*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*GO RIDE A BIKE*
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Le Tour
For the past 5 years I had been talking about going to France for the 100th Tour...long story and the plans never got made...I wanted to see two days of the race and The Captain had other ideas about what a vacation would look like. So here I sit watching it on TV...with all those stupid commercials.
SuMmEr
SuMmEr...finally!
Lots of sun...over 100 degrees in fact. No more camp...or moving children 230 miles from storage to new house...dental appointments finished...kiwi boyfriend flew back to N. Zed last night...and Daughter #2 will fly down there in 6 weeks for another year on a Work/travel visa....so for now it is just time to do whatever I want for 2 weeks until we climb HALF DOME!!
I am excited! I applied for permits way back in February...and when I got the dates, July 17 seemed so far away. It is the first of our summer adventures. Now if the weather just complies we will make it to the top...me, The Captain, Daughters #1 and 2 and two friends. We will leave from the parking lot at around 10 p.m.- last year it was 80 degrees when we left the lot. Last year I didn't know I was going until a half an hour before we left home....and I had ridden in a 100K bike ride that morning....so this year I will NOT do the bike ride that day but the weekend prior. We will hike throughout the night and be on the top of Half Dome for sunrise. This year I will have my good camera for photos.
What are your summer plans?
Lots of sun...over 100 degrees in fact. No more camp...or moving children 230 miles from storage to new house...dental appointments finished...kiwi boyfriend flew back to N. Zed last night...and Daughter #2 will fly down there in 6 weeks for another year on a Work/travel visa....so for now it is just time to do whatever I want for 2 weeks until we climb HALF DOME!!
I am excited! I applied for permits way back in February...and when I got the dates, July 17 seemed so far away. It is the first of our summer adventures. Now if the weather just complies we will make it to the top...me, The Captain, Daughters #1 and 2 and two friends. We will leave from the parking lot at around 10 p.m.- last year it was 80 degrees when we left the lot. Last year I didn't know I was going until a half an hour before we left home....and I had ridden in a 100K bike ride that morning....so this year I will NOT do the bike ride that day but the weekend prior. We will hike throughout the night and be on the top of Half Dome for sunrise. This year I will have my good camera for photos.
What are your summer plans?
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*CLIMB THE CABLES TO THE TOP*
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Summer Scamper
It was overcast and humid...and then the sun came out for mile two just to toast us for a minute or two...but I beat my last time by 7 seconds even with my rolled ankle...I came in at 28:54- Finally getting past the 30 minute mark again...
After the run: Daughter #1 and I ...and Kira and her husband who placed first overall with 17:00!! Kira ran slow with 20:10! They were enjoying bananas and bagels by the time I came in to get ice on my ankle. I am only 24 years their senior...that's my excuse.
It was fun to see three students from my school and one who was in my class the past two years...all of whom run in my Running Club two mornings a week during the school year.
Now on with summer! (Even if the weather forecast is rain for this afternoon!)
**Official results just posted:
I beat my record by 8 seconds!! And I was 6th out of 51 in my age group...I am excited...maybe that's what I need to run more...now that my ankle feels okay to run when taped :)
It was fun to see three students from my school and one who was in my class the past two years...all of whom run in my Running Club two mornings a week during the school year.
Now on with summer! (Even if the weather forecast is rain for this afternoon!)
**Official results just posted:
I beat my record by 8 seconds!! And I was 6th out of 51 in my age group...I am excited...maybe that's what I need to run more...now that my ankle feels okay to run when taped :)
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*TAKE 7 SECONDS OFF YOUR 5K TIME*
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Let SUMMER Begin!
On Friday I loaded up my car with Club Ed books and craft items and bid farewell to that classroom until next summer. The sun was shining and I was on my way to work out with The Captain in no time at all.
Today I spent enjoying the sunshine, sewing and reading up on word study for second grade. We went to breakfast with our friend and his mother who is visiting from Guatemala -doesn't help that I know only a few words of Spanish -but it was a good time. Then tonight we went to a spaghetti feed for an Avon Breast Cancer Walk...and The Captain won a "Pamper Me Beauty Basket" and I won a $20 Starbucks Card....funny how I don't drink coffee but always win or get those cards as gifts...but I will use it in New York for my favorite unsweetened black ice tea lemonades for breakfast while I check the internet.
Tomorrow Daughter #1 and I will run in a 5k at Stanford...which benefits Lucile Packard Children's Hospital where Daughter #1 spent 3 years of her life...and she will now run as an honoree. I will be testing out my ankle- I have run barely a mile a few days this week and it is still tender...but should be fine for a slowe 5k...and I can always walk.
Today I spent enjoying the sunshine, sewing and reading up on word study for second grade. We went to breakfast with our friend and his mother who is visiting from Guatemala -doesn't help that I know only a few words of Spanish -but it was a good time. Then tonight we went to a spaghetti feed for an Avon Breast Cancer Walk...and The Captain won a "Pamper Me Beauty Basket" and I won a $20 Starbucks Card....funny how I don't drink coffee but always win or get those cards as gifts...but I will use it in New York for my favorite unsweetened black ice tea lemonades for breakfast while I check the internet.
Tomorrow Daughter #1 and I will run in a 5k at Stanford...which benefits Lucile Packard Children's Hospital where Daughter #1 spent 3 years of her life...and she will now run as an honoree. I will be testing out my ankle- I have run barely a mile a few days this week and it is still tender...but should be fine for a slowe 5k...and I can always walk.
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*ENJOY SUMMER!*
Monday, June 17, 2013
Eric Carle Camp
Today was the first day of Eric Carle Camp- Club Ed. I had 6 students on my roster on Friday and this morning had 11. Good thing I bought extra snacks :)
Coming off a loooong week last week where I got very little sleep- due to:
*Report cards
*Moving my classroom- complicated by the speech teacher who was "working" and didn't pack up her things so I could move in...until Friday WHEN EVERYTHING I OWNED HAD TO BE OUT OF MY OLD CLASSROOM!!!!
*Student awards
*Silly awards
*Completing embroidered towels for every volunteer mom/dad in my class.
*Writing thank you notes for each mom/dad who volunteered.
*Copying off worksheets for summer letters that I send to students- 5 over the summer.
*AND collecting items that had to be moved to my garage for the Teacher's Rummage sale that I do in August and do as a fundraiser for Camp Olizu- a cancer camp for children.
My mind did not spontaneously combust and I survived.
Last night was Trivia Night a little pub and THE LAND SHARKS won one round...GO TEAM! Then we walked home and I got things ready to bring to my classroom...today we made Very Hungry Caterpillar scenes...which turned out very well.
4 more days of camp :)
Coming off a loooong week last week where I got very little sleep- due to:
*Report cards
*Moving my classroom- complicated by the speech teacher who was "working" and didn't pack up her things so I could move in...until Friday WHEN EVERYTHING I OWNED HAD TO BE OUT OF MY OLD CLASSROOM!!!!
*Student awards
*Silly awards
*Completing embroidered towels for every volunteer mom/dad in my class.
*Writing thank you notes for each mom/dad who volunteered.
*Copying off worksheets for summer letters that I send to students- 5 over the summer.
*AND collecting items that had to be moved to my garage for the Teacher's Rummage sale that I do in August and do as a fundraiser for Camp Olizu- a cancer camp for children.
My mind did not spontaneously combust and I survived.
Last night was Trivia Night a little pub and THE LAND SHARKS won one round...GO TEAM! Then we walked home and I got things ready to bring to my classroom...today we made Very Hungry Caterpillar scenes...which turned out very well.
4 more days of camp :)
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*SUMMER VACATION IS HERE*
Thursday, June 13, 2013
What are the odds....
... that two of my students would have appendicitis this school year?
I am not even sure how many 6 or 7 year olds get appendicitis...but the odds should be somewhere like winning 5 of 6 lottery numbers on a quick pick wouldn't you think? But it happened it room 14 for the second time yesterday.
At any rate- TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY OF FIRST GRADE!!
I will be moving every last thing out of my classroom and returning it to the state it was in when I moved in two years ago....nothing but a telephone...only this time there will be a white board on the wall....and a whole lot of drawings that I let my kids do...with Sharpies right on the wall...because the walls are coming down. How often do you get to do that to the classroom walls? Without it being something you would be in trouble for.
I am not even sure how many 6 or 7 year olds get appendicitis...but the odds should be somewhere like winning 5 of 6 lottery numbers on a quick pick wouldn't you think? But it happened it room 14 for the second time yesterday.
At any rate- TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY OF FIRST GRADE!!
I will be moving every last thing out of my classroom and returning it to the state it was in when I moved in two years ago....nothing but a telephone...only this time there will be a white board on the wall....and a whole lot of drawings that I let my kids do...with Sharpies right on the wall...because the walls are coming down. How often do you get to do that to the classroom walls? Without it being something you would be in trouble for.
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*SUMMER IS HERE*
Saturday, June 8, 2013
5 MORE DAYS!
For the 2nd time in my life there are only 5 more days of first grade....the other was way back in the 1960-something....when I could spend time playing all summer with my friends Kathy and Susie- going to the beach with their families and roasting in the So. Cal sun.
This morning I would go for my usual 5K run- BUT last Sunday as I ran down the hill to do my 5 mile Sunday loop I didn't make it. On the way down, I can feel like I am 20 again...running a sub 8 minute mile pace for the first mile(all downhill)...then it levels off and begins a slight uphill grade and I resume my old lady pace....so here I was speeding down the hill like my old 20 year old self, when I stepped on a branch that someone had pruned from their tree (and did not courteously not disposed of properly,) I rolled my ankle- I stopped- sat on the curb and rubbed it. It stung, but has before and was fine. So I put my shoe back on and proceeded to run slowly down the hill. But my ankle did not feel better. So I walked to the school parking lot and called The Captain to come get me. By the time I got home and walked down my slopping driveway I decided to go to Urgent Care.
Thankfully no break. So some ice, a wrap and a cane later I came home to rest it. Monday and Tuesday I hobbled around work on a cane. But I still had to move boxes to storage and to my new classroom...I had 5th graders help push the cart and unload. I was able to swim on Wednesday and yesterday I rode the spin cycle and but not the stair climber.
I need to have a healthy ankle for the Stanford Lucile Packard Children's Hospital run on the 22nd...Daughter #1 runs as a honoree and I am honored to be her mom.
This morning I would go for my usual 5K run- BUT last Sunday as I ran down the hill to do my 5 mile Sunday loop I didn't make it. On the way down, I can feel like I am 20 again...running a sub 8 minute mile pace for the first mile(all downhill)...then it levels off and begins a slight uphill grade and I resume my old lady pace....so here I was speeding down the hill like my old 20 year old self, when I stepped on a branch that someone had pruned from their tree (and did not courteously not disposed of properly,) I rolled my ankle- I stopped- sat on the curb and rubbed it. It stung, but has before and was fine. So I put my shoe back on and proceeded to run slowly down the hill. But my ankle did not feel better. So I walked to the school parking lot and called The Captain to come get me. By the time I got home and walked down my slopping driveway I decided to go to Urgent Care.
Thankfully no break. So some ice, a wrap and a cane later I came home to rest it. Monday and Tuesday I hobbled around work on a cane. But I still had to move boxes to storage and to my new classroom...I had 5th graders help push the cart and unload. I was able to swim on Wednesday and yesterday I rode the spin cycle and but not the stair climber.
I need to have a healthy ankle for the Stanford Lucile Packard Children's Hospital run on the 22nd...Daughter #1 runs as a honoree and I am honored to be her mom.
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*RUN CAREFULLY*MOVE
A ROOM*5 MORE DAYS OF 1ST*
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Reading Assessments Part II
I have a giant box for reading assessments....everything you wanted to know and more. My job is to level the each student's reading...which means I listen to each child read a book from the giant box (and mark errors on a paper, time the reading then add and divide errors by self corrections and then figure words read per minute )... There are two books from each level; a non-fiction book and a fiction book. In the fall I used fiction books...generally easier to read and appropriate for beginner readers.
This first grade reading stuff is all new to me...I didn't have texts or a reading program to use so every month I went to the library and checked out 70 books from a leveled book list online and we read...and read. I read Henry Huggins and Beezus and Ramona books aloud....Magic Tree House books (ghak!!!,) and every book about silk worms and caterpillars and the water cycle I could find....and hatching chick eggs and every Mo Willems' book at least 50x. We looked at books inside and out....where was it published?...when was it written?...Who was it dedicated to?...Does it have a table of contents? We learned to read the pictures...starting with Rosie's Walk...did you know the inside cover has a map of the farm? And you can follow her path by studying the each picture?
And consequentially, the kids learned to read....some of them so well that they surpassed the benchmark for end of year first grade and well into second and some at beginning third grade. I guess I did something right.
So here I am at the end of the year, listening to each child read to me from the non-fiction books in the assessment box. And that stupid bubble book is one that every child has read to me....it is actually a fun, factual book....but after hearing it read, 9 times in the two hours I had to assess on Thursday, I could feel the heat rising from the vapors in my brain- my cerebral cortex ready to explode- or spontaneously combust at any second. I do believe I heard it in my sleep Thursday night...I think the dog was reading to me....
But FRIDAY morning, when I opened the inbox of my work email I found wonderful news!! I was accepted into the Reading Institute at Columbia University in August! I was on the wait list since the end of March...I had been in contact with the person who does the admittance and I think that helped get me in. So I will be flying myself on airline miles to New York City!! I will be paying my hotel- since the dorm rooms are all booked- and my school will pay the $700 institute fees. I was able to attend two years ago when I was enrolled in the Kindergarten institute....but teaching reading beyond kindergarten is a whole different ballgame...and moving onto second grade in the fall I feel totally in need of assistance. I am sooooo looking forward to this....and I love New York City! I love the heat smacking me in the face when I leave the hotel in the morning and how the transit system can take you anywhere at anytime. I am very lucky to be returning to New York!!
This first grade reading stuff is all new to me...I didn't have texts or a reading program to use so every month I went to the library and checked out 70 books from a leveled book list online and we read...and read. I read Henry Huggins and Beezus and Ramona books aloud....Magic Tree House books (ghak!!!,) and every book about silk worms and caterpillars and the water cycle I could find....and hatching chick eggs and every Mo Willems' book at least 50x. We looked at books inside and out....where was it published?...when was it written?...Who was it dedicated to?...Does it have a table of contents? We learned to read the pictures...starting with Rosie's Walk...did you know the inside cover has a map of the farm? And you can follow her path by studying the each picture?
And consequentially, the kids learned to read....some of them so well that they surpassed the benchmark for end of year first grade and well into second and some at beginning third grade. I guess I did something right.
So here I am at the end of the year, listening to each child read to me from the non-fiction books in the assessment box. And that stupid bubble book is one that every child has read to me....it is actually a fun, factual book....but after hearing it read, 9 times in the two hours I had to assess on Thursday, I could feel the heat rising from the vapors in my brain- my cerebral cortex ready to explode- or spontaneously combust at any second. I do believe I heard it in my sleep Thursday night...I think the dog was reading to me....
But FRIDAY morning, when I opened the inbox of my work email I found wonderful news!! I was accepted into the Reading Institute at Columbia University in August! I was on the wait list since the end of March...I had been in contact with the person who does the admittance and I think that helped get me in. So I will be flying myself on airline miles to New York City!! I will be paying my hotel- since the dorm rooms are all booked- and my school will pay the $700 institute fees. I was able to attend two years ago when I was enrolled in the Kindergarten institute....but teaching reading beyond kindergarten is a whole different ballgame...and moving onto second grade in the fall I feel totally in need of assistance. I am sooooo looking forward to this....and I love New York City! I love the heat smacking me in the face when I leave the hotel in the morning and how the transit system can take you anywhere at anytime. I am very lucky to be returning to New York!!
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*LEARN TO READ*
Thursday, May 30, 2013
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*
Saturday, May 25, 2013
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!
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...
...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*
CELEBRATE 31 YEARS*
Sunday, May 19, 2013
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...
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.
LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*PARTICIPATE IN A BACKWARDS TRI*
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
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!
![[blog+dt3.jpg]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9YQVoKGq6APFhjQCoO2AkozAE6ZKLQ7MDT4YE2OKkgqjMEUzHPASX5z5uAwkt5xuZXoWhyphenhyphenHlykk4mpLZHCorf8t2k2GZ3zbMam10mG71CP66n0kYCNRh7WB4MPFv_DpzU2HoPgWzCJCD/s320/blog+dt3.jpg)
(My friend's last name really is Lord)
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*MAKE A DONATION TO
HELP SMAC OUT CANCER*
Saturday, May 11, 2013
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....
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MY FRIENDS....
*LIVESTRONG*LOVESTRONGER*LAUGH HARDER*LOVE A MOM*
Thursday, May 9, 2013
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.
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*
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Coincidental Ladybug
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!!!
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
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.
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!*
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
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!
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*
Monday, April 29, 2013
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!
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*
MY BIRTHDAY ON Y DAY*
Saturday, April 27, 2013
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.
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*
Friday, April 26, 2013
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.
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*
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