"It's Moscato!"

I went to bed last night in a bad mood with a headache. One of my morning kids didn't get picked up until 11:40 and they are supposed to be picked up at 11:00. I know most teachers don't have as much planning time as they need, but because this mom was 40 minutes late, I had about 30 minutes of actual work time/lunch time. The mom also does not currently have a phone and he emergency contacts were not up to date so I was not able to contact anyone to see if someone was coming to get my 4 year old. We had a planned, then cancelled, then partially reinstated/partially rescheduled staff meeting- that means I will really have two staff meetings this week, instead of one. One of my afternoon little ones was also not picked up until an hour after school was over. Again, I was not able to contact anyone. During the staff meeting, we talked about changes for next year and I was feeling unsure about how I want things to go next year. I called Dan on my way home to talk through how I was feeling, he wasn't being the best listener, and it didn't help me feel better. (He kept trying to tell me I sounded frantic, which I probably did. I wanted to talk- I didn't want advice- and I don't think I communicated that very well).  Traffic was slow on the way home so my long drive became longer. When I was walking up the back steps, I fell pretty hard and now have beautiful, huge, purpley bruise on my knee. Dan and I had a disagreement about green peppers. I don't like to take medicine if I don't have to and fell asleep with a headache last night. 

Usually when I fall asleep with a headache I wake up with one. I was so worried that today would be a bad day. 

The morning was normal. I woke up, didn't feel like getting out of bed because it was still dark, but did it anyway, and realized I didn't have a headache! Dan got me a muffin for breakfast. Thanks Dan :) 

I saw the most beautiful sunrise on my way to school. I wanted to take a picture so I could share the goodness with everyone, but figured it would be too dangerous while driving. It was pinkish, orangey, and glowing- and I got to drive into it almost all the way to school. What a great way to start out the day. 

As I was driving, I was thinking about the kids who got picked up super late. A lot of my kids get picked up late (but not that late) on a semi-regular basis. I was trying to come up with a way to get the parents to school on time. In my wandering thoughts, I remembered that the first girl who was late doesn't have a car. Her grandma or aunt drops her off and when they can't, she takes the bus with her mom. Her mom takes the bus to pick her up and then they walk home. She could do the easy thing and not bring her kid to school. 4K is not mandatory- she doesn't legally need to be here. How cool is it that she works so hard to bring her kid each day? I wonder if the mom realizes that she is doing an awesome thing by teaching her kid school is important? 

After a semi-smooth morning (very unusual- morning are almost always crazy) , a productive prep time, and a quick lunch, I was ready for the afternoon. They were extra adorable today. 

Cute things that happened:

1. We were working on patterns. I created a pattern but included a "mistake" that they had to fix. Instead of taking away or switching a couple of the pieces, they rearranged and added pieces to make an even trickier pattern. They are such smarties :)

2. During group time, a little girl stood up and said "Ms. McElwee! I have something for you!" and gave me a big hug :) 

3. One little guy was having trouble cutting out a handprint and almost in tears because he was frustrated. I was going over to help him out when I heard the kids at his table telling him "It's really tricky, but you can do it!" and "Ms. McElwee said it's a little deal if you cut off a finger. It's not a big deal- it's a little deal. Just try to stay on the other lines." :)

4. A little girl brought me a glass from the dramatic play area and I asked her what she brought me. She said, "It's Moscato!"  When I asked her if she knows what that is, she said it's a drink that moms can have and I would like it too. Smart girl :) 

5. A little girl said, "Ms. McElwee. I love you. I only tell all of my family members that." :) 

I've been in a spaghetti squash mood lately. The grocery store was out of them the last time I was there. I stopped on my way home (we needed something for dinner anyway) and they had some! So we had spaghetti squash with ground venison and butternut squash marinara-like sauce and brussel sprouts with bacon. Mmmmm. Dan suggested we go to Gilles for a sweet treat.