Monday, September 28, 2009

Busy Woman's Day Book


For Today, September 28, 2009


Outside My Window...it is dark and somewhat cooler out


I am Thinking...about my upcoming weekend away this weekend


I am Thankful...for the friend that is loaning me her condo and the fact that my friend Myrtis is home and doing fine after her recent Breast Surgery.


From The Kitchen...hamburger helper tonight...GROSS!!! But, the hubs requested it.


From The Learning Rooms...we are on the Letter Ee at the Preschool...eagle, elephant, eggs, Elyse, Emma, Ethan F. & Ethan V., Easter, ears, eyes...


I am Creating...new plans and ideas for the Preschool


I am Wearing...a comfy black sundress


I am Reading...Eclipse...still


I am Hoping... that the cooler weather that is predicted will actually show up


I am Hearing...the Tv and Mike doing the dishes


Around the House....what do you think???


One Of My Favorite Things...Early Childhood Conferences...the weekend is still spinning in my head!


A Few Plans For The Week...fun at the Preschool, and then off for a long weekend at the beach!!


Picture Thought...our new kittens Macy and Cali...we went for one...came home with two {I had Sarah with me...ha!}


Saturday, September 26, 2009

Early Childhood Conference

So, this weekend was the annual Early Childhood Conference in Orlando. I usually receive the flyer for the conference late July to early August and always immed. book myself as attending and book my hotel room right after. The conference is usually Fri and Sat so, I'm lucky enough to have it in the schools budget for me to stay overnight {just a small perk for being the Director AND Lead Teacher}. This year the conference was Thurs - Sun. and next year you can bet I will be there Fri - Sun!!Have I mentioned that I get really excited about going to the conference??? And, the vendors really do it for me...LOL!!! I get so excited over seeing new products, finding all kinds of cool things for my baby ducks, and buying new cd's from some of the sessions I attend that promote the use of music in the classroom. And, sessions that teach about Literacy, books, or Brain Research well WOO HOO!!! Now, that REALLY does it for me!! This year in particular I was hoping for 2 well 3 things...1. A really great session on Brain Research disussing the topic of Literacy & Handwriting...2. A possible new technique on teaching handwriting or a tip or two on teaching children who are struggling with their pencil grip...and 3. really cool stuff from vendors {especially since I had $300 left from a grant I was blessed with over the summer}.So, by now you have an idea that I really LOVE and look forward to the conference each year.

So, now let me tell you what really TICKS me off. 1. Speakers who are paid to lead a session and come very unprepared, are boring, and basically waste my time. and 2. Teachers who either talk, sleep, text, and this year had the gall to talk on their cell phone during a session {those that did any of this around me knew within minutes that I DID NOT approve!} and 3. worst of all...those that sit during a session and do nothing but, complain about being there, complain about their Directors making them be there, wasting their time and always telling them to do this or that in their class, and even bad mouth the children they are teaching. I'm really not a confrontational person but, I will get my panties in a wad over these things and have no problem suggesting a job at Wal Mart would be the better option for them, the benefits and pay are ten times better than what you get in Early Childhood!!!!!If you aren't interested in fulfilling your annual 10 hrs of inservice training each year than get a job some place else and don't waste your Director/Owners money by coming to the conference {did I mention it's not cheap!} and 2 get off your Directors back, our job isn't an easy one, and one that doesn't end when we clock out at the end of the day, and maybe your attitude and lack of commitment is why your Director has a problem with you to begin with. AND!!!!! if you are doing nothing but complain about the children in your class THEN YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS BEING IN THIS FIELD SO GET OUT NOW BEFORE YOU CAUSE DAMAGE TO A CHILD'S SELF ESTEEM!!

All the sessions I attended were awesome, informative, fun, and gave me great ideas....except one! The first session I picked dealt with my favorite subject Brain Research. This one in particular was dealing with Literacy and Handwriting...I was over the top excited...to bad the Professor with the MASTER Degree that she kept telling us about didn't have her act togther. She started out by telling us that it had been a bad idea on her part by leaving Tallahassee at 4 am that morning to come speak...gee ya think?? Then she apologized by saying she didn't have enough time to put together any hand outs...didn't have time??? The conference flyers went out in July and you can bet she was booked prior to that and she didn't have enough time??? I learned nothing, in fact she said nothing even worth writing down, she didn't even speak on subject...I could have stood up and taught more than she did without having a Master's Degree. Luckily all the other sessions I attending were fantastic and gave me great ideas!! The last one I attended this afternoon dealt with handwriting and was full of ideas, information and tips.The vendor booths were disappointing this year, I came back with a few things but, not as much as I normally do. I was speaking to someone and they said at last years conference a lot of the vendors took a hit due to the economy so, not many returned this year...sad...because I always have money to spend...the schools, mine, and mine I shouldn't spend...LOL!!!

All in all it was a great time, fun, relaxing, and informative. It was at the Rosen Centre, I had a great room, kinda felt like a princess while I was there and I already excited about next years conference because I'm planning on attending the full weekend!!!!!And, I left with this one thought...as much as I love this field, love children,and love seeing that every child's day is full of fun, love, learning and being creative...I wonder what it would be like to travel to different Preschools to help/teach other Directors/Teachers in implementing change...change for the better of children...just a thought.....

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Boogers

So, I have this little cutie patootie at the Preschool. He came in one morning and said to me "My mom is just too cute". I laughed and said "Why, yes she is". He said "Yeah, she's a sweetie". Then one day this week he came up to me and said "Miss Shawnie when I go home my mommy is going to get all my boogers out of my nose". I had to send his mom a note about something else but, added this last line...I hear you're going to be getting all the boogers out of his nose when you get home....So, enjoy!

Makes me think of all the funny things I've heard over the years. Here are a few of my favorites:

The same little boy I was talking about above says he has to go "TT", instead of saying "pee" or "potty". It's not really funny, it just that my beloved Grandmom always said it and it's not a term you hear a lot.

Someones mommy always has a baby in their tummy...and they are always surprised to find out about it when I congratulate them.

I once had this little boy tell me that his mom and dad got into a really big fight, not wanting to go there with him on it, I said "well sometimes mommy and daddies get mad at each other just like you get mad at your friends". He said "oh no! they were really mad, yelling and everything!!" Really wanting to change the subject I said "well sometimes mommies and daddies argue, it's just part of being grown ups". He then said "well my dad was so mad he left the house, slammed the door and started walking down the street, and when my mom went to go get him in the van she told him he better get his @*%# in the car right now"!!!

Once a little girl was telling me she spent the whole weekend with her grandparents and I said "What on earth did your parents ever do without you all weekend??" She said "oh, my dad probably just walked around in his underwear all weekend"!

During our annual Ice Cream Party I was asking the friends if they were enjoying their ice cream, and if their favorite was chocolate or vanilla. A little girl raised her hand and said "my dad really likes ice cream, but when he eats it he gets really bad gas!"

This little girl came in one day and said "my dad taught me to spell". I said "he did, what did he teach you?" She said he taught me to spell F*A*R*T

Once during our Native American Theme I was sharing different pictures of Native Americans with them, and got to one of a Chief smoking a peace pipe, I mentioned that smoking is bad for you and that they should never, ever smoke. A little girl raised her hand and said "My dad smokes" and then I said "Well your dad is an adult and can do what he wants, but you never should because it really is bad for you". She then said "well my mom always gets mad at my dad because she says all he does is drink and smoke, drink and smoke"!

During Circle Time I talk about different things with the friends and they will raise their hand to comment back on it, or add to the discussion, most of the time it's to tell me something totally off the subject I'm on...like this one time when a little girl raised her hand to tell me that her mommy was going to the Dr. this week to get bigger boobies.

And, then there are the penis funnies....once this little boy was telling me that his baby brother had a penis just like him but, that his brothers was really little, and that his dad had one too, but his was REALLY BIG!

And, once during Circle Time this little boy kept pulling on his "penis" which is usually the universal sign for needing to go pee pee. So I asked "do you need to go potty"? He said no so, I continued. After a few more minutes I asked him again "do you need to go potty"? again he said no, so I then suggested that he leave his penis alone. So, I start another song and at the end I say in a firmer voice...I really think you need to go potty so, please get up and go...the little boy responds by saying "I really don't have to go Miss Shawnie, I just can't get my penis to lay down" ...."The Wheels On The Bus Go Round and Round, Round and Round All Through The Town...

Monday, September 14, 2009

The Busy Woman's Day Book

For Today...Monday, September 14, 2009

Outside My Window...the sun is slowly going down

I am Thinking...that Mike is going to freak when he finds out that Sarah and I came home with not 1, but 2 kittens today. He knew we were exchanging a cat {that was a biter} for another cat, but has no idea about this. Ehh...what can I say Sarah and I couldn't decide and the lady said BOGO...LOL

From The Kitchen...meatloaf, homemade scalloped potatoes, steamed green beans, and fresh rolls.....I figure this will get me back on Mike's good side.

From The Learning Rooms...the letter Cc...Friday will be Cowboy/Cowgirl day...Yipee!!

I am Creating....fall leaves

I am Wearing...a brown comfy dress

I am Reading...Eclipse...just started it last night

I am Hoping...Mike will walk in, smell the meatloaf and not notice the 2 kittens....haha

I am Hearing...Sarah play with the kittens

Around the House...do you even need to ask??? All is clean and the only load of laundry I had is washing

One Of My Favorite Things...LOL Blue Bell Nutty Chocolate Ice Cream...went without last week...won't be doing that again!

A Few plans For The Rest Of The Week...Landon will come home with me tomorrow from Preschool, Blake's first baseball practice is tomorrow night...???

I am Praying....for guidance, understanding, and peace.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Ants and Boobs

Since we are talking about BOOBS....Leisa! On the Preschool's playground we have these insane ants that seem to be everywhere and I swear even fall out of the trees. They don't seem to bother anyone, but ME!

Every afternoon during the 12:30 pick up I'm constantly swatting them off of me, but there is always this one ninja ant that makes it way down by top and goes right for my BOOBS! I swear I have bites all over the sides of my boobs!!! They must be male ants!

Today a crazy ninja ant made it as far as my belly button, because I have 3 huge welts around it that have itched me terribly all afternoon. I've got news for the ants...MY PANTIES ARE OFF LIMITS!!!!

Monday, September 7, 2009

Snake On The Play Ground


So, one day last week a snake decided to visit us on the playground. Little did he know that I consider all snakes dangerous and poisonous, and I was not at all happy with his appearance. If you are a snake lover you better stop reading here because it gets ugly from this point on.


So, I'm inside the Preschool cleaning up after Tea Party and 2 of the little friends come running in yelling "Miss Shawnie!!, Miss Shawnie!!" Miss Mary said to to come and get you because there is a snake on the play ground {come and get me???!!, she knows I'm terrified of snakes so, what the heck does she think I'm going to do???}. So, I go outside to see what is going on...Miss Carmen has all the friends safely standing along the ramp in case they need to run inside. Miss Mary tells me she has yelled for Mr. Robert to bring a shovel and is watching to be sure the snake doesn't slither off. I walk over and sure enough there is a snake all curled up by one of our climbing structures.


About that time Mr. Robert walks up with a shovel and asks "What do you want me to do with it"? Uhhhh....gee...hmmm...let me think for a minute...."KILL IT"!!!! Luckily, the friends were standing in an area where they couldn't see Mr. Robert whack the heck out of it {I wouldn't want to be the cause of nightmares, that usually comes later in the year when I talk about the little leprechaun who likes to play tricks on us for St. Patrick's Day, which is another story for another time}. So, as I'm watching Mr. Robert "off" the snake Miss Mary thinks it would be funny to sneak up behind me and tap my leg with a small stick making me think another snake was on my leg. After I scream and nearly pee my pants I realize it was nothing. Of course all the friends are howling with laughter.


So, by now the snake is "no longer with us" and I say to Mary..."You dare me to pick it up"? She says "I dare you"...that's all it took...I picked it up, told her to take my picture { I had ran inside for my camera} after which I chased her around the play ground with the snake...muh.....hhahahahaha!!!


I thought it was hilarious....until I realized a few friends were upset. Yep...ended up having to send out a mass e mail to the parents telling them about the snake and my poor judgement to chase Miss Mary around the play ground. Luckily most thought it was funny...just another day at Preschool.

Busy Woman's Daybook

For Today....Labor Day, September 7, 2009

Outside My Window...at 6:30 pm it is still sunny and very hot, but it has been a beautiful and relaxing day.

I am Thinking....about if I could possibly pull off working half days or at least working half days 2 days a week....I miss being home.

I am Thankful...my personal saviour Jesus Christ...with whom all things are possible and without him I am nothing.

From The Kitchen...chicken breasts saute with olive oil, white wine, onion, garlic, rosemary and oregano...new red potatoes & sweet potatoes saute in olive oil & butter with garlic, onion, rosemary and oregano...steamed fresh green beans. For the rest of the week...chicken...it was on sale

From The Learning Rooms...at the Preschool i am testing this week so, we will do a theme on Mother Goose

I am Wearing...shorts and a top

I am Reading...I need to either buy or borrow Eclipse...I read New Moon in record time....loved it and can't wait for the movie

I am Hoping...to figure out a way to get a least 2 afternoons a week off

I am Hearing...the evening news, dinner cooking, and can hear Laura turning pages in her workbook.....she is doing good in her classes, but gets easily frustrated and defeated with school...please pray for her.

I am Praying For...guidance, restoration, many people, but especially hard for the Raley family

A Quote...Treat Others As You Yourself Would Want To Be Treated

Around the House...all is clean...it's rare you would ever find my house anything but clean. I'm a fanatic about it. Plus I no longer have small ones around...full time

One Of My Favorite Things....Ice Cream...haha...I say this every week

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week.....testing on basic skill at the Preschool, shopping for Landon's 4th birthday, and everything else in between