Monday, September 7, 2009

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

Monday, August 31, 2009

A Busy Woman's Daybook

For Today Monday, August 31, 2009

Outside My Window...it is dark and raining

I am Thinking...that I have the blue's again....

I am Thankful...that I saved $100 today at the tag office

From The Kitchen...Grilled Steaks again with steamed asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes. Steaks were on sale again so, I could resist. Chicken later in the week and we'll see what else.

I am Wearing...a brown summer dress

I am Reading...New Moon...finally! finished Twilight

I am Hoping...that the blues will go away soon.

I am Hearing...the rain outside my window

I am Praying For...my friend Myrtis who was recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer, Roy Raley, for myself, and special prayers for my daughters Laura and Sarah. Laura is struggling with school and Sarah has become very rebellious lately.

A Quote...Faith is not believing that God will, It's believing God can

Around The House...all rooms are clean and all laundry is done.

One Of My Favorite Things...finding time to read.

A Few Plans For the Rest Of The Week...hopefully working out at the High School gym, and enjoying the 3 day weekend.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

"The Meaning Behind My Term "Baby Ducks" {long, but worth reading}

So, all of you know I have a heart and a deep passion for working with children, especially those ages 3, 4 & 5. But, did you know I have a deeper passion for those children that need a little more attention than others. I'm talking about those children who may be very shy, may have major behavior issues, sensory issues, ADHD, compulsive or impulsive tendencies, or have learning delays. There has been a few of "those" children who have blessed {yes blessed!} my life when they were at the Preschool. It's kinda when my whole "baby duck" thing started, I would have one or two that needed me more than the others did so, I always referred to them as my "baby duck" and then I slowly started referring to all the children as my "baby ducks" because they all need me in one way or another.

I'm not going to lie to you, some days those with the major behavior problems or compulsive or impulsive tendencies would be quite a challenge and I would have to dig deep for patience. But, it was always worth it! I have cried many times watching a child succeed, grow, overcome, and gain self esteem from the love, time, attention, discipline, teaching, and patience I have given to them. My staff has always recognized my passion for helping these "baby ducks", they have always supported me and have even learned the importance of why I do what I do. A few years ago I worked with a young man "Mr. Tony" {Miss Mary's son} who was a great teacher, I loved working with Tony and much like me also had a passion for baby ducks. One year he and I had 2 baby ducks at the Preschool and half way through the year we had to let one go due to circumstances that could not be resolved. We both had broken hearts over that and cried when we had to say good bye.

Even as I write this and I think back on some of my baby ducks I could cry over the accomplishments they made through the love bestowed on them at the Preschool. I remember one particular "baby duck" who had learning delays along with sensory, compulsive and impulsive issues finally writing his name for the first time and stuck his thumb up in the air and said "Look I finally did it, I'm a genius"!!!! Even now the memory of that brings tears to my eyes.

Several years ago I was asked to write an article for a Early Childhood Magazine. They wanted me to write about my "Problem Students"...ha!!! I didn't write my article on my "Problem Students" but I did write it on my "Baby Ducks".

This year my baby duck has come in the form of a high school senior. I participate in a program that Mount Dora High School has where they allow high school seniors to fulfill a class in a field they are interested in. Before I allow any student to come to the Preschool I am very firm with the instructor on "My Rules" and I also interview the students. First and foremost my responsibilities are to the children at the Preschool, anything I can do for others comes far after the children.

This year I have 3 girls coming over from the High School. I do have guidelines the girls must follow such as they are not allowed to be alone with the friends, they are not responsible for teaching a class, and they aren't allowed to do the other teachers dirty work..HA! They are there to learn from us, observe, help with "crowd control", help with art projects and to interact with the children. Two of these girls are considered regular mainstreamed seniors and the other is labeled as "special needs".

When I first spoke with the teacher that oversees this program every time she spoke about this girl she would say "special needs" in an almost whisper, which I found odd and began to irritate me. So, I finally said well before I agree to have her come over just what are her "special needs"? Is she in wheelchair, will she be able to walk up and down a ramp un assisted, will the children be safe around her, will she be safe....what???? She said {again in a whisper} ohhh...no nothing like that she's just "special learning needs" so, I reply by saying "Oh, you mean she's a baby duck", sure send her over and I'll talk with her! The teacher said "HUH"? after I explained she said well she doesn't talk much, and when she does she speaks very softly, so just let her sweep, or do some cleaning, or have her cut things out for you. She already took the program for being an Asst. Preschool Teacher but, failed the test so, there isn't much we can do. "What????? Isn't much we can do"???

All 3 of the girls have been an actual blessing to us, and all are very helpful to us and already love the friends. The one "senior baby duck" is indeed quiet and said little to nothing to me or anyone else the first day. I explained to the other teachers that I was keeping her with me, not that I doubted her or did not trust her, but that I was going to get her to open up to me. So, she helped me all week cleaning up from Tea Party, doing dishes, setting up for group etc. After I talked her ear off all week here's a few things I learned about her:

Just from watching her I knew she had no self esteem, considered herself stupid, ugly, fat, is very self conscious of herself and has little to no self worth. I learned that she lives with her mom, has no boyfriend, but has a best friend. I also learned from her that she failed the "special test" that would make her a teacher helper. I asked if she was taking the test again, she just put her head down and shook her head no and mumbled that she was too "stupid". I very gently touched her arm and said I don't like that word. I asked if you had someone help you would you try and take the test again? She just shrugged and I well I'm going to help you and so will Miss Mary and Miss Carmen.

I have this thing I say to the friends...I say I don't want to hear "I can't" or "I don't know how" I want to hear "I'll try" or I'm doing my best".

By the end of the week I saw that she was beginning to talk to the other girls that came over with her from the High School, at times smiling at and talking to the friends and being a "teachers helper" by reminding the friends to sit quietly or asking them their names. I asked her to prepare an art project for me and she said "I will try". I also learned that she loves going to her Church and that she is in the choir. I'd say all in all I made progress with my baby duck. I'm determined to help this girl feel better about herself, pass that test and help get her placed in a center with others that will continue to build her self esteem.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

WEEK TWO

Well believe it or not, but Week Two brought no tears to the drop off door! We've had a few friends get grumpy about leaving, which is always so funny...to me, but not necessarily to mommy.

Actually, a few years back I had a little one start mid year and on his first day he jumped out of the car and yelled "To Infinity And Beyond" and to the heart break of his mom didn't even look back to say good bye and at pick up we had to bring him to the gate kicking and screaming because he didn't want to leave. His mom shared with me a couple years later that she bribed him each morning with the promise of a treat if he would come to the gate without crying to go home...LOL!!

This week I did find myself missing all my little friends from last year that have moved on to Kindergarten. I even missed those from several years back. I always think of former students on the First Day of School wondering how they are doing, what teacher they got, trying to figure out what grade they are in now. It's even fun looking at my new little ones and saying "Oh he/she looks like so and so that was here" or "Oh he/she reminds of this one little one we had here once"

This years group of Baby Ducks are so very sweet and I'm very tickled at how well they are all doing. I have a "helper" {thank the good lord since I lost my other one to Kindergarten}. I have a little one who is always walking around looking for me, because he has to know where I am {I'm so loving that, nothing like a cute admirer!}, I have one who went home and told his mommy that we have a "bunny mouse" at school...hahaha so loved that one! What we have is actually a Dwarf Hamster, who the friends have named "Roscoe" hahaha!! The same little one who said we have a Bunny Mouse is the cutest one to watch while I'm singing, he is so fascinated with my movements, my facial expressions and loves it when I use finger/hand puppets at Circle Time. He can't even sing from being so fascinated with what I'm doing...gotta love having a fan! They are all so darn cute, and the best thing is today was the 8th day of school and I've only had to use the "Time Out Chair" twice...can I hear a Woo Hoo??

My family is already hearing funny little stories from me at home about my day. Laura and Sarah both have visited the Preschool to see the new group of Baby Ducks and agree that they are all so cute. What a blessing it is to me to have a job that I truly love, one that I look forward to going to each day, one that I take great pride in, and one that brings so much love to my day. Sure I have days when I question my sanity, I mean come on after all I'm working with {37} 3, 4 & 5 years olds. but, those days are usually far and few between. When those days come I normally say{ok I yell} "Please! someone go look at my calendar and tell me it's a full moon" and normally it always is!

I can't think of any place else I'd rather be than my wonderful, loving little Preschool! {Well...maybe in Sanibel}....ahhhhh wouldn't life be grand if I could open up a little Preschool in Sanibel???? Just think....a little beach front yellow cottage, with brick red shutters, Gerber Daisies growing in window boxes, I even have a name for this school "Miss Ladybug's By The Sea" Tea Parties on checkered blankets each day, Math could be our shelling time, Science could be spent in the Tide Pools...well a girl can dream can't she?

Monday, August 24, 2009

A Simple Woman's DayBook

For Today...Monday, August 24, 2009

Outside My Window.....it's very dark.

I am Thinking....of my friend Kelly Raley, her husband Jack and his father Roy.

I am Thankful....for so many things.

From The Kitchen...tonight was grilled steaks, baked potatoes, and broccoli.

From The Learning Rooms...the letter Aa.

I am Creating....Loving Preschoolers.

I am Wearing...work out clothes...YES! work out clothes. Laura Ashley and I started a Strength Training Class at the High School...LOL...I can hardly move!

I am Reading....guess?? Yep! Still Twilight, although I'm making progress...sure wish I had time to read!!

I am Hearing...something on the TV.

Around the House...all is as it should be.

One of My Favorite Things...Blue Bell Nutty Chocolate Ice Cream...just had a bowl..yum yum!

A Few Plans for The Week...Julie's pampered Chef Party, Yoga Class {if I can move}, and work...always work!

Picture Thought...I would post a picture of Sarah's First Day of 10th Grade..but Kristen's camera wasn't working and she need mine to record Blake's First Day of 1st Grade.

Monday, August 17, 2009

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

I base the success of the First Day of School on the number of crying friends I have and how long they cry for. I had 2 that cried briefly at drop off and of that 2 only 1 cried periodically through the day for a brief time so, I'm going to say that today was very successful. It was loud, crazy busy, and stressful at times trying to get every one's attention, but it's always like that they first day...what am I saying it's like that the first week {haha}.

I have a really cute group of little ones, one came with a thumb guard to assist in giving up thumb sucking. I teased the parents by saying that had to fall under the category of child abuse. I was a thumb sucker and always wanted one of my girls to be one, but they never were. I find myself partial to thumb suckers, it always looks so cute, that or when they suck their 2 little fingers. Several years ago I had a parent paint their child's thumb with that nasty tasting thumb sucking stuff, I asked the child how they were doing, they said fine, I'm just sucking the other one, my mom didn't put that stuff on that one...haha!!

And, of course there was the one little one whose name we all knew by 9:30...hee hee! At lunch I was asking everyone how their day went and if they would be back tomorrow. I had one little one { I always do} that said NO! they wouldn't be back tomorrow. I always act so distressed over that and ask "Are you kidding me"? "For real, you aren't coming back"? Well, ok if you're sure, we will miss you, too bad because tomorrow is going to be better than today. That little one ended up pitching a hissy fit when it was time to go home..haha!

It was good to have the baby ducks back, but I'm off to bed....I'M POOPED!!!

The Busy/Tired Woman's Day Book

For Today...Monday, August 17, 2009

Outside My Window...the sun is starting to set.

I am Thinking...that today was a good First Day of School, but that I am very tired!

I am Thankful...that we only had 2 little ones who cried...briefly!

From The Kitchen...Grilled Steaks, Baked Potatoes and Fresh Asparagus tonight, Tues. will be grilled chicken thighs and wings courtesy of my new cook...Cody! LOL, Laura's boyfriend loves to grill and I happily oblige him the duty! Wed. hopefully leftovers??? Cody can eat!! Thurs. will be Taco Salad and Fri. is date night.

From The Learning Rooms....learning to be a good friend!

I am Creating..."Good Friends".

I am wearing...a red sun dress, BUT I did have a snazzy new outfit on today for the first day of school.

I am reading...Twilight...still!! LOL...I just fall right to sleep these nights!

I am Hoping...that all goes well for the remainder of the week.

I am Hearing...the TV, I try and tune it out as much as possible.

Around The House...everything is as it should be, and one small load in the washer.

One Of My Favorite Things...3, 4 & 5 year olds

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...keeping order...LOL!!

Picture Thought...Laura has my camera so, I can't put the school day picture on