sol17 #27: chapstick addict backfire

In my typical Monday morning rush to get ready, I sprayed some fabric freshener on my spring coat and threw it into the dryer to freshen it up (#toobusydoingeveryoneelse'slaundrybutmyown). After a few minutes on the med/high heat setting, I opened the dryer door and saw my pomegranate chapstick rolling around with my coat.

I held my coat up, and after a quick inspection, noticed a few splotches of melted chapstick on it. Ugh... Into the washing machine it went.

Note to self: start checking pockets.

sol17 #26: saving the earth one plastic bag at a time

I'm almost embarrassed to say that up until today, I've never brought reusable bags to the grocery store with me. I've been trying to be more conscious about reusing and recycling, but for some reason, whenever I leave for the store, I always forget our stash of cloth bags.

Before I left for my usual Sunday morning grocery run, I refilled the dog's water. The closet where we keep the reusable bags is right next to the water bowl, so as I was setting it down, it reminded me to grab the bags.

As I was unloading my cart at the cashier, I proudly handed over my reusable bags. Normally, I walk out with 8-10 plastic bags of groceries for the week, but all of my groceries fit into THREE of my cloth bags. Yes, three. I couldn't believe it! They didn't need to bag my eggs separate like they do with the plastic, or double bag my juice/milk containers. Everything fit so neatly into my sturdy reusable bags. Voila. I will be sure to bring them with me every time!

sol17 #25: therapy

To me, one of the most relaxing things is taking my baby for a walk. There's something therapeutic about pushing the stroller, quietly talking to James, and hearing the various sounds in our neighborhood.

Last night, we took a long family walk and it was the perfect way to spend our Friday evening. It was 70 degrees, a nice breeze was blowing, and there were so many people out enjoying the weather. We strolled by the park, watched some kiddos climb trees, and pictured James playing on the swings in a few short months.

James, thank you for helping me slow down, relax, and take in my surroundings. <3

sol17 #24: clogging the toilet

"Mrs. Jantz! J is clogging the toilet!" she exclaims, out of breath, at recess.

"What?! How do you know that if you're out here?" I naturally respond.

"No, he's not in the bathroom! He's sitting at the end of the slide and not moving. So everyone going down is stuck behind him!"

Thank you, sweet second grader, for updating my recess lingo. :)

sol17 #23: teething

10,

stumble across the hall,

reach over the rail,

pacifier, back rub, shhhhh

12,

stumble across the hall,

reach over the rail,

pacifier, back rub, shhhh

2,

stumble across the hall,

reach over the rail,

pacifier, back rub, shhhh

4,

stumble across the hall,

reach over the rail,

pacifier, back rub, shhhh

6,

coffee in hand,

reach over the rail,

pacifier, back rub, shhhh

sol17 #22: hangman?

One of my second grade students finished up her lesson a few minutes early today, so she asked if we could play "Hangman."

Of course I said yes because it was one of my favorite games as a child and I haven't played it in years.

As we played the game, it got me thinking...

Why do we draw parts of a stick person hanging from a pole each time we guess a letter wrong? ...  This is so inappropriate... Who invented this crazy game? Oh no, is this game banned? Am I going to get in trouble?!

sol17 #21: word nerd

I've always loved learning new words. I was the kid in school that looked forward to "word of the day" and whenever there was a glossary, I always read that first. Because of this, I get really excited to teach my students new words. Like, overly excited. I thoroughly enjoy taking apart words, discussing meanings of prefixes/suffixes, and determining parts of speech.

The other morning, my students and I dissected the word 'rediscovering.' We figured out the meanings of the two prefixes, base word, and talked about the suffix. As the students discussed and came up with their own definition, I heard one of them say. "This is so fun!"

After a split-second thought of, "Oh no! He's saying this sarcastically," I asked him, "Really?!" He replied, "Yes! It's so cool how if we know all the parts separately, then we can figure out the meaning of them together."

I love how our excitement for learning and teaching new things can easily rub off on our students. :)