Ents

Apparently, we teach Ents at my school.

I Fell

Well, I decided it was time to start working out again. Not really a New Year's Resolution, because I'm no good at those, but more of a New Year's Ultimatum because I refuse to buy any more pants. So, yesterday after work I got the trusty step out. I couldn't find my DVD, I think it's still packed away in a box. No matter, turn on a DVRed House and just make stuff up as you go. Well, I'm all into House when I stepped off the end of the bench (step) and fell flat on my butt.
Today I did Billy Blanks. No falling. But a lot harder.

It's been a great couple of days back at work. I've decided I need to tweak my schedule to give everyone more of what they need. So far, I still have a planning time, so I'm ok!

Funny Kid Story

We gave out surveys to all the teachers, parents, and students at our school. One little boy in the third grade class I go into had a novel idea. In response to the question "What would you change about our school if you could?" he said "I would change all the people into dinosaurs."

Funny Sign

There's a sign at a local liquor store....100% alcohol, no gas.
I think it's so funny and clever. I smile every time I drive by. I keep meaning to take a picture, but I never do, so the words will have to suffice.

I did, however take some pictures of my kids at school today with my phone. Can't put them on here, but they looked so cute! I have these plastic Harry Potter 'glasses' that we read with. I call them our reading classes, they help us read better. One kid was having trouble today, and he said "I think I need to wear the glasses!"

OU Mania

OK, These people are crazy! I've talked about this before, but now we actually live in the same town as OU. I never thought it possible, but it's worse. I even have put an OU license plate on the front of my car so that it doesn't get vandalized.
So this morning, I'm riding with my windows down, music on loud, and I stop at the red light. The man next to me rolls down his window, jerks his thumb backwards and asks if that means I'm a Texas fan. I said, No, sir, I'm just from Texas. He says, Oh, good, well, and I said, I figured I better put that thing on the front so my car doesn't get vandalized. He says, well, you need to add an upside down Longhorn to the back.

No, sorry.

He did have me laughing the rest of the way to work!

Funny Teacher Story

We were making paper stars at school the other day. A 'getting to know you' activity since I am new at the school. I had them write their names in the middle, and on each point of the star, a different fact about themselves: favorite color, brothers and sisters, favorite food, what they wanted to be when they grow up, and if they had any pets. So, this one boy gets to the What do you want to be when you grow up? question and says he doesn't know. I said, well, just think about it, I know you can come up with something. So he finally says: "I know!! I want to grow up and be married to a woman and not be gay like my uncle."
Um...
This is one of those moments when you pray your face will remain motionless. He finally decided he'll work in a fish store.

On another note, I am taking three classes this semester. I am pretty excited about it, too! It may kill me, but at least I'll go happily! Ha.

Ice Cream Spoons

Is that not the cutest little Ben and Jerry's you've ever seen!? Hubby is watching the weight, so he said he didn't want any ice cream, but being the temptress I am, had to get him some. I discovered these tiny little guys and they were perfect!

They even came with their own little spoon! How fun is that!? Right in the lid was this little spoon. We got to talking about the little spoons, and my husband's friend said "Remember those little wooden spoons they used to give us in elementary school?" OhH! Just the thought makes me cringe!! I hated those things. I was always afraid I was going to get a splinter on my tongue. Ew. Like nails on a chalkboard! (Did it stop me from eating the ice cream. Ha. Not a chance)

What's something fun/weird you remember from your childhood?

p.s. We're on our *third* day of no school. I don't understand it. The roads are fine. Oh, maybe it's all those people slipping and cracking their heads. I just hope teachers don't have to go to school on a Saturday like we did one year. Sigh. Well, I'm off to run errands! Have a great day!

Jokes

My husband can attest to the fact that I am not a joke person. I don't find them funny. I'm usually rolling my eyes....especially at his which are generally my father-in-law's first. But, first graders are very funny about jokes. They are getting old enough to realize the concept of humor, but not quite well enough to completely get it. They've heard jokes and want to retell them, but it quickly deteriorates to them making up their own "jokes." Here are two that were pretty cute before we got completely silly today.

Kid: What word do even teachers spell wrong?
Me: I don't know!
Kid: Wrong! Get it? Wrong? Peals of laughter ensue...

Different Kid: Why did the football coach go to the bank?
Me: I don't know, why?
Kid: To get his quarter back!

Heard any good jokes lately?

Stuff White People Like

I know, I know, it sounds offensive. I thought so, too. It's a book, and it's funny. A friend of mine gave it to me to read. There are 150 things that white people like, and I have laughed many, many times. It is more for the upwardly mobile well-off young urban generation of white people, but it rings true nonetheless. These are ones that apply to me (like it or not): 1. Coffee, though I'll take my plain ol' Folgers, thanks. 18. Awareness 29. 80s Night...while I've never been to an "80s Night" in the sense he is referring to, I love the 80s. 37. Renovations 39. Netflix 40. Apple Products (well for me just the iPod) 43. Plays 49. Vintage 54. Kitchen Gadgets 55. Apologies 62. Knowing What's Best for Poor People 64. Recycling 66. Divorce 70. Difficult Breakups 81. Graduate School 90. Dinner Parties 103. Self-Deprecating Humor 108. High School English Teachers 110. Trying Too Hard 121. Reusable Shopping Bags 128. Avoiding Confrontation 131. Following Their Dreams 132. Not Having Cash 138. Books 140. Glasses. I don't currently wear them, but have in the past and am considering doing so again. 142. Hardwood Floors 145. Cheese 146. Therapy 149. Self-Importance.

So, according to this I am 15% white contrary to what my daughter once told me which was I was the 'whitest' person she knew. Most all of these, however, apply to my brother-in-law. I'm betting he's at least 90%! It's a funny read and an eye opener, as well. Enjoy!

Granny's Candies

Another game story today and a poll (see left)! I have a language game in my classroom called Grannie's Candies. Today we are doing the "What belongs in this group?" cards. What goes with small things, colors, musical instruments, dinosaurs, etc. So my first graders and I came upon "continents." I said, "I'm not sure if you guys have learned about continents yet." One of them piped up "Yes, we have, they are b, c, d, f, g...." And another in response to "school subjects:" "Math, Phonics, Be Quiet...."

So, in the spirit of games and Nola's comment on the last post, please log in your vote about Games!

Rock the Vote!

I hope you all voted today.

If you haven't voted yet (I meant to get this posted a lot earlier, but we are having mysterious problems with both our computers coinciding with the homecoming of the prodigal), here are some important things to keep in mind when making your decision, as dictated to the teacher from the preschoolers.

"What does the President do?"

~He does his work.

~He takes care of people.

~He builds things.

~He calls people to do his stuff.

~He cleans houses.

~He tells people what magazines to read.

~He plays with his toys and his friends.

~He protects the world.

~He cleans up messes.

~He feeds animals on the farm.

~He does what his boss says.

~He puts up the flag.

~He goes on a ship.

~He hammers stuff.

~He calls moms when their kids are bad.

~He rides a bike.

~He goes to art class.

~He watches movies.

For more from last year, check here.

Funny Teacher Story

Last week I had paper pumpkins with a word on the back. The students were to pick a pumpkin, read the word on the back, and give me other words or phrases that went along with the given word (associations). Keep in mind I work with kids with speech problems. So the kid picks it up and reads "Police." And says "They beat you with a tick," except the 't' in what what supposed to be 'stick' sounded like a 'd.' A test in keeping a straight face, I tell ya!

BTW, aren't you proud of me!? I actually had *32* blog entries in October for the 31 for 21. And have you missed me for the past two days?!

Funny Story

Alex's comment on my last post reminded me of a story of when I was in fifth grade. My teacher's name was Mr. Cage and we had all kinds of animals in our room. But, that's beside the point. Michael sat across from me. He used to put those little erasers used on the end of pencils up his nose. Then he would occlude the opposite nostril and blow them at me. It was quite traumatic and disgusting and I still remember him to this day!

Down Syndrome Awareness

It's Down Syndrome Awareness month. There's a challenge to post 31 days for 21...post on your blog all 31 days in October for Trisomy 21. I'm not so great at challenges like this with pre-set parameters. I like to make up my own challenges, but hey, we'll give it a shot.
I love kids with Down's. They are the sweetest, most precious babies! Ok, yeah, they're stubborn, too.
I had one in my preschool class one year. Each morning, we would go straight to the cafeteria to eat breakfast, and we would put our backpacks on an adjacent table while we ate. Everyday after breakfast as we were lining up, I would always call out "Backpacks!," so they wouldn't forget. This particular morning, I'll call her Suzie, comes up and sticks her foot in my face. I said, I don't know what that means, what do you want? So I modeled speaking and signing "Tie my shoe." Nothing. So I signed and said "Tie shoe." Nothing. I put her hand on my throat and said "Tie my shoe" and then placed my hand on her throat....nothing. I persisted for probably 3 minutes, which seemed like 10, gave up and tied her shoe. She walks away and clear as a bell yells "Backpacks!!"
I would love to share with you the most beautiful eyes I've seen recently!

Wordless Wednesday

Fruit

My nephew started Kindergarten today. I don't have a picture of him with his teacher or anything yet, but in honor of him, I wanted to show you some pictures I took last time I was at their house. I did however hear that he already likes his teacher because when they went to meet her on Friday she was wearing a pink skirt. His favorite color. Yes, I know.....I actually have a picture of him in a pink dress somewhere.....


I'm sure we've all seen these decorative bowls of artificial fruit.





Just as I'm sure we've all seen the bite marks.



But it's still funny!

Weekend

Been quilting all weekend, here are some pictures. I need to go buy some more fabric for the hourglass one.

While jogging/walking, I always wave at the people (mostly children) that are out. Last night, I waved at three children playing in their driveway. They continued to stare at me as I walked by, so I said, "How are you guys tonight?" And the little girl said "Fine, what's your name?" I said "Michelle, what's yours?" She told me, we shook hands, then she said, "What are you doing?" I said, "Well, I'm just jogging around." She said, "Oh, when will you be back!?" LOL I love kids. Sometimes I like them better than people my own age!

Bath Mat

One of our Saturday chores is laundry. We don't dry the bathmats, you know, the whole spontaneous combustion or whatever reason you can't dry rubber....so we hang them up to dry. This morning, hubby comes out of the bathroom and says, I like to be the first person to put footprints on the bath mats after we've washed them. I said, yeah, it's fun, huh?

Then, I saw this! He's a hoot!

More Peasants~

My friends and I always go out to lunch on Fridays to a 'real' restaurant. No refilling your own drinks on Fridays, my friends. One of my friends and I had recently celebrated birthdays, but for some reason never exchanged gifts. So we brought our gifts to lunch today. We didn't want our other friend to be left out, so she got something as well. Don'tcha just love the construction wrapping paper!? Only in elementary!




Here it is!!! A model eye!!
It was in a closet at my friend's school so they wrapped it up for her.








Dust and all!

Trees and French Fries

I used to do parent-infant advising and I was at my now friend's home doing a lesson one afternoon. She has two deaf children, and the whole family is learning to sign. Makes my heart sing! Anyway, Little Guy signed WHERE DADDY, though WHERE looked more like twisting MILK and daddy was done with an 'A' handshape (baby sign). It was the cutest thing, and it just brought tears to my eyes that this two-year-old was using 2 word phrases just like hearing two-year-olds! Joy! Happy!
So, the other day mom tells me that Little Guy said and signed "Go McDonald's, French Fries." But signed, MCDONALD'S TREE. So, being the awesome mom she is, she modeled the correct grammar/signing and said/signed "You want to go to McDonald's and get some FRENCH FRIES (correct sign)?" Yeah, says Little Guy "French Fries" Signing TREE.
Too Cute!