Reading assessements.....

...if I hear the book about bubbles one more time my mind may just spontaneously combust!

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*LISTEN TO FIRST 

GRADERS READ ALOUD*

31 Years

Memorial weekend waaaay back in 1982, the Captain and I got married. 31 years ago...but our actual anniversary falls on Wednesday this year. I pulled this post from my LMNOP blog from 4 years ago since that blog has most posts in draft form, I decided to share here.

My mother- who did not have a formal wedding, and was married right after WWII, commandeered my wedding as her own. I did not have a hand in planning- except for the dress which I absolutely loved then- (GHAK!! I still fit in the hideous thing!) and I have told my children they will get to plan their own weddings and I will gladly help :)

May 29, 2009

  It was 31 years ago today...Sgt Pepper taught the band to play that the Captain and I got hitched!


...to think that the Captain was the age that Daughter #1 is when we got married...just turned 22, is a little frightening...
We weren't allowed to take pictures in the church during the ceremony...so we had to stage the photos afterwards....this is one the photographer got away with!

Our dog, Uncle Wally was supposed to wait in the truck...dressed for the occasion in his white collar and tie of course...but he was not happy waiting in the truck...so he jumped out and met us as we exited the church- he was a good boy and knew he should not go inside. He even came with us on our Honeymoon!

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*LAUGH HARDER*
CELEBRATE 31 YEARS*

RUN BIKE SWIM!

WE DID IT!

We ran...

 

She took 2nd place in her age group....I took 5th in mine...she beat me by 6 seconds.

Next we ran to the car and drove to SMAC where we quickly changed and signed in to SWIM ACROSS AMERICA!

We swam... 

 



This is after....Daughter #1 and I and then with our teammate Annie...she is 84! I set a PR in the mile swim!

Then we cheered on the other swimmers and the youth swimmers...and ate bananas and oranges and enjoyed the sunshine.

Then I went inside and I rode 15 miles on a spin bike. I really tried to do 15 miles in a half hour...but I just couldn't....35 minutes was the end result...and I tried to finish before noon but missed that by 3 minutes.

But what an adventure! I collected $669.00 for cancer research! 

And a total of $41K was given to UCSF Children's Hospital and Children's of Oakland for research! We all want to kick childhood cancer's butt!

LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*PARTICIPATE IN A BACKWARDS TRI*

The Very Mixed Up Tri...

It usually goes, SWIM BIKE RUN...
But on Sunday I will RUN SWIM BIKE...
It isn't an official Triathlon...it is a combination of events that just came together.

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA is an event to raise money for childhood cancer research- dear to my heart as Daughter #1 battled childhood cancer for 2.5+ years. Daily chemo- as in everyday. When I saw the flyer and heard the recipients of the proceeds speak about their research, I knew I was going to sign up.

BUT...it just so happened that the Swim was on the same day as our Hometown Days Fun Run...which I usually run in the 10K because I can place in my age group...but because I have to be at the pool for a 10 swim, I will only get to run the 5K which starts at 8:30.

Daughter #1 and I will run, then swim and then...we decided to complete the day with a bike ride of 15 miles....you know....just because it will make it a Tri, backwards non-the-less...and because. Because back in 2002 we didn't know if Daughter #1 was going to live through the night in ER- but thanks to cancer research, and all of those who went before her, she is alive to swim and bike and run.

SO if you can make a minimum donation of $25 to help SMAC out cancer, I will make you a personalized dishtowel or bar towel embroidered with whatever your heart desires and mail it to you.

Click on 
http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/site/TR/PoolSwim/NationalPool?px=1218401&pg=personal&fr_id=2160

to see our home page and donate.....see below for a few photos of my custom embroidered towels that can be yours :) I can do any theme or name or idea!

 

 

(My friend's last name really is Lord)

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*MAKE A DONATION TO 

HELP SMAC OUT CANCER*

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

I am fortunate to be a mom to 3 kids...well, adults now- but always my kids.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MY FRIENDS....

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*LOVE A MOM*

Is it 12 or 13?

I can't remember my first one...but I do have many of these photos...although this is today's...I arrived just as the "Energizer" Station was being set up....there was coffee...(yuck!) bagels and banana...and a cool bike bag filled with goodies.

Last night I got out my work bike- BUT Daughter #2 rode it home from work and got a flat- of which I did not want to fix...so I took the wheel to the bike shop BUT the tire was too worn...I tried to take the Captain's wheel and trade it with mine BUT I couldn't get the quick release brake to release- sooooo, I got out my road bike- which cannot go off roading on the trail I ride to work. Sooooo I rode to the Energizer Station, got my goodies and took the bus up the big hill to work. So my bike ride was only about 3 miles. This was the first time I put my bike on the front rack of the bus- I had watched a YouTube of it and it was actually quite easy.

The way home I took another route straight down hill and added 3.7. Now that it is lighter earlier I can start riding my bike again...I am afraid of bobcats if I ride before sunrise.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*RIDE YOUR BIKE TO WORK*

Coincidental Ladybug

I swear I did not make this up...

For Christmas, the parents in my class each pitched in $8 and got me a $200 VISA card. I have kept it in my wallet waiting for the right thing to come along.

Last week, my class field trip was a 2 mile walk to the the local public library. We had a tour before it was open to the public and while I was standing next to a giant ladybug bookshelf I happened to mention that I would LOVE one of those in my new classroom. I was sure the Captain could build one....but right now he desperately needs to finish the truck he is working on because this one car stuff is wearing on me. A mom was standing near me while I was drooling over the bookshelf....and on Friday she came to school with a $50 Home Depot gift card in hand with a note- "We hope you can use this to start your ladybug book shelf this summer."

Now The Captain is going to kill me....so I went online and found the ladybug book shelves for sale- $1,300!!!! (And $455 shipping!! AND $60 if you are not able to help unload the box from the freight delivery truck!!!) That is mortgage, tuition, food, gas....not a ladybug bookshelf! So I googled ladybug bookcase images and found one...I clicked on the link and it took me to a Dan's 2nd Hand in.....get this- Colorado Springs!!! Well, who has a son at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs?? So I got in touch with Dan himself- it was still available...then I woke up the boy at 11 and sent him right on over to check it out. If it was in good shape and could be taken apart then he was instructed to buy it- with my gift card!!! There are side shelves missing but I would have had to remove them on one side because it will need to go against the wall in my new rat trap of a classroom...I am so excited!! I swear my kids and husband think I am nuts but wouldn't you really, really love to read a book taken off this bookshelf?

 

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*WHAT WERE THE CHANCES OF FINDING ONE OF THESE?*

*Seriously for the first 20 years of my teaching I worked in schools  where there were no Christmas gift cards- no PTA money to use in the classroom- E.V.E.R.Y.H.I.N.G I purchased to use in class came right out of my pocket. I never knew there were places like this...so I am enjoying every second of it before I retire!!!

May Day

This morning 25 first graders and 29 fifth graders carried the colorful pots they decorated with petunias inside and knocked on the doors of neighborhood houses on the street leading to our school. If the neighbors answered the door, the children shouted "HAPPY MAY DAY!" 

If the neighbors were not home, they returned home to find the beautiful decorated pot of flowers on their porch. This tradition was school-wide at my old school and done by a few classes at the first school I worked at many moons ago. So of course it must continue at my new school.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*HAPPY MAY DAY!*

Z is for.....

...the love of hockey! 
Seriously...if you have a little hockey fan around, you want this book...you need this book.


 


And with this, I conclude A-Z April. Just like that...in a rush of 30 days I bring you 24 books- okay so I cheated on my birthday and the day after the Boston Marathon bombing. It's been fun....see some of you next year!

 

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONG*LAUGH

 HARDER*READ A BOOK ABOUT HOCKEY*

You say it's your birthday...

You say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too--yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you.

Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party.

I would like you to dance--Birthday
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance-Birthday
I would like you to dance--Birthday
Dance

You say it's your birthday
Well it's my birthday too--yeah
You say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you. 

You guessed it...Y is for it's Your Birthday...and it is mine today....and what a day I have had!

I wished I had done this years ago...I changed my school birthday to Feb. 14....when we have a party for Valentine's Day and I don't waste any teaching time celebrating my day....which is a big thing in first grade!

So no guilt today at all as I slept in, went to the freestyle swim clinic at the college...headed to Athleta to pick up a dress I had hemmed, got things for a BBQ at Costco...came home and made cookies and potato salad and beans for dinner...then went to Filoli to pick up Daughter #2 but first, she gave us our own private tour of the gardens....(if you don't know about Filoli...google it- the house was on the opening of Dynasty, the TV series in the 80's...

THE WEATHER WAS ORDERED JUST FOR ME! It is in the high 80's...I love me some warm weather and today was it! The gardens were beautiful. Daughter #1 is working an internship there...she graduated in Botany and is getting experience here for 10 weeks of intense work.

Last night The Captain and a friend of ours walked to a little pub, celebrated and then walked home...after a pizza dinner...and drinks....and I was still able to get up and have a rockin' day!

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*ENJOYING 
MY BIRTHDAY ON Y DAY*

X is for...

Xigua! Which is watermelon in Chinese...I have to stretch here as there are no Children's books beginning with X that I recommend...instead I bring you this:
 

Lois Ehlert does a wonderful job with a fruit and vegetable for every letter....and letters like P take up two pages!

The letter X, which I don't have a photo of because my books are packed to move...is the closest X I could find. (And google images show many pages but not X!) Plus Lois Ehlert is another favorite...and this colorful book is great for teaching nutrition, introduction to fruits and vegetables from other cultures and IT IS FUN! The last pages of the book give a definition of each fruit and vegetable in the book...another of her original, wonderfully designed books.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*EAT 5 A DAY*

W is for ....

We Are in a Book!


 

Now if you were around for letter E, you already know of my LOVE for Mo Willems, who is the 21st century Dr. Seuss...my students are learning to read from this funny, funny author.

BUT, this book is the best...it introduces children to being the actual reader....Piggie frantically realizes that the end of the book is coming...you can see her flipping the pages back on the cover to see how many more pages there are for her to "be read." Gerald, the Elephant, tells her a secret so that the reader will continue to read....it is hilarious. This simple series with two stars and simple backgrounds in the stories keep my kids returning again and again to these books. The drawings are easily copied by young children allowing them to make Piggie and Elephant books of their own.

If you haven't read this book to a youngster, do so next time you have the chance.

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*BE A READER*

Without a doubt, V is for...

The Very Hungry Caterpillar...



Of course....

Eric Carle is still publishing books....with his hand painted tissue paper collage pictures and wonderful stories. I love that the inside cover of each book is a different print that distinguishes his style. HIs museum is on my bucket list.

How much do I love Eric Carle?I teach a summer camp class every year called "Eric Carle Camp!"

I am off to Open House at work now...

*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER

*READ AN ERIC CARLE BOOK*

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*