Ringing in May...

with a giant snow storm. It's a little ironic, no?

Happy May Day!

Here's to warmer weather tomorrow :)

{17/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Everdeen Kate: I think Spring is finally here! Today we took two walks to make up for lost time. The sky is blue, the birds are chirping and I only have 17 more days of school before I get to spend every waking moment with you! 

 Linking up with Jodi :)

A Moment With No Socks

It's been almost a week now since the last day we could go outside and not freeze our behinds off.  This week has been lots of snow and ice and inside recess days. Last Saturday, Everdeen and I ventured outside for a few moments before the cold wind started up again and blew in another winter storm.  The sun was divine on our pasty winter skin and we practiced wearing-or rather eating- sun glasses for when the sun really does shine.  Winter is being mean and holding out longer than it should.  We are ready for warm days and shout it from the tops of our lungs every day! Please Spring, your season is almost up before it has even begun.  We would love to spend a few moments with no socks on feeling the newly green grass tickle our toes.  

Spring? Are you lost?

We are slowly warming up from another big snow storm. The Spring months tend to be some of our snowiest here in Colorado. I remember one year when we were little we built an Easter Bunny from the newly fallen snow instead of a snowman.  I'm not a fan of Spring snow storms...just when we are aching for warm days again BAM! More snow.  

Last weekend I ventured home to my parents home and searched for the first signs of Spring as Everdeen and I took a walk along the banks of the lake.  We watched as a bird caught a fish and swallowed it whole, we saw newly hatched flies sunning themselves on the brick wall, and we saw new green chutes coming up from the frozen ground.  

I wish I could bring Everdeen down to the lake everyday to explore. Some of my most vivid memories as a child are from playing along the neighborhood ditch. My sister and I would create magical worlds...crowns made from dandelions, moss became our gourmet meals, and the tree roots created the rooms of our house.  

I breathed in the sun filled air and warmed my baby's toes between my mittened hands.  I can't wait until we can go outside without a coat on. 

The good thing about Spring snow storms is that they melt quickly. Each time the newest snow melts we are greeted with more and more greenery transforming our wintery surroundings with new life. This snow storm is melting just in time.  My twin sister is on her way home tomorrow and I don't think her Florida bones would survive long in a blizzard :) We are so excited to spend the week together...the way it should be. 

So come on now Spring...bring on your warm Springy days.  I'm ready. 

Spring Break, I love you!

Today is my first official day of Spring Break! I've felt so tired all day long...my body can finally relax. This past week was exhausting to say the least.  

And then there was yesterday afternoon.  There we were sitting in the gym for a Chocolate Sales assembly thirty minutes before Spring Break officially started. Hmmm? What do you get when you add wild children and exciting prizes and chocolate? I'll let you ponder that for a moment.  The chocolate lady began her presentation and looked a little frazzled as she tried to quiet down over 200 primary students. "Children? Children? No talking! On your bottoms!"  I gave my 'teacher look' too many times to count to my own students, but their chocolatey glazed over eyes could not see me anymore. They had officially forgotten our Big talk about manners during an assembly and couldn't stop pointing at the neon flashing toys before them. 

Then the excitement really began. The Chocolate Lady began to show our little ones the cool prizes that they could have if you just sell $100 worth of chocolate! Our Kindergarteners don't seem to understand that you actually have to sell something to earn a prize. I think they thought we would go back to our classroom and I would hand each of them the dazzling iPad that had just been shown to them.  What a disappointing feeling when they realized all I had for them was their order form...not even made from chocolate but plain 'ol paper.  

We headed back to our classroom with minutes to spare before the bell rang to signal a week of quiet and tranquility for all teachers.  When the last student had been picked up I stepped quietly into my classroom and took a deep breath. 

I made it. 

A March Snow

We are under another blanket of heavy snow. I always forget that March can be one of our snowiest months...just when spring is starting to make her warm appearance we are reminded that it is still very much winter. At least for another twelve days. 

I'm so ready for spring...for summer.  This has been another challenging school year.  Yelling parents, five year olds who are going on twenty-one. It just doesn't seem right. I close my eyes and try to dream it all away.  Today, as I watch the quiet snow fall, I'm working on a few projects that will hopefully bring new bright changes for our family.  I am hopeful that as new life starts to bloom around us in the coming months we can also begin a new season as a family. 

 But until then, we are wrapped in winter snuggled together. And being together is really all that matters, even as we are waiting for life to change and move forward.

Chirp Chirp

This morning as I was inevitably running late, I stopped to kiss my little children goodbye and heard a chorus of chirping.  

What a magical sound...little birds singing in the morning sunshine. 

Morning is my favorite time of day. It's calm and serene.

I love to get to school before anyone else...enjoy the peace and quiet that is short lived in a school. 

It was a beautiful day. 

The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, too bad I was inside all day.  Why can't I have recess duty when it's nice outside?

{Even 'G' Giraffe loved having the sun in her face today}

My students were sure chirpy today.  They were arguing and fighting and grabbing.  Let's just say it was a sadie face kind of day. I had finally had enough and called them to the carpet.  

"Boys and girls, did you know it takes more effort to be upset then to be happy?  I want everyone to turn to their next door neighbor and give them your biggest smile you possibly can muster!"

{smiles and giggling}

"See?  Doesn't that feel much better? Tell your neighbor they have a BEAUTIFUL smile!"

It was cute.  It lasted about 10 minutes :)

But at least it was 10 minutes of happiness and bliss...

The sun was still shining when I left school today, I know that will all change soon when we jump forward the clocks.  But for today, I lifted my face to the sun and felt warm for the first time in months.