Last Post for the Slice of Life

For the last 31 days, I've been challenging myself to write everyday on my blog. I first heard of this "Slice of Life challenge" on a teacher on-line newsletter that I get. I thought it was a great idea for my students- to write everyday in a journal for the month of March, and I would do it too.

It was a challenge for sure, but there was always a load of writing topics.

For the month of March, so many things happened to me. Sometimes I feel like I would be a good candidate for a reality show, because every single day, something eventful happens.

This month I wrote about:

• My continued battles with migraines. This month, I went to an allergist, got an MRI (everything was normal), was put on a drug called Topamax, was taken off Topamax for the side effects, and as I type my last post, today is my first day not on Topamax in nearly 3 weeks. Earlier today, I read that the side effects of NOT being on it, after being on it, are seizures and the continued side effects. So I'm hoping to feel back to normal soon. Whatever that is. The side effects were way worse than my migraines, if you can imagine that...
• My kids were sick this month, I was sick a lot this month with my headaches. So there was a lot of guilt this month for not being in my classroom and having substitute teachers.
• After denying to myself that I am stressed, I think I may be admitting that I am, and maybe that's why I am getting my headaches. I feel like change might be on the horizon; we will see. I always want to be the happy, bubbly person, but sometimes it's not always roses, even if you try your hardest to smell those roses. Writing this month actually made me realize this. With my husband working many long hours, and myself working, it's been a juggling act since September. And the changes that I've had since moving back to New York have been somewhat difficult. I am trying so hard to get through these changes with grace and being grateful for what I do have, but it is hard. I was taking life day at a time. Now, I need to look in the future, and I think that's when my headaches started. Reality sunk in, that life isn't going as smoothly as it should for me. There's a reason why things happen: Why we had to move to Europe, why we moved back, why I couldn't teach at my old school and I'm at a new school, and there's supposed to be a reason why I'm having a difficult transition with all of it now- maybe it's to push me into another direction...I need to look at it as an opportunity, not as anything else. I guess time will tell. But through all of this, I refuse to let my spirit be broken, and others influence my happiness. I am wise enough to know that only I can be in charge of that.
• I still reflect on my life overseas, and miss Europe. It's been 8 months since I've moved back to the U.S. I miss everything our family was then. I miss the carefree, adventurous me. I miss city living. I miss life being exciting. I miss learning about cultures and being amazed at simple things I saw outside my window. I struggle with boredom now. I miss the exciting me from Europe.
• My kids and my husband mean the world to me. This month even more. I'm so proud of everything my kids do. Riley continues to amaze me with his kindness and Maggie with her creativeness. I feel very lucky to be the person I am. When I sit at this computer, especially this month, and put words and thoughts and write about my kids, the feelings are so overwhelming. I feel so blessed. These 2 kids of mine mean everything, and so does my husband. Without him, I wouldn't be half the woman I am today. And I mean that.
• My kindergarten students mean a lot to me too. I really miss them on those days when I have to call in sick. I have a WONDERFUL class this year, and I've grown attached to these kids.
• I enjoyed participating in the "Slices of Life," and having my audience be teachers. We are really one. I read many blogs throughout this month, and felt the same celebrations and frustrations as all of you.
• I was surprised that I didn't write about my dog...I think he was always my "backup" writing topic, but I never needed it. So much happened this month-
• This is a great idea, with a great community of writers. My students enjoyed it, too. I always looked forward to it. Friday nights were the hardest nights to write though.

I look forward to blogging with you all on Tuesdays. :)

Renovation Day 2

Today is Day 2 of the renovation that is taking place in our living room. Our 1906 Victorian house has had several renovations in the 8 years we have lived here.

This newest one is a very very minor one.

We are just repainting, and replacing the baseboards and trying to fix/paint/keep the frame and molding going around the windows. Our house does have a certain charm, and the molding around the top of the windows is something we want to just paint and fix up.

My husband is very handy. Through the years, we have seen so many projects that Tim has done all by himself. But for the last couple of years, with a new demanding job, Tim just doesn't have the time.

What is really funny about this whole story, is that he really wanted to have the time. Back in September, we had talked about replacing the living room furniture- the 2 couches. We actually were hoping to bring something back from Europe when we living there last year, but everything was super modern, and didn't fit with our old Victorian house. So, we gave away our furniture, didn't buy anything new, and my husband said that with the loss of the couches, he would make time to fix up the trim and window frames.

Well, here we are, last days in March, and no furniture.

Finally, last week, he called a handy man. It's not because of lack of knowledge. It's lack of time. Sometimes you have to pay for what takes time.

So, as I'm writing this, all of the rest of the furniture is crammed into our parlor (we call it the parlor because it's this cute little room off of the living room), and the parlor has a desk with this computer on it. I literally can't move. All around me, is "stuff" moved from the living room, so the handy man can paint and fix his things. I was hoping that the work would be finished by this weekend, since he told Tim it would take 2 days, but after 2 days, he still has at least 2 more to go.

We did order a new couch, and 2 side chairs, that remind me of Paris. Very simple and chic, yet not that fancy and chic. For some reason, I'm all into Paris-related interior design.

This weekend my house is a mess. The big picture of house renovations are hard to see when you're caught in the moment of all the clutter and craziness!

Slice of Life with My K kids

This month, I have challenged my kids to do the Slice of Life, just like we all are. Even though they are in kindergarten, I thought they were perfectly capable of writing about their days. I went out and bought them all their own black marble composition notebooks, and wrote inside, little directions, so their parents would know what a "slice" was. I gave writing ideas, such as, "Did something happen at school that made you happy?" "Did you see something interesting on the bus ride to school?" "Did your brother or sister make you happy or sad?"

I have had about 10 out of 18 students writing in their notebooks on a daily basis. I have enjoyed reading their writing, and responding to their writing everyday. I've learned that Isabella's grandpa is sick and in the hospital. I've learned that Ashley has really enjoyed learning about ladybugs this month. I've learned that Tyler likes playing with a boy in his neighborhood. I've learned that Neveah looks up to me- she writes she loves me a lot, which is very sweet. Wladu writes a lot about his dad and how his dad builds things in his garage. Aidan was worried about me one day when I was sick and not in school, which was also sweet. Noelle wrote about how she was sad when we ran out of time and she didn't do calendar that day, which proves that kids love structure and when it's their turn to be calendar. (I felt bad).

I asked the kids today if they will still continue writing in their special Slice of Life Notebooks, even in April, and several said they would. Tomorrow, is the last day of our challenge. Those who have written at least 25 entries will go home tomorrow with a bunch of pens, and a raffle will be drawn for a big bucket of sparkling pens. They are very excited about this.

Tomorrow at school, I will Xerox my favorite student Slices and post tomorrow. I am so glad to have been a participant in this!

An Important Day for My Son

Today my son woke up and got dressed. When he came downstairs, he had on his Ralph Lauren sweater that I bought him that he promised that he would wear 2 times a month. He actually told me that in the check out line.
I remember the conversation:

Me: If I buy this, will you wear it?
Son: Yes.
Me: You will?
Son: Yeah I will. I might wear it like 2 times a month.


Well, here we are, nearly the end of the winter, and I think he wore that sweater once. To his credit, it WAS a mild winter.

But when I saw him this morning wearing his sweater, I knew today was a special day for him. Last week, he wrote an essay on why he should be picked to eat lunch with the author, Dan Greenburg, who was visiting his school today. The "contest" was opened to the students in grades 3-5 that are on Student Council. 8 students were chosen and Riley was one of them.

Riley was very honored to be the few chosen. He is an author himself. He has maintained his own blog since 2nd grade, written in a journal since 1st grade, and published his own neighborhood newspaper this year as a 4th grader. Meeting a "real life" author was important to him, I could tell, by just looking at him and seeing him all dressed up.

He had written a list of questions to ask Mr. Greenburg. When I asked him what his favorite part of his presentation was afterschool today, he said, "Everything." Typical 9-year old answer. Either it's "Nothing," or "Everything." He liked how Mr. Greenburg's wife was at the school-wide presentation, and later on, at the intimate luncheon. I asked what Mr. Greenburg had for lunch, and Riley said he had had a salad. Riley said that he got to sit on one side of Mr. Greenburg while his wife sat on the other. He was very proud of that.

I got very little answers from my quiet son about his day, but I hope that his luncheon with a famous author will give him lots to write about in his journal, blog and maybe an article in his newspaper.

Things I Am I Grateful for

Since yesterday's slice was a negative piece, today's piece I'm reflecting on my day and all the things that brighten my day:

1. I am grateful for my husband this morning, who organized the kids' lunches for me this morning in the refrigerator.

2. I am grateful that the pants that I laid out fit me, and I liked all the clothes I had on. Sometimes, I don't always like what I have on.

3. I am grateful that my kids woke up easily this morning, and that they didn't fight. I know I'm lucky, and I have good kids. I am also grateful that no one was sick! There's a lot of sickness in both my kids' classrooms!

4. I am grateful that when I arrived at school and visited my school's librarian, she was able to squeeze me into her schedule for a research project with my class. Then, I went to see my friend Kelly, and she gave me a really nice pep talk. Then I walked to my classroom and got ready for my day.

5. I am grateful that I have 18 great kindergarten kids. I really do. In 17 years of teaching, this might be one of my favorite groups of kids. I am very grateful for this bunch of kids.

6. I am grateful when one of my students runs down the halls and hugs me. She comes from a rough home life, and I know that school is a structured time for her. She smiles up at me every morning. I am grateful for her smiles every morning. I know I make a difference. This is the one student who really needs me this year.

7. As my morning continues, I am grateful for the author who is visiting our school. He visits our K and 1st graders for 1 hour this morning, and before I know it, it is lunch.

8. I am grateful to spend time at lunch with Randi and Becky, my good friends who understand me.

9. I am grateful for a quick Go Math lesson in the afternoon. Usually our Go Math lessons take 1 hour, but the chapter 9 lessons on Geometry are about 30 minutes. I find I can spend more time with our Wonder table this afternoon, since one of our students brought in a bird's nest.

10. During my break when the kids are at Art, I spend the whole break talking to my friend Keira, who teaches 1st grade. I often wonder if I should switch grades next year to 1st so I could teach with Keira, but I really love kindergarten, but it's something that I'm thinking about, along with a million other things right now.

11. Afterschool, I am grateful for my talk with Karen. She is another good teacher that I teach with.

12. I am grateful for an hour of alone time afterschool, after I drop off my kids at their German class. I sit in the car for 30 minutes and just meditate, with my heated seat on. I find it just relaxing. Then I walk to a natural food store.

13. I am grateful for my husband for letting me rest tonight. I came home with the kids at 7, and I'm tired. He's doing work around the house, right now, as I'm typing.

14. I'm grateful that my kids are reading their books in bed, as I'm typing. I will walk up the stairs and say good night soon.

15. I am grateful that I have been a teacher for the last 17 years. Because even if I decide to stop being a teacher and pursue something else, I will always be grateful for the experiences teaching has brought me. It has allowed me to be the mom I am; I could never be the mom I am without being the teacher I am.

Late Night Girlfriend Phonecall

My best friend Julie and I always call each other really late at night and we talk like high school girls, because we can talk for hours. Sometimes rambling on with giggles about Vinnie from the Jersey Shore and other times, serious conversations about our kids and jobs.

This late night phone calling ritual was recently broken because I've been taking my migraine prescription medicine, topomax, and one of its side effects is drowsiness. So, I've been going right to bed after putting my kids to bed, at 8:30. So with my new early bedtime, I haven't been connecting with my friend.

So last night, the first time in 2 weeks I wasn't tired, I called Julie at 10:45 and talked to her until 2 Am. Good old girlfriend talk. We talked about the stresses of both being teachers, we talked about our daughters' first communions, or first communions that look like beauty pageants and how we both vowed that we wouldn't go overboard for the religious day, and I guess a bunch of other things since we talked for a couple hours! What else did we even talk about? Funny stories about her family...My work vs. stay at home mom decision/conflict and then lots of laughter.

We made lunch plans for today at our favorite lunch restaurant- You would think we would had run out of things to talk about, but never us. Three of the four kids came, minus the husbands, so the kids seemed to always have a hand in the conversation, as kids do when they come along. But we were both tired, and we didn't realize a late night of talking could be as harmful as a hangover! I guess when you're over 40 with kids, a late night talking on the phone until 2AM is as bad as being out on the town! But without the hassles of loud music, annoying men trying to buy you drinks, huge crowds, getting a parking spot, and paying a cover charge.

Whether it's a night out, sneaking into a night club to see her favorite TV personality (Yes, we just recently did that) or sitting on the couch talking about life's dilemmas, Julie is just a good person, and I'm so lucky to have her as a friend; at all hours of the day.

Lazy Day

Today, I rewarded myself with lots of rest, reading and a trip to Target.

My favorite part of the day today was running into a college friend outside the Target parking lot, buying my Slice of Life little gifts for my kindergarten students inside Target, and while walking outside Target, my son telling me thank you for buying him something. I love that we have taught our 2 kids to thank us for buying them things, and not to take us for granted. It such an important life lesson to teach kids today.

Day 24 of my slice of life was short and sweet, kind of like how my day was like today...