Frog and Toad

Gus is loving this "reading" thing, well as long as it's her idea. The last couple weeks we have been tip-toeing in some chapter books,
"Henry and Mudge"
"Amelia Bedelia"
"Frog and Toad"



I don't remember reading "Frog and Toad" before but i know it's been around for a while.
I love these books.
Frog and Toad are hilarious. They are great friends It's funny that i can see myself and best friend doing crazy things like these two friends are doing.
it has made me so grateful for my best friends.
We would be so lost without friends.
So thank you to all of you out there that i call friend!!

funniness

Gus is sitting in her bed and says to Handsome, "This is so wonderful sitting here with my feet under the covers enjoying it's warmness as I am crocheting"

shiver

New vocab word this week was shiver, after racking leaves saturday morning, we had Handsome demonstrate what "shiver" was

too much on my mind

lock-downs
cupcakes
veterans
sick kids
evacuations
fire drills
family
evaluation
testing
progress
friends
babies

oh my

yesterday after school, a friend was taking handsome for the afternoon,
she told him "get in the car before freeze your patootie"
he says "Uh i don't think i have one of those"
"just get in the car"
once inside the car she let's him know that a patootie is his bottom
he says "oh, well, i have one of those"

I am a Teacher

by John W. Schlatter

I am a Teacher.

I was born the first moment that a question leaped from the mouth

of a child.

I have been many people in many places.

I am Socrates exciting the youth of Athens to discover new ideas

through the use of questions.

I am Anne Sullivan tapping out the secrets of the universe

into the outstretched hand of Helen Keller.

I am Aesop and Hans Christian Andersen revealing truth

through countless stories.

I am Marva Collins fighting for every child's right to an education.

The names of those who have practiced my profession ring like a hall

of fame for humanity...Booker T. Washington, Buddha, Confucius, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Leo Buscaglia, Moses and Jesus.

I am also those whose names and faces have long been forgotten

but whose lessons and character will always be remembered in the accomplishments of their students.

I have wept for joy at the weddings of former students, laughed with

glee at the birth of their children and stood with head bowed in grief and confusion by graves dug too soon for bodies far too young.

Throughout the course of a day I have been called upon to be an

actor, friend, nurse and doctor, coach, finder of lost articles, money lender, taxi driver, psychologist, substitute parent, salesman, politician and a keeper of the faith.

Despite the maps, charts, formulas, verbs, stories and books, I have

really had nothing to teach, for my students really have only themselves to learn, and I know it takes the whole world to tell you who you are.

I am a paradox. I speak loudest when I listen the most. My greatest

gifts are in what I am willing to appreciatively receive from my students.

Material wealth is not one of my goals, but I am a full-time treasure

seeker in my quest for new opportunities for my students to use their talents and in my constant search for those talents that sometimes lie buried in self-defeat.

I am the most fortunate of all who labor.

A doctor is allowed to usher life into the world in one magic moment.

I am allowed to see that life is reborn each day with new questions, ideas and friendships.

An architect knows that if he builds with care, his structure may stand

for centuries. A teacher knows that if he builds with love and truth, what he builds will last forever.

I am a warrior, daily doing battle against peer pressure, negativity,

fear, conformity, prejudice, ignorance and apathy: But I have great allies: Intelligence, Curiosity, Parental Support, Individuality, Creativity, Faith, Love and Laughter all rush to my banner with indomitable support.

And who do I have to thank for this wonderful life I am so fortunate

to experience, but you the public, the parents. For you have done me the great honor to entrust to me your greatest contribution to eternity, your children.

And so I have a past that is rich in memories. I have a present

that is challenging, adventurous and fun because I am allowed to spend my days with the future.

I am a teacher...and I thank God for it every day.

Gus drama

this evening, the presidents and i were in the front yard raking leaves, there was a little bit of drama from Gus about how no one was helping her, i tried to talk to her about it but she just got mad so i walked in the house to put a little distance in the situation. she followed me inside and asked, "What are you doing?"
i told her i was just taking in a little break
her response "so your saying you don't love me?"
at this point it would not have mattered much what i said so i just told her i loved her and walked back outside!!
gotta love her little 16 yr old spirit!!

another name

"What she we name our baby?"
"how about Carmella?"
"why Carmella?"
"well she'll look as sweet as candy"
"where did you hear that? did someone else say that?
"mom, i just felt it in my heart"

birthday picture

Handsome drew this picture of me for my birthday
i asked him, "why is my belly so big?"
he said, "oh, sorry mom"

name idea

Handsome said to me today, we should name our little sister e-the. it's a really beautiful name and it has the word "the" in it

birthday traditions

cake and ice cream
Gus telling me what my present is before i open it
crazy busy out of my mind
finishing report cards
tears in my cake, not necessarily my cake but at least someones!!

smile

it's November how can you not SMILE!!