U is for...

understandably, undeniably unable to find a U book worth posting...although this is a "challenge," I cannot post a book that I do not care for...while The Ugly Duckling is a tale with a moral...I do not have a version that I "LOVE" the pictures in....so instead I am posting....
U is for Upset. I applied too late for The Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University in New York for this summer...so much for that. So I will be seeking alternate learning for my upcoming grade level change....and a new vacation spot.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*I NEED SOME SUMMER PLANS*

T is for

A Tree is Nice 




 So the last 2 letters have taken me back to the 1950's....classic books with a story that is timeless...(well, except for the line, "A tree is a place to lean your hoe,") otherwise a timeless story I read to my class each year when we study plants.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*PLANT A TREE*

S is for ...

The Sleepy Book.....by Charlotte Zolotow who is still answering letters children write to her at 98!

While this is not my favorite book that she has written, it has been a test of time. Written in 1958, and printed 2 more times since with updated pictures, it is still a classic read for children.

Charlotte says she can't quite remember how she came to write Sleepy Book. "Someone, I think Jean George, mentioned to me that horses sleep standing up.  I never thought about it as a book but later someone, maybe Crescent, mentioned fish sleeping with eyes open, and it began to form for me. " (Left, Vitale's brilliant tropical fish snooze among the seaweed, eyes wide open, while Ilsa Plume's golden koi, right, doze beneath water lilies) "But maybe it had its origins even earlier. Maybe it was thinking about both Crescent, then Ellen, and Steve, my daughter and son, staring up at me wide awake when I hoped they were about to go to sleep, that may have given me the idea. Also, I remember Jupie (Jupiter, the family Weimaraner in the early '50's) wanting to sleep near Crescent/Ellen's crib, and Cleo (the family poodle in the 60's) wanting to sleep near Steve...

"But maybe the idea just popped into my head one day....who knows?"

Who knows indeed? But as Charlotte has said many times, her books are double or triple exposures: it could have been all these things laid over each other.

So if you look for her books at the library, please look for, "Do You Know What I'll Do?"  It will make your heart sing.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER* GO READ A BOOK*

R is for....

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf...

"It was born long before I was. The wind blew the leaves from the big maple tree in the woods. They twirled and whirled as they fell to the ground."

Lois Ehlert is one of my favorite children's authors because she combines fiction and non-fiction. Her stories have facts combined with a story that inspire the reader to plant, build, sew, etc. Her bold, bright pictures are generally collage...and the way her words flow are soft and soothing. If you have a small child, check out Lois' work under "E" in the library. There will surely be crafts in the works after your reading.

 Happy Saturday my A-Z friends...

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER* REJOICE THAT THE 

BOMBER IS IN CUSTODY*

Q is for....

 Great for teaching similes..or just for smiles as a bedtime story. 

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*AS SWEET AS SUGAR*

P is for....

PARTICIPATE...

(so much for the theme today....if I had continued it would be the children's book Pig Pig Grows Up, about a selfish little pig who refuses to grow up and his mother goes along with it....a lot like many students I have taught,)

But instead I bring you this:

6 Olympic swimmers!
2 children's oncologists!
All part of Swim Across America!

There was a wonderful talk by the oncologists and one heartbreaking talk by a mother whose son had the same cancer as my daughter. He relapsed twice and died after an unsuccessful bone marrow transplant. The event is raising funds to help research and survivor support at the two local children's hospitals...a very worthy cause since so little research is done on childhood cancers.

And I got the Olympian's autographs...

 my first graders will think it is the coolest :)

Sue Heon-Preston 1984 Olympian, Allison Wagner 1996 Olympics silver medalist 400 meter indiv. medley, Mike Bruner 1976 gold medalist 200 meter butterfly, Sean Killion1992, Mike Kiedek 2000- all participating in Swim Across America!

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*GET AN AUTOGRAPH TATTOO*

O is for

Opal....my favorite book! 

 Although not a children's book, it is a book about a child, reconstructed from her diary which was written on scraps of paper. It was begins just prior to 1900...she was an adopted child, most likely orphaned by immigrant parents. She grew up in the lumber camps of early Oregon. As a teacher, her early writing touches my heart. For anyone studying history, it is an insight from a child's perspective. Opal loved animals and life but her enthusiasm was squashed by "the mama." She thoughtfully writes of "Angel Mama" and "Angel Father," in sad snippets throughout the story.

It is a book for non-fiction lovers, U.S. History lovers and teachers of young children.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*READ A FUN BOOK*

N is for

No post today....nothing...nada...
my heart aches for Boston...
for runners...
for innocence....
for the dead and injured...

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*PEACE*

M is also for Marathon...

one of which I have run and never plan to run another....too hard on the body...too much time training.

But the point of this post is about today. That some sick person planned to bomb the finish of the Boston Marathon. The first thing I did was text my friend to make sure her daughter and husband were not in this year's event. They ran the previous 2 years...I just needed to know they were not there. For their sake's, they were not- but it doesn't stop the ache inside of all those people who were hurt or killed- and their families suffering...and the little children...

May the people in Boston find some peace tonight.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*PEACE*

M is for....

Did you ever wonder what would happen if your teacher really knew what happened when the substitute teacher was in class?

Well the kids in Room 207 find out- their teacher Miss Nelson disguises herself as Miss Viola Swamp...Miss Nelson decides to be sick after her class is unruly-spitballs are stuck to the ceiling, paper planes whizz through the air.....they were the worst-behaved class in the whole school. They learn a lesson in this book...one they will never forget. I sure wish I could pull this off in my class!

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*JAMES MARSHALL BOOKS ROCK*

sundAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!!!!

Daughter #1 and I are off to run a 5K...we are Team "LAND SHARKS,"
This run has a special category for parents and child...the only rule is that you have to cross the finish line at the same time.

--------
10:45....we're baaaack....

We weren't the oldest team....but we came in 7th....if we had run the 10K we would have been 1st as there was only one team running it and they finished in way over an hour....but my daughter just returned last night from a science conference in Texas and the week before was spring break and she was at the Grand Canyon...so it was a good thing we only did the 5K. Happy Sunday my friends :)

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*RUN WITH YOUR KID*I WONDER IF WE WILL BE THE OLDEST TEAM?*

L is for ....

Little House on the Prairie....

I have always loved non fiction- in elementary school I read every biography in the school library...and I had always wanted to travel in covered wagons. When I read my first book by Laura Ingalls Wilder I was in love! I read the series. One year when I was teaching 3rd grade, I had a class that loved silent reading time. I re-read the books and passed them from student to student. Even the boys got on board reading Farmer Boy. When I read these books with my own children I discovered books that Wilder had written for adults also- Letters from Home and The Road Back...basically all the little things young readers should not know...her baby's death, discovering a book meant for Santa to bring, etc.

Reading these books brings appreciation of what life was like for our ancestors and how thankful we should be for all the comforts we have. Life was hard-but life was celebrated with small bits of luck and love.

For my few followers of my regular non- A-Z blogging, below is my SMAC out Cancer Site for my Teenaged Cancer SURVIVING Daughter and I. We will be Swimming Across America on May 19!

CLICK HERE

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*READ A GOOD BOOK*

K is for...

K is for Katy and the Big Snow....

This book was "old" when I was in kindergarten and it is definitely old now...like 70 years old, yet my students love it as well as newly released Piggie and Elephant books.

VIrginia Lee Burton wrote Mike Mulligan and Maryann in 1939, after her first book failed with 13 publishers. She read that failure of a book to her son and he fell asleep before she got to the end...so from then on that was her test...reading the book with her own children. Then Mike Mulligan and Maryann was was published after passing her kid proof test.

Katy and the Big Snow  published in 1943, takes you through the big snow behind Katy the plow as she rescues the town of Geoppolis. Heart warming and a sweet story to go to bed by.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*

LAUGH HARDER*TGIF!*

J is for.....

"Joey & Jet"
Written and illustrated by James Yang

I  cheated today....spring break is catching up to me...after 3 days of work, running club that I am in charge of Monday and Wednesday before class and working out hard Monday and Wednesday after work I am spent...so I browsed through Amazon and  copied the review for Joey and Jet - (Not to mention that I had no favorites beginning with the letter J!)
:

A quick moving, stylishly cartoonish romp, with a loyal dog (Jet) chasing a ball thrown by his boy (Joey). The ball goes past birds, through the woods, over the water, into a cafe, down a hole etc., and yet the energetic Jet zips along, finally fetching the ball and bringing it back... only to have Joey throw it again!! Writer/artist James Yang does commercial graphic work for a number of national magazines, and this digitally-rendered book bops along at a brisk pace, delivering its zippy punchline after an action-packed outing. 

This is a great book for teaching positional words and phrases. A great pre-reader for kids to memorize and then "read" aloud.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*

I WILL SLEEP WELL TONIGHT*

I is for....

I Can't said the Ant...

 

A 1961 classic rhyming story about an ant who tries to help a tea pot back to the counter top after she's fallen to the floor. Help her up said the cup- That's the ticket said the cricket...All of the kitchen’s inhabitants, from foods to pots and pans, and even the trash - chime in with advice and encouragement.

This is a book I do remember from the primary grades. It was outdated then and truly is now with the simple drawings of an old time kitchen- but none-the-less enjoyed by my students...and very useful for rhyming exercises.- That's swell said the dinner bell! 

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*PUT A LITTLE RHYME IN YOUR LIFE* 

H is for Henry Huggins...

Before I was born, Beverly Cleary began writing about Henry Huggins and his friends...in 1950 or so, when she was a librarian, a boy asked her, "where are the books about kids like us?" That sparked her to write the series of Henry books.

I remember my 4th grade teacher reading these books to the class after lunch. I read a few with my own children, but my class this year LOVES Henry. They don't quite get the idea that Henry buys gum for 1 cent, feeds his dog Ribsy horse meat from the pet store and that Henry's parents can't afford a new bicycle for him. Henry doesn't dare talk back to his mother, even when he is right, and he gets in trouble for simple things that would never happen these days.

One assignment in my class this year was to write to an author. So far, 6 have returned letters- and I am impressed that only one was a form letter and the others are hand written postcards. As a class, we wrote to Beverly Cleary, who is 97 years old and living on the coast of CA. The letters were returned from the publisher...I have to find a way to get them to her- I know she would love to hear what my students have to say.

Do you remember reading any Beverly Cleary books? Do you remember Henry's paper route, the milkman or how Henry acquired Ribsy?

 

*LIVESTRONG*LOVEASTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*REREAD A KIDS' BOOK*

G is for...

The Girl Who Wore Snakes.....

At the zoo, Ali asks to hold a snake...she falls in love. Later she buys snakes at a pet store and wears them home.  story for those who love snakes and for those who may be apprehensive....well you won't be by the end.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*BACK TO WORK TODAY* 

Spring break is over....

So sad to say good bye to a fun 9 days....last Saturday, at 3 a.m. the Captain and I took off for L.A. We arrived in time to check out my mom's house that we are renting and then to have breakfast at a local hole-in-the-wall that we miss so much. Good, hot food cooked to order- plus the best owners and workers ever. They remembered us from 2 years ago when we were working on the house every weekend and holiday.

Then to my sister's to check out the type of crown moulding that we were going to install...and then proceeded to put up 187 linear feet! We patched the nail holes, installed a new thermostat, a new door bell- patched the 1,000 holes we made putting up the moulding and then sanded the and shopped for new paint.

Wednesday we headed to San Diego to stay and visit with college roommates...and take bike rides on the boardwalk and around the bay...and two 5 mile runs around the bay and Lake Miramar. It was sad to pack up Saturday afternoon and drive to San Simeon. It was a long drive, getting in just in time to have a little dinner and go to bed. We got up early and headed up to Hearst's Castle since The Captain had never been there...then to Nit Wit Ridge to see a crazy house built by "Captain Nit-Wit," and then the drive home.....I am finishing laundry and then off to bed.

My college buddy Carol...and the lake we ran around...I am not an Amazon woman...this photo just looks like it...Carol is a little over 5 feet tall...and I once upon a time was 5'10", but I swear I look like I am 6'5" here!

More S.D. and castle photos to come :)

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*GOOD BYE SPRING BREAK*

F is for... From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

This is one of my all time favorites...as a child, I imagined myself living in a museum just like Claudia and Jamie did...but not until two summers ago did I actually visit the Met in New York. If you don't know of this book, it was written in 1967, and won the Newberry Award...and was chosen by teachers as one of the top 100 children's books.

I will read this book to my second graders next year, the same as I did introducing them to Henry Huggins books this year. Books that go back to a simpler time- before cell phones, Wii, iPads and missing children on milk cartons. These two runaways solve a mystery- live in a museum without being detected and manage to meet the beloved Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler in the end....and get a ride home in her limo. This is a quick read for adults and one enjoyable book to read to children who are ready for chapter books but not quite at that reading level. This is also a good read for 3rd or 4th graders to compare and contrast to living in the 21st century.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*ENJOYING MY LAST DAY OF SPRINGBREAK IN THE SAN DIEGO SUNSHINE*

E is for Elephants Cannot Dance

My newest, favorite children's author is Mo Willems...and for today E is for Elephants Cannot Dance.
 

Mo is the author and illustrator of the Pigeon books- Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, and the Knuffle Bunny series. His humor and short lines for each character, usually in word bubbles, make for easy reading for the youngest readers....he is the new Dr. Seuss!

My students learned to read with Mo last year. We wrote him letters and although he says he does not have time to answer personally, he did autograph a poster and write a personal message to my class...

...oh, if you still want to know if Elephants can dance....yes! Gerald does end up dancing.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*DANCE TIL YOU DROP*

D is for DRAGON SOUP

D is also for Dragons...two of them who concoct soups in their cave- one soup sweet and one soup sour. They have argued over the better soup for years...but as a reader you do not know this until Tonlu ventures into the cave to steal some fortune to save her family's farm.
 

The adventurous girl believes she will become part of the soup after she has been captured by the dragons while to stealing a giant pearl from the sleeping dragons. The tale ends happily but not without suspense. I read this book during Chinese New Year's yet it is perfect for teaching about cultures and morals. It is great for all ages with its magnificent drawings and dragons.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*ENJOY SPRING BREAK

 WHICH I AM DOING RIGHT NOW*

C is for CALIFORNIA

This book is actually part of the "Good Night" series, but I chose California for "C." Adam Gamble, creates board books for most states, major cities and even the world. Each book covers specific landmarks that are memorable that area- a great way to teach geography. As a parent, I used board books with my own small children because of durability. After attending The Reading and Writing Project at Columbia, I totally brought board books in my first grade classroom....I thought the children would shy from "baby books," but they have a brand new love for these books from their first years...and now used to master reading.

In Good Night California, you travel from the Pacific, to Yosemite-(my favorite as I have climbed Half Dome,) to the Redwoods and Golden Gate to farm lands and zoos.

No matter where you live, there is most likely a book like this for you....or where you plan to travel...or for the little one you want to share the love of books with.

 

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*GOOD NIGHT HALF

DOME, I HOPE TO GET A PERMIT

TO CLIMB YOU AGAIN THIS SUMMER*

B is for BATS AT THE LIBRARY

B is for BATS AT THE LIBRARY....

This book is extra special this year as it was one of the California Young Reader Nominees. A cute tale of Bats who get word that a library window was left open and that changes a dull evening into a spectacular event. The bats spend the night rhyming their way through a library adventure- "Can it be true?- Can it be? Bat night at the library!"

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*READ A GOOD BOOK*

A is for Alison's Zinnia

Today s the first day of the A to Z Challenge...I just barely thought of a theme...

CHILDREN'S BOOKS

....appropriate for a teacher who has more than 1,000 books in my classroom alone...not counting what I have at home. But these books are not just for children- they are also for adults who love a good laugh, or cry or just enjoy the pictures.

A is for ALISON'S ZINNIA ...

In this book, Anita Lobel uses girl's names, flowers and verbs to make the alphabet of flowers come alive. Alison acquired an Amaryllis for Beryl.... Beryl bought a Begonia for Crystal...Crystal cut a Chrysanthemum for Dawn...all the way to Zena zeroed in on a Zinnia for Alison. The photos are suitable for framing...and the book is a wonderful gift for a gardener of flower lover...I bought this for my daughter Alison when she was just a few years old.

 

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*

LAUGH HARDER*ENJOY A GOOD

 CHILDREN'S BOOK NO MATTER

HOW OLD YOU ARE*

First sweep- 31 boxes...

This is how I left my wing today...

and now for spring break!

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*ONLY 100 OR SO MORE BOXES TO GO*

16 Boxes

That is how many boxes I have packed. The first box sweep is next week during SPRING BREAK!! I won't be there, but when I return, all those boxes will be in a storage container on the playground. As of this moment, I have no idea where or what I will be teaching- I just know that it won't be in the classroom I have now...the aged, rodent infested, leaking roof of a room with the gorgeous views.

I have way too much to pack, but thankfully two wonderful moms packed 4 of the boxes for me. They also filled plastic eggs for an egg hunt on Friday. I am very lucky- it has only taken 28 years to work in a place like this....I am ready for the next adventure...I should find out Friday what I will be doing if I choose to stay at this school. Then it is SPRING BREAK BABY!!!! Off on adventures with the Captain :)

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*PACK A BOX OR TWO...OR 500*

Darn Leprechauns!

Today was the day I dread...the day after St. Patrick's Day...when the kids can't wait to get into the classroom to see if they caught a Leprechaun!! But alas, not a wee Leprechaun was to be found...just tripped traps, stolen loot and a note to find his missing hat...oh- and he left a gold coin and a chocolate covered coin in each trap - Just one problem...the gold chocolate coins I bought just for this occasion, were hidden in my desk...and mice got to a few of them!

Ghak!

The Green Eggs and Spam pan was waiting for me to clean...the inside of the eggs were really GREEN...I took the syringes from when Daughter #1 was a diabetic (due to chemo,) and made a pinhole in the egg shell and shot in a syringe full of green food coloring! Imagine the excitement when the cracked egg was broken into the bowl and it was GREEN! And imagine that I had the kids the rest of the day all hyped.

Until next year....see ya Leprechaun and your foolishness!

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*KISS ME I'M IRISH*

What's worse than packing you ask?

Parent conferences and report cards!

In kindergarten for the past 16 years, parent conferences were in November and May...now that I have graduated to 1st, parent conferences are in November and March. I do like that so the end of the year is not so hectic BUT, pile on packing up my entire classroom to go to storage is insane....along with reading assessments and report cards...I have reached the point where weekends and evenings are getting eaten up with work details.

On top of that, I have no idea what or where I will be teaching. There will only be 3 first grades next year and I am the 4th teacher...just like what happened to me last year as the 4th K teacher...so I pack up boxes of things I used in fall and winter and label them only with my last name...and hope that all 100+ boxes will make it to whatever room and whatever school I happen to move to.

Life is good in my old classroom despite the leaking roof and mice. It is a shame it will be remodeled into a room with built ins with no choice of how to set up. Right now I have no cabinets or built in anythings and I can arrange it however I please....plus my new SMART BOARD is so so cool! I am so lucky to have taught in this room for 2 years...I am hoping not to have to go into the portable with the windows that only open 3" and one door...I will feel like a caged animal. I will miss the sunrise over the trees and the view of the bay....and these little children who I have taught for two years in a row...who came to me, some not knowing letters and now benchmarking in reading!

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*I AM ONE LUCKY GIRL*

LOCK DOWN!

So 3 years ago I hit a first in my teaching career...I experienced a tornado warning...which is very uncommon if not unheard of in California. Today it was a lock down...not a first in my career- there was the time we were under lock down in my old school district due to a meth lab bust with an evacuation of surrounding apartments until all the combustibles were taken off the premises. -

But today's was a real lock down as some robbery suspects were fleeing police, they drove into the neighborhood and hit a dead end street just a few blocks from school- and then dumped the car and ran....not before hitting an officer with their car. Thankfully it was not life threatening! The suspects were finally arrested and taken away. But the police locked down my school and the local middle school until they were sure they had all the suspects. When I heard the announcement I went to lock my back door and saw a class out at P.E.- they could not hear the announcement due to all the police sirens. I blew my whistle and yelled to the teacher to go back to her room that there was a lock down. My classroom still does not have Columbine locks so I have to open the door to lock it- thankfully or I would not have looked out on the playground.

My students were really good and continued work as I frantically texted other teachers and my husband to find out what was going on. They are too young to really comprehend Sandy Hook and most parents did not let the children watch the news about that. But the 5th graders were worried...and even mentioned that someone may come with a gun...so sad.

All is well that ends well...now off to a board meeting to present a little on the Running Club that I run at school.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*GOOD THING I CARRY MY

CLASSROOM KEYS AROUND MY NECK*

When Old Tech Meets New Tech

I know...I am spoiled at my new school...I have a SMART BOARD...but I still have video tapes and I am not going to invest in purchasing those in DVD...or pay to have them digitized...

So this morning I googled, hook up a VCR to a SMART BOARD and sure enough...it can be done. I was pretty sure, since I saw the yellow, white and red plug holes that it could be done...but I didn't want to blow up such a nice, expensive piece of equipment. 

And now we have old meets new in Room 14!

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*LAUGH HARDER*BECOME

YOUR OWN TECH MASTER*

Small Tale of Worldly People

My daughter met these folks in Laos.
(CLICK HERE)

When I told her I had seen an article about a couple riding their bikes around the world, and they were hit and killed by a pick up truck last month- she gasped and said, "We met them in Asia."

I just pulled up the article, and sure enough it is them. RIP - Small small world.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*SUCH

A BIG WORLD, SO LITTLE TIME*

READ ACROSS MY CLASSROOM

I got to work at 6:15 to set up...to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday, known in the school world as Read Across America. The kids who were in my kindergarten class last year were looking forward to today...and although I had not planned to wear pajamas, on Thursday afternoon the kids insisted. So we voted and 23-1 it was decided....and I was very comfortable today.

I got permission to bring our foster dog as a "reading dog." She loved being in the classroom with children...she has only been to my school on weekends and knows her way throughout the building but she was blown away when the students showed up..and they loved her to death. She was read to many, many times today.

I had a packing meeting at lunch and I had morning snack duty so I had no break in teh school day...so by 3:15 I was more than ready to leave...I packed up and took the dog to meet The Captain at the vista point...he was there but had forgotten my workout bag...so instead of swimming we came home...and I promptly rested with my feet up. That makes tomorrow a run and swim day...so I am off to sleep.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. SEUSS* 

5 Days Off!

It is mid-winter break here...that means instead of just Monday off work I have the whole week off. Years ago only the high school had this week off...so after parent complaints, the district decided to match the high school schedule. Then the high school changed to the UC schedule and unfortunately we still have this break. Although I enjoy my time off, I do not enjoy working until the end of June....but since I must be off this week...there is nothing to do but enjoy it. I spent yesterday getting samples of paint and painting patches on our bedroom- only to find that I don't like any of them! Perhaps today will bring better luck- and better weather!

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*FIND A PAINT SWATCH YOU LIKE*

Valentine Special Delivery

When my daughter went off treatment for cancerI wanted to do something to honor her. I founded Project Cali Ali Valentine- this was year 8. My students make Valentine cards and I purchase small, age appropriate gifts and we send them to children and teens with cancer. This year Grandma J also mailed out blankets she made to 5 of the kids. It is hectic to coordinate but well worth it when the photos of children and their packages begin arriving. Like today.

But what made today extra special was delivering one Valentine to a child who lives a few miles from me. Daughter #1 and I delivered the basket and 50 hand made Valentine cards...it was fun to see his smile when he opened the door.

I also delivered class Valentines to a student home with strep throat and another student who was just released from the hospital with a ruptured appendix! I was so sad to learn of this, especially since I did not find out until last night! Her mother called the school absence hotline Saturday but I failed to get the message until her mother emailed me last night. So today I brought her bag of Valentines and a giant heart poster that the students colored and signed.

Today was also an extra special day as I decided at the beginning of the school year that I was changing my birthday to February 14. I celebrated with my class and did my usual- guess my age using the number line....the first guess was 18! It made sense as my real birthday falls during conferences and Open House and Teacher Appreciation Day. It bothers me to take time out of class to have treats for my birthday on a regular day so today worked out fine. We had home made chocolate chip cookies from my room mom and it didn't take up any extra time....except we had 4 birthday this week!

The sun came out today and the temperature climbed above 60 degrees...I wore shorts to work although it was a chilly 42 degrees when I walked to work in the morning. I am looking forward to a warm weekend!

LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*DELIVER A SURPRISE*CHANGE YOUR BIRTHDAY TO A DAY THAT SUITS YOU*

21 is way to young...

to die of cancer...

He was in my first kindergarten class when I moved to this district 16 years ago. He was the same age as my son. In fact, they played on a traveling soccer team for 3 years together. He was a sports nut...in kindergarten he would whip off his Brent Favre #4 jersey so he could copy the name and number in his journal. One morning he came to school early so I let him come in and take the chairs down....and he told me, "This morning my mom peed on a stick and now she's going to have a baby!" I almost fell off the chair I was standing on and tried not to let him see me laughing...of course it was a pregnancy test stick...but I will never forget that. And in the 5th grade vs teacher softball game, this boy who wanted to win so badly, stopped pitching and went over to show a developmentally delayed player on his team how to stand in the batter's box and hold the bat. It was genuine kindness to help when the rest of the team was grumbling that this boy at bat was certainly an out.

I cannot fathom the pain his family feels right now.

F %CK Cancer!

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*FIND A CURE*

14 Hours

I got to work at 6:30- (a.m. that is.) I worked...and I cut out as soon as my kids were out of the classroom...I literally ran to meet The Captain at vista point to go to swim. I swam for a half hour, showered and was back at work in a little more than an hour.

Then I turned on the single element burner and boiled water for dogs and veggie dogs....it was my Friday Night PTA Fundraiser, "FUN AND HOT DOGS!" And that was what we had....from 5 to 8 they ate and played and played and played. It was 8:25 when I got a ride home...5 minutes shy of a 14 hour day...and yes, I am counting my swim time because I didn't take my 45 minute lunch, instead I set up for the night event.

I came in, put my feet up and drank a lot of water....and ate and am telling myself I am not going to get sick! I feel that head cold that my entire class has...and they haven't mastered mouth covering when coughing...or not nose picking....and although I have used Lysol on the desks and door knobs and light switches all week, it is still a germ fest in my classroom...I had four students out for most of the week....and 3 volunteer moms who couldn't make it due to being sick.

May they all get well this weekend!

GO NINERS!!!!!!!!

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*IT'S A SUPER WEEKEND*

I found a baby! Or, I saved a baby!

I had already found a cell phone in the Home Depot parking lot in a shopping cart. I called the "missed call," thinking the owner had called the phone trying to find it. I got the owner's daughter and told her I was leaving the phone at the return desk. That I thought was a pretty good Random Act of Kindness for the day.

So fast forward to the finish of the Pebble Beach Golf Tourney on TV and The Captain and I are heading to the gym. He is driving and I am answering texts and just as we pass a stop sign and begin moving forward I look up and HOLY SHIT! there is a baby crossing the street!! I yell, "STOP! A BABY!" and The Captain, who looked to the right did not see the kid who was on the other side of the street coming out from between two parked cars...I opened the door, and the cars in the lane next to us stopped- thinking I was crazy...I ran around the front of our car, and the on coming traffic stopped when they saw me pointing to the kid..the woman turned on her emergencies and when I got up to the kid I asked, "where is your mommy?" He raised his hands for me to pick him up and made whimpering sounds...and I realized he probably didn't speak English..."¿dónde está tu mamá," it took me a few seconds to find those words as I carried him onto the sidewalk. He was too young to answer...maybe 18 months old? SO there I stood, holding this baby, looking around for an adult he belonged with. I was about to go into the yogurt store when I saw a Hispanic woman come out from the alley. She looked at me and I said, "Street," and pointed to where I found him. "OOOOHHHHH!" she said and then her husband appeared from down the street- I supposed they both thought the baby was with the other. I have never taken Spanish, and only know how to ask where something is from joking, "¿dónde está mi pantalones." I have no idea how to say, "I found your baby in the street!"


The Captain, who couldn't stay parked in the road, had pulled into the exit of the church next door to figure out what we were going to do if we didn't find who the baby belonged to. Thankfully that was easy and we were on the way to workout.

Afterwards, we stopped at the market to get steaks for dinner and at the entrance someone had dropped two canisters of Mentos...brand new, sealed and unopened so I returned them to the checkout, because I am sure someone will be back claiming the Mentos did not get put in their grocery bag.

Going to B.A.R.T. (S.F's mini version of a subway,) to pick up Daughter #2 was uneventful...but I do believe I should have stopped to buy a lottery ticket.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*IT'S YOUR LUCKY DAY IF I FOUND WHAT BELONGED TO YOU*

Loooooong Week!

This was the looooongest short week ever....culminating in a field trip and a birthday party. I slept well!

Today I want to repaint the chalkboard on the Squirt sign:

It was a Father's Day gift to The Captain years ago...bought off eBay because the sign we really wanted..."Dad's Root Beer," from a local antique store was more $$ than I had. But, the chalkboard on this sign is shot. Chalk barely writes on it and the florescent chalkboard markers aren't much better. Soooooo, I will attempt to mask it and respray it with chalkboard spray paint. I hope it works! Then we will write on it more often than holidays and birthdays! I can't wait :)

Happy Much Needed Weekend to Y'all!

 

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*HAVE A LAZY WEEKEND*

Success!!

I spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the PK1 Conference in Santa Clara....and I am so thankful today is a holiday because I need a day to rest before heading back to work. 

Friday I swam very early and then headed to hang up art- tons of Pre K, kindergarten and first grade art in the halls of the convention center. I love getting ideas for my classroom from the creative teachers. Then a quick change, little spaghetti for dinner and I was a greeter in the lobby until my students started to arrive around 6:15. At 7:00 we gathered on a little stage in front of parents, committee members and teachers and sang two songs and recited a poem with gestures. Singing a cappella isn't easy with kids because some want to sing ahead of the others and some want to shout so their voice's heard over the others...we had practiced and discussed what the songs should sound like...AND those little first graders shined! Immediately following was a group of first graders and kindergartners from a private local school and then ART activities galore at tables in the adjoining room. Kids, siblings and parents created projects and took home some amazing pieces. when it was time to leave people were still gathered around tables so we know it was enjoyed by everyone.

Then clean up and to the Presidential Suite for a potluck. I stayed briefly as I don't like to drink wine and I was going back to my room to relax and enjoy my time ALONE :)

Saturday I was up at 6:00 to go for a run before my 7:30 duties....I found a path behind the hotel which ran alongside the new 49ers stadium which is being constructed...it looked so pretty in the early light that I had to stop and snap a photo on my cell...

 

 

Then a quick shower and I worked hospitality and re-hung artwork that was in the art room the night before. Then the fun began- I was a greeter for the first session in Ashley Wolfe's workshop. For those of you non-teachers she is an author and known for the illustrating the pictures in the Ms. Bindergarten books. I talked to her about seriously co-writing a teacher's book on how to use her books in the classroom...I have to follow through on that as it would be a great seller.

 

Then lunch- a quick snack of cheese and crackers and an apple in my room I actually had a duty free hour! Then to two more workshops and a meeting and then The Captain came over for the evening and we went to dinner.

 

 

I was getting ready to run Sunday morning when I got a call to come help with the breakfast...so afterwards The Captain and I loaded up the car and checked out of the room. He took all my stuff home...even though I packed lightly- a black skirt and leggings for every day and just changing the shirt- I still had a ton of stuff. Not only the large papers with words for the songs but everything has a charge and cords that don't like to work with each other- phone, laptop, iPod, hands free device- it would be so easy if they would all just get along!!

 

 

Sunday's keynote speaker was awesome. Jim Gill is a musician who really knows kids. After his session I was assigned to work at his booth for two+ hours. The table was swamped but fortunately I put my items aside and to my surprise he gave me all 9 items for working the booth!! $128 worth of books and CD's!! I am so lucky!

 

Then I was a greeter for the last two sessions and the conference was over. The only disappointing factor was that the 49er play off game was happening...and I don't have a smart phone and I didn't get internet in the conference center...so I had to rely on Daughter #1's frantic texts giving fragmented details. FINALLY the text came in that they WON! after being so far behind in the beginning.

 

Then the mad dash through the lobby collecting my artwork and piling it into a box...and carrying another box with my laptop bag and books and CD's in hand...I made my way to the bar to wait for The Captain to pick me up. I sat with other attendees who said this was one of the best conferences they attended. That made me feel good because so much planning goes into this- as soon as it is over we are planning for next year's conference.

 

 

So this morning I just stayed in bed for a while...and other than swimming I just think I will be lazy.

 

 

LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*ENJOY MONDAY*

TGIF to Me!

Today is my Friday and I am off to the CKA PK-1....Pre K through First Grade Conference....and although I have plenty of work to do there...I WON'T BE AT WORK!

Enjoy your weekend....3 days- Count 'em!

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*HAVE SOME FUN*

WINTER WARRIOR DAY #60

I don't weigh any less...or run any faster...but my arms have less 5th grade teacher sway underneath...and I can hoist myself out of the pool a without dangling from the ledge...and I feel pretty good...but best of all...

 

I earned my WINTER WARRIOR SWEATSHIRT TODAY!

60 consecutive days of working out!
20 more days to paid dues for a month!

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*OH BOY I GOTTA SWEATSHIRT!*

And I did it!

Daughter #1 and I swam the Postal Swim...the entire hour...without stopping...and I wasn't last- I did beat an 83 year old lady who swam in the next lane...pathetic huh!? But she swims with Masters and is in incredible shape....we all should be so lucky at 83!

Anyways...I swam 110 laps...I generally only count round trip as one lap...so 55 laps completed...36=1 mile...so a mile and a half. I have never swam for an hour before...and I was never a swimmer until I joined the Athletic Club almost 2 years ago....so I am feeling pretty good about it.

A 25 year old girl swam 4,900 yards...she was shooting for 5,000...she is in incredible shape.

I will do this swim again next year and hope to improve.

 

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*THANK GOODNESS THE

 POOL WATER IS WARM*

Postal Swim

I am leaving for the Postal Swim...as far as I can swim in 1 hour...it is 37 degrees outside...YiKEs!

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*IT'S GOOD TO HAVE SOME

WHALE FAT ON A DAY LIKE THIS*

After 17 Days Off....

I don't want to get up at 5 a.m. and go to work tomorrow...I have grown to enjoy staying in bed until I feel like getting out.

 

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*SET THE ALARM*

Good-good-goodwill

Load two is in the car...the garage has gotten out of control...and my resolution to clean it up is in force. Two free items went on craigslist within 15 minutes of listing...and got picked up yesterday- YAHOO! Now Goodwill will is the recipient of more box fulls. And Daughter #1 and I even got in a short run, got gas at Costco- (WTF? The cost of a gallon went from $3.23 last week to $3.49 today!) and got posters for  her class printed at the UPS Store....all before 11.

 

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*ANOTHER LOAD TO GOODWILL*

Remember Our Stolen Mail?

I was so sure it was the mailman here that stole the mail because he was arrested for stealing over 1,000 pieces of mail and using credit cards he applied for in his customer's names...and also for passing stolen cards and mail to three of his friends...BUT it turns out the gift cards my sister sent to my kids were not stolen here- in fact the letter most likely never made it out of the Holiday Post Office in Anaheim, California.

If my sister was able to report the cards stolen a few days earlier she could have canceled the cards before the thief used 2 of them.... just a few miles away from that post office!

My sister mailed two greeting cards- she stood in line and had the cards weighed by the clerk because she thought they weighed more than an ounce and didn't want the cards to be returned to her for not enough postage...the clerk took the two pieces of mail from my sister and she left. What happened after that is the mystery...one card arrived at our house the next day- and the one with the 3 gift cards to In n Out at $10.00 each was intercepted and used. Can you imagine stealing a piece of mail, opening it and then using the gift card like they were yours? I hope they got food poisoning! Why would someone risk losing a government job with all the perks just to steal a meal? I am so mad! I want the video surveillance from In n Out the time that those gift cards were used!

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*MAKE SURE YOU GET A TRACKING NUMBER OR INSURE EVERYTHING YOU MAIL*

Run to End World Hunger- New Year's Day

I did it! I beat last year's time in the 5K run by 20 seconds...I started off at a faster pace but I was feeling the affects of our New Year's celebration. Upon arriving at the run I saw why I had to park so far away...

 

 

Obviously we have had more than our share of rain lately.

This is a fun, small run where you can leave your sweatshirt/sweatpants/phone in a pile at the start and know it will be there at the end. Everyone is very cheery and there are a lot of little kids that run. It is a great way to welcome in the New Year and get off to a healthy start.

My goal was to beat last year's time...and while feeling a little queeeeezie from last night I managed to do it.

Now off to be a Winter Warrior- 34 more days to get my hoodie!

 

LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR WITH SOMETHING GOOD FOR YOUR BODY*