Together #SOL16 27/31

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Two Writing Teachers

This year

I missed the egg hunt, the lamb cake, the kielbasa.

I missed having my nephews run around the yard.

I missed cleaning the house (not really) and hiding the baskets.

I missed helping Jeff cook and mess up the kitchen.

*** yet***

I gained an opportunity to be with my whole family, in one town, spending time together.

I gained a chance to see my oldest, in the middle of a stressful week.

I gained quiet time with my youngest.

I gained good conversation with my husband.

It was worth it

This year.

Cookiepalooza #SOL

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Two Writing Teachers

One of my favorite holiday traditions is baking cookies.  When my girls were little, we would spend all day Christmas Eve making a huge mess of the kitchen.  The cookies we baked (if they cooled in time!) would become gifts for the neighbors and dessert for my aunt and uncle's Christmas Eve party.

Last year we moved the cookie baking date back to December 23rd.  I prepared dough and a few of Lindsey's friends came over to help.  One new friend had a joyous time manning the pizelle maker, while others rolled chocolate crinkles, peanut blossoms and cut out sugar cookies.  

Cookiepalooza was established.

This year, both girls invited multiple friends.  We had veggies and dip (to balance out the cookies we planned on consuming) and Oberweis chocolate milk (for cookie dipping).  We also decided that it would be fun to have a graham cracker house building contest.  

The house was a noisy, flour-y mess.  Smiles, laughter and piano music (thank you, Jeff!) filled the air.  I burned calories (and just a few cookies) running up and down the stairs between our two ovens.

At the end of the night, everyone took some cookies and helped clean up.  The sweet smell of candies and frosting filled the air.  It was a great way to improve my spirits and get in the holiday mood.

One Lucky Kid SOLC #17

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We started the day in first grade reading a little story about St. Patrick's Day.  It was a quick little easy reader about shamrocks and good luck.  I had paper shamrocks for the students to wear for some good luck, and I asked them to finish writing this sentence:

"I am one lucky kid because..."

Now, I chose to model that I was lucky because I had a bowl of cheerios with bananas for breakfast.  They helped me spell breakfast and wondered why that made me lucky.  I told them it was because we had beautiful, yellow bananas at my house (woo hoo!).

Then the kiddos jumped into writing.  I had many lucky video game, toy and American Girl owners.  One girl has a new puppy.  A few wrote about birthday parties.  My favorite paper, by far, was G's:

"I am one lucky kid because I have whipt crem and butr."

Then she drew a fridge.  

I like your thinking, G.

Stop and celebrate

We are in the second week of winter break.  Ahhhh.  I figured out it's Tuesday and I could actually get a Slice of Life post blogged for the first time in months.  Hooray!

Today I think I'll focus on the positive.  In the past I've been a glass-half-full person, but this fall I'm especially prone to the negative.  Yes, my whole world was shifted when I was moved from reading resource to a classroom.  I really wanted to be positive and think it would be easy.  It isn't.  I have high expectations for myself and I need to cut myself some slack.  I'm always telling my students and children that I have never met anyone who is perfect.  I need to listen to myself.

So... today I give myself permission to celebrate all that has been fun and exciting around here!

Cookie Baking Fest

My girls and five friends helped bake and decorate many varieties of cookies.  My husband played holiday and Broadway songs on the piano.  Everyone was laughing and making messes until midnight.  What fun!

Most Energetic and Sweetest Class

I have 19 sweet, kind and energetic students this year.  We are learning along together, every day.  One of my sprites, G, told me before break, "I told my dad that all you want for Christmas is for the kids to listen."  Yup, G, you get it!

A is one of our more reserved and gentle boys.  His favorite Friday tag line is, "I wish we didn't have weekends.  Then we could stay at school."  Maybe we are becoming the school family I hoped for!

Rest, Relaxation and Family Time Highlights

• Not one alarm clock has been set during winter break
• Only one school-related nightmare
• Family game night with my best friend from grade school and her family
• Enjoying holiday lights in our neighborhood and the arboretum
• Time to blog, pin on pinterest, and read like crazy!

Wishing you a wonderful 2015!  May we all find the positive in all situations.

Saturday by the numbers SOLC #30

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Two Writing Teachers

Saturday by the numbers...

20 people at brunch tomorrow

2 cakes baked

21 eggs colored

1 counter covered with flour

4 loads of laundry

1 helpful yet messy daughter

1 more trip to Target for 4 missing items

41 plastic eggs retrieved from the basement

2 Easter baskets prepared, but not hidden

6 bottles of bubbles ready to be enjoyed by kids

1 bag of jelly beans opened too early

2 handfuls of jelly beans consumed

2 egg casseroles still need to be made

4 dozen pierogis wait in the freezer

Yet...

10 purple toenails on 

       2 bare feet propped up on an outdoor ottoman in

            58 degree weather under

                  1 shining sun on

                       1 comfy couch... Resting until Round

2 of cooking and preparing for

20 people

Begins again