27-APR-2006
What?
Momma, what are those things inside this flower? What do they do? Why are they black? What are those fuzzy things inside? What will happen when the flower is dead? What makes it come back again? Will there always be flowers? What if there were no flowers? What if I can't save enough money for a new bike? What if you are not there?
How the heck do I reassure this child that life goes on and we get and we lose and sigh, I have no answers to the questions that I am still searching for answers.
12-APR-2006
Cookie thief or hand model, to further accurate multiplication?
Fingers are too dirty to model for Parents Magazine. So cookie thief is the more likely premise. Homework was driving her nuts, so I made some quick bake cookies. Fuel to estimate and do lattice multiplication.
Math homework is becoming impossible. My first strategy is to get the calculator, though I know the objective is to teach thinking and organizational skills.
If the train leaves the station and Jane is baking cookies for seven children, how many cookies will each child get if the train is traveling at 85 miles per hour and gets to the station at 7:35 P.M and all the children are waiting?
If all of the children have adequately washed their hands, how many fingers will actually touch the plate of cookies? Will there be any cookies left for the baker?
11-APR-2006
Staff Development
Staying late to critique writing samples on a rubric. Too many perspectives and variables for any of it make sense or have value.
Had the kids explain in their own words what particular idioms meant today.
One sweetie totally cracked me up with "too big for your britches".
She came up to me with a severely scrunched up face and asked, "what are britches?"
I said it was an old-fashioned word for pants.
She stood still and said again, "I don't get it."
I asked her again to tell me what she thought "too big for your britches" meant in her own words.
She said, "well you need new pants."
Putting your foot in your mouth went over funny too.
Kids are fun.
10-APR-2006
Is it possible?
I loved that book, "If you Meet Buddah in the Road, Kill Him."
09-APR-2006
Back to the early bird world
Son crawled in bed at 5:30 a.m. upset saying he was having nightmares and was afraid. I told him the only thing he need be afraid of right now was the alarm clock because it was going to make a loud noise very soon.
Didn't work, he followed me into the darkness of the morning world. I hate mornings and always have felt out of sorts and cranky during each one. We made it through the day. The skies today helped a lot.
Fighting fatigue and (ph)fotoshop now when I should be finding the pillow and covers, that pesky morning darkness will be scaring me all too soon.
08-APR-2006
Goats down the April Road
Took the troups down the road today for a walk. They still think this is such an adventure. About three years from now, I won't be able to get them to go. There is a pony farm and goat place about a mile from where we live. The goats were mildly excited thinking that we had brought something to eat. Sorry, I wouldn't let the kids touch them. Last day of vacation today, how did it go so fast.
My lawn has the nerve to be growing, those blades of daring grass should know that the battery to the lawn tractor is still inside the house and the wacker is nowhere near the charge.
Nine more weeks til summer vacation.
07-APR-2006
Bargain hunters
Saturday shopping. Will this be a QUICK trip? Quick relative to what? This is after he has shouted I'M NOT GOING and I remind him that he might want to eat something this week.
I constantly amaze my friends by making the grocery store trip weekly and more with five kids. My only complaint is that I would like a short acting drug for attention deficit on my part when the five troupers are distracting me at every turn with what they see and want and need.
Getting better at not forgetting too many items on the list that usually remains on the kitchen counter, forgotten as well.
Dentists and donuts
Shouldn't be the first place after the dentist appointment. While the flouride is still flowing. But this is where we went. A dozen donuts down quick and wanting still more. But mom said no. Six more months till we see the dentist again.
05-APR-2006
Krispy Kremes
First entry, trying to learn how this works. I like to write and take pictures but there is never enough time. Time. Either the enemy or the opportunity.
