Giddy's a Funny Word

I use to be one of those people.

The ones that hate celebrating Christmas

before Thanksgiving even arrives.

 

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday.

I mean, I have 32 first cousins.

It's always been about family gathering,

celebrating, giving thanks,

and 

it also brings in the Christmas season.

As I'm writing and 

listening to a little James Taylor Christmas,

I can't help but be excited for the coming weeks.

They pass so quickly

and are over before you can

barely blink.

I heard Christmas music playing in a classroom at school today.

I practiced our Christmas musical at church choir tonight.

And now I'm ready for Christmas.

Even though Thanksgiving's not quite here yet.

Such a Reason for the season...

so much to be thankful for.

I'm a little giddy.

I've Got a Little Strut Left In Me

So I was thinking about Thanksgiving,

which made me think about turkeys,

and I realized ...

I'm not a spring chicken anymore!

It's so true, sadly.

I realize it, you see, 

because I happen to work

with spring chickens.

Smart, savvy, little chickens.

Young chicks who wear leggings 

and boots and

look all cute and teacher-ish

in their cute little glasses

and slipper shoes and

cute hair.

See, I think I can keep up with them, 

and I tell them that and

i try to make them think I'm cool

like them,

and I pretend like I understand what some new weird food is

that they all like, 

even though I've really never even heard of it...

and they listen to music that I'm not 

really even sure what category it fits under,

and I just blare my 70's music right back at them,

except they probably laugh at me,

and then they notice my eyeliner has smeared,

or that my hair is frazzled or 

that I have to run to the bathroom for emergencies a lot...

 and they know I'm not a spring chicken like them.

They can tell.

I remember when I was the young chick at school.

Now, I'm just a turkey.

Good ol' traditional, plump turkey!!!

But I can still strut my stuff.

And DON'T ruffle my tail-feathers,

'cause my gobble way trumps your cluck.

How's that for an old stuffed bird!!

Count Your Blessings

This is the time of year when I really try to stop and count my blessings.

I know I should do it often, throughout the year, but you know what I mean.

Thanksgiving, in and of itself, often brings us to that point.

As I have thought about the incredible blessings in my life,

I have found myself considering many things 

I've taken for granted. 

Things I forget to say "Thank you" for.

Things I know I can only thank God for providing.

I have a job.  A job I love.  It's exhausting, low-paying,

sometimes exasperating, but I love it. 

I have no doubt that I was made to be a teacher. 

You either have it or you don't. 

You love it or you don't.

You keep doing it, even when you think you can't,

or you don't.

I have a home.  A home I love.

A home that is sometimes messy and uncombed,

but it's my home.  My nest and safe haven.

It's warm and comforting and it asks

me to come sit and stay for awhile.

I have good friends.  Friends I love.

Friends that can be ridiculous and unpredictable,

 friends that are forgiving, heartfelt and always there for me.

Friends that make me wish I carried extra clothing 

for laughing fits.

They are the icing on my cake.

 

I have a family. A family I love.

A family that is sometimes outrageous and hilarious,

but also loyal and unbelievably kind,

and it's my family.  

My parents, in-laws and sisters, 
niece and nephews

keep me grounded, share joy in the little things in life,

and support me when I feel so low or scared I don't think I can even breathe.

I have two sons.  Sons I love more than life itself.

Sons that are sometimes busy and occupied, but also laugh-out-loud funny,

and truly two of the kindest, tender-hearted men I know.

I still like to call them my boys.

But I know they're really men.

And I need them as much or more than they need me.

I have a soul mate.  A husband and best friend that I love.

A man that is sometimes annoying and aggravating,

and a man that makes me laugh hysterically,

go weak in the knees over, and love more than I ever thought possible.

He is my rock.

He makes my life complete.

I have a faith.  A faith in the One who sends blessings my way.

A faith that keeps on going even in the hard times,

the valleys of life, the times when I want to hide away.

He gives me hope and sustains me in all things.

He promises my future.

He is and always will be.

These are the things I often take for granted.

The things that are the most important to me...

my truest blessings.

©2011tbowenblog

~

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

This one will be a little hard to put into words.

I still get teary when I think of her.

My Grandma would have been 96 years old this month.

She's been gone for many years, but it doesn't seem like that long ago.

I still miss her terribly.

I wish I could talk with her, sit next to her and

hold her hand,

help her look for her teeth, 

spend summer weeks with her,

watch her belly jiggle when she laughs,

make pies and dressing with her in the kitchen,

listen to her stories.....
Sometimes I dream about her...
then sadly, I wake up.

I can't say I have too many heroes...

But Grandma was my hero.

She loved unconditionally,

she used kind words,

she worked like an ox,

she never complained,

she didn't mind getting her hands dirty,

she loved serving others, 

she put her family first, 

she loved God

and

she loved life.

And just like all good Grandmas do,
she made all of us grandkids feel like we were her favorite.

She was at my graduation and wedding.

She was with me when both of my boys were born.

I was with her on the day she died.

I've never been quite the same since that day.

A little piece of me went with her.

But more importantly,

 many pieces of her have stayed with me.

If I can be only half of the kind of woman 

Grandma was,

then I've nothing to complain about.

"My lands!" 

Grandma,  I'll see you "d'rectly" one day.

Happy Birthday.

I love you...

Wish You Could Have Been There!

I told the story of The Three Bears to my class today.

It's an oldie, but goody.

I was inspired by a friend at work who told a story

in the auditorium yesterday to about 275 four and five year-olds.

She didn't miss a beat...

and they loved it! 

I forget how much fun it is to act like a kid sometimes.

Making up a Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear voice...

hadn't done that in a while.

Throw in a little improv for laughs and giggles and you've 

got yourself a winning tale.

How do you know?  Not a sound in the crowd while you're talking,

falling on the floor in giggles,

every eye on you,

and applause, of course.

I wish everyone had some five year old friends to offer

such warm affirmations.

I bet some of you are tired of hearing about my new five year old friends.

(I told you when I started that I knew there was some good blog material

coming down the pike!)

That's cool.

Or that's too hot.

Or that's just right.

Sorry...

I digress.

Anyways,

I liked my ending. 

I surprised even myself.

Baby Bear took on a more modern lingo...

and a little bit of an attitude.

Sure, he did some crying, 

some whining,

but in the end,

he was, like,....

"Um, HELLO!

Um, there is like someone in my BED,

and like she is totally NOT supposed to be there,

and like, she has yellow hair,

and like,

she BROKE my chair and ate my porridge,

and like,

NOW she's using my favorite squishy pillow.

Um...WHATEVER!

I even crack myself up sometimes.

Return of the Jedi

It doesn't take that long to come back...

remembering how to teach kindergarten.

The first weeks were merely a blur...

procedures, procedures, procedures.

Building that foundation.

Twelve-hour work days.

Long hot baths 

and naps.

(That last part at home, not at school....obviously.)

If you're a kindergarten teacher,

 you'll understand everything I'm about to say.

The younger the child,

the more mothering they need.

The more mothering they need,

the more attachment you feel.

The more attachment you feel,

the more mothering you provide.

It's a cycle...

SO...

I'm heavily invested already in just six short weeks.

I forgot about that part.

But it happened for sure.

Just kinda snuck up on me.

Things I might have forgotten...

Going home right after school's out -not gonna happen.

Singing makes everything better...

that and candy.

I need more band-aids - apparently,

they have magic powers....even

on invisible boo-boo's.

Puppets will make even the

shyest child talk.

That desk I bought to put in my room-

not really necessary.

Some people just WANT to cut their hair.

I hate shoelaces.

Things I didn't expect to say...

"Do NOT get in the bathroom sink."

"You really don't want to eat that!"

"I don't want to hear anyone say TEACHER for five minutes."

"I know it's only 9:30 (p.m.)...

but I'm going to bed."

Things that make me smile.

"Teacher, I love you."

Looks on faces when Buzzy puppet shows up.

Listening to five-year olds sing.

"I did it, Mrs. Bowen!" 

Diet Mountain Dew.

Having to say,

"Please do NOT get in the bathroom sink."

(OK, that one's iffy...but you'd just have to see

the little munchkin!)

"You're cute, teacher!" 

Things I'm thankful for.

Hand sanitizer.

Washable paint.

Good bacteria.

Ibuprofen.

Labor-day holiday weekend...

it's really not appreciated enough.

Adult friends at work.

A sense of humor.

I'm a work in progress...

a returning kindergarten teacher.

Only difference is...

I'm old enough to be their Grandma now,

not their Momma.

I have arthritis, a bum knee,

and hot flashes.

But I've still got it...

may the force be with me.

Yep, I'm smiling!

Have No Fear, Your Mama is Here!

It's official....

You're never too old to need your mama!

Mine has been a lifesaver

the past week and a half!

Starting back to kindergarten at my age

is no easy task.

Especially if you remember what it was like

twenty-two years ago, when you

last taught it.

I was with child.  I was young.

I was vibrant (well, OK..that's stretching it

since I had morning sickness every day)

but still, it was physically easier than now.

So, when my mom offered her help for the first week of school,

as much as I wanted to be a big girl and tell her

I had it under control,

(after all she is no spring chicken either,)

I uttered something like

"Thank you God!"  "And Mom."

I stand by that decision.

She has been a ROCK!  

That woman, who taught 25 years herself,

has bent over, led the line,

picked up, held hands, listened to,

modeled, made me lunch, showed up at

unnatural hours of the morning,

and loved on some cutie-patootie five-year olds

for over a week now.

And she still comes back for more.

Willingly.

Without pay.

Without armor.

And apparently with cookies for tomorrow.

The first day she left me on my own

(well, I actually lied and told her I thought I could handle it),

all I could utter in my self-doubting state of mind all day

was "I want my Mommy!"

I might have even said it out loud once or twice, not sure.

Maybe that's why they looked at me funny.

BUT, and this is an important but...she came back the next day.

She showed up with hugs for all, a smile on her face,

and more goodies...stickers, candy, etc.

Then I insisted she stay home and rest.

She had done enough.  

That is what I was said out loud to her.

Inside I was thinking, 

"I'll pay you a huge stipend from my check if

you'll never leave me again?"

I'm just so very thankful for my mom!

Selfish reasons right now,

but when I regain my senses,

I'm hoping I can make sure she understands

JUST HOW MUCH

I loved having her come back to kindergarten with me...

the one and only grade she never taught in 

elementary school.

You could've fooled me!

When Is Snacktime?

DEer tEechR,

Please don't worry,

no need for affright,

you might not remember, 

but we don't bite. 

That's just an old rumor,

from those who know not,

they think we are babies,

and that we're just tots.

But don't you remember-

we know PLENTY enough,

like how to pretend,

share, take turns and stuff.

We give smiles and bear hugs

and we try not to cry.

We come in with excitement,

'til it's time to say bye.

We are busy and learning-

and making new friends,

and we love to show off 

our new snaggle-tooth grins.

Sometimes we will jump

 to show our urgency,

and you'll know that look-

it's an EMERGENCY!

You'll tell us it's OK,

accidents just happen.

Even the teacher has them sometimes,

just like children.

Do you still like to dance,

play the piano, and sing?

We hope you still do

'cause we love ALL those things.

We DON'T like to nap though,

'cause we're all growed up.

We really like candy,

a whole, whole, WHOLE bunch!

Do NOT be afraid, teacher.

You'll see, it's all good.

We'll help you the first day,
just like we should.

We'll let you take nap time,

if you so desire...

'cause we know that teachers

sometimes get real tired.

And each day when you

send us home for the night,

we promise our bestest -

we WILL NOT bite.

LUv,

yer nOo

KindrgArtenrs

©2011tbowenblog