Springtime is so much fun. Bugs and flowers and the change of weather. It just makes you feel better. Every year I do a bug unit using the books of Author Eric Carle. This author has done so much for children's literature. His spring bug books are awesome. My favorite is the Grouchy Ladybug, my theatrical talents come a live with this book. The kids love it. The second favorite is the Very Hungry Caterpillar (40Th anniversary of this book). We even get ladybug eggs and caterpillars for gestation. The kids go wild when we finally release the adult bugs. Along with these books come lots of artistic activities. I really needed to change my huge bulletin board and decided the kids could really help out with this dreaded duty.
I'm very creative but, I hate doing bulletin boards (one of those teacher duties).
So my little sweat shop went to work making huge butterflies, ladybugs, bubble bees and beetles. Next we made a huge Caterpillar in the middle of the board and topped it off with flowers of all kinds of designs. The students were so proud of their contributions and it turned out to be really pretty. I will post a picture and maybe you can get some ideas from the picture. I'm going to use the bulletin board for a backdrop for a student photo for their Easter card. Two birds with one stone. Hope you can get some ideas from the picture. Happy Spring!!!!

Fun Friday

Today is Friday. On Fridays in my class we have fun. Today we are going to make bird nest with jelly bean eggs for snack. Take some noodles, honey, peanut butter....stir together and spoon out and mash in the middle for the eggs. Let sit in frig for and hour to harden. Spring is here and eggs, bugs, flowers and new life can be seen everywhere. This time of year always reminds me of renewal of the spirit. The weather is great and everything is turning green. We celebrate Easter at this time and hopefully have a renewal of faith. God sent his only Son to die for our sins to give us new life. Celebrate!!!

Back to work.....or play

Wow it took 50 something years of growing and therapy to do that last list. Try doing one for yourself. It's a hard, but, rewarding assignment. I have to share today's story. I introduced the letter Cc today and their "Little Cc Book" had a picture of a cup. I laughed and told the class they could color it the color of coffee because coffee began with the letter C. Well, the new little guy in my class looked up and said "My cups going to be colored yellow cause my mom likes beer and I'm making her a cup of beer. How can you argue with that? Speaking of beer..... One time I was talking to a single mom and asked her how she did it, working and managing two young children? Without a skip of a beat she said "I drink allot of beer. Again, how can you argue about that? That's enough of my beer stories. God Bless your little hearts, teachers of all ages.

Twenty five things to know about me:

1. I am truly in love with my husband. I married him twice. Once at age 25 and again at age 54. Second time is twice as good.

2. I have found the total love of Christ. I know I am saved because Jesus died on the cross for my sins.

3. I believe in angels. Many times in my life I have encountered their presence.

4. Our family trips are one of the highlights of my life. Trips to Santa Fe, NY,Pennsylvania,Colorado, and the many trips to the Beach.

5. I can not explain the power of childbirth. Each of my daughters are miracles from God. They are the love of my life.

6. Living in the country is awful. I love carpet grass and pavement and shopping centers right around the corner.

7. I have a terrible fault..... I feel empathetic for people to much. I need to measure my feelings instead of taking in everyone's feelings.

8. Fault number 1 I can't say I'm sorry. I need to work on this. I'm a redhead, Irish and egocentric.

9. I can shop all day without eating a thing.

10. I love antiquing and finding something old for a great price rather than buying something new.

11. I love teaching for about 6 years and then I get ancie and want something more.

12. I love dancing with my husband. I remember the many fun parties we danced the night away.

13. I don't believe in Friday the 13. Everyday is a lucky day for me.

14. I pray more now that I'm older.

15. I love fashion of all kinds....even if it's not my age. That's when I get in to trouble with the fashion police.

16. One of my fantasies is to ride a horse again ,just to see if I can.

17. I received my ESL certification, read 7 books in the summer, and wrote a grant for 2200 hundred dollars for play equipment and was given that grant ,all this in one year.
What's so big about this? I'm ADHD and have found the medication that helps me use my brain and not feel dumb.

18. I miss my Dad everyday since his death. I swore I wouldn't. I was wrong.

19. I love my grandson! Being a grandparent is super!

20. My son-in-law is the best. He's the boy I never had. He's a wonderful addition to our family.

21. I am very creative,but, I usually want to make money from my creations. I had a Line of clothing called IRIS ANN for ten years. I also manufactured jewelry to go along with the line. I still love making things to sell. My theory is don't make just one. Make a lot of the item and sell sell sell.

22. I remember my birth in the Santa Rosa Hospital. I was pampered and was a precious baby to all. The nuns tied pink ribbon in my hair and paraded me around like a doll. I was born seventeen months after my brother died of a heart condition. He was four months old.

23. I am a real mush ,but, don't like showing it.

24.Europe,especially Italy, is more than I ever dreamed it would be. I waited 30 years for a trip to Europe and when I got there, I didn't want to leave. I love it.

25. I'll never regret the effort I put into living my life to the fullest. I'm a give it all kinda girl.

SPRING BREAK

This is my first post so bear with me. I want to be able to make you laugh, or cry, or laugh until you cry. I am a veteran teacher, but have had several other careers. I manufactured clothing universally for ten years, went back to teaching for six years then worked for my husband's lawfirm doing Public Relations. I couldn't stand it; I caught crayola fever and went back to teaching. Anyone out there want to change careers? I say go for it. The newness of any job is great for your morale. Often teachers just get burned out. Just remember, you can always go back to teaching. When my girls were growing up, I had the dress company and could arrange my schedule to do all the MOMMIE things. There is one down fall to all these careers, I lost the years of experience to retire at the right age. I now will be 93 retiring with full benefits. Ha. Ha. I have a walker and am doing fine. Just kiddding. If you are tired of the struggles of teaching, take a break. It will make you a better person. If you have any questions about my careers, let me know. I am back to teaching Pre-k and have gotten over leaving the profession. This is the last stop and I will be here until I retire. I am also writing a book about the funny stories I have experienced in my teaching career. I would love to hear some of your stories, too. That's the joy of this blog. I will also pray for you all out there who are teaching your hearts out. May God give you strength to see joy, joy, joy down in your heart.