Today was day #3 of our snow days for the week. Getting paid to relax is definately a perk of the education world. I most certainly am wired like my dad though....I have such bad cabin fever, I have to do something! I'm even missing those little kiddos.

A delay tomorrow, maybe a day off....we'll just have to see :-)

How hard is it to love someone and allow them to be who they are while at the same time trying to teach them something? I am finding it hard the past couple of weeks to allow my five year olds to be themselves and yet teach them how to be a part of a group at the same time. I just want to forget the uniqueness and wish at times for one thing that works for them all. This doesn't work and am quickly back to reality, but I've wished.

This seems to be my theme lately. I get irrated with people for them being and behaving like who they are. Instead of appreciating that characteristic and understanding them better, I just get frustrated with people..big and small people.

A conversation on the camping trip and a child whose parents are separating in my classroom, are showing me how important it is to do this kind of loving, yet how absolutely difficult it can truly be.

I don't have the energy to do this myself right now. I keep praying that God will show the love people I interact with, need because it ain't comin from me right now. I don't even feel the ability to be intentional about being a vessel....I pray that changes too.

Peace and love to you tonight.

Okay, quick funny kindergarten story...

I have a little girl with down syndrome in my classroom who, as many children can be, is stubborn. Every day at recess she doesn't want to come in, and regularly stays at the top of the slide until myself or another adult goes up and slides down with her.

I have another little boy who has lately found it desirable to help me try to get the little girl down. He climbs up to her and says, "You want five dollars? Come on, five dolla'. This way." And proceeds to slide down with her. They get to the bottom, and he says, "Five dollars. Over here." And runs with her to the line. When he gets to the line he says, "Just kidding. I was teasing you." She thinks it's a game and is effective every time.

This happens at least twice a week. It cracks me up every time. He uses this voice, just like I do sometimes with her (how astute). It's like the more excited voice trying to coax her down. haha. I can't do anything but laugh as they run hand in hand to line. :-)

So how has life been going? I continue to remind myself that the purpose of me starting this blog was to hold myself at least a little more accountable to reflecting than I have been. I'm still not good at it, but every once and a while, I find myself truely reflecting. This isn't one of those moments, but just snipets of what has been happening....

-Life just is right now. I am learning lots about myself through my job and trying to deal with that. I am trying to conciously invest in those people there, and love, love, love my grade level coworkers. We're like a family that invests in each other professionally and personally. I can tell good things will come out of it as with each day we become a little bit closer...a little more like family.

-I am finding out how to be a wife and a kindergarten teacher at the same time.

-I am feeling a little bit older....a little more grown up...I think heading into a different part of life...not sure if this is good/bad, or what that means, but just feel it lately.

-I am learning more how to be myself. I am feeling freedom and have been given chances to learn more how to express myself and learn how to be myself in different situations that I haven't figured out yet in 24 years.

-I am feeling rejuvinated with the onset of fall. I am leary of my "feelings" and need to continue to be consistent, persistent, but this weather has brought with it a freshness that I'm enjoying while it's lasting.

-I am reminded how wonderful my husband is. He knows how to love me and meet me right where I am at.

So life continues on as it always does. I keep trying to listen.

I just had the best day so far with my 5 year old kiddos. :-) For those who can understand the following highlights, great. For those who can't, you'll just have to appreciate it from afar :-)

1. My class walked in a line, in the hallway today for the first time without a rope! And they did it better than some of the older kids!!!

2. During one of our group times on the carpet, we did an activity together for almost 12 minutes straight with them sitting relatively still!

3. I got to each lunch!!! ( A couple of days were so crazy, I couldn't....I know, I know....I won't let it happen again).

4. My kids lined up at recess and stood on the yellow line they were supposed to, within a couple minutes of the whistle blowing!!!

5. I'm figuring out an effective management system for a child that tends to be, let's say, quite hyper. :-)

6. They remembered to move their stick to the center they chose so they don't fight over who gets to go there.

7. I got to open the computer center today!


Although these may seem small, these are big steps in a kindergarten room. I am so proud of them!!!

God gave me a day today that I needed. He told me today that I can do it. I needed to hear that. Thanks to all who have prayed for me. God listens and continues to answer as He takes me on a journey this year to who knows where..... :-)

Now I'm off to spend some quality time with my wonderful hubby at the Red's game.

Peace to you tonight.

I've got the greatest husband. He just listened to me ball my eyes out on the phone and then brought me dinner at school while I worked. He even helped me stuff my folders. :-)

He attributes my struggles today with the full moon. I'm not sure I believe it, but I'll take it.

Why does every tell me "they've heard about my class." ? Why do I have kids with such struggles? The Lord is going to help me. That's the only thing I am holding on to right now.

Oh my goodness. These kiddos are overwhelming me. I think we are going to have to walk in the hallway holding a rope!

I've been told by the school psych that "I'm going to be earning my money this year." And boy do I believe it. I have a sweet class but a lot of really needy ones. It is really hard for me to not have my ducks in a row and to mess up, but I've already learned some of how to deal with that. I am able to see how I just need to keep modifying until every kid in my class' needs are met. It's not just me failing. I've been blessed with wonderful coworkers who have given me volunteers to help out in the room. And I now have a peace with me after my community prayed for me Sunday. I could literally feel my body relax.

It's going to be a hard year, and I have already learned and changed a lot. I feel like this is going to be a big year. Continue praying for me professionally and spiritually as well as these kids I get to love every day. They all need it so much.

Love, love, love to all my community.

A teacher's job is to do what is developmentally appropriate for the age of the child. Here's a few tidbits you may or may not have known about five year olds:


-Five year olds do not know where to put their bodies with so much space on the floor.
-Five year olds must learn how to go through a lunch line...in under 30 minutes.
-Five year olds do not always know their last name.
-Five year olds pee on themselves.
-Five year olds can be monkeys (on the playground and in the classroom).
-Five year olds do not know what a line is.
-Five year olds can be in trouble with the principal the first day of school.
-Five year olds can manipulate computers to bypass teacher passwords.


Anyone wanting to volunteer in my class? :-)