Just another fun week in kindergarten...

This has proven to be quite a week for the boys in my class.  Some days it makes me want to laugh, others it makes me want to hide under a rock because I know the emails will be filling my inbox by the end of the night.  This week had three lovely teaching moments that weren't on my lesson plan:

1.  We have been working hard on writing sentences in class.  I always remind them to think of the fab 5 things for their sentences - Start with a capital, use neat handwriting, use finger spacing, write sentences that make sense, and end with punctuation. This week however, I said end with a period instead of end with punctuation.  Without missing a beat one of my kindergarten boys shouted (why do they always have to say these things so LOUD?) "Boys don't get periods only girls do!!!"  Yes darling you are right but now we are teaching writing not science so go sit down please....

2.  I cannot tell you how many times I have had a student come to my desk eager to rat out one of their classmates.  Usually it is because they have heard them say a bad word, to which I usually respond "whisper to me what you think you heard" and it ranges anywhere from the new "S" word "stupid", or the new "D" word "dumb", and I try hard not to giggle and let them know that while those were not the best choices of words the student in question will not be hung out to dry.  Yet.  This week however, rather than coming to me quietly and whispering the "S" word in my ear, I had a student YELL across the room "MRS PATTERSON HE SAID S*&@" and of course it was the one time it was the actual S word.  Sigh.

3.  Today topped the cake.  Today one of my lovely boys decided to scratch his private area (on the outside at least, and yes I know boys will be boys) but then he stuck his hand in another students face and said HERE SMELL THIS!  Ugh.  Teachers do not get paid enough!

Despite all this craziness, I do still love my job ;)  The students definitely keep my on my toes!

Kindergarten Craft and Spring Break!

Spring Break!  I once heard someone say that Spring break is more for teachers than students, and now I fully agree.  March was such a whirlwind in  our class; we had Dr. Seuss Day, St. Patrick's Day, Open House, our school auction, report cards, and Easter.  Whew!  Now it's good to relax for a few days with my kiddos and enjoy fun field trips with them :)  One of our favorites is always the Santa Barbara Zoo, and I LOVE the giraffes there!!!

Also wanted to post a quick pic of one of the last projects my kindergarteners did before break.  Isn't it awesome???  It's times like this when I love working at a Christian school where we can do crafts that reflect the true meaning of our now overly secular holidays.  I love how they painted their sunsets!  I think I am going to mount them all on black paper when we return but we just didn't have time to add that step earlier,  either way I love how they turned out!  Hope you all had a great Easter!

It's a New Day

  I can't believe how long it's been since I visited my own blog!  Considering how many other blogs I spend hours on, it's rather shocking.  I couldn't bring myself to write after that last post 2plus years ago, I didn't want to turn my blog into a weep fest or complain-o-rama.  Let's face it, I was hurt and it has taken a while to move on.  However, now that I am in a better place, why not fresh start and start blogging again?
  I can't believe how little my monkeys look in these pictures!  I think it's time for an update, so here you go...

Yes, they are adorable and growing and amazing!  Blessed beyond measure by these three amazing creations!

  So, in the coming weeks I hope to start blogging again more frequently!  Sharing some teaching ideas (yes, I am teaching again), some yummy recipes (quick and easy, of course), and the occasional blog bragging about my awesome family.  Hope you find your way back and find something interesting!

Lasts

This has been a painful week of lasts. Last time helping in KJ's class at CCA, last home group, last awana, last jr. high/high school nights for Matt, last tearful playdates with Santa Barbara friends. It has been emotionally exhausting, and combined with packing up I am surprised I can still open my eyes. I am ready for some firsts. They sound a little more promising. First morning at the new church, first day of a new school (the kids are dreading that one), first night in the new house. It's coming, and I am praying it will be good. For now we have one more "last" to get through tomorrow. Last morning at Community Covenant. Already crying thinking about it. I knew I should have bought stock in kleenex a month ago.

I can't believe I am blogging about deodorant...

About a year ago I kept smelling random whiffs of stench around my house. First I blamed the hubby's feet, then I found myself constantly checking to see if my deodorant was working. I eventually found the culprit, my darling sweet little children. Who knew my little darlings could smell so ripe at such a young age? We quickly had the hygiene talk and purchased deodorant for both the older kiddos, and followed it up with almost daily reminders to actually use the product. I think they have finally gotten the hang of it. Unfortunately, my oldest dropped his and it crumbled into a million pieces this week, which meant I had the task of actually remembering to replenish it at the grocery store. Three trips later, I finally remembered it. Unfortunately, it took me forever to find it, I sat in the grocery store aisle (okay, not literally, that's just gross) staring at rows of men's deodorant trying desperately to find an unscented one. I am sorry, I do not want my nine year old smelling like a rotting pine forest or an old man who has been sitting at a black jack table all day. Who makes these scents? Not a mom, I will tell you that. Girls/women have so many options for scents, from fruity to flowery, powdery to plain, but men apparently all need to have deodorant that you can smell from a mile away. You would think some brilliant corporate mind would realize this and market to the millions of stinky young boys in this country. Lego scented deodorant, playdough for your pits, crayola's not just for coloring anymore. Most of the brands don't even offer an unscented option. I actually thought about just buying a girl one but didn't want to completely scar my son for life. I finally found one, on the bottom shelf, and it is a brand that I didn't recognize that was on sale for 99 cents so who knows what it is going to do to my sons armpits. I might be better off if I just pasted a couple of bars of soap under there.

Pictures

Here are a few recent pics. Yes, I know it is December and Halloween was a while ago but I just downloaded all my camera pics. The first one is from the American Girl Fashion show, Kendall was in a bitty baby outfit and posed with her friends who were Kit and Julie:
This one is from Halloween. Bennett was a Jawa (his helmet even had the red eye lights), KJ was Jessie and Camden was a green alien from Toy Story. Very fun!

I should be...

I should be packing right now. I should be packing, planning, cleaning, doing something productive. I should be helping kids with homework, playing games with Camden, wrapping Christmas presents, anything else besides sitting here completely mindlessly searching through blogs for crafts I will probably never make and lurking on facebook about people I could just as easily call to catch up with. Frustrated.
I tend to get this way when I have way too much going on. I don't know where to start, so I just don't do anything. Last week I broke my toe and was so angry that I was practically immobile and couldn't do anything I wanted to. Now that I am doing better, I can't get through this mental block. I think I need help. Or a HUGE margarita. Just kidding, I promise :)
I did finish my Christmas cards today, so I can say I did one productive thing. Now I just have to wait for the right time to mail it so my friends aren't annoyed with me. Christmas cards are a tricky business. You have to write enough to get out pertinent information, but not too much or you just seem braggy and annoying. Okay, I am just babbling now so I best get on to my projects. Or do some more online Christmas wish list making. Sigh.