Wednesday, April 16, 2014
MIA
I'm back after a looooonnnnggg hiatus! I was inspired by a friend to go back to blogging. I went and re-read all the passed posts and it brought up great memories. I thought this is a great way to documents things that happen along the way. Hopefully one day when my kids are older they can read all the posts and it will bring joy to them.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Change
Well . . . I have been dreading writing this post. I am not sure if I am fully aware of the shock I am about to encounter at Bancroft. But maybe I will be pleasantly surprised for the better??? I have been on such a roller coaster ride with my emotions and maybe that's why I have been dreading this post!
Back in April I was asked by the HR Superintendent to move schools. I was in shock and of course my first response to myself was NO WAY. Then, as things progressed and conversations occurred it was in my best interest to move. I was going to be moved anyway either the following year or possibly now. So why not take destiny in your own hands and choose the circumstances. And the best news was that I could move with my team mate who I LOVE working with and just LOVE in general. I could also continue to teach Kindergarten.
I left a school that I had worked at for 11 years. I had built so many relationships with families. I got to watch so many kiddos grow up and continued to teach their siblings. I had wonderful families who helped me and were so kind. Stapling books, tracing projects, cutting things out, running copies and anything else I needed. I built so many friendships. I was incredibly spoiled and lucky to have had all the help that I received. I will never forget all the incredible parents at Loma! Thank you and I will miss them.
Leaving Loma was also difficult since Mackenzie went to school with me and Dylan was going to come this school year. It was an incredible experience to have her at school with me and to be able to check in and touch base with her. I was so lucky to have had that opportunity for her Kinder, First and Second grade years. I am terribly heartbroken that Dylan and I will not be able to experience the same thing. However, they are going to be attending school with their Aunty Tiff at an amazing school with so many enrichment opportunities. I know they are going to have an incredible time at Murdock. It is just sad for mommy! I had it all planned out about them coming to work with me - it's one of the "perks" of being a teacher right?
It feels very lonely at my new school at times too. No kids running up to me to hug me. No one knows who I am. No parents greeting me and asking if I need anything. I know some of that will change over time - but at the moment if feels very lonely. And then add a new principal on top of that.
The school's demographics are so different. Gates locked at all times. No coming on campus on the weekends. Huge English Learner population. Title 1 school who has been in Program Improvement for the last I don't know how many years. Very close to being taken over by the state - so there are so many things that are regulated. And the list goes on. . . .
Don't get me wrong. I am grateful that I have a job and once the school year gets rolling it will be okay. Change is just hard. At times I want to curl up in a ball and sob and wish my way back to Loma. However, I will hold my head up high, do my best, lead as an example for my kids. I will try to touch the lives of the kids I encounter and build new relationships at my new school.
Wish me luck! Bancroft Bobcats here I come!
Back in April I was asked by the HR Superintendent to move schools. I was in shock and of course my first response to myself was NO WAY. Then, as things progressed and conversations occurred it was in my best interest to move. I was going to be moved anyway either the following year or possibly now. So why not take destiny in your own hands and choose the circumstances. And the best news was that I could move with my team mate who I LOVE working with and just LOVE in general. I could also continue to teach Kindergarten.
I left a school that I had worked at for 11 years. I had built so many relationships with families. I got to watch so many kiddos grow up and continued to teach their siblings. I had wonderful families who helped me and were so kind. Stapling books, tracing projects, cutting things out, running copies and anything else I needed. I built so many friendships. I was incredibly spoiled and lucky to have had all the help that I received. I will never forget all the incredible parents at Loma! Thank you and I will miss them.
Leaving Loma was also difficult since Mackenzie went to school with me and Dylan was going to come this school year. It was an incredible experience to have her at school with me and to be able to check in and touch base with her. I was so lucky to have had that opportunity for her Kinder, First and Second grade years. I am terribly heartbroken that Dylan and I will not be able to experience the same thing. However, they are going to be attending school with their Aunty Tiff at an amazing school with so many enrichment opportunities. I know they are going to have an incredible time at Murdock. It is just sad for mommy! I had it all planned out about them coming to work with me - it's one of the "perks" of being a teacher right?
It feels very lonely at my new school at times too. No kids running up to me to hug me. No one knows who I am. No parents greeting me and asking if I need anything. I know some of that will change over time - but at the moment if feels very lonely. And then add a new principal on top of that.
The school's demographics are so different. Gates locked at all times. No coming on campus on the weekends. Huge English Learner population. Title 1 school who has been in Program Improvement for the last I don't know how many years. Very close to being taken over by the state - so there are so many things that are regulated. And the list goes on. . . .
Don't get me wrong. I am grateful that I have a job and once the school year gets rolling it will be okay. Change is just hard. At times I want to curl up in a ball and sob and wish my way back to Loma. However, I will hold my head up high, do my best, lead as an example for my kids. I will try to touch the lives of the kids I encounter and build new relationships at my new school.
Wish me luck! Bancroft Bobcats here I come!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Beauty and the Beast
Today the kids watched the play Beauty and the Beast at the Prado in Balboa Park. It was directed by the most talented Rayme Sciaroni who is a friend of Eunice and Karen. We have seen a couple of plays directed by him and he is amazing!
Both of my kids love plays/musicals and I am so happy. I have many fond memories of watching plays with my mom in Japan as a kid. It was one of our favorite things to do and I am glad I am able to share that with my own kids.
The thing that I love the most about going to see a play with my kids is watching them watch the play. I love to see the expression on their faces and the joy with which they watch the play.
Today as we watched Beauty and the Beast,there is a scene when the Beast lets Belle go back to her father and no longer holds her captive. The Beast needs Belle to love him, but he cares about her so much that he lets her go back to her dad. At that moment Dylan leans into me and very sadly concerned said, "Oh, he never gets to say I'm sorry to Belle." He was so sad - I told him not to worry that she will be back.
Then later on when the spell is finally broken and all of the "things" in the castle are turned human again, Dylan is the first one to clap loudly! He was so excited that it all ended happily. He was grinning from ear to ear and at one point was standing and clapping so loudly with excitement. The look on his face was so sweet! I am so glad that he is a softie with a big heart! He looks tough and all boy - but he has such a sweet spirit! Love him!
When the play was over, Dylan wanted his picture taken with every character he could find!
Dylan and the Beast
Dylan and Gaston
Lumiere and Cogsworth
All of us with Belle and the Director
Babette the Featherduster
Kenzie as Chip
Dylan as Chip
Both of my kids love plays/musicals and I am so happy. I have many fond memories of watching plays with my mom in Japan as a kid. It was one of our favorite things to do and I am glad I am able to share that with my own kids.
The thing that I love the most about going to see a play with my kids is watching them watch the play. I love to see the expression on their faces and the joy with which they watch the play.
Today as we watched Beauty and the Beast,there is a scene when the Beast lets Belle go back to her father and no longer holds her captive. The Beast needs Belle to love him, but he cares about her so much that he lets her go back to her dad. At that moment Dylan leans into me and very sadly concerned said, "Oh, he never gets to say I'm sorry to Belle." He was so sad - I told him not to worry that she will be back.
Then later on when the spell is finally broken and all of the "things" in the castle are turned human again, Dylan is the first one to clap loudly! He was so excited that it all ended happily. He was grinning from ear to ear and at one point was standing and clapping so loudly with excitement. The look on his face was so sweet! I am so glad that he is a softie with a big heart! He looks tough and all boy - but he has such a sweet spirit! Love him!
When the play was over, Dylan wanted his picture taken with every character he could find!
Dylan and the Beast
Dylan and Gaston
Lumiere and Cogsworth
All of us with Belle and the Director
Babette the Featherduster
Kenzie as Chip
Dylan as Chip
Happy Mother's Day
I got such a creative Mother's Day present this year from Mackenzie. I heard her early this Mother's Day morning rustling in her room as I lay in bed trying to wipe the cobwebs from my eyes. (I stayed up way to late watching Criminal Minds - that is a whole other subject!)
When I rolled out of bed half hour later she brought me this homemade box decorated with cute pictures. When I opened it, it contained the following: a real peanut, a silk flower, and a stick of gum. I smiled and thought it was an odd concoction until she said, "The peanut is because I'm nuts about you. The flower is because I think you are beautiful. And the gum is because I will always stick with you!" I was blown away by her creativity. Will and I looked at each other with amazement.
Mackenzie is constantly creating, drawing, making, writing and doing something crafty. She is happiest in her room with markers, glue, stapler, tape, glitter and crayons. Maybe one day she will make a name for herself! The next Martha Stewart . . . well . . . minus the jail time please!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
The Ranch
We are so lucky to be able to spend time at the Corta Madera Ranch with the O'Bryans. It doesn't matter how many times we have been there - it is amazing! The wildlife is abundant and it is so peaceful and serene. My kids always have a blast. I love the time we get to spend outside enjoying nature!
Dylan "caught" a bass with help from Brian.
Dylan concentrating on getting his big catch.
Horse and cattle roam free.
A horse ride in the arena.
When we win the lotto maybe we can have a place on a ranch a like this. . . . ha ha!
Dylan "caught" a bass with help from Brian.
Dylan concentrating on getting his big catch.
Horse and cattle roam free.
A horse ride in the arena.
When we win the lotto maybe we can have a place on a ranch a like this. . . . ha ha!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Drive In
Tiff and I took the kids to the Santee Drive In to see Hop and Rango. We met at Wendy's for dinner in their pajamas and then off to the movies. The boys camped out in my car and the girls were in Aunty Tiff's car. They always have so much fun together. Everyone watched the first movie and the only trooper for the second movie was . . . Mackenzie. She stayed up till midnight to finish watching Rango.
Tiff and I did not watch more than 5 minutes of either movie. We were able to spend 4 hours together and have great uninterrupted conversations. We need to go to the drive in more often!
Tiff and I did not watch more than 5 minutes of either movie. We were able to spend 4 hours together and have great uninterrupted conversations. We need to go to the drive in more often!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Fork in the Road
Don't you hate when you are chugging along in life and all seems to be going well and then BAM! Situations arise and you must make the best educated guess on how to handle a circumstance that will effect you and your family.
Today was one of those days. Felt blindsided. Unappreciated. Sad. Overwhelmed. Angry. But most of all feel confused. Hate these kinds of situations when there are so many unknowns. Right now I want to be a kid again and not have to make important decisions that effect others. I want to run away and let some other person make the decisions.
Wish I had a crystal ball. But I don't. I guess I better go chant about it instead.
Today was one of those days. Felt blindsided. Unappreciated. Sad. Overwhelmed. Angry. But most of all feel confused. Hate these kinds of situations when there are so many unknowns. Right now I want to be a kid again and not have to make important decisions that effect others. I want to run away and let some other person make the decisions.
Wish I had a crystal ball. But I don't. I guess I better go chant about it instead.
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