Guest Blogger..

Hey ya'll! Zoey here.. my mommy is still a little dizzy from the blonde vertigo, so I'm going to blog for her today!

Just a few things you should know about my mommy:

• She's the coolest chick I know. Seriously. She feeds me, walks me, and lets me cuddle with her all night long. Even when I'm taking up more than my fair share of the bed.
• She spoils me rotten. I used to have to fight for her attention, now I get it all the time. In a dog's world, this is the best thing you could ask for. 100% attention por moi.
• She's a sucker for my cuteness. I totally use this to my advantage and sometimes I sneak under the covers with her so I can cuddle even closer. She thinks I'm trying to keep her warm, but really? I'm just trying to cuddle as close as possible so she doesn't want to get out of bed and go to work.

A few things you should know about me:

• I'm secretly kind of naughty. I don't like to do really naughty things like chew her clothes or shoes, but I do like to steal things off the counter and place them on the couch. Things I like to steal include potatoes, mommy's markers for school, her slippers, and the remote.
• I steal from my mommy. Grandma made her a really nice fleece blanket for Christmas and every morning I steal it from the back of the couch and take it to my spot on the couch to cuddle with. I'm hoping one day she will forget to put it on the back of the couch so I don't have to work as hard to make it perfect to cuddle with.
• I love chasing cats. I never get close to them because my mommy always stops me, but I wish I could just check them out face-to-face.
• I have stolen the hearts of many people in my mommy's life. I love my grandma, great grandma (even though she claims she doesn't like dogs, she loves me! She even lets me lay on her couch. She doesn't even let my uncle Tucker do that and he lives with her!), my grandpa, and my Auntie Sara. Auntie Sara and my Grandma even talk to me in high pitched voices and call me cute nicknames like Zo bo and Zo Zo's. My Uncle Tucker even likes me and mommy's friends think I'm cute. Even the ones who aren't dog lovers.
• I love to leave my hair everywhere so mommy and her friends don't forget about me. Mommy loves to clean up my fur. I don't know why she keeps doing it, I'm just going to shed even more once she cleans it up.
• My priorities in life include, sleeping as much as possible, cuddling, and being 100% cute.

On that note, I'd better get back to cuddling with my mommy. I don't want her to get too cold if I'm sitting here typing. I mean, she's lucky to have me around. It gets cold in this joint from time to time, so I better go sit on her lap while she watches tv. You know, keep her warm and all. How else am I going to get my belly rubbed?

Peace out, girl scouts blog friends!

Words of Wisdom...

Ad Astra per Aspera... Latin for "To the stars through difficulties"


I think this rings true in just about every aspect of my life, both personal and professional. Adversity is handed to us in many forms. It's not always about the what, it's about the how.

I'm a huge quote person. I think there is great value in words and these words really captured me. The funny part? I read it in school on a poster hanging on the wall. A poster I walk by every.single.day. A poster that I helped my co-worker make! Meaning, I wasn't able to notice those words until I really needed them. There they were, listed under the "Facts about Kansas". Yes, folks, it's Kansas' state motto.

And, since I'm still super dizzy from this vertigo, I feel like my head is already in the stars.

The One Like Miranda...

Don't know how many of you out there are Sex and the City fans, but I was quietly reminded of the episode when Miranda freaks out because she can't list her out-of-state parents as her emergency contact. I remember laughing about it when that episode aired. It was funny... and then it happened to me.

While at the doctor's office today, they went through the normal questions.. name, address, marital status, insurance, employer, etc. No biggie. I knew all those answers. She then got to the emergency contact and confirmed that the person I had listed was still a good contact. Um, no.. no my soon-to-be-ex-husband is not a good emergency contact. I told her my mother was a good contact. Gave the phone number and the address, no biggie. Until I got to the state part. The receptionists response? "Um, your mom is not a good emergency contact if she is out-of-state."

Excuse me? I'm already dizzy as can be (I have vertigo, apparently..) and feel like the room is spinning out of control and maybe, just maybe, I'll puke right on the floor without this bold statement that my mother is not a good emergency contact. But now? You've dissed my mama AND you're making me start to panic because WHO can be my emergency contact? Who do I pick? I have a lot of friends. A lot of good friends. How do I pick one to be my emergency contact? What if said friend doesn't have my mom's phone number (she will after I post this because darn it, I'm not going to panic about that tonight) and I'm laying in the middle of the hospital taking my very last breath and my mother doesn't even know?

Okay, yes.. a little dramatic... I got that. But, I was dizzy and the question caught me off guard. And I'm already secretly a little crazy about emergency situations. As in, I always need to know how to contact my parents when they are on vacation, at the grocery store, or sleeping. Or I feel the need to email my family my travel information when I go out of town. You know, just in case of an emergency. And don't even get me started about the panic that happens when I can't reach my mom on the phone. Cue dialing my dad. Then the house phone. Then mom's best friend. Right about that time? I'm ready to call every single local hospital to find out what happened. Only once has it been an emergency. And I still panic. Every.single.time.

So, single ladies out there- who is your emergency contact?

Play on..

In our daily phonics lesson today, we learned about the suffixes -er and -est. You know, -er meaning more and -est meaning most. As in happy, happier, and happiest. We could come up with some great sentences for these words. They even came up with great sentences for grouchy, grouchier, and grouchiest.

Little Dude: Ms. L is grouchy when we don't follow directions.
Little Mr. Crazy: Ms. L is grouchier with Little Dude when he doesn't follow directions.
Lil' Miss: Ms. L is the grouchiest when she doesn't have her coffee or diet pepsi in the morning.

Not bad. Great use of "real-life" examples.

Then we get into some words with multiple meanings. These are words like bat, dress, and punch. You know, words that have different meanings depending on how you use it. We came to the word play. We came up with play with toys, play football, and a play you act in. We then added some suffixes. Played.. I played football with my brother. And then we came to player. The normal things that might ring in your mind would be a football  player or a DVD player. Not these kids. Little Mister Crazy says, "My brother is a player."

Hold the phone. Your brother? Is a player? What exactly do you mean by that? "You know, he's a player. We call him a player."

Ah... gotcha. Play on playa, play on. 

Livin' it up in ATL...

Ah.. a recap of my weekend in Atlanta. I had a great time visiting my dear friend, Jessica. We spent a lot of time relaxing, playing with her adorable puppy, and drinking some adult beverages. Pure bliss. Allow me to take you on a photographic journal of my weekend. Photos courtesy of my cell phone, so not so much the best quality. I think, perhaps, the best part of the photos will be my witty remarks.

Without further adieu, my weekend in pictures and words...

Ahh.. in the state where coke is made and my true desire is Diet Pepsi. Yes, Diet Pepsi, I love you. I love you more than Diet Coke. And I especially love the thrill of the chase. Thank you for making my weekend. And yes, that is me kissing my Diet Pepsi. I love it that much.

Well, well.. what do we have here? Oh! That would be a censored magazine cover. Dearest Atlanta, I know that you are conservative and all. But really? Is there anything we need to cover up on this cover? It must be the guide to great hair. We know all southern belles need to hide their secrets to great hair.

Ahh... and perhaps every trip needs a little chocolate. Jessica took me to a wonderful cafe called Cafe Intermezzo. Apparently it hosts the world's largest espresso machine, but I missed that because I was blinded by all of the desserts.

And yes, a visit to The Weather Channel. Good friend Jessica happens to work there, so we took a tour. I thought it was totally neat to see the inner workings of The Weather Channel, including some live telecasts and seeing where Jessica records her segments. No, she's not on television, she's on the radio. But, in my opinion, she could totally be on tv.

My apologies if you were hoping for some great photos of the scenery, but I'm just not that girl. And yes, all pictures required a lot of forethought and some even required super steal mode.

You're..er.. I'm so vain..

The other day, a student was asked who his teacher was (he is new to our school, someone was wondering where he belonged..) and he said, "Uh, the white lady with bright yellow hair." Um, wait. White? Yes. Bright yellow hair? No. Does that mean I let Rose lighten me too much? Now I'm all worried about having bright yellow hair!

And now, for the real reason I should question my vanity. The tanner. Go ahead, judge away. I know it's bad for you, causes skin cancer, blah, blah, blah. But this chick is heading to Florida at the end of March and having fair skin means lots of sunburns when on vacation. In order to curb that, I tan a bit before I go so I don't have to reapply the sunblock every five minutes two hours. I've always had this irrational fear of someone walking in on me in the dressing room or the tanner. We're talking, double and triple check to see if the door is locked. Today? I heard a door open and someone shout, "Sorry!" while I was tanning. Talking myself out of near hysteria, I proudly told myself it wasn't me. Just someone who bumped into someone else in the hallway. I was totally fine. Crisis averted.

Until I was leaving. The helpful lady at the counter quietly says, "Ma'am, make sure you lock your door when you are tanning. Someone walked in the wrong room today. It was a mistake." Walked in the wrong room? Walked in the wrong room? As in my room? Crap. She saw me naked. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to tan in peace again... or at least without having a panic attack.

Rollercoaster...

Just when you think everything is going well and you are feeling on top of life, it takes one small event to set you back and the emotions begin flooding in. It doesn't happen often (and for that I'm grateful) but when it does, it makes you realize that you are thankful for all the sunny days.

I promise I won't go all Debbie Downer on all of you... but I know this is an outlet for me and I often go back and check my older posts to take a walk down memory lane. I know I will do this in the coming months, so I need to chronicle my emotions.

And I need it to be known that this journey is just that, a journey. You will have up days and down days. It's when the down days become less and less frequent that you know you are making progress. I am making progress. I am going to get through this and I will have a smile on my face most of the time.

And on that note, I'm off to catch my flight. Nothing makes me happier than flying. It reminds me of my grandfather. It was his passion, something we shared and has great memories attached to it.

ATL

Enjoying my last few hours in Atlanta. Expect a full recap this evening or tomorrow. Complete with pictures for all you visual learners. Ahem. You know who you are.

I'm totally crush-worthy

Apparently I'm totally crush-worthy in the eyes of 8 year olds. See that rock? Yeah, a kid bought it for me from school store. Rather than buy a fun toy for himself, he bought me a ring. I'm pretty sure that's the sweetest thing anyone has done for me in a while. He's a smart little guy... he knows the way to a woman's heart. 

Get to know me...

I've seen this on other blogs and I think it's kind of fun. Plus, I figure since I'll be absent from blogging this weekend, I'd give you just a little something to hold you over and get to know me.

 

I Am- stronger than I think I am.

 

I Love- surprises, shopping, holding hands with someone you care about, being close, hugs, being spontaneous, finding new things out about people, treasured friendships, my family, my friends, and laughing.

I Have- a very big heart. Not in the sense of being abnormally large, rather full of life, love, and laughter.

I Wish- that I was on a beach somewhere, sipping a margarita, rocking a bikini and without a care in the world.

I Want- to strive to be a better person every day.

I Fear- not living up to my potential and letting other people down.

I Hear- the sound of children laughing, excited to start the school day.

I Search- for the reason behind every thing that happens in life.

I Wonder- where I will be in a year, 5 years, 10 years, and beyond.

I Regret- nothing in my life. I truly believe everything happens for a reason and through it all I have become a better person.

I Always- look to find the goodness in others.

I Usually- laugh when other people fall. Does this mean I'm a bad person?

I Am Not- a spiteful person.

I Dance- a lot when I'm teaching. My kids think it's rather funny because this white girl? She can't dance.

I Sing- everyday. In the car, in the classroom, to Zoey, when I hear music, when I don't hear music...but never do I sing well.

I Never- thought I'd be divorced.

I Cry-  when I am overwhelmed.

 

I Am Not Always- as funny as I think I am.

I Need- to go say good morning to my kids and start the day!

I *heart* the Blogosphere...

Just want to put it out there that I love the blogosphere. Since day one, I have had friends to laugh with and share my life with. I know that I can share my laughter, tears, fears, and opinions with you.

Thank you, too, for sharing your lives with me.

I heart all of the commenters each and every one of you.

On that note, off to go finish packing for my long weekend in ATLANTA!

One step closer to coffee...

My BFF has tried to tell me over and over that I should embrace coffee. I keep telling her that I just don't like it.

 

Fast forward to Christmas... my parents bought me a Kuerig coffee maker. (yes, even though I don't drink coffee.. it's fashionable and makes awesome tea/hot chocolate, plus it looks pretty sweet on my granite counter tops). She knew it would be the death of me.

 

Fast forward to the day I accidentally put in a k cup of mocha instead of hot chocolate. Mmm.. deliciousness.

 

Again, she insisted that I try coffee. I believe somewhere along the way she referred to mocha as a gateway drug, as that was how she became addicted to coffee.

 

Last night? I was out with a friend when I was blindsided by Vietnamese coffee. Apparently the Vietnamese enjoy their coffee with condensed milk on the bottom and extremely rich coffee beans. (I was told it was equivalent to having 3 shots of espresso).

 

The verdict? I liked it. What is this world coming to? Have I really decided to trade in my super large diet cokes for coffee?

 

It's official. I'm old.

Say what?

This? This was a sign on the hand dryer in the ladies restroom. I'm dying about the wash hands after touching body parts. And yes, stealth mode was activated to get this picture.

Must.Have.This.

It's my 400th post... so in celebration of this milestone, I'm going to show you what I have been lusting after. It's my blog, I get to celebrate how I want.

Photo from Tiffany & Co.

Seriously, how awesome would that ring look on my middle finger?

A girl can dream, right?

Happy Tuesday!

Today started off with a meeting and in that meeting I won a $100 gift card to Wal-Mart! Hello awesome!

Then we had the dreaded 2 hour early dismissal day (we have them all week...). Students who are constantly surrounded by chaos really attach to routine. My kids could tell you our schedule in their sleep. I drill it in them, so they are always aware of what the day entails. Never a day goes by that I do not discuss our schedule in Morning Meeting. On days that there are changes, we discuss it at least 7,909 times. They are usually okay with it when I give them ample warning. For a week now, we have talked about how this week is going to be a little different, as we are leaving school 2 hours early. I even asked for their input on what we should do and when (of course, I made it seem like they were in control-- I really was.).

I thought they were totally ready for the change in schedule. Turns out, they weren't. The number of times I heard, "This is NOT what we do now!" or "What are we doing next?" and just plain tears? Approximately 9,873.

So now? I'm going to continue drilling in the new schedule in hopes that by Friday we'll accept the changes. Of course, that will be when we have to get ready to go back to our regular schedule.

And through this? I've learned that no matter how hard you try and prepare yourself for something new, it's always a little tough getting used to a "new normal". As much as I think I can't relate to my kids. I totally can. I'm getting used to a new normal. And sometimes? I want to scream and cry. But, being a responsible adult, I have to put on my big girl panties and accept the changes, accept the new normal, and take it all in stride, with a smile on my face and lots and lots of patience.

Bittersweet..

I'm SO thankful to be going back to my condo this evening, but I'm going to miss this...

and this....

but not this...

The Journey...

I want to share with you all some things I've learned along my short journey towards divorce. I'm not sure why I feel so compelled to share, maybe because I want to jot my emotions down.

• Even when you're lonely, it's better to be lonely than bitter and in a relationship that isn't working.
• Your emotions never follow a logical sequence. No matter how much you wish they would. One moment you might be on top of the world and the next you're picking yourself up off the ground.
• Friends are an amazing support! They are there for you and cheering for you when you are at your lowest and highest points.
• Eating alone is sometimes better. I found this out yesterday. I ate lunch alone and when I walked out, I realized that it was better to eat alone than to have to force conversation with someone I was angry with.
• You are stronger than you think you are.
• Sleeping in your old house isn't really as bad as you might think.
• Through this process, you find that you truly do enjoy your own company. You must first love yourself before you can love someone else. I didn't love who I was when I was married. Sure, there was a time I did, but the past year I became someone I didn't know. I didn't like the person staring back at me in the mirror. She was someone I didn't recognize. I like the person I have become and I know I will only continue to grow as the process continues.
• Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself. If you're not laughing, who is going to?
• There are a lot of things in life we take for granted. Love is one of them.
• Every woman needs to know how to: pay bills, shovel the driveway, change a lock, reset the furnace, and attach a license plate. Doesn't mean you always have to do it, but you should know how to do it.
• There are good days and bad days, you have to be where you are and accept it.
• People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. It's your job to figure out why they came into your life, what they taught you, and how your experience with them made you a better person.
• Life is full of lessons. Learn from your mistakes.

Teacher of the Year

Totally just rocked my heels to jump rope, play basketball, and chase little children.

 

That's talent.

Some Girls Have ALL the Luck...

...and I am not one of those girls!

You see, I'm not very lucky. In the past few months, I've separated from my husband (unlucky in love), had a car accident (just downright unlucky), and got the stomach flu on Christmas (pretty crappy). Now? I'm staying at the house (I've since moved out and into a fabulous condo that I found randomly on craigslist, so I suppose I do have some luck!) with the dogs, as my ex is out of town and two dogs in one tiny condo isn't such a good idea.

Where was I? Oh yeah, I'm staying at the house. Well, the heat decided to stop working. I know, right. Of course it would happen when I was there. It's winter, folks. That means it's super-cold. After problem solving with my father-in-law (ex father-in-law? how does that work?) we decided it was unsafe to have the furnace on, as the flame that attempts to start the furnce keeps getting bigger and we really don't need third degree burns now do we? So, as a result.. I'm sleeping in the basement that has electrical baseboard heating on a blow up mattress. Classy. I suppose it's like camping. In a house. In my old house. With two dogs. And very little heat.

Good thing I have lots of blankets. And yes, I'm shivering as I type this. Because of course, the television is upstairs where the temperature is downright frigid.

Oh and to add to the luck? MLK day is coming up, so that means I've been teaching my children about compassion and the amazing teachings of Dr. King. Last year, I had tears when I read the page that he was murdered. This year? A little kiddo told me that his mom hated white people, except she probably didn't hate me. I suppose I'm honored. Just a little confused... and, one kid said I was just like Dr. King because I say, "Use your words, not your fists."

But the best news in all of this? I'm still smiling (through chattering teeth, of course...) and laughing. So I suppose I'm not so unlucky afterall.

Mini-Me...

Ms. L and Mini-Me....

Sorry for the poor quality, it was taken on my phone. But how cute is this? Both dressed in black (with pink, natch!) both have short bobs, both blonde, both fair skinned. And the best part? Both drama queens. I'm not a drama queen in the aspect that I'm totally diva-ish and everything has to be my way. And I'm totally not drama queen in the way that I love to gossip and my life is filled with drama. I'm just dramatic.

As in, losing a mitten could put me over the edge. Oh, wait. That was Lil' Miss. But totally could have been me.

And yes, she's just as adorable as I am. Maybe even cuter.

Books...

I love reading. There's nothing more relaxing to me then grabbing a great book, snuggling on the couch with the pup or relaxing in the bathtub on a cold night, and diving right in to the pages. I love all books. Children's books (obviously.. I'm a teacher!), romance novels, books on education, textbooks, fiction, non-fiction, anything. I like books that make me think, books that don't make me think, and just about everything in between.



I'm just stuck right now. I can't seem to find a book OR an author I love. What books are you ladies reading?

Vacation...

Ideally, I'd love to be someplace warm like here...

But I'd even take a weekend in the mountains in. I wouldn't even whine about the snow. Pinky swear. I just need to get away... relax... drink some wine...read a good book...

For now? I'll just dream. Or read a good book.

Bachelor Thoughts...

Here's my play by play.. totally random, but I literally watched and typed.

"on the wings of love" while flying? LAME
If anyone made me wear a helmet and ride a motorcycle in a dress.. I'd be p/o'd and never mind the hot mess my hair would be.
Chicago? really?? Okay, you made it better by playing "you're the inspiration"
Michelle? Whiny. Really? You don't get what you want, so you threaten to go home. Nice.
Dresses on a group date? What were you thinking? This show has a track record for doing adventurous things on group dates. Baseball games, horseback riding, theme parks. Not so much dress-friendly.
A note on a first date? Really? Are you 6? And then you read it aloud? Annoying.
Elizabeth.. love the boots.. don't like "playing hard to get.."
Don't tease and say he can't kiss you and then beg him to kiss you.. lame.
So wait.. threaten to go home and then stay? Weird.
Wow. Some of those dresses. REALLY short.
Ew. Michelle. I can't stand your whining. And then? You tell him you're a drama queen.. "I packed my bags.." Boo hoo. You're a drama queen.
it's never good when Chris calls you outside. Even though we know what all the drama is.. it's so awesome Chris is calling her out.
You are on national television and you don't think your personal life is anyone's business?? riiiiight.
I like the security guard standing outside the door. Added a nice touch.
Rozlyn, your gold dress is not pretty.
Ladies? You're crying because some girl left? Weird. It means she's no longer competition. And, hello.. she had a rose.
Not gonna lie. I love the drama.
Of course Michelle speaks up.
Dear Tenley, I like you. Maybe because I feel for you. The whole divorce thing. I get you.
Love that they had to bleep Alli. Totally my kind of girl.
Oh Jake, your chances are really slim. Do you really believe you're going to find your one true love?
Vienna and Tenley have great taste in dresses.
I love watching Michelle sweat bullets. Is that bad?
I'd be annoyed if someone else had my name and I heard the first part of my name and had to wait for the initial.
Of course Michelle got a rose. She's good for ratings. Train wreck!
Ashley, Ashley, Ashley.. don't blame it on someone else. You tried too hard.
Of course you know for a fact that others didn't come for the right reasons.. of course. Because you wouldn't dream of coming just to win, right?

And next week..
Hello, drama!

The One With the Urinal...

I promise, most days I love my job. Most days I think I have the world's best job. Some days, however, I want nothing more than to jump out the nearest window and never return. Today? A window day.

Exhibit A: One student pukes all over himself in our crisis room. He is then sent to get a change of clothes and then back to my classroom. He begins gagging, I grab a trash can, he pukes again. This begins a chain reaction of kids gagging and screaming, "I'm going to be sick!" Me, too. I can't really handle vomit. Pretty awesome.

Exhibit B: "Yo, Ms. L.. isn't it supposed to have two t's? You know, butt!" (rolls eyes...we've had this conversation before..) "Little Man, there are two different but's. One is the one we sit on, the other one we use when we're talking, like 'I like winter, but I hate snow'. One we can say in class and the other we can't." Wouldn't have been bad, except it caused a huge discussion about why we can't say but with two t's, as it's a body part not a cuss word. Oy vey.

Exhibit C: "Yo, Ms. L, my hair is all wet!" Um, Little Man, why is your hair all wet? "I don't know." Then my assistant walks in, shaking his head. Apparently Little Man decided to put his head in the urinal. I then told him I was going to have to write a note to his mother, as she would need to know his head was crawling with germs. He began throwing a huge fit about how I was the meanest person in the world.

Exhibit D: I had a huge meeting this AM and had no time for planning, so I was flying by the seat of my pants for a little while. Then? I forgot I'm out tomorrow for another meeting, meaning I have to write sub plans. Awesome. There goes all my planning time, which I need to begin planning the 8 week class I'm teaching before school to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders.

I suppose the bright spot is I don't have to hang out with germ-invested children tomorrow.

Really? Sticking your head in a urinal. Not cool.

Dear MTV...

Dearest MTV,

Jersey Shore? It's a train wreck. Total train wreck. I'm not sure how you expect me to comprehend what is going on when every other word out of their mouths has to be bleeped. Seriously? Train wreck.

And I just can't turn away.

Darn you, MTV. You are rotting my brain!

XOXOXO,
ME

It's Friday!

Not only is it FRIDAY (hello weekend, oh how I love thee...) but we had two-hour delay! Silly Maryland doesn't know what to do with an inch of snow. Fine by me, I'll take the extra time in the morning. It meant Zoey and I were able to sleep in a bit and cuddle in bed. It also meant I was able to take her for a little walk this morning and enjoy an extra cup of coffee while sitting on the couch lounging.

 

I'm pretty sure I could get used to this.

Wisdom..

Not mine, but T.S. Eliot's.

 

"For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning."

 

What an awesome quote! And so very true for this new year and this new beginning.

Timing...

...is everything!

Zoey totally just pooped right as some guy was hitting on me. Nice timing, Zoey... nice timing.

You what?

Scissors + 7 year old + an emotionally disturbed diagnosis = a new haircut

Little Dude totally cut Little Miss Diva's hair today. And then laughed. I totally lost my cool and screamed something about we do not disrespect people in this classroom and demanded he get out. He refused. I screamed again. He moved. He said he hated me. I told him he could hate me all he wanted when he was in time out.

Not one of my finer moments as a teacher, but I was hot! It wasn't out of anger. It wasn't out of spite. It was because he thought it was funny. I have zero patience for students who do stupid things just because it's fun. And yes, he said he did it because it was funny.

On a different note.. where is spell check in the new blogger?

Daily Phonics Lesson

Since returning to school from the Holiday Break, I have been rocking a positive attitude and a smile at all times. I have noticed a huge change in the way my students are engaging in their learning. Apparently it's more fun to learn from a happy teacher... strange, I know.

 

Well, yesterday during our phonics lesson, we were focusing on the oo sound (like in goo). I was totally being spicy when we got to the word "super". Before sounding it out, I said to my students, this is what Ms. L is! We sounded it out, they read super and laughed at me and told me I really am super.

 

We then got to the word rude... Again, we sound it out, they read it. All is well. Until Little Man says, "That's what you are, Ms. L! You're rude!"

 

I beg your pardon? Moi? Rude? Never. Seriously, the one thing I am not is rude. I may be a super hard teacher who expects a lot from her kids, but I am not rude. So, naturally, I ask for an explanation. His response? "When they be all acting a fool and fussing at each other, you do get rude. You make them behave!"

 

Ah.. there it is. I'm rude because I make them behave. How dare I?

 

Thank you daily phonics lesson for shedding some light on my perceived rudeness. I'm not taking it too seriously, Little Man also told me I was cute when we read that word.

Hmm... not too shabby!

I'm not trying to jinx it or anything, but this first day back after a long holiday break has gone smoothly.

 

I'm thinking it's because...

• the kids are totally cuter after being away from them for 14 days.. seriously, they smile a little brighter and they have all sorts of cute things to say.
• I'm well rested and I have a positive attitude.
• I totally am a super-awesome teacher, so of course the transition was smooth! Duh! I only reminded them of the rules 3,987 times and the consequences 9,987 times. You know, just in case they forgot while they were away.

Shut the front door! As I'm just preparing to send this.. I totally can hear one of my kids screaming down the hallway. I'm totally blaming someone else for their meltdown. I wasn't there.