Kindergarten and Skirts

My entire life I have wanted to be a teacher. Even to this day, almost at the end of my 3rd year of teaching Kindergarten, I marvel that I was lucky enough to fall into this position and realize exactly what I wanted to teach. I am walking around, sitting on the floor, squatting, bending, pacing the entire day. One day I really want to wear a pedometer to see exactly how far I walk. Due to this type of movement all day, it's difficult or just plain inconvenient to wear a skirt. Now, I wore a long flowy skir the other day that was perfect for squatting, sitting criss-cross applesauce, and hiding 2 children under the excess fabric while still being completely clothed. But I have so many cute things in my closet that I just can't bring myself to wear. I look at the 1st grade teachers and they wear cute things and sometimes short (well, teacher short) skirts. But they do not get on the ground, pick children up, or do Kindergarten level things nearly as often. I'm straight up jealous sometimes. I woke up this morning, sun is shining, and it's absolutely wonderful outside. I love spring. So I said, Ms. T, suck it up, wear a dress, look cute, feel great. So I did. And I love it. So here is to not letting the job stop me from wearing what I want. Below is a dress similar to the one I'm wearing. Paired with a little white cardigan and my white "tori burch" flats, I think I look darn cute :)

I have 5 minutes....

To all you teachers out there...

I have been lucky enough to be deemed one of the more flexible, go with the flow (shocking I know), try new things Kindergarten teachers at my school. Just a few weeks ago, I had our Technology assistant come up to me and ask if I would like a SMARTBoard in my classroom. I of course just assumed it was a rhetorical question or perhaps she was taking a poll. We had just bought 1 with school funds that resided in one of our computer labs, but I knew for a fact, not many people used it. When I said, of course, I love using them in my grad classes at night, there are so many interesting and fun things you can do with them, etc etc... she responded with: "Fabulous, could you stay a few minutes after school today and I'll bring it down?".. SAY WHAT!! So for the past 2 weeks, we rearranged, discussed with the class, eased ourselves into it's use, and had a lot of research time for Ms. T at home trying to find fun and interesting, Kindergarten appropriate activities. There is a plethura of materials out there, so I shouldn't really need to ask, but my mantra as a teacher truly is "don't reinvent the wheel".

Do you have any fun activities that could be used, do you have experience using it in your classroom, what has not worked, let me know! I'm so excited and right now we're still working out some kinks of where to have it (life would be SO much easier if I had a ceiling mounted projector), etc etc! THANKS!!

First Day of School!!!!!!!

Wish me luck for Monday, the first day back!! This first week is a bit of a different schedule, but full of getting to know my new babies! Excited, nervous, anxious, ready to go... Mostly just glad to be getting back to what I do best. :)

4 things....

1) The Hills is on tonight!!! Are you watching?!!?

B) Only 1 more day of 2-a-day practices!!! Woop Woop!!!
1) 2 girls have gone down with Mono.... eeek

3) School starts in less than a week!!!
a) There is a cutie-pa-tootie new 3rd grade teacher. All the singles at school are in a frenzy. It's quite amusing.. gonna be a good year :)

and

D) Bunco is tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Means I need to clean!!!

another saturday night.......

Here I am lying in bed, in my pajamas at 10:22 on a Saturday night. Ended up going out a little too hard last night (big woops) and was at work all day today. So I came home, made some spaghetti, watched some movies and thought really hard about unpacking some more, but decided to come and check in on blog world. I've missed it..

My sister is on the east coast this weekend. Normally a resident of San Francisco, she is back home for a wedding. I felt bad that I was happy my little brother, who is back at the 'rivah' working at a sailing camp for the summer, isn't home. If the whole family had been together and I wasn't there, well, this one would not have been a happy camper. With S all the way out in San Fran we really are only all together for Christmas. Though only just about 4 hours away, I wish my parents and I were closer. Maybe then I wouldn't call so much..... maybe :)

I hope you don't read the following and start thinking I'm sketchy. So hear me out please... Working in a kindergarten classroom, with 5 year old children, there is a lot of physical contact. Be it helping zip up coats, holding hands so they don't run down the hall, seperating fights, handing out snacks, giving high-fives. And hugs. Some teachers do not show emotions and are not affectionate in anyway. I assure you, after being in the school system for 2 years now, I know the fine line between affectionate and affectionate. I love to give the kids hugs, pats on the back, and I will hold their little hands all day if I could. Some of the kids come from homes with 4 other siblings, single parents, care givers working multiple jobs. Sometimes they need loving from wherever they can get it. I miss my hugs. It hasn't even been a week and I miss my kids. On the last day of school, my little Chyna was sitting in the corner during free time normally the most chaotic thing we ever do. When I went over to see if she was okay, I saw she was crying. She saw me leaning down to talk to her and just reached out putting her arms around my neck almost sobbing saying "I don't want to leave Kindergarten because then you won't be my teacher every day". Well you can guess how quickly she wasn't the only one in the room crying. I stood up with her hanging from my neck and carried her out in the hall where we 'popped a squat' and had some one-on-one time. I just told her how much I was going to miss her, how the summer was going to fly by and when she's in 1st grade next year we'll just be across the way from each other and she can come visit me all the time. I assured her though that she would soon be way too cool for Ms. T and she's forget all about me. Expecting a laugh or chuckle or something, I was shocked when she started crying all over again. Thrown a little off guard I asked why that made her sad. She said if she forgot about me, then I would forget about her, and how do people that love each other just leave and forget about each other??? This is why I hug, and why I miss giving them. She nearly broke my heart. So I hope that you have people in your life that you get to hug. Hug them, and hug them often. It's good for the heart :)

Later that day, we teachers, in celebration of school being over, had a 'mandatory staff meeting' at the Flying Saucer (a bar... and it wasn't really a meeting). There were over 20 of us there when our waitress came up to the table telling us that all of our beers, the entire tables first round of drinks, had been payed for by a patron in the bar that didn't want to be recognized. They wrote us a note though. "Please accept my small offering to try and say thanks for all that you do. Teachers are out there doing all the heavy lifting for the rest of us".

and I've moved.....

If you aren't in the South at the moment, let me fill you in. It's hot. Not the run of the mill, living' in the South kind of hot..... HOT. 100 in the shade as highs, and who knows what the heat index is. I heard on the radio this morning that I should be thankful, thankful that the humidity is only about 40% or "we'd be in for some real hot days folks!" AND as luck would have it, this is the week I had to move. True, it was only about a mile up the road, but I was also doing it pretty much by myself. When I broke down in tears Wednesday night, as my Saturday deadline was drawing near, I finally broke down and sought out some help with the larger pieces that just won't fit in the Volvo. So here I am, Sunday evening, completely exhausted, sore, covered in bruises, but comfortable in my slowly coming together room.

My new roommate, AH, is a hoot. Absolutely adorable, so friendly, and we get along GREAT as roommates so far. I've only 'been' here for a few days and I already feel more comfortable and at home. At 25 you are just too damn (pardon the language) old to settle, to live in a place you aren't happy with. We've been to college, most of us had that random first roommate in the teeny tiny room. I also had Highschool on top of that. I'm glad I'm not living alone anymore. I like coming home and knowing someone else might be there. It's a comfort thing..

Speaking of comfort, we have our last field trip of the year. Yes yes, we did JUST go on one to the strawberry farm. Tomorrow is our second to last day of school. If it wasn't going to be so hot I would be thrilled about going to a park and riding the merry-go-round and sit outside for a picnic. But tomorrow's high has gone down.. a whole degree... to 100 degrees even... I can hear one of my students repeating a phrase I've taught them... "You have to roll with it Ms. T.... be flexible". Once, one of my very lovely students responded "But I aint flexible Ms. T... LOOK!". My response: "stretch".

Dinner was lovely on Tuesday. It's just so fun that something (the internet) that is meant to broaden our horizons and show us the world, can show us so much that we have right down the street!! Can't wait to do it again, girls!!

On another note, a friend of mine and her man hunk are going for a romantic get-away to Ocracroke Island. Has anyone ever been there for a mini-holiday? Any suggestions, recomendations, warnings??

9 days of school left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so looking forward to a few days off. I'm so preoccupied with end of year testing, getting 1st grade class lists prepared, creating the new Kindergarten class lists and OH so much more, that I've barely gotten to packing. I have to be all packed out and OUT OF HERE by the 7th. EEK!

Wacky Wednesday

This week is spirit week at school. I know I teach Kindergarten, so we're supposed to be into these kinds of days, dress up in teacher christmas sweaters, where all red and pink on Valentines Day, but SPIRIT WEEK people!! Monday, let me tell you, I wore my pajamas and monkey slippers. Tuesday, my hair had a million clips and ribbons and I was definitely channeling Princes Leia. Now for today, I faced a dilema because I have been 1 of maybe 3 or 4 teachers actually participating in Spirit Week. So I toned down my outfit to my gold Jack Rogers, dark blue jeans, superman St. Jude's t-shirt, and long flowing red cape with my gold bangles and a gold headband. The kids love it. You would think in an Elementary School, I wouldn't get stares from other teachers. I love my kids, I'm trying my best to love my job and where I work, so today, I am Super Teacher, loved by all :)

Watch and Blog

Ok, so as you may very well have noticed lately, I like American Idol. Now, as I said, I like it when it has people on it that can sing. I have always wanted to be able to sing. I have been incredibly jealous my whole life of friends that even just sounded decent when they sing. However, I DO NOT. In the shower I occasionally think I don't sound too awful. But there have been times, when I tell myself to just stop, even when alone. So, here I am, watching a tv show full of people I do not know, wishing I could sing half as good as they. I thought as I watch, I might make my witty sarcastic jealousy ridden comments about the show as I think them. Hopefully this isn't too stupid and someone might get a chuckle out of it.

Ryan Seacrest is so short. Not only short, but he has such a little head. I don't know much about him, but wasn't he a nobody before this show. I remember the very first season, there was a co-host. Where is he now?!

YAY David Cook!!!!! Ummm, Andrew Lloyd Webber, this is gonna be a weird night. I mean, I love the music, but who in pop-music sings things songs (or is popular because they do)?? Anyone seen CATS? I used to want to see it so badly when I was young. Never made it.

Can people ever 'smile and nod' and not look completely fake? I do it on a daily basis to my kids. Either it's because I have no idea what they just said; smile and nod. Or it's because what they said makes no sense but they seem excited about it; smile and nod. Or I just want them to walk away; smile and nod. I think the final 6 on American Idol need to work on their 'smile and nod' skills.

My hour recap: See, Syesha can sing. How cute was she. I didn't really know that song but good lord, Memory. He better 'bring the house down' too. I had a little music box that had little kittens and it played this song. Ok, he's good... Red and White Preppy, you were right; when he sings, just something in it. Judges are hating it, but I kinda liked it. WOOPS, big gulps. You can't forget lyrics, you get eaten alive. Maybe she's going home tomorrow?? Didn't like Brooke so much tonight, too bad. I think little teeny-bopper boy is good, but I dont want him to win. Carly, you're cute, fun accent, you have a great time out there, good for you. But, really now, David Cook is coming up. I think I know who my favorite is :) AND I LOVE 'MUSIC OF THE NIGHT'! Come on David, you can do it!! ummm, I still have goosebumps and a tear running down my cheek. That was fantastic. I LOVE HIM!!!

And I'm spent. I think I'll be getting into bed now, possibly watch some lifetime movie that is on. But today wore me out and tomorrow is Wacky Wednesday at school; gotta think of something fun!! Sweet dreams!

Loving afternoon thunderstorms

I had an all over the place weekend. Thursday started it off with an evening at North Hills listening to The Embers. Friday was a day in the sun with all the Kindergarten classes down at NCSU Farm. We petted cows, horses, held baby chicks and rabbits, got in big John Deere tractors and ate fresh icecream. I was thoroughly exhausted at the end of the day, ready for a beak from the chilluns. Friday night was a low key night up at White Oak with friends. Up bright and early for work at Tookie's Toys. Then a couple girls and I went to Lilly's for dinner. SO GOOD!! Then we went back up to White Oak where the fun continued. JPB's younger sister and 3 of her collegiate friends came after the Carrie Underwood show and were drunk. It was fun to stand back and watch, wondering if that's how I acted when drunk and in college as a freshman. Everything is 'high drama'. Sunday I desperately tried to sleep in a little but it was off to work again at Tookies. Leaving straight from there I went to a friends house for he was throwing his girlfriend a "Welcome to Raleigh, thanks for moving here for me, see all my (our) friends party". They are too cute for words and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. I ended the evening with fresh sheets on the bed; one of my most favorite things ever :)

5 things about me. I've seen lots of people do this, and I think it's a good idea to spread out the love. SO every Monday I will write 5 things about me. Here it goes:

1. I am originally from Virginia. A (I guess not so) little (anymore) town, Culpeper. About an hour south of DC, hour north of Richmond. I love and miss it, but LOVE Raleigh, and think I'll probably be staying in this neck of the woods for awhile.

2. Both my parents, my older sister, and I, and currently my 'little' brother all attended boarding highschools. Not because we were sent off, but because we lived out in the middle of nowhere and our parents wanted the best education out there.

3. I am still working on completing my teaching license, hopefully working something out with Meredith to get it wrapped up in the next year.

4. My father's family is from Sweden. It is a dream of mine to go there and meet all my extended family. I can read Swedish and apparently "have a great tongue for the language" but have no idea what I'm readin 99.94% of the time.

5. I drive a Volvo!!!!! Her name is Parker and I love her dearly. She is getting up there in years, but I hope to have her around for awhile longer. And no, I have NO shame in naming my car :)