Happy Love Day!

For you to ponder on this Valentine's Day.

What is love?

Some fourth grade answers.

Our Valentine's Day plans:
Dinner at home, dessert in Laguna Beach.

Happy Valentine's Day!

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Memory #12

Becoming a Teacher--August, 2005

My journey to teacherhood was quick.  I changed my major about 500 times in college, but finally landed on Sociology.  This was in part (like 20%) because I had some interest in becoming a criminal investigator, and in part (like 80%) that it was the end of my junior year of college, and this was the major that required the least amount of units and would allow me to graduate on time.   So, all that to say, I did not become a criminal investigator, and I instead went to work for my parents while I pondered what the next phase of my life would entail.  And that lasted until summer. 

Summer and reality hit at the same time.  Real people in the real world work during the summer.  This was a new concept for me.  I was one of those priviledged (not spoiled) kids who never had to have a summer job.  This whole working in the summer deal was not my thing.  So, I reflected back on all the careers I had considered throughout my life, and only one of them gave me my summers off...Teaching.  Teaching was not some random thing I just decided on because I didn't want to work in the summer.  In fact, education was one of my 500 majors in college.  But, summer was the motivating factor that made me get my butt in gear and go back to school to get my credential.  I started that summer, and the following summer, I was a credentialed teacher trying to get a job.

My jumpstart into teaching may have been summers, but God was confirming that it was the right decision all along (so really it would be more accurate to say that God was the jumpstart and he used summer to motivate me).  Things that never should have worked out for me worked out so that I was able to get my credential quick and start teaching the following year.

(Moving into my classroom.  My family came and brought me tons of supplies as a gift and then helped me decorate my room.)

I remember so clearly the day that I got my job.  When they called me for the interview, I actually considered not taking it.  I was supposed to be on vacation with Nick's family and really did not want to miss it.  I prayed a lot and drove by the school.  It looked so cute and I felt God pushing me to take the interview.  So, I did.  I didn't feel great about it.  I even told my mom afterwards that I don't think I interview well.  I headed straight for the airport from the interview and hopped on a plane to fly up north to meet up with Nick's family for the last part of their vacation.  When I got off the plane, I had a message on my phone from the district office asking me to call them back.  It was after 5, so I worried that they would not be there, but tried calling anyway.  Sure enough, she answered the phone on her way out the door and told me that they wanted to hire me for the job.  I was shocked.  I was not expecting to hear back so soon.  It was a very exciting time.  I spent the next several nights not able to sleep as I thought about all the different things I would do in my classroom.

And to top it all off, through the whole process, I had prayed that God would give me a classroom that had carpet in it instead of tile.  And, he did.

And I also get to do some pretty fun things for my job:

Like race tricycles....

...and do crazy dances.

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My wallet broke, so my wish list item for today is a new one.

Here are a couple that I like:

Source: Target

Source: Forever 21 
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And now I must apologize to you, my loyal followers, who wake up every morning and check my blog (mom) that I will have to take a couple days off from this little blog, so that I can work on the ENCHANTED FOREST that is evolving in my backyard.  I will be back after Saturday to catch up on my twenty memories.  Until then, I bid you adieu...

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Fluffy

Once a month, we have a police officer who comes in to teach "Too Good for Drugs" to the class.  She was talking about making healthy choices today and brought up "fluffy" people.  She herself is a "fluffy" person, so she was emphasizing the fact that it is important not to make fun of fluffy people.  We all found this to be very amusing.  

Well, she came and went and the day went on. 

Right before lunch, one of my students raised his hand, and when I called on him, he informed me that one of my lovely little boys had been telling other kids in the class that I am "fluffy".  So, I called my little friend over to have a chat with him about that.

The conversation went pretty much like this: (I will refer to my little friend as S.)

Me: Did you tell people that I am fluffy?

S: Yes.

Me: Why would you say that?

S: Well it's just my opinion.  I just think you are a little "fluffy"

Me: Do you know what fluffy means?

S: Yes, it means chubby.

Me: Ok, what makes you think that I am chubby?

S: Well, I just think you are a little fluffy.  It's just my opinion.

Me: Okay, what about me would you say is fluffy?

S: Um, like in the stomach area a little bit.

Me: Okay.  So, you think that I need to lose some weight.

S: No, I think you are a nice size.  I just think you are a little "fluffy".

Me: Ok, but fluffy means that I need to lose weight, so you think that I need to lose some weight in my stomach.

S: Well, I mean it's not like it's a lot.  I think you are a nice size.  Like, if you just walked a little every day, you would be able to get rid of it.

Me: I run everyday

S: Oh

And then of course I went into the whole lecture about how if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all.  

And, I gave him a behavior slip.  

In my head, I was dying laughing.  I didn't want the conversation to end because he was saying the funniest things.

This was all coming from the same kid who randomly said when we were walking to the library one day, "Mrs. Kinnier, you're skinny."  He didn't seem to have any recollection of that.  I guess I've gained some weight this year.

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Love is....

From the mouths of babes.

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Red Ants and Lost Minds

red ants......

The other day at school, I came out to recess duty and one of my kids (we'll call him C) hustled over to me looking very concerned. This is how our conversation went:

C: Mrs Kinnier, I got bit by a wed ant. Thewe's a wed ant hill ova on the field. (note the adorable lisp)

Me: Uh-oh, you should make sure to stay away from there.

C: It's weally bothewing me.

Me: Ok, the bell is about to ring, so when we get back into class, I will write you a pass to the nurse so you can get some lotion on it.

C: Okay. Umm...evwethings stawting to look bluwy (blurry)

Me: Maybe you should sit down at the tables.

C: Okay. Umm, did a cloud just pass ova us because evewething just went dawk.

Me: No, no cloud. Can you see anything?

C: Not weally.

Me: Ok, well the bell just rang. Do you think you can make it to our line.

C: I think so.

He did make it to the line and I sent him down to the nurse. He came back good as new. Who knew calamine lotion could cure blindness.

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lost minds.....

On Monday, I got a call when I was on my way home from school. It was my mother's frantic voice. She locked her keys in her car. She was subbing at a school in Garden Grove and needed someone to come pick her up. That someone was me. That is the priviledge that I am blessed to have because I commute so far to work. I pass almost every member of my family at their workplaces on my drive. So, I am the natural person to call. Anyways, I had to pick up my dear sweet mother and then drop myself off at home and let her take my car to find her spare key and meet up with my dad to go back up to Garden Grove to get the car.

(Belle with her real mom and dad)

Fast forward to today. I get another call from my mom. Same time. Another frantic voice. She LOST her keys this time. She had a key that would let her into her car, but not the key that would start her car. She searched the classroom she was subbing in 3 times. She emptied her purse 3 times. She searched the car 3 times. So, I came to her rescue once again. I searched the car and emptied her purse. I wanted to go back and look in the classroom again, but mom was too embarrassed because she had already been into the office multiple times to turn in the sub keys, then get them back to search some more, then turn them in again. I drove her to the car dealership so that she could get another key made. They informed us that they are unable to make a new key for you without having your car there. Which means the car has to be towed there. And, no big deal, it only costs $280 to get a new key made (they are opting to go with the cheaper valet key instead, which is only $130....what a deal). Thankfully, Aunt Karen has AAA. So, I took my mom to meet up with my dad, and he gets the pleasure of taking over the situation from there.

Dear Dad,

Please don't die anytime soon. As you know, my mother is a little high maintenance, and I am too young to have to take care of her already.  I am glad that is your job right now (a full time job in itself). Plus, you are really good at cutting out walls.

Love,

Mindy

p.s. Mom wants to blame you for her little key problem she keeps having.  She says you took the keys off the key ring and that's why she keeps having these little mishaps.  Just thought I'd warn you. 

p.p.s. I know you hate the font that I normally use on this blog, so I wrote your letter in a different font.  Wasn't that nice of me?

Post Script

The key saga continues.  Read the comments to hear more.

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Scott Avenue Talent Show!!!

Friday Night was the Scott Avenue Talent Show.

The Grand Finale was a very fun performance by many of us teachers.

One of the parents put it up on YouTube, so here it is for your enjoyment!
And you can see all the cute little kiddos who participated in the event at the end!

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Love Is.....

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Love Is....

In the words of fourth graders.

More to come.

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