Friday, April 17, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Signs of Spring
Although the weather hasn't really cooperated lately, I really think spring is on the horizon! Here's the proof:
1. My mom bought me a fern for the front porch. This is an annual event. Mom looks for the biggest, greenest, and nicest fern every spring. She'll go to 3 or 4 places until she finds the right one. I think this year's fern is a WINNER!
2. Wildlife (or what I'd consider wildlife) has been busy making numerous appearances in my backyard. Two rabbits were chasing each other around in circles.........on Easter! Honest! I chuckled when I realized what holiday it was! It was pretty cute. But on the NOT so cute side, I've also had the first snake incident of the year. Actually, THREE snake incidents. Two at the same time...............literally, two different snakes within feet of each other..........I wasn't sure which direction would be my best escape route..........and another separate occasion, where I almost sat on one (thanks to my decorative rock wall which can also be a nice perch.........but only when snakes aren't curled up on the rock you want to sit on).
3. I've mowed once, and I already NEED to mow again!
4. Dandelions are popping up all over. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
5. Desirable flowers are popping up too! The previous owner of my house had planted stuff everywhere. Tulips, peonies, lilac bushes, Easter lilies, and irises! They are all showing their colorful faces despite the un-springlike temperatures! The lilacs actually make the backyard smell really nice! And even though it hasn't felt like spring, they sure help make it look like spring.
1. My mom bought me a fern for the front porch. This is an annual event. Mom looks for the biggest, greenest, and nicest fern every spring. She'll go to 3 or 4 places until she finds the right one. I think this year's fern is a WINNER!
2. Wildlife (or what I'd consider wildlife) has been busy making numerous appearances in my backyard. Two rabbits were chasing each other around in circles.........on Easter! Honest! I chuckled when I realized what holiday it was! It was pretty cute. But on the NOT so cute side, I've also had the first snake incident of the year. Actually, THREE snake incidents. Two at the same time...............literally, two different snakes within feet of each other..........I wasn't sure which direction would be my best escape route..........and another separate occasion, where I almost sat on one (thanks to my decorative rock wall which can also be a nice perch.........but only when snakes aren't curled up on the rock you want to sit on).
3. I've mowed once, and I already NEED to mow again!
4. Dandelions are popping up all over. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
5. Desirable flowers are popping up too! The previous owner of my house had planted stuff everywhere. Tulips, peonies, lilac bushes, Easter lilies, and irises! They are all showing their colorful faces despite the un-springlike temperatures! The lilacs actually make the backyard smell really nice! And even though it hasn't felt like spring, they sure help make it look like spring.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
A Little Encouragement
This week was a big week in the world of education. The MAP test came to town. All my teacher friends will understand.
Teachers come up with many tactics in order to perpetuate a positive attitude towards this "standardized" test. One way to foster motivation is to have parents write encouragement letters to their child. Each morning the kiddo opens a note from a parent........and hopefully the kiddo is inspired and motivated to do their best on the state achievement test based upon what their parents have written. Mostly, the notes are sweet, loving, and very encouraging. The kids LOVE these notes. They save them and reread them all week long. These notes are special, and the kiddos really do treasure them.
Very few letters, however, are hysterical.
I give you my very first incredibly fantastical hilarious MAP encouragement letter:
Uhhh...............How great is that? I'm pretty sure there will never be another MAP encouragement letter that makes any teacher laugh quite as hard as I did this morning. We do have one more week of testing though.
Thank you, Ms. D. for making MY day and your daughter's!
Teachers come up with many tactics in order to perpetuate a positive attitude towards this "standardized" test. One way to foster motivation is to have parents write encouragement letters to their child. Each morning the kiddo opens a note from a parent........and hopefully the kiddo is inspired and motivated to do their best on the state achievement test based upon what their parents have written. Mostly, the notes are sweet, loving, and very encouraging. The kids LOVE these notes. They save them and reread them all week long. These notes are special, and the kiddos really do treasure them.
Very few letters, however, are hysterical.
I give you my very first incredibly fantastical hilarious MAP encouragement letter:
Uhhh...............How great is that? I'm pretty sure there will never be another MAP encouragement letter that makes any teacher laugh quite as hard as I did this morning. We do have one more week of testing though.
Thank you, Ms. D. for making MY day and your daughter's!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Umm.....would you "werther" have a grape Jolly Rancher or a tasty toffee treat???
Whitney prefers grape candy to Werther's Originals!
I know! I'm shocked too!
It all began with my suggestion of Werther's as a tasty treat for the classroom candy dish.........I innocently offered my opinion, that her students would love and cherish the toffee treat, if it was an option!
Then THIS was slipped under my door today.
Apparently, she is NOT a fan of the Werther's Originals. They make her want to gag. And I can only assume this is a self-portrait of her gagging on the tasty toffee goodness.
I quickly ate one of the eyeballs. I'm saving the other one for tomorrow.
I know! I'm shocked too!
It all began with my suggestion of Werther's as a tasty treat for the classroom candy dish.........I innocently offered my opinion, that her students would love and cherish the toffee treat, if it was an option!
Then THIS was slipped under my door today.
Apparently, she is NOT a fan of the Werther's Originals. They make her want to gag. And I can only assume this is a self-portrait of her gagging on the tasty toffee goodness.
I quickly ate one of the eyeballs. I'm saving the other one for tomorrow.