Thursday, September 27, 2007
Bad Mood Day
It's not me this time...It's K-Bugg. She came to my classroom this afternoon after school and gave me a hug like she always does. Then she grabbed my hands and said she needed "to talk to me." When I asked her what it was she wanted to talk about, tears started welling up in her eyes and she told me that she got in trouble at school today. It turns out she wasn't listening in PE and wasn't following the teacher's directions. The teacher in me, gave her a talk about making better choices next time. The mom in me, felt my heart break as I watched her get so upset about the "infraction" and question me several times if I was "mad at her." Of course I told her I wasn't mad, but hoped she would be a better listener tomorrow. I guess I should have known this morning that she would not have the best day possible. She informed me on the way to school that she was in a "bad mood" today!permalink | posted by NaeNae at 8:18 PM
Monday, September 24, 2007
Movie Critic?
Since one of my favorite past times includes watching movies, I decided I might use my blog to review the ones I watch. Perhaps it will give me something to blog about on those days I have nothing. With that being said, I need some kind of rating scale. I was thinking maybe I could rate the movies with grades (being a teacher and all). Unoriginal, I know - but it's what I do best, right?
Half Nelson - According to the DVD cover, it is "Two big thumbs up!" Are they rating Ryan Goslings' hotness? In that case, I agree. Otherwise, it gets a "D-" from me. I will admit that Ryan Gosling does an amazing job of portraying a teacher struggling with drug addiction. Taking his acting skills into consideration, I will refrain from giving it an "F." The thing that most disappointed me was the fact that the movie leaves you hanging at the end (another reason I graded it so poorly) I HATE movies that leave me hanging. Give me something, people! I don't know...They live happily ever after? Someone dies? Ryan Gosling runs off and joins the circus?! SOMETHING!
permalink | posted by NaeNae at 9:07 PM
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Stressed Out!
Have you ever had one of those days that you thought would never end? That was my day, today. Actually, I should probably say that has been my week! To start off the week, my allergies kicked into high gear. My sinuses ache and my throat feels like it has a sweater attached to it. Sounds weird, huh? Try having that feeling in your throat all day long! I am waiting for the moment that my allergies rob me of my voice like it always does this time of year. Having Laryngitis and being a teacher does not equal a good time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this doesn't happen.
In addition, I'm feeling a lot of stress in my new position at school. I moved to a new grade level and feel like a "first year" teacher again. I'm out of my comfort zone. I do not like to be out of my comfort zone! I want to do a good job with these kids. I know they are counting on me. The anxiety I was feeling today, led to an unexpected "break down" during my planning period. Let me explain...
There is a teacher at my school who has taken me under her wing this year. She has really helped me out and has been a great person to go to for advice. She is always thinking of me and gathers all of this "STUFF" she thinks I will need or use. Now let me first say, that I appreciate her help and feel very grateful that she is always thinking of me. But today, she probably thought I had lost my mind. She had all of these cool ideas and teaching tools ready for me to take back to my room. Again, I felt appreciative, but unsure where to begin in using them. I just looked at her and felt this urge to burst into tears. I hate the feeling of not knowing where I am going in reference to my job. I have always felt confident as a teacher and very seldom question my abilities. This new experience is forcing me to take a look at myself from a new perspective. I knew this would be a challenge going in...I just wasn't prepared for all of the extra time and effort it would take on my part.
Speaking of time, that is another piece of the puzzle that has me feeling so overwhelmed. With all of the extra time I am spending at work (including weekends and weeknights), my time with my family is limited. I don't have enough time in the day to do all of the things I want to do. I'm done whining now...
permalink | posted by NaeNae at 7:58 PM
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Sisters can be best friends too?
Tonight while giving the girls a bath, K-Bugg and I had a conversation that melted my heart. I have always played this game with Kellynn when she gets out of the bath tub - where I ask her to raise her arms so I can dry under them. Instead, I tickle her. Now that Ella is old enough to understand the game, I have started doing it with her. She loves it, and wants me to tickle her over and over again. Kellynn and I were laughing so hard as she kept raising her arms - yet would flinch and pull them back when she saw my "spiders" (wiggly fingers) closing in. K-Bugg: Mom? Ella is the best little sister I could have.
NaeNae: You're right! You couldn't ask for a better little sister! And one day, she will be your best friend.
K-Bugg: (Starting to cry...) But, why?
NaeNae: Why are you crying? Don't you want her to be your best friend?
K-Bugg: No, because then she won't be my sister! I want her to stay my sister!
NaeNae: She will always be your sister...Just one day, she will be your best friend too!
permalink | posted by NaeNae at 9:12 PM
Monday, September 03, 2007
Busy, Busy, Busy
I'm back to work and busier than I care to be! I forgot how scheduled my days are when I am working. Teaching a new grade level this year, is adding to my time spent at school. This, I hate (because it takes away from my time at home). However, I am loving fourth grade! It was just the change I needed.Kevin is now a Windstream Communications employee. Windstream bought out his company a couple of months ago. The "take over" became official last week. He had to leave his work van over the weekend to have it "wrapped" (not painted). Now he drives a bright lime green van. Trust me when I tell you he can't be missed on the road!
K-Bugg started Kindergarten last week. I can't believe my baby is in school. I cried a little at "Open House" when taking her to meet her teacher. But the first day of school was exciting for both of us. She is very much like me - not a morning person. I was surprised when she jumped out of bed and was ready to go within 15 minutes. She is so grown up now. She likes to pick out her own clothes the night before and have them ready for the next morning. And she is taking her lunch every day because she is a picky eater (just like her Daddy). I have to consult with her each time I pack her lunch, to make sure I have the "right" snack. So far, she has already made a new friend, Kathryn. She doesn't know anyone else's name in her class - just Kathryn's. However, we were surprised to find out that she doesn't play with Kathryn on the playground. This is because Kathryn doesn't like to play "Chase" with the boys. 
Ella is doing great. She is 17 months now and thinks she is just as big as Kellynn. Her vocabulary continues to grow, and knows quite a few words and phrases. She can also mimic pretty much anything you say. However, she is also at the stage where she knows what she wants to say, but can't find the words to tell me. She gets very frustrated and has started throwing temper tantrums. I thought she had already started throwing tantrums months ago - but she has proven in the last couple of weeks that those were just "warm up" tantrums. I can't remember them all, but these are some of her new words/phrases: "choc choc" (chocolate), "mill" (milk), "jew" (juice), "dee" (drink), "gay" (grapes), "ball" (bowl), "I wu-jew" (I love you), "I ready" (I'm ready) By the way, the photo above is Ella's "cheese" picture. This is how she smiles for the camera.permalink | posted by NaeNae at 7:17 AM
