Love That Boy

I am reading a book to the grade 4s that was inspired by this poem. The book is called Love That Dog by Sharon Creech but I was drawn to the poem.

Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

Love This Boy by Walter Dean Myers

Love that boy,

like a rabbit loves to run

I said I love that boy

like a rabbit loves to run

Love to call him in the morning

love to call him

"Hey there, son!"

He walk like his Grandpa,

Grins like his Uncle Ben.

I said he walk like his Grandpa,

And grins like his Uncle Ben.

Grins when he’s happy,

When he sad, he grins again.

His mama like to hold him,

Like to feed him cherry pie.

I said his mama like to hold him.

Like to feed him that cherry pie.

She can have him now,

I’ll get him by and by

He got long roads to walk down

Before the setting sun.

I said he got a long, long road to walk down

Before the setting sun.

He’ll be a long stride walker,

And a good man before he done.

Rory is the scientist of the day tomorrow...we debated all weekend what to do. Then I re-read the newsletter (I hadn't lost it yet) and realized that all of our really cool ideas did not fit the criteria. We debated learning the science behind the hockey stick and then we were going to be paleontologists. The project had to be related to water. Behold...we made it rain! He was a bit nervous to be on video (unlike Ms. Dee) but ran and put on a dress shirt and the more we talked, the more excited he became, and the video turned out better than he ever imagined. He is all giggles about our slow motion rain drop. ALSO IMPORTANT: He is finally getting the hockey hair-do he is after and wants everyone to notice that he has a slight flip behind his ear now. My favorite part of this was Rory taking ownership. He so often has to listen to Ms. Science Experimenter boss him around when we do stuff like this and he thoroughly enjoyed telling her she had to stay out of this one. The satisfied look he gives me through the kettle handle when we catch the rain drop is the look that made this night so special. Love This Boy. Like May clouds like to rain.

She will prick her finger on a spinning wheel

Sleeping Beauty.

She is currently sleeping in her bed with a makeshift eye cover (not sure what the real terminology is here), that is made out of a headband and a piece of felt.

I should really just buy her an eye mask at Ardene's.

She wants to do sports. She comes to baseball and she tries her very best. When I asked the boy and her tonight what they thought they could work on...her answer was "my throwing...and my batting...and maybe my catching."

True. But, she did her best and I am so proud of her.

But Kennedy thinks outside the box...and that is what makes me even more proud. No one tells her what to like, or how to behave, or what she can or can't do (even me!).

So, she told me she was writing a play. Okay. One more pack of paper to spread all over her Cave of Wonders. I can handle that.

After I emptied her back pack, I noticed 5 or 6 scripts that have been printed off and stapled together. "Where did these come from?"
"Mr.M printed them for me."

Next day...she takes loose leaf and markers to her drama practice in Portage. Along the way, she informs me that she needs a spinning wheel. Do I have one? Uh...no.
Then perhaps we can just order one off of ebay?
uh...no.

But she doesn't give up.

Then maybe I could just use a bike wheel and make my own?

(Me...smiling at the thought of throwing her some tools and telling her to dismantle Dad's bike)...why yes! What a GREAT idea!

Next day...I get home from school and she is on the deck with the wheel in her hand. A grin a mile wide.

I then get a text from Grandma Early: "Kennedy asked me to buy some brown spray paint so I have it."

Oh dear.

I hear she has loose leaf posters up all over the school.

Tonight, in the tub, she took her crazy hair and started making the parts around her ears point in on her cheeks. I told her she looked like she had a moustache. How was I to know she was trying out a costume idea for Malificent!?

Steve is quite concerned. He keeps asking if there are any adults involved with his little production of hers. I am not concerned. This kind of learning and experimenting and problem-solving is EXACTLY the type of thinking that more of the world needs. Go Kennedy!

Regan Manns - Raise-A-Thon - Central Plains Challenge Walk & Run

Regan Manns - Raise-A-Thon - Central Plains Challenge Walk & Run

I am walking for 3 people. I am walking for Kennedy's friend who is far too young to be suffering with cancer. I am walking for my cousin. I am walking for my sister in law who keeps her Mom's memory alive. Help Central Plains Cancer Care by sponsoring Kim, Tammy, Michelle, or I (OR all of us) in the annual Walk and Run a-thon. You can donate online by clicking the link above. THANK YOU!!!

Crosby's Mom Doesn't Carry His Stick to the Rink

Wow. Great Job Canada!

Yes, we are good at hockey. So? I take offense to anyone who has a problem with that. In typical self degrading fashion, some Canadians didn't want to cheer for Canada because they are "too good?" Um...what? A country that sprung from so many cultures and from other countries' histories...can't we own something? Can't we be "too good" in something? Lots of other countries are "too good" at something...why can't we just celebrate and be proud that for a few weeks, every 4 years, we are united for one common goal...pun intended. We are Canadians.

Why I think the Olympics are FUN:

1) TOGETHER TIME: Steven and I rolled from our beds and crawled onto the couch at 6. Coffee pot on and sausages in the oven. Kennedy joined by 6:10 and Rory moved his blanket the couch about 6:30. All four of us on the couch. SOMEONE was a tad too spry at 6:30 on a Sunday.

Kennedy!!!!!!! In all 5 attempts she made faces and crossed her eyes....

2) GOLD MEDAL BREAKFAST:

Ingredients: 1 bag of Tater Tots, 6 eggs, 1 cup milk, salt and pepper, 2 pkg of sausage pre-browned and cut into pieces, cheese.

Instructions: Put the cut up, pre browned sausage into the greased 9x13. Mix together the milk, eggs and salt and pepper. Pour over top of the sausage. Grate cheese over top to suit your cheese loving taste buds. Pour the bag of tater tots over top and then finish off with another round of grated cheese goodness. Bake for 40 minutes at 350. Very tasty with a side of orange slices.

3) INSPIRATION: The number one goal is to have fun - but with hockey you also learn how to work hard to get what you want. You learn to take the hits and keep on rolling. You learn what it takes to keep your body working at its finest. You get fresh air. You learn to have patience when learning how to tie your own skates. You learn that it is okay to still ask for help. BUT Crosby's Mom does not carry his stick to the rink. 

4) PATRIOTISM: I love my country. My kids should too. We are very lucky to live in this peaceful and beautiful country. Every one of those hockey players, men and women, regardless of their NHL price tag, has worked hard to get to where they are. Let's put on our skates and go play! 

Making Sochi Gold Medals for Hockey with Salt Dough.

On the ice immediately after the game. Thank you Daddy for our own ice to play on!

The Box: Holiday Memories Day 1

I have decided after my perfect day at home to begin a nightly countdown to one of my favorite times of the year. Tonight I will tell the tale of my Grandma Early's Christmas box.

Every year (EVERY YEAR), my 15 months younger brother and I would resist sleep, pace the basement, throw up and then spend Christmas day passed out on the couch, ill,  because we were so excited.

But NOTHING could keep us from Grandma's house. Down we would go with little Jeffy and we would await our Christmas box. We knew there was one gift for us each. One GIANT gift. For the Earlys have always been known for having a lot of fun with Christmas. My Dad believes that Christmas is for toys, not for practicality. That being said...my parents did NOT approve of early risers on Christmas morning...but that story will be for another day.

The box though...was no ordinary box. Grandma would plunk it down in front of our eager, just vomited faces and we would begin the tearing and clawing of rabid animals after a prized meal....even though the smell of the pancakes cooking didn't help our over-excited stomachs. Inside, was a mound of newspaper. You see, Grandma wrapped all of our gifts in one box. Each gift was individually wrapped in newspaper. I remember unwrapping a black remote. Then a black Porche car. I couldn't believe it! I thought that for SURE my Grandma had given me my brother's gift! I was so excited to have a remote control Por-Shay as I affectionately called it (and no one thought to correct me). The world stopped for a few minutes. I remember nothing of the day after that moment. Just that I had a black Porshay car all of my own. But in that moment I remember every detail. I remember the pyjamas I wore. I remember Grandma's pink easy chair. The brown carpet. The sun coming through the large patio doors into the living room. The newspaper everywhere.

I have now grown out of puking every Christmas. I enjoy my sleep much more these days. I wonder if Grandma would have enjoyed giving 'the box' to what would now be 3 great grandchildren. I smile as I remember times past and as I imagine times to come. Kennedy is getting her Maplelea doll this Christmas and I can't wait to see her face. I hope she remembers the smell of the Christmas scentsy (according to Rory, this is quite sacred.."I PUT OUT THE CHRISTMAS SCENTSY" he claimed as he ceremoniously placed it on a shelf). I hope she remembers her grandparents next door coming over for pancakes. I hope she remembers every Christmas for the friends, family and well wishes for the years to come. I hope she doesn't puke with excitement.

But really...I won't put it past her brother...

The Rink

I always said we would NEVER put our kids in minor hockey.

My words taste not bad.

Some of my best memories are of the rink. My skates were of the figure skating variety, but I don't think that makes any difference. Although when I offered to come out and help at hockey, Rory DID laugh. Apparently Moms in figure skates, no matter how well they can move their feet out there, are not cool.

AND...MY BIGGEST PET PEEVE IS "GIRL'S SKATES and BOY'S SKATES" so don't EVER refer to them as such in front of me.

ANYWAY..back to my thoughts.

I pull into the rink parking lot, I follow Rory in, I help him put on his hockey equipment and I curl up in a chair to visit with anyone else or I grab a cup of hot chocolate. I visit with Kennedy or I wave at the Rory Crosby on the ice. I am in my happy place. So is Rory.

My parents created me and molded me into the person that I am ...but the rink built me. The man I married...the curling, the skating, the carnivals...the friends...the determination...the disappointments...the scars...came largely from the rink.

I have a massive scar on my knee from the day I fell on Austin's natural ice during melting time. I was electrocuted alongside my best friend when we tried to play music on the same melting ice. This still makes me laugh.

I had my first 'real' kiss at the rink.

Junior High and High School drama class was at the rink.

I met the ice caretaker one year. We started curling together after he quit at the rink.

I married him. Although I am pretty sure he almost dated the aforementioned best friend. She never did like cows so I guess it worked out.

I still rate songs on the radio as, "If I were in Stars on Ice, this is what i would skate to" I still think the song "Higher" would be perfect...even though I can no longer tell you who sings it.

Once, we were the Beatles on Ice.

How the years go by. I am so grateful for our small town ice surface and all of the wonderful memories I have from the rink. I watch with pride as Rory makes new friends and is able to move and express himself in a way that makes sense to him. I can't imagine being a snowbird because winter is a part of me. It is a part of us.


See ya at the rink !

A+

I am feeling a tad cranky today. There is something nagging at me. It has been bothering me for quite some time and I am sure my teacher friends will disagree, but I just need to tell you anyway.

Teachers complain too much about report cards.

Okay okay. I am a teacher. AND I DO think the new report card is slightly over the top. AND I do not hold that every teacher is to blame for my crankiness. But I have noticed a trend that I believe I can offer a solution to.

Get some kids.

The ones that live in your home.

24/7.

Life somehow takes on a whole new perspective when you have little creatures in your house....or maybe it is that I am getting old. Truthfully...I am worried about these new teachers who have taken report cards to a whole new level of sleepless nights, long hours in front of the computer and a lack of personal life. You will get it done. Believe me. It should not be at the expense of your loved ones and your own sanity. Your health matters.

I think what bothers me is that I don't see any of my doctor friends (because I have literally THOUSANDS of doctor friends) posting on facebook that they were up all night long helping a Mom give birth. Steve doesn't post every day about the HOURS upon HOURS (and HOURS) he spends harvesting food for the world. The caretaker at my school did not post on facebook that he cleaned up vomit today. Know why? Because they know it is part of the job. I choose to smile and be so very thankful for a job I love for all of its pitfalls and celebrations. I choose to get 'r done. Lousy days happen. So what. You have 2 more report cards sessions to get through. Is it the ONLY thing going on in your life? If so...get some perspective.

Tonight, I played Trouble with my kids.

I may do some report cards now.

It is so awful. Feel sorry for me? Of course not! You have a busy life too and a job that keeps you hoppin'. So cheers to whatever you do to help make this world go 'round.

Teachers do work incredibly hard. They walk a crazy blurred line between work life and school life. They take hours of work home every night... But we CHOSE this lifestyle. No one wants to hear us complain about the choices WE made. Report card stress = first world problem.

And if you want to borrow some perspective...I can rent mine out for a few hours....delivery, sauciness, hockey practice, dance parties and lunch making included.