Happy Birthday, Dad!

I know it's a little late in the day, but
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!

The man who taught me how to make lists, help others, wake up early, clean my room, have fun, and most of all, how to be genuine. You are my favorite father...plus my only.

A quote I recently read in a book all about dads (from another person whose life you have touched) said, "Anyone can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a dad." That about sums it up for me. I feel so blessed that I have a dad that loves me. And that I have never had to question it. I have always known that I was loved and valued. I hope that you know that I love, value, and appreciate you as well. You are a hole in one!

Happy Birthday Niecey Poo!

Two years ago tomorrow, December 20, something wonderful happened--my sister had a baby! I always knew it would be fun to be an auntie, but I had NO IDEA how MUCH fun it would be! I am totally in love with my Judy-bug! Here are some of my favorite pictures of my favorite niecey-poo!

Here begins the rollercoaster! Your mommy was super brave on your birthday! So was your daddy. You're blessed to have such wonderful parents that love you more than anything.

The first time I saw you! I couldn't wait! I still owe you a spankin' for taking so long and for giving your mom such a hard time!

The first time I got to hold you. I was smitten! (And I still am.)

Last year's birthday...This year, easy on the frosting!!

Look at those eyes! So full of life!

What's not to love?

You make me LAUGH when I see your, uh, creative side!


Blah, blah, blah...I love when we chit-chat, and I can't believe how much your vocabulary increases every time I see you!

You are so brave and always try new things--even if auntie thinks you shouldn't! (Be careful :0

Hollywood!

Always the fashionista! I love your shoe fetish and the way you boss everyone around with what to wear and what to dress you in!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my best friend.
To my hero.
To the calm voice of reason when I am "losing it".
To my surprise goofball.
My mad scientist.
Patience personified.
It can only be one person--my husband, Doug. My favorite everything.

Love you and sorry it's late!

How Old Are You?

This is from our last trip back home. Our niece is such a crack up!

Hike!

We went for a hike this Saturday in the Sangre de Cristo mountains north of Santa Fe. It was Charlie's first hike. We had a really good time! Doug took some breathtaking pictures--I really think he has an eye for photography!

I Kick You.

So, yesterday I got kicked. That's right, kicked. By a student. Here's how it went (names have been changed to protect the guilty):

A student came up to me with scratches on her arm. She said "Michael" scratched her. I asked him if this was true. He said, "They were just making me so mad!" I told him this behavior was unacceptable, and that he needed to go to the end of the line. At this, he screamed "I hate you!" (I'm assuming at me) and grabbed a chair and threw it across the room. Luckily, all my other kids were on the other side of the room. So I said, "Michael, you need to come with me." We went out into the hallway, where he promptly kicked me in the shin. Luckily, the principal was walking by and took him to the office.

This is what a child who is Emotionally Disturbed does. I wasn't surprised, because the SpEd teacher told me to expect this kind of behavior. However, he should not even be in a regular class if he has this disorder. But the parents refuse to let him be in an ED class. At what point does the safety of the other students factor in?

Anyways, today was a much better day for him. I will be more on the defense from now on though.

Kids Do the Darndest Things 1

I have been getting onto the kids a lot lately for bugging me about every little thing that happens in the classroom. Here is my favorite example:

A student comes up to me while I am working with a group and says "I found this on the floor," while holding up a tiny pebble.

"I found this on the floor"?! What do you want, a cookie? Throw it in the trash! I could care less! I don't need a news report every time you find garbage on the floor. In fact, I want nothing to do with it!

Anyways, it made me laugh. I think I should just start posting this kind of stuff. I think it's pretty entertaining.