GROSS AND DISGUSTING

My entire sweet little family was at Wendy's eating the other night. I was somewhat tired and vegging out. I saw a mother come in with two preschool aged boys. In my mind I sent out sympathy vibes because I know that can be a difficult age to deal with. I quietly mentioned this to my husband and said that she's probably just trying to make it through the meal. Then I sat and minded my own business. I overheard her having a loud conversation with her kids.

Mother: "WHERE DID YOU LEARN TO DO THAT?!!
Kid: He said something that I couldn't quite understand.
Mother: "WELL STOP IT, THAT'S GROSS AND DISGUSTING!!"

I didn't turn around to see what she was talking about but thought maybe he had said some bad word.

On the way home from there, Erin asked me if I had heard the woman's conversation and I said yes but I didn't know what she was talking about. She said that the little boy was blowing the wrapper off the end of his straw. When she had asked him where he had learned to do that, he had pointed to Erin, Thomas and Sarah and said "THEM!!" So apparently, my kids are gross and disgusting!! Erin was not happy but she told me that since I did it too and had actually taught them how to do it, she wondered what this mother must do for fun. She figured that the mother NEVER had any fun. In my opinion, its not gross and disgusting, obnoxious maybe, but not gross and disgusting! And I think it would only be obnoxious if you did it towards someone you didn't know or left the wrappers on the floor. That's my humble opinion, but then again, I'm gross and disgusting! At least I know how to have fun!

I told Erin, that when this woman loudly proclaim how gross and disgusting it was, Erin should have pointed to me and her dad and said "AND I LEARNED IT FROM THEM!!"

THOMAS'S GARDEN

I've been spending a lot of time working outside in the yard and my two vegetable gardens. My loyal companion has been Thomas. He loves to garden and has an incredible amount of energy for it. This year I bought some more fencing and we have broken new ground! I have always given him his own spot in the garden but this year he is working on a new spot for himself. He dug holes to put up fence posts and has already attached the fencing. He has pulled out all the bushes that seem to grow rampant around here. He is now working on getting out the never ending Pennsylvania rocks. I'm sure he will be ready to plant by the time the last frost hits us.

Its great to have his company while I struggle through the bushes, roots and rocks in my own area. We have an informal contest of who pulled out the longest root. I think I currently hold that record but didn't measure the winning root. We both have a love hate relationship with all those rocks because although they can be frustrating, its also very satisfying to pull out a really big one. We probably should make an audio tape of all the huffing and puffing because it would be funny to play back later.

I think the best part for me is to see Thomas's pride that he's accomplished so much on his own. He is finally getting old enough and big enough to be able to carry out the dreams that are inside his head. His garden might not be perfect, but its something that is all his!

TWELVE TIMES FACTS

Here is one of the example's that I read to the kids when I went into the class room. I'm of course "Mrs. H".


I don’t know but I’ve been told
Mrs. H. is getting old

She has told us she still knows
How multiplying numbers goes

I will ask her to prove to me
Then I promise to let her be

The twelve times facts are real tough
If she knows them that will be enough

12 X 1 is equal to 12

That’s too easy give me more
Then I’ll let you out the door

12 X 2 is 24
12 X 3 is 36
12 X 4 is 48

She may be old but she’s doing great

12 X 5 is 60
12 X 6 is 72

I’m really amazed how about you?

12 X 7 is 84
12 X 8 is 96
12 X9 is 108

She better hurry up or she’ll be late

12 X 10 is 120
12 X 11 is 132

My favorite one I’ll say real fast
Then I’ll know I’m done at last

12 X 12 is 144

VOLUNTEERING GONE AWRY?

Well, some how my good intentions in volunteering have gone awry. I have some how manage to become embroiled in the office politics of the school. Sigh. This makes me very unhappy. However, it has made me wonder how do I learn to be the kind of person that doesn't get entwined in these sorts of things? Everyone knows those kind of people, the ones that are "above" this sort of thing. This is definitely something worth working towards.

VOLUNTEERING

I have this belief that volunteering is something that everyone should do. At least a little bit. I don't think its necessary to do it in an "official" capacity. I consider that helping out a neighbor is volunteering. Actually, volunteering in that way may be even more giving because you'll never receive an award or special recognition. Its usually just a quiet thank you from the person you helped. I think the important thing is that you helped someone and knew that you were doing it just to be nice. No ulterior motives.

Mostly, I have volunteered in ways that also make my children happy. By going into their classrooms and helping the teachers. I like this because I feel that if I can make the teachers job easier, it allows them to spend more energy teaching the children and giving them a better education. The added benefit is that my kids always like me to be there.

This year my youngest is in third grade and I still was asked to come in once a week to help out for an hour. In addition to that I wanted to do something to help a larger group of kids with math. I am an engineer who always enjoyed math and it bothers me that so few kids like math. I think when they don't do well, it turns them off. I came up with an idea to put their multiplication tables into rhymes so that they would have more enthusiasm to learn them. In November (2005) I presented this to the principal and head teacher. This was an extreme challenge to me because I cannot stand the principal and have absolutely no respect for him. It required that I go in there and pretend that I did like and respect him. However, I felt that it was something I really wanted to do. I had originally wanted to work with the fifth graders, but he turned me in the direction of third grade. He introduced me to the third grade math coach and I presented my idea to her. She had been hired to help increase the assessment test scores since our school district had scored so poorly. She loved my idea but warned that the teachers have not been very receptive to change. My idea crashed. I was annoyed and bummed out. If our kids are doing so poorly, how could they decline any sort of help? I finally accepted that for whatever reason this was never going to happen.

Then at the end of March, after the state assessment tests had been completed, she came to me and said that now the teachers thought the idea was great. Could I start next week? I have to say that after I got over the shock, I needed to force myself to drum up some enthusiasm. It sounds childish, but I felt that they had their chance to want me. It wasn't right that they treated me this way. So I gritted my teeth and developed my plan. I kept telling myself I was doing it for the kids. That ended up being a good strategy because not every teacher is completely thrilled with me being there. I'm having trouble with that because I feel since I am spending my time and not getting paid for it, they could show a little appreciation....and this is where my internal battle begins because although my feelings are hurt, I realize this goes against my general philosophy about volunteering. To do it just to be a good person. Some of the teachers and the math coach are showing me a lot of appreciation and for that I am grateful. I never care about a big show of appreciation, actually I prefer to keep a low profile. Its just nice to know that you are wanted. That way you know that what you are doing is valuable. I know that a truly good person would be like Mother Theresa, but I doubt I will ever get there!

The important thing is that the kids were great. They seemed excited and were happy that I came in. That is what makes it all worth it.