Sorry, this Labor Day week threw me off!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
6 words
Two weeks ago I went to a training for Staff Development Coordinators. While we were there we watched a video of a high school teacher's assignment. (Here is the video if you'd like to see it.) The teacher asked his students to write a six-word memoir. We were then asked to create our teaching philosophy in 6 words. I instantly knew my teaching philosophy, that was easy.
Each day is a fresh start.
I brought the assignment back to school and we created a fantastic collection. But it also inspired many of us to think about our own personal philosophy. How do you sum it up in 6 words? I've been thinking on this for a few days and I've decided
Happiness: a thumb and a blanket.
Can't all life's lessons be summed up in a Peanuts comic strip?
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
I Shoulda Wrote a Book
My grandma was probably pretty much a saint. I say that because she had 5 kids, 4 of them boys and onery ones at that. She lost her husband when my dad, the baby, was only 4. So living out in the country she raised 5 kids. I cannot even imagine doing that, but then I hear the stories and I wonder if there is a special place in heaven for mothers of many.
I have heard stories of fights, jail, football rivalries, swimming lessons in the middle of a pond, cats and gasoline (don't even ask), and brotherly love. People come up to me all the time with a new story about my dad. And at holidays we all love to sit around and listen to the stories of the brothers. It is especially entertaining after a few beers and when they are all there to help each other tell their side of the story.
My grandma always used to say, "I shoulda wrote a book." And oh how I would love it. I can't even imagine how funny it would be if all the Olinger boys got together and wrote down their take on childhood. Unfortunately, one is missing and I doubt any of them are too interested in typing but maybe one day all the grandkids will get together and write down the hilarious anecdotes of 5 crazy kids who onery, beer drinking, and loveable. Oh and the best seller it would be!
I have heard stories of fights, jail, football rivalries, swimming lessons in the middle of a pond, cats and gasoline (don't even ask), and brotherly love. People come up to me all the time with a new story about my dad. And at holidays we all love to sit around and listen to the stories of the brothers. It is especially entertaining after a few beers and when they are all there to help each other tell their side of the story.
My grandma always used to say, "I shoulda wrote a book." And oh how I would love it. I can't even imagine how funny it would be if all the Olinger boys got together and wrote down their take on childhood. Unfortunately, one is missing and I doubt any of them are too interested in typing but maybe one day all the grandkids will get together and write down the hilarious anecdotes of 5 crazy kids who onery, beer drinking, and loveable. Oh and the best seller it would be!
Monday, September 6, 2010
10 Months
Reese turned 10 months old yesterday. I just can't believe how time flies. This time last year we were at the lake and I was crying over my swollen feet and lack of alcohol. And here we are a year later and I'm back to the booze.
Anyway, yesterday was a big day of milestones. She of course turned 10 months but she decided to celebrate by getting another tooth, saying her first consonant sounds of ba ba ba and da da da. She is saving Ma ma ma for the next one so that it can be her first word that has meaning. But she also began standing up completely on her own too!
We have seen her gain so much independance and she has become so scientific. She studies everything and usually runs the mouth test on most objects. She can feed herself and eats almost everything we eat. And of course, applesauce is still her favorite. She really loves to help me put on my make-up in the morning and to tip over her toy box.
Each passing day, our little stinker has won our hearts a little more. She lays her head on our shoulder and all transgressions are forgotten. Her giggles are like little rays of sunshine and to say that we live for that huge two-tooth grin would be an understatement. So, happy 10 months of Reese and to thousands more milestones to celebrate!
Anyway, yesterday was a big day of milestones. She of course turned 10 months but she decided to celebrate by getting another tooth, saying her first consonant sounds of ba ba ba and da da da. She is saving Ma ma ma for the next one so that it can be her first word that has meaning. But she also began standing up completely on her own too!
We have seen her gain so much independance and she has become so scientific. She studies everything and usually runs the mouth test on most objects. She can feed herself and eats almost everything we eat. And of course, applesauce is still her favorite. She really loves to help me put on my make-up in the morning and to tip over her toy box.
Each passing day, our little stinker has won our hearts a little more. She lays her head on our shoulder and all transgressions are forgotten. Her giggles are like little rays of sunshine and to say that we live for that huge two-tooth grin would be an understatement. So, happy 10 months of Reese and to thousands more milestones to celebrate!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
School Days
This marks the 3rd week of school. The sprinting marathon is now over for the most part and we've settled in to a nice routine. I have a pretty nice class, and I can honestly look at all of them and think, "what a good group of kids." I have become the alpha female, thank goodness and overall I really enjoy this group of kids. Here are a few things I have noticed though.
1. Girl drama starts early. I had none of this last year because well, they were perfect. Today I had a sobbing, hysterical girl because someone said she was "dating" someone....ahhh jeez.
2. I would gladly take a class of 15 boys and 5 girls instead of the other way around. Not so lucky on that this year.
3. Parents love spelling tests. Every year I get a call as to why I don't do this particular part of school. I'm not going to go into depth as to my philosophy on this subject, I just don't do it. You can spell or you can't. If you can, good for you, if you can't, well, there's always spell check.
4. Ending a story by saying, "...and then I went to bed" is NOT an effective ending.
5. I have had many siblings in the past 7 years. Last year I had almost 7 kids who also had a sibling in my class. But this year I cannot call J anything but L; luckily he doesn't seem to mind. (This is also the family that I saw at the bar once when I was absolutely too drunk to be around kids, the boy in my class was only 2 at the time. In my defense, they had a baby in a bar.)
6. Kids are surprisingly obedient when you phrase directions in a Simon Says game.
7. Pencil sharpening is always a battle.
8. The kids you loved the most always come visit.
9. Some kids just need more hugs than others. And if you stand in my dance space and expect a hug constantly, you are probably going to get on my nerves really fast.
10. I'm gonna give Jenny Y. a little amen here when I say, Silly Bands are best left at home.
So, there are good things about this year. There is definitely a lot of training to be done still. Will they be an epic class like last year? No, probably not. Will they turn out to be a little better from where they started? I'd like to think so. And let's hope they blow the MAP test out like we did last year, that would be even better!
1. Girl drama starts early. I had none of this last year because well, they were perfect. Today I had a sobbing, hysterical girl because someone said she was "dating" someone....ahhh jeez.
2. I would gladly take a class of 15 boys and 5 girls instead of the other way around. Not so lucky on that this year.
3. Parents love spelling tests. Every year I get a call as to why I don't do this particular part of school. I'm not going to go into depth as to my philosophy on this subject, I just don't do it. You can spell or you can't. If you can, good for you, if you can't, well, there's always spell check.
4. Ending a story by saying, "...and then I went to bed" is NOT an effective ending.
5. I have had many siblings in the past 7 years. Last year I had almost 7 kids who also had a sibling in my class. But this year I cannot call J anything but L; luckily he doesn't seem to mind. (This is also the family that I saw at the bar once when I was absolutely too drunk to be around kids, the boy in my class was only 2 at the time. In my defense, they had a baby in a bar.)
6. Kids are surprisingly obedient when you phrase directions in a Simon Says game.
7. Pencil sharpening is always a battle.
8. The kids you loved the most always come visit.
9. Some kids just need more hugs than others. And if you stand in my dance space and expect a hug constantly, you are probably going to get on my nerves really fast.
10. I'm gonna give Jenny Y. a little amen here when I say, Silly Bands are best left at home.
So, there are good things about this year. There is definitely a lot of training to be done still. Will they be an epic class like last year? No, probably not. Will they turn out to be a little better from where they started? I'd like to think so. And let's hope they blow the MAP test out like we did last year, that would be even better!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Hunting Shows
Do you it is only 14 days until deer bow season? I do.
Do you know that "160" constitutes a BIG deer? I do.
Do you know what Scent Blocker, Drury Outdoors, and Mossy Oak are all selling? I do.
And do you know why I know these things? Because I live with a hunter. An avid hunter. An avid-hunter who watches the Outdoor Channel like it's the Food Network. For the past month we have watched every hunting show imaginable. EVERY STINKING ONE!
I have taken up the Kardashians in response to this behavior.
Soon I will become a single mother to the woods. I will spend my weekends alone because I cannot bear to pack up the car and go home another weekend. I will probably end up throwing at least one temper tantrum due to the neglect I am feeling.
You see, my outdoorsman husband refuses to be lured into any activity outside of hunting that he is not expressly interested in. He doesn't visit friends, or come in early for a party. And if you catch him on opening weekend of gun season....well, you might as well save your invitation.
He does have one tiny little commitment falling around November 5th, however.
Do you know that "160" constitutes a BIG deer? I do.
Do you know what Scent Blocker, Drury Outdoors, and Mossy Oak are all selling? I do.
And do you know why I know these things? Because I live with a hunter. An avid hunter. An avid-hunter who watches the Outdoor Channel like it's the Food Network. For the past month we have watched every hunting show imaginable. EVERY STINKING ONE!
I have taken up the Kardashians in response to this behavior.
Soon I will become a single mother to the woods. I will spend my weekends alone because I cannot bear to pack up the car and go home another weekend. I will probably end up throwing at least one temper tantrum due to the neglect I am feeling.
You see, my outdoorsman husband refuses to be lured into any activity outside of hunting that he is not expressly interested in. He doesn't visit friends, or come in early for a party. And if you catch him on opening weekend of gun season....well, you might as well save your invitation.
He does have one tiny little commitment falling around November 5th, however.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)