At the ceremony, there was a sweet slide show, capturing their time in their elementary classroom, as well as their preschool days. That was fun and it made me a little nostalgic for some of the students I’ve had in the past.

Then we got to the part of the program where they showed baby pictures. And those funny moments in the bathtub, the cute baby’s first halloween pictures, the required “smash cake” photo, those were in there too. By the time it was done, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room.

Time is so fleeting. Sure when I’m up to my elbows in vomit, or calling about the upteenth ear infection it seems like it will never end. But it will. And knowing that (and seeing that slideshow) makes me really want to be in the moment and enjoy the wee-ones.

Right Now.

So right now, on June 3, 2010, here’s what shakin’ in our house:

As I type, the kids are zoned out in front of Blues Clues. They’ve just gotten home from their 2nd to last day ever of the little daycare we’ve been a part of for four years. (MaM is there this week since school’s out but I’m working on my classroom)

Jr. is a chatty, chatty boy. He loves race cars and big trucks with all of his heart. He plays with his Little People Parking Garage like it’s going out of style.

MaM is a collector of silly bandz and she’s becoming a big reader. She tries to read every word she sees. She only wears big puffy dresses. They have to have layers, and they have to twirl. She won’t even try them on if they appear not to be of the twirling variety.

At the Children's Museum this weekend

Day 3 of my attempt at NaBloPoMo is complete!

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I have to say, my kids don’t say this phrase (yet–they’re almost 2 & almost 5)). They are extremely good at keeping themselves occupied…….lining up matchbox cars, coloring, sorting silly bandz, and so forth.

I love being home all summer long–I love that we don’t have to be anywhere at any particular time. But I know our summer routine well enough to know that we do need a little routine…a reason to get dressed before noon at least a few days per week, a way to be sure we don’t just hole up in our air-conditioned house and become hermits.

Sooooo my friends and I are doing a little planning.

We’ve shared a Google Calendar, named it “Summer Fun 2010″ , and plugged in activities that we see which catch our interest. We’re attempting a few theme weeks–Toy Week in honor of Toy Story 3′s release will include a matinee of the movie & a visit to a toy museum. Transportation Week will happen the week the park dept puts on “Touch a Truck”. We may also go on a train ride that week and see the local race track.

I’ve plugged in the free movies around town (check Regal’s Free Family Film Festival), happenings at local libraries, and events advertised by the parks dept.

We’re also planning on using our memberships tochildren’s museum and historical farm, and of course, it wouldn’t be summer without swimming.

I also try to make it a point to visit playgrounds and library branches that aren’t in our usual traffic pattern.

Are you tired yet? It’s a lot…..but it is SO. MUCH. FUN!!!

What are your ideas for summer fun?? Do your kids get bored easily or are they fairly content? At what age does the phrase, “I’m bored” enter a child’s vocabulary????

Leave a comment here, or write your own post and link it up at We Are That Family!

Day 2 of NaBloPoMo–DONE!

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Playing at the sand table

Somehow, this spring, the boy has gone from a toddling one year old to a boy who is so close to two he can taste it. So close to two he runs now, he runs and he says, “RUNNNNINNNNGGG!” And then he climbs up the swing set and says, “CCCLLLIIMMMBBB”

Run! Run! Run!

And his favorite color, based on language alone, is green.

And his favorite sound effect is “woo- woo”, which he does every time he sees sirens and lights.

He’s addicted to rice milk. He’s got a killer sweet tooth. He can open the drawer to the freezer and pull out a popsicle.

And his hair? It’s his crowning glory. I loved every minute of Spring Break with this boy, and am now counting down the school days til we are out for the summer! (33 more days to go)

Looking like he's posing for senior pictures on Easter Sunday at the lakefront.

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I don't usually wear a hat in class, but that tray of shapes? Use it all the time!

So three years ago I wrote Slowly Exhaling, where I summarized, without too much detail about the accreditation process/ evaluation my school goes through every three years. Three years, two kids and one minivan later, it was that time again this week.

Once again, I volunteered to go first, so my room was observed today and I had my consultation this afternoon. Our conversation was considerably shorter than last time–about 20 minutes total. Anyhoo, all is good. I got compliments up one side and down the other, and good advice/constructive suggestions that I can use. I must be getting soft hearted in my old age, because she told me I was too nice/ not strict enough, which made me laugh. I stop smiling tomorrow (an old teaching adage is not to let them see you smile til Christmas).

The nicest thing about today is that our evaluator gave a parent talk tonight. She sang our accolades to the parent body, which she didn’t have to do, but she did. She also recommended a website called Kids Talk News and I have to say, it is fabulous. Want to know more about the Montessori way of looking at the world? Go on and click through.

Next time our school goes through this process, I’ll be in the midst of my 16th yr of teaching and mom to a 2nd grader and a pre-K student.

Does time fly by this fast for you???

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Last month I wrote the ABC’s of Me as an introduction. You can read it and find out what size shoe I wear.

This month, well, this past week, anyway, mostly has been spent getting back into the swing of the school year. Classes start Monday, and this past week I’ve been setting up my classroom, trying to get the kids out the door on time as practice, and refreshing my memory on such skills as packing lunches, daycare bags and setting alarm clocks.

Also? I’ve been watching as my 14 month old son cuts FOUR GIANT TEETH at one time.

Thanks for visiting and any teething tips are greatly appreciated!! (we use Motrin, Tylenol, Hyland’s teething tablets, and are looking for more creative helpers!)

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Back to school means back to school supplies. Back to school supplies for students…..and teachers. I accepted this early on as part of my job–especially working in the private school sector. There are things I purchase with my own money for my classroom. Theoretically, that means if I choose to leave a classroom, I would take my personally purchased supplies with me. I don’t know what I would do with a bulletin board border or a pocket calendar at my house, but I’m sure MAM could come up with something.

ANYWAY. Today was a bit of a cluster at Staples. I ran in with the kids in tow to get supplies from MAM’s list, and some things I knew I needed for my room. At the register, our school’s tax exempt number wasn’t popping up. At 7% sales tax, I wasn’t about to make the purchase without that exemption, so I bought $22 worth of our personal supplies, and got on the phone with the school office.

After a little sluething, our rock star office manager had it set up for me to go back and by my goods. I dropped MAM off at her “bounce camp” activity, and took Jr. back to Staples with me. Of course, by this time he had fallen asleep, but no matter–I had everything behind the counter, and it would be quick.

Not quick enough to get me out of there without wanting to start spouting my State of Education Today speech while in line.

Parent 1: “Wow. That’s a lot of school supplies”

Parent 2: ” Yes–look at these list–this is first grade, this is third grade.”

Parent 1: “My first grader had a big list too–they actually had cleaning supplies on the supply list. I’m all like, Um, No. You can clean your own classroom.”

Um, sweetheart, your child’s teacher probably does to some extent. Does it kill you to send in some Clorox wipes to help the cause? She doesn’t put her hands her mouth, but your son probably does. I didn’t say that outloud. I shifted Jr’s weight to my other shoulder and walked up to the counter.

“Hi, I’m back. Did you get a phone call from my school? I’m glad my items are still right here!”

I bought a monster pencil sharpener, and the cashier told me about the replacement policy and I bought it as well, while saying, ” My students do sharpen a lot of pencils during the school year” as I was shifting poor Junior who was so desperately trying to stay asleep. The cashier then rang up the bulletin board, paper sorter and other odds and ends.

I looked at Parent 1. She looked at me. I didn’t need to say anything more, as I stood there, a teacher. On my “summer off”. Balancing a napping child, signing a personal credit card slip for $144, and buying a monster pencil sharpener for my students. One that may very well have been purchased by her son’s teacher too.

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