Friends (A Trip Down Memory Lane)

As you become older things change. Your friends change, where you live, what you do...you get the picture. Change is everywhere throughout life. We do not have to like it - it's just how it is.

Recently a childhood friend has come in touch with me. She was my neighbor that even after we moved we still visited each other. She was my first ever friend.

I cannot wait to reminisce about our childhood times. Trick-or-treating, sleep overs, sidewalk parades, and the day we told our parents we were running away (they just laughed at this notion and must have known we would not be gone long). I am looking forward to this walk down memory land and I hope that Dana is too.

Icicles

Hanging by an invisible thread
pointing towards the earth
transparent ghosts
dripping
dripping
dripping
towards the ground below
ending in a puddle

Your Day Through the Six Pillars

Each day we have to work hard to have good character. Think back to your day from the time you woke up until now. List each of the pillars one by one (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship) and write at least one way you followed each of the pillars throughout the day.

Remember to be specific about the way you followed each pillar.

My Day Through the Six Pillars

Trustworthiness

• When everyone was asleep I went to the grocery store to buy the things we would need for the week.
• I made lunch and dinner for my family.
• I made sure that Miles took his "happy nappy" so he would not be grumpy for the rest of the day.
• When the cashier at the grocery store asked me about a coupon I was trying to use I told her the truth that I had only bought one Juicy Juice instead of two (I did not read the coupon very closely).

Respect

• I watched the movie that Mallory and Miles wanted to watch and acted excited even though it was not my choice.
• I used a nice tone of voice during the whole day.
• At the grocery store I said, "Excuse me," to anyone I walked in front of as they were looking at the items on the shelves.

Responsibility

• After lunch I went out to school to get things ready for the week.
• I cleaned up after myself today and even began to file papers away that are on our desk by the computer.
• After using the cart at the grocery store I put it into the cart corral in the parking lot.
• I emailed the writers I am working with to get things ready for our meeting with someone at the newspaper for an upcoming Living Section piece (the whole page).

Fairness

• Ryan and I worked to do the dishes, laundry, and help with meals throughout the day.
• I paid attention on the amount of time I spent with both of my children today and tried to be as fair as possible.
• During each of our meals I made sure that Mallory and Miles had nearly the same amount of food.

Caring

• When Miles became upset I held him until he calmed down.
• I gave many kisses and hugs to the people in my house throughout the day.
• Before our movie began I went and got a big blanket for all of us to cuddle under.
• At the grocery store I bought special cookies for Mallory to make in her Easy Bake Oven.

Citizenship

• I recycled the cardboard, plastic, and aluminum things we used today.
• When I drove throughout town I obeyed the law by following the speed limit, following traffic lights, and signs.
• I put another quote in the teacher's lounge that I hope will make them think about the six pillars:).

Where I Come From

I come from
two wonderful people
family outings
backyard play
and walks to school

I come from
a greenhouse floor
with muddy faces
cherry cokes with grandma
and garden fresh vegetables

I come from
happy family gatherings
flowers surrounding
bicycle rides
and looney toons

I come from
Girl Scouts
Easter Egg hunts
backyard sprinklers
and record albums

I come from
special friendships and loss
puddle jumping
band trips
and a solo played at the RCA Dome

I come from
the known importance of education
expectations to succeed
being the oldest
and loving others

I come from
being a wallflower
with a strong fire inside
to a wife and now a mother
yes...I am all these things!

Do You Have Good Character?

Living by the six pillars of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship is very important to having good character.

Which pillar is the easiest for you to follow? Describe ways you follow this pillar.

Which pillar is the most difficult for you to follow? Describe what you are going to do to improve this pillar of your character.

Life Is Fun

Life is fun when you:

• make someone smile
• sing along with your favorite cd
• give to people who need help
• make faces
• chase others as the "tickle monster"
• play kickball
• go sledding down a huge hill
• splash in puddles as it is raining
• read Piggie Pie by Margie Palatini
• play board games
• write stories and poems
• go to Disney World
• eat birthday cake
• plant flowers
• take a ride on a train
• sew a quilt
• see Minnie Mouse for the first time since you were three
• open presents
• laugh
• jump and do cannonballs in the middle of the lake
• take pictures
• run through the sprinkler
• eat poptarts
• make mud pies
• hug a family member
• kayak through the tunnel
• watch a caterpillar turn into a butterfly
• eat a whole bag of peanut butter M & Ms

How to Remember My Classroom

It will be a bittersweet moment when my classroom is boxed up little by little and the walls, bookshelves, windowsills, cabinets, and...well...everything becomes bare in my classroom. Thinking of the emptiness I will feel at that moment brings tears to my eyes. It will not seem right because there are many memories in this room that I am fearful will eventually fade, students whose lives have touched mine and change who I am, and the coziness this classroom brings. Sure, I have done my share of complaining and am excited about the new building, but leaving an empty classroom and an empty school which has filled my life for the past 14 years will be hard for me. The silence will be deafening.

Your Winter Fun Time

In winter we are forced to stay in the warmth of our homes and occasionally go outside when the weather invites us. There are those occasions where we are surprised by a two-hour delay or even a cancelled day of school.

Think back to one of those days. What did you do?

Write a short story about how you spent one of those days. Remember that good writers sometimes make things up to add to their stories to make them more interesting.

Reminicing

Powder falling from the sky
Blanketing the earth
Trees shiver
Searching for warmth
As they watch the world change
Before their eyes
Remembering children playing
And swinging from their branches
Longing for the happiness
Only a warm day can bring
Counting down the days until spring
Hoping it will be here soon