Family Milestones

I think it was John Lennon who said "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans" or something along those lines. I can't believe that in just 2 weeks the "teenaged one" will have completed his second year away at college. Wow that sure went fast!

For the past 2 months blogging has been put on the back burner. Our oldest niece made her confirmation and our youngest nephew made his first communion. Pop shared with our family the news that his book will be getting published in a few months. How exciting is that? My sweetie made the decision to return to school & get his college degree.

As for me... just 7 weeks 'til summer vacation, but who's counting?

Seussical Day

Yesterday we celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday in our kindergarten class. The kids made red & white striped hats & we made a graph of our favorite Dr. Seuss books. I was lucky to pick up the hat I'm wearing in the picture above at Target (just $2- what a buy!)

While the kids were making their graphs, I started thinking about my favorite books (by Dr. Seuss and other authors). When I got home last night I finally completed my top 10 list.... here it is!

1. Last of the Mohicans - what can I say, this is one of the greatest pieces of American literature.
2. The Godfather - family values at its best.
3. The Thorn Birds - the Australian outback, passion, family secrets & a naughty catholic priest.
4. The Count of Monte Cristo - revenge is a dish best served cold!
5. Green Eggs and Ham - message: don't be afraid to try new things.
6. To Kill a Mockingbird - another great work of American literature
7. The Very Hungry Caterpillar - great story with amazing illustrations.
8. A Time To Kill - justified homocide? what would you do if this happened to your child?
9. The Stand - no list would be complete without at least 1 Stephen King book.
10. Confessions of a Shopaholic - a kindred spirit? maybe!

I know a lot of these books have been made into movies, but they can't compare with the rich descriptive language of the printed word.... so go curl up with a great book!

Dodging the Bullet

Cop: Do you know why I pulled you over ?
Me: yes officer, because I was talking on the phone.
Cop:may I have your license, registration & insurance card?

A couple of days ago, while I was driving home from work I was pulled over by a police officer. Normally I am a law abiding citizen. What treacherous act was I perpetrating just blocks from my school? Talking on my cell phone. Did I mention that in my county & state this is illegal? Did I also mention that I am constantly harping on this issue to my "teenaged one"?

While the cop was checking my license on the computer in his vehicle he got an urgent call over the police band radio. He came back to my car in a big hurry.

Cop: Today's your lucky day, I got a call about a riot at the local high school...gotta go!
Me: What? Thanks officer!

No ticket today..... Note to self ... start using your ear piece when you drive.

Report Card Week

Normally I hate the end of the quarter .... lots of paper work & not enough time to do it. This is the first time in 18+ years of Kindergarten that I'm not overwhelmed with getting the report cards finished on time. During the final week of the first quarter a new teacher was hired to handle the overflow in the K classes. What a Godsend this was for me & the rest of the kindergarten staff!
With a small class , I can teach instead of babysit... kids are learning how to write sentences independently... we have kids who can read to their peers... I don't go home with a headache every day!!!!

I've probably just jinxed myself for next year... I guess I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

Pampered Pets / Spoiled Kids

I can't believe my first blog entry of 2010 is dedicated to dogs. Yesterday I was doing some shopping at my local mall when I encountered not one , but two women pushing strollers with their canine "babies". Maybe I've led a sheltered life, but when did it become a mandate that a pet must go every where his master goes? Unless you have a guide dog there is no need for your pet to be at the Food Court with you munching on a soft pretzel!

The last time I looked most dogs (& cats) had 4 legs & walked very well on their own. The same goes for school aged children... since when does a 6 year old need to be in a stroller? If your child is that tired that he can't walk through the mall then,
....GO HOME YOU NIT WIT PARENT!!!!

My apologies to all .... this was not meant to offend anyone, but when you spend all day , everyday with 5 year olds your patience might grow short. xoxo Happy 2010 to all!

A Visit from Santa

Two days ago we had a holiday fundraiser at my school. Notices were sent home to the parents... "Have your child's picture taken with Santa at school" $5 for a 5" X 7" or $10 for an 8" X 10"(much cheaper than photos at the mall). When Friday came all the kids in my class were very excited to have their pictures taken with Santa. The kids were on line in the cafeteria waiting patient for their turn. About half the the kids had already taken a picture when I noticed a little girl in my class was having a really in depth conversation with Santa. The rest of the kids were getting restless. As I approached I overheard my student telling Santa the following, " ... and if you don't have enough time to make all my toys, just go to Toys - R- Us or Walmart ."

Where was my camcorder when I needed it?

FAMILY

WELL FOLKS ITS THE HIGHWAY AGAIN, I GUESS THE SUBJECT OF TODAYS BLOG IS GONNA BE ,WELL FAMILY. AS THE HOLIDAYS APPROACH WE TEND TO FORGET THIS ONE SIMPLE THING. OUR LOVED ONES, WE JUST TEND TO FOCUS ON THE MATERIALISTIC END OF CHRISTMAS, AND NOT THE TRUE MEANING OF THE HOLIDAY. TO ME IT IS ABOUT OUR LOVE ,PAITENCE, UNDERSTANDING,FOR OTHERS . NOT BEING FIRST IN LINE AT BEST BUY ,OR NOT GETTING GUITAR HERO FIRST. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE WITNESSED FOLKS RUNNING AMOCK. GETTING RUDE .MEAN AND YES EVEN BEING VIOLENT. I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS ONE YEAR FORGET ABOUT THE PREENTS, FORGET ABOUT THE GLITZ .I THINK WE NEED TO REACH OUT TO ANOTHER LESS FOURTUNATE , AND HELP THAT PERSON . THAT TO ME IS REAL GIFT ,GIVING OF ONES SELF ,WITHOUT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN. IM FORTUNATE ,SUNFLOWERGRANDMA ,HAS SHOWN ME THAT HOW TO GIVE ,HOW TO HAVE HUMILITY, HOW TO HELP ANOTHER HUMANBEING WITHOUT EXPECTING A RETURN . SO FOLKS I ASK THAT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON DONT FALL INTO THE ABYSS OF COMMERCIALIZATION GIVE FROM YOUR HEART, I PROMISE THE GIFT IN RETURN IS MUCH BETTER THAN SOME TRINKET.
WELL ITS TIME FOR HIGHWAY TO RETURN TO HIS RIG CLIMB IN PUT HER IN GEAR AND GET ALITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD .

OH FOR I LEAVE I WANNA SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL