The first Sunday of advent we pull out the decorations and set up our tree. It is a tradition in our family. This year Fiona has been talking about it for three days. Jo had no idea what was happening until the words "Christmas tree" were combined with seeing the tree out of its storage bag. Then he was over-the-moon and danced around the room.
This afternoon when we dug into the giant closet of storage and pulled out the decorations, we discovered that several strands of lights were toast and the tree that has limped through the last few years had its top broken off. We stuck it back together with electrical tape (no duct tape in the tool box). The tree is missing its topper ornament because the electrical tape won't support the weight of either of our toppers. We have promised ourselves that we will buy a new tree after Christmas when they are on sale.
Josiah and Fiona pulled all the ornaments out of the boxes and left them all over the living room floor while I tried to get all the branches spread and looking nice. Then they watched a DVD while I tried to get the lights looking nice.
Honestly, this is the least time I have ever spent arranging branches and lights. Usually I make sure that it is all balanced and that each branch has a neat wrapping of lights. The tree usually looks like it is sparking with stars when I am done. Not this year. It is pretty, but really looks like a family tree rather than a showpiece.
Evidence of yet more personal growth. And the kids had lots of fun putting the ornaments on it themselves. I only re-hung three after they were done..
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sundays
I remember Sundays were one of my favourite days of the week as a kid. There were several reasons for that; we had a no homework on Sunday rule in our house (I loved that), it was the day we almost always had company over or were guests in someone else's home, and we sang at church.
Sunday has had the same appeal for me for most of my adult life for the same reasons (except the homework). I love the sweetness of fellowship, particularly when enriched by breaking bread together at the table. My favourite Sundays are those that have included a big meal with friends or family.
Worship for me is only worship when music is a large part of our conversation with God in his house. I love to sing and can easily get lost in bliss of the sound and the words that go so far beyond prayers and Scripture in reaching into my heart. Something about the combination of sound and text is deeper for me.
Yesterday we had a service that was a real Sabbath. I went to church feeling mopey and a bit sorry for myself - a pathetic way to start Sunday. We had a guest preaching, a 25-year old who spoke straight from his heart without mincing words. If you know me well, you know how much I appreciate someone who is brave enough to say it like they see it. Too few of us today are bold enough to speak our mind regardless of it's political correctness. It was a blast of fresh air. I spent most of his sermon thinking, "Amen brother!" to myself.
Then we ate together. We sat around tables at church and ate together. We have eaten together at church often before. Lunch is served every week and we try to stay as often as the numbers allow- we don't stay if there is a crowd, to make sure that there is food for everyone. Yesterday was the first time it felt like we were a part of things. If was wonderful.
I am so thankful when I start a day in a foul place and God flips me into a 180-degree turn in attitude. It makes it very clear to me that He is Lord of all joy! And he pours out joy in such generous measures.
The joy flowed over into today, and I hope it will trickle into my whole week, infecting everyone I come into contact with. Let it pour, Lord!
Sunday has had the same appeal for me for most of my adult life for the same reasons (except the homework). I love the sweetness of fellowship, particularly when enriched by breaking bread together at the table. My favourite Sundays are those that have included a big meal with friends or family.
Worship for me is only worship when music is a large part of our conversation with God in his house. I love to sing and can easily get lost in bliss of the sound and the words that go so far beyond prayers and Scripture in reaching into my heart. Something about the combination of sound and text is deeper for me.
Yesterday we had a service that was a real Sabbath. I went to church feeling mopey and a bit sorry for myself - a pathetic way to start Sunday. We had a guest preaching, a 25-year old who spoke straight from his heart without mincing words. If you know me well, you know how much I appreciate someone who is brave enough to say it like they see it. Too few of us today are bold enough to speak our mind regardless of it's political correctness. It was a blast of fresh air. I spent most of his sermon thinking, "Amen brother!" to myself.
Then we ate together. We sat around tables at church and ate together. We have eaten together at church often before. Lunch is served every week and we try to stay as often as the numbers allow- we don't stay if there is a crowd, to make sure that there is food for everyone. Yesterday was the first time it felt like we were a part of things. If was wonderful.
I am so thankful when I start a day in a foul place and God flips me into a 180-degree turn in attitude. It makes it very clear to me that He is Lord of all joy! And he pours out joy in such generous measures.
The joy flowed over into today, and I hope it will trickle into my whole week, infecting everyone I come into contact with. Let it pour, Lord!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Graffiti
I had an interesting experience this week.
Friday afternoon on a 'long Friday', which means we have school until 3:00. The three hours after the "payday Friday' dismissal of 12:00 are rarely deeply productive- students just don't seem to think that Friday afternoon should be about work. Anyway, this is not the point.
I am outside with my class, having just set up an experiment at the very back of the baseball field (which I pray is still there on Monday so we can find out the results of our experiment). We were finished a few minutes before recess and it was a beautiful Indian Summer day, so we stayed outside to play until recess.
The kids were running around on the playground structure, having a great old time. I was thinking to myself what great kids they are and how much potential they have for making their world a better place when someone shouted, "Mrs. K. look!" is a shocked voice.
I walked over to the swing supports and looked at what was written in lovely black permanent marker... Emily is a bich.
So I said, "Well, at least they could have spelled it right."
Inside my head I am thinking, this is a first my own personal hate graffiti. I am pretty sure that black marker was swiped off my desk just last week.
So at the end of the day we had a little chat at the carpet, the class and I. I asked them to please let the student who wrote that know that they really need to spell their words correctly, and that it isn't polite to call someone a bitch. (They went, "OOooh, she used a curse."- I am really strict about language in my classroom) But that yes sometimes I am a bitch. Sometimes I need to be to encourage them to learn. That is my job, to help them learn, not to be their friend.
Funnily enough, they all turned to Tiny Tim and said, "Ti-im." in the middle of my little speech. So I have a pretty good idea of the culprit. He was pretty mad at me this week, for pushing him to get his work done.
How can you take that kind of hate-mail seriously?
Friday afternoon on a 'long Friday', which means we have school until 3:00. The three hours after the "payday Friday' dismissal of 12:00 are rarely deeply productive- students just don't seem to think that Friday afternoon should be about work. Anyway, this is not the point.
I am outside with my class, having just set up an experiment at the very back of the baseball field (which I pray is still there on Monday so we can find out the results of our experiment). We were finished a few minutes before recess and it was a beautiful Indian Summer day, so we stayed outside to play until recess.
The kids were running around on the playground structure, having a great old time. I was thinking to myself what great kids they are and how much potential they have for making their world a better place when someone shouted, "Mrs. K. look!" is a shocked voice.
I walked over to the swing supports and looked at what was written in lovely black permanent marker... Emily is a bich.
So I said, "Well, at least they could have spelled it right."
Inside my head I am thinking, this is a first my own personal hate graffiti. I am pretty sure that black marker was swiped off my desk just last week.
So at the end of the day we had a little chat at the carpet, the class and I. I asked them to please let the student who wrote that know that they really need to spell their words correctly, and that it isn't polite to call someone a bitch. (They went, "OOooh, she used a curse."- I am really strict about language in my classroom) But that yes sometimes I am a bitch. Sometimes I need to be to encourage them to learn. That is my job, to help them learn, not to be their friend.
Funnily enough, they all turned to Tiny Tim and said, "Ti-im." in the middle of my little speech. So I have a pretty good idea of the culprit. He was pretty mad at me this week, for pushing him to get his work done.
How can you take that kind of hate-mail seriously?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Book Lover
We finished reading Frindle by Andrew Clements in read aloud at school today. This is a part of the day where the teacher read aloud to the students, and they just relax and listen. It has always been one of my favourite parts of the day- both as a student and as a teacher. Frindle is one of my very favourite books. If you haven't read it, go to the library and get it out. A wonderful story about discovering the power of one person and chasing an idea to see where it goes. I love ideas. I love words. I love stories. This book has it all. Plus, Andrew Clements has a gift to narrate from within the head of a fifth/six grader. His books all share the perspective of kids brilliantly.
It took a while for my class to 'get' the book this year. Every group of students has a different set of experiences and background knowledge (schema, we call it in education)- both individually and corporately. This group really are not focused on school. So a story that is largely set in school didn't really ring their bell.
However, today they were silent while I read the last chapter. I would like to think that it was my inspired rendition of the aha moment of the main character, but it wasn't. I think they were actually interested in what happened at the end.
The magic of storytelling strikes again!
It took a while for my class to 'get' the book this year. Every group of students has a different set of experiences and background knowledge (schema, we call it in education)- both individually and corporately. This group really are not focused on school. So a story that is largely set in school didn't really ring their bell.
However, today they were silent while I read the last chapter. I would like to think that it was my inspired rendition of the aha moment of the main character, but it wasn't. I think they were actually interested in what happened at the end.
The magic of storytelling strikes again!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Grey is a Mindset
The ability to lose myself in the pages of a good novel has always been a huge comfort when facing seasons of grey. November has turned a dark metallic grey. The temperatures have dropped to seasonal frostiness. Darkness falls as we start cooking supper and lifts as we sit at the breakfast table. The month doesn't have a spirit-lifting holiday. It is really too early to start anticipating Christmas. This week I have nothing to read.
Not the most cheerful perspective today, but that is how I feel.
I have been exploring ideas on the web about using journals in the classroom with students. Of course there is far more information out there than I want or need, and sorting through it is a time-consuming task for even the most focussed person. I have been on several rambling digressions on the Web today. I did read some interesting ideas about keeping a journal as an adult though.
One author/blogger suggested that a stream-of-consciousness kind of journal is very cleansing and helps clear the clouds from your head. He recommends it for when creativity is blocked. That got me thinking about the angst that can build up in my head. I can get so angry sometimes- never really angry about one thing. Usually it is a build-up a a whole bunch of little things that I don't address and my surface calm is finally ruffled with something small.
My usual coping strategy when I am really upset it to go all out on a project. Purging junk from closets of toy boxes is very effective. In desperate times even scrubbing dishes will do. I think that this is usually a way of wrestling with my issues.
I did some purging today. I feel somewhat better, but not really.
How do I get rid of the grey in my head?
Not the most cheerful perspective today, but that is how I feel.
I have been exploring ideas on the web about using journals in the classroom with students. Of course there is far more information out there than I want or need, and sorting through it is a time-consuming task for even the most focussed person. I have been on several rambling digressions on the Web today. I did read some interesting ideas about keeping a journal as an adult though.
One author/blogger suggested that a stream-of-consciousness kind of journal is very cleansing and helps clear the clouds from your head. He recommends it for when creativity is blocked. That got me thinking about the angst that can build up in my head. I can get so angry sometimes- never really angry about one thing. Usually it is a build-up a a whole bunch of little things that I don't address and my surface calm is finally ruffled with something small.
My usual coping strategy when I am really upset it to go all out on a project. Purging junk from closets of toy boxes is very effective. In desperate times even scrubbing dishes will do. I think that this is usually a way of wrestling with my issues.
I did some purging today. I feel somewhat better, but not really.
How do I get rid of the grey in my head?
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Quality Time
Our dear Wii Woman babysat yesterday for us while LK and I went into town on our own yesterday, sans kiddos! What a treat. We even managed to spend a chunk of our time talking about non-school stuff. Bliss!
Our relationships has undergone a dramatic change this year with LK teaching full-time. The balance of work at home has shifted, and continued to shift as our weeks pass. Our relationship has had mentor-mentee added to the layers. Although, we have already had that role in music with LK as the mentor. Now its my turn to mentor.
So, yesterday was a real treat. We did errands in half the time they usually take when we have the little people in tow. We lingered at the library, both choosing books at the same time, rather than taking turns. We ate lunch at a sit-down restaurant, rather than fast food or a picnic. On the drive home we talked about books and the world outside our own little four walls.
When we arrived home, Fi had learned to play on the Wii. Guess what just got put on her gift wish list for her seventh birthday?
Our relationships has undergone a dramatic change this year with LK teaching full-time. The balance of work at home has shifted, and continued to shift as our weeks pass. Our relationship has had mentor-mentee added to the layers. Although, we have already had that role in music with LK as the mentor. Now its my turn to mentor.
So, yesterday was a real treat. We did errands in half the time they usually take when we have the little people in tow. We lingered at the library, both choosing books at the same time, rather than taking turns. We ate lunch at a sit-down restaurant, rather than fast food or a picnic. On the drive home we talked about books and the world outside our own little four walls.
When we arrived home, Fi had learned to play on the Wii. Guess what just got put on her gift wish list for her seventh birthday?
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Six
Fiona is six today. She kept saying it all day, "I am already six!"
We started the day with the early bird, Jo was up before 6 and raring to go. Once he saw the streamers and balloons downstairs decorating the table there was no keeping him quiet. LK went out to shovel driveways for his morning workout while we woke Fi and got everybody dressed. For the first time since the first day of school there were no complaints from Fi about getting up and dressed. Hmmmm...
She was able to open two packages on the table before school and this started her day very positively. She loved the bath treats from the Spieces. We used them in the tub tonight and they were a huge hit.
Both kids were flying all day thanks to lingering Halloween treats and excitement over balloons and cake. After school we all arrived at home and bribed Jo to come inside with a treat (he prefers to stay outside until he is soaked and frozen, now that the snow has arrived). Fiona opened the rest of her presents and the kids had some down-time before supper.
Our birthday tradition is that the birthday person chooses the menu for their dinner meal. We had French Toast Fingers and smoothies tonight, followed by chocolate cake in the shape of a house with white icing siding, a brown Oreo crumb roof, green trim and shutters and pink flowers blooming along the front and sides of the house. Both kids were fascinated by the decorations on the cake. Jo was particularly taken with the candles. Why doesn't that surprise me?
Fiona ended the day curled up on bed with a notebook and pencil drawing while chatting on the phone with family members. Thank you so much to all our loved ones who sent cards, gifts, and phoned. She had a wonderful day and felt very much loved and cared for.
We started the day with the early bird, Jo was up before 6 and raring to go. Once he saw the streamers and balloons downstairs decorating the table there was no keeping him quiet. LK went out to shovel driveways for his morning workout while we woke Fi and got everybody dressed. For the first time since the first day of school there were no complaints from Fi about getting up and dressed. Hmmmm...
She was able to open two packages on the table before school and this started her day very positively. She loved the bath treats from the Spieces. We used them in the tub tonight and they were a huge hit.
Both kids were flying all day thanks to lingering Halloween treats and excitement over balloons and cake. After school we all arrived at home and bribed Jo to come inside with a treat (he prefers to stay outside until he is soaked and frozen, now that the snow has arrived). Fiona opened the rest of her presents and the kids had some down-time before supper.
Our birthday tradition is that the birthday person chooses the menu for their dinner meal. We had French Toast Fingers and smoothies tonight, followed by chocolate cake in the shape of a house with white icing siding, a brown Oreo crumb roof, green trim and shutters and pink flowers blooming along the front and sides of the house. Both kids were fascinated by the decorations on the cake. Jo was particularly taken with the candles. Why doesn't that surprise me?
Fiona ended the day curled up on bed with a notebook and pencil drawing while chatting on the phone with family members. Thank you so much to all our loved ones who sent cards, gifts, and phoned. She had a wonderful day and felt very much loved and cared for.
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