Happy (Almost) New Year

I only have a few things I need... want... should... will say today.

•  This is my first time using an actual computer instead of the iPad to blog.  Wow, now let's see if I can overcome my lethargy on nights when I have an aspiration to blog and actually forgo the iPad for a computer.  I doubt that will happen.  Lethargy should always win after a day of teaching Kindergarten.

•  I made some Happy New Year crowns for elementary students and teachers (because I know I'll be wearing one!), homeschoolers, daycares, and families to use. Adults will need to provide scissors, glue, and coloring tools, and a paper strip for the headband. I fully recognize my cover page is lame.  I am still learning how to navigate the ins and outs of creating files to sell.  I have awesome fonts but can't use them without purchasing a license so you are all left with my absolute Microsoft Word favorite: Century Gothic.  For real, it is my favorite....just not for teacherspayteachers (TPT) cover pages.

 Click the link below to check out the crowns.
New Year Crowns 

• Check out a couple of my other files, too. 

January Question of the Day 
Winter Find and Clip 10 Frames

Teacher Tip:  When you are financially able you must register for the annual grade level conferences hosted by SDE or ASCD.  I Teach K.  I Teach 1st, etc.  These conferences are the most relevant, engaging, and applicable PD you will receive.  

Misplaced?

I feel misplaced.  I've felt this way in several areas of my life throughout my life.  For purposes of this entry I am going to write about holiday misplacement.

I am not a Scrooge.  I just don't relate to the ADULT excitement of holiday parties, the shopping, ubiquitous and overplayed ugly sweater parties, the trimmings, nor the trappings. I feel misplaced during most holidays.   I am never in a hurry to get a Christmas tree up and quite frankly could do without one.  I don't get excited decorating a tree and have no interest in seasonal and holiday decorations.  I am very confident I would feel this way even if I had financial freedom.  For almost a decade now I shop last minute and do not enjoy the hustle and bustle. Christmas cards are fun because I love photography, but become un-fun because I hate the cost and finding the time.  The thought of adding un-needed tasks to my already full plate paralyzes me.  I don't have energy for putting up and taking down decorations.   When I am not at work or running errands or chores I simply want to be a mom and homebody.  Boring.  Yawn. Take me or leave me. Actually, leave me! I can't thrive in an over- indulgent, over-busy, and over- stimulating society.

I unashamedly and happily use seasonal potholders, mugs, and kitchen towels 12 months of the year.

There has to be other folks out there like me, right?   For anyone thinking I'm a party pooper or lost the magic I need to say that MY magic is found in simplicity, peace, calm, laughter, love, kindness,  generosity, rest, and a quiet presence....all year long.

More than anything I would love to give anonymously and generously throughout the year and
more so this time of year to provide and restore help and hope to strangers and loved ones.  Now that would energize me more than hanging a wreath, stringing lights, or baking a sugar cookie.  That's a dream I have.

Mainstream Christmas is for kids and the economy...and that I understand.  I have tons of fond memories being Santa Claus as a single mom spoiling my young daughter with gifts.   Presently, I love to watch all of our  girls' expressions while they tear into their gifts and to serve them too sweet homemade crock pot hot cocoa that sends them all to the bathroom.  I'm sure they will develop their own likes and needs for the holidays as they get older and I will respect their desires....just as long as they don't expect me to cook a creepy turkey, ham, or display inflatable lawn ornaments.

Teacher Tip:  If you put up a holiday tree in your classroom and don't have time to prep decorations for it, your students will be excited no matter what.  Trust me.

Her Husband. Her Daughter. His Granddaughter.

Her Husband...
A beloved colleague of mine ran to the gas station and got me fries today.  Gas station fries. A first for this Hardy girl. She also ran to the local bakery and got me a brownie.  She told me today that I am her husband.  I listen to her talk about her everythings and her nothings.   She shares her feelings with me daily.  I love it, I love her.  If she keeps feeding me fries and brownies I'll be her 'till death do us part.  I won't mow the lawn though.

Later in the day like any good husband would do I had great intentions to be funny at the expense of my wife-colleague.  I did not realize she was having a challenging afternoon so I am thinking my funny backfired.   My wife-colleague displayed an amazing interactive writing activity that she did with her class.  She had found a hilarious photograph of a crazy looking Santa on a raggedy scooter and her class wrote about the picture.    I was soooo proud of my wife.  I decided I wanted to do the exact same writing activity with my class, so what did this lazy copy cat queen-husband do?  I thought it would be hilarious to take her Santa photo down and use it for my own writing project. You know a little 5 finger discount.  Wife walked out of her room and got mad that someone stole her Santa picture. She was so in her feelings that several times she proceeded to unknowingly walk by her photo that was now on display outside MY room with a new story written by MY class.   I snapchatted her the new home of her amazing photo and new story.  I think I am getting the silent treatment.
Sidenote:  I have a husband.  His name is Patrick.  He is handsome, beyond intelligent, silly, and a great lawn mower.   I repeatedly say God broke the mold making him.



Her Daughter....
A beloved friend surprised me by popping into my room today to give me a hug.  My beautiful friend is gorgeous inside and out and close in age to me.  I was asked if she was my daughter.  Time for Mrs. Hardy to live the good life so I can look my age or better.  Right?  Verdad.

His Granddaughter...
A short while ago a father of a student visited my room.  I was asked if he was my grandpa.  For
those of you not familiar with my physical attributes I am average height, medium-perpetual first trimester pregnancy-15lbs overweight build, white girl in my very late 30s.  The visiting father was African American, early 30s, short and stocky build.  I love that children do not use race, color, age, and other physical attributes to determine family.  They see me interacting with love, kindness, and respect and make the assumption that we are family.

Teacher Tip: don't use an iPad to type a blog.  Holy annoyance.

You Did What?

It is the close of another work week (unless we count tomorrow, Saturday, when I go in to prep for next week).  Let me share with you some of the (eyebrow raising)  things you may have seen me do if you had been a fly on my wall this week.

• Crab walk 
• Walrus walk
• Eat far too many granola bars 
• "I dream of Jeannie" nod 
• Sneeze and cough 
• Jumping jacks 
• Squats 
• Knee lifts 
• Hop like a bunny, frog, and kangaroo 
• Karate chop
• Sing and dance to goofy songs with goofier moves 
• Climb furniture to hang an elf named "Zero"
• Chew 4 pieces of gum at one time to deal with hunger pains 
• Wear an apron 
• Attend too many meetings 
• Use the student bathroom 

How many of these things did you do this week as well?  

Teacher Tip: Wear school spirit wear as often as possible. 

Peeling

Is there anyone else out there who finds comfort and/or escape in peeling things?  Or am I alone on this crazy train?  As a student I would pour glue in my desk at the end of the day with high hopes of it being dried the next morning so I could PEEL it during lectures.  Children's nail polish was heaven for me because a) I wasn't allowed to wear nail polish so b) I would paint it on and then peel it right off.  As a kid I also loved peeling the dry skin off my dad's sunburned shoulders and my sister's feet. Just kidding on the sister part.  No I am not.  Nowadays, I have a bad habit of peeling/picking my fingers and find great joy in peeling zucchini, split ends, and my sister's feet.  Kidding.   I get some of my greatest thinking and soothing done when I can peel.  Do you have some paint or wallpaper you need peeled off?  If so, I am the girl for you.

I am also the girl for your child because I understand we all have our quirks, strengths, and unique needs.  I do not think I have any peelers in my classroom this year, but I do have a spinner or two or eight and I do have a child who needs a blue cat to learn with us most days and I do have a child who wants to wear gloves indoors a lot and a child who ....I think you get my point.  I do what I need to do, within reason, to make sure the children have what they need in order to focus better.

Teacher Tip: Save a big cardboard box and turn it into a sensory break spot.  What kid doesn't want to crawl inside a box? Poke some holes for air, leave a flashlight in the box, hang some word wall words, math facts, etc. and let the child be.

Mediocre Mrs. Hardy

I do not do mediocre which is sometimes why I shy away from things.  I believe something should be done with excellence or not at all.  Yes, I know there are exceptions to that rule. Whatever. Or should I be like the cool kids and say "whatevs"?  The problem is I follow tons of EXCELLENT blogs (mostly written by teachers who unintentionally make me feel inferior) and I simply can not compete. But then I remembered that I'm non-competitive. I'm one of those humans who could not care less if I lose or win and challenges against others do nothing for me.  Extrinsic motivators (at the workplace especially) turn me off, too.  You want to know what does do something for me?    :::drumroll:::  Having fun growing smarter, stronger, kinder, and better.  And this is why I am here.  I hope to be mediocre at this blogging thing for just a short season.

Tomorrow I will return to the classroom after having 5 days off.  Well, really it was 2 because I worked in my classroom 2 of those days and another day working from home on school work.  Nonetheless, I am excited to see my 15 friends tomorrow who hopefully will bring me presents in the forms of dessert because they missed me so much.  If they don't then I'm going to make them use unsharpened pencils. Who am I kidding? They will have to use unsharpened pencils no matter what because I have YET to find time to sharpen their pencils this school year. Tomorrow will only be the 68th day of school.  I have until the 100th day to be officially pathetic, right?  Don't answer that, instead come sharpen my pencils for me.  Or not.

Teacher Tip:
(My intentions are to include a teacher tip with every post I make. )
#2 Pencils are overrated.  Use novelty writing tools to motivate and engage.