Christmas Eve

Happy Christmas Eve!!

My day started off with enjoying a pumpkin bread that I received from one of my kids on Friday. In the spirit of the day, I decided to even share it with my family. ;) It was fantastic!!

 Later today is one of my favorite traditions of the year. We watch "It's a Wonderful Life," then go to church, and when we return, it's game-on time! It's a Wonderful Life trivia!!! Later we  read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and then it's lights-out because it's time to wait for Santa.

 Wish me luck for the game! :) I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Friday, 12/21/12

Whoa! What a whirlwind of a day! We just wrapped up our classroom party. It was absolutely perfect! We had two moms who stepped in at the last minute and two who had been on the planning team from the beginning and it all came together so amazingly!! Thank you soooooooooooooo much to those special moms. You made this afternoon very memorable for the kids.

I hope you all have a fantastic winter break. I hope your Christmas and New Years are full of fun and laughter.

I have to put the obligatory plug in for the importance of reading, practicing spelling and math and doing writing over break. Some of my kids took their journals home over break to write. I don't know if they'll actually do it (I'm taking papers home to grade...we'll see how that goes....), but it made me so proud that they initiated wanting to take it home.

If you're going to the candlelight vigil at Usher Park tonight, maybe I'll see you there. I know it's going to be so cold, but it is one of the jillion reasons I love my town so much. When there is a need to come together as a community for the purpose of celebration or healing, Itasca does it with purpose and heart. It will be the perfect ending to this day which I began with a moment of silence, then filled with anything but silence (I wouldn't have it any other way!!).

Happy Holidays!!

XOXO (and a HO HO HO!!)

Thursday, 12/20/12

I'm sitting here on Stormwatch '12. So far it's rain. Doesn't it always seem that way--that they make the world's biggest fuss about the first snow, and then it's just a dusting. I don't think that will be the case this time, but we shall see. I just hope I'm hope in my warm house before it hits. Tonight is the Kindergarten program. I heard them talking about the fact that it snows every year on the night of their program. I thought that was a tiny bit funny. I didn't tell them though--I didn't think they found it funny, especially since one year we even had a snow day the next day. ;)

The kids finished up their project for their parents today. I must admit, I LOVE how it turned out. I hope the parents do too.

Today I read the kids The Polar Express, and you'll never believe this, but as they were getting packed up at the end of the day, the kids found silver bells in their lockers!!!! It was sooo exciting! Thankfully each one of them jingled theirs and heard the sound and so did I!! Phew!!!!

Only one day left together in 2012. I'm amazed at how fast it goes. I always say once Halloween hits, it may as well be June. The holidays make the year fly by. (someone please remind me of that when we're in the doldrums of winter and I'm complaining about the cold)  In all seriousness, before we know it, it will be Valentines Day, then St. Patricks Day, then spring break, and then forget it...we're nearly done. I already miss the kids!! LOL! Just kidding, but it it does amaze me how fast it goes by. Oh---speaking of the holidays, I saw Valentines Day stuff in a store the other day. Can you believe it??? Who on this earth is shopping for Valentines Day during the chaos of Christmas???

On that note--signing off til tomorrow.

Tuesday, 12/18/12

This morning, despite it being only for a split second, we officially had our FIRST SNOW!!! The kids noticed immediately, so of course I had to stop everything for one of my favorite traditions. The kids all gathered by the window and we took a minute to imagine we were in a snow globe. How darling is the picture below???



Imagining we are in snow globe while watching the first snow of the season!!!

 On an academic note: The kids are officially masters at regrouping in addition. We finished the chapter today and will take the test tomorrow. That's pretty exciting stuff in my opinion--one of the first "grown-up" math lessons the kids learn in second-grade. Interestingly, at this point the conversation turns to, "The math facts need to be memorized. You know the hard part--the regrouping, you got this problem wrong because of the addition!!" It kind of kills me. The kids quickly pick up the new, the abstract concept, but then get hung up on the math facts that they were supposed to have had memorized last year. One of these days I'll unlock the trick for kids to quickly memorize math facts and then I'll market it and make my millions. One of these days....

On that note (LOL!), have a good night!

Monday, 12/17/12

I'm finding it hard to find the appropriate place to begin tonight. I had a long string of thoughts written before I left school but they didn't feel right to publish, so I packed up my computer and brought it home. Here I am starting all over. As a teacher, any time there is a tragic event such as this, I am forced to break out of my bubble, face reality and put myself into the teachers' shoes. This time, of course, while similar to those of the past, was completely different. This time----I didn't have to put myself in their shoes, those teachers were me. They went to a beautiful elementary school every day. They laughed and loved with their students while watching them grow and blossom each day. They experienced every emotion in the book on any given day, from joy to pride to frustration to heartache, but they wouldn't dream of being anywhere else in the world but alongside their kids for one year of their precious lives. They knew it was a gift they were given. They knew it was privilege. And they knew there was nothing on this earth that they would not do for those dear little children. On Friday, there was nothing that they did not do. Those teachers and staff members were tested by evil and their instincts and love took over. They shielded, protected and managed bravery in the most frightening of all circumstances. I am proud to count myself in their company, and I will pray for and to them every single day. I will ask for their guidance, and I will teach in their honor. Time will pass and the utter pain from Friday will lessen, but God willing, I will carry the teachers from Newtown, Connecticut in my heart and carry out that which I now know I have in common with them, the visceral instinct to do everything possible to shield, love and protect my kids. Rest in peace 26 beautiful souls and with patience, find peace and calm town of Newtown, CT. <3

Friday, 12/14/12

OMGosh-----TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've never been so happy to have a week behind me. It started on Sunday with a very scary plumbing situation at my house (involving the sewer line---ugh!!!). By God's grace it wound up being the best-case scenario and a wonderful friend with mad plumbing skills came to my rescue!!  Then of course, this whole voice thing has worn my nerves thin. Luckily, by Wednesday the week had done a complete 180, but, man oh man, am I ever ready for the weekend. I'm having a small group of friends over for some food, games and laughs on Saturday and then Sunday ----- oooh  Sunday, it's one of the days I've been waiting for all year. The movie "It's a Wonderful Life" is showing at the Hollywood Blvd Theater.  That movie is a part of my family's Christmas Eve tradition (we even have an "It's a Wonderful Life" trivia board game that we play after watching the movie and a homemade trophy which goes to the winner each year), and it has become tradition with my friends that we go see it on the big screen at Hollywood Blvd. Remember back in November how I told you that an actual munchkin attends the showing of "The Wizard of Oz" at that theater each year?? Well, for "It's a Wonderful Life," the woman who played the little girl Zuzu ("Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.") comes to the showing. She does photos and autographs in the lobby and then right before the movie starts, she comes into the theater and shares some stories from the making of the film. It's just magical! If you love that movie and have any free time this weekend, check it out. You'll love it!! Here's the website:  www.atriptothemovies.com

The kids have been so amazing through all of my voice shenanigans. I can't say it enough. Yesterday was the first day that it started to try to come back. I guess at one point in the day, I'm sure after I'd tried to sing or something,  Mrs. Drummond overheard one of the girls say, "She's baaaack!"   There are so very many funny moments each day. I always think, "Oh, I've got to remember to put this in my blog," but then we get going with our lessons and I forget. I've got to get better at trying to write things down when they happen.

Today the 2nd grade is performing their winter program for the first graders. I'm excited to see them do the show one more time.

Oh no----I'm just starting to get some brief information about the school shooting at the elementary school in CT. I can't even begin to tell you what my heart is doing right now. I am sick! I make a very solemn promise to my students and their parents that my #1 concern, even above their education, is the kids' emotional and physical safety. I can't even let my mind think much about this while the kids are still at school. It is bringing me to tears. I feel for the teachers, children, parents and community who will be healing from this horrific act of evil and cowardice. Those lives will be forever changed. It's disgusting and beyond heartbreaking.

I hate to sign off on that note, but there's not more to say after that.
Have a nice weekend and give your children extra hugs!!!

Thursday, 12/13/12

Not too much to report tonight, so I'll just entertain you with some pictures:

MJ observing our little world from a snowflake hanging from the ceiling.



Our classroom tree. When it was first up, one of the kids was asking where the star was at the top. I don't have a star for the top of this tree, so I asked him to make one. I think it's the most beautiful star I've ever seen!!! Don't you agree??




What our tree looks like when the lights are off.



One more angle.

Wednesday, 12/12/12

Hi there! It's been awhile! I'm so sorry I've been M.I.A. I've been dealing with this laryngitis situation. I went to the doctor Monday afternoon and got a prescription, then took yesterday afternoon off to rest my voice. I think it's all working because, while I'm not back to full voice, today is definitely better than it's been in a while (nearly 3 weeks to be exact--ugh!!!). I feel like now I just sound like I have a frog in my throat more than having complete loss of voice. Before long I'll be back to singing------it's been hard just doing regular old talking when teaching. When the spirit moves me, I gotta belt things out; things like "Take out your math book pleeeeeeaaaassssse."  Not to mention that, besides it just being annoying, it takes a lot of energy to get words out. I was FINALLY able to read a bit to the kids today. I've soooo missed that!! We got to the end of the chapter and I asked them if they wanted me to go on or if my voice was too annoying. They said it wasn't annoying and I should go on. How awesome are they???

Need I even mention how excited I am about today's date????  I guess tons and tons of people are getting married today. Ugh!! Another reason to be aggrevated that I haven't found Mr. Right. Of course, there'll be an 11-12-13 coming up next year---I could shoot for that! LOL!!! Mr. Right are you out there????? I have our wedding date picked out!!!  HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I saw a kid on the news today who is turning 12 today on 12-12-12 and, get this-----his birth certificate shows that he was born at 12:12. I guess there's no need to ask what his favorite number is!! Or to mention how jealous I am. I, however, was born on August 30th, and so to this day I have friends friends from high school who tell me that they think of me if they notice it says 8:30 on the clock. I'm sooo annoying with this number thing!!!

I have a funny story for you. Yesterday somehow it came up that I don't live with my parents (I love how that's always shocking information to second-graders!). One of the kids asked who I live with. I pointed to myself. Upon figuring this all out, the child said, "Wait! So you get to play video games alllll daayyyyy???" I had to disappoint her by telling her that I don't own a video game system (although I must admit that I'd LOVE to have that one that has the Just Dance, or whatever it's called, program. I'd totally ROCK that!!!) But is it not hilarious that the kids would think that because I don't have parents or brothers/sisters in my house that I must play video games all day long. I thought that was both hilarious and genius!

Okay----I think I've rambled on enough to make up for my lack of posts the last 2 days. Until tomorrow...

Friday, 12/7/12

I feel like I should write a disclaimer: I cannot be responsible for anything written below:

You see, in addition to having had an extra-long work day yesterday, today is pajama day for the whole school. So, I'm a bit worn out from the week (this lack of having a voice has gone from novel little change in the regular routine of things to being incredibly annoying) and being able to wear pajamas to school, I can't be held responsible for what I write or if I happen to fall asleep mid-senten...

LOL!

How AMAZEBALLS was the kids' program?? I need a moment to send a shout-out to our beyond-incredible music and art teachers! That scenery that Mr. Whitney creates simply blows my mind every year! I can't made a stinking stick figure and that guy can whip out that scenery as easy as riding a bike.  And Mrs. Kozakis with her grace and talents in teaching over 80 second-graders to prepare for and execute such a precious program in just a few weeks??? Truthfully, we are so incredibly blessed at our school to have the most talented staff on the planet!!

Speaking of amazing staff members--our library teacher organized the annual Read for 2013 (named for whatever year we're about to begin) for the kids today. All of the first and second graders invaded the library and read or listened to stories for 2013 seconds. That's a lot of seconds!!! Parent volunteers came to read to children or the children were allowed to have free reading on their own. A few weeks ago Mrs. Reuter had the children choose a topic that they'd like to hear books about (anything from mummies to dinosaurs to Mrs. Reuter's favorites). The children either chose a topic or, if they preferred, signed up to read independently. She then solicited volunteers, organized the nearly 200 children into groups and voila! hours and hours of work later, it culminated today when we all wore our pj's and snuggled up with some good reading for 2013 seconds!! Mrs. Reuter makes it look easy, but she deserves a gigantic thank you for the work that is involved!! Thank you Mrs. Reuter!!

Now, I'm going to pretend that the beautiful baldy Urlacher is going to have miracle recovery so I can safely say GGGGOOOOOOOOOOO  BEEEAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRSSSS!!!! And feel that we have a shot on Sunday. It's a miraculous time of year, after all!!!

XOXO Have a wonderful weekend!!

Thursday, 12/6/12

Not much to report today. The kids had their rehearsal at Peacock. They did so incredibly well. Pretty much the whole time they were standing on the risers and not one child complained!! In fact not a one of them even came to ask to get a drink, use the bathroom, etc. I can't be certain, but I think that may be a record-setting rehearsal!

I CANNOT wait to see the program. I can't wait to see the kids soooo cute and excited. This feels like the official kick-off to the season for me.

See you all later!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, 12/5/12

Don't you love that the dates this month are palindromes?? I LOVE it!!! I've loved it one month per year for the past 11 years, and it's sad to think that after this month it won't happen again in our lifetime. All the more reason to enjoy it while it lasts. (Queen of the Dorks, remember??)

Tomorrow morning we will travel to Peacock for our final program rehearsal. The kids will experience the show from their spots on the risers. I'm so excited! During recess on the days that Mrs. Kozakis teaches at Franzen, I've been working with all of the kids who have speaking parts. They've improved drastically since the first time I heard them run through the show. They're going to do such a great job!! And I've told you about the songs. Some are fun, some are funny and there's the one.... the one that could move mountains when you hear nearly 100 little tiny voices singing it. (if only those in Washington, D.C. could hear what we will be hearing, they could use a little softening sometimes)

I have to show you my newest Christmas decoration. I have it on the table in our classroom, but I'm thinking about keeping it out year-round in my house. It's just too darn cute!!!

Tuesday, 12/4/12

Get this! I just had a huge and wildly charming (that description may be a smidge overblown, the memory always embellishes things, right?) blog written and I hit some button and it all disappeared. My eyes got big as doughnuts and my crackly voice eeked out NNNNOOOOOO! But it didn't come back. I tried to undo, but it didn't work, so I'll start over and try to recreate the magic. The irony is, I usually save mulitple times as I'm writing, but today I was in such a zone that I didn't. I think it automatically saves for me--because I saw the save button blink right after the changes were made so I couldn't even bank on the possibility of a Hail Mary back-up. Here we go, round two: (***hits Save button***)

Today started off perfectly normally. Well, except that I got all the way down Irving Park to Woodfire (remember that place?? It had the world's best mashed potatoes!!) and realized I'd forgotten my boots at home. Luckily I'm in the habit of getting to school very early, so heading back home for my boots (and earrings and lunch) that I'd forgotten was no big deal. We had a meeting that ended early---score! I had a funny conversation with a co-worker------always awesome and then the kids came. What happened next was fun with a capital F! I saw a gorgeous hand-made Christmas-y floral arrangement and pumpkin bread that were all for me! I can't help but wonder what I've done to deserve such gracious and thoughtful gifts being showered on me lately. Later in the day I found out that the pumpkin bread/floral arrangement were all my student's idea and nearly all created by her. (there's some serious talent running through her!!) I know that I sound like a broken record when I go on and on in this blog about how deeply thankful and humbled I am, but I wouldn't say these things if I didn't mean them. I can only hope that I am putting out  at least as much of the good karma that I have been on the receiving end of.

Funny little story to end on:
Overheard in the room today: "Never, ever, ever, ever give up." "Not giving up!" "Never give up!" (this was a conversation between 3 different kids) It's hard not to be proud when the kids are doing a pretty difficult project and rather than complain or ask for help--this is what they say. I have a poster in the room that says 'Never never never ever give up'-----and rarely do I do things for them, I'm forever saying "fix it," "find it," "solve it," etc, maybe it's all starting to wear off on them. Dare I dream!!!

Lastly--check out this little bugger:





See, he's in the candy basket. This would be no big deal, except some of the kids earned the chance to pick out of there today. They couldn't, of course,  because no one wanted to run the risk of him being touched and MJ disappearing. Hopefully he'll have had his share today and move on!!



Monday, 12/3/12

Hello and happy Monday!!  I feel like it's been forever since I last wrote. I try to write on Thursdays but I have meetings which often makes it hard. I was gone on Friday, so I couldn't write then either. So, hello again, old friends. I hope you had a good weekend. I had tickets to Les Miserables downtown on Saturday. Ohhhh, how I love that show. It was my 5th time seeing it. I'm counting down the minutes until the movie is released. I hope it lives up to my expectations! It surely looks like it will.  =)

Our day started off with a buzz of excitement. One of our girls who has looooong gorgeous curly hair came in with a new hairstyle--a bob!!!! OMG--I couldn't get over how A-DOOOOORRRR-UH---BLE she looked. Then, come to find out, she'd donated her hair to an organization to help others. So she got a cute new 'do out of it as well as a warm fuzzy in her heart. I was one proud teacher!!!

You may have heard that my voice is less-than lovely right now. That post-nasal blech/cough has left me with slim pickens in the vocal cord department. The kids have been so awesome about it today. They've been working super hard and very quietly. Have I mentioned recently how much I love them?? Fortunately it feels like the cough is slowly getting better, so this voice thing should be wrapped up any time now. It's funny to be a teacher and not have a voice. It's certainly not something that could ever stop me-----but it's just a little weird when a main element of your job is talking. Of course, in retrospect, maybe I should hope lasts awhile since the kids have been so quiet and cooperative today. Tee hee!!!

Looks like someone had a fun weekend!!!!

Please don't forget that the kids' program is THIS THURSDAY, the 6th. The kids need to be at Peacock no later than 6:40 p.m. They are asked to be dressed in a white shirt and black bottoms. The IEPTO holds a bake sale and a raffle as well so come early and enjoy the fun. (don't forget your tissue--I'm telling you, there's a tear jerker song in there!!)

Have a nice night--go out and enjoy this crazy weather!!!

Sunday, Bears Day, 12/2/12

GGGGGGOOOOOO BBBBEAAAAAAAARRRRRRSSSSSS!!!

(Phew! That was a close one. I made it in 11/12 hours under the wire. Better result in a W!!!!)