Tip of the Week

I overheard this tidbit during our work time this morning...

Matt: "I got TONS of candy last night. Did you go to the homecoming parade, Brad?"
Brad: "You know, you should never wear boxers when you're swimming--it slows you way down. You gotta wear these funny things called speedos."

Just A Little Nuts In The Mornin'

It’s a little before 8a.m. The birds are chirping outside. The light breeze is drifting through my quiet classroom as the cherub-esque 6 year olds enter and settle into a book. I’m sneaking some almonds at my desk because I woke up too late to grab a decent breakfast. Suddenly, I’m snapped out of my calm by an angry *Adam:

“Charlie said that he thought he heard Matt say that he could hit me in the nuts ANYTIME he wanted!”
I stash my snack back into my desk drawer and call Matt over.
“Matt? Did you say something to Charlie about hurting Adam?”
Hesitant and confused, Matt said, “No…I don’t think so.”
I call Charlie over and get a wishy-washy story –“I’m not really sure if I heard him say that or not – Matt may have been whispering...”
Matt jumped in with, “I wasn’t whispering! And I didn’t say anything about hitting anybody’s NUTS!”
~deep breath~
“Okay, this is a good example of that word “gossip” we heard in our story yesterday, and how it can hurt friends. Remember how sometimes it’s hard to hear and remember the exact message someone else gives us? We don’t want to repeat it if we aren’t sure, and if it’s something that’s going to hurt someone else it might just be best to tell an adult instead of making that person angry at the other one-
Because, Charlie, maybe you heard him wrong, right? Like, maybe Matt said, ‘Miss S. is nuts.’ (boys’ eyes bug-out) You know, like Miss S. is crazy?”
They all giggled –phew!
Anger diffused.
Charlie agrees to handle it differently next time, walks back to his desk.
Adam has cooled off and returns to his desk.

Matt stays.

“Matt, do you have anything else you feel like you should tell me?”
Peering over his thick-rimmed glasses, he proceeds- speaking in a quieter voice out of the side of his mouth. “Ok, so I didn’t say I was gonna crush his nuts, but I think I might’ve did it.”
insert my questioning, arched eyebrow here
“So, yeah…maybe I did? On accident? Kick him in the nuts, I mean? Cause I didn’t say it. I didn’t even look and I think I kicked him in the nuts-but I’m not sure. So you know it was an accident-cause that’s kinda lucky that I even hit him right there. That I kicked him in the nuts, I mean.”
SERIOUSLY doing everything to stifle a grin here—can he use the word nuts one more time??? “Ok. Matt, I need you to follow our rule of keeping our hands, feet and other objects to ourselves—safety and respect, remember? Can you do that for me?”
He nods, once again, looking over his glasses and sweetly says, “Miss S?”
“Yes, Matt.”
“I’m really sorry if I kicked him in the nuts.”


*names have been changed to protect the innocent

Henry Barnardo (Brave Bear)

I'm in love! With a 7 pound 11 ounce licking-chewing, peeing-pooping, nuzzling-snuggling machine. Meet my new addition to the household!
My ridiculously generous friends at work threw us a surprise puppy shower! The "emergency 7:30 staff meeting" turned out to include puppy treats, people treats, sassy handbags, toys, outerwear and t-shirts. :) He's only been with me 5 days, but now he has enough of a wardrobe that I need to make some space in a drawer or something! He has already won some hearts in my classroom, and the one next door. Although I didn't want to be one of those baby-talking puppy owners, I must admit Henry is quite the charmer and even made my tough 14 year old nephew giggle! My honorary-nephew, Tate, is already mimicking me "Go potty, Uhn-ree!"
Oh, I cannot WAIT for Henry to meet my puppy-lovin' niece!

The Tooth Fairy is Overrated

On our last big adventure hiking from rim to rim of the Grand Canyon, she was nicknamed the Canyon Mime, for her gesture-filled story-telling and wisdom. I've decided to rename her: My Travel Fairy. Indeed, my generous friend has gifted me tremendously and has nominated me as her travel buddy this summer. I'm officially booked to embark on my first trip to the Western Caribbean! How fun does that sound, as the snow in my backyard refuses to melt?!
The details of said adventure are still in the works...all I know are the dates and locations of my next oceanic escapade: Key West, Belize and Cozumel.

Ahhhhhh.

Bathed with Gentleness and Love

Sunning with Mom

My Heart: It Grows Again

My nephews and I have a tradition of telling stories as we're falling asleep when we're together. They range from gross to sappy; including funny moments, fishing tales and my memories of their dad when we were kids. One of the frequently told stories was rekindled this week...probably a given, considering their new addition to the fam. It is of the day when I first met Caleb.
I packed up my little red Acura and sped up Highway 63. I remember getting pulled over near New Hampton. I thought it was for speeding (I most certainly was), but the lovely sheriff's deputy was requesting a chat because I didn't have a license plate on my front bumper. I remember being most agreeable, fluttered the eyelashes a bit and shared the news that I was off to meet my newest nephew. Thankfully, he let me go without a ticket or a warning and I was back on the road to Austin. The closer I got, the more serious the butterflies. I love Jake so much. I kind of feel bad for this next kid because I don't have any idea how I could love him as much. And, what if Jake gets upset when I hold him? How do I share my time and love? When I get to the house, who do I greet first?
I parked the the car along the street in front of the house. I tried to think of a game plan as I trudged through the Minnesota snow. By the time I reached the front steps, Jake was standing in the open door, beaming. With that first hug, my jitters were gone. I set him down and he grabbed my hand, and said,
"Pammy, you gotta see him."
He lead me into the living room and the second I saw Caleb, I was changed. I had never felt anything like it, but it was like my heart just doubled in size and any thought of sharing the love I had for Jake was erased. That was the day I learned that love grows the more you show it, so there's no need to hold back...there's always going to be plenty to give.

It happened again a week ago today. This time, it was Caleb who ran out to greet me as I pulled up their drive in Chatfield. I had the ol' familiar butterflies as I stepped out of the car. But they weakened as I saw my 10 year old nephew running to me, red t-shirt and shorts, clopping along in someone's too-big shoes. I managed to avoid being knocked over by his huge hug as he barreled into me. He offered (as usual) to help carry my bags, but we decided to leave them for later. So, he grabbed my hand and, walking a step ahead of me, pulled me down the long drive and into the house.
"You ready?" Caleb called as we kicked off our shoes at the door.
Jake yelled, "Yeah."
Somehow, he made it into the front room ahead of me - looking back over his shoulder, smiling, waiting with his camera-armed Mom. I rounded the corner to see (14 year old) Jake holding baby Ivar on his lap, rubbing the thick dark hair on his new brother's head.
"Isn't he cute, Pammy?"
I looked into Ivar's eyes, and again, my heart.
Unmistakable.
The feeling I had with Caleb, then with Ella and with Will...it was here again, with Ivar.
Blessed.
I'm just so blessed to know love like that.