Thursday musings

Ted and I now leave for work at the same time!  He makes the coffee each morning and cheers me on out of bed.  We talk as we get ready for the day and I make sure he doesn't leave without a kiss and hug and a "play nice with others" in jest.  He sent me a picture of a new pad of paper for his use...fax post-it-notes "so we know who the fax goes to!"  He made me laugh with his bullet list of reasons why it won't work for him.  1.  We do not have a fax machine.  2.  There are only two of us that work at this place each day.  3.  We do not have phone lines coming into this building.  So I sent a picture of my post-it-notes..."this is so I don't forget stuff!"  Everywhere you go...things are changing constantly...whether we like it or not...there are some changes you have to deal with and just go with it!  A reminder to me...don't be stubborn and hold on to things that are obsolete now...it's ok.  We look back and see all the technological changes since we got married...WOW!  Our first computer...monitor with separate keyboard and pc towers with Windows...and you had to be patient as it dialed up with a funny sounds and tones.  NOW...we hold a small device in our hand with instant access for all sorts of applications and we can hardly function without it!  All in a span of 25 years...Lord, help me...I still like real paper and real books!

I think all those things are important...I am a teacher of littles...they are all part of my daily life!  I watched these friends sorting/playing with "real live coins" as we try to learn to distinguish the differences and values and I wondered how long till "real live money" (or dirty money, as my friend calls it, haha) will be obsolete.

We embrace the love of learning in my class with all things "old school".  I am teaching children who are on devices more than they are not.  They know how my phone functions better than I do most likely because that is what parents do...they hand over the phone to keep their littles occupied...and curious minds find and figure stuff out.  What I am seeing...is the lack of basic common problem skills with their hands and bodies as they interact with other humans.

So we use all sorts of fun things to explore and learn and use multiple body parts!  This week...magnifying glasses...and they made me smile as they explored all sorts of things in our classroom.

Today's object lesson for me as I watched them with the magnifying glasses.  Lord, help me make much of

You so these little friends will remember Your work in all of Creation and prayerfully, in their lives.  Psalm 34:3

This was a hard activity as we practiced adding to six.  Using a straw to suck up the little hearts and transfer them to the little cups.  Basic sucking skill...that most of them use to drink from a cup at a restaurant or from their water bottles...but put it to use this way...it was harder.  One little friend kept blowing and I kept saying to suck...she resorted to using her hands which is always an option too.

I picked up my Alisa and we ran some errands and got lunch.  I am always reminded that I do know what I am doing with my little friends as I talk to my big chair fillers!  "Mom, it is all those little things you did with us...they helped us and we remember!"  And then I hear of parents calling Alisa because they know she tutors and they have heard good things.  Her name is passed around quite often.

I came home and made three batches of muffins for our special day of Muffins with Mom on Friday!  Our house smells divine!

And then Teddy texted to say that he did very well on his tests today!  So I sent a picture of me celebrating his good work with a mint Oreo (our Valentine's gift from Ted to his girls)...and I had tears in my eyes again...

that turned to laughter when he sent this back to me!  "Chips Ahoy" and a reply from Ashlynn that said, "He's so snazzy!"  Oh...my little...now big chair fillers still make me cry and laugh!
 

Valentines fun

Just add hearts and jewels and anything is fun!

My response to my love...speaking his love language again.

I could have purchased pre-made Valentines...but why would I do that when I have so many fun stamps already!?  Ted wonders that too.  I got creative...finally...the night before the party.  Uff da!  Did it again...and had everything sitting on the table for the last two weeks.  Bad use of time...again.  And then missed sending Valentines out to family.  Yikes!  Mom fail...again.

I did manage to make a yummy supper for my love...the day before Valentine's Day.  A co-worker is here from Belgium which means long days and a couple late nights.  Our favorite special supper...salmon.  I will take mine over any restaurant any day!

So much pink and red...and fun little activities powered by all things sugar!

I love my job and I am thankful for the opportunity to spend the mornings with my little friends!  I love unexpected texts from our kids that make me tear up at recess and little friends stop as they run by to make sure I am ok.  It is all worth it!

Special Valentines...

A super special treat...12 toppings to choose from!  "I may or may not have gone a little overboard in this...but it was so fun!"

Shooting cupid arrows (q-tips)

Little furry loves checking out my gifts...

so many treats from my little friends...

and a beautiful rose and chocolates from my sis to decorate my shelf.

I am loved.  I am grateful.  I am a procrastinator who needs to pay better attention for next Valentine's Day!
 

Ready...set...busy week coming...go!

A yummy breakfast bomb to get our Saturday off to a good start.  A snowy but sunny day to be doing some important business!

Ready for Sunday dinner at church...

Oh what fun!  The full snow moon to start the week of Spirit week activities.

Character/career day

Cannot wait to taste the chocolate that Mr. T and Flat Stanley brought back from Belgium!

How do I do Spirit Week?!  I set expectations low and join the fun!

This board makes me happy with all its colors!

Reading with a stuffed buddy...such an easy yet special activity for them!

This plant is loving our bedroom window light!

Retro Day

K5 door decoration for Spirit Week...

Every morning we met in the gym for craziness to start the day.  My class enjoyed seeing everyone dressed up and watching the "big kids".

A fun sweet treat...vanilla ice cream, caramel, and mini Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal!

Comfy Day

I won a treat for Comfy Day!  I wore my snowman blanket around my shoulders.

My class surprised me by working diligently when we did our papers!  We did a lot of movement and fun activities out of our seat this week.

Royalty Day...I pulled out my court jester costume...and by Thursday...it was exactly how I felt!

My lovely little princesses...

And...finally...WE MADE IT TO FRIDAY IN ONE PIECE!  School colors to wrap Spirit Week up.

So fun to see all my students participate and enjoy some extra crazy fun!

I spoiled them with some extra treats in Math too.

Working hard and remembering what we have learned already!  So pleased with their progress so far!