I am a Writer! DAY 31 OF THE MARCH SOLSC #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

I am a writer.

I had forgotten that! For the past many years, I was a teacher. I was a parent. I was a wife. I was a learner. But everything else kind of took a back seat....and I forgot!

About 2 years ago I remembered I was a reader. (I had forgotten that too!) I rediscovered books and the joy that could be found in them. Now, I am a (re)certified book nerd!

But, I still wasn't a writer. I went to a conference and was almost insulted that there was a session of writing. We were teachers...not writers! (I'm still trying to figure out where & why this perception seems to be so prevalent.) I was looking for sessions about teaching writing...not time to actually do writing. I just thought that was crazy. Why would they assume teachers would be writers?!

Fast forward 2 years, and here I am.  If only I knew then what I know now! 

It finally started to click over the past year as I read, watched, and followed online through twitter, blogs, and Teachers Write last summer. I realized that teachers MUST be writers and that actually writing would be the best training ever to make me a better teacher of writing. Then in August I attended the Pacific Coast Literacy Institute with Kylene Beers, Bob Probst, Penny Kittle, & Linda Rief. We began each morning at 7:30am...writing! It was incredibly scary...but it was wonderful. It was powerful. It was transformative. 

And 7 months later, I am typing my 31st consecutive blog post for the 2016 Slice of Life Story Challenge!

I am a writer. I had forgotten that! But doing this writing challenge has reminded me. In high school, I always had my writer's notebook with me. I wrote collections of poetry. I filled journal after journal. I chose creative writing as my #1 elective choice. I thought about writing children's books in my future. Where has that writer been all these years? I had truly forgotten! But, now, I am excited to have that writer back...to be that writer again. 

I am a writer!

I am so thankful for this experience and to those who organize and participate in it. All those who commented on my posts, all those who allowed me to read and comment on their posts, and all those who I knew were out there writing along side us even though I did not have the opportunity to directly cross your paths. Keep writing...I know I will!

Proud Momma DAY 30 OF THE MARCH SOLSC #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

So, if you've been reading my posts, you already know I'm pretty proud of my kids most of the time. Today was no exception!

I woke up this morning to an email from middle son's 4th grade teacher.

I'm so sorry for this last minute notice. I have to blame spring break brain! 

M is receiving an award this morning for kindness (much deserved!).
Our ROAR assembly is at 9:00am. (Shhh... he doesn't know.)

Okay...thankful AGAIN that I was released from jury duty for today!! And, my schedule of coaching appointments for the day actually had a break from 9-11! But could I get there for 9:00?! Well, I'd try to leave a little early from my morning appointment and rush as fast as possible to get to his school! 

I rushed across town, hoping that they would give 3rd grade awards first and that I would get there in time.  No need to worry...I arrived, and they were still giving awards for the K-2 kids! Woohoo!!

So, I was able to be there to see my boy get his award...for kindness. 

As I sat there waiting, I was thinking...of all awards to get! I mean, I'm certainly proud of my son getting honor roll or Principal's list. I'm proud of them receiving their million words & 2 million words awards (which they also got recognized for while I was there today...YAY!). But, to get an award for being exceptionally kind?! That really says something about this boy! About his character. About the adult he will become. 

This boy is kind. He is friendly. This is the boy who used the tickets he earned in class to "purchase" a gift for his sister. He received the award for not only being kind to everyone in general, but also for being kind in the midst of others not being kind.

So, yes, today, I am a proud momma!

Jury Duty DAY 29 OF THE MARCH SOLSC #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

A wave of relief is rushing over me right now, and I can breathe again.  I went to check in for my juror summons for tomorrow, and it said my service is no longer required...Woohoo!!!!

Now, don't get me wrong...I recognize that jury duty is part of our civic duty, and I see how it is important for our justice system to function. However, like so many other things in life, I truly believe things need to be considered on a person by person basis!

Since I moved to this state, I'm pretty sure my husband has only been called for jury duty twice. He thinks it would be the coolest thing to serve on a jury. He's all over the idea, and is primed and ready to go! I know many others, like him, who are intrigued and excited by the idea of being a part of this justice. 

I, on the other hand, have been called at least 6 or 7 times (including receiving a summons upon returning from the hospital for the birth of each of my children!) for duty. I honestly do not see how any judge or lawyer in their right mind would want me on their jury. The last time I was called, as I sat in chambers waiting for decisions to be made on our submitted hardship claims, I was having a panic attack like I've never had before! I couldn't think straight just sitting there waiting...I couldn't imagine being expected to focus on and analyze testimony throughout a trial! 

So, when this jury summons came a few weeks ago, I was not exactly excited. I've been dreading the possibilities...trying to avoid thinking about it so as to avoid the panic from setting in. I waited until my assigned time to check in and see my fate...

And now, I am relieved! My attendance is no longer required for jury service. I am not required to serve again for at least a year. So, for a year, I will be relieved...until the next time the US  postal system brings me notice...

Flooded with Ideas DAY 28 OF THE MARCH SOLSC #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

On the 28th consecutive day of writing, you'd think I would be all out of ideas...a barren desert of thoughts. But rather, I find myself with a dessert buffet of thoughts before me! So many ideas, but so little time!

I could write about my writing life...but I don't have enough time right now to lay all of that out...I'll save that for another day!

I could write about my goal of walking regularly to increase my distance & speed...but today that post would just talk about...well, let's just say my Fitbit is rather low on steps lately! Maybe after this writing challenge I'll put myself on a walking challenge! Oooh, that's not a bad idea!

Clearly, I could write about my constant procrastination and running to try to be on time! Seeing as it is 8:20pm and today's writing needs to be posted by 8:59 (the joy of now being a West Coaster...yet another thing having me missing my East Coast roots! Oh that's something else I could write about!) 

This is the story of my life...I am regularly rushing out the door each morning screaming at my kids to hurry up & not forget their lunch. It's not uncommon to see me running in to my coaching appointments with teachers, thankful when they need to drop off their class or make that last photocopy before we meet. Just this afternoon, I scrambled to get my daughter in to her dance class, yet again missing half of class because I was trying to get that one last thing done before getting into traffic to go pick her up. 

Earlier during the month, I wrote about needed to develop or tighten up our systems in my house to try to help us become more efficient and less rushed...That is definitely still a work in progress. One of those systems might need to be improving my minute by minute calendaring skills along with an adjustment of how much I think I can get done in a given amount of time. This month of writing has been great, so writing will be one of the first things I calendar out for myself (I'll need to include that walking on there too!) Maybe in April, though, the writing will wait until after 9:00!

For now, I accept that I am a procrastinator...but am still posting this with 20 minutes to spare! =)

Right Now DAY 27 OF THE MARCH SOLSC #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

Thanks to Leigh Anne and Terje for the inspiration of this format.

Right now I am

~ sitting on the couch in my in-laws living room with the "grown ups" watching silly reality and mystery TV I wouldn't normally watch.

~ thankful my children seem to be getting along all day today. It's been very quiet and peaceful...maybe I shouldn't say anything!

~ accepting my imperfections...there are so many...I'm human after all!

~ hoping this cold I seem to have would go away as quickly as it came.

~ trying to avoid thinking about the jury duty summons I have for this Wednesday.  

~ proud that I have met the deadlines and written every day this month...27 days in a row and only 4 more to go! 

~ wishing to find a way to get to Michigan this summer for #nerdcampmi...I want to go so badly!

~celebrating a blessed Easter and relaxed family time.

Easter Cakes DAY 26 OF THE MARCH SOLSC #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

For those of you following along, you know that last Saturday my middle son & I took a cake decorating class to encourage & expand my son's interest in the culinary arts. (If you missed it, you can read that post here.)

So, tonight was the second & final class in this session. We've only worked with cupcakes so far, but tonight we upgraded to cakes! AND we mixed our own icing for them. Up until now we used the premade decorating icing from Wilton, so mixing up our own was a bit of an adventure. I'm a little frightened by the amount of powdered sugar & butter we used. I was exhausted before class even began from making 6 batches of the buttercream!

I probably shouldn't complain...I didn't even bake our cakes! My niece, who was joining us on this adventure, volunteered to make the cakes. She had her own struggles with some of those!

After multiple trips loaded up with our supplies, we barreled into the classroom ready to go.

First,  we leveled and torted our cakes. A well of frosting keeps the filling from escaping.  M filled his turquoise cake with chocolate pudding.

Then, he mixed his icing to frost his cake. He made a beautiful shade of green to represent Easter grass, and covered his entire cake with a nice smooth coat.

We learned a transfer technique to take an image we chose and traced onto the top of the cake with piping gel. M chose an Easter egg design which he then filled in with yellow and blue icing and a star tip.

He continued to use the yellow frosting (good thing we mixed up a bunch!)  to do two different borders...a scalloped edge along the bottom and a leaf tip border around the top. The instructor was great with him and patiently showed him how to do it. I kept having to ask him what I was supposed to do...and he happily provided me with detailed instructions!

Now we have these new skills...we'll need to keep practicing

His cousin & I were right there with him...hard at work!

Proud decorator!

Mommy's finished cake

9 year old's finished product

Cousin's finished cake

Drawing All Night DAY 25 OF THE MARCH SOLSC #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

M drawing new characters...all night long...

About a month ago at around midnight one night, I posted this picture of my son on Facebook. My status read: 

    M drawing new characters...all night long!

This was not the time I finally got around to posting it...it was the time I TOOK the picture. Just after midnight, and I found my 11 year old still up and hard at work. Deeply engrossed. Creating. Full of passion and joy.

This boy has always loved to draw. And, if I do say so myself, has always had some talent to go along with that love. But lately, his love is growing. His focus is growing. His skills are growing.

He draws instead of video games. He draws in the car. He draws all night long. This is passion!

I think there might be a future in this for him. Maybe someday he can illustrate a book I write!

(Don't get me wrong...he's doing other things as well. There is no worry of too much focus or obsession or anything!)

Nothing DAY 24 OF THE MARCH SOLSC #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

Today was a day of Nothing. 

Nothing to do.

Nothing was accomplished, 

Nothing was required,

And I can think of Nothing to write about!

Sometimes, you need a day of Nothing!

Library Dreaming DAY 23 OF THE MARCH SOLSC #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

If you had told me a few years ago that I wanted to be a librarian, I would have told you you were crazy. I had no idea! I didn't know how passionate I was about books. I didn't know how much I truly believed in all things literacy. I didn't know libraries would become the hub of technology and the maker movement. I didn't know how exciting the idea of being part of that world would sound to me. I didn't know.

Ironically, I frequented my public library as a kid. I loved the summer reading program each year. I enjoyed weekly visits to the school library in elementary school. In middle school & early high school, the library was my safe haven, my happy place. I went there during lunch. I worked there in my spare time. 

Maybe I lost touch with the idea in college. For those 4 years, I hated the library. I couldn't study there; couldn't focus. It wasn't a comfortable spot for me. I certainly didn't feel "at home"- quite the opposite. Maybe that's when I forgot how important libraries had been to me in my younger years.

In the school district I work in, teacher-librarians have never been a key position. When I started teaching in the district, we had them...but they were only on site every so often. They were more like a visitor on campus. Then, as budget cuts came, their positions were cut. I didn't really see much issue in it, as they weren't playing a vital role in the schools I was in. 

That is sad to me now! 

As I've rediscovered the reader & writer within me, as I've built up by PLN on twitter & connected with so many teacher librarians, as I've thought about what a robust position & library COULD look like...I've realized THAT would be my happy place. That is what I wish I could do. But we didn't have the positions.

They are actually re-instituting Teacher-Librarians in our district next year. But I'm not sure what it will look like. There are 4 positions posted...we have 17 elementary schools! Doing the math, that doesn't seem like much time at a site...time to build a program, build relationships, build the library as the hub of learning in the school. I'm also not qualified! 

So, I'll begin looking at credential programs. And I'll keep dreaming of what I believe a position should look like. We'll see what lies ahead...only time will tell! For now, I'll be Library Dreaming!

Time. DAY 22 OF THE MARCH SOLSC #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.


Time
It's amazing how quickly it sneaks up on you!
Work
Movies
Dinner
And it's time for bed!
How does time go by so quickly?

Spring Break- Never Enough Time DAY 21 OF THE MARCH SOLSC

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

Spring Break...I'm always conflicted. I constantly have an enormous "to do" list & this is a great time to get it done. On the other hand, it would be lovely to do absolutely nothing & just enjoy some time off. Then still, the kids are off from school, and we could easily fill our days with activities & day trips. I wish I could get a full week for each of these! 

Not counting the weekend, today was our first day of Spring Break. I guess, in reality, I mixed everything together. 

We slept in, not even getting out of bed until school usually starts. Then I dropped the kids at day care & made a Costco run (cross that off the to do list!). I took my purchases home, and despite intentions to get some work done, proceeded to whittle away the rest of my time on email, Twitter, Facebook, a podcast & an audio book. By then, it was time to pick the kids up and head to ballet class & swim team practice.

And now Day 1 is history! Before I know it, our entire break will be over. And guaranteed, I will not have crossed nearly enough things off the to do list, will not have gone as many places as I'd hoped with the kids, and will still be longing for some alone time to "do nothing". But, despite the fact that I know this will be the case, I will do my best to make the most of the week I have to fit in a little bit of everything...even if it's never enough!

My Cupcake King - DAY 20 OF THE MARCH SOLSC

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

My middle son has decided that "his thing" is culinary arts. He is talking about becoming a chef, opening a cafe or a bakery, and other amazing plans. As soon as he started really talking about this interest, we jumped on it. 

See, my middle boy has always been my "whatever" or "nothing" kid. A common conversation with him is, Question: "What was the best part of ____?" Answer: "Nothing...I liked it all."  He has always liked lots of things, but never really had anything he was truly passionate about (other than video games of course!) His older brother & younger sister both have their "thing", but he never did.

So, I looked into classes. We went shopping. We started watching Food Network again. 

For his 9th birthday (at the end of January), a theme was evident. He got an apron and a cookbook from his aunt and cousin. I gave him a bag full of supplies and signed him up for 2 classes at our local craft store. He did not get a single video game, but he was okay with that.

The first class was a demonstration class...just seeing what it was all about. We learned about some of the products and techniques and were excited to try them out. The second class was a kid's cupcake class where he made these super cute penguin cupcakes. HE LOVED IT!

So, we signed him up for another class! This time the "real" class...the one designed for adults to learn the basics of cake decorating. My adult niece & I signed up to take the class with him, and cupcake mania began! Our decorating supply collection is growing. I think they know me at the store now..."Yes, I'm back again!" 

At 4:00 yesterday, we arrived...loaded down with supplies, materials, and uniced cupcakes...ready to work! Ready to learn. We mixed icing, loaded decorating bags, experimented with different tips and designs, and learned some key "tricks of the trade". We struggled. We concentrated. We made mistakes (aka messed up!).  We laughed. We cringed. We tried again. 

The thing my son did NOT do was complain. He did not cry. Or whine. Or give up. He got frustrated when things were hard for him...but he kept trying. And in the end, we had a dozen cupcakes that we had decorated, and he was happy! 

He didn't look happy during the class...he was focused. The instructor was concerned he was not interested anymore. When I told him that, he was horrified. He loved it. He wants more. 

Luckily we have another class next week. And homework. This time we will mix our own icing and we will tackle full size cakes. I know it will be an adventure. But it is one we can look forward to together.

SPRING SYSTEMS...BE PREPARED - DAY 19 OF THE MARCH SOLSC #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

Spring Cleaning Systems

Spring starts officially this weekend. It's time to get focused on Spring Cleaning, right? This year, I'm thinking I may need a different focus.

I live in a house of scouts. My younger son is a Cub Scout, my older son is a Boy Scout, my husband is a leader for both. With all of this, you'd really think we'd have things "together" a little more. I mean, after all, think of the Boy Scout's Motto!

Boy Scout Motto:  Be Prepared

The Scout motto means that you are always ready to do what is necessary to help others. It also means you are ready, willing, and able to do what is necessary in any situation that comes along. You are also being prepared to live a full and worthwhile life, being a physically fit, honorable citizen of strong character.

If their motto is to BE PREPARED, then we should BE PREPARED, right?! 

And yet, I feel like we are NEVER prepared. We are constantly scrambling at the last minute to get things "together" and be ready to go. Tonight, the older two are camping...I sure hope they have what they need! Stuff was being thrown into the pack as they scrambled out the door, and of course frustrations were HIGH!

The biggest thing is that this is not an unusual occurrence. It's really more of the norm, and I hate it! Funniest is, I think we all hate it. I mean, who likes feeling rushed and unprepared?! And yet, this is our life.

So, I am on a mission to "fix" it! We need to find a better way to BE PREPARED. 

In my classroom, I knew to have systems in place for how things would run, where things belonged, etc.  I wouldn't say we have none of that at home, but what we have clearly isn't working! So, we need to tighten up some systems, implement some new ones, and work together to develop a plan to BE PREPARED.

This Spring, rather than a focus on Spring Cleaning, our family will be focusing on Spring SYSTEMS. There is no reason we are constantly searching for camping stuff at every camping trip. No reason things aren't set and ready to go in a timely manner. No reason things we need all the time aren't cleaned & set where we need them to ease our morning routines. 

Maybe then, we will BE PREPARED...and even better, FEEL PREPARED!

SPRING BREAK TBR DAY 18 OF THE MARCH SOLSC #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

Tonight begins our Spring Break, so I asked my son what his Spring Break reading plans were. His initial response was, "Nothing."

Heartbreaking! I clearly was not going to accept that! So, I continued on...

I quickly found out that he had left his current read in his desk at school to be unearthed when he returns in a week and a half. UGH!

Okay, take 3! What books would you like to read over break? I began to list some of the many options available to him within arms reach. 

Pretty quickly he chose 3 books, and followed with, "After that I'll decide what to read next if I finish all of those!" Wow! This was taking a positive turn.

Then he asked if his stack was "okay"? He wanted MY approval for his choices?! I quickly explained to him that it didn't matter to me!! My only criteria were that they were books HE wanted to read, that HE was interested in, and that HE chose.

When we went out a little later to run some errands & get some dinner, he was disappointed that I wouldn't let him bring a device, but I told him he could bring a book. He has been reading all night- even asking to bring the book into the restaurant. He's on page 47...and still reading!

YAY for reading plans & reading choice!

Webinars and Twitter Chats DAY 17 OF THE MARCH SOLSC

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

What did we do before webinars and twitter chats? I LOVE them and I know since I discovered them, I try to join in as often as possible.

In the past few days I have participated in some amazing learning and collaboration that could not have occurred a few years back.  Sharing and connecting with teachers, librarians, principals, authors, experts...these people used to be distant, separated, and inaccessible. Now, they are right there. They follow you on Twitter. They respond in real time to your comments or questions. They extend, validate, or question your thinking.  

I love the opportunities this connected world affords us.  I do still get that flutter of excitement when I see those comments, retweets, or follows from long respected educators or authors.  It's an exciting time to come together be able to learn from each other.

The In Between...DAY 16 OF THE MARCH SOLSC

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

IN BETWEEN...In the Middle...it's been on my mind a lot lately.

Today is the middle of the month. The day IN BETWEEN the first half and the last half of the month.

It's the middle of the week...."hump day". The Day IN BETWEEN the start and the end. 

The common thought in my family would be my middle son. The one IN BETWEEN his brother & sister. Not the oldest, not the youngest. Your typical middle child trying to find his place...emotional along the way!

But my oldest is also IN BETWEEN. He's 11, in 6th grade. He's in the middle of childhood and adolescence. Emotions, uncertainties, changing friendships...He's about to enter middle school...between elementary and high school. 

And my youngest (our girl) is IN BETWEEN.  At 5 years old, she's beginning to read. She's in the middle...IN BETWEEN "I can't read" and "I can read it myself". She's struggling through the middle...confident, but uncertain. "Let me do it!" "Why aren't you helping me?!" Emotions run wild!

IN BETWEEN...In the middle...not always the most comfortable place to be. Yet, a necessary means to an end. By working through the emotional IN BETWEEN we can grow and get where we are going.

Today I... DAY 15 OF THE MARCH SOLSC

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

Today I...

Had the pleasure of attending a wonderful professional development session on a challenging topic. For 14 years, I have worked with a population of students who have been said to have "challenging lives".  Yet, I have never, until about 2 weeks ago, heard the term "Trauma Informed". Now, it seems I hear it everywhere I turn & today was the first of several learning opportunities I have signed myself up for in order to learn more about what it really means, how it will benefit our teachers, and most importantly how it will make positive learning environments for our students. Today's session was a lot of great information in a short time & I look forward to learning more & sharing with the teachers I work with.

Today I...

Got a call from the school nurse to come pick my son up from school. My 6th grader has never gone to the nurse before! He HATES to miss school...so clearly he REALLY doesn't feel well. I brought him home & he ate some lunch & relaxed in front of the TV for awhile...using half a box of tissues & coughing up a storm. Then he disappeared upstairs & went to sleep. He's eating some dinner now, but it looks like he might be staying home again tomorrow.

Today I...

Ran into an old friend/former teaching partner. We have both left the classroom & travel between multiple sites, so we don't get to chat about things the way we used to when we taught in classrooms down the hall from each other. It's always nice to catch up & talk about all things teaching with her!

Today I...

Realized that I have actually written daily for half the month!! I am so grateful to this challenge & this community for getting me back into the writing habit...now if I could just remember to take my writers' notebook with me when I go out & about. That's my next habit to form!

TIRED DAY 14 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

I am tired

We lost an hour of our day

I stayed up too late again

"Time to get up" comes too early

I am tired

I am tired

Homework never seems to end

Pointless reading logs abound

What project are we working on now?

I am tired

I am tired

Why are we having individual students read aloud?

Why are we focused on getting a grade?

Where is the depth of understanding?

I am tired

I am tired

Our calendar is full

Spring Break will be here soon

I am ready for a rest

I am tired

Happy Birthday, Daddy! DAY 13 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.


Happy Birthday, Daddy!

On this day 81 years ago, my dad was born. Growing up, I always thought it was kind of fun that my parents' birthdays fell exactly a week apart (with a 4 year age difference). Since they're both gone, funny isn't exactly the adjective I'd use anymore.

The last birthday my dad celebrated on earth was his 71st. My oldest son was 16 months old. We weren't even pregnant with my middle son yet. A month before his 72nd birthday, we brought my middle son home from the hospital & my dad was gone. He knew my son had arrived, and I told him what he looked like, but he never even got to see his picture, no less hold him. They both missed out on that.

I often think about what my children's relationship with their Grandpa George would be like if he were still alive today.  And it both warms my heart and breaks my heart that all 3 kids often say things like, "I wish Grandpa George was still alive." and even "I miss Grandpa George."  I am thankful that they keep him in their thoughts and want to keep his "memory" alive; yet I am saddened because they don't even have that "memory" of him...only what we share with them and the few pictures of him with my oldest.

I will work to keep that "memory" alive for them, because I didn't even have that of my grandfather and I always kind of missed it. 

But today, even more than most days, I wish he were still here. To see them, to know them, and to let them give him a big hug and wish him a Happy Birthday.

Out of the Rain DAY 12 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

We're in a drought...I get that. 

So, we need the rain...I understand. 

I just wish the rain could come when I don't have to be out in it!!

Today, I spent most of my Saturday at a professional learning opportunity. A training...inside a nice warm ballroom. When I left (earlier than scheduled...woohoo!), it had started to rain. I drove almost all the way home in the rain. A light, average rain. Windshield wipers on. A little slower than usual.

I stopped for a quick shopping trip before arriving home. As I finished checking out at the register, I glanced up out the window...

Oh My Goodness!!

THAT WAS NOT RAIN! Sheets of water were falling from the sky. Huge drops were bouncing off the pavement like basketballs. The parking lot looked like a kiddie pool filling with water. Where did this come from?!

I stood on the sidewalk not even wanting to venture out into it. I ran to my car, sloshing through the parking lot, pelted by the water. I was drenched.

Driving home was slow. My windshield wipers could not go fast or strong enough to clear my view. It was crazy. As I arrived home, I had to drive through a small river to get into my driveway.

I gathered all of my things and rushed through the door, just as my husband was telling my son, "Thank goodness, we're in here!" 

Yep. Lucky for them! 

I was soaked...dripping from the downpour.

I could not have been more glad to be out of the rain.

Something in the Air DAY 11 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 
hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 
Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 
Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

There is something in the air.

I can feel it. It keeps blowing into me. But I'm not sure what exactly it is!

We talked about it at work today. There is a stress, a struggle, a heaviness. You can see it in the kids. You can feel it from the teachers. It's there.

There is something in the air.

Is it the anticipation of Spring Break?  Parent Conferences?  Upcoming high stakes testing? Is it the national political unrest surrounding elections?  Is it the weather?

No one really knows...it could be any of those. Or all of them. Or not of those, but something else entirely.

All I know is that I see it. I hear it. I feel it.

There is something in the air.

At schools that I visit. In my meetings with teachers. And...at HOME!

My 5 year old has taken to ignoring or refusing simple instructions. She is crying or whining about everything and anything. And then, she is happy. And then, not so much! IT IS EXHAUSTING!!

There is something in the air.

My 11 year old has decided that an audible sigh clearly means you are disgusted with him...or angry at him...or... It couldn't possibly mean that you might be tired or want to be doing something other than (insert 11 year old stuff here!).

There is something in the air.

I know that I am ready for Spring Break. I would like the rain to stop (or at least occur when I don't have to be shuttling around in it). I am tired of the political ugliness. But most of all, I would like whatever is in the air to dissipate...ease the stress, lighten the mood, and let us be!

TEACHER LEARNING DAY 10 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

Tonight we had a two hour table talk session for our first & second year teachers. There were 24 tables set with presenters of different relevant topics, and teachers got to choose 3 of them to visit during the 30 minute sessions. Teachers moved from table to table to attend the sessions they felt were most pertinent for them at this time.  As opposed to large group professional development, these sessions were intimate and personal conversations around various topics.

Outside, rain was pouring down as the evening turned dark, but inside, deep conversation and intense learning was going on.  It was so great to see teachers excited and engaged in their own professional development. 

Breathe DAY 9 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

I need to breathe....

I really don't want to be negative. I don't want to complain. But this is becoming harder and harder. I've never understood why when things go wrong, everything goes wrong. As they say, "when it rains, it pours".

These days, I feel as though every corner I turn something else is going to break or go wrong or cause an issue. Household appliances, cars, plumbing, school projects, scout projects, work schedules, jury duty...I just want things to slow down, ease up, and just let us be!

But until that happens, I need to go make sure the kids are being productive, make sure the dryer is actually drying, and check the calendar for this jury summons that arrived today.

Maybe then, I can breathe...

WHAT'S FOR DINNER? DAY 8 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

"What's for dinner?"

"I don't know...what do you want?"

"I don't know."

The characters change...the words remain the same. Whether I'm asking my husband, or my son is asking me, or my husband is asking... You get the picture! 

Nobody knows what's for dinner. Nobody wants to take ownership of it. There is homework being done. There are video games being played or TV being watched. There is drawing, lego building, and tea partying, puzzling, or reading happening around the house. But there is no dinner.

I'd rather curl up on the couch & do nothing. I'm tired...Everybody's tired.

And yet, again, the refrain is heard...

"What's for dinner?"

"I don't know...what do you want?"

"I don't know."

Maybe if we just keep asking & wish hard enough, dinner will just appear!

Luck of the Draw. DAY 7 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

Spelling bees are inherently a game of chance. Tonight, my oldest went to the County spelling bee, having already won both his classroom and schoolwide bees. He has been visiting the library to study from the enormous dictionary, asking people to quiz him with hard words, and working to prepare for this competition.

Round 1 of the bee consisted of pretty basic words like scary, odor, and ruin...along with words I didn't even know. Not just not know how to spell, but didn't even know as words. My son got out during round 1.

The luck was not in his favor, and while he is feeling devastated right now, I couldn't be more proud.

MISSED- DAY 6 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

 

"Missed"

You've missed... 21 years of our lives
     ...marriage, births, deaths, moves, celebrations
     ...getting to know this family of mine

We've missed...having you here for Christmas

...your homemade gifts

...your caring spirit

...your being a part of our family unit

They've missed...having you as a grandma
     ...getting to know you more than through pictures & stories
     ...feeling your hugs, your care, your love

I've missed...being able to talk to you and having you respond

...hearing your voice and knowing you're there

...having a mom

...you

Happy birthday to my mom in heaven. She would have been 77 years old today.