It's so sad................

Most of the time I complain that I'm old.....really old. I know that I'm not that old but some days it does feel like it. In reality 38 isn't that old. So, when you hear about a 38 year old classmate passing away unexpectedly it comes as quite a shock. When you remember this classmate as a dynamic, outgoing, fun loving guy, it's hard to imagine that he would pass away at such a young age. It's even worse when  you know that he is married and has two beautiful, young children. I am having a really hard time understanding this. Maybe over time it will make sense? I don't know. While I am waiting for it to make sense I will hug my family and friends tighter.

Mommy instincts

When I first started teaching, a long time ago, I did not have any children of my own. I was, however, an educator so I knew about children. Or so I thought. Everything changed after having a child. I found that I did not know everything about children. Having a child of my own put a whole new twist on teaching, it put a whole new twist on life. Life became more like a tornado. In a good way of course! Children do not come with a manual, all of a sudden you have a child and they do not come with instructions. How in the world do we know what to do? I have learned that mommy instincts will kick in. Somehow we actually do know what to do. Side note- I'm sure that daddy's have instincts too but I'm a mom so I can't speak on behalf of dads. Somehow we know what our kids need. We know how to decipher their cries when they are babies. Even if we think we don't know what to do, we actually do. I have found that if I can stay calm and think about the situation, I might actually be able to come up with a solution to the problem. Of course, my instincts aren't always right and another option may need to be followed, but I think I'm doing OK so far. Have you had to rely on your instincts? Did it work out? Do you think that moms do have mommy instincts? What about the dads, I would love to hear from you also!

What to make?

Lets say it's December, it snuck up on you didn't it? OK, it snuck up on me. I am not a cook at all, I don't have this great recipe that I'm known for. What do you make for an important holiday dinner? Turkey was just done at Thanksgiving and it will be done again for Christmas. What can I make in between those two holidays for Hanukkah? Any idea? Do you have any "go to " recipes that you use? I would love to get great appetizer and main meal recipes. Lets share, maybe we can get a holiday recipe exchange going.
Oh and Happy Hanukkah!

A little Hanukkah song

In honor of Hanukkah starting tomorrow night-

5 Little latkes

5 Little latkes frying in a pan, the grease got hot and one went Bam!
4 Little latkes.....
3 Little latkes....
2 Little latkes.......
1 Little latke...
No Little latkes frying in the pan, the grease got hot and the pan went Bam!

Enjoy and Happy Hanukkah!

Oh how this speaks to me

My brain is still on Thanksgiving break but I just saw this and I had to share!
http://www.racetonowhere.com/node/4494
Let me know what you think, I really want to see this. I truly believe that the whole way that children are taught needs to be changed.

I've been saying this for a while, glad others are catching on!

Spending money on early childhood education, imagine that!
http://eyeonearlyeducation.org/2010/11/16/nobel-laureate-to-debt-panel-invest-in-early-education/

What happened to Halloween?

Back in October I went to some stores to get my Halloween candy. I loved looking at the Halloween decorations. Then I saw something strange, it was green and strangely enough it looked like a Christmas tree. What????? Christmas stuff next to the Halloween decor. Honestly, this drives me crazy. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday and that got pushed aside years ago. I guess Halloween is next on the chopping block. Watch out July 4th, you are next!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!