Interesting Blog

My friend, Rosina, became a follower and I always check to see what kind of blogs people read.  Chances are there are some I'd like to read as well.  I stumbled upon one in particular that I LOVE.  It's called Fed Up With School Lunch.  I love the message it's sending.  It's about the types of foods the schools are serving and how they present it on the menu.  If you are a fan of Jaime Oliver's Food Revolution, you should head over to this blog.

Helping Preschoolers Learn Their Name & Numbers

Being a teacher I definitely don't want Little Man to start school without knowing his letters and how to count using one-to-one correspondence.  He can sing his ABC's and on most days count to 20.  I thought it was time for him to be able to identify his name, and recognize numbers. 

Name Matching Game

Cut up a brown paper bag into two rectangular strips.  On both strips write your child's name.  Set aside one strip.  Take the second strip and cut between each letter of your child's name.  Let your child use the first strip as a guide, and the cut-up strips to match up.  It's really pretty simple.  As your child gets more advance, take away the guide.  Once they can easily put the letters in order, move on to tracing the letters of their name and/or writing it on their own. 

One-to-One Correspondence

One-to-one correspondence is where a child is able to count by pointing to each item.  My mom (also a teacher), purchased Little Man some Counting Picture Cards.  He loves them.  He counts each item and I help him find the correct number.  Right now we are just working on identifying numbers 1-5.  After he can count and match up the correct number 100% of the time, we'll move to the bigger numbers.  So far, he's doing pretty well.  He can count without error, but needs help identifying the numbers.

What are some things you do to help out your Preschooler?

Personalities

Little Miss thinks she's big. Real big. Adult big.  Like stand on the couch and jump off big.  So big she needs sunglasses to complete the outfit. 

Little Man thinks he's funny.  Real funny.  Ridiculously funny.  Like laugh at your own jokes funny.  So funny, he sometimes needs the above 'tough guy' face to get his point across.

I've got some personalities over here, and I'm not quite sure where they get it from...

House Update

Our house has cabinets and doors,

windows and floors!

Kitchen...

Now for the part Little Man is most excited for...

OUR NEW APPLIANCES!!!!

What?  You no likey?

Okay, so maybe they're not our new appliances, but Little Man was still excited to see a random oven and microwave in the garage.  We found it pretty amusing that the workers brought their own mini kitchen with them.  I'm really contemplating taking this set up on our next picnic...and a generator.  Classy.  I know. ;)

The Down Right Scary

Beautiful, beautiful Spring day.  Birds were chirping.  I was driving to work with my windows down.  I was early (no kids then).  Life was good.  Opened my classroom door and started on my usual morning tasks.  Unload bag...check.  File graded papers...check.  Write assignments on the board...check.  Respond to emails...check.  Wait, there's a voicemail...listen to voicemail...

"Why on Earth would you send a {bleepedly, bleep, bleep} kid home with a {bleepedly, bleep, bleep} backpack, loaded down with {bleepedly, bleep, bleep} books.  Are you {bleepedly, bleep, bleep} insane?  I should have you pay for her {bleepedly, bleep, bleep} medical bills when she has {bleepedly, bleep, bleep} back problems you stupid {bleepedly, bleep, bleep}.  If you don't have room to store all these {bleepedly, bleep, bleep} books, then that's your problem.  Not my daughter's."

-End of Message

Wow!  What a refreshing way to start your beautiful Spring day.  The day you were early to work (because you didn't have kids).  The day you were feeling great. 

After I composed myself, I contacted my principal, forwarded her the message, and was advised to not ever contact that father.  Never.  Ever. 

Okay, no problemo.  Didn't want to call him back anyway.

So Little Janie (not her real name) walks in, and I proceed to ask her why her father thinks she has to take all her books home?

"I don't know Mrs. Torres.  He just thinks I do for some reason."

"Oh, that's very interesting."

"Yes, Mrs. Torres.  That is very interesting."

The rest of the day went on.  Little Janie not making any eye contact at all.  Hmmmm?  Guilty?  I think so.

I let it go.  She knew she was lying.  I thought I'd just let her sweat it out.  Until....

Dismissal bell rings.  Door opens.  Kids file out the door.  Giving out hugs, reminders to those who have homework, and WHAM!  Right in my face is Mr. Crazy. 

"Why didn't you call me back?'

"Well Mr. Crazy, after seeking advice from my principal, I was advised to not have contact with you given the abusive language you used on my voicemail.  I would have been happy to discuss with you any issues you have, given you would have addressed me with a certain level of respect."

"Why should I respect someone who decides to send a fourth grader home with a backpack heavier than them?"

"Sir, we're going to have to move this into the office with supervision.  Our school police officer is here today, and he would like to offer his assistance if I need it."

"Fine, but I don't know why you feel threatened."

{conversation moves to office with Mr. Police Officer, Mr. Crazy, Little Janie, and myself}

"Mr. Crazy, I'm not sure why you think Little Janie needs to take home all of her school supplies and textbooks, but that information is incorrect."

"Because Little Janie told me and she has never lied to me."

I turn to Little Janie, "Little Janie, is this true?  Did you tell your father that I force you to take home all your school supplies and textbooks home each night?"

"Yes, Mrs. Torres.  I did."

I'm going to end the story here, because I think you get the point.  His child lied to him (gasp)!  You see, Little Janie did a lot of piddling in class.  A LOT.  Consequently, she had loads of homework. She didn't want to be in trouble at home (I can totally see why).  To cover her tracks she made up a story that there was no storage in the classroom.  Everything had to go in their backpacks.  I think a normal (rational) person would think this was a little bizzare, but then again we are dealing with Mr. Crazy. 

So my moral is this...

If your child comes home telling you an unbelievably crazy story about their classroom teacher, chances are it is untrue.  However, you should contact the teacher just in case.  Just don't use profanities ;)

Oh, and I never did get an apology from Mr. Crazy, and I check my mail everyday...

Make Shift Car Mat

It would be my luck that I pack up Little Man's car mat, and then he wants it.  So a make shift car mat he gets.  A fair warning to all readers...I am not an artist.  This car mat is ghetto.  Real ghetto.  But, Little Man was happy and that's all that matters.  I seriously hope he doesn't realize that his mom stinks at art until he's much, much older!

Trees and Raisins

Family recipe time!  I love this one.  It is a perfect pair with grilled chicken...or hamburgers...or brats...or sandwiches.  Okay, so it's a perfect pair with anything!  Super easy to make and will be gone quickly. 

Trees and Raisins
1/2 cup mayo
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp sugar (we use Splenda)
2 broccoli crowns, chopped
1-2 snack boxes of raisins (depending on how much sweetness you want)
1/4 cup diced red onion
4-5 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

• In a large bowl, combine the first 3 ingredients.  Mix well, and taste test.  We like ours tangy-sweet, but others in my family like it overly sweet.  So depending on your taste buds adjust the flavor.
• Stir the broccoli in the dressing mixture and coat well.
• Add the remaining ingredients.  If you are not serving immediately, refrigerate.

Happy Cooking!