tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80990571370111474862024-03-13T15:21:59.398-04:00Teaching Tomorrow's LeadersRobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.comBlogger373125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-61333834719867221062020-03-11T15:38:00.002-04:002020-03-11T15:38:44.258-04:00Day 11 - The Power of the FlashlightMarch 11, 2020<br />
<br />
We used a powerful new tool for reading this week...<br />
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<br />
A Flashlight!<br />
<br />
Our March is Reading Month theme at school is "Reading is a Bright Idea!" When we kicked off the month of March we had a read in where the whole school gathered in the gym with a good book, we turned off the lights and the kids read by flashlight.<br />
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My kids loved it so much I decided to try it in the classroom. It was our best day of independent reading all year! They were quiet, they read the whole time, and no one asked to get drinks or use the bathroom.<br />
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Guess what we are going to do more often? FLASHLIGHT READING! :)<br />
<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-60826564907680574152020-03-10T21:24:00.002-04:002020-03-10T21:24:43.922-04:00Day 10 - It's HappeningMarch 10, 2020<br />
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It's happening.<br />
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My son has taken driver's training, both sessions. He has passed the driving test. He has passed the written test. He has turned 16 and, maybe most importantly, he has earned his license.<br />
<br />
It's happening.<br />
<br />
He has been added to our insurance as an occasional driver. He's a good driver and we trust him.<br />
<br />
It's happening.<br />
<br />
Now, he has joined the school golf team. This means he has to be at practice before my husband and I get out of work. To clarify, practice is at the golf course, about 10 minutes away from school. He gets out of school later than the rest of the team because he is in a career center program for half of the day and has a slightly different schedule than the rest of the team. No worries. Except for getting to practice.<br />
<br />
It's happening.<br />
<br />
We have hit the point where we have to have a third vehicle in order to survive without bumming rides from grandparents and aunts. That just doesn't work in the long term. So, I guess...<br />
<br />
it's happening.<br />
<br />
My baby boy is all grown up.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-14128488975505853802020-03-09T22:06:00.002-04:002020-03-09T22:06:46.467-04:00Day 9 - An Exciting Day!March 9, 2020<br />
<br />
Today was a big day in our house! Two packages arrived today that upped the ante on the level of excitement for spring break.<br />
<br />
First, I received a blue bag that contained all the things. Our travel planner is absolutely amazing!! She put together a folder of information that is next level amazing! Every detail we might ever need to know for our trip is included. There are laminated items and brochures and directions and everything else. She even included Harry Potter treats (Chocolate Frogs and Every Flavor Beans) because we are going to see Harry Potter stuff at Universal. She included a Mickey Mouse picture frame for one of our photos from Disney. She’s incredible!<br />
<br />
The second package we received was from Disney! Our magic bands arrived today! They are colorful and labeled with our names. They also sent us luggage tags for our suitcases.<br />
<br />
It’s happening! Spring break is coming and we are so excited! It will be the kids first flight, first Disney/Universal trip, their first visit to the ocean...so many firsts to be had! I can’t wait to see this trip through the eyes of my kiddos. Bring on Mickey Mouse!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-37576909890382766952020-03-08T21:08:00.002-04:002020-03-08T21:08:58.139-04:00Day 8 - It’s a Barbie WorldMarch 8, 2020<br />
<br />
I live in Michigan where Spring might show up on a random day here or there but it doesn’t <i>really</i> arrive until late April. That said, it was 60 degrees today! The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and it was beautiful outside.<br />
<br />
My girls took total advantage of this day by pulling the toys out of the basement Barbie World and relocating to the deck. They spread a blanket, carried up the treasures they needed for today’s play fest and they played outside for 4 hours.<br />
<br />
The Barbies has wild adventures from climbing trees to hiding in bushes to dangling from branches. They watched wildlife in the yard (I can only imagine the wiener dogs must have looked like enormous dinosaurs to the Barbies!) and they drove their SUVs around the deck from vacation spot to vacation spot. It was quite the day for them.<br />
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My girls got some much needed fresh air and I got some much needed quiet time. That is what we call a win-win situation around here!<br />
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<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-32137148525782666622020-03-07T19:40:00.001-05:002020-03-07T19:44:58.481-05:00Day 7 - Little Pink DressMarch 7, 2020<br />
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I went to see my mom today. I had previously asked if I could borrow her suitcases for our upcoming spring break trip, so she had one of them ready for me. The other one was larger and still downstairs. As I was going down to get it, she came to the top of the steps.<br />
<br />
“While you’re down there, look through that pile on the table,” she told me.<br />
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For the next five minutes I was caught up in a moment in history. She had placed a carefully laid out pile of baby clothes. As I lifted each little dress by its plastic baby hanger (some being older than me, I realized), she told me it’s story.<br />
<br />
“That one your Grandma made for me out of feed sacks.”<br />
“That blue one with the pink flowers was from Hawaii. My friend sent it for your sister.”<br />
“Your Grandma Irma bought that yellow one for you. She told me I could put you in it every time you came to visit because she thought you looked so nice in that color.”<br />
“Oh, I made that one for you girls. The yellow one with the sailor collar. It was so cute!”<br />
<br />
Then I came to the tiny little pink dress with pretty little birds stitched on the front. This one I remembered all on my own. This story I knew by heart. “This one was mine,” I smiled.<br />
<br />
“Your dad left the hospital and went out and bought you 4 or 5 dresses that style when you were born. But that one he insisted was for you to wear home from the hospital.<br />
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I smiled as I thought of it. It made complete sense to me! My dad is also the one who insisted my name would be Robin if I was a girl. It only fit that I’d come home in a dress he bought me with little birds on the front.<br />
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The specialness of the moment did not escape me today as I stood there looking at the little pink dress. Today is my dad’s birthday. He would have been 77. He’s been gone for 13 years but sometimes it feels like yesterday. I miss him and think of him every day.<br />
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Today was the perfect day to hold that little dress in my hands, touch those little birds, and smile.<br />
<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-85728086891521180952020-03-06T20:22:00.001-05:002020-03-06T20:22:08.934-05:00Day 6 - oh no!March 6, 2020<br />
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My positive thinking tank is apparently pretty low right now. You know how I realized this?<br />
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<br />
I saw this today and I immediately cringed. I immediately started thinking that I’d like to just skip out of next week.<br />
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You see, my class this year is hard. It’s harder than normal. It’s a collection of kids with baggage of various sorts. It’s a group that is harder than it “should” be on the best of days.<br />
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So today this slice is short because I’m already tired from next week and it’s all I have left in the tank today.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-69080500644516941122020-03-05T22:39:00.002-05:002020-03-05T22:39:38.741-05:00Day 5 - Math HoopsMarch 5, 2020<br />
<br />
I had the pleasure of accompanying my daughter’s school team to the Math Hoops competition today. Our school district sent 10 teams of students to compete.<br />
<br />
Out of 60 teams, our kids did great! We had three teams make it into the second round. Our little school district represented 3 of the 8 teams in round two! My daughters team being one of them, although they lost in the second round.<br />
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Two of our teams made it to the final round and ended up playing each other for the championship!<br />
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The kids got to meet and play some basketball with a couple players from the Detroit Pistons basketball team and had the opportunity to shoot hoops on their new, state of the art practice court.<br />
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It was an awesome opportunity and an experience they won’t soon forget.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-90280775190263387242020-03-04T20:59:00.000-05:002020-03-04T20:59:04.807-05:00Day 4 - ShockedMarch 4, 2020<br />
<br />
I’m still feeling shocked and more than a little sad.<br />
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One of my young five year old kindergarten kiddos said some things today that are cringe-worthy.<br />
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He was talking to his math interventionist while they were working today in my classroom. He stopped his work to share a story with a big smile on his face, obviously feeling proud of what he was about to say.<br />
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“My dad said I should be a good boy at school and a bad boy at home.” He said this last part while wiggling his eyebrows up and down.<br />
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Miss J handled it pretty well. Better than I did...standing there with my jaw hanging open. She said she thought he should be a good boy at school AND at home. He scowled a bit and thought about that quietly for a few minutes.<br />
<br />
And that’s when the real shock hit.<br />
<br />
“Miss J,” he said. “I can’t wait until I’m a grown up.”<br />
<br />
“Why?” she asked.<br />
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“Because I will be able to have a girlfriend and I can hold her boobs! My dad told me.”<br />
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Um, what?<br />
<br />
This boy is 5. He’s an immature 5 year old even. This leaves me feeling sad and wondering so many things.<br />
<br />
Why would they have been having this conversation in the first place? Why would a grown man tell his 5 year old child something like that? If he is talking this way as a 5 year old, what is going to happen when he’s 10 or 15?<br />
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Now, I realize I am all out judging this father right now, but what kind of shady dude do you have to be to do this? Then I realize that this boy lives with his dad because he’s the “better” parent in this situation.<br />
<br />
Say what?<br />
<br />
To top it off, I also had:<br />
* a child steal a toy from another staff member and lie about it<br />
* a child screaming and crying for 10 minutes because he didn’t like what he had to do<br />
* a child refuse to do her work during math time and missed recess to complete her work<br />
* a child pat a staff member on the behind as he walked by her<br />
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What is happening in their worlds to create situations where these things are all happening on a regular basis? This is just a typical Wednesday.<br />
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I’m just...sad.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-37225205392035473862020-03-03T20:15:00.000-05:002020-03-03T20:17:49.721-05:00Day 3 - What is happening?March 3, 2020<br />
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As I picked up my kindergarten students from gym class today, the gym teacher said he thought my kids were about ready for middle school. I was confused by this, of course, and asked him to explain.<br />
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He said each time he gives a student a reminder, such as please don’t put your feet on the wall, three other students will hear the exchange and put their feet up...like a middle school student who likes to test boundaries.<br />
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I started thinking about this statement. It’s so true of this group of students. It literally happens Every. Single. Time. This crew is also very dramatic. There’s a lot of tattling, mother hen-ing (I think I just made that word up), and being bossy.<br />
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The question is why? Why does this group struggle so much more with these things than a typical kindergarten group?<br />
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I have no answer, but I’d love to hear your thoughts!!<br />
<br />
<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-26898082582386301842020-03-02T13:32:00.002-05:002020-03-02T13:32:19.578-05:00Day 2 - 24 HoursMarch 2, 2020<br />
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I think we have all heard the saying about how we all have the same 24 hours in a day. While it is true that everyone has a 24 hour day. That is, after all, the definition of a day. However, I have a problem with this statement. I disagree very much with the idea that we all have the same 24 hours. We absolutely do not.<br />
<br />
Does the widow who goes home to an empty house at the end of the day have the same 24 hours? No, she doesn't. She still has the same laundry to do, same household chores to do, same cooking, same things to do as a married couple. The problem is, she doesn't have someone to help. She doesn't have someone to help call the repair man, unload the dishwasher, or take out the trash. She doesn't have someone to split the chores with her so she has to squeeze in all the same household work in her 24 hours as a married couple.<br />
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Does the single parent have the same 24 hours as the married parent? No. Again, the single parent has all the same homework, cooking dinner, making lunches, doing the laundry, transporting the kids, etc. as a family with two parents. The single parent has to do everything alone, while the two parents can share the load.<br />
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Does the young college student have the same 24 hours as the elderly man in the nursing home? No. The college student attends classes, works a part time job, is only responsible for caring for himself. His responsibilities are relatively few and he has the time and ability to go have fun with his friends. He can fill his free time however he wishes by simply going and doing as he pleases. His days pass quickly but his years ahead are long. The elderly man is a little different. He also has few responsibilities at this stage, doesn't work, and is only responsible for himself. The difference is he is also reliant on others to help him with this care. He is reliant on someone else's schedule for meeting his needs. If he wants to see his friends, he is reliant on them coming to him or someone helping to make a visit happen. His days are long but his years ahead are short. They do not have the same 24 hours.<br />
<br />
I realize it's just a saying. However, the saying rubs me the wrong way. Yes, we all have 24 hours in a day. But, no...we do not all have the same 24 hours. I dare say we all have very different days. I'm relatively sure my 24 hours looks different than yours and visa versa.<br />
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Why is this important? Maybe we need to consider this idea when we judge people for not having something done we think they should. Maybe we need to consider this when the single mom doesn't return a note to school on time. Maybe we need to consider this when a co-worker seems frazzled. We might not know what their 24 hours looks like. We only know our own. Be kind.<br />
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<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-27613495923419385112020-03-01T14:59:00.002-05:002020-03-01T15:03:45.339-05:00Day 1 - A Failure in the Photo DepartmentMarch 1, 2020<br />
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I feel like a failure in the photo department.<br />
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I used to be so good at scrap booking. I wanted to make my kids scrap books that doubled as baby books and then followed them through to graduation. I was really good at getting pictures printed with my first kiddo. His book has the first two years of his life completed.<br />
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About that time, my second kiddo came along. At this point I was slightly slower in getting pictures printed but it still happened; less often and in bigger chunks. I have her book started and done well into her first year.<br />
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(Side Note: I should mention they are now 16 and 14. Sigh.) <br />
<br />
But then, life with two kids took over and my photo department failure grew.<br />
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I would still take all the pictures and every few months my husband would ask if I had printed any recently and so I would sit down and make it happen. I have boxes with pictures from this time period all neatly separated into three categories: child 1, child 2, family. This way they were ready for the scrap books or the family photo album just as soon as I found the time to work on it.<br />
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Baby three and four came along next and sealed my photo failure fate. I am great at taking pictures of my babes and the things we do as a family. I am horrible at printing them. I feel like a failure every time my the younger two ask to look at the pictures of when they were babies. <br />
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We quickly became the chaotic family we had always hoped for with kids running here and there to school and sports and scouts and everything in between. I love every minute of it! I take all kinds of pictures, I share them on social media and send them to family members. Do I print them? Hardly ever. It makes me sad.<br />
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(Side Note 2: The younger two kiddos are 11 and 8.) <br />
<br />
Last summer I tried to rectify this situation. I printed all the pictures from our phones. I printed some of the pictures from my computer. But, I still have more to print. I even went as far as to buy a photo album for each child and one for the family. I did not, however, get them sorted yet. There are still orange boxes of pictures sitting on my desk just waiting for their day in the sun.<br />
<br />
And still I feel like a failure in the photo department. <br />
<br />
Someday, scrap books. Someday.<br />
<br />
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----- > <----- -----> <----- -----> <----- -----> <----- -----> < ----- -----> <----- <br />
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<br />
I'm excited to start this new Slice of Life Challenge! Last year I didn't make it through the whole month of writing, which after several years of doing so was a big disappointment to me. So, here we are! Back again for another go around! Bring on the writing!<br />
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<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-76271792061812490532019-03-15T22:37:00.000-04:002019-03-15T22:37:02.912-04:00Day 15 - March TiredThere's a special kind of tired in March.<br />
<br />
It's the...<br />
we need Spring Break tired.<br />
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It's the...<br />
hurry up and finish ALL THE TESTING tired.<br />
<br />
It's the...<br />
fill in the report cards by Friday, March 15th tired.<br />
<br />
It's the...<br />
schedule all the parent teacher conferences tired.<br />
<br />
It's the...<br />
prepare for all the conferences tired.<br />
<br />
It's the...<br />
hope they all show up while you are at school for all the hours tired.<br />
<br />
It's the...<br />
it's already the end of March? Yikes! tired.<br />
<br />
It's the...<br />
isn't it April yet? tired.<br />
<br />
It's the...<br />
won't it stop raining so we can go outside for recess tired.<br />
<br />
But it's also the...<br />
light bulbs lighting up tired.<br />
<br />
And the...<br />
look how much your child has grown tired.<br />
<br />
And the...<br />
it's the light at the end of the tunnel tired.<br />
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So...<br />
go to bed tired teacher.<br />
sleep a week tired teacher.<br />
time to re-energize tired teacher. Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-23207951257958312102019-03-14T20:19:00.001-04:002019-03-14T20:19:13.053-04:00Day 14 - The TestLet me start this story by saying with 11 snow days, we got a bit behind in math (and everything else). Because of this, I have felt like I was rushing through things and not feeling great about it. That changed today after giving the unit test to some of my kindergarten kiddos.<br />
<br />
I pulled them over two at a time because, if you know five year olds at all, you know I have to read the test to them and show them where things are so they can follow along. It's a long process at that rate, but after giving it to several of them, I noticed they were all doing very well and it all seemed pretty easy for them. [High five to me!]<br />
<br />
After the last twosome that I pulled over finished, they walked away from my table with smiles on their faces.<br />
<br />
J: That was easy!<br />
G: Yeah. That was pretty fun!<br />
[High five to me!] <br />
<br />
I don't know about you, but I don't remember thinking very many tests in school were fun?!<br />
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And...<br />
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I sure hope they keep thinking that way!<br />
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<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-88403407204802133752019-03-12T20:35:00.004-04:002019-03-12T20:35:57.942-04:00Day 12 - The Little GirlI can't stop thinking about her.<br />
<br />
The little girl who barely spoke until November. The little girl who didn't know her name when she started kindergarten. The little girl who could finally write her name in January. The little girl who had so many ear infections she needed tubes in her ears. The little girl who's parents put off getting those tubes in her ears for three months before getting it done.<br />
<br />
I can't stop thinking about her.<br />
<br />
The little girl who can hear again. The little girl who suddenly talks so much she needs to be told to stop. The little girl who never learned appropriate times to talk and when to listen because she never talked anyway. The little girl who came to school knowing little to nothing about anything. The little girl who only counts to 7. The little girl who recognizes 6 numbers.<br />
<br />
I can't stop thinking about her.<br />
<br />
The little girl who needs extra help to learn but who's parents refused interventions for math. The little girl who has ELA interventions and is still hardly improving. The little girl who is scoring the same on all the March classroom assessments as the student who has special education services.<br />
<br />
I can't stop thinking about her.<br />
<br />
The little girl who smells like smoke so strongly it's like a slap in the face. The little girl who's parents can afford cigarettes and cell phones but can't afford to send in a snack for the class or a $5 field trip. The little girl who's parents miss their parent-teacher conference three times before attending one. The little girl who's parent sends two texts and answers a phone call during that conference. <br />
<br />
I can't stop thinking about her.<br />
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<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-21615479900230376842019-03-11T19:37:00.003-04:002019-03-11T19:37:32.763-04:00Day 11 - Book FairIt's book fair week at our school and my daughter is all about it. Her class went today so last night I looked at her wish list and she picked out a couple favorite choices to buy today. <br />
<br />
A: Can I buy an eraser too? They are only dot 99! [we're still working on the money thing ;)]<br />
Me: Well, I think one is ok, but remember, the point of the book fair is to buy books, not toys.<br />
A: But they are only dot 99, Mom. Could I get two? Or could I get one eraser and one little pouch for my backpack. It clips on and it's SO COOL!<br />
Me: I don't know how much that pouch is but I would bet it costs quite a bit more. Let's go with one eraser for sure and if you have enough money left over, you can get a second eraser. [darn, she's a better negotiator than me!]<br />
A: Ok, I'll get the books and two erasers then.<br />
Me: Remember, you might not have enough money for a second eraser. You'll have to add it up and see when you look at the prices at school.<br />
A: Ok, deal.<br />
<br />
Later in the day, I meet her in the hallway by chance.<br />
<br />
A: Mom! I got my books at the book fair! And I got an orange gummy bear eraser. And I got a purple gummy bear eraser too. I had enough money! Can I have $8 for the pouch now?<br />
Me: Uh, no. It sounds like you already got an extra item by being able to buy two erasers today. I think that's pretty good. I'm glad you got your books! I can't wait to see them at home!<br />
A: Yeah, but could I please get the pouch?<br />
Me: No, not this time.<br />
A: [pouty face with a scowl] But it's really cool, Mom!<br />
Me: You had enough money for your books and two erasers. That's pretty lucky! Let's enjoy those. You can read me that new dog book that you got tonight at home!<br />
A: No, it's too long. I only like to read long books to myself. I'm going to recess now.<br />
Me: [quite possibly there was an eye roll and a big sigh...none of which she saw]<br />
<br />
Ok...I love the book fair just as much as the kids. I mean, new and cheap books? Yep, it's kind of like a candy store, right? But come on. Can we PLEASE get rid of all the toys and trinkets for sale at the BOOK fair? I'm down with the rack of bookmarks. But please, for the love, nix the erasers/pens/pencils/pouches/calculators/pointer sticks/etc.<br />
<br />
Can I get an amen?<br />
<br />
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<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-72196112731275560922019-03-10T12:00:00.000-04:002019-03-10T12:00:04.131-04:00Day 10 - How I Met Your FatherCollege<br />
Friend<br />
Baseball game<br />
Introductions<br />
Walking<br />
Hanging out<br />
Talking<br />
Laughing<br />
Waiting<br />
Waiting<br />
Waiting<br />
Visiting<br />
Dorms<br />
Friends<br />
Laughing<br />
Waiting<br />
Waiting<br />
Waiting<br />
Waiting<br />
Phone call<br />
Dinner?<br />
Yes<br />
Fazoli's<br />
Excited<br />
Successful<br />
Continued<br />
Continued<br />
Continued<br />
Continued<br />
Ring<br />
Waiting<br />
Waiting<br />
Waiting<br />
Dress<br />
Aisle<br />
Apartment<br />
Waiting<br />
House<br />
Waiting<br />
Baby 1<br />
Life<br />
Baby 2<br />
Life<br />
Baby 3<br />
Life<br />
Baby 4<br />
Life<br />
Continuing...<br />
<br />
How did you meet daddy? Well, it's a long story.<br />
<br />
We met at college.<br />
<br />
And then you got married and had all of us?<br />
<br />
Yep. Something like that. :)<br />
<br />
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<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-233736258416035562019-03-09T06:00:00.000-05:002019-03-09T06:00:12.405-05:00Day 9 - The Great Tooth RaceMy sweet girl is seven.<br />
<br />
She's the youngest of four kids and she often feels like she is the last to do everything because the big kids do it first.<br />
<br />
She and her ten year old sister both noticed loose teeth about the same time recently and she was convinced her older sister would lose her tooth first.<br />
<br />
But, being the youngest myself, I told her a little secret. They might to things before her, but she would always be my baby and that was pretty special. I also told her the secret to losing teeth...keep wiggling!<br />
<br />
I happened to know that her big sister doesn't like to wiggle her loose teeth and they often stay loose for a L O N G time. This child really took that to heart. She was determined to beat her sister in the great tooth race and she wiggled that thing endlessly. She even enlisted the school counselor to try to pull it out...twice. When he couldn't get it out yesterday, he made it a point to come check on her today to see if she had lost it yet. Nope. He tried again today with no luck. You see, she was really counting on loosing that tooth at school. She WANTED that tooth necklace that the office gives you to hold your precious tooth until you get home and she knew if she lost it at home there would be no necklace.<br />
<br />
Apparently, Mr. Counselor felt badly enough that he couldn't get it out for her today that he came to see her after school to check one more time. He told me he knew how much she wanted that necklace so he sent one home with us just in case it came out at home this weekend.<br />
<br />
It was the topic of conversation at dinner. Both girls updated us on the status of their wiggles. We came up with all kids of ideas for getting those teeth out but neither had any intention of trying all our amazing ideas. Instead, they went out to play basketball.<br />
<br />
It took all of 5 minutes and the front door burst open! Mom! Dad! My tooth came out! I just needed to play basketball! Where is that necklace?!<br />
<br />
And then, of course...<br />
<br />
I lost my tooth first!!!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-55360150948885061012019-03-08T19:50:00.002-05:002019-03-08T19:50:28.470-05:00Day 8 - I Should BeI should be relaxing on the couch.<br />
But I'm writing a post.<br />
<br />
I should be planning my weekend enjoyment.<br />
But I'm packing my suitcase.<br />
<br />
I should be thinking about lesson plans for next week.<br />
But I'm reading session titles.<br />
<br />
I should be thinking about the errands I need to run over the weekend.<br />
But I'm making sure the kids school papers are signed, sealed, and ready to deliver on Monday.<br />
<br />
I should be getting ready for the slow pace of Saturday and Sunday.<br />
But I'm attending a conference instead.<br />
<br />
I should be a lot of things.<br />
But I'm not.<br />
<br />
I should be happy to go to this amazing conference and I am.<br />
But I'm not happy to leave my family and weekend behind.<br />
<br />
I should be recharging my batteries this weekend.<br />
But I'm filling my mind instead.<br />
<br />
I should be just fine.<br />
But I'm going to be tired next week. :)<br />
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<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-31690610246836264632019-03-07T18:40:00.002-05:002019-03-07T18:40:14.215-05:00Day 7 - Baby SmilesBabies make me smile. It doesn't matter what else is going on around me. Babies just make me smile.<br />
<br />
As I sat quietly attending a funeral today, I was secretly enjoying the soft baby sounds coming from the pew a couple people over. I love the little sounds they make as they happily play with a toy, as they reach for their parent's face, as they take in all the things around them. This little guy was no different. He wiggled and snuggled and played in his dad's lap. He was pretty quiet - just making the occasional little noise. His dad was trying hard to keep him happy and quiet. I thought he was doing very well and at some point he snuggled in and fell asleep in his dad's arms.<br />
<br />
I watched everyone around us look at this sweet child and smile at some point or another during the funeral and it struck me that I was not alone in appreciating this baby and the fact that he could make everyone smile so easily during this time of sadness.<br />
<br />
Babies are a breath of fresh air, literally and figuratively. Their newness is special. <br />
<br />
This child will never know how he touched all those lives today. He will never know that he brought smiles on this day to many who needed them, nor will his parents. I don't even think those who smiled at him even realized how he impacted them today. It was interesting to watch and appreciate.<br />
<br />
Turns out, babies make everyone smile.<br />
<br />
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<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-46731386319328439622019-03-06T18:50:00.001-05:002019-03-06T18:50:13.039-05:00Day 6 - RIP teen loveI am from a time when kids talked to each other on the phone. Actual spoken words on actual house phones which may or may not have had a cord.<br />
<br />
I am from a time when the internet and email weren't a thing. Young girls wrote notes to each other and folded them in fancy ways and handed them to their friends or slid them into their locker between classes.<br />
<br />
I am from a time when teen magazines were the way girls learned about life...from hair to clothes to makeup to friends to boyfriends. We learned it all from the pages of the magazines and we shared the good stuff with our friends.<br />
<br />
I am from a time when teen heartthrobs were featured in every girls bedroom hanging in glossy glory on every bit of available wall space. <br />
<br />
I am from a time when Dylan, Brandon, Kelly, Brenda, Donna and David were living in Beverly Hills and the 90210 zip code was THE place to be. We loved those boys...Brandon was the nice, boy next door type, David was the cutie with the baby face, and Dylan was the bad boy with the leather jacket and motorcycle. We liked the girls too, but secretly plotted ways to take over their (fake, tv) lives so we could have a chance with those handsome guys.<br />
<br />
Now I am in a time when kids text or snap each other on phones that reside in back pockets and cost more than my first car.<br />
<br />
Now I am in a time when WIFI is a way of life and emails fly fast and furious and written notes are mostly extinct.<br />
<br />
Now I am in a time when magazines are dinosaurs. We learn from the internet from Google and YouTube on an internet we can't function without.<br />
<br />
Now I am in a time when daughters are hanging glossy posters on every bit of wall space and mothers don't know who those heartthrobs are.<br />
<br />
Now I am in a time when Brandon, Kelly, Brenda, Donna and David are going to return to Beverly Hills for a reunion and 40ish moms are giddy with anticipation.<br />
<br />
Now I am in a time when those same moms grieve the loss of the leather jacket wearing bad boy...the cowboy hat wearing bull rider...the heartthrob from the bedroom wall. <br />
<br />
Now I am in a time when time flies faster than the speed of light and life changes in an instant for better or for worse.<br />
<br />
Now I am in a time when I say things like rest in peace and I feel both old and young all in the same breath.<br />
<br />
<br />
RIP Luke Perry.<br />
<br />
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<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-14441231474409846172019-03-05T08:09:00.002-05:002019-03-05T08:09:39.735-05:00Day 5 - InspiredMy school was fortunate to have non-fiction children's author Ginjer L. Clarke visit last week. We had, of course, been reading her books and loving them in all the K-5 classrooms. My daughters had come home multiple times talking about the books they had read and which animals they had learned about that day. They especially liked the gross book and the fun and weird facts they were learning.<br />
<br />
The day of the visit they each saw her present with their grade levels. Both of the presentations were different, as she adjusted them according to the age of the kids. Both were fantastic and the kids loved her. We also had the opportunity to have Ms. Clarke present again in the evening for parents and students at our school's Literacy Night. After her presentation, she signed copies of her books and the kids had the opportunity to meet her.<br />
<br />
It was a great day and my girls loved every minute of it.<br />
<br />
The following morning I listened in the car as they discussed everything from the day before.<br />
<br />
M: Did Ginjer talk about the <u>Gross Out</u> book in your presentation?<br />
A: No, but she showed us her meerkat and her alligator stuffed animals!<br />
M: Oh, I saw those on her table. They were cool!<br />
A: She was nice. I liked her. I brought my books to school today to read during read to self time!<br />
M: I did too!<br />
<br />
M: Hey mom? Is it possible to be a surgeon and an author at the same time?<br />
Me: Yes, a lot of doctors write things and have them published in journals so you could do both.<br />
M: No, that's not what I mean. I mean could I write books and be a surgeon. Like Ginjer Clarke and the surgeons on Gray's Anatomy?<br />
Me: [thinking: oh this girl of mine is ambitious!] Yes, you could! You'd be a pretty busy lady but you certainly could. You can do anything you want to do if you work hard.<br />
M: Yeah, I know. Ginjer told us yesterday that when she was little she didn't know girls could be authors. I already knew that.<br />
A: Yeah, I think I'll be an author when I grow up.<br />
M: Me too. And a surgeon. I'll be both.<br />
A: Maybe we can write together!<br />
M: [smiles her big sister smile that means 'not a chance' and quietly looks out the window, probably mentally planning her first book.]<br />
A: [satisfied with her suggestion and big sister's smile, she goes back to reading <u>Cheetah Cubs</u> by her new favorite author.]<br />
<br />
<br />
To all the authors who inspire their readers everyday...thank you!<br />
<br />
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<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-31320325845860749062019-03-04T21:12:00.000-05:002019-03-04T21:12:03.092-05:00Day 4 - AlgebraI remember being in high school math classes and actually asking my dad when I would ever use that stuff as an adult. At that point I already had decided to be an elementary teacher. I knew with a whole lot of confidence that I would never use that math beyond passing my tests in school. Because of that, I didn't retain that math learning any longer than needed for the purpose of the class. I did well in my high school math classes, but that didn't mean I enjoyed it. It meant I was a student who knew what it took to get good grades and I did that. It also meant that I didn't really understand the "why" behind what I was doing and learning in math.<br />
<br />
Now, looking back, I'm not sure if that is because I wasn't taught the why or because I didn't care about the why. While I am CERTAIN I didn't care, I really don't think I was taught it either.<br />
<br />
Fast forward...<br />
<br />
My eighth grade daughter is taking Algebra I. She is smart and is a great math student. She has deeper understandings and is more advanced at her age than I was at her age. She also has a fantastic teacher this year! However, there are still days when she needs help with her homework.<br />
<br />
My hubby is usually the one who helps with math homework but he's out of town for work. So...here she comes with homework tonight. She actually tells me that she will probably have to call dad tonight because she will need help, which I mentally note he won't be able to do over Facetime because of the nature of the problem.<br />
<br />
But of course, I figure I can do this. So we sat down at that table and fumbled around a bit and finally figured some things out. Fist bumps may have happened and everything. ;) And then we hit a road block and couldn't finish.<br />
<br />
Remember I said that she had a really great teacher this year? Yeah, well, she'll be spending some of her lunch time with him tomorrow learning how to do the rest and probably telling him her mom has no idea how to graph equations with exponents. And that will be true.<br />
<br />
I'm so glad she's a smarty pants. I'm so glad she has a fantastic teacher. But it still stings a little that I couldn't figure this one out. I mean, I'd probably be more successful in figuring it out if I had a book with explanation and examples to use. But I don't for this one so I'll take the sting, lick my wounds, and move right along fairly unscathed because I know I will only need to know how to do this two more times in my life...for the next two daughters only...and with any luck, hubby won't be out of town when they have to learn it. :)Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-91748960117650822662019-03-03T11:39:00.000-05:002019-03-03T11:39:03.554-05:00Day 3 - In An InstantLife is a crazy thing. I have heard that phrase my whole life. Who hasn't? But the older I get, the more I understand just what it means.<br />
<br />
Just two days ago I was writing about the birth of my sweet great nephew. Today, I am thinking about loss. Life is a crazy thing.<br />
<br />
In my family, I am the only child of my mom and dad. Before they were married to each other, they were each married to someone else and each had two kids. That means, I have a brother and a sister on each side. We were all raised together and all think of each other as regular siblings...none of this half or step business. We are just brothers and sisters. That's the way it's always been and that's the way it always will stay. However, it has also meant that in my world, my siblings have all had other moms or dads besides mine. As a child, that was a bit harder to wrap my brain around than it is as an adult. But, that's also all I have ever known. I have always known their other parent and their spouse.<br />
<br />
In 2007, we lost our dad. It's a pain and a loss like no other to lose a parent. It can happen fast or slow, quick or slowly over years. It doesn't change the pain of the loss. <br />
<br />
Yesterday, my brother and sister lost their mom. I believe in my heart that they lost her in the best possible way - in her sleep and without pain or suffering. But, it was unexpected and sudden and has created a huge hole in their hearts. They lost their mom, the one who kissed their booboo's and hugged them closer than any other, and was always their best cheerleader. I know how torn apart they are by this loss and there isn't a single thing I can do except hug them a little tighter and love them a little harder.<br />
<br />
Life is a crazy thing. It can change in an instant, for better or worse.<br />
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<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-29794844086951929592019-03-02T23:00:00.003-05:002019-03-02T23:00:45.740-05:00Day 2 - T WordThe T word.<br />
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It slapped me across the face today.<br />
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I met a friend for coffee, an enjoyable "me" time, and came home to have it greet me at the door.<br />
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Luckily, it only half slapped me because my hubby took the brunt of the other half.<br />
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Yes, the T word. The dreaded TAXES.<br />
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We do them ourselves but both despise the job. We have had the paperwork ready and in a pile on the counter for at least a month, but both despise the job. We have been to busy to devote a chunk of time because we both despise the job.<br />
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So today was the day. I had no idea my hubby intended to work on it while I was gone today. I'm not sorry. In fact, if he could have just done it all while I was gone I would have thrown a party. But, instead, he had half of the work done when I arrived back home and was waiting for me to help finish the rest. And that's ok because...we both despise the job. Neither of us should have to do it alone.<br />
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I'm pretty sure when we said our marriage vows, we weren't thinking of doing taxes as being one of the things that fell into the "for worse" category. It could probably be argued that it still doesn't, that what really falls into that category is FAR worse and I would totally agree, but we both despise the job, so for us it does fall into that category.<br />
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Now...don't get me wrong. We have always, in our married life, gotten a tax return and have always spent it wisely and been very appreciative of it. This year was no different, but I still dread it each year. It seems to get more complicated, more tension-filled, more irritating, and more blood-pressure raising to file each year, so we both despise the job. We always will.<br />
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Despite it all...the dread, the papers, the remembering, the finding, the crossing our fingers that we entered that number right, etc. that goes along with it...we always make it through. We always take the "for worse" and get it done with as much efficiency and confidence we can muster up as the good team that we are, and we come out on the other side. We will take that return and use it to inspire and pay for the "for better" list of items. We will take the yuck and turn it into something better. Because that's just what we do. <br />
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Even though that T word slapped me across the face today, I was able to sucker punch it right back.<br />
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Until next year T word.<br />
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<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099057137011147486.post-53692801738279111882019-03-01T21:42:00.002-05:002019-03-01T21:43:10.329-05:00Day 1 - RowanEEEKKK! It's March!<br />
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As the alarm beeped this morning I opened one eye, realized the date, and immediately my wheels started turning. It wasn't but a few seconds and my mind settled on this first Slice of Life.<br />
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You see, it wasn't long ago...just a couple weeks...when I got a 2am text from my sister.<br />
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You're probably thinking, as I was in that moment, oh this could go one of two ways. This middle-of-the-night text is either going to make me smile or make me cry.<br />
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I'll let you decide. It said: Baby time!<br />
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Yep! That text caused me smiles for days.<br />
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Meet Rowan, my great nephew. My oldest nephew is now a Daddy, my sister is a Grandma, and I'm a Great Aunt! Oh my goodness! This handsome little fella made his way into the world
taking his own sweet time and captured all of our hearts in one hot
second. As my sister explained, he's a beautiful butterball, weighing in at 9 pounds 10 ounces. He's absolutely perfect!<br />
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While I am pretty great (wink), I was having a bit of an issue being called a Great Aunt. I mean, that makes me sound pretty old and gray. Before this little bundle was born I was thinking we'd need to come to an understanding and figure out some other name; something less old-sounding. Now that he's here??? I couldn't care less what he calls me. I am just so happy to meet him and watch him grow up, he can call me whatever he wants and I will love every minute of it.<br />
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Welcome to the world Rowan. We have so much to talk about!<br />
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<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132042235993262800noreply@blogger.com7