Classroom Pet

This little guy was sitting on the gate outside by my classroom.  I'm surprised he let me get as close to him as he did.  We have quite a few squirrels around my room.  I have a row of small windows in the front of my room that are up close to the ceiling lever ( start about 6-7ft high).  It's fun when the squirrels hang out up there while I'm teaching...so much for my lesson.  I just can't compete with a squirrel!  I've tried many, many times. :P 

I see them all the time run across the lower windows in the back, but most of the time the kids don't see them and I don't point them out. 

I just had a flash back to my piano lessons in college.  My piano teacher had a class room that overlooked a lake and she loved looking at birds and pointing out different species.  I spent SO many lessons pretending to be interested increasing my knowledge of the various species of birds.  You'd think I'd be an expert on birds, but I instead I don't know much about bird and I'm not a fantastic pianist.

I also have what I believe is a skink that likes to hang out around my room.  He disappears for awhile, but always comes back.  He looks a lot like this:

I should start naming my classroom pets.  Any suggestions? :)

Thanksgiving Craft

Here's a cute craft Sissy did with Grandma.  It's paper plate with cut out leaves covering it.  I love the little plate pouch in front.  She is putting things she is thankful for in it.  So for Sissy is thankful for our house and for cupcakes. :)

Busy, Busy Holidays

The holiday weeks are a bit crazy at school.  Kids are excited because they know there is no school next week.  Teachers are excited too, but trying to survive the crazy, excited kids.  There is always so much to do too.  I've got our concert coming up and there is still lots of planning and practicing.  A week off to catch up will be nice.  I can't wait to enjoy being a SAHM for a week. :)  I get to pretend anyway and my kids LOVE it. 

I'm planning on doing lots of holiday crafts next week.  Hopefully, get some family pictures done.  We  may try to take them ourselves which could be an interesting task!

My artist

I do not have much artistic ability, so I'm always amazed when Sissy draws.  We came home the other day and she showed us a picture she drew of her turtle.

She sure does love her turtle night light, so much that she's drawing pictures of it. :)

This was the perfect night light for Sissy.  She's not a fan of the dark and already had a wall night light, but would still complain.  With her turtle it's right in bed with her.  She does tend to use it to "read" at night, but I can't complain unless she's up way to late.  I love that she has a love for reading and I wouldn't want to do anything to take that away.  So many kids don't like to read.  I love that both my children love books even though they can't officially  read them.

If you have a little one that's not a fan of the dark and has issues going to sleep this may be worth a shot.  You can find it here on  Amazon. 

Mashed Potatoes

I showed KG a picture of a Native American Woman grinding corn.  I pointed out what she was doing and asked what she was making by grinding the corn.  I usually get answers like "powder or flour" because that's what they see in the picture.  Today, I had a little boy yell out "Mashed Potatoes!"

I wasn't aware that you could make mashed potatoes out of corn.  You really do learn something new every day. :)

Funny Kids!

I love kids and the things they say.  I wish I remembered to write down every funny thing because I'd have a nice book by now! 

I was teaching our 4year old class today because Sissy's teacher couldn't be there.  We were singing a song and I was checking to see if they really knew the words.  The last words our "His truth I will proclaim."  After we had just listened to it I asked them "His truth I will....??? what??"  One cute little boy said, "His truth I will complain!."

Public Changing Tables

I'm not a fan of public changing table.  Every time I have to use one to change my babies' diaper I just imagine all the germs on it.  Even with something (changing pad, disposable changing covers, paper towels) on it I still worry about the cleanliness of them.  Placement is my other issue.  I do like some privacy when changing my children, so I tend to like the ones inside the handicap stalls the best.  There are SO many places that just stick the thing wherever and don't seem to consider the Mom trying to change.
 
I ran into this one the other day.  Really?

With both stall doors closed there is no space at all.  It blocks two stalls.  When I went in to use it both stalls were occupied.  I stood there waiting for them to finish, so that they wouldn't run right into me (literally) changing my boy.  There is about a 6-8 inch clearance from the table to the stall door.  I couldn't comfortably fit where I could change him from the side (with the diaper bag and space to maneuver and had to change him from the bottom.  What's worse is just to the end of it (you can see it to the right) is a mirror.  While I was changing him there was a lady using the mirror looking right towards his bottom.  Nice.  I would have changed him outside in the car, but remembered that we had driven my little car and there really is nowhere to change him except the trunk which had a stroller in it.

I definitely prefer the private changing tables though.  One time I was changing Bubby and he had made a HUGE mess.  I was standing there trying to juggle everything (you Moms know what I mean) and get him cleaned fast as I could without making a bigger mess which was near impossible.  I nice woman came over to admire how beautiful my daughter was.  She kept going on and on about how pretty "she" was.  At least she was keeping her eyes to his face otherwise she would have known better.  She kept going on and on.  I prefer not to make small talk when I have poo on my hands.  Just a personal choice.  I remember telling her that he had just turned one and she commented again on how cute "she" is.  Grr...

...leave me alone while I'm changing my child.  As soon as I'm done and we are all cleaned up, feel free to talk to me.  I'll be more cheerful then.

Also, why would they not put changing tables in men's restrooms?  Some do, but I know there a many that don't.  Are men not supposed to change diapers?  Do they assume men don't ever change diapers?  Am I one of the few lucky Mama's that has a diaper changing husband/daddy?