Some special people in my life

Over this past weekend I got to take care of a two and a three year old.  I love being the 'fun Aunt' when kids get to stay at my house for the weekend.  However, these two boys called me 'Mama' from the start....and I have to say that I enjoyed every time it came out of their mouths.  

The weekend started with a football game.  The kids had never been to a football game and since I live in Texas......that was the first item on my check off list.  They loved it so much they kept running to the field so they could play....Needless to say, we didn't get to stay very long.  But long enough to get a picture taken with a cheerleader and to play the drums!

The next day we went to the park......

Got some hugging time in........

And the library.  The library time was cut short because we had a messy diaper and (only then) did I realize that I did not bring the diaper bag.

 After naps....for all of us....we went to my Aunt's birthday party.  It was chaos from the beginning!  My cousin loved having friends to play with and cried when they left.  These boys melted your heart with their sweet gestures and hugs.  I cried as well, when they left the next day.

The two year old loved to brush his hair.

The three year old was the most focused when there was chaos.

The next day we went to church.  Afterwards, we picked up the 90 pictures I took in one night and a full day.  While they napped I made them each a photo album book so they could look back at all the fond memorizes.  When they were picked up the three year old gave me a long hug while I sang 'Wheels on the bus go round and round' for the 50th time.  God knew I needed these boys in my life.  And I will continue to pray, one day in heaven they will come running to me again with open arms and their beautiful smiles.

El club de español; Parte dos

¿QUÉ ESTÁ EN MI BOLSA?

¿Qué puedes ver?

Cargador de la computadora?

Lápiz?

Bolígrafo?

Lápiz labial?

Lazo del pelo?

Loción?

Dulces?

Desinfectante de manos?

Chicle?

Cuaderno?

Tarjetas de Español?

iPad?

Desodorante?
Tijeras?
Mermelada de uva?
Panuelo de papel?

Español del club; parte uno

Hoy tenía tres estudiantes a mi español almuerzo.  Ellos dijeron que ellos querían un club de español.  Yikes!  Entonces, pienso que puedo poner unas fotos y unas palabras de español en mi blog para este club.  Es possible que los estudiantes quien van al club pueden leer mi blog y practican Español.  

Mi sobrina tenía un año.

Esméralda, Alicia en el país de las maravillas, y Blancanieves.

Mi sobrina tenía dos años.  Ella estaba usando los marcadores en suya cara.

Yo estoy jugando béisbol.

Mi sobrina tenía tres años.

Mi sobrino tenía un mes.

Mi sobrina tenía cuatro años.

Mi gato está usando el baño.

My poor backyard

After 8 weeks of neglect, my poor backyard was a sore sight to see.  I thought I took a before picture and sent it to dad...but it's not on my ipad.  It might be on my camera, and if that is the case then I will have to edit this post at a different time.

I have grass seedlings everywhere (bane of my existence) and weird plants that I'm praying won't retaliate against me,  by giving me a rash, for pulling them out of their new found home.  Praise The Lord it rained last night and this morning (to make the wonderful clay Texas dirt soft) so it made the pulling a little more easier.
I worked for two hours and when the trash bin was full, decided that was my cue to call it good for the day.

The garbage truck might have difficulty picking up this trash bin....amazing how many weeds I pulled up, branches I clipped off, and dead leaves I gathered.  My body is going to hate me tomorrow.

The power of teaching

I was speaking Spanish with a student and his old teacher made a statement that he knew this student could speak Spanish if he would have only tried in his class.  My heart just broke for this student.  The student tried to pick up his pride with a rhetorical statement but the hurt had been done.  I turned to the student to say how proud I was of him.  And I have the rest of the year to remind my students how amazingly gifted they are.

“I’ve come to a frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my personal approach that creates the climate. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or dehumanized.”

Haim G. Ginott

I found this statement in the first office I had as a teacher and it is still my favorite teacher quote.  Back then I didn't have a teaching certificate or any experience, but this quote gave me guidance.  14 years later; knowing, understanding, and living this quote is more valuable to me than my teaching certificate.  

 

I have had this student in my Spanish class for three days and he was speaking Spanish with me.  He didn't need to 'try harder', he just needed the right tools.  Oh, do I have the power or what.

School has started

Well, school has started and I'm so glad I recorded my relaxing days in OR so I can go back to remember what it is like to be sane.  I am pulling twelve hour days and coming up on the weekends.  I have changed rooms, teaching four preps (three of which are new), and hourly reminding myself that I should be grateful that I at least have a job.

My Spanish bulletin board.  I actually have two bulletin boards outside my room because it's so big.

My new...VERY.....large room.  Couldn't get the whole room in the picture.

My ticless clock with glass cover and metal rim.

Day eight.....heading home

Face-time with Momma and Daddy.

Caught mi sobrino folding his pajamas.

Heading to Gramma and Grampa's house.

Look Momma....Mi sobrino wrote his name.

 For my last day, mi sobrina wanted me to teach her how to sew.  Her parents are debating if they should get her a sewing machine.  So, we got out Gramma's sewing maching, which was her grandmothers, and let the needle take us for a glorious ride.  This was the sewing machine I learned on, so it was cool to know that mi sobrina was the fifth generation to use this machine.

I worked the petal first.

Mi sobrino was fascinated by our project.

Mi sobrina's first project.  Just having her get a feel for the machine.

Second project...didn't have time to use a pattern.  Base of purse.

Strap of purse.

Connecting the strap to the purse.

She was careful not to go too fast.

Taa-Daa!  A little rough around the edges, but not bad.

A Burgerville lunch to celebrate.  Milkshakes for all!

Burgerville needs to come to Texas.

 I got to the airport and my bag was ten pounds over the weight limit.  Had to take out the garden hose, one jar of honey, a glass vase, and my lotion.  But managed to get more items into my 'one personal item'...lol a forty pound backpack.  Got to the airport early to charge my laptop...which I didn't even use....to find that our plane was going to be delayed.

Gave me more time to shop at the 'Made in Oregon' store, where I found honey mustard pretzels for a dollar.  Only two bags of pretzels fit in my backpack (with some salt water taffy).  I grabbed my backpack to put on my back and it was so heavy that it made me fall back into my chair.....

When I made it to my seat on the plane, someone was already sitting there...the flight attendant took me to the front of the plane where I got a window seat and the row all to myself...score.  So, I was able to take these lovely photos.

The city as I was leaving.

Mt. Rainier?

Mt. St. Helens.

Mt. Hood

Got in about 11:30 pm but it took them an hour to get our luggage up to the baggage claim.  Home by 1:30 am and in bed by 2:30 am.  I was up at 6:30 am and I miss the hugs already.   Mi sobrina left a secret message on my camera stating that she wants to have a tea party the next time we meet.  And oh, what a tea party it will be!