We Will Remember

Today our city had a parade.

A Patriotic Parade.

To celebrate.  To come together.  To remember. 

I will admit...  I wasn't looking forward to waking up early on a Saturday morning to go and represent my school in the parade... but I'm glad I did.  When we were pulling up to the meeting place this morning - I was surprised to see so many people.  So many uniforms.  So many flags.  It was definitely bigger than I anticipated.  Considering I saw people being bussed in from Charlotte to be in the parade.  And I'm so glad I went.  

To see so many people come out - wearing their red, white and blue.  Wearing their Veteran shirts.  Firefighters. Police Officers. Boy and Girl Scouts.  Waving their flags.  So many different people.  People from all walks of life.  Old, young.  Rich, poor.  Weak, strong.  All together.  All smiling.  All proud.  It was very moving.  

It may be 9 years later.  It may be one of many reasons our military is out there, all over the world fighting to keep our freedom intact and country safe.  But it proves that we will come together.  We will support.  We will celebrate.  We will remember.  Always.  

The other part of our group - riding in the Humvee.

Something else that was moving...After the parade we stopped at a store and while checking out we talked with the cashier about our sunburned faces and arms which led to us mentioning the parade.  Without missing a beat - she said:  "I was doing laundry."  

 Everyday, mundane laundry.  And she'll never forget it.  

I bet anyone over the age of 25 can tell you exactly what they were doing that Tuesday morning in 2001.  And I bet they'll be able to tell you what they were doing on that morning until the day they die.  

I don't think anyone needs to worry about forgetting.  Because I don't think that's possible.  

*Yes, I took every one of these pictures standing up, waving my flag, waving and smiling to everyone from the back of the truck.  Our 'float' had a bug that tried to crawl into my pants.  So...yeah.  That wasn't happening.  

One more thing...

"You can be sure that the American spirit will prevail over this tragedy." 

--Colin Powell, 2001

This makes my job worth it...

With all the drama at work lately it is a nice to have reminders of why I do what I do.  Kids are priceless.  Their simple, innocent minds are even better. The following randomness took place last week:

I was working at the table with a guided reading group while the rest of the class completed literacy activities at their own pace.  Everyone is working on their own or with a partner to read/discuss stories, the classroom is buzzing with 'active quiet' and things are getting accomplished (no easy feat in a first grade classroom thank you).  All the sudden, "R" comes over sniffling and wiping at his eyes, completely distraught.

Me:  What's wrong??  What happened??!?!

R:  I *sniffle* keep *sniffle* hpwejkpsjfkdh *exasperated sigh*

Me:  Whaaa?  I don't understand.  What happened?

R:  Nothing.  *walks away*

Me:  R! Come here!  I can't understand you baby.  You have to talk to me so I know what's going on.

R:  I just keep *sniffle* thinking about my dskjoshlsk ... *shudders*

Me: *looks around for someone to translate*

G:  I think he said he is thinking about his DS.

Me:  ?!?  Okay?  What about your DS?  Did you bring it here and lose it?

R:  *whimpers* noooooo

Me:  Okay?  Where is it?

R:  At hoooome.  *pouts*

Me: Okay?  Did you break it?

R:  Nooooooo. *sigh*

Me:  Did you get it taken away?

R: Nooooo.  *sniffle*

Me:  I don't understand.  What's the problem?

R: I. Was. Just. Thinking. About. It.  and I remembered *sobs the rest of this* I forgot to turn it offfffffff!!!!  *big crocodile tears emerge at this point*

Me:  Okay?  But can't you plug it in and charge it?

R:  Yeeeaaahhh but kjoisdhfsodfjds *still sobbing on my shoulder*

Me:  I. Don't. Understand.  If you can plug it in and charge it, why are you upset?  You can play while it charges right?

R:  Yeeaaaahh.  *hiccup*

Me:  So it will be okay...

R:  lkjoahoijoijadf (something that sounds vaguely like he won't be able to move around if it's plugged in.)

Me:  It'll be alright.  I promise.  *pats him on his back and begins cleaning the tears/snot off my shirt - soooo glad I recently cut my hair*

R: Okay.  *steadies himself* Okay.   *shakes it off and goes back to work*

Me:  ?!?

Okay.  What I wanted to explain to this spoiled rotten whippersnapper (said with love) - is that when I was his age - we had Nintendo.

Straight up OLD SCHOOL Nintendo.  

Wires and all.  With game cartridges that were bigger than his entire DS.  Game cartridges that you had to blow into so they would work.  We had games where Mario runs to the right, breaks bricks and jumps over stuff.  The concept of a 3D Mario world did not exist.   The concept of any kind of 3D game world did not exist.   We had games where you used a plastic gun (with a wire), stood one foot in front of the TV and shot ducks that flew up out of the bushes and when you missed them a dog came up out of the bushes and laughed at you (trust.  I was a terrible shot).  

There he is.  Hey old friend.  Good Times.  Good Times.

There was no such thing as a handheld touch screen for children's video games.  There was no concept of wireless.  There was also no concept of walking around and/or playing in the car, outside or anywhere but 2 feet in front of the TV.  We had to sit on the floor to play b/c the cords didn't reach the couch.  And. It. Was. Heaven.  

When did I get so old??!??!?  *sad face*

But srsly thanks to "R" for reminding me why it is that I do what I do.  I can deal with the BS and politics if in return I can surround myself with these sweet babies everyday (well...most days...they're not always so sweet and innocent...).   ;)



*images found via google images

If you need me...

I'll be here...

Putting my toes in the water!

Hopefully the NC coast is as beautiful and fun as the SC coast.

Suzi Homemaker

Just managed to get a spoon stuck...and I mean STUCK in the garbage disposal.  Yes my friend, I am the portrait of domestic bliss.

Perhaps I should keep the day job?

What I'll be doing...

on my two hour delay tomorrow morning...

Yeah.

Woo Hooooooooooooo!

And THAT is how it's done!

*dancing Happy dance all around the living room*


...actually...I've been doing my happy dance since that interception and TD


Goooooooooooo SAINTS!!!

This is how we roll...

Murphy is straight-up, hardcore on a road trip. Srsly.

Snow? SNOW!!?!?!

This...

...is what I woke up to Saturday. Sooooo glad we went home for the weekend. Otherwise I would have been very jealousmuch!

More snow!! Holy Crap! It just doesn't do that around here!

But alas...we are in the south. It always melts the next day. *sighs* It may have been too hard and too much ice to build a legit snowman but still. It. Snowed. And. I. Was. There. I'm a happy Jen.

A contest

(that I would have won - nope, not bitter at all)

OOOOOOOOOOoooooooooh!!! Count me in! Wait. What are we playing?

Dear Jason,

Since you sabotaged me in our impromptu Tiny-Paper-Heart-Folding-Contest (b/c I so totally was going to WIN...and you know it)....

Status: Single...Veeeerrrrry Single.

LOL *runs and hides* Hey at least this isn't Facebook!

Love, Me

Sweet Victory

*commences happy dance*

It only took 20 some odd years since Jason declared that the Saints had to be my team since I just happened to be born in New Orleans - but Sweet Justice prevailed - "MY" Saints are going to the Super Bowl. Woo Hoo!

I don't even care if they win. B/C win or lose - they're going. And That's All That Matters. In. Yo. Face. Jason... And all the other haters *cough-Veronica & Nick & Everyone I work with-cough*... And all those pesky Bills fans...

*resumes In YO Face dance*

I've never been more excited to be the only Non-New Englander/Northerner in my family. ;-)

Sorry Patriots (i.e. - Tom Brady) I still love you. Just a little less now.

A good day...

I have no real, major reason to say I had a good day... just a few things that made me happy, smile or LOL. I tend to stay away from the blog if I'm not feeling up to scratch or funny or interesting - which is probably why I haven't been posting too often. B/c lets be honest here... boring, tired, not in any remotely way interesting posts are not fun to read. They're actually kind of depressing. And usually I wouldn't even boast my good day in fear that some strong reckoning force of karma would come down on me for being conceited or cocky... but since it hasn't been the best of times lately... I think I deserve an all encompassing good day. So I am glad to post- finally - to say it was a good day. Simple - no earth shattering event - just all in all - good day.

It was nice today. Cool, breezy, slightly rainy (I'm weird...I like rain). Just nice. A quote ran through my head as I waited outside to pick up my kids from art class as the breeze went through my hair: "I will not always be ... lost at sea". It was a nice peaceful moment and a realization that even though things aren't always good or going my way; it won't always be this way.

Here are some other possible contributing factors for my good day...

1. I have a new front passenger window. (Wow... a new window... *rolls eyes*) well I don't know if YOU have ever walked out to find your car violated and broken ... but I have ... 3 times. And I have to say I just feel whole again knowing it has been put back together. In addition, I have a fancy car alarm now - which just makes me feel secure on a whole new level. My car is now like a fortress... ok not really. But it gives me a good feeling anyway.

2. My nice, happy emails from Mom every morning. Now I know how it feels to be on the other side of the email club (getting one every morning instead of sending one). And I tell you... It. Feels. Good. to get a quick email every morning telling me any random tidbit and to have a good day. Especially the one from this morning telling me to have a good (rainy) day. It made me remember that I like to pretend I live in Forks, WA (the wettest place in the Continental US) when it rains. :) Thanks Mom.

3. I have a cool new cell phone... I've lived in the dark ages way too long with not-cool phones. Mind you it isn't a Blackberry... after closer consideration... I realized that I just don't need one. I am never that far away from a computer so I really don't need Internet access in my phone - nor would I use 87.2% of the features (I've lived in the dark ages remember? I wouldn't know what to do with all that technology). So I get really excited to send people a text with my full keyboard or get a call now with my happy ringtone. Nick is still working on the specialized ringtones... And now I can TEXT without taking 8 years. YAY!! *Veronica dances happy dance*



4. One of the other teachers did the best thing ever this morning... when sending my kids into the classroom she commented on my appearance (it was picture day) and told my kids that their teacher looks beautiful today. Well you KNOW 6 year olds... (1) they will take ANY opportunity to talk (2) they will use any excuse to have a reason to say something to me that will get a positive reaction (3) they are copycats (4) they forget things after 5 minutes and think everyone else does too ... the list goes on... so OF COURSE they all had to comment on my appearance. Which isn't that out of the ordinary since I usually hear random things - and I quote: "I like your hair" (when it's all ratty -not when it's styled) "I like your...pants" (when I'm wearing khakis - not when I'm wearing something nice) "I like your...socks" (when they're plain - not when I'm wearing really cute or funny ones) "I like your...nail polish" (when it is boring, bland off white - not when they're painted red, blue, black, purple, green, sparkled...). See where I'm going with this? And yes the "..." is when they are thinking about what they can say and looking me up and down trying to find something to compliment me on... *smirks*

...Even though I can totally see through them and know they just want to please me or get a hug for saying something sweet - I still eat it up (every. last. crumb.). However, today the compliments kept coming. Remember when I said they forget things after 5 minutes? Well since they do... I guess they "forgot" she already said it and thought I would too -so the compliments kept coming ALL day, sometimes from the SAME kids- over and over. I think EVERY KID complimented my appearance today. "You look pretty" "I like your hair like that" "I like your shirt" (even though I've worn it frequently) "I like your pants" (WTF plain old black pants? umm okay?) "I like your fingernail polish" (half chipped away black with sparkle *yes! someone noticed one of my bold nail polishes*) "I like your...hair" "I like your... name tag" (okay?).

You get the gist. You'd think It would get old. It doesn't. You'd think it would bother me and make me wonder if I look like a garbage bag every other day. It didn't. You'd think since I know it is phony and only brought on b/c someone else already said it - it wouldn't bring a smile to my face. It definitely didn't change my reaction.

5. Speaking of kids - I heard twice today that other teachers complimented my kids/class for how well they handle themselves. The art teacher told me that she feels like their art class is like a free period for her b/c they are so easy to work with. They listen, they follow directions and they are able to do things that the other kids can't do. A second grade teacher made her kids watch us at lunch today and while they lined up b/c she told them that if a FIRST grade class can act like that then THEY should be able to too.

6. The school photographer complimented me on being the "mom away from home" for my kids b/c I straightened up their clothes and hair before they took their pictures. I mean he was really sweet when he said it and told me that it was well beyond my job description and so nice to see me 'looking after them so they'd take a good picture' - but I was kind of like 'umm...dude this IS part of my job and these ARE my kids away from home". I mean pictures are expensive these days and how would you feel if your kid brought home pictures where they looked like total rag dolls? Srsly.


7. And one last thing - I received a 'letter' from one of my kids from last year in my box Monday. So I wrote back and 'sent' it to her through her new teacher. Well guess who shows up today afterschool and wanted to hang out until they called her daycare? It was pretty awkward at first but then she took on the "I'm cool b/c I'm the older kid" role and interacted with my new kids. Which was all good until she left and said "I'll see you tomorrow afterschool". *facepalm* Didn't see that coming... Maybe being the beloved 'old teacher' isn't all it is cracked up to be. I guess I can put her to work and have her help me clean up and grade papers or something...


You know? Maybe these kids aren't so bad after all. (just kidding - I LOVE my kids)

So all in all...a good day. I guess everyone is entitled to one every now and then huh?

Best Compliment Ever...

I had two kids come to me today (on separate occasions mind you), latch on, and not want to let go. Why you ask? Well I wondered the same thing. The first told me how much he missed me and asked (begged) to come back to my class to stay. The second one told me it was because 1st grade with me was so much better than 2nd grade with her new teacher. Awwww... how sweet (for me). Srsly. The second child's teacher witnessed this and said "well it must be b/c you are so much nicer than me". Ummmmm...how about no. I have to be the meanest, strictest 1st grade teacher there. I'm serious...just ask my mom -she'll tell you. You don't want to know how many times I hear "they're just babies" or "they're only 6 - what do you expect?" from certain people (not you mom - talking about someone here). I mean srsly - I DON'T put up with the nonsense (i.e. CRAP they try to pull) and I probably do expect them to behave like they are older than they are but you know what??? It works - and they DO live up to my expectations. And they're better for it. There may be some hurt feelings and tears occasionally - but they KNOW what's up.

I may be a meanie - but they obviously also know that (deep down - haha) I must love them too. Well most days anyway...

So to have these kids seek me out and want so desperately to come back to my class is really sweet, I think. B/c that means they must really L-O-V-E me!! Awwww... That's what I'm going to think anyway...

Speaking of compliments - I got another good one today. While waiting for everyone to have their picture taken (picture day...yay... *where's that sarcastic font?!?*), my kids got pretty wild and unruly. When everyone was done and we were lining up - I apologized to the librarians for them being so wild and they told me "no they were really good - some of the best behaved all day!!!" and then we discussed how our 'wild' is actually 'really good' for most other kids.

So I guess I can't complain too much huh?

Not. Too. Shabby.

My Day

Well this won't be too exciting. You have been warned. Continue reading at your own risk. You may need a chair and some coffee.

So I am legit now. I even have a certificate for being a presenter today. It looks all official and stuff. I got to feel important for a few hours I guess. It sounds all important and stuff but in reality we just went to FMU (that's where the conference was), got our official presenter packets (woo hoo!), got a nifty name tag (ok it wasn't really that nifty. I could print another one if I wanted to), set up our room and waited for the people to come. I even got to be tech support (sort of) when we couldn't find a wireless network to connect to (what we needed to get internet in the room) I have a little experience in that area but I really didn't help much. The computer just needed a little more time to connect to the network. Once the people came we started talking about what we do for SMART Night and how we plan it out. I've never thought too much about it being out of the ordinary but I guess it is something to be proud of. Everyone was really into it and excited about doing the things we talked about and showed them with their students. They kept saying "wow I can see my kids doing this" and what not. I was like "that's kind of the point" you know?!? They really liked it that we plan all of these activities that correlate with the state standards that they can do at home with stuff they most likely already have at home. They also thought it was cool that 1. We were actually from here. (I guess they thought we traveled to present at their conference) and 2. That we were the actual people that thought up the activities and did this with our actual students and parents. So it went well. I even got an umbrella for being a presenter. That made it totally worth it. ;)

The absolute B.E.S.T part was one woman was looking through the book that we had printed from the SMART Night we did this year and stopped on MY page. (we each had to type out a page that outlined what we did in each session by grade level and my session (with Mrs. Taylor) was "egg'citing math) So she stops on that page and says "wow what a great idea!" I was like that's MY session!!! So she wanted me to tell her all about it and I was able to tell her FIRST HAND how well it worked with the kids and how I even made more to use in the classroom on a regular basis. You remember me needing the egg cartons right? Well that's what this was. So that was cool. She left saying that she would definitely do it next year! I can't take all the credit though. The original idea came from Mrs. Taylor. We worked together to get it together and I presented it back in April at school. So I feel like it's partially my 'baby' too. You know what I mean?

So yeah it went well. They had to do surveys and we got glowing reviews from everyone. The only negative was that some wished the session was longer!

So all in all it was a pretty good time. I was thinking the group would be lagging since our session was right after they ate lunch but they weren't. Maybe our session was that good.

I wonder now if we won't have to do other conferences with more sessions (like be there all day). That wouldn't be bad.

After that I was feeling pretty good. When we got back to school I stopped by my classroom and saw that it hasn't been destroyed. So I have hope that it will be in one piece once the summer camp is done with it. They are using my carpets though. How dare they. Just kidding...maybe... Melissa was like "ugh- you have the 5 yr olds in your room!?!" I was like "dude srsly I have 6 yr olds regularly. It's not like it's that different."

I should have taken a picture in my official presenter outfit and name tag. But I didn't. sorry.
:( Everyone said I looked really pretty though. :) I actually curled my hair and put decent make -up on today. Maybe I'll do that more often when we go back. I tend to get lax and don't want to take the time to curl my hair.

After that we went grocery shopping and then Nick talked me into going swimming *cringes from sunburn flashbacks*. He was bored and has been dying to go swimming since I got charred last week. So we slathered me up with sun screen and went to the pool at 6:30. So it wasn't bad. Oh yeah - I am now peeling like crazy. You don't want me to take a picture of that I promise. THEN we decided to take Murphy to the dog park and let him run around for a while. He was the only dog there so he had fun. There is a pond there with a bunch of fish jumping around. He was soooooo afraid of them!! He would jump back and then run away every time one jumped. It was pretty funny. He is definitely NOT a water dog. We had a good time talking about Kate and imagining how she would be hanging out in the middle of the pond getting all the abandoned balls and fishing bobs (is that what they are called) that got marooned.

So that was my Monday. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

How was your Monday?

I know I am starting to get excited about Harry Potter coming out in like 16 days!!! I bet you're not. But that's okay. I'll forgive you this once. We can't all be excited about HP. We might even go to the midnight showing. :) I might even get a t-shirt. Yeah I'm serious. I'm still planning to get a Team Edward shirt. And yes I will wear it/them to the movies. But I won't be going the the midnight showing of New Moon. Two reasons: 1. If it does come on on a Thursday I can't hang with getting up and going to work the next day. 2. I refuse to watch it with a bunch of screaming idiots (if I can at all help it).

So that was my day. :) Hopefully you didn't fall off of your chair from boredom. Or go blind from having to read too many words with no pictures. ;)