It's amazing how a little productivity can make a day slow down. I woke up this morning at about 9 feeling like the day was just RUSHING by. I think I was worried about my vacation days disappearing so quickly. Instead of just sitting wasting it, I decided to use all these free hours for something useful. What started as a quick washing of the dishes turned into a complete New Year's overhaul of the kitchen. I have a nice little pile of "goodwill stuff" forming in my living room and everything in the kitchen has been scrubbed and reorganized. I can open any cupboard in the whole room and be happy at the tidiness of it all. :)
Mikey has been at work too! He got some more of the icky caulking out of our big shower (yes, I know we have been working on that project for a long time - leave me alone!) and he has been cooking all day long. He is making what we hope will be a Black Bean Burger similar to the one served at Chili's. I have homemade Burger Buns in the oven and we have made a Strawberry Salsa to go on them. It tastes kind of like a strawberry daquiri. The burgers will be perfectly complimented by fries made in Mikey's new electric fryer. I can't wait for dinner! Yummy!
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Monday, December 29, 2003
Foe Paws
Our poor kitties are very unhappy lately. I will no longer let them roam the backyard because Huzzah has gotten into screaming, hissing, growling fights with the neighbor's cat through the fence. Neither of them figured out how to get OVER the fence to really rumble, but I am not going to wait until that happens. They have been forbidden from going out without attentive human accompaniment, and since it is FREEZING out they are just going to be happy wandering in the garage.
I don't know where these silly titles are coming from, but I like them! I'll just send the usual silent thanks to my Hunt genetics (esp. G'pa Norm) and wait for the next batch.
I don't know where these silly titles are coming from, but I like them! I'll just send the usual silent thanks to my Hunt genetics (esp. G'pa Norm) and wait for the next batch.
Crust-fallen
I hate it when I have a beautiful ball of dough mixing in the mixer and I get all excited about how wonderful the loaf is going to be only to open the machine after the final beep to see the top crust all sunk in and wrinkly. Bah.
Monopoly Hangover
I woke up this morning with a Monopoly hangover. In case you are wondering, that is when you stay up until 1:00 in the morning hoping to make a miraculous turn-around in a 4 hour game that you have been losing for the last 2 hours and then make yourself get up only 7 hours later knowing that if you don't your natural bio-rhythms will have taken over for good and you will NOT be able to get up for work next week.
When you are winning, Monopoly is a fun game. Unfortunately, there is always that point when you realize that there is NOTHING you can do to turn the game around, but it is still going to take several hours for your opponent to actually win. This is more a problem when you only have 2 players, but I think it applies to just about any Monopoly game every played in the entire history of the world. I have recently learned that it also applies to the game RISK.
Why, yes! We DID get several board games for Christmas! How did you guess? This year I became the proud player of Monopoly - The America Special Edition (If you land on the Go To Jail corner you can either plead guilty or pay $20 to roll the dice - if you roll an even total you are guilty, an odd total and you are free. Sounds pretty accurate, right? I am very familiar with this side of our friendly legal system, since I went to jail about 6 times last night.) I also have Monopoly Junior - Dig'n Dinos, a much easier, faster version of the original. Of course, I still lost!
In the non-Monopoly genre (yes, there IS such a thing, Virginia), I received Risk - LOTR Special Edition and got to play as the dark side! I gave him a run for his money, but in the end Mikey won, as usual. I believe my downfall was my obsession with getting Lothlorien under my control. I lost many an orc to that hopeless end. The fun in this version is that you have to conquer the world before Frodo leaves Middle Earth with that damned ring.
And finally, a game that really needs more than 2 players is regular old Clue. This was one of our favorites when we were kids. And it is even better after you have seen the movie! :) We are working on 2 player rules, but they lack some of the suspense that usually comes with the game. It mostly involves hiding cards in each room, making it practically impossible to win the game until you have been in each room at least once. I'll let you know how that turns out. Meanwhile, I am off to nurse my Monopoly hangover with a little hair of the dog!
When you are winning, Monopoly is a fun game. Unfortunately, there is always that point when you realize that there is NOTHING you can do to turn the game around, but it is still going to take several hours for your opponent to actually win. This is more a problem when you only have 2 players, but I think it applies to just about any Monopoly game every played in the entire history of the world. I have recently learned that it also applies to the game RISK.
Why, yes! We DID get several board games for Christmas! How did you guess? This year I became the proud player of Monopoly - The America Special Edition (If you land on the Go To Jail corner you can either plead guilty or pay $20 to roll the dice - if you roll an even total you are guilty, an odd total and you are free. Sounds pretty accurate, right? I am very familiar with this side of our friendly legal system, since I went to jail about 6 times last night.) I also have Monopoly Junior - Dig'n Dinos, a much easier, faster version of the original. Of course, I still lost!
In the non-Monopoly genre (yes, there IS such a thing, Virginia), I received Risk - LOTR Special Edition and got to play as the dark side! I gave him a run for his money, but in the end Mikey won, as usual. I believe my downfall was my obsession with getting Lothlorien under my control. I lost many an orc to that hopeless end. The fun in this version is that you have to conquer the world before Frodo leaves Middle Earth with that damned ring.
And finally, a game that really needs more than 2 players is regular old Clue. This was one of our favorites when we were kids. And it is even better after you have seen the movie! :) We are working on 2 player rules, but they lack some of the suspense that usually comes with the game. It mostly involves hiding cards in each room, making it practically impossible to win the game until you have been in each room at least once. I'll let you know how that turns out. Meanwhile, I am off to nurse my Monopoly hangover with a little hair of the dog!
Sunday, December 28, 2003
Crap
My brother's birthday was yesterday, and although I DID remember to send his b-day gift in the X-mas box, I did NOT remember to call him. Shame on me. There are so many wonderful things to remember about him, too...
- There was his obsession with the word "cookie" when he was about 10. It drove me NUTS, but that word still makes me think of him.
- And the time we were both in the play "Annie". I played the ventriloquist and he played my dummy. We stole the scene!
- Of course, there is the time he broke his arm running into the couch. The other brother came out unscathed and screaming, while this one was absolutely silent with a broken wrist. He also waited 3 days to tell anyone about his broken collar bone during his highschool years.
- There were so many times when we wrapped him in things - pop beads, Christmas lights, etc.
- We played baseball at Great Grandma's, catch in the front yard, Indians in the backyard and who-knows-what up on Sand Hill.
- He went in my room without asking, drove me crazy with his questions and his obnoxiousness, and used the same word over and over until you thought you would lose your mind.
- He always made me feel like being a big sister was an important job. No matter how awful he could be, I was ready to go to battle for him at the drop of a hat.
These are the things that I remember. He is and always will be my little brother, despite the fact that he is now taller than me, going to college and well on his way to being a very cool adult. I don't think he will ever be so old that I don't feel the urge to give him wet willies and noogies while teasing him about his girlfriend. I will never stop worrying about his temper, his health, or his sensitive, artistic soul. I can only hope that I remain 1/2 as cool in his eyes as he does in mine.
Happy Birthday, Bro!
- There was his obsession with the word "cookie" when he was about 10. It drove me NUTS, but that word still makes me think of him.
- And the time we were both in the play "Annie". I played the ventriloquist and he played my dummy. We stole the scene!
- Of course, there is the time he broke his arm running into the couch. The other brother came out unscathed and screaming, while this one was absolutely silent with a broken wrist. He also waited 3 days to tell anyone about his broken collar bone during his highschool years.
- There were so many times when we wrapped him in things - pop beads, Christmas lights, etc.
- We played baseball at Great Grandma's, catch in the front yard, Indians in the backyard and who-knows-what up on Sand Hill.
- He went in my room without asking, drove me crazy with his questions and his obnoxiousness, and used the same word over and over until you thought you would lose your mind.
- He always made me feel like being a big sister was an important job. No matter how awful he could be, I was ready to go to battle for him at the drop of a hat.
These are the things that I remember. He is and always will be my little brother, despite the fact that he is now taller than me, going to college and well on his way to being a very cool adult. I don't think he will ever be so old that I don't feel the urge to give him wet willies and noogies while teasing him about his girlfriend. I will never stop worrying about his temper, his health, or his sensitive, artistic soul. I can only hope that I remain 1/2 as cool in his eyes as he does in mine.
Happy Birthday, Bro!
Saturday, December 27, 2003
MMmmmmm
Tonight's dinner rocked!
Onion and Cheese Rosti (grated onion and potato formed into pancakes and pan fried)
Carrot and Apple Salad (also grated with a mayo based dressing)
Italian Herb Bread (fresh from the bread machine)
All of it delicious and all of it homemade. Yum. I love my job, but I also LOVE being home with nothing to do but cook new foods (and clean up afterwards so it doesn't turn into a pig sty in here). Vacations are good. I am seriously looking forward to summer break in a totally new way! :)
Onion and Cheese Rosti (grated onion and potato formed into pancakes and pan fried)
Carrot and Apple Salad (also grated with a mayo based dressing)
Italian Herb Bread (fresh from the bread machine)
All of it delicious and all of it homemade. Yum. I love my job, but I also LOVE being home with nothing to do but cook new foods (and clean up afterwards so it doesn't turn into a pig sty in here). Vacations are good. I am seriously looking forward to summer break in a totally new way! :)
Today's plans
*Do laundry
*also played enormous amounts of Zoo Tycoon! T'was a very busy day, t'was.
2004 Goals
Mikey and I will be setting our new goals shortly. I am pleased with my ability to reach and maintain the ones I made last year, but there are a few that need to be focused on more intensely. I am going to set a goal about contacting family, especially my siblings. I am also going to set a goal about practicing my guitar. The trick is to make them do-able as well as useful.
Friday, December 26, 2003
Goodbye, Guilty Conscience
I forgot to mention earlier that Mikey and I have become 100% vegetarian recently. We are no longer having meat on special occasions or when with the in-laws to avoid uncomfortable conversations. I was tired of feeling guilty every time I looked at a menu. I was tired of having to talk myself into doing the right thing every time I ate something. So about a week ago, I decided that I am no longer eating fish, chicken, pork, beef or any other animal. Although I was sad to not partake of the beautiful roast that my sis-in-law made for Christmas Eve dinner, I truly enjoyed the rest of the meal (green bean casserole, potatoes, spinach salad, and yummy bread) because I wasn't having to make the decision. The decision was already made. I just had to stick to it, and that is MUCH easier.
We managed to get through our entire vacation without any major hassles. We didn't starve to death and I don't think we messed up anyone else's meals. It was a little frustrating that it couldn't just be a "normal" thing. It had to be a big deal for every meal - someone always made some comment about it. I wish it could have just been a non-issue, but I guess I understand the interest. And I know that they were only talking about it because they wanted to respect our wishes. I just wish I didn't have to convinve them that they don't have to worry about it.
We have two amazing new cookbooks that are strictly vegetarian. The Essential Vegetarian Cookbook by Diana Shaw and Passionate Vegetarian by Crescent Dragonwagon (yep, I think that's her real name). The first covers a lot of the whys and hows of vegetarian eating. Both are HUGE books and cover just about every area of cooking you can think of. I can't wait to delve in! And I am lucky enough to have a solid week of vacation left with which to do so.
We managed to get through our entire vacation without any major hassles. We didn't starve to death and I don't think we messed up anyone else's meals. It was a little frustrating that it couldn't just be a "normal" thing. It had to be a big deal for every meal - someone always made some comment about it. I wish it could have just been a non-issue, but I guess I understand the interest. And I know that they were only talking about it because they wanted to respect our wishes. I just wish I didn't have to convinve them that they don't have to worry about it.
We have two amazing new cookbooks that are strictly vegetarian. The Essential Vegetarian Cookbook by Diana Shaw and Passionate Vegetarian by Crescent Dragonwagon (yep, I think that's her real name). The first covers a lot of the whys and hows of vegetarian eating. Both are HUGE books and cover just about every area of cooking you can think of. I can't wait to delve in! And I am lucky enough to have a solid week of vacation left with which to do so.
More Boxing Day
I spent nearly an hour cleaning out my refrigerator this morning. I got it all sparkling clean and organized. Then I moved on to the pantry cupboard and did the same thing. This was the perfect time to do this because we were down to the bare minimum due to our X-mas vacation.
After organizing and taking inventory, we went to lunch at Rubio's. They sent us some coupons the other day so I was able to try out their new Especial Burrito. Except for the fact that they charge you $6 and some change for it, it was very good. Probably the best vegetarian burrito I have found in a fast food chain type place. I would definitely recommend it, but only if you are ready to spend an arm and a leg!
Finally, we spent an hour at Orchard's and an hour at Stater Bros stocking up our cleaned up kitchen. We now have all new staples and a TON of stuff we really don't need. We have 5 new cookbooks that need trying out, though!
I should go...Mikey is playing his newest and most beloved of games - Tony Hawk's Underground (THUG). Of all the things he asked for this Christmas, this was the one thing I knew he would be CRUSHED not to get. It wasn't a surprise, but the happy face he got when he opened it was wonderful just the same.
After organizing and taking inventory, we went to lunch at Rubio's. They sent us some coupons the other day so I was able to try out their new Especial Burrito. Except for the fact that they charge you $6 and some change for it, it was very good. Probably the best vegetarian burrito I have found in a fast food chain type place. I would definitely recommend it, but only if you are ready to spend an arm and a leg!
Finally, we spent an hour at Orchard's and an hour at Stater Bros stocking up our cleaned up kitchen. We now have all new staples and a TON of stuff we really don't need. We have 5 new cookbooks that need trying out, though!
I should go...Mikey is playing his newest and most beloved of games - Tony Hawk's Underground (THUG). Of all the things he asked for this Christmas, this was the one thing I knew he would be CRUSHED not to get. It wasn't a surprise, but the happy face he got when he opened it was wonderful just the same.
Happy Boxing Day!!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, surrounded by family and good cheer, like I did. I hope everyone enjoyed it to the fullest and spent time reflecting on the loving people around you, like I did. I hope no one had the blues anyway, missing those who weren't there and traditions moved on, like I did. Christmas is, at once, my favorite and hardest holiday. I will probably write more about this another time. For now, I have a fridge to clean, wrapping paper to bag, shopping to do (Just groceries...I'm not CRAZY!), and the Special Edition Princess Bride to watch.
May you continue to wallow in the mud puddle of happiness and love that is this holiday season. Pig out now, so it can carry you through another hectic, confusing, mixed up year.
May you continue to wallow in the mud puddle of happiness and love that is this holiday season. Pig out now, so it can carry you through another hectic, confusing, mixed up year.
Sunday, December 21, 2003
I'm still not here...
I have been busier than a beaver for the last couple of weeks. I am now on vacation, but of course, that is just a little more chaos. We are currently scrambling to get our house cleaned up so we can head to San Antonio for some holiday cheer with the in-laws. When I get back I promise there will be regular posting and probably some pictures. (I can't wait to show you our Christmas tree this year!) Have a wonderful Christmas. I'll see you in a few days!
I will be calling those I usually call on Christmas day. Or you can reach me on the cell phone. Happy Holidays, all!!
I will be calling those I usually call on Christmas day. Or you can reach me on the cell phone. Happy Holidays, all!!
Saturday, December 13, 2003
Quiet as a Mouse**
My voice is still on vacation. Lucky Mikey has had all the company of his loverly wife without all the hassle of having to make conversation! :) Every guy's dream.
**As I type this, our little mouse (Zazzy) is squeaking and squawking all over the place! I am a quieter mouse than she is!
And as a silly little aside...did you happen to notice how many "q"s were in this post? How quaint!
**As I type this, our little mouse (Zazzy) is squeaking and squawking all over the place! I am a quieter mouse than she is!
And as a silly little aside...did you happen to notice how many "q"s were in this post? How quaint!
On the First Day of Christmas...
We can never wait until the 25th, so we have to come up with legitimate reasons for opening presents early. This year we decided to go with a 12 days of Christmas theme for the holidays. Gifts were broken into 12 categories, each based on a line from the song. For example, on one day you can get something to watch (eg. the Partridge Family) and something to eat (a pear). On other days you can get something for the house (piping) or something to hear (drumming). See? It's FUN! We draw numbers each day to see which present we get to open. Since we are going on holiday for a few days right at Christmas, we will not be opening something each night. This means that we set aside some of the best presents (or in my case - the ones that haven't arrived yet!) and there will be an extravaganza on Christmas night.
I love the holiday season!
Oh - and we are not making a 3D tree this year. We are instead using a little homemade tree that one of my students gave me. It is strips of green fabric tied around a dowel and it is adorable! It is only about 9 inches tall so Zazzy can't possibly be scared of it!
I love the holiday season!
Oh - and we are not making a 3D tree this year. We are instead using a little homemade tree that one of my students gave me. It is strips of green fabric tied around a dowel and it is adorable! It is only about 9 inches tall so Zazzy can't possibly be scared of it!
Shhhhh...
I am as quiet as a mouse today. I managed to make it to the end of the week without calling in sick, but I am paying for it today. When I open my mouth, not a sound comes out! I wasn't much better yesterday, but there was enough there to get by. I had to resort to little kid methods of getting their attention tho - flickering the lights is a good one when you can't talk.
Every time I lose my voice at school I learn a particular lesson. Unfortunately, being the kind of person I am, I never manage to transfer that lesson to my healthy days. The lesson is this - if you speak softly, people get quieter so they can hear you. It is true. My normally incredibly loud class managed to hear me better yesterday when I could barely talk, than any other day that I am capable of raising my voice above the din of 32 other voices. Does this keep me quieter on regular days? No way! I am a loud person by nature and if my voice is there, I use it. And then they use their voices too. Ugh. Some people never learn.
Off to a dentist appointment. See ya later.
Every time I lose my voice at school I learn a particular lesson. Unfortunately, being the kind of person I am, I never manage to transfer that lesson to my healthy days. The lesson is this - if you speak softly, people get quieter so they can hear you. It is true. My normally incredibly loud class managed to hear me better yesterday when I could barely talk, than any other day that I am capable of raising my voice above the din of 32 other voices. Does this keep me quieter on regular days? No way! I am a loud person by nature and if my voice is there, I use it. And then they use their voices too. Ugh. Some people never learn.
Off to a dentist appointment. See ya later.
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
And Many Happy Returns
My darling is celebrating his birthday today. He got dinner out (Pik-Up-Stiks), a video game (Enter the Matrix), a foot rub, and a cold. I am a generous person. Neither of us was feeling much like partying, but we had a nice night anyway. Party animals that we are, we're still up and here it is...already after 8 pm. Whoa. Time for bed!
Toughing it out
I woke up last night feeling like someone had used an eyedropper to apply battery acid to my vocal cords. I was sure that my voice would be gone by the end of the day today, but I got lucky. Instead I just have a new, deep, sexy voice. If you like the I-smoke-6-packs-a-day-and-drive-an-18-wheeler type. The fifth graders and I were making predictions (the school sanctioned version of making a bet) about how I would feel tomorrow. They don't think I am going to make it. One of them said, "The 4th graders are too loud and they make you talk too much." Not just the 4th graders, sweetie!
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
What do you get...
...when you cross a teacher, a combo class and a cold?
You really don't want to know! I was so STUPID today. I couldn't stay focused. I lost my train of thought in mid-sentence. I forgot things almost immediately. My only saving grace was that I was released for most of the morning to observe other teachers. So the kids had someone with a brain for at least part of the day. Fortunately, they were fairly nice to me all day. They took advantage of my mental absence a little, but for the most part they behaved themselves. I am a lucky girl.
Now I am tired, my head hurts and I have PILES of correcting and recording to do. I think it is going to have to wait. Which is a shame because I am inches away from having so much paperwork to do that it is totally overwhelming. Oh well.
Winter Break is only 10 days away. Winter Break is only 10 days away. Winter Break is only 10 days away.
You really don't want to know! I was so STUPID today. I couldn't stay focused. I lost my train of thought in mid-sentence. I forgot things almost immediately. My only saving grace was that I was released for most of the morning to observe other teachers. So the kids had someone with a brain for at least part of the day. Fortunately, they were fairly nice to me all day. They took advantage of my mental absence a little, but for the most part they behaved themselves. I am a lucky girl.
Now I am tired, my head hurts and I have PILES of correcting and recording to do. I think it is going to have to wait. Which is a shame because I am inches away from having so much paperwork to do that it is totally overwhelming. Oh well.
Winter Break is only 10 days away. Winter Break is only 10 days away. Winter Break is only 10 days away.
Monday, December 08, 2003
Life isn't Fair
I guess I spoke too soon last night. I did get to stay home today, but not because I was playing hooky. That cold had not actually retreated. It had simply run off behind the hills to rally its forces. It snuck up on my while I was sleeping, blockading my left nostril and holding my mind hostage. So much so that when I went in to write up my sub plans it took me almost 90 minutes (despite the fact that I already had my own lessons written up) AND I took the necessary componants of a major assignment for the day home with me. By the time I realized, they didn't need them anymore, but I doubt I would have had the moral or physical strength to go in again anyway. Poor sub. I will have to call and apologize. I hope they were nice to her. They aren't always, you know.
Today I managed to get presents wrapped and a few papers graded in-between breaks. I wish I could take tomorrow off too, since I know I am still not up to snuff (the little guys are gonna eat me alive tomorrow!), but I am not about to waste any more sick days. I have two week's worth of vacation coming soon. I can rest then. In the meantime - GO, GO, GO! And I am going to GO right now. Right off to bed. Wish me speedy health. Or at least the ability to breath all night. :)
Today I managed to get presents wrapped and a few papers graded in-between breaks. I wish I could take tomorrow off too, since I know I am still not up to snuff (the little guys are gonna eat me alive tomorrow!), but I am not about to waste any more sick days. I have two week's worth of vacation coming soon. I can rest then. In the meantime - GO, GO, GO! And I am going to GO right now. Right off to bed. Wish me speedy health. Or at least the ability to breath all night. :)
Sunday, December 07, 2003
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...
Okay. My cold seems to have given up and headed off. I was just too tough for it. On top of that, I just about finished my holiday shopping, I wore my Christmas sweater and I went to the first Christmas party of the year complete with singing of carols. I think I am starting to catch the spirit. I wish I could stay home tomorrow and decorate. Maybe I will have a relapse during the night. Hmm. Yeah...I can feel it now...cough, hack, wheeze. Do I feel like I have a fever? Just let me sit next to the fireplace for a minute and then check. :)
Saturday, December 06, 2003
And one other thing...
While I am complaining, let me register my displeasure at having to SCRAPE MY FREAKIN" WINDSHIELD three times this week. I am actually carrying my scraper in my front seat footspace like I used to in MN. That is just WRONG.
It is really December?
In my mind it isn't really Christmas until there is snow on the ground and frost in the air. Winter doesn't officially start until I have to drive through at least one crappy snow storm or get my car pulled out of one snowbank. Chilly nights and nippy mornings are a sign of early October, not mid December. My midwestern mind can't handle these subtle SoCal season changes.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am not complaining. I LIKE living here. I hated having to bundle up to run out to get the mail. I hated turning on my car 15 minutes before I actually had to go anywhere or, worse yet, sitting around for 15 minutes after I should have left waiting for the windshield to clear because I FORGOT to start the car early. I hated having to carry snow boots around with me, keeping track of my mittens and feeling obligated to wear a hat (something I NEVER do) for health's sake.
I am just saying that I have a hard time getting into the holiday spirit when I feel like Halloween is still just around the corner. For the last couple of years, Christmas has snuck up on me, leaving me under-decorated, unfinished shopping and unable to enjoy the season the way I used to. And with the new job I don't even have enough time or energy to keep my house clean, much less deck the halls.
If I didn't feel so crappy, I would get off my lazy behind and put up our 2-D tree. Maybe tomorrow. Or, if I am not yet feeling good enough to face a room-ful of hellions, on Monday. In the meantime I play the Nutcracker as often as I can in my classroom. My kids laughed when I started to dance to my favorite parts during our spelling test on Friday!
Now, don't get me wrong. I am not complaining. I LIKE living here. I hated having to bundle up to run out to get the mail. I hated turning on my car 15 minutes before I actually had to go anywhere or, worse yet, sitting around for 15 minutes after I should have left waiting for the windshield to clear because I FORGOT to start the car early. I hated having to carry snow boots around with me, keeping track of my mittens and feeling obligated to wear a hat (something I NEVER do) for health's sake.
I am just saying that I have a hard time getting into the holiday spirit when I feel like Halloween is still just around the corner. For the last couple of years, Christmas has snuck up on me, leaving me under-decorated, unfinished shopping and unable to enjoy the season the way I used to. And with the new job I don't even have enough time or energy to keep my house clean, much less deck the halls.
If I didn't feel so crappy, I would get off my lazy behind and put up our 2-D tree. Maybe tomorrow. Or, if I am not yet feeling good enough to face a room-ful of hellions, on Monday. In the meantime I play the Nutcracker as often as I can in my classroom. My kids laughed when I started to dance to my favorite parts during our spelling test on Friday!
A cold or not a cold?
Enough that I fell asleep while watching Mystery Science Theater! I actually don't feel too bad, but my throat hurts and my body is a little achy. It's that pre-sick feeling. I am hoping that I can rest it away before it gets bad. I do NOT want to have to try to explain Monday's plans to a sub!
Anyway, I fell asleep during MST3K only to have the phone jerk me back into reality. My heart is STILL thumping away. There is nothing quite like being woken up from a daytime, sickness induced nap by a loud phone. And it wasn't even anything worth answering. Thanks alot, ya jerk!
Anyway, I fell asleep during MST3K only to have the phone jerk me back into reality. My heart is STILL thumping away. There is nothing quite like being woken up from a daytime, sickness induced nap by a loud phone. And it wasn't even anything worth answering. Thanks alot, ya jerk!
Learnin' Letters
Mikey and I came up with the wonderful idea of making a computer game for our nephew. It is designed to teach a child what the main keys on the computer do. It also teaches the letter shape, name and gives a picture of something that starts with that letter.
press "a"
see - "Aa" and a big red apple
hear - "A is for apple. (crunching sound)"
Mikey made all the artwork and we made the sounds together. Today we added numbers and shapes.
press "1"
see - "1 Square" and a big red square
hear - "1 Square"
It is now just about ready to go. Only about a year later than planned. The nephew already knows his colors, some shapes and most letters. At least the nephew has a new little sister who can also use it!
press "a"
see - "Aa" and a big red apple
hear - "A is for apple. (crunching sound)"
Mikey made all the artwork and we made the sounds together. Today we added numbers and shapes.
press "1"
see - "1 Square" and a big red square
hear - "1 Square"
It is now just about ready to go. Only about a year later than planned. The nephew already knows his colors, some shapes and most letters. At least the nephew has a new little sister who can also use it!
Friday, December 05, 2003
the Angels and the Devils within
I am torn between being absolutely amazed at the amount of work I am getting done with my class and wanting to throttle them because of the stupid choices they have been making lately. On the one hand, they are definitely keeping up with the speed of 4th and 5th grade much better. I was whipping through some instructions the other day and I told them how proud I was that they were keeping up with me. At the beginning of the year, their poor little brains would have melted. But on the other hand, they are driving me crazy with their non-stop talking and the rediculous questions (Should I put my name on this? THEY ARE STILL ASKING THAT QUESTION!!!!). I just have to stop, take a deep breath and remind myself that they are children. Unfortunately, at the same time I remember that these are the adults of 20 years from now. Egads. We've got our work cut out for us.
*Luckily, the CARE these children have for each other gives me hope despite my concerns.
*Luckily, the CARE these children have for each other gives me hope despite my concerns.
Whoo Hoo!
All those things I ordered on half.com and starting to show up. Every day there are packages on my desk. It is fun to get things in the mail!! Now if I could only remember who got what...
Monday, December 01, 2003
The Return
Today was the first day back at school. After a week of sleeping in, lounging around and watching INSANE amounts of television, I was ready and willing to return to my classroom. Apparently, so were the kids. We had a very productive day and there were multiple moments when I was amazed by them.
I had three new students today, all 4th graders. If you are not a teacher, then you have no idea how absolutely disruptive it is for everyone when students move mid-year. Not only is it hard for the student who moved, but it is also difficult for the teacher to re-explain all the things that the rest of the class spent a whole trimester learning in a quick 5 minute tour. My students jump to the rescue immediately. They all pitch in with helping the new students learn the ropes as smoothly and as quickly as possible. New students only feel out of place for about 4 minutes in my room! I love that about my class.
Before the break, we were studying double digit multiplication. I was terrified that after a week of no school all that information that I had been cramming into their little heads would have all dribbled out their ears. So we did a review today. I wrote a sample problem up on the board (52 x 93) and asked a student who had been struggling to help me complete it. When they "help" me they have to tell me every single thing, up to and including exactly where to write the numbers. And if they don't use the proper terminology I get "confused" and can't follow their instructions. Anyway, this kid walked me through the whole problem without stumbling even once. I was thrilled. Later, I asked another student who struggles in math to do a more difficult problem (316 x 25) and she, too, was able to walk me through the whole thing. I couldn't praise them enough!! I am so proud of them for remembering the things they worked so hard to learn and I am proud of myself for teaching it in a way that they understand and remember. It was one of those moments that makes it all worth while.
This trimester we will be focusing on responding to literature with both grade levels. They have a book report due soon, so I was showing them exactly how I expect it to be done. "On this part of the mobile (We do COOL book reports, not boring ones!) you will tell me the theme, or the main idea, of the story. I am using Charlotte's Web for my report. Who can tell me what the theme of that story is?"
One of my boys amazed me with this - "Friends never die. No, 'cause she DID die. Um. Friendships never die. 'Cause Wilbur will always be her friend."
And then one of my girls put it into a wonderful complete sentence for us. "In Charlotte's Web, Wilbur learns that although friends may die, friendships never do."
DAYUM! I love it when they overacheive like that! I told them that they had set my expectations pretty darn high and that I would be expecting the best book reports ever! :)
It's days like these that make it all worth while. Moments that show you are making an actual difference in the way kids think and act. These are the days that give me the energy to get out of bed and into my classroom after three days of non-stop rain and several run-ins with "interesting" parents. I take these days and store them away, like a squirrel storing nuts, because they are my spiritual sustenance. They are my hope.
I had three new students today, all 4th graders. If you are not a teacher, then you have no idea how absolutely disruptive it is for everyone when students move mid-year. Not only is it hard for the student who moved, but it is also difficult for the teacher to re-explain all the things that the rest of the class spent a whole trimester learning in a quick 5 minute tour. My students jump to the rescue immediately. They all pitch in with helping the new students learn the ropes as smoothly and as quickly as possible. New students only feel out of place for about 4 minutes in my room! I love that about my class.
Before the break, we were studying double digit multiplication. I was terrified that after a week of no school all that information that I had been cramming into their little heads would have all dribbled out their ears. So we did a review today. I wrote a sample problem up on the board (52 x 93) and asked a student who had been struggling to help me complete it. When they "help" me they have to tell me every single thing, up to and including exactly where to write the numbers. And if they don't use the proper terminology I get "confused" and can't follow their instructions. Anyway, this kid walked me through the whole problem without stumbling even once. I was thrilled. Later, I asked another student who struggles in math to do a more difficult problem (316 x 25) and she, too, was able to walk me through the whole thing. I couldn't praise them enough!! I am so proud of them for remembering the things they worked so hard to learn and I am proud of myself for teaching it in a way that they understand and remember. It was one of those moments that makes it all worth while.
This trimester we will be focusing on responding to literature with both grade levels. They have a book report due soon, so I was showing them exactly how I expect it to be done. "On this part of the mobile (We do COOL book reports, not boring ones!) you will tell me the theme, or the main idea, of the story. I am using Charlotte's Web for my report. Who can tell me what the theme of that story is?"
One of my boys amazed me with this - "Friends never die. No, 'cause she DID die. Um. Friendships never die. 'Cause Wilbur will always be her friend."
And then one of my girls put it into a wonderful complete sentence for us. "In Charlotte's Web, Wilbur learns that although friends may die, friendships never do."
DAYUM! I love it when they overacheive like that! I told them that they had set my expectations pretty darn high and that I would be expecting the best book reports ever! :)
It's days like these that make it all worth while. Moments that show you are making an actual difference in the way kids think and act. These are the days that give me the energy to get out of bed and into my classroom after three days of non-stop rain and several run-ins with "interesting" parents. I take these days and store them away, like a squirrel storing nuts, because they are my spiritual sustenance. They are my hope.
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