Every once in a while I like to ask the girls what they want to be when they grow up. It is fun to hear first hand their dreams and ambitions. It is also a chance for me to make sure they will have enough money to support me when I am old...
A1 was eager to respond. She said, "Well, I have been thinking about this a lot and I have decided that I want to be a music teacher. Along with just about everything else. In the summer I will be a children's entertainer. Actually only for girls. You know, I can dress up like a mermaid and then swim in their pool if they have one. If they don't have a pool I can just sit on a rock and sing." Well, if doesn't look like she will be supporting me...
A2 cheerfully said, "I know what I will be. I will be a character, like Rapunzel." Then she went back to watching TV. I kept waiting for more but it never came. I guess I still have hope in A3...
This time A1 turned the question on me. She asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up. I told her I was thinking about being a mommy and a teacher. She said, "Those are good choices. You already are those. Whatever you do just don't be a hipster." Hmmm... I wasn't really sure how to respond to that so I went with my standard, "HUH!?!"
She laughed and said, "Just don't do it. I don't think it is healthy." I would have to agree. Wearing tight jeans probably isn't healthy, I will stick with my non-hipster pajama jeans.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
My MOOC
I am over half way through the MOOC I nervously signed up for about a month ago. This class has reaffirmed what I already knew about myself. I am a nerd who really enjoys learning. Which is good since I spend my day encouraging others TO learn... I have looked forward to reading about each week's topic and then working to implement it in my classroom.
The first week we learned about Connected Learning which is a educational philosophy that encourages teachers to create learning communities for their students using technology. I created a blog for my class. My students LOVE it! They really like writing something and then waiting to see who has responded to them. This week I had two students who aren't typical homework completers work on their blog at home because they wanted to make sure it looked just right before the rest of the class read it. :)
Last week we talked about Personalization, the practice of designing lessons that meet specific needs and interests of students. I started the week with the attitude, "I already do this every day for my students. I am not going to get anything out of this week." However, I was proven wrong. I was given new tools and ideas that will enhance what I am already doing in class. This week we started working on class presentations where the students will have to "teach" the class lessons we are reviewing for a test. One of my students has a lot of anxiety about talking in front of the class instead of excusing her from the assignment or completely modifying it, I taught the class to make a talking avatar which I learned about in class. She will have the avatar do the talking for her while she is in front of the class.
This week we are discussing Collaborative Learning. I love this idea of giving the students more ownership in learning. Students are expected to work together to discuss ideas and solve problems while the teacher steps back and acts as a moderator rather than a lecturer. I watched the video "Collaborative Learning Builds Deeper Understanding." I found the video to be very inspirational. I already allow my students to work together on occasion to ask each other questions as they work on homework. It was an interesting experience to start. I was a little nervous that they would just end up copying answers from each other but with a little structure and guidance the students are actually explaining how they got answers instead of just simply giving out answers.
I am excited to try some of the new ideas I learned from the video. My favorite is to try having the students work together to check homework and discuss answers to start class. It would be a good refresher to start the period.
I really liked the way the students mapped out the discussion to make sure the conversations were balanced and allowed for all students to participate. I am not sure the way that the teacher demonstrated in the video would necessarily be beneficial to my class since my class size is really small with the largest group being 5 students. I could develop another map so my students could have a visual of how the conversation went.
I really have enjoyed all this learning! My students have too! :)
The first week we learned about Connected Learning which is a educational philosophy that encourages teachers to create learning communities for their students using technology. I created a blog for my class. My students LOVE it! They really like writing something and then waiting to see who has responded to them. This week I had two students who aren't typical homework completers work on their blog at home because they wanted to make sure it looked just right before the rest of the class read it. :)
Last week we talked about Personalization, the practice of designing lessons that meet specific needs and interests of students. I started the week with the attitude, "I already do this every day for my students. I am not going to get anything out of this week." However, I was proven wrong. I was given new tools and ideas that will enhance what I am already doing in class. This week we started working on class presentations where the students will have to "teach" the class lessons we are reviewing for a test. One of my students has a lot of anxiety about talking in front of the class instead of excusing her from the assignment or completely modifying it, I taught the class to make a talking avatar which I learned about in class. She will have the avatar do the talking for her while she is in front of the class.
This week we are discussing Collaborative Learning. I love this idea of giving the students more ownership in learning. Students are expected to work together to discuss ideas and solve problems while the teacher steps back and acts as a moderator rather than a lecturer. I watched the video "Collaborative Learning Builds Deeper Understanding." I found the video to be very inspirational. I already allow my students to work together on occasion to ask each other questions as they work on homework. It was an interesting experience to start. I was a little nervous that they would just end up copying answers from each other but with a little structure and guidance the students are actually explaining how they got answers instead of just simply giving out answers.
I am excited to try some of the new ideas I learned from the video. My favorite is to try having the students work together to check homework and discuss answers to start class. It would be a good refresher to start the period.
I really liked the way the students mapped out the discussion to make sure the conversations were balanced and allowed for all students to participate. I am not sure the way that the teacher demonstrated in the video would necessarily be beneficial to my class since my class size is really small with the largest group being 5 students. I could develop another map so my students could have a visual of how the conversation went.
I really have enjoyed all this learning! My students have too! :)
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Daily Drama
Only 20 minutes into one of my mind numbing shows, my peace was interrupted by screams and tears that could only mean a broken bone. I jumped out of my chair and met the screamer at the bottom of the stairs. A1. In between sobs, and with a little translation help from A2, I discovered that A1 had misplaced her lost tooth. The one she had been working on for about 2 weeks. She was over the moon excited after school as she told the great tale of losing her tooth at school. She was ecstatic at the thought of the tooth fairy visiting her and leaving a treasure. So instead of a broken bone we were dealing with a lost bone.
It seems that the tooth fell out of the special tooth pillow we found at my grandparents' house somewhere between the living room and her bedroom. Both girls think they saw it "almost" fall out of the pillow on the bed. I followed them upstairs while the wailing continued. I looked on the bed. I looked on the floor. I looked under the bed on the floor. I am slightly disgusted by the number of small white things we found on the floor that weren't teeth. We found popcorn, crackers, tissue, cotton, shells, and unidentified ickies but no tooth.
I tried to convince the girls to go to bed with the pillow and the tooth fairy would just know what happened. That didn't work! I even tried using some sure fire bathroom humor. I got a few giggles but still no convincing A1. A1 informed me that if she tried to trick the tooth fairy a zombie fairy would show up in her place and try to steal all of her teeth. Well, we couldn't have that, now could we?
A1 got out of bed and wrote the Tooth Fairy a note explaining what happened. She apologized for losing her tooth, as well as, having a messy room. She asked the Tooth Fairy to search for the tooth if she has time. The note was enough to calm A1's nerves and she agreed to go to bed. As I shut the door I heard A2 ask A1 how the Tooth Fairy got in the room. A1 yawned and said, "She just does."
Thank goodness that crisis is over and only lasted 45 minutes. Now I just hope the tooth fairy remembers to show up and maybe she can vacuum while she is here.
It seems that the tooth fell out of the special tooth pillow we found at my grandparents' house somewhere between the living room and her bedroom. Both girls think they saw it "almost" fall out of the pillow on the bed. I followed them upstairs while the wailing continued. I looked on the bed. I looked on the floor. I looked under the bed on the floor. I am slightly disgusted by the number of small white things we found on the floor that weren't teeth. We found popcorn, crackers, tissue, cotton, shells, and unidentified ickies but no tooth.
I tried to convince the girls to go to bed with the pillow and the tooth fairy would just know what happened. That didn't work! I even tried using some sure fire bathroom humor. I got a few giggles but still no convincing A1. A1 informed me that if she tried to trick the tooth fairy a zombie fairy would show up in her place and try to steal all of her teeth. Well, we couldn't have that, now could we?
A1 got out of bed and wrote the Tooth Fairy a note explaining what happened. She apologized for losing her tooth, as well as, having a messy room. She asked the Tooth Fairy to search for the tooth if she has time. The note was enough to calm A1's nerves and she agreed to go to bed. As I shut the door I heard A2 ask A1 how the Tooth Fairy got in the room. A1 yawned and said, "She just does."
Thank goodness that crisis is over and only lasted 45 minutes. Now I just hope the tooth fairy remembers to show up and maybe she can vacuum while she is here.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
What's My Excuse?
1. I work full time outside of my house.
2. I am a mom of 3 girls who are involved in activities outside of the home.
3. I wake up at 5:30AM to make it to work at on time.
5. I usually get to bed around 10:45PM after getting all the nightly chores finished.
6. Some days I leave my house at 7AM and don't get home until close to 7PM
7. I
8. McDonald's is my happy place.
9. I have never had a lean, muscular body.
10. Working out is my own personal hell.
11. I enjoy watching TV.
12. I enjoy reading.
13. I enjoy writing.
14. I bake when I am stressed.
15. I don't like to waste food that I bake.
16. I know my worth isn't determined by my waist.
17. I am tired.
18. Chocolate
19. My girls need to know they are more important than a tan tiny body.
20. A1, A2, A3
I am so irritated by this for so many reasons. The biggest is that it is another example of a mom tearing down another mom. We need to start supporting each other instead of beating each other down. I hope that this was somehow taken out of context and the harshness of the words that delivered what could have been a motivating were just a mistake.
However, I am not sure that it was a mistake or taken out of context. I saw a couple of interviews where this lady claimed that she just didn't understand what the problem was. Why would this hurt anyone? She said all that she wanted to do was motivate moms to want to better themselves. Well guess what Super Fit Mom? All you did was make me mad. When I get mad I eat McDonald's. So... your motivational tactics caused me to eat a hamburger and fries. WAY TO GO!
Then on the same show Snookie and JWow were also asked what they thought as if we care, your 15 minutes are up! They both thought that there was nothing wrong with this message and that the people who were upset were just fat and lazy. WHAT!?!
Come on ladies! Let's put an end to the immature inappropriate name calling. Find beauty in being who you are. Obviously, we, as a society, need to work on improving our health. We are always seeing reports about obesity rates and bla, bla, bla... Do you really think someone who is overweight doesn't know they are overweight? Do you really think they want to be overweight? Do you really think an overweight person doesn't know what they need to do? It is hard to lose weight. It is hard making the choice to be fit. Be supportive, be a friend, don't be a "B!" Being a mom is exhausting work. No need to add more stress.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
A Life Changer
Last week I made a life altering decision and this week I am going for it...
A1 has always been bothered by the fact that we don't have a "team." We really aren't sports people. I mean we enjoy watching sports occasionally but we would never base our daily schedule around watching a certain team play. The only exception to this is when Indiana University is playing basketball and I actually remember to turn the channel.
This has really bothered A1 ever since she started school and was introduced to spirit week. The last three years they have had favorite team day. Students are asked to wear jerseys or t-shirts with their team's logo on it. Every year she fake cries about not having anything to wear and, unlike when I complain about not having anything to wear, she is telling the truth. The pitiful tears turn into begging me to go to the store and "JUST BUY ANY TEAM." Out of principal (i.e. laziness) I tell her no. I don't think it is necessary to go and spend $10+ on a shirt she will only wear one day. I am just not going to do it.
I have had many friends offer to help educate her on the wonderful world of sports and help her pick a team, their team. That just frustrates me. If she really wants to learn about sports, I can teach her. I was, after all, raised in a sports family. I totally understand HOW to play the games. I just can't make my body do it. However, I know this girl and she isn't doing this because she is missing out on a chance to be a well rounded athlete. She is just doing it for fashion. Boo to that. Besides that we live in a war zone between Cardinal fans and Cubs fans. I would hate for her to get caught in the cross hairs of that battle. If she had to choose one team over the other I know she would feel guilty, worry, lose sleep, and then need therapy. NOT worth it.
Last week while attending a family birthday party the Cardinal game came on. Several members of the party became zombies sucked into the tv. As I sat in an annoying unsilent silence it dawned on me. There has to be a team out there for us. I was going to figure out which team was our team.
My team searching criteria:
1. It has to be a faraway team. I don't want to pay to go to watch "our team" play.
2. It needs to be a team that I don't ever hear anyone root for or against.
3. It has to be a team that I won't find shirts for at Walmart or Target because I don't want to hear, "Look mom, there is a shirt for "our team" we need to buy it.
4. It has to be a team that the girls will always remember the name.
5. It has to be a team that just makes sense for the A Team to love.
The answer should be obvious...
Our favorite team will be the Oakland A's! They are from Oakland, right? They are the perfect team.
I haven't ever heard anything about them, good or bad. They aren't in the play offs so no Cardinal fan will be mean about this decision. I am almost positive that I will actually have to order a shirt online because I don't think I have ever seen an A's shirt in a store. Based on Mac's feelings on California I don't see us ever traveling to see one of their games. They really are the perfect match for us. Besides, wouldn't the A Team look adorable wearing A's shirts in our Christmas card!?!
Go A's!
A1 has always been bothered by the fact that we don't have a "team." We really aren't sports people. I mean we enjoy watching sports occasionally but we would never base our daily schedule around watching a certain team play. The only exception to this is when Indiana University is playing basketball and I actually remember to turn the channel.
This has really bothered A1 ever since she started school and was introduced to spirit week. The last three years they have had favorite team day. Students are asked to wear jerseys or t-shirts with their team's logo on it. Every year she fake cries about not having anything to wear and, unlike when I complain about not having anything to wear, she is telling the truth. The pitiful tears turn into begging me to go to the store and "JUST BUY ANY TEAM." Out of principal (i.e. laziness) I tell her no. I don't think it is necessary to go and spend $10+ on a shirt she will only wear one day. I am just not going to do it.
I have had many friends offer to help educate her on the wonderful world of sports and help her pick a team, their team. That just frustrates me. If she really wants to learn about sports, I can teach her. I was, after all, raised in a sports family. I totally understand HOW to play the games. I just can't make my body do it. However, I know this girl and she isn't doing this because she is missing out on a chance to be a well rounded athlete. She is just doing it for fashion. Boo to that. Besides that we live in a war zone between Cardinal fans and Cubs fans. I would hate for her to get caught in the cross hairs of that battle. If she had to choose one team over the other I know she would feel guilty, worry, lose sleep, and then need therapy. NOT worth it.
Last week while attending a family birthday party the Cardinal game came on. Several members of the party became zombies sucked into the tv. As I sat in an annoying unsilent silence it dawned on me. There has to be a team out there for us. I was going to figure out which team was our team.
My team searching criteria:
1. It has to be a faraway team. I don't want to pay to go to watch "our team" play.
2. It needs to be a team that I don't ever hear anyone root for or against.
3. It has to be a team that I won't find shirts for at Walmart or Target because I don't want to hear, "Look mom, there is a shirt for "our team" we need to buy it.
4. It has to be a team that the girls will always remember the name.
5. It has to be a team that just makes sense for the A Team to love.
The answer should be obvious...
Our favorite team will be the Oakland A's! They are from Oakland, right? They are the perfect team.
I haven't ever heard anything about them, good or bad. They aren't in the play offs so no Cardinal fan will be mean about this decision. I am almost positive that I will actually have to order a shirt online because I don't think I have ever seen an A's shirt in a store. Based on Mac's feelings on California I don't see us ever traveling to see one of their games. They really are the perfect match for us. Besides, wouldn't the A Team look adorable wearing A's shirts in our Christmas card!?!
Go A's!
Monday, October 14, 2013
Yesterday's Highlights
While yesterday was filled with sad emotions, we still had our fair share of giggles thanks in full to the A Team. The best part about my two favorite highlights is that neither A1 nor A2 realized they were being funny. They were totally confused as to why we laughed with at them.
A2 innocently caused a giggle eruption when reminded me that I couldn't use the bathroom at Granny and Papa's house since the water had been shut off. Lucky for us my mom's mom lives across the street so we were able to use her bathroom throughout the day. I mentioned that I needed to go to the bathroom before we started our 2 hour drive home. Addelyn rambled, "Well you can't go to the bathroom here. They don't have a bathroom. Well they have a bathroom it is jut broken. That is probably why they wanted to die. I think I would want to die if my bathroom was broken." Thank goodness we have more than one bathroom in our house. You had better believe I will have a plumber at our house if we ever have a bathroom out of order. I wouldn't want to take a risk!
A1 provided some entertainment when we stopped half way home for drink refills. A clean, well dressed man was standing outside of McDonald's begging for money so he could buy some "coffee." Let's face it, he probably wasn't going to use that money for coffee! Well he was lucky enough to ask the sucker out of our group, Nana. She came back to the car after talking to him and found $5 in her purse. I was in shock. In my head I was screaming, "WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING? YOU ARE GOING TO GET ALL OF US KILLED HE IS PROBABLY A MURDERER, TONIGHT WE WILL BE ON THE NEWS BECAUSE WE WERE OFFED BY THE "MCDONALD'S MURDERER.'" Instead what I said was something like, "You know he is going to buy drugs with that." I haven't ever known my mom to be a softie but in this moment she was.
We drove up to the man and she handed him the $5. He blessed her as his already bugged out eyes got bigger. My mom claims they were "surprised eyes" but they were eyes that indicate a drug problem or a serious thyroid condition.
Before I could start the lecture A1 stated in. "Nana, you know that guy didn't really need your money for coffee. He was a bad guy and he was just playing with your emotions. He wanted you to feel bad so he could get what you wanted from him. My mom and dad told me that people who stand with signs asking for money probably really don't need it for what their sign says. He could be a killer. There is a song, "Dumb Ways to Die" and one of the ways is invite a psycho killer inside." She stopped her lecture briefly to sing the song. Then she continued, "He is probably a psycho killer and now we are going to die." At this point we were a good 5 miles away from the bug eyed bandit. Nana reassured her that he was not a psycho and that she hadn't invited him anywhere.
I am glad to know that our super sensitive A1 paid attention to us after she cried seeing a young man and women begging for food one afternoon. I don't want her to be cold hearted but I also don't want her to be taken advantage of either. We will work on tack next.
Even though yesterday was a hard day I was relieved to have my honest, insightful, and hilarious A Team with me! And even with them driving Nana slightly batty in the car, especially with the lecture on the dangers of giving money to beggars, I think she was glad they were there too.
A2 innocently caused a giggle eruption when reminded me that I couldn't use the bathroom at Granny and Papa's house since the water had been shut off. Lucky for us my mom's mom lives across the street so we were able to use her bathroom throughout the day. I mentioned that I needed to go to the bathroom before we started our 2 hour drive home. Addelyn rambled, "Well you can't go to the bathroom here. They don't have a bathroom. Well they have a bathroom it is jut broken. That is probably why they wanted to die. I think I would want to die if my bathroom was broken." Thank goodness we have more than one bathroom in our house. You had better believe I will have a plumber at our house if we ever have a bathroom out of order. I wouldn't want to take a risk!
A1 provided some entertainment when we stopped half way home for drink refills. A clean, well dressed man was standing outside of McDonald's begging for money so he could buy some "coffee." Let's face it, he probably wasn't going to use that money for coffee! Well he was lucky enough to ask the sucker out of our group, Nana. She came back to the car after talking to him and found $5 in her purse. I was in shock. In my head I was screaming, "WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING? YOU ARE GOING TO GET ALL OF US KILLED HE IS PROBABLY A MURDERER, TONIGHT WE WILL BE ON THE NEWS BECAUSE WE WERE OFFED BY THE "MCDONALD'S MURDERER.'" Instead what I said was something like, "You know he is going to buy drugs with that." I haven't ever known my mom to be a softie but in this moment she was.
We drove up to the man and she handed him the $5. He blessed her as his already bugged out eyes got bigger. My mom claims they were "surprised eyes" but they were eyes that indicate a drug problem or a serious thyroid condition.
Before I could start the lecture A1 stated in. "Nana, you know that guy didn't really need your money for coffee. He was a bad guy and he was just playing with your emotions. He wanted you to feel bad so he could get what you wanted from him. My mom and dad told me that people who stand with signs asking for money probably really don't need it for what their sign says. He could be a killer. There is a song, "Dumb Ways to Die" and one of the ways is invite a psycho killer inside." She stopped her lecture briefly to sing the song. Then she continued, "He is probably a psycho killer and now we are going to die." At this point we were a good 5 miles away from the bug eyed bandit. Nana reassured her that he was not a psycho and that she hadn't invited him anywhere.
I am glad to know that our super sensitive A1 paid attention to us after she cried seeing a young man and women begging for food one afternoon. I don't want her to be cold hearted but I also don't want her to be taken advantage of either. We will work on tack next.
Even though yesterday was a hard day I was relieved to have my honest, insightful, and hilarious A Team with me! And even with them driving Nana slightly batty in the car, especially with the lecture on the dangers of giving money to beggars, I think she was glad they were there too.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
The Sweet Smell of Memories
I have been dreading today for a long time, almost a year in fact. Today was the day we went to my grandparent's house to look through all their belongings to decide if there was anything we wanted before it was sold. I had already requested a few things like a fudge plate, a jelly roll pan, and the giant nativity. I just felt weird about going through their stuff and taking it. I felt greedy and selfish.
I also felt sad. It was so pitiful seeing all the things that were so important to them left behind. It was uncomfortable going into their house knowing they weren't home and, not only that, but also knowing that they wouldn't ever be back. It was weird how the house still smelled the same even after a year. It was a familiar sweet musty smell that so many of my childhood memories are safely wrapped in.
Even with my girls, my mom, my sister, and my aunt there, the house was empty of normal noise. I kept waiting for the phone to ring in the shrill, heart-stopping volume because it was always turned as loud as it would go so Papa could hear the phone ring even without his hearing aids; not that it would do any good because he wasn't able to hear the person on the other end anyway. I wanted to hear an Indiana game on the TV and to hear Granny yell, "DAVID, turn the damn TV down." My ears were left longing for something familiar.
Things looked different in the house. Nothing was left the way it used to be. I understand that it was out of necessity but it was still tough to take in. There were so many items to go through and get rid of before the house could be sold. In every room folding table lined the walls, holding the precious goodies that had been stored for years. Some items discovered were treasures we had never seen before and others were objects we hoped we would never see again.
I let A1 and A2 each select things they thought they needed. At first this gave me such anxiety as I worried that they would select things that someone else wanted, feelings would get hurt and I would have added stress to an already overly stressful day. As usual, the girls proved me wrong. A1 selected two stuffed animals, a harmonica, and some strawberry shortcake glasses. A2 wanted the box of sea shells. They were both so happy with their finds and really didn't ask for anything else; except lunch.
It was such an emotional day. I walked into one of the bedrooms and found A1 sitting on the floor by herself quietly crying. She hugged me and we sat on the floor together for a few minutes trying to take it all in. After that short emotional release, she seemed ok with being at Granny and Papa's house. She played with her bears and explored the rest of the day. A2 was very inquisitive and asked more questions than she would normally. She really didn't seem too sad. I was able to bottle up my emotions until I saw Granny and Papa's dishes. The plates, bowls, and mugs that they used for their everyday meals, not the paper plates we used at our formal family meals. Seeing the orange flowered Corelle dishes filled my eyes with tears. I contained most of the tears until I went to the garage and saw Papa's familiar warn Redwings in the garage. Seeing those not only sent the flood of tears but also a flood of memories. I can picture the man who seemed so strong and even though he was tired from working all day would walk us to the park to play for hours, not the man who just a year ago was so sick and weak he couldn't even lift his head off the pillow. Those boots looked so lonely sitting there untouched all these months.
It is exhausting spending the day reminiscing and discussing the awesome memories unlocked every time a new item is touched. We laughed a lot and cried some. I got home and cried some after I unpacked my treasures and realized the smell of Granny and Papa's house lingered on the box, as well as, on my shirt. I will probably wear this shirt the rest of today and some of tomorrow so I can have sweet dreams thinking of Granny and Papa and all the crazy adventures we had.
I also felt sad. It was so pitiful seeing all the things that were so important to them left behind. It was uncomfortable going into their house knowing they weren't home and, not only that, but also knowing that they wouldn't ever be back. It was weird how the house still smelled the same even after a year. It was a familiar sweet musty smell that so many of my childhood memories are safely wrapped in.
Even with my girls, my mom, my sister, and my aunt there, the house was empty of normal noise. I kept waiting for the phone to ring in the shrill, heart-stopping volume because it was always turned as loud as it would go so Papa could hear the phone ring even without his hearing aids; not that it would do any good because he wasn't able to hear the person on the other end anyway. I wanted to hear an Indiana game on the TV and to hear Granny yell, "DAVID, turn the damn TV down." My ears were left longing for something familiar.
Things looked different in the house. Nothing was left the way it used to be. I understand that it was out of necessity but it was still tough to take in. There were so many items to go through and get rid of before the house could be sold. In every room folding table lined the walls, holding the precious goodies that had been stored for years. Some items discovered were treasures we had never seen before and others were objects we hoped we would never see again.
I let A1 and A2 each select things they thought they needed. At first this gave me such anxiety as I worried that they would select things that someone else wanted, feelings would get hurt and I would have added stress to an already overly stressful day. As usual, the girls proved me wrong. A1 selected two stuffed animals, a harmonica, and some strawberry shortcake glasses. A2 wanted the box of sea shells. They were both so happy with their finds and really didn't ask for anything else; except lunch.
It was such an emotional day. I walked into one of the bedrooms and found A1 sitting on the floor by herself quietly crying. She hugged me and we sat on the floor together for a few minutes trying to take it all in. After that short emotional release, she seemed ok with being at Granny and Papa's house. She played with her bears and explored the rest of the day. A2 was very inquisitive and asked more questions than she would normally. She really didn't seem too sad. I was able to bottle up my emotions until I saw Granny and Papa's dishes. The plates, bowls, and mugs that they used for their everyday meals, not the paper plates we used at our formal family meals. Seeing the orange flowered Corelle dishes filled my eyes with tears. I contained most of the tears until I went to the garage and saw Papa's familiar warn Redwings in the garage. Seeing those not only sent the flood of tears but also a flood of memories. I can picture the man who seemed so strong and even though he was tired from working all day would walk us to the park to play for hours, not the man who just a year ago was so sick and weak he couldn't even lift his head off the pillow. Those boots looked so lonely sitting there untouched all these months.
It is exhausting spending the day reminiscing and discussing the awesome memories unlocked every time a new item is touched. We laughed a lot and cried some. I got home and cried some after I unpacked my treasures and realized the smell of Granny and Papa's house lingered on the box, as well as, on my shirt. I will probably wear this shirt the rest of today and some of tomorrow so I can have sweet dreams thinking of Granny and Papa and all the crazy adventures we had.
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| Some of the best things came from the 70's: me and these dishes. |
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Challenging Me
I am always telling my girls that they need to challenge themselves and do things that scare them scare them in a safe way...
I realized that I am not setting a good example. Sure I took my first dance class this summer and it was terrifying and embarrassing and painful and fun but I need to do more. I decided a few weeks ago it was time to challenge myself once again and sign up for a class. While that action alone was terrifying, the content of my class is really the terrifying part. The focus of my class, K-12 Teaching in the 21st Century, is about implementing technology into the classroom. TECHNOLOGY in the classroom is terrifying for me! I know it shouldn't be. I know enough about technology that I know I would be capable of doing some really fun things but I am stuck in the rut of "same is safe".
I started this class thinking "I will learn and participate but I probably won't actually be able to use these things in MY classroom"...
End of week 1 and I have already changed my way of thinking. :) This week we are discussing Connected Learning. I assumed this was either knowing your students and being able to connect with them about things that are important in their lives or that it was cold, impersonal learning that took place on the computer because the student is "Connected" to the Internet. After I watched Connected Learning: Relevance, The 4th R I thought to myself, "Duh!" Sometimes I really shouldn't share the things I am thinking or not thinking. Connected learning is not only a "sorta" combination of my two prior thoughts, a way to connect to your students through things they are interested in AND using technology to connect your students to learning but it is also a way to engage our students. A way to make our students excited and passionate about learning. It is a way to help support students as they develop their interest in learning.
Towards the end of the video a woman says that the challenge will be finding what works for us and what works for each individual student because we are in essence used to teaching cookie cutter lessons. Good news for me, as a special education teacher I have never gotten to experience a "cookie cutter" lesson. I have always had to work at developing lessons that will reach all learners. I have always taught with the idea that what works for one, won't work for all. So that means this should be easy for me...
Honestly, I am really excited about this learning experience. I am confident that my passion for teaching will be renewed. It is terrifying to change what you are accustomed to doing. BUT being terrified is good, otherwise horror movies wouldn't exist.
I realized that I am not setting a good example. Sure I took my first dance class this summer and it was terrifying and embarrassing and painful and fun but I need to do more. I decided a few weeks ago it was time to challenge myself once again and sign up for a class. While that action alone was terrifying, the content of my class is really the terrifying part. The focus of my class, K-12 Teaching in the 21st Century, is about implementing technology into the classroom. TECHNOLOGY in the classroom is terrifying for me! I know it shouldn't be. I know enough about technology that I know I would be capable of doing some really fun things but I am stuck in the rut of "same is safe".
I started this class thinking "I will learn and participate but I probably won't actually be able to use these things in MY classroom"...
End of week 1 and I have already changed my way of thinking. :) This week we are discussing Connected Learning. I assumed this was either knowing your students and being able to connect with them about things that are important in their lives or that it was cold, impersonal learning that took place on the computer because the student is "Connected" to the Internet. After I watched Connected Learning: Relevance, The 4th R I thought to myself, "Duh!" Sometimes I really shouldn't share the things I am thinking or not thinking. Connected learning is not only a "sorta" combination of my two prior thoughts, a way to connect to your students through things they are interested in AND using technology to connect your students to learning but it is also a way to engage our students. A way to make our students excited and passionate about learning. It is a way to help support students as they develop their interest in learning.
Towards the end of the video a woman says that the challenge will be finding what works for us and what works for each individual student because we are in essence used to teaching cookie cutter lessons. Good news for me, as a special education teacher I have never gotten to experience a "cookie cutter" lesson. I have always had to work at developing lessons that will reach all learners. I have always taught with the idea that what works for one, won't work for all. So that means this should be easy for me...
Honestly, I am really excited about this learning experience. I am confident that my passion for teaching will be renewed. It is terrifying to change what you are accustomed to doing. BUT being terrified is good, otherwise horror movies wouldn't exist.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Kids are Gross
Kids are gross. I mean they are super disgusting little creatures. Well at least mine are...
I just witnessed A1 laugh so hard she shot a snot rocket across the room at A2. Then, even though A2 is the nose pickin' booger eater of the crew she has a very weak stomach and gagged until she threw up a little. This is just a normal gross night for me.
Last week A2 came downstairs to complain about an earache. My first reaction was to not-so-calmly remind her that it was past her bedtime and return her to her room. After she returned she informed me that she thought she might have something in her ear. I tried to tell her she didn't have anything in her ear but she insisted she did because SHE PUT a toilet paper ball in her ear. I looked in her ear and I didn't see anything. Then I pulled her ear a little and I saw a small tip of paper.
I began to panic. It was after 9:00. A1 and A3 were asleep. Mac wasn't home from rehearsal. My mom wasn't home to call for advice. I was going to have to be the grown up and handle this one on my own. So I did what any rational parent would do, I went to Facebook for help, suggestions, and support. It took too long for the ideas to come in so I decided I would play a real life came of Operation. I sent A2 upstairs to search for tweezers. I rationalized that it was a way to make her think about this upcoming torture but really I was just lazy and my legs hurt from T25.
She returned and was slightly hyperventilating. To add to the drama I told her she had to lay perfectly still because if she moved I could hurt her ear and make it bleed. She jumped up and said that she thought it would be a good idea to wait until we could go see Dr. Jones in the morning. I made her lay back down because I didn't want to pay that $30 copay, if I didn't have to, plus I was feeling slightly competitive and wanted to win Real-Life-Operation.
I had to rig a flashlight between my chin and chest so I could see what I was doing. I went in with the tweezers. I was a little nervous since I don't have very steady hands and because this was her ear... I grabbed the TP and a small ear hair and pulled. She screamed and jerked. I screamed and dropped the TP. I told her I would try just one more time then if I couldn't get it I would take her to the dr. She allowed one more try.
My shaky hand went for the TP ball. My eyes started to cross from the intense concentration. I slowly grabbed the TP. I managed to get only the TP this time. Success. As the TP emerged it revealed itself to be the size of a small bouncy ball. A2 was really impressed by all the ear wax. She talked about the ear wax for way too long. She asked to keep the TP ball. I revealed my weakness and gagged. Now she will randomly look at me and say, "Ear Wax" and laughs as I shiver.
Boogers are gross. Snot is gross. Vomit is gross. Ear wax is gross. Kids are gross.
I just witnessed A1 laugh so hard she shot a snot rocket across the room at A2. Then, even though A2 is the nose pickin' booger eater of the crew she has a very weak stomach and gagged until she threw up a little. This is just a normal gross night for me.
Last week A2 came downstairs to complain about an earache. My first reaction was to not-so-calmly remind her that it was past her bedtime and return her to her room. After she returned she informed me that she thought she might have something in her ear. I tried to tell her she didn't have anything in her ear but she insisted she did because SHE PUT a toilet paper ball in her ear. I looked in her ear and I didn't see anything. Then I pulled her ear a little and I saw a small tip of paper.
I began to panic. It was after 9:00. A1 and A3 were asleep. Mac wasn't home from rehearsal. My mom wasn't home to call for advice. I was going to have to be the grown up and handle this one on my own. So I did what any rational parent would do, I went to Facebook for help, suggestions, and support. It took too long for the ideas to come in so I decided I would play a real life came of Operation. I sent A2 upstairs to search for tweezers. I rationalized that it was a way to make her think about this upcoming torture but really I was just lazy and my legs hurt from T25.
She returned and was slightly hyperventilating. To add to the drama I told her she had to lay perfectly still because if she moved I could hurt her ear and make it bleed. She jumped up and said that she thought it would be a good idea to wait until we could go see Dr. Jones in the morning. I made her lay back down because I didn't want to pay that $30 copay, if I didn't have to, plus I was feeling slightly competitive and wanted to win Real-Life-Operation.
I had to rig a flashlight between my chin and chest so I could see what I was doing. I went in with the tweezers. I was a little nervous since I don't have very steady hands and because this was her ear... I grabbed the TP and a small ear hair and pulled. She screamed and jerked. I screamed and dropped the TP. I told her I would try just one more time then if I couldn't get it I would take her to the dr. She allowed one more try.
My shaky hand went for the TP ball. My eyes started to cross from the intense concentration. I slowly grabbed the TP. I managed to get only the TP this time. Success. As the TP emerged it revealed itself to be the size of a small bouncy ball. A2 was really impressed by all the ear wax. She talked about the ear wax for way too long. She asked to keep the TP ball. I revealed my weakness and gagged. Now she will randomly look at me and say, "Ear Wax" and laughs as I shiver.
Boogers are gross. Snot is gross. Vomit is gross. Ear wax is gross. Kids are gross.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Parent Teacher Conference Time
Parent teacher conferences are the perfect time to remind you that your child is growing up. That your little "baby" is now able to things you never dreamed of...
I mean really does anyone dream of their child adding and subtracting multiple digit numbers or being able to read a nutrition label? Maybe people do but I certainly don't!
Conference time is a time to remind you that you are no longer the coolest, prettiest, most influential person in your child's life, as A1 was more than willing to point out the night before my conference. She wanted me to know that her teacher was much prettier than me. On a scale of 1 to 100, her teacher was a 99 and I was a 10. Why did I get such a low rating? Because I wouldn't take her to get ice cream... That weak attempt at cruelty didn't do anything to make be change my mind. I would assume a teacher who has only taught for 3 years, has no children at home, and is 10 years younger than me would look prettier. She wouldn't have that semi-permanent look of exhaustion that only slightly eases itself towards the end of June. She wouldn't have stress grays or stress wrinkles. She should still look young and fresh.
Conference time is also a chance to remind you that your children are good because of you and in spite of you. Just because A1 is a couch potato and LOVES watching tv, which may or may not have been influenced by my love of tv watching, she is still excelling in school. She is at or above grade level in all subjects. Phew!
Conference time is, most importantly, a time to remind you to watch what you say in front of your children...
The teacher began with, "I have to tell you a funny story about A1. Last Wednesday she came up to me with her face a little red and said, 'Mrs. B, did you fart?'" My stomach did a little flip-flop because I knew exactly where this story was going. All I could do was sit there red faced, wide eyed, with my hand pressed against my mouth. She continued, "Then I said, 'No, A1 Why would you ask that? Then A1 smiled and said, 'Cause you are really blowing me away. I have never had a student say anything like that before. I thought it was so funny. Then she went to the nurse and told her the same thing."
GREAT! I had two choices fess up or blame Mac. He wasn't there so he wouldn't be able to defend himself... BUT I am a really bad liar and it would probably be worse if I sat there and lied to the teacher, who is much prettier than I am, about my immature sense of humor. I went with the truth. I confessed that A1 overheard me telling Mac about my student who said that to me and how I found it to be hilarious. I recall A1 laughing while I told the story but I assumed it was because I said the word "fart" not because her devious wheels were turning as she planned on sharing the joke with the adults in her school.
Luckily her teacher also finds humor in fart jokes. Unfortunately A1 will always be known as "A1-the girl who told the fart joke." When I got home A1 asked how it went. I started with, "So I hear your teacher blows you away." After the giggles died down we started our lesson on inappropriate things you shouldn't say to your teacher, even if your super immature mom thinks they are hilarious.
Thank goodness for Parent Teacher Conferences!
I mean really does anyone dream of their child adding and subtracting multiple digit numbers or being able to read a nutrition label? Maybe people do but I certainly don't!
Conference time is a time to remind you that you are no longer the coolest, prettiest, most influential person in your child's life, as A1 was more than willing to point out the night before my conference. She wanted me to know that her teacher was much prettier than me. On a scale of 1 to 100, her teacher was a 99 and I was a 10. Why did I get such a low rating? Because I wouldn't take her to get ice cream... That weak attempt at cruelty didn't do anything to make be change my mind. I would assume a teacher who has only taught for 3 years, has no children at home, and is 10 years younger than me would look prettier. She wouldn't have that semi-permanent look of exhaustion that only slightly eases itself towards the end of June. She wouldn't have stress grays or stress wrinkles. She should still look young and fresh.
Conference time is also a chance to remind you that your children are good because of you and in spite of you. Just because A1 is a couch potato and LOVES watching tv, which may or may not have been influenced by my love of tv watching, she is still excelling in school. She is at or above grade level in all subjects. Phew!
Conference time is, most importantly, a time to remind you to watch what you say in front of your children...
The teacher began with, "I have to tell you a funny story about A1. Last Wednesday she came up to me with her face a little red and said, 'Mrs. B, did you fart?'" My stomach did a little flip-flop because I knew exactly where this story was going. All I could do was sit there red faced, wide eyed, with my hand pressed against my mouth. She continued, "Then I said, 'No, A1 Why would you ask that? Then A1 smiled and said, 'Cause you are really blowing me away. I have never had a student say anything like that before. I thought it was so funny. Then she went to the nurse and told her the same thing."
GREAT! I had two choices fess up or blame Mac. He wasn't there so he wouldn't be able to defend himself... BUT I am a really bad liar and it would probably be worse if I sat there and lied to the teacher, who is much prettier than I am, about my immature sense of humor. I went with the truth. I confessed that A1 overheard me telling Mac about my student who said that to me and how I found it to be hilarious. I recall A1 laughing while I told the story but I assumed it was because I said the word "fart" not because her devious wheels were turning as she planned on sharing the joke with the adults in her school.
Luckily her teacher also finds humor in fart jokes. Unfortunately A1 will always be known as "A1-the girl who told the fart joke." When I got home A1 asked how it went. I started with, "So I hear your teacher blows you away." After the giggles died down we started our lesson on inappropriate things you shouldn't say to your teacher, even if your super immature mom thinks they are hilarious.
Thank goodness for Parent Teacher Conferences!
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