sol17 #20: (non-milk) milk shake

When I was pregnant with James, I craved sweets, specifically milk shakes. I had to practice self-control and only get them every other day, and the people at the little ice cream shop down the block were starting to give me the "she's STILL pregnant" looks each time I walked in.

Three weeks after James was born, we found out he had a milk protein allergy (funny how that worked), so I had to say sayonara to the shakes. He still hasn't outgrown the allergy, and my ice cream addiction hasn't subsided either. So, I've settled on Ben and Jerry's non-dairy, which is actually pretty tasty.

Well, last night, my husband had a genius idea and blended some non-dairy ice cream with some almond milk, and holy cow (pun?) it is delicious!

He made me one again tonight (slurping it as I type this) and I'm officially addicted to non-milk milk shakes!

sol17 #19: whoa, she exists!

Today, we met some friends and their kids at a nature center, and since it was a whopping 50 degrees, a lot of people were there enjoying the nice weather. After our hike, we walked inside the nature center, fed the babies, and looked at the animals. My friend's little boy was really into the turtles, so we parked ourselves by the indoor pond and talked for a bit.

As we were sitting there talking, I noticed 2 kiddos from my school come around the corner. They made eye contact with me and then quickly turned the other direction. I knew they noticed me because I was watching them as they walked away. They kept turning around to see if I was still there!

I wasn't going to let them get away without saying hi, so I followed them! I asked them if they were having a good time, they shyly replied, "yes," and I told them to enjoy the rest of their day.

Kids are so funny when they see their teachers outside of school! No kids, I don't absorb into the school walls, or camp out in my classroom at night. I like to get out and enjoy things around the neighborhood just like you do, so don't be shy! Say hi! :)

sol17 #18: the dreaded black hole

As I was putting my chapstick on in my car, I hit a bump. I fumbled my chapstick, tried to catch it, but failed. In slow motion, I watched my beloved chapstick fall between my seat and the center console: the black hole of my car. UGH.

I said a few choice words under my breath because as a chapstick addict, I couldn't be without it, and we all know that when things fall between the seat and the console, they are almost always gone. Forever.

At the next stoplight, I peeked into that teeny space and could see the red cap. It was visible! Which means, I may be able to reach it. Yessss!

Not wanting to wait until I got to my destination, I smooshed my arm into the crevice, and got it. I couldn't believe I actually retrieved it! Then it got me curious as to what else was lost down there.

A pink starburst, skittles wrapper, receipt, half of a pretzel, some change, a brochure, and a cap to a baby bottle.

Does anyone else get as mad as I do when stuff falls in the dreaded black hole of your car?!

sol17 #17: it looks like a butt!

I drew two overlapping circles on the board, all ready to discuss the similarities and differences of house cats and lions with one of my second grade groups.

"Has anyone seen a chart like this before?" I asked.

"It looks like a... like a...." she says, hesitantly giggling. "Like a butt!"

Hahahaha! I never thought about that before, but a Venn Diagram really kind of looks like a butt.

I totally appreciated the "laugh so hard 'til you cry" moment this morning!

sol17 #16: a couple of wrongs, but so many rights

My husband, Jim travels to Seattle for work once a month, and this was his week to be gone. Of course this is the week I had my summative evaluation, it snows 9 inches, and my dog's been keeping me up at night with his horrible cough (he has bronchial issues - poor thing). Jim comes home tonight (yessss!) and even though this has been a rough week, I'm super grateful for these things:

-My dad and mother-in-law coming over at 6:30 am to spend the day with James (and they even emptied the dishwasher for me). I seriously have the best family!

-Leftover meals in the fridge so I don't have to cook

-A wonderfully happy baby that I get to race home to and spend my evenings with

-James recognizing and smiling to Jim on FaceTime (the cutest thing ever)

-CJ, the man that came to shovel my sidewalk and driveway

-Ben and Jerry's dairy-free ice cream (I've gone through 2 pints this week - don't judge)

-The mani/pedi appointment I have tomorrow after school. (I know it hasn't even happened yet, but I peeled off my no chip nail polish this week due to stress, and my nails need some serious help)

-A job that I love coming to (waking up was hard, but knowing I have the best students and some amazing co-workers made my days easier)

-That Jim gets to work from home when he doesn't travel (more time spent with us - win!)

A hard week, but so much to be grateful for (and lots more that isn't listed). The point is, it's sometimes easy for me to get wrapped up in everything going "wrong," and sometimes just a simple list like this can make me realize how much "right" is happening in my life. :)

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sol17 #15: there was a cool plot twist!

Typically, my students enter the reading room quietly. We exchange "hellos" and they take out their books to whisper read for the first 2 minutes of our group time. 

Yesterday was a little different as one of my third grade students came barreling through the door exclaiming, "There was a cool plot twist!" 

I immediately smiled for lots of reasons. One, I knew he had done his homework of completing the book. Two, he used the word plot AND knew what it meant - yay! And three, he was so excited to share about the book that he couldn't wait!

This little boy started an amazing book discussion and it was one of the best parts of my day. I love authentic learning moments like this one. :)

sol17 #14: you were pretty for 2.5 seconds

Woke up to a few inches of snow on the ground. I peeked out the window and thought to myself, "Oh it's so sparkly and pretty!"

Then I pictured my slow, slushy drive to work. Blah.

Ok, blizzard. It's the middle of March. My daffodils and tulips are coming up. You would have been perfect in January, maybe even in February. But March, no way.

You were pretty, for like 2.5 seconds. Now melt, please.