Snow Shmow

I was going to write complaints about the foot of new snow in my front yard, but have decided to instead embrace it and put up my Christmas tree and pretend that it's Christmas break instead of Spring break. Or maybe I'll just stay indoors all day and ignore it.

Or maybe I'll just write about something else altogether. Like the mean lady who took my blood on Thursday when I went in for an appointment with the hematologist. About six weeks ago, my doctor discovered that I was anemic (low iron and red blood count). He sent me to a specialist to make sure everything was okay. Well, after a week of anxiety and 2 1/2 hours in the cancer center, he told me to take more iron and come back in a month for another check. Well, Thursday was my follow up. There is a lab just across the hall from the doctor's office so I went in at 3:15 for the blood work before my 3:30 appointment. The last time I went, the guy who took my blood was super nice. He made small talk about the weather and noticed that I was a little nervous so was especially gentle. (I don't like the whole thing at all--the needle, the blood, the pain.) But Thursday, I knew I was in trouble as soon as the lady called my name. She never made eye contact and seemed a little irritated that it took me 3 seconds to get my 7 1/2 month pregnant body out of the chair and headed in her direction. She led me to her station and said nothing but, "Which arm? Make a fist." She didn't even warn me before she poked the needle into my arm like everyone else always has. And I'm pretty sure that she put the needle in especially far. Then when she told me to release my fist, I apparently didn't release enough because she reached down and flicked my fingers open more. Once she got the two tubes she needed, she said, "Okay. Have a nice day," and walked away leaving me sitting at her station a little stunned and positive that she didn't really want me to have a nice day.

Maybe she was having a bad day. Maybe she missed lunch. Maybe she's just mean and likes to cause pain to really nice, pregnant, kindergarten teachers. Whatever it was, I just hope she has the day off when I go in for my next appointment.

Ramblings

I just checked my calendar, and yes, it is in fact MARCH 27th and not January 27th. I will say this once and then leave it. I am so sick of snow. We still have a ton in the front yard and 4 foot piles along the driveway. I'm just so glad that all the new stuff melts before the end of the day. And that it's not on the road.

Today is parent/teacher conference day. I only have a few of my students that make this time challenging. It's always hard to tell parents that their child should repeat kindergarten. And I'm sure it's hard to hear. But honestly, now's the time to hold them back. The younger the better. They end up getting a much stronger foundation in the long run, are better prepared for the rest of their education, and aren't so affected by the social aspects that are present later on.

I got a phone call a few days ago from the hospital to set up a pre-admission appointment for the baby's delivery. The nurse laughed when I exclaimed, "Already?!?!" She must hear that a lot.

I officially start spring break tomorrow at 11:00 after my last conference. Woo hoo! I will be spending it converting the computer/playroom to a nursery and doing fun things with my family (Chuck E. Cheese, Triple Play, movies, bowling).

The people who work at McDonald's on Hanley Ave. are so nice. The morning lady that takes the money always calls me "sweetie" and speaks to the boys when we stop for breakfast. Even the teenagers that I deal with in the drive through are super polite and friendly. Either they are very well trained or just an extraordinarily nice bunch of people. Or maybe it's because they know that my french fry cravings pay half their salary.

Easter Sweets

Yesterday afternoon, the boys and I colored Easter eggs. It has become a tradition and until they tell me they no longer want to, we will do it every year. (I hope they never outgrow these kinds of things.) They like things simple, like me, so they just colored the eggs and left them. No stickers or anything. But this morning Adam came across the stickers and decided to distribute them. He gave his dad the "DAD" sticker and he gave me the "MOM" sticker and who knows where the others ended up. But he brought one and stuck it on the big polyester belly of my maternity pants. It was a picture of flowers that said, "Happy Easter, Sister." How sweet is that? I left it for as long as I could but it eventually lost its stickiness and so I took it off and saved it for my Easter scrapbook page.

Sweetness. Just one more reason I'm glad I'm a mommy.

Today

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.
Henry Van Dyke (1852–1933)
Fisherman's Luck (1899)

Today...A kindergartener declared herself 20 feet tall after measuring herself in what she considers feet.

Today...is the first day of spring and I had to drive through a blizzard to get to school.

Today...my youngest son discovered that he can no longer reach around me to give me a hug. At least he blamed it on the baby.

Today...I planned my 4th quarter lesson plans. Time flies.

Today...I made it through the day without eating fries (so far).

Today...I did not make it through the day without eating Oreos.

Today's quote...Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of. Benjamin Franklin (1706-90)

Today...I am blessed.

Famous Last Words

THOMAS HOBBES
‘I am about to take my last voyage, a great leap in the dark.’

LOUIS XIV
‘Why are you weeping? Did you imagine that I was immortal?’

ANNE BOLEYN (upon the scaffold)
‘It [my neck] is very small, very small.’

THOMAS GAINSBOROUGH
‘We are all going to Heaven, and Vandyke is of the company.’

PHINEAS BARNUM
‘How were the receipts today in Madison Square Garden?’

EDITH CAVELL
‘I realise that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.’

JOHN LE MESURIER
‘It’s all been rather lovely.’

ISADORA DUNCAN
‘Goodbye, my friends, I go on to glory.’

Dream A Little Dream

Saturday night I dreamt that I was pregnant with 13 babies. 13!! And the funny part was, I wasn't upset. I was only concerned that I wouldn't be able to carry them full term. And that I was going to have to come up with 13 names. I was slightly annoyed at my husband, though. His favorite number is 13 and I thought he did it on purpose.

I woke up rather relieved to know that there's only one in there. Thank goodness. One at a time I can handle. A litter is a whole different story!

School Days

• Last night we had our school's annual talent show. It's always a lot of fun to see what the kids put together for the show. The preschool classes did a traditional Hawaiian fishing dance called the Hukilau. They were so cute in their flip flops and leis. And I have to say that my nephew was the cutest and the best dancer and singer. My kindergarten class performed a collection of poems and songs from around the world since we just finished a social studies unit on "Children of the World." Their favorite was "Kookaburra," a song from Australia. The 1st and 2nd grade class, that both my sons are a part of, sang a song called "I Am A Promise." They were supposed to dress up like what they want to be when they grow up. It was easy for Adam to decide. He's wanted to be an entomologist for a while now. That's someone who studies bugs, in case you were wondering. But Josh couldn't decide. He tends to change his mind depending on what he's interested in at the moment. Since I had to get the costume ready, I suggested a baseball player. (I already had the jersey and hat.) He agreed and was actually pretty excited about it. They did a great job, too. The 3rd and 4th grade class performed to "The Battle Of New Orleans." It was very entertaining. The older kids performed in small groups or individually. There was keyboard playing, singing, poetry, karate, and dance. It was great fun. (But I'm glad it's over.)

• I must have been a little grouchy this week. This morning when I gave my class free time, one little girl declared, "Teacher is better today."

• Show and Tell
  *Build a Bear Workshop bear (white bear with green clover spots dressed in a red dress with a variety of bows to go around her ears)
  *an Idaho state flag, a picture of Mount Rushmore, a story about eating buffalo burgers and a story about a cowboy battle and a cowboy graveyard from L. who just got back from a cross country trip
  *binoculars, six Star Wars action figures, a ship and Chewbacca's gun
  *a Slinky with a very thorough demonstration of all the things you can do with it (headband, jump rope, telescope, stair climber, bracelet, jumping, rolling, stretching, throwing, and much, much more--It's fun for a girl or a boy!)
  *a ballerina jewelry box (pink, of course)
  *a miniature electric guitar (electronic, no strings)
  *a German short haired pointer named Heinz
  
  
• Today is National Pi Day. You know, pi, like the math thing that equals 3.14. But for my 7th graders it meant a short discussion on pi, and then real pie--chocolate and coconut cream. They were very grateful. For the pie and because they didn't have homework.

Ouch

Adam: "Dad, can you get this band-aid off my dog?"
Dad: "Sure, Adam, but why did you put a band-aid on your dog?"
Adam: "Because I cut him with my light saber."

Of course. Why else would a stuffed dog need a band-aid?

Oh, To Be A Gopher

This was on my online calendar this week. I found it interesting since I am on day 190 of the 280 day human gestation period. Do you think it means anything that our gestation period is closest in length to that of a yak? And just think, if I were a warthog, I'd already be done!

Some Gestation Periods
(approximate no. of days)

Aardvark..........210
Dingo.................60
Gazelle..............180
Hedgehog...........39
Leopard............100
Mink...................50
Orang-utan........240
Giant Panda.......140
Rabbit.................30
Gopher................15
Llama................350
Warthog............170
Yak...................260
Zorilla.................37
Shrew..................18
Tapir.................370
Skunk..................60

Today

Today...The sun is shining! Woohoo!

Today...After further tests and a visit to the hematologist, I know that all is okay with me and the baby. And I have been reminded once more of the power of prayer.

Today...I have discovered my new favorite cd--Boys and Girls by Ingrid Michaelson. (It was a birthday gift from my sister. She knows me so well. Thanks, Ada.)

Today...During reading groups I discovered that all my kindergarteners are finally starting to become readers. Some read fluently and some are just putting sounds together, but I can see improvement. What else can I ask for?

Today...My 7th grade math class called me a magician. All because I could show them exactly why x=4 in 3x-2=10. (On Tuesday I was the world's best teacher and math was the best class ever just because I gave them ice cream cups to celebrate my birthday.) I can't wait to see what they think when we celebrate "pi" day on March 14th with actual pie!

Today...My husband called me in the middle of the day to tell me he loves me and appreciates what I do. Awww. (This from the man who has done all the laundry and most of the dishes for the last few months.)

Today...Is Thursday which makes me happy. First because Lost is on tonight and secondly because tomorrow is Friday!

March

It's March...and it's snowing AGAIN.

March is a good month. And not just because it's my birthday month.

March 1st is my favorite (and only) nephew's birthday. We went to his birthday party on Saturday. It was a pirate party. He, of course, was Captain Jack Sparrow...even cuter than the original, I might add. And all of the kids were given pirate garb and pirate names. My sister did such a great job with the party. The cake was the cutest. It was a pirate ship complete with cannons. The kids all had such a great time and the adults had fun watching them. There was a scary moment when Josh was momentarily possessed by the pinata monster and almost got into a fight with a 5 year old girl over two tootsie rolls. He later apologized and gave her some of his pirate treasure.

Yesterday was March 2nd and I realized sometime during the day that it was exactly 3 months until my daughter will be born. A slight panic set in knowing that it will go so fast and her bedroom is still the computer/toy room. I have to get moving so that she doesn't have to sleep in a dresser drawer.

Today I had 4 students (out of 13) absent. And I'm sorry that they are sick. Really. But it was nice having a smaller class. Especially since two of the ones who were gone are what teachers call "challenges."

And tomorrow is my birthday. The big 3-6.

So March has already been good and there's lots more to look forward to. Most of all SPRING. That is if it ever stops snowing!