What a Month!

March flew by! Whew! It was a blur!


Testing is done (kinda)
Nordic program done
Ski season mostly done
50k training revving up
My kid's winter sports finished and track starts
Loose ends being tied up
To do lists are created for our departure in July
Daily blogging done.


I love a good challenge. SOLSC was tough at times. I realized that I don't have that much to say on a daily basis. The challenge did force me to reflect on my day more than usual. Too often I start thinking of tomorrow before today is done! I enjoyed reading other posts and my next year's goal is to comment more...thick comments not thin as well.


Thank you to all the other writers! Although I may not have commented as frequently as I would have liked, I enjoyed reading your slices!

Less than 24 Hours

My greatest friend was beginning her spring break with her family in a town 3 hours from me. Unfortunately, commitments didn't give us any leeway to extend our weekend on either end...last day of Nordic, the start of track season, husband's work event, and lack of subs on a high use day. So, I packed an overnight bag and my children in the car then hit the road. Fortunately, the weather was cooperative--no snow!


So we packed in as much visiting as possible over dinner, at the hot tub, hanging out, during breakfast, sledding, and at lunch.

Our kids are like cousins. They get along extremely well with non-stop chatter. It was so amazing to witness.

The visit was worth the drive and I wish it could have been longer. It was strange to think the next time we see them will be when they visit us in Panama.


This weekend was a great Slice of Life--great friends, food, and fun!



Kevin.

Every family has something that is a "game changer" for a lack of a better term. Many times it is only the family members that is aware of that distinction..


There are seven children in my family with a 13 year span between the oldest and youngest. My brother Kevin is the middle child--three older and three younger. Kevin is deaf and is mentally handicapped.


Growing up with a brother with special needs affected our family in so many different ways. My mom became a champion for children with special needs during a time where institutions were recommended to parents as the main option for care. For me, I believe that my patience and awareness of differences in the classroom stems from growing up with Kevin.
Kevin has such a special heart and being. When we visit, my children love to go bowling with him or to a Twins game. They even try to communicate through sign language. Hopefully, they will gain a bit of awareness and patience through their relationship with their uncle.

Procrastination!

Being a procrastinator is a curse...with a bit of a blessing, I guess.


The curse is that my "to-do" list stacks up. The blessing is when I am done procrastinating, it gets done: efficiently, thorough, and well.


I try not to procrastinate. I really do. Things come up. Projects are pushed aside.


Even though this week was crazy busy with conferences (I totally missed day 26 of SOLC...didn't cross my mind until 10:15 pm mountain time, so bummed), I accomplished many of the items off my list.


One of my favorite things is to cross off items from the list THEN rewrite the list. Super rewarding!

Powder Day!

During the ski season, skiers anxiously check their computers to see how much snow accumulated during the night! The "Pow Cam" puts smiles on peoples faces!


Last night's storm gave us foot of snow...the ski bums are smiling! One last powder day before the ski area closes in 10 days!


Teachers can predict snow, too. We don't need to wait for the pow cam. When a big low pressure system moves in, the students talk more, move more, listen less, and energy is high. We have 18 barometers in our classrooms at all time...who needs Al Roker!


The snow report is a Slice of Life from any ski area! Diehard skiers will be in the lift line to catch the first chair so they are guaranteed fresh tracks. For me, I will be standing in the snow at recess duty as I daydream about it melting and the wild flowers blooming!

Whirlwind

The first day of Spring parent teacher conferences were today.


Students were dismissed at noon. Once I sent my students home, I organized their work to share, wolfed down leftover pasta, went the bathroom, took a deep breath, and ate a square (or 3) of chocolate that my thoughtful husband brought me! The first set of parents were scheduled at 12:30 and away we went.


What a day! Positive. Happy parents. Happy teacher.


Exhausted.

Today Technology Was an Asset!

Today technology worked in my favor! Some days I experience glitch after glitch after glitch.


Not today and I was ready for it not to work. Plan B was being formed as I gingerly opened the SMART notebook file. Projector on. SMART board cable plugged in.


I tentatively turned back to the laptop. So far, all looked good. But it has fooled me before. Next thing I know, the bright blue background of the Jeopardy game appeared. It worked! Ready for action.


For one hour, we reviewed fractions and probability to prepare for an upcoming math assessment. The students worked in partners, had rich discussions about math when they hit the $500 level questions, and were bummed when I had to shut it down.


Finger crossed for tomorrow's lesson!