Reminiscing...

Before you join me in my reminisce-ent moment, a bit of necessary information...

Tonight is our ward's Relief Society Birthday Enrichment. My calling in this ward has me front and center for tonight's event and as such, I've been knee-deep in preparations for several weeks. The theme for tonight is "classic birthday party" and we're combining with the other ward in our building. It should be a lot of fun. As a way for sisters to mingle with those they might not otherwise meet, we are seating them according to the months of their birthdays (let's hope there isn't like, ONE April birthday in the bunch, at a table all by herself...sad. But anyway). I realized today that I'd forgotten to make cutesy month signs for each table and while I was ready to take on the task, I felt like there had to be something easier. And then I remembered my huge teaching bins in our closet! So, I started digging through them and lucky for me, found exactly what I was looking for in the first bin -- my month by month birthday cakes that I used to use for posting student birthdays! Jackpot. Twelve cutesy birthday-cake-style, months-of-the-year signs coming right up:)

Now we can begin reminiscing.

As I pulled the birthday cakes out of the box, I saw that I had never washed last year's student names and birthdays off of the laminate. As I read over those sweet, dear little names, floods of wonderful (and, maybe, some less-than-wonderful) memories filled my mind. I fell in love with those students all over again in a different way today - almost in a "mother's love" kind of way. It caught me a bit off-guard. All of a sudden I missed them so much and wanted to hug each of them and tell them how much I love them; how fabulously fun, special, miraculous, adorable, and brilliant each of them are; each in their very own way.

The kids I taught in my 3 years at Geneva changed my life, and most definitely for the better. They taught me life lessons I couldn't have learned anywhere else. They instilled in me life-long passions for teaching, learning and discovering. But most of all, they loved me for who I was, and they showed it daily (well, most of them did...).

But going back to those specific names on the birthday cakes today...there was something different and special about that last group of kids I taught. Maybe it was that they were my third group, so I was better at my job with them than with the others. Maybe it was that they were the kids I taught during my pregnancy - a very special time in my life. Maybe it was their reactions to the pregnancy - funny name suggestions, comments on my size, and crazy bets they made with parents and grandparents about Charlie's gender. Maybe it was the weekly "lunch picnics" I got to have in the classroom with groups of them, or the Christmas caroling outing, or the High School Musical dance party, or the multiple programs we practiced and put on for parents and friends.

Maybe it was that they were my last. My last group of kids before entering into early retirement. The kids that sent me on my way, into the unknown world and wonderment that is parenthood. The kids that helped me understand, a little more, what it would mean to be a mommy.

Whatever it is, those sweet names and faces will be with me always. I can never forget them.

And I love them for that.

Can I get a "HALLELUJAH!"

Its official. Spring break is HEEE-ERE! I. Love. Spring. Break.

We're not quite sure what we're going to do yet, but I have the whole week off of school, so that gives us 9 days to figure out what we want to do. Right now, its looking like we'll be able to see both our families this week with a quick trip to California to see my family, and then a few days with Brian's side as well. Its going to be AMAZING!

This is Emily.

This is Emily on Spring Break.

Now don't get me wrong. We all know that I LOVE my job and A-D-O-R-E my sweet first graders, but really. Who wouldn't rejoice over a 9 day, no sub-plans, no pay-dock, no-questions asked, required vacation? Thank you.

In other good news, we are now the proud owners of a 9-piece, super-cute, super-boy, nursery set! (Thank you for your input Mom & Natalie!) What do you think?

It comes with the quilt, bumper, pillow, dust ruffle, diaper stacker, sheet, 2 curtain panels, and a toy hanger. I was hesitant at first because I had originally thought we would just go with something neutral, but after searching for too long and not finding anything we liked, we decided to go with the all-boy look. I'm thinking I'll decorate the nursery with antique-style sports stuff (i.e. an old football, old baseball glove, aged baseballs, etc...). I have high hopes for this sweet little room. Brian's hoping we can "influence" him early-on to love sports (Brian's first word was "ball"), we'll let you know how that goes.

Out of the mouths of babes...

Today one of my little girls came up to me, sad about something; and being the therapist/nurse/first grade teacher that I am, I gave her a hug and had her get a drink of water (a literal cure-all).
After her drink she came back over to me, looked me up and down and said, "Your tummy's getting FAT!" (I did not add the emphasis. That is how it came out).
I think tomorrow, we'll talk about "how to address your teacher."
Maybe something along the lines of "Wow Mrs. Ames! You sure look gorgeous today:) Just like yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that, and the day before that... I especially like your baby belly. Its so endearing and really looks good on you. You are SO pulling this whole pregnant-lady-look off. I sure am lucky to have such a go0d-looking teacher like you."
Yeah. That sounds good.
I'll teach that.

Confessions of a "twenty-something" pregnant lady

Confession #1: I have recently discovered an unhealthy, yet uninhibited, pizza addiction. "What was that? We had it for lunch and dinner yesterday? There are no leftovers? That's okay. We'll order another one!"
Hawaiian, combination, pepperoni, cheese, Five Buck, Dominoes, Papa Murphy's, it doesn't matter. Oh, pizza pie, how I love you.
(Although I will admit that in an attempt to eat pizza "healthily," I most often pull the cheese off and replace the toppings. This also helps keep the 'lactose intolerance' in me happy).


Confession #2: I am nesting...uncontrollably. It doesn't matter what the project, if it's maternal or domestic, I want to DO IT! In celebration of this recent "domestic debut," I have a new favorite fabric store - The Cotton Shop.
Not only do they have the cutest fabrics and projects, but they have killer sales and the nicest employees! Baby Ames and I give them 4 thumbs up:)
At the most recent sale, I invested in a "rotary cutting system."

I am crafter. Hear me roar.

Confession #3: Relative to confession #2, I have discovered, and fallen in love with, crocheting edges onto hem-stitched blankets and burp cloths.

This child will spit-up in style.

Confession #4: As exhausting as my job has become, I still have the best "out of the house" job with the absolute best students. Please see Exhibit A: "I am lucky because..."

Oh sorry. That's a little hard to see. Let me zoom in on the second coin from the left...
Need I say more?
Life is good:)

"No, I want to be Mrs. Ames!"

We just finished parent-teacher conferences and while emotionally and physically exhausting (as always), this round of conferences brought to me a new sense of fulfillment and joy in my job. Let me explain.
I have a student (we'll call her "Girl") who seemed to have it out for me at the beginning of the year. I won't go into too much detail, but just picture honking, parroting the teacher, pinching, hitting, and crawling around, all during lessons at the carpet -- do you have the image? Well after too many meetings with mom and the principal, she was taken to the pediatrician where she was diagnosed with ADHD and to my relief (and sanity), given medication. Hallelujah!!! Now I'm not one of those teachers who's solution is "MEDICATE MEDICATE MEDICATE," but for Girl, she needed it for her own success.
Now let's fast forward 6 months to last night's parent-teacher conference.
After going through all of the business of our meeting, her mom informed me that Girl had asked for a whiteboard easel for Christmas and now plays school everyday, in which game she is always Mrs. Ames! How adorable is that! AND, to top it all off, apparently whenever Girl has friends over to play from our class, they argue over who gets to be me. I love it. I'm obviously not a fan of the kids arguing, but if they're going to fight, atleast its for a good reason! ;)
I made an effort to especially watch Girl today as she did her work and I noticed that during Reader's Workshop, she read all of her books in her chair with her legs crossed, holding the book for an imaginary class to see as she read. It was PRECIOUS!
Needless to say, Girl's behavior has improved amazingly over the year and now, not only is she one of my top students, she's also higher up on the ladder of "teacher really likes you" status. Cute little Girl:)

Thanksgiving...1st grade style:)

For Thanksgiving, I always do a big feast where the kids get to dress up like pilgrims or indians and then we eat foods "reminiscent" (we're using that term loosely here) of the first thanksgiving (i.e. craisins, cornbread, carrots, turkey, & popcorn...remember I said loosely).
This year I decided it'd be fun to put on a show for our parents of all the Thanksgiving poems, songs, and reader's theaters we do in November (I mean, if we're going to learn them anyways, why not impress a few parents in the process, right?).
Well, the show was a hit and the feast was SO fun! I am convinced that there is nothing cuter than 6 year olds dressed in grocery bag vests and paper hats singing songs like "Albuquerque Turkey" and "My Turkey tis' of Thee"- except maybe hearing them take turns saying what they're grateful for around a make shift table of mini-desks!

I LOVE my job!

Happy Halloween from Room 102!

Happy Halloween everyone! Today was our annual Halloween Parade and class party -- it was a grand old time! Can I just say that I absolutely LOVE my job?

Halloween Crafts

Googly eyeballs unknowingly being glued to costumes: Funny (to me).

Decorating Cookies
Hearing the mom repeat herself over and over again, "DON'T LICK THE KNIVES!": Hilarious



Finding the only other Snow White in the school to be a pre-schooler: adorable



Spending an afternoon helping my kiddos celebrate their favorite holiday: priceless.


Happy Halloween!

Sheer Exhaustion.

In all seriousness, I cannot remember the last time I was this beat. I sit here in my classroom knowing that I have stuff to do, but I'm so tired that I can't think of what it is that I have to do.

Why are you so tired, you ask? Well let me explain.

Today was our first field trip of the year -- the apple orchard. Its a fun field trip and all, but today's adventure threw into sharp perspective just how different my kids are this year compared to last year's heaven-sent group. This year my kids, while sweet as can be, S-T-R-U-G-G-L-E when it comes to listening & APPLYING what you heard (novel concept, I know).
Let's take a little scenario from today as an example:

Me: "You have 10 seconds to line up with your buddy right HERE (imagine me pointing to the ground in front of me). I start counting.

Several seconds pass and half the class is trying to tickle their neighbor, while the other half wanders aimlessly, appearing to have forgotten who their assigned buddy is (mind you that they were instructed to never leave their buddy's side, so how they forgot who the buddy was, heaven only knows...). I continue to count getting louder and more "obviously serious."

7 seconds have passed at this point and only 2 of the 8 sets of buddies are standing in what appears to be a crude line...in embryo.

The 10 seconds are now up and I feel like in idiot in front of my parent chaperones because apparently, Mrs. Ames can't control her class? Of course, this makes me...flustered (putting it delicately). So what do I do to get their attention? I pull out the "tough teacher voice" as opposed to the usual "Hi. I'm in control" teacher voice.

We stop as a class and have a brief heart-to-heart.

Me: "Who can tell me what your instructions were just now?"

Every hand goes up (apparently eager to show off their mad listening skills?) and they all are able to tell me. UGHHHH!!!!

So I'm tired. Really tired.

A Classic First Grade Moment...

So yesterday was Halloween (obviously) and as the first big holiday of the school year its naturally all that first graders talk about from about September 1st to Halloween day.
Well everyone in my class was way excited to wear their costumes and couldn't stop pointing out little details of their costumes to their friends. Then Slayter came up to me (I was dressed as Snow White) and said, "So Mrs. Ames, are you like, a vampire or something?" (Mind you at this point, it took all my strength to hold back laughter.) All I could think to say was, "Close Slayter. I'm actually Snow White." His response was an easy-going "Oh. Cool." And that was that. I'm telling you, you've gotta love first grade.