My first full teacher day

Today was my firs time ever as a teacher on my own. Sure I have taught Sunday school a lot and done some other things but today was the first time I was left with a rough outline and some activities and taught on my own!

I filled in for a great class and the parent helpers were great as I am not Mrs. T and I don't do everything the same. They loved teaching me how they do things and I think it gave them a sense of wow I got this school ting down because I can tell Mrs. Charlee how we do things and be a helper.

This week my official aide duties start and that means outdoor art and some sort of sensory or gooey activity. My first outdoor plan a gelatin sensory tub borrowed from my favorite site no time for flash cards on a large scale. And maybe some spray bottle painting!

If anyone out there in bloggyland has any great preschool art idea books or activity books or blogs please share. I plan to keep it interesting and fun and do things that they don't normally get to do in class.

My kids (Breven and Aubree) are doing amazing with me working again. I brought Breven to the school on my day off and gave him a tour. He loved it and he was jealous. He told me that he never got to do the fun stuff sissy gets to do at her preschool all he did was sit at tables and do papers. It makes me kind of sad that he missed out on that part of the preschool expirence. I have decided that when I make things here at home to let him help and keep a little for him to try so he can go back and expirence thost things as a big kid. They are both loving everyone getting ready and the extra time with my parents before school on days that I have to go in early.

If I work more hours next year I think they will be so ready since we have started off slowly. My kids have also discovered new found sense of independance since now I have to ask them to be big kids and do more on thier own on the days that I am working. Like getting dressed on thier own, picking out clothes, packing bags and such. Also our night time routine has a new part of getting ready for the next day in it so they help with that as well. They also see me preparing for the next day getting my things and packing my bag so its a whole new thing for everyone.

So far so good this is working out to be such an amazing opportunity for all us!

Preschool teachers are an interesting bunch

So since working has kept me on my toes this week on top of fighting off a cold that keeps attempting to take over I realized I have not blogged in a long time! So today as I sit here getting ready for my week I thought of something I was told this week by a dad. "Preschool teachers are interesting" I wondered why he said that but didn't want to ask so I came up with my own list as to why we are.

1. We have a high pitched sing song voice when talking with all kids


2. We love recycled items(like cereal boxes, TP tubes, plastic containers and other household items that we can re-use)


3. We have a song for almost any occasion


4. We call everyone our friend


5. We have paint and playdough in our nails or on our fingers


6. We can see the potty dance moves in any kid be they 2 or 6 years old


7. We get excited over new paint


8. We appreciate nap time


9. We love snacks


10. We love a good children's books!

Ok so I could go on but there are somethings that I think would make a dad say that about a preschool teacher of to be honest any teacher of kids under age 7.

So in light of that I am going to work on gathering my recyclables for the weeks plans. As the aide I am responsible for some outside activities and art. This week my plan is a rainbow gelatin sensory tub, and some paints. I only have 1 day as an aide this week since I sub by myself Tuesday.

I got a job!!!

Yup you read that right I was hired on by my daughter's school as a part time aide and sub! So excited I start as soon as my finger prints clear! I am so excited to finally do what I love to do and put the degree my parents paid for to use!

Have you met Breven's new friend?

This is Flat Stanley he is our new friend here. Breven has moved beyond the picture books he has been bringing home and grows bored with the lack of excitement and interest in the stories. Also he is ready to move on to chapter books he is always wondering what happened next or how a story could continue on past what the book showed.

In comes Stanley its a chapter book series for 2nd-3rd graders it has some pictures but mostly words which makes Breven happy. The stories are much more interesting with a good amount of appropriate humor. The chapters are just long enough to cover the time needed after reading one of the books in his bag without being overwhelming.

This boy gets flattened when a bulletin board falls on him and his adventures continue to space, a genie and in the series we are almost on around the world! This has sparked an interest in countries and travel which has led me to some ideas for summer vacation.

Its nice to finally find books that can keep his attention and a character that isn't questionable! I have a feeling Stanley will be around for a while!

Homework troubles

Man when kids get to the homework phase of school sometimes it seems like it's parent work more than kid work! I am not complaining Breven has been improving on whining less about doing it but the other night Brad and I got a good laugh out of this math sheet.

Breven has this particular page and I am busy with Aubree so I ask Brad to help. Basically they wanted him to write 7-3=4 pretty simple. But we found that to be wrong. My husband is a math person with a very analytical brain and so that note on the bottom is all him!

By the way the teachers answer book is available in PDF format online!

Recipe time

I am still here! Breven had strep this week so my schedule was all thrown off with him home!

I tried something new Wednesday night my mom told the kids it was chicken pot roast I don't know what to call it but it tasted good!

I started off by using a tiny bit of salt and pepper on some boneless, skinless chicken thighs I browned those in a large pan, once those were done I removed them and set them aside. I then added some celery, onions and garlic to the pan and let those cook down a bit then added a full package of fresh mushrooms. I then added two of those stock pod things(not sure of the brand name but its concentrated stock) and 2 1/2 cups of water to the mix, some fresh rosemary from my yard and then the chicken. I simmered it until it cooked down quite a bit and added a bit of cornstarch and water to thicken things towards the end and a little sprinkling of parsley.

It was good and my kids ate it no questions asked!

Breven's room re-do

Though we are not 100% finished this is whats done so far. We are planning on some NFL print pillows and an Eagles Fathead on the wall and his parking sign and a few decals for the closet and then I say we are 100% done.

Breven has been asking for a year to paint his room green. After a lot of begging on his part, nagging on my part and hard work from his dad the room is re painted. It went from pretty blue ocean waves to Philadelphia Eagles green with accents.

Breven is so excited and thrilled to finally have what he calls a big boy room!