But the week HAS ended, and that means it's time for Ten Things of Thankful. Here goes:
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| And it was just cool enough to wear my first scarf of the season. Woot! |
2. Got to spend a little time with the College Boy. Last weekend was Family Weekend at his school, and we went to a football game (and got thoroughly drenched in a downpour, for which I am NOT one bit thankful). Love that he's enjoying his roommate and suitemates and the entire college experience. We also got to have dinner with him later in the week when my daughter had a volleyball game at a nearby high school (his college is only an hour's drive from us).
3. We ate two meals with our son at the dining hall, because PARENTS EAT FREEEEE with their student. I realize "free" is relative, because there is certainly a pretty hefty price tag on his room and board, but it FEELS like it's free, so eat up, baby!
4. My daughter and I went shopping for a homecoming dress and shoes while we were at Family Weekend (and in the Big City, don'tcha know) and found a sparkly dress for her for $23.00 and sparkly shoes for $12.00. HOW AWESOME IS THAT? Picture next week.
5. My daughter's volleyball team traveled to my parents' home town for a game this week, so I drove up there and attended it with my parents. They enjoy getting a chance to watch her play, neither of them got beaned with an errant volleyball, and we went out for barbecue after the game was over.6. We made our first attempt to use scissors in my primary class this week at preschool. The results, as a whole, were rather disastrous, but at least I know where they all stand with their scissor skills, and they can only improve from here (because BELIEVE ME when I tell you that for a few of them, there really is no chance that they could get worse).
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| We were making owls. Cute, huh? (This is NOT the scissor project.) |
7. I found $25 in the pocket of a pair of jeans that I hadn't worn since spring. Suh-weeet!
8. One of my pre-k boys got seriously freaked out by our first fire drill and has come to school crying (and that would be peel-him-off-of-his-mother crying) every day since then. He also asks, oh, maybe 25 times a day (and by "day" we're talking a 3-hour day, and by "25" I mean probably more like 50) if we're going to "hear that siren today." It's heart-breaking that he has been so distressed by this, but on Wednesday, he came to class without a tear. And on Friday, he not only didn't cry, he didn't ask if we were going to hear the siren ONE SINGLE TIME. Progress!
9. Every fall, just before flu season starts, I tell my preschoolers that my #1 rule is not to throw up in my classroom. We talk about staying home if you are sick, and if you are at school and feel like you're going to throw up that you need to RUN out the door to the bathroom, and we will certainly be curious enough to follow. On Wednesday, the mom of the same boy from #8, above (he is darling, turned four just before the cut-off date to attend pre-k, so he's the youngest one in the class), told me that Monday after school, she had asked him what the Bible verse was for the week. He said, without hesitation, "Do not throw up in Miss Dyanne's classroom." Good enough.
10. I answered an open call from the wonderful Wendy Nielsen for breast cancer survivor stories for a series she is doing on her blog in October, and she chose me to be a part of her series. I cannot begin to tell you how honored I am that she chose to include me and my little story. She will be profiling 21 different women this month. Do me the biggest favor and visit her blog all month and read these touching, powerful stories. Mmmk? Have you heard Katy Perry's "Roar"? Here are some women who truly have the eye of the tiger.
My friend Lizzi is going to run a 5k to raise money for the Race for Life in my honor. This is such an unselfish act, and if you agree and feel led to give, you can sponsor Lizzi by visiting here.
Soooo, how was YOUR week? Link up and join in with the TToT blog hop, or just leave me a comment below.
Your hosts
A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall, Considerings, Finding Ninee, Getting Literal, I can say mama, I Want Backsies, Rewritten, Steps into Parenthood, Thankful Me, The Wakefield Doctrine
The first scarf of the season is always a great moment. It doesn't actually get cold enough down here in Florida to need scarves, but I wear them anyway.
ReplyDelete"Do not throw up in Miss Dyanne's classroom" sounds like a good rule to me.
Congratulations on being featured on Wendy Nielsen's blog. That is awesome.
I didn't NEED the scarf, either, but it's all about being cute.
DeleteThe BEST RULE EVER.
Thank you so much! It was such an honor to be included in Wendy's series.
as long as no one runs with the scissors I guess it's okay. Have to wonder what's going to happen for the kiddo with the PTSD around the alarm the next time there's a fire drill?congrats again on thesurvivor blog very cool!
ReplyDeleteNo running, carry the scissors point down. Same with pencils. Safety first, you know. And I'm dreading the next fire drill, but the director knows how freaked out he is and is going to schedule it accordingly; maybe even when our class is already outside at recess. And thank you! It WAS very cool to be included.
DeleteDyanne, Emma jus started to learn how to use scissors at 4 years old and pre-school. The teacher told all the parents that they definitely are struggling, but to be elected, since it is probably the first time they used scissors. To which I immediately thought, yes it is, because there was no way I would let her near scissors. God knows what in my house she would cut! But since she has had to practice cutting, she is getting so much better. Oh and I love your no throwing up rule, seriously you made me smile on that one. The week definitely did drag and I think I too had about 3 Thursday too many!! But thankful it is Saturday and hoping you too are having a great weekend now.
ReplyDeleteOh, it's very obvious when a child has never held scissors before! This class is my primary group, meaning 3 turning 4. We cut drinking straws apart in the circle for practice and that went very well.
DeleteNo throwing up rule is the best rule I ever came up with. In 13 years of teaching preschool, I've only had maybe 3 kids throw up in class.
We're having gloriously cool fall weather today. I hope you're enjoying your weekend!
You must have lots of adventures in the class! And it warms my heart to think of you and your son too. Thanks for sharing, Dyanne!
ReplyDeleteOh, Michelle, it's one adventure after another! They say and do the funniest things. And I'm glad my son isn't so very far away that we can't see him whenever we want to.
DeleteNot sure why I kept thinking it was Thursday, but it was certainly disappointing each time I realized it wasn't yet.
ReplyDeleteI just love that little guy! He told his mom it was in Jesus' Bible. I said well, it's in Miss Dyanne's Bible.
Thank you so much for your support. I am so grateful to Wendy for including me.
Oh no - a week with three Thursdays!? Love number nine - how funny! Isn't it just the best feeling when you find money in the pockets of clothes you haven't worn for a while? Glad to hear no-one got hit by an errant volleyball :) Huge congratulations on being featured in Wendy's series ... I'm going to pop over and have a look now. hope the rest of your weekend is super!
ReplyDeleteFound money is the BEST money! Have you ever been to a volleyball game? When they warm up before the game, those balls are flying EVERYWHERE and are hit HARD HARD HARD. My thumb broke (yes, BROKE) when I got hit by one going about 70 m.p.h.
DeletePlease do check out Wendy's series. It is powerful and inspiring and tear jerking.
you know how I tend to see things in photos that may (or may not) be there? (like in Christine's soccor photos a few weeks ago, where there was (or was not) a white cat in the goal at the game...in any event, seeing how you set me up for it, hopefully I can convey the feeling when, after reading you saying,
ReplyDelete"We made our first attempt to use scissors in my primary class this week at preschool. The results, as a whole, were rather disastrous,"
...I glanced at the photo, which for just split second, while appearing to be a part of a normal hand... managed to look kinda bleeding like... lol! (That's just sick...funny, but sick.)
or yeah, one more thing...usually we would wait one more day before publishing the TToT, but seeing how you really don't want to know what day today *really* is... we all agreed to pretend that today is not Thursday.
I also hate olives
There was no blood in the picture, Clark. NO BLOOD!
DeleteAre you kidding? It's only Thursday? THIS IS LIKE THE MOVIE 'GROUNDHOG DAY!"
Finding money is the best! What a great deal on your daughter's homecoming outfit. And I bet being honored during October does feel really good. I lost a friend to breast cancer 7 years ago. I've mentioned her on my blog, but not much because I'm never sure if it's my place. Anyway, good for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennifer! Wendy Nielsen is such a wonderful advocate! I'm so glad to be associated with her.
DeleteThat dress was a FIND!
1. Three Thursdays sucks. 2. Glad to hear he is enjoying the college life. 3. You are paying the same amount whether you eat in the dining hall or not. That totally makes the meals for parents free! Eat up! 4. Can't wait to see the dress! 5. Volleyball is the only sport in which the fans are in more danger of injury than the players. Especially at warm-up time during a tournament. Mass chaos! 6. Scissors and preschoolers can be quite dangerous. I almost had a finger cut off and my eye poked out by one very, very inexperienced preschooler. Good luck with getting them all on track. 7. I LOVE found money! 9. That is a great rule. It makes me smile that you have that discussion with the kids. My biggest rule in the room is for the parents as well. Under no circumstances are they allowed to bring those store-bought cupcakes with the mound of icing on top. 10. I love preschoolers! Keep the stories coming.
ReplyDelete1. You're telling me! 2. It took a few weeks, but he's now having a great time. And even going to class! 3. And it's pretty good food. 4. She looks so pretty in it! 5. That warm up time is deadly and I have the formerly broken thumb (that is still tender over a year and a half later) to prove it. 6. I've got my work cut out for me (no pun intended). 7. Yessss! 9. I really hate barf. And I try to dissuade parents from bringing cupcakes. They are so unbelievably messy, and the kids waste them anyway. 10. You know I will!
DeleteYou've really had a busy week, haven't you? :)
ReplyDeleteThe child and the siren is so cute; finding money is always a bonus; visiting with family is up there with all the best times; having free meals is always good, no matter how it comes about; bargains like you found for your daughter's homecoming are the best; the scissors thing is always a dicey start to a child's education - and I LOVE the no throwing up rule! I read Wendy Nielsen's blog, and am so full of admiration for all you wonderful ladies - and so agree with Katy Perry's vid being an apt description of you all :)
Oh, and I love the scarf! :)
I'm so glad you read Wendy's blog. She is awesome!
DeleteThat is one of my favorite scarves, and incidentally, I totally matched the walls of the dining hall at my son's school when I wore it there!
Scissor skills are not to be taken for granted.
Whatever it takes to keep kids from barfing in my room. Blech!
Isn't your rule from the book of St. Ralph, Chapter One, Verse One? :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, that's exactly where that verse is located. I believe it's actually the 11th commandment.
DeleteWhat a great list, Dyanne! The Homecoming outfit - awesome. The multiple Thursdays thing? I laughed out loud because I do that like every other week...why do I not know what day it is? Like ever? And again, I so loved your survivor story. Go you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa! How I make it through a week never knowing exactly what day it is is beyond me. Glad to know I'm not alone!
DeleteI love when I find money in unexpected places. Even a dollar so your "big" amount is amazing! Can't wait to see the homecoming pictures!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm thrilled with a dollar! Imagine 25 of 'em! Yeehaw!
DeleteLove being cheap, I mean, frugal! The scarf was only good last Sunday. The rest of the week it was nearly 90. But cold front came through yesterday, and we have had fall all weekend! So glad you linked up with TToT! I look forward to reading more of your posts! Have a great week (one Thursday only!).
ReplyDeleteI love your list, and #9 is my favorite. And the Katy Perry video made me smile :) Thank you for having me to your fun link-up!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yeah, #9 is crucial. So happy you joined our hop! Hope to see you next week.
DeleteAw, I've been thinking lately of how much I miss working in preschool (I had toddlers) and now I miss it even more.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got all that time with your kids & family!
Even at their most frustrating, they are still fun.
DeleteReally enjoyed this list, Dyanne. Your first one cracked me up--three thursdays in one week. That sounds like something I'd do. And I agree, with the cost of room and board at colleges, if they offered me free (not really free food) I'd eat until I exploded. The one that stood out for me the most though, was telling your kids not to throw up in your room. I used to work as a school secretary. They didn't tell me I'd be a nurse too. Some of the kids would come in and say their stomach hurt and want to lay down for awhile on the one and only cot. Our school offered "Gotcha" tickets to kids who did something amazing. I felt not throwing up in front of me was amazing. So if they managed to not puke in my presence, I'd give them a Gotcha Ticket. I nicknamed one little boy fake Jake because he liked to spend a lot of time in my office earning tons of Gotcha tickets. He never showed any signs of illness yet he always complained of being ill. I think he had my number. Big time. Anyway, your list obviously brought back a fond memory. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda! Yeah, I think that kid had your number, too. I'll bet you're also really good at checking for head lice.
DeleteMy husband thinks we should eat at the dining hall every time we're at our son's school. Our son thinks otherwise.
Preschoolers and scissors...it's always dicey but yes you are correct...at least you know where they stand. And it's never quite as good as you hope. :)
ReplyDeleteLove that you got to see your boy...and that he's only about an hour And "eating free" = awesome!
"Do not throw up in Miss Dyanne's classroom." I think that's in one of the Minor Prophets, isn't it? I got thrown up on my a child who was upset on the VERY FIRST DAY I worked in a preschool. And I kept coming back...for 7 years. But it never happened again: beginner's luck that first day, right?
Glad your little guy isn't freaking out anymore...peeling them off mom is NEVER a good time. For you, the child or mom. Kudos to you for standing firm...and to the mom for letting you peel him off. :)
Thanks for a fabulous list... :)
Scissors and glue are always risky.
DeleteWow, barfed on your first day and you didn't quit? You were MEANT to be a preschool teacher!
His mom is great! We're all tough loving him and it seems to be working.
Hope your retreat went well.
Oh gawd! I have the "scissors kid"! Came home missing a chunk of hair and innocently informed me that he had "no idea how it happened, Mommy." Riiiight.... it's not like you would wait until the teacher's back was turned and then experiment, right? *sigh* You are so brave to stay in a room full of tiny maniacs with no real understanding of "cause and effect"!
ReplyDeleteI had three, THREE, kids cut their hair the first year I taught. Two of them did it right in front of me and my assistant. They were sitting at the art table with their backs to us and decided to add some hair to the pictures they were making.
DeleteAnd you are exactly right. They have NO CONCEPT of cause and effect. And neither do my cats. Really, how hard is it?