Halloween Snippet

So I haven't had much time for anything other than grading and grading and grading and prepping and grading. (Poor Luke and Todd) Which means that I'm only posting a Halloween snippet because the classroom parents emailed me a couple of photos. So I'll post a few of me, then I'll post Luke Halloween photos later.

Fans of Luke, you'll just have to wait.

A few years ago, one of my super-enthusiastic (but full-time working) mom's made everyone their OWN personalized fake pumpkins. Seriously. Like, 20 pumpkins, with everyone's eye and hair color to match. Crazy time. I kept mine and pull it out every Halloween. I have about 5 decorations, so it stands out.

Currently, the only picture I have in my Snow White garb. I never took a picture of myself with a real camera (I think I have a phone photo floating around somewhere) so this is all I have right now. Mostly, I really like my hair. And that is my hair. My first year teaching, I wore a wig and I hated hated hated it. So I swore after that that I would never wear a wig on Halloween again. (That sounds really dramatic, doesn't it?) So I've worn headbands and hats, but no wigs.



More Halloween later. Certainly, more of Luke's Halloween. But you're stuck with me for now.

*The grading period ended today. I bet you can't wait to see my STACK of grading. *

Grateful - Day 4

So we have decided to try the "Elf on the Shelf" to give us a few months of the THREAT OF SANTA.

Luke loves the story and loves our elf, "Jimbo."

Last night, when he was picking a story, he asked me to read "Jimbo on the Bench."

I'm grateful for Luke's sense of humor - he makes me laugh every single day.

Grateful

So technically, it is the 3rd of November, so I’ve missed a few days.  But the good news is that the first thing I am grateful for is worth a few days, so we’ll say this counts as Grateful: Days 1 –3.

Last year, Luke began school in November, missing his picture day by about a month.  I was curious (dreadfully apprehensive) about Luke taking pictures this year.  Some might call him “full of personality,” others might call him “willful” or “active.” He is all of these things . . . and more.  I just didn’t know if he would smile or not. Or stay still. (Have I posted his 1 year pictures? They are a piece of work . . .)

Hearing stories from the photographer, I was so relieved.  Luke laughed and got all the other kids laughing, which was important as he was the first student to have his picture taken.  Apparently, preschoolers cry a lot at school pictures.  (I saw the class photo – there were definitely a few!)

The bonus about being a teacher at the school your child goes to? You can get pictures with your kid! Woo hoo! Unfortunately, his picture day was before mine, so by the time it was my turn, he was wearing his regular old school clothes. Oh well. 

His favorite picture?

Guess : )

So I’m so grateful for this happy smiley little face.  He frustrates me, he pushes buttons I didn’t even know I had, but man, he is one happy kid.  Luke has a belly laugh that fills my soul with joy I had never imagined was possible. He is smart and clever and pretty slick (wait till my Halloween post . . .) but he is a sweet, kind-hearted kid who has really good manners. I love good manners.  I love that Luke is Luke . . . the happiest kid I have ever known.

It's November

Last year I spent the month of November reflecting on all the things I was grateful for. I think that, even though I'm a few days late and already into November, I'm going to attempt to do the same thing.

So I'll start off with saying that I am grateful that October is over.

Okay, that's a total cop out.

I am truly grateful for all of my friends and family for their support and love and kindness and understanding. October was exceptionally difficult for so many reasons and I'm so thankful and blessed to have the people in my life that I do. Especially my Todd and my Luke. They are such amazing people and keep my smiling every single day . . . no matter how tough the day has been.

Example:

Tuesday was crap.

So, Todd moved the coffee table, set up our air mattress and as a family we cuddled and enjoyed a movie. On a Tuesday. For no other reason than it was really fun and it made me happy.

Love that man.

So thanks everyone for being there. Happy November.