as a student has data collected to help serve them, administration would need to collect data to terminate my employment.
• I have known teachers who haven't reached or earned tenure and have been dismissed. I know another who lost her job--though she was allowed to "retire" to save face--because she did not do her job well after many years of re-mediation. 
• We have no storehouse for "lemons" or ineffective teachers in our district.  Our union and our administrators wouldn't allow for such.  We aim for excellence.
• The movie and the post promoted charter schools, but then the movie stated that only 1 in 5 charter schools is effective.  That's 20 percent. That's no better, in fact it's worse, than the statistics for successful public schools.
• Charter schools, and parochial schools for that matter as evidenced in the movie, can and do kick students out.  After choosing who to accept, they can and do let children go based on performance and income.  Public schools cannot.  We are open to all students. 
• Our school uses RtI, Response to Intervention and Problem Solving to help re-mediate children's reading issues, math issues and behavior issues.  The most important goal is to help readers.  We are dedicating the first part of each school morning to RtI, and ALL staff is involved.  Most importantly, we diagnose and treat all readers who are in need.  Reading must be number one, and at our school it is.
• We have a reading specialist, who serves kids through the second grade in addition to what the classroom teachers are doing.  
• Our school improvement team designed an after school reading program for third grade at risk students--this program is funded solely through grants and proceeds from flower sales.  The teachers buy nearly 50% of the flowers.
• Merit pay was mentioned in the movie and mentioned in the blogger's vehement response after watching it.  This is a tough subject.  Simply put, I enjoy working with the struggling kids, I treasure any growth from them.  Would I "take" kids with Asberger's, children with reading issues, students with emotional issues or teach the kids for whom math is so hard, if their growth determined my ability to make my mortgage payment?  How would my merit be measured?
• I have volunteered to be one of my building's union representatives for the upcoming school year, to see for myself how things work at that level.  I have always admired my peers who have done so, and now it's my turn.  I am certain I will not agree with everything stated, but I want to learn. Like any political organization, the NEA has leaders who like to be seen and heard. That doesn't mean each one of us agrees with them.
• The post also mentions teacher credit unions.  Obviously this blogger is confused since credit unions are similar to banks, and  they have nothing to do with contracts and teacher rights.  Nor does tenure have anything to do with higher pay.  She has a true misunderstanding of what she is decrying.

     In Batavia, we do our very best to support students from all income backgrounds--and our best is good, but we always strive for better.   I am blessed to work in a place where I am allowed to disagree with administration and not be in fear for my job--and that is not due to tenure protection, it's due to mutual respect.  I am blessed to work with the people I spend my days with, both my peers and my students.
     My job is a privilege.
     There are good teachers everywhere, and as stated in the film, good teachers make a difference.  If anything, this film has me wanting to do more for my kids.  As I sit here in summer, missing them but enjoying this break, I pray I find more strength for next school year.  Please Lord, continue to strengthen me.  Everything is all about you after all.
    

*In order for full disclosure, I admit this is a young woman I have not often been able to get along with, so any communication with her has been dicey--on the part of both of us. (Link to her months ago post will be provided to those who ask for it via email.)


I will be sharing this post with my superintendent and my principal because I am thankful for their roles in my life and the care they show for our students.

Ah, just another perk of my great job!

     The other day, I noticed one of my sweet students sporting something similar to this:

     That's about how much I could see of it.  But since I'm hip, oh so hip, I knew what the rest of the bracelet read, just add a "bies" onto the part you can see.
     Yeah, a third grader.  (Tutoring student.)  A sweet young boy.  I had had a rough day,  was feeling overly cranky, and I most certainly wasn't going to talk with him about his "bies" love in front of his peers--can you imagine the 'splaining I'd have to do?  So at the end of the session, I stopped in the office and I told our wonder-secretary about it.  He met me as I was coming out of the office, and I looked to his wrist where I only saw:

     Seems like he's an equally opportunity Lothario.  He "hearts" nerds, too.  So I bit the teacher bullet and asked, "Where's your other bracelet?"  He had layered it inside the nerds cuff.  I played dumb, very easy for me to do, and I asked, "What does that other one say?"
     Ah ha, he wouldn't tell me.  He looked a little, but only a little, chagrined, so I said, "Well, if you can't tell me what it says, then you probably shouldn't wear it to school, right?"  Smart boy, he agreed.
     Talking to a boy about a "bie" bracelet (and yes I know they're all about breast cancer awareness--but come on, he's eight) is right up there with the time I had to talk to a boy to tell him, "You can't put stink on stink."
     I seriously, seriously love my job.
   

So tired, so worth it

     We walked to the Elder Day Center today.  For the first day of fall, it was very, um, August like.  Eighty eight degrees and super humid.  My kids were troopers though.  We had a blast!

     Here they are on the way there on the Wilson Street bridge that spans the Fox River:

     For pictures from our time at the center, click on over to our class blog!  You'll like what you see!  Now it's time for me to collapse on the couch...
     (The Elder Day Center is a day care center for elderly people.  It's housed in an old elementary school in the center of town.  For a small fee, clients are able to spend the day there visiting with other seniors, playing games, exercising--nothing fancy, snacking and lunching, and going on field trips.  Like any agency subsidized by our state government, this one is hurting financially.  It's such a unique place, it's hard to see it in such great need.)

Here, Near, and Far

     At our church, the emphasis on serving is placed, "here, near, and far."  I thought this was a strong way to state an important practice, so I borrowed the idea for my classroom.  We too are going to serve our community here, near, and far.
     A few years ago, many of my students hoped to be elected to student council.  Each class only has three representatives, so I promised my kids I'd find something else we could do to serve.  Something "kid-driven."  While at a district meeting, I looked out the window and saw some elderly people on the lawn of an old school.  I learned the school, now owned by a church, rents space to an elder day care center.  The director was contacted, and we started taking walking field trips to the center to spend a little bit of time with the clients.  This will be the third year my class has done this.  We'll go for the first time on Thursday.
     Our "here."
     While on my mission trip to Kentucky this past June, I made contact with some folks who directed me to the town's elementary school.  As school began, I sent a letter to "any fourth grade teacher" at the school requesting we start a pen pal relationship.  Mrs. Farrar got my letter, and today my kids got letters from her students for the first time.  Oh, my kids were delighted!  Here are many of them pouring over their letters.

      Writing to our pen pals will be our "near."  This school is in a rural area, and it's quite strapped--my students don't know that.  I also haven't told my kids, but I do hope to do more than write letters.  Today one of my kids said, "Can we send them things?"  I said, "We'll see..."
     Last May we went to Feed My Starving Children, and we'll go again this May (seems so far away).  This is our "far."
     With all the demands of curriculum and the state, it's so hard to find time to work on community building. But I cannot imagine a world or classroom without it.
    

Your patience please...

     Thanks to all of you who wrote to encourage me with this running thing.  From your comments to your emails, I was touched and strengthened.  And yes, for those of you who complimented Brad, he IS very encouraging.  I value that about him.
     Exercise is key right now.  Last year, I didn't exercise all school year.  I changed grade levels and took on a great deal of school related tutoring and private tutoring, and I was wiped out everyday.  This year will be no different.  I started tutoring yesterday and will do so each day this week save Friday. To fit it in I'm getting up to run/walk at 5:30 each morning.  It is needed for both my physical and mental health.
     This blog serves me too. With the school year schedule I keep and the distance I am from many of my good friends, I need this little outlet.  I love hearing from you, it's the only (mostly) girl time I have.
     This school year start has left me feeling super scattered--much more different than other years, and I can't identify the source. Yesterday, I was so discombobulated, I sent my kids out to lunch recess 20 minutes early. When I got to my car after school, I realized I forgot the address of my new student on my desk (and thought to myself, "I wonder if I can just guess which house was his."  Yeah, that thought actually crossed my mind...) The art projects my kids made keep falling off the wall in the hall.  Won't that be a nice impression for the parents on Wednesday night's curriculum night?
     My work load is the same or less than any of the teachers I work with, so please understand I am not complaining.  I get up happily every morning and look forward to seeing my kids.  Things just feel a notch off.  Does that make sense?
     I am waiting for and desperately craving routine while also not wanting to wish my life away.
     So if I'm less than articulate here, will you hang in here with me?

Random

1.  As I considered the date this morning, I realized that 32 years ago tonight I went to my prom.  Sorry I didn't realize that in time to scan a photo of a much skinnier me with pretty much the same short hair.  

2.  The rainstorms kept me up last night, I have no words for Wednesday.

3.  Please click on over to my class blog listed at the left to see my cute kids (seven more days) in action.  Today they begin their how to speeches and their salt dough maps of Illinois.

4.  Which explains why I'm bringing a rolling pin to school this morning.

5.  There's some strange stuff happening in Baton Rouge, and we've spent the last week wondering if there will be a graduate program for Mac to be a part of.  I have been wanting to blog about it, but would rather wait until it's all settled.  The dean did ask me to pray...

Only 10

     We have, if I'm counting right, ten days left of school.  So that means I have ten days left with one of my best classes ever.  Some of you might think it's wrong for me to admit something like that publicly.  Yes, all my years have afforded me learning opportunities, and I truly have found something to like and love about every child who has sat in my classroom.
     But this year's group, as a whole, is special.  I've learned as much from them as I did my very first class (most of whom are graduating college this season).
     I tell my kids that I share with others how much I like them and how well behaved they are.  I tell them I'm not in a rush for the summer to come.  They believe me.  They feel loved.  They see what wonderful fifth graders they will be.  I'm so proud of them, and I am blessed to have spent my first year in fourth grade with each one of them.

If you would take a moment

     Today I received a phone call from our principal.  She was calling each of us on staff to let us know that a first grader died yesterday.  His name was Jeffrey, and he suddenly collapsed and could not be revived.  Jeffrey was a student in my friend Megan's class.
      So I'm asking that you pray for Jeffrey's family, but will you also pray for Megan and her teaching assistant?  Will you pray for Jeffrey's classmates? For his specials teachers?  For our social worker?  For all of my school family?
     Perhaps some of you have experienced a sense of family at your place of work.  I love the people I work with.  They often know more about my life and joys and hurts than my real family.  They have lifted me up, almost literally, to get me through some of life's hardships.  And now, so many of them are hurting, all I can do for them is pray and ask you to do that too.
     I ask Him that He make us all aware we remain in His embrace.  May we feel Him this week and beyond.

Friday's Favorite Memory Moments

     This is going to be a busy day.  It's a teacher work day, as it's called on the district calendar, and I woke up (at 4:30) thinking of all I have to do today; I started making a triage list.  Of course, I then couldn't fall back to sleep.
     Feeling a little overwhelmed, I decided to go over the week, and given my talent for digression, I came up with this blog post.  I could post about feeling overwhelmed, but instead I'm going to share a list of things that simply made me smile during the week.
     In no particular order, here are some favorite moments from the past seven days:

• A book's author left a comment about a post on my book blog
• I cleaned my closet and donated some nice things to Goodwill
• My students so enjoyed a spring art project I shared, they worked quietly for an hour--the "we love creating" vibe was palpable
• I had a moment with my teaching team at school in which we shared our fondness and care for each other
• Brad came home safe and sound from a family visit to Indy
• I edited and uploaded his pictures for him
• Picasa! Picasa! Picasa!(Addictive, addictive, addictive!)
• Visiting a wonderful church
• Getting a hug from B, my tutoring student
• Realizing I was beating my cold
• A spontaneous hug from A.S. in the school library
• Reading a whole book last weekend
• Picking up 12 more from the library that I get to delve into starting after this "work day"
• Hearing from my student teacher mentor in the form of a tender message

     And today begins.  A day of small and important accomplishments, a day to look back on third quarter and ahead to my last quarter with this wonderful group.  A day to plan what to plan.  A day to begin a break, spring break.  What a sweet little life I have, we have.

Wordless Wednesday

painted by A.M.M. of 4S

Fall Friday

Last week, when I stopped to snap the changing colors of the massive trees that canopy the tiny little house across the street from my school, I thought I could update them every few days as they shone under the autumn sun.  Best made plans, it's been rainy all week.  Their leaves are shiny, but it's from rainfall.

So today, here's little fall sweetness from my classroom.

My tradition:

And two little gifts I got this week, one from Jordyn and the other from Becki. 

Fall from the inside, simple pleasures and perks of working with nine and ten year olds!

Enjoy this weekend!

Our School Secretaries Rock!

Today I checked my school mailbox and found this envelope sent to me from Brad's daughter-in-law. You might be asking, what's the big deal?



At school, I am Ellen Stewart. Only friends from church and Brad's family call me Ellie, and Seaman really isn't my last name (but then again it IS.)



This is just a simple little way that shows how our secretaries are on the ball, see all, know all, and do all. School secretaries are underpaid angels who smooth out our lives. They focus on ALL the details of our lives.



So I'm thanking them, without a note, but a little more publicly for all the little and big things they do for me, for us, for our kids EVERY DAY!

Kathy and Susan, you are the best!

And so it began...

After starting the week with two days of meetings, oh my sore butt from sitting all day on hard chairs, I was ready for Wednesday--as ready as I could have been--to welcome my first ever fourth graders.

What a delight my first day was, one of the best ever. They listened to and followed directions, and they were so sweet. I cannot tell you how much my heart is filled with hope for the rest of our time together.

Though I am savoring and working through this weekend, I am also starting to miss them. They are a delight.

Monday night I meet all their parents for curriculum night. Yikes, I'm supposed to fill them in on what we're going to do all year, when right now I'm taking things day-by-day and hoping to eventually work up to week-by-week. I hope "my parents" will trust that I am a good teacher who is looking at the big picture, but I'm just not zooming in to study each and every fine detail just yet.

I have to share special thanks for my husband who has made dinner each night this week and made me go to bed at nine every night. He knows I wake against my will and my mind starts racing around 4 a.m., so nine is the best time for me to hit the hay. Just like a fourth grader, I protest such a babyish bed time, but I am thankful he nurtures me so.