You've Got A Friend In Me - Forever

I've been thinking about friendship today.  My own friendships.  My children's friendships.  My student's friendships.  They are so important!  I've been trying to put my words down on paper this evening and I can't seem to get my thoughts out very well.  They just aren't coming together.  But I've had a song in my head today that feels just right.  It might not be my own words today, but it's important to say anyway. 

For more slices of life, head over the Two Writing Teachers hosted by Ruth and Stacey. 

You've Got A Friend In Me (from Toy Story)

You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
Just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got troubles, well I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and we see it through
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

Some other folks might be
A little bit smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too
Maybe
But none of them will ever love you the way I do
It's me and you
And as the years go by
Our friendship will never die
You're gonna see
It's our destiny
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

25 Things That Make Me Smile

I'm getting excited about March!  It's such a great month.  If I'm lucky, it there will be a hint of sprint in March.  It's the month when things feel like they are falling into place in the classroom-finally.  It is a month of growth in many ways!  It's a month of birthdays - my dad, my husband, my son, my father-in-law, my sister-in-law, and several friends.  But...it's also a month of writing!  I'm really looking forward to the Slice of Life Challenge this year.  Last year was my first time participating and it was amazing.  I'm sure this year will be equally fulfilling.  My writing habits haven't been strong lately so I'm looking forward to an "excuse" to make time to write.  I've made my list of ideas to fall back on in case there is a day I just can't find the words.  Now I'm ready ... bring it on SOLC 2013!
 
I've been thinking lately about what makes me smile.  There are so many different things and so many different stories I could tell about them, it's a little overwhelming.  Instead, for today, I think I'll just make a list.  Who knows?  Maybe it will fuel more posts later!

25 Things that Make Me Smile

1. A hot cup of  French Vanilla cappuccino
2. Snow falling softly outside my window
3. The sound of my children laughing
4. My husband's smile
5. A hug
6. A note from a friend
7. Reading a good book
8. My fuzzy, red blanket - a Christmas gift that keeps giving!
9. Snow days!
10. Hearing my most favorite words from my most favorite people, "I love you Mommy!"
11. Waking up slowly on a Saturday, without the alarm blaring
12. A hot shower
13. Date night
14. Watching my children play in the snow
15. A great quote
16. The hum of learning 
17. Smiles on my children's faces
18. A chat with a good friend
19. A Cherry Coke!
20. Watching a child's face when they begin to understand something difficult
21. My mom
22. Knowing our babysitter loves our children
23. Helping others
24. The smell of a new baby
25. Crawling into bed at night

Writer's Workshop Gone Awry

 

To read more stories that matter, head to Two Writing Teachers and dive in!

I admit it.  It's been a while since I made myself sit down and write.  I've missed it but I've had a lot on my plate and writing was pushed aside.  And then today happened and I knew I needed to write.

Today was one of THOSE days at school.  It started out alright.  By 9:05 I started to think it was getting off track.  By 10:00 I knew I needed to reign my class in a bit more.  By lunchtime, I was tired.  

Next came writer's workshop.  I look forward to this time each day.  I look forward to seeing my students talk, draw and write.  They have so many wonderful stories to share and they are getting so much better at getting those stories onto the paper.

Not today.

Today I should have stopped after "talking time."  It was at that moment that I knew things were going downhill.

Did I stop?

No.

Of course not.  It was time for WRITING!

 

I should have stopped.

I should have stopped before I was disappointed in their lack of concentration.  I should have stopped before I was frustrated that there was so much chatting and goofing around happening all around me.  I should have stopped the moment I realized that unless I was sitting next to the child, the child wasn't writing.

Unless I was sitting next to the child, the child wasn't drawing and most likely wasn't even LOOKING at the paper on the table.

I should have just stopped.  They weren't in a good place, and therefore, neither was I.

Then there was that little glimmer.

At the end of the day, I sat with my little munchkin, R.  We were filling out his daily behavior note to let his parents know how his day went.  It was only then that I realized that he had earned a star for EVERY SINGLE PART OF THE DAY TODAY!!!  FIRST TIME EVER!!!

Ok.  If R can have an all-star day, then we can get it back together.  We can get back on track.  Tomorrow is a new day, as they say, and we will begin again with a fresh start.  Somehow, in the meantime, I need to convince my students of something very important: 

You have stories to tell.  Your stories are important.  Your stories matter.  Share your stories.

 The picture above, from the Kelly Rae Roberts Collection, was a gift from a good friend.  Someone who knows that our words and stories are important.  It's the perfect inspiration.  A treasure...both the friend and the picture.  (Thanks B-Fly!)