This morming we arrived at school earlier than ever. Ever so proud of ourselves, we leapt out of the Expedition cheery-eyed and bushy-tailed. As we all gathered our 872 things needed for our school day, I realized Abby's booksack was missing! I looked at Abby and asked, "Abby, where is your booksack?" "I put it behind the truck this morning," she replied.........................................................................................
(Mental Note: Text Todd to retrieve book sack from driveway before the rain.)
Upon arriving into my classroom, I get a call....................from Todd...............Apparently the neighbor found Abby's book sack in the middle of the road and rang the doorbell. "Not to worry," Todd said, "they have a kid in Abby's class and will bring it with them to give to Abby."
Enter mortifying eMbArRaSsMeNt!!!! Yes, that's right, this morning I backed up feeling like I'd conquered the world since we were so early, not realizing that I was dragging my poor 8-year-old's sweet flowery blue monogrammed book sack SEVEN feet into the middle of the street. Lurching forward, oblivious to the scene I was leaving for the new neighbors to ogle over. To top it off, to my rescue comes a neighbor whom I've NEVER MET, WHOSE SON I WILL TEACH NEXT YEAR!
Unbelievable. If you need me, I'll be hiding under my desk.
**Update: Just met the Mom in the school cafeteria while she had lunch with her son. She introduced herself as the one who brought Abby's book sack to school and said it was so nice to meet me.
Shoot me.
Click here to VoTe for my bLoG!!!!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Enter Stress
Seriously? I have not posted a thing since December?? It's not that I've alienated you. It's just that...{{well}}...sometimes the stress of being a working mom becomes unfunny for a little while. Oh, I'm sure we've had our moments where we've visited a Wal Mart or arrived at school late that would have been "Class A" opportunity for a funny blog post. But, when you are living it...not so funny.
Anyhow, so today would have qualified for one of those days.....(I think I just felt my neck tighten just thinking about it.).....................................
3 words...Academy and baseball season. I know. Enough said.
It all starts with the general feeling of the day. Abby was a fighter all weekend. She was crabby and moody and grumpy. When asked to do anything, she did nothing. Well, she needed new cleats for softball. If she did not absolutely need them to be able to play, she would not have earned them this weekend for sure. As we were getting ready to leave, I lost my keys. Sure I lose my keys now and then, but I REALLY could not find them ANYWHERE. After about 30 minutes of searching, I found them under something on the kitchen counter...duh. During this 30 minute game of hide-and-seek, it allowed me, the Mom, to look in each room of my house. (For those that are not Moms, when we do this, we don't see rooms, we see each individual mess in each and every room that was just cleaned YESTERDAY!)...........................anyway.....So, Abby, her friend, and I finally pile in the car and head over. I was so hoping to be able to dart in and out since I only had 2 kids with me. Then we could make that stop at Target and Sam's that I really needed to make.
We arrive and go straight to the baseball cleats. It becomes apparent that everyone in the parish, the baseball tournament down the street, and a few extra people from the highway have also decided that this will be the hour for their Academy visit as well. We squeeze our way down the narrow aisles, through the crowd (picture Wal Mart on Black Friday here).
The selection at Academy is vast, they have black, white, pink, red...Of course, we want pink. Every year, we arrive and think we can pick any shoe from the selection. How wrong we are. THIS is the only Academy for miles! Not to mention, Abby has a small foot, which means less of a selection for some reason. Do they think that small-footed children do not play sports?? Anyway, we spend the next half hour searching for her shoe size. We start with the exact shoe she wants, then settle for next best, then finally after tireless searching, we snatch the one and only size 12 1/2 on the shelf. It's a boys' shoe with no trace of pink or purple :( We decide that cute shoelaces can fix that. Did I mention that anything below a size 1 is on the very bottom shelf? Did I mention the crowd? Did I mention they were all over the floor trying on shoes? Did I mention the profuse sweating?? Picture me, sweating from the sheer stress of the situation, pulling out shoe box after shoe box, trying on countless shoes, a 12 foot metal stock ladder in the middle of all of this madness going back and forth....UPSIDE DOWN!!! as children cry, whine, run and scream around us!!!
Finally, we prevail, settle on a boy shoe, grab some cute shoelaces, and exit the madness. Abby proudly holds her new cleats in her arms. We spend a few more stressful moments picking up baseballs and socks for Zac and new athletic shoes for me. ((Oh yeah, Abby's friend was wearing Heely's, and they were zooming back and forth down random aisles all around me. I had no control)) As we make our way to the counter, I am frustrated at the amount of time it took to find this single pair of shoes. It happens every year. Why do I wait so long to get what we need??
We find the shortest line, I put my merchandise on the counter, turn to Abby, and she says, "Where are my shoes?"....(((breathe)))).....ehem, "I don't know Abby, where are your shoes?" (((remain calm)))
"I don't know," she replies.....(((pulse, pulse, pulse, pulse))))
We gathered our things, spent the next 20 minutes walking, searching, zooming down every single aisle we had visited, which was a lot. Back and forth, back and forth. We never found them. We had to start over. Yes, you heard me...back into the trenches....upside down. As we were searching for the second time, I said to Abby, "I am so mad I want to scream." I noticed that my comment got a "look" from a woman who had no children with her shopping for herself. You know the look. It's the "I can't believe she just told her child that" look. It's the same look you give other people in Wal Mart. I wanted to punch her. I wanted to jump out of a window! Alas, Academy has no windows....smart.
We settled on a boys' shoe a half size up, grabbed yet another cute pair of laces, paid, and left. Good riddance! The next time I mention a trip to Academy, remind me that it's Todd's turn.
Anyhow, so today would have qualified for one of those days.....(I think I just felt my neck tighten just thinking about it.).....................................
It all starts with the general feeling of the day. Abby was a fighter all weekend. She was crabby and moody and grumpy. When asked to do anything, she did nothing. Well, she needed new cleats for softball. If she did not absolutely need them to be able to play, she would not have earned them this weekend for sure. As we were getting ready to leave, I lost my keys. Sure I lose my keys now and then, but I REALLY could not find them ANYWHERE. After about 30 minutes of searching, I found them under something on the kitchen counter...duh. During this 30 minute game of hide-and-seek, it allowed me, the Mom, to look in each room of my house. (For those that are not Moms, when we do this, we don't see rooms, we see each individual mess in each and every room that was just cleaned YESTERDAY!)...........................anyway.....So, Abby, her friend, and I finally pile in the car and head over. I was so hoping to be able to dart in and out since I only had 2 kids with me. Then we could make that stop at Target and Sam's that I really needed to make.
We arrive and go straight to the baseball cleats. It becomes apparent that everyone in the parish, the baseball tournament down the street, and a few extra people from the highway have also decided that this will be the hour for their Academy visit as well. We squeeze our way down the narrow aisles, through the crowd (picture Wal Mart on Black Friday here).
The selection at Academy is vast, they have black, white, pink, red...Of course, we want pink. Every year, we arrive and think we can pick any shoe from the selection. How wrong we are. THIS is the only Academy for miles! Not to mention, Abby has a small foot, which means less of a selection for some reason. Do they think that small-footed children do not play sports?? Anyway, we spend the next half hour searching for her shoe size. We start with the exact shoe she wants, then settle for next best, then finally after tireless searching, we snatch the one and only size 12 1/2 on the shelf. It's a boys' shoe with no trace of pink or purple :( We decide that cute shoelaces can fix that. Did I mention that anything below a size 1 is on the very bottom shelf? Did I mention the crowd? Did I mention they were all over the floor trying on shoes? Did I mention the profuse sweating?? Picture me, sweating from the sheer stress of the situation, pulling out shoe box after shoe box, trying on countless shoes, a 12 foot metal stock ladder in the middle of all of this madness going back and forth....UPSIDE DOWN!!! as children cry, whine, run and scream around us!!!
Finally, we prevail, settle on a boy shoe, grab some cute shoelaces, and exit the madness. Abby proudly holds her new cleats in her arms. We spend a few more stressful moments picking up baseballs and socks for Zac and new athletic shoes for me. ((Oh yeah, Abby's friend was wearing Heely's, and they were zooming back and forth down random aisles all around me. I had no control)) As we make our way to the counter, I am frustrated at the amount of time it took to find this single pair of shoes. It happens every year. Why do I wait so long to get what we need??
We find the shortest line, I put my merchandise on the counter, turn to Abby, and she says, "Where are my shoes?"....(((breathe)))).....ehem, "I don't know Abby, where are your shoes?" (((remain calm)))
"I don't know," she replies.....(((pulse, pulse, pulse, pulse))))
We gathered our things, spent the next 20 minutes walking, searching, zooming down every single aisle we had visited, which was a lot. Back and forth, back and forth. We never found them. We had to start over. Yes, you heard me...back into the trenches....upside down. As we were searching for the second time, I said to Abby, "I am so mad I want to scream." I noticed that my comment got a "look" from a woman who had no children with her shopping for herself. You know the look. It's the "I can't believe she just told her child that" look. It's the same look you give other people in Wal Mart.
We settled on a boys' shoe a half size up, grabbed yet another cute pair of laces, paid, and left. Good riddance! The next time I mention a trip to Academy, remind me that it's Todd's turn.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
RALPHIE
This is one of my all time favorite movies for a few reasons. Never mind how Dad pronounces the word "fragile". It shows a child in his true light. He hates the bunny costume. He wants what he wants for Christmas no matter how ridiculous. He knows what he wants to tell Santa and nearly misses the opportunity to sheer shyness. He's scared to death of a bully who is really just a creep of a kid. He has curse words in his dictionary, but does not use them at all...well, until the slip up. Most of all, he has this incredible imagination.
The relationship between a teacher and student is special. In the 4th grade, I played the role of "Fern" in Charlotte's Web. I was super shy, just like my middle daughter. I spoke to no one (((ever))). I had this incredible imagination and a deep love of reading, though. The first time I read Charlotte's Web by E. B. White, I was so enthralled in this book, that I missed my bus stop. When I looked up from my book, I was in the next town. I was slouched down in my seat, so no one noticed. My brother and sister had gotten off at our house and not noticed I had not {{Well, that's another issue}}. My teacher saw the passion I had for this story and gave ME ((the shyest kid in the grade)) the lead. I practiced, practiced, practiced, for weeks and weeks. I imagined what it would be like. I imagined applause, laughter, gasps, standing ovations...the works. The play was a success...well, I guess it was. Who knows. It's what my child mind wanted it to be. I am still grateful to that teacher for believing in me.
That feeling has helped me as a teacher. My parents were always terribly involved in school, so every holiday we showed up with gifts. My mind worked as all children's minds work. My mom would show me the gift, or I'd help to make something. She would wrap it and put my name on it to give the next day. My mind would race with possible reactions...jump up out of her chair and hug me....announce to the class that this was the best gift she received....tell me she always wanted that exact thing....let me know how she could use it. I don't remember specific reactions, but I know what I imagined. I imagined that I had made my teacher so happy. Today, when I get a gift, I do my best to make that child feel like this is their moment. I always come up with a reason I need it, where I can use it, how much I have been wanting this! It could be a fabulous gift card to my favorite spot...or it could be a craft that a child made because her parents couldn't afford gifts (those are pretty special). I receive each gift with a hug, if possible. I hope that a child never goes away feeling that I did not appreciate their kind act. As a teacher at a private school, I had to pull my truck up to the classroom to load up all of my Christmas goodies. Each gift is so special to me, not because it is exactly what I have been wanting or needing, but because each one of those kids were so proud to give a gift to someone that was such a big part of their lives. Whether you see it or not, a teacher and a child can have a pretty special relationship. It's why I teach. Every child deserves success and encouragement. I hope I fulfilled the imaginations this week.
Thank you to all of my angels for so many special gifts this week:)
Merry Christmas,
ACZ
Lesson: God has given me the gift of teaching. It's not all rainbows and sunshine, but it touches a child. I am blessed.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
SANTA
Santa Claus. Well, he used to start appearing just after Thanksgiving in the local mall when I was a kid. We have plenty of pictures of my brother and sister and me in matching outfits, frilly socks for Britt and me, clip-on tie for Nick. Britt always wore braids. I was the cute one in the middle ;)
I think Santa was at Dillard's back in the day (or another major department store). As you entered the area to line up, it was a magical, makeshift hallway with Christmas figures and decorations. I don't mean just a little. A lot. It was fake, white, puffy snow, white and silver glitter, white lights, Rudolph, carolers, evergreens all through this very loooong hallway where the line winded and winded and winded...until finally, after ooooing and aahhhing the whole way, you came to the front where the man of the hour was sitting. There were elves, presents, candy canes. I was a very shy kid, but I am not sure any child could resist the grand finale of sitting on Santa's lap after all of that hype. You know what happened from there. I told Santa what I wanted, received my obligatory candy cane, and off we went.
Santa is different these days. He sits in the middle of the mall, amid the hustle and bustle of Christmas shoppers, at the end of a long, boring, no frills line. I think I brought Zac to see Santa when he was little only because I felt I was supposed to as a new mom. That was the last time. It's not because the "magic" is not there (or because those pictures cost and arm and a leg). It's because my shy kids might stroke out if I would actually make them sit on Santa's lap. Year after year, I see pictures of kids screaming on this giant, scary man's lap. I just don't see the point. Who knows, maybe one day I'll look back and wish I had those kinds of pics. Actually, as I think this, I imagine the petrified kids I would see in those photos. I imagine what a cat looks like when you try to put it in a bathtub.
So here we are. Another Christmas. With Catie growing up and noticing more around her, it's a different Christmas experience. Santa is everywhere now. Today it was WalMart. No longer do I have the option of quickly shuffling past Santa. Catie stops, pivots, gasps, and is on Santa's lap before I can notice where she went. Abby, to my right, whispers, "I don't want to go, " as she quickly shakes her head.
Last week, we had a visit with Santa while visiting my mom. It was a Country Christmas (a week before Thanksgiving and 87 degrees). We were some of the first in line, and Santa was in a great, big, magical sleigh. Catie bounced in and out happily. Abby was lured in by a very clever, rosy-cheeked Santa Claus waving a candy cane. That was not the case this time. This Santa just was not as magical sitting between the crafts and the $5 DVD display at WalMart. As we walked away, I could see Abby's entire little body relax a little, as if to say, "Whew! That was a close one."
Lesson:
<------This is not fun. (No, these are not my kids)
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
~ACZ
I think Santa was at Dillard's back in the day (or another major department store). As you entered the area to line up, it was a magical, makeshift hallway with Christmas figures and decorations. I don't mean just a little. A lot. It was fake, white, puffy snow, white and silver glitter, white lights, Rudolph, carolers, evergreens all through this very loooong hallway where the line winded and winded and winded...until finally, after ooooing and aahhhing the whole way, you came to the front where the man of the hour was sitting. There were elves, presents, candy canes. I was a very shy kid, but I am not sure any child could resist the grand finale of sitting on Santa's lap after all of that hype. You know what happened from there. I told Santa what I wanted, received my obligatory candy cane, and off we went.
Santa is different these days. He sits in the middle of the mall, amid the hustle and bustle of Christmas shoppers, at the end of a long, boring, no frills line. I think I brought Zac to see Santa when he was little only because I felt I was supposed to as a new mom. That was the last time. It's not because the "magic" is not there (or because those pictures cost and arm and a leg). It's because my shy kids might stroke out if I would actually make them sit on Santa's lap. Year after year, I see pictures of kids screaming on this giant, scary man's lap. I just don't see the point. Who knows, maybe one day I'll look back and wish I had those kinds of pics. Actually, as I think this, I imagine the petrified kids I would see in those photos. I imagine what a cat looks like when you try to put it in a bathtub.
So here we are. Another Christmas. With Catie growing up and noticing more around her, it's a different Christmas experience. Santa is everywhere now. Today it was WalMart. No longer do I have the option of quickly shuffling past Santa. Catie stops, pivots, gasps, and is on Santa's lap before I can notice where she went. Abby, to my right, whispers, "I don't want to go, " as she quickly shakes her head.
Last week, we had a visit with Santa while visiting my mom. It was a Country Christmas (a week before Thanksgiving and 87 degrees). We were some of the first in line, and Santa was in a great, big, magical sleigh. Catie bounced in and out happily. Abby was lured in by a very clever, rosy-cheeked Santa Claus waving a candy cane. That was not the case this time. This Santa just was not as magical sitting between the crafts and the $5 DVD display at WalMart. As we walked away, I could see Abby's entire little body relax a little, as if to say, "Whew! That was a close one."
 |
<------This is not fun. (No, these are not my kids)
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
~ACZ
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Heroes
I am not sure what draws me to think of certain heroes so often...but, I do. Military. Active or not. It is unbelievable to me that these everyday people make a decision to put their own lives at risk to ensure that my country is a free and safe place to live...and that others have a safe place to live around the world. Whether or not you believe that war is right and just, we all owe so much to these men and women. It doesn't stop there. They leave families behind. There are husbands and wives holding up the fort while their spouse is deployed for months and months and months. They are absent for births, birthdays, first steps, graduations, deaths, heartaches, Christmases, report cards, and so much more that I cannot even imagine.
When they come home, we celebrate, throw parties, honor them, and tell them how much we appreciate them, AS WE SHOULD.
But, then, we go on living our lives, as they go on...dealing with all of the memories they will forever hold of their deployment. We go on living, and they go on dealing. Simply dealing. Dealing with adjusting to this life that they once left. With this life that they have returned to. They deal with the memory of the life of when they were gone for SO long, in another surreal world. In that life, I can only imagine, the heartache for the desire to be with their family must be so great. I can imagine that they must remember only the good of life back at home. They must be so anxious for the comfortable feeling of American living.
When they return, though, they are left to find work again. Sure, their jobs are supposed to be available for them upon return, but it is not always the case. They are returning to the fairy tale they dreamed of during their deployment. In actuality, they return to a life we ALL know. The economy. Money. Kids arguing. the daily 9-5. In addition, they can add the stress of their memories. Memories we cannot imagine. War. No one else talks much about it. How would you? No one brings it up, really. They just have to deal with it.
I have an uncle who proudly served for 10+ years in the military, was in the Delta Force, and has secrets he will take to the grave. He is one of the kindest, most thankful people I know. For the trees, the early morning sunrise, his morning coffee, his family. He rarely complains of the back pain inflicted from shrapnel from enemy fire. He texts often how much he loves us all. He has seen so much. He knows a blessing when he sees it. I am so thankful for his courage and service to our country. I can count my cousins, Seth and Christie, and a few friends from the past that have sacrificed so much to serve. I am so thankful to all of them, more than words can even express.
Friday is VETERAN'S DAY! Don't wait until Friday to pat a VET on the back. Do it every chance you get. They deserve it.
Lesson: Heroes are disguised as everyday people who did something great.
~ACZ
When they come home, we celebrate, throw parties, honor them, and tell them how much we appreciate them, AS WE SHOULD.
But, then, we go on living our lives, as they go on...dealing with all of the memories they will forever hold of their deployment. We go on living, and they go on dealing. Simply dealing. Dealing with adjusting to this life that they once left. With this life that they have returned to. They deal with the memory of the life of when they were gone for SO long, in another surreal world. In that life, I can only imagine, the heartache for the desire to be with their family must be so great. I can imagine that they must remember only the good of life back at home. They must be so anxious for the comfortable feeling of American living.
When they return, though, they are left to find work again. Sure, their jobs are supposed to be available for them upon return, but it is not always the case. They are returning to the fairy tale they dreamed of during their deployment. In actuality, they return to a life we ALL know. The economy. Money. Kids arguing. the daily 9-5. In addition, they can add the stress of their memories. Memories we cannot imagine. War. No one else talks much about it. How would you? No one brings it up, really. They just have to deal with it.
I have an uncle who proudly served for 10+ years in the military, was in the Delta Force, and has secrets he will take to the grave. He is one of the kindest, most thankful people I know. For the trees, the early morning sunrise, his morning coffee, his family. He rarely complains of the back pain inflicted from shrapnel from enemy fire. He texts often how much he loves us all. He has seen so much. He knows a blessing when he sees it. I am so thankful for his courage and service to our country. I can count my cousins, Seth and Christie, and a few friends from the past that have sacrificed so much to serve. I am so thankful to all of them, more than words can even express.
Friday is VETERAN'S DAY! Don't wait until Friday to pat a VET on the back. Do it every chance you get. They deserve it.
Lesson: Heroes are disguised as everyday people who did something great.
~ACZ
Saturday, October 29, 2011
FiElD tRiP!!!!
Ah, field trips! A day we dedicate to the kids from dusk until dawn just to have a little break from the normal classroom humdrum and trick them into learning :)
Today was our annual field trip to our Louisiana State Capitol and the Louisiana Art and Science Museum. Our trip began bright and early at 6:45 am when we loaded two chartered buses and traveled east for 2 hours. For the teachers, this meant 2 hours of work talk about how to figure schedules, how to help our struggling students, and reviewing options for the upcoming Advent celebration at school. For the kids, this meant loading up on early morning junk food brought from home, chatting on the DSi, playing ipod touches, or simply reading a book.
The museum was a bit rushed, but the activities were enjoyable. We were having fun learning. Who needs a bathroom break anyway? Our kids learned the science behind why we cannot touch art due to the oils in our skin and the damage it does over time. They also learned how to build a series electrical circuit, a parallel circuit, and how to make a light bulb work with a D battery.
The Capitol was the best, though Thank God I teach Social Studies. I love history. In addition to being a grammar nerd, I get abnormally excited to learn about history. I'm pretty sure my students do, too (wink, wink).
I have a student in my class who has struggled all of his life in the classroom. Of course, he's not the only one. This kid, however, has a shy personality and lacks confidence in the classroom. It is obvious to me, and, unfortunately, it is obvious to his peers. He requires help that others don't. Well, yesterday was his day to shine. His dad is a former Senator, former Louisiana Representative, and currently holds an office in our state government. I was hoping he would just be able to meet his son at the capitol and enjoy the tour, since this child's parents don't live in the same city. The second his foot hit the ground off of the bus, he turned to me, and said, "Mrs. Adrienne, I don't see my dad." Well, there is a bit of the walk up to the capitol, so I told him to wait until we get there.
As we approached, there his dad was, waiting for our arrival. He came to me and said he had arranged to do the tour himself with the help of another tour guide. He arranged to have us tour the House, the Senate (these are the norm), and he would take us into the Governor's office, too! He swore in all 75 of the students as Honorary United States Senators, called them all Senators as we toured, gave them Senate pins, let them run their fingers along the bullet holes still in the wall from Huey Long's assassination, showed us the pencil that remains in the Senate ceiling after a bomb exploded there long ago, and escorted our whole loud crew into the Governor's office. His son beamed as he stood beside his dad as he told us some history behind the items that hang there. He had that "I'm trying not to smile so I can remain cool but I really can't help it" smile. His dad introduced himself to all of us with the offices he has held, currently holds, "but, most importantly" as his son's dad. He ended the tour by taking all of the kids to the top of the capitol from the 4th floor of the Governor's office. What a treat!
Finally, as my half of the group roamed the top of the the nation's tallest capitol building overlooking the Mighty Mississippi, I got a call. Our time was up. It was 3:00, and the other half of the group had not been able to come to the top. I just couldn't imagine telling the 40 kids in GROUP B, half of the group, that they could not come up. So, I made a quick decision and told my team teacher to let only the kids up with one parent per group, leaving lots of parents on the ground floor. It was the only way to lessen the amount of people. The elevators are small and take a long time to get up there. I probably made a few parents unhappy, but the fied trip would not have been complete without those kids coming up, and they NEVER would have forgotten that they didn't get to come up. They came up. It took a long time. We left 45 minutes late. I worried about that decision all the way home since I had heard that some parents were not thrilled with it.
My son is in my class this year and calls this the best field trip he's ever had. After we were home, I asked, "What was your favorite part of the entire day?" "Going to the top, "he said. He was in GROUP B. So, I've decided I'll take the blame if any. It was worth it.
I can't wait to get to school Monday and start working on thank you notes for these men who made our day so special....and of course tricking them again into writing a friendly letter.
Lesson: Kids remember heartbreak longer than they remember a good time. I'm glad there were none today.
~ACZ
Today was our annual field trip to our Louisiana State Capitol and the Louisiana Art and Science Museum. Our trip began bright and early at 6:45 am when we loaded two chartered buses and traveled east for 2 hours. For the teachers, this meant 2 hours of work talk about how to figure schedules, how to help our struggling students, and reviewing options for the upcoming Advent celebration at school. For the kids, this meant loading up on early morning junk food brought from home, chatting on the DSi, playing ipod touches, or simply reading a book.
The museum was a bit rushed, but the activities were enjoyable. We were having fun learning. Who needs a bathroom break anyway? Our kids learned the science behind why we cannot touch art due to the oils in our skin and the damage it does over time. They also learned how to build a series electrical circuit, a parallel circuit, and how to make a light bulb work with a D battery.
The Capitol was the best, though Thank God I teach Social Studies. I love history. In addition to being a grammar nerd, I get abnormally excited to learn about history. I'm pretty sure my students do, too (wink, wink).
I have a student in my class who has struggled all of his life in the classroom. Of course, he's not the only one. This kid, however, has a shy personality and lacks confidence in the classroom. It is obvious to me, and, unfortunately, it is obvious to his peers. He requires help that others don't. Well, yesterday was his day to shine. His dad is a former Senator, former Louisiana Representative, and currently holds an office in our state government. I was hoping he would just be able to meet his son at the capitol and enjoy the tour, since this child's parents don't live in the same city. The second his foot hit the ground off of the bus, he turned to me, and said, "Mrs. Adrienne, I don't see my dad." Well, there is a bit of the walk up to the capitol, so I told him to wait until we get there.
As we approached, there his dad was, waiting for our arrival. He came to me and said he had arranged to do the tour himself with the help of another tour guide. He arranged to have us tour the House, the Senate (these are the norm), and he would take us into the Governor's office, too! He swore in all 75 of the students as Honorary United States Senators, called them all Senators as we toured, gave them Senate pins, let them run their fingers along the bullet holes still in the wall from Huey Long's assassination, showed us the pencil that remains in the Senate ceiling after a bomb exploded there long ago, and escorted our whole loud crew into the Governor's office. His son beamed as he stood beside his dad as he told us some history behind the items that hang there. He had that "I'm trying not to smile so I can remain cool but I really can't help it" smile. His dad introduced himself to all of us with the offices he has held, currently holds, "but, most importantly" as his son's dad. He ended the tour by taking all of the kids to the top of the capitol from the 4th floor of the Governor's office. What a treat!
Finally, as my half of the group roamed the top of the the nation's tallest capitol building overlooking the Mighty Mississippi, I got a call. Our time was up. It was 3:00, and the other half of the group had not been able to come to the top. I just couldn't imagine telling the 40 kids in GROUP B, half of the group, that they could not come up. So, I made a quick decision and told my team teacher to let only the kids up with one parent per group, leaving lots of parents on the ground floor. It was the only way to lessen the amount of people. The elevators are small and take a long time to get up there. I probably made a few parents unhappy, but the fied trip would not have been complete without those kids coming up, and they NEVER would have forgotten that they didn't get to come up. They came up. It took a long time. We left 45 minutes late. I worried about that decision all the way home since I had heard that some parents were not thrilled with it.
My son is in my class this year and calls this the best field trip he's ever had. After we were home, I asked, "What was your favorite part of the entire day?" "Going to the top, "he said. He was in GROUP B. So, I've decided I'll take the blame if any. It was worth it.
I can't wait to get to school Monday and start working on thank you notes for these men who made our day so special....and of course tricking them again into writing a friendly letter.
Lesson: Kids remember heartbreak longer than they remember a good time. I'm glad there were none today.
~ACZ
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| Zac at the top overlooking the Mississippi. |
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| Over 100 of us crammed into the Governor's office. |
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| The Senate |
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| The kids being sworn in as Honorary Senators |
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| Father and son. Look at that sweet smile! |
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Times Three
This is my life...this thought....times three.
When you have 3 kids, everything happens in threes. Not just bedtime, bathtime, dinnertime, morning time, and snacktime. Tuition to that sweet private school. New winter shoes. New winter coats. New winter wardrobes. New booksacks. New school supplies. New sporting gear. Christmas. Easter. In my case, birthdays since their birthdays fall in July, August, and September. Halloween.
Halloween...have you been to a costume store? Are they insane? I guess there are some people out there who pay $40 for a costume to wear one single night. That's not me. In fact, we have been blessed to have hand me down costumes most years. This year, we're on our own though. I was able to talk Catie into wearing her "beautiful princess dress" in her closet. I bought a cheap tiara and robe to complete the ensemble. Zac will be a zombie like every other 10-yr-old this year. Abby is difficult. She is not girly at all. She would wear the dracula costume if I allowed it. She finally decided on a lady vampire and only if blood can drip from the corner of her mouth.
So, tonight, after dancing, we decided to make the trip to the dreaded costume shop. It is important to know that no mother toting more than 1 child in the history of the world has ever left a store feeling like a successful parent. We either leave utterly embarrased that these whiny children are following us out the door, starving and crabby because this trip was taken too close to dinner time, or like a total loser that we did not buy the 2,345 things that our kids asked us to buy THAT day. We get into filthy minivans and SUVs (noticing the mess again when opening the back door), fuss at the kids to get in already, drop a teddy bear and a DVD on the ground, throw it back in, and calmly back up while trying to see around our 45 blind spots that our cool SUVs have brought to our lives. We eventually calm down before the return home and all is well with the world again.
Anyway, the shopping trip. Just as expected, this entire scenario happened once again. Abby was a perfect angel and found a costume that did not cost $500. It was a dress :( but I told her she could put black leggings with it, so she's cool. Catie asked for eyeballs, a princess mask, clown hair, a bloody arm, a crawling zombie, spiders, a bloody ax, the dry ice machine, a pirate costume, fishnet stockings, and a zombie baby. The horrid zombie baby was $60 and she cried into the next store about that one. "I WANT THE ZOMBIE BABY!!!" {{{Who is this kid following me out the door?}}}
Next we had to go to Wal Mart for fangs to complete the ensemble (of course, the Halloween store was all out of fangs). Here, Catie asked for cantaloupe, donuts, a "cute" T-shirt, SLIPPERS!!!!, pumpkin lights, pumpkin candies, pumpkin napkins, pumpkin pretzels, a pumpkin, fangs, spiders, a hoola hoop, a basketball, some jeans, pajama bottoms, a purse, and cookies. She got the pajama bottoms since they were on clearance anyway. That was not sufficient. As usual, I left with an unhappy child whom I clearly do nothing for.....ehem....for whom I clearly do nothing. [[[[[don't end sentences in prepositions]]]]]
She has now nibbled on the few morsels of food that were lucky enough to grace her palate, she has fussed at me for not getting her some ice cream, and she has faked throwing up 3 times. It is time for the princess to lay that pretty head down.
Lesson: Leave the kids at home when shopping!
~ACZ
When you have 3 kids, everything happens in threes. Not just bedtime, bathtime, dinnertime, morning time, and snacktime. Tuition to that sweet private school. New winter shoes. New winter coats. New winter wardrobes. New booksacks. New school supplies. New sporting gear. Christmas. Easter. In my case, birthdays since their birthdays fall in July, August, and September. Halloween.
Halloween...have you been to a costume store? Are they insane? I guess there are some people out there who pay $40 for a costume to wear one single night. That's not me. In fact, we have been blessed to have hand me down costumes most years. This year, we're on our own though. I was able to talk Catie into wearing her "beautiful princess dress" in her closet. I bought a cheap tiara and robe to complete the ensemble. Zac will be a zombie like every other 10-yr-old this year. Abby is difficult. She is not girly at all. She would wear the dracula costume if I allowed it. She finally decided on a lady vampire and only if blood can drip from the corner of her mouth.
So, tonight, after dancing, we decided to make the trip to the dreaded costume shop. It is important to know that no mother toting more than 1 child in the history of the world has ever left a store feeling like a successful parent. We either leave utterly embarrased that these whiny children are following us out the door, starving and crabby because this trip was taken too close to dinner time, or like a total loser that we did not buy the 2,345 things that our kids asked us to buy THAT day. We get into filthy minivans and SUVs (noticing the mess again when opening the back door), fuss at the kids to get in already, drop a teddy bear and a DVD on the ground, throw it back in, and calmly back up while trying to see around our 45 blind spots that our cool SUVs have brought to our lives. We eventually calm down before the return home and all is well with the world again.
Anyway, the shopping trip. Just as expected, this entire scenario happened once again. Abby was a perfect angel and found a costume that did not cost $500. It was a dress :( but I told her she could put black leggings with it, so she's cool. Catie asked for eyeballs, a princess mask, clown hair, a bloody arm, a crawling zombie, spiders, a bloody ax, the dry ice machine, a pirate costume, fishnet stockings, and a zombie baby. The horrid zombie baby was $60 and she cried into the next store about that one. "I WANT THE ZOMBIE BABY!!!" {{{Who is this kid following me out the door?}}}
Next we had to go to Wal Mart for fangs to complete the ensemble (of course, the Halloween store was all out of fangs). Here, Catie asked for cantaloupe, donuts, a "cute" T-shirt, SLIPPERS!!!!, pumpkin lights, pumpkin candies, pumpkin napkins, pumpkin pretzels, a pumpkin, fangs, spiders, a hoola hoop, a basketball, some jeans, pajama bottoms, a purse, and cookies. She got the pajama bottoms since they were on clearance anyway. That was not sufficient. As usual, I left with an unhappy child whom I clearly do nothing for.....ehem....for whom I clearly do nothing. [[[[[don't end sentences in prepositions]]]]]
She has now nibbled on the few morsels of food that were lucky enough to grace her palate, she has fussed at me for not getting her some ice cream, and she has faked throwing up 3 times. It is time for the princess to lay that pretty head down.
Lesson: Leave the kids at home when shopping!
~ACZ
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