Gummi Bear Friday

During college I fell in love, with preschoolers.  Granted, they (especially my own) try my patience like nobody's business, but I always say that's why God made them so cute...for survival purposes during these stubbornly challenging times.

Sophomore year in college I signed up for "Kiddie Psych" which I still remember was scheduled for 3:00-3:50 on MWF.  As a part of the class you were required to volunteer at the college preschool for an hour a week.  That is where I learned about gummi bear Fridays.  During Friday snack time, three to four colorful little chew bears were placed upon each child's napkin (of course by the snack helper so that he/she can practice one-to-one correspondence).  The children LIVED for gummi bear day.  Each time you saw them you were bombarded by questions, "Is today gummi bear day??  When is gummi bear day??"

I loved being in the preschool so much that I volunteered every semester from the beginning of sophomore year until I graduated.  I played dress up.  I sang songs.  I put the hamster in his ball and let him roll around the room.  Once I was in charge of the griddle where for some unknown reason we were letting the 4-year olds make pancakes.  WHAT?  Thankfully on my watch, no fingers were burned.  But I think it did take a few years off my life.

Next week I get to be in preschool again!  I am so excited.  I will be working one morning a week at Will's preschool.  Hanging with the homeys in the younger class.  Working on my negotiating skills.  Imparting knowledge on wee minds.  Joining the gainfully employed. Look out, I may actually receive a W-2 this year.

Maybe I will bring back "Gummi Bear Friday" ?  If only I can give up my worries about tooth decay.  Somehow, "Sugar-free non chewy healthy snack" Friday doesn't have a cool ring to it.

Name Calling Allowed

Apparently I am a slacker.

I never thought I was, but I have discovered that indeed I am.   I have become a procrastinator and an unproductive sort.

Maybe it is the change in the weather that makes me want to curl up on a soft spot, drink tea, and read until my eyes droop and I take a little cat nap...or two...or three.

For the first time in, dare I say it, 9 years, I find myself with two 3-4 hours mornings without children.  This summer I daydreamed of all I would accomplish, unfinished projects I would tackle, household organization that would kick Martha S.'s arse.  But now the days are here and I don't want to do any of it.

Praying for motivation.  Maybe I would get tired of sitting all morning and leisurely sipping and skimming.  I intend to find out my exact level of tolerance for nothingness.

New Discovery

I found
that if you spray a blue liquid on a window
rub vigorously with a paper towel
the window becomes
magically clear.

Wow.

Dear Grandma

Can you read this with your new cataract free eyes?

Glad your surgery went well.

We love you.

DANGER

The cuteness level on this post may exceed your personal daily limits.  Please consult a doctor before viewing if you have been overwhelmed by cuteness in the past.

While searching through the purple flowered milkweed plants at Mimi's farm in Sycamore, we turned over leaf after leaf and discovered five monarch caterpillars.  Eagle Eyed Benjamin found one smaller than his pinky fingernail and named him "Little Guy".  We brought them home, continued to feed them fresh milkweed and cleaned their poop all the while watching them transform from caterpillar, hanging J shape and then making their chrysalis.  Yesterday we had three butterflies emerge! 

Will very much enjoyed watching them flap and dry their wings and placing them outside to prepare for their flight south.

Okay, I got a little carried away with the camera.  Get off my back.  In the future when he is a famous entomologist I will frame these and say this is when it all began.  This and picking up rolly polly's from the sandbox.

First Days of School

Ethan and Ben on their first day of third and first grade.

Will's first day of preschool.  Complete with grasshopper in bug jar and stuffed dog to put in his cubby.