It's not such a bad thing. There are days when I hope for a girl, a sweet and tender daughter who will sit in my lap and mushy and wear tutus (even though I was never this kind of girl myself). But I have boys. Rough and tough, tumble bumble boys. Boys who hit and push; boys who yell and make messes. Boys who love to play in the dirt and are obsessed with all things guitars and helicopters. Of course, this is the kind of little girl. I was rough and tumble; I loved dirt. Maybe I wasn't into helicopters and guitars, but this affection for our boys comes directly from their dad.
But you know what? I would never, ever in a bajillion years, would I ever trade it. I adore these boys. When they're hitting and pushing, it's rough housing and I have learned that this is how boys bond. I've decided that nothing is a mess if it can be cleaned up. And they are both snugglers and they like to read books and smush and we are lucky beyond belief.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
New Favorite Blog
One of my most favorite education books ever is Educating Esme, by Esme Codell. It's so cheeky and blunt and reminds me of how I felt about public education when I was a senior in college and doing my student teaching. I was so frustrated with the politics of it all, particularly with the school system I student taught in. There was very little support and instead of uplifting and caring for one another, the teachers were catty, gossipy and competitive. It was a horrible environment to work in and I'm just thankful I never had to be a student there. All of that lead me to apply in alternative education systems and I fortunately ended up at Community School.
Anyway, I've always loved Educating Esme and have read and recommended several of Esme's others books to my student. In fact, I read Sahara Special to my class every year and they always lovelovelove it. Sahara has become like one of my own students; I aspire to be more like Ms. Pointy. She wrote an amazing book for parents and teachers that catalogs a bajillion books for kids and it's awesome. I was fortunate enough that when Esme came to Roanoke College a few years ago for the Margaret Sue Copenhaver Institute, I was able to meet and talk with her. You know the way some people get about meeting musicians or stars? That's how I get with authors. I get all geeky and I talk too fast and in general, show my nerdiness. This year, they are reissuing Educating Esme, with all kinds of new additions and a foreward written by another favorite author, Katherine Paterson. I'll probably buy another copy, just because. To go along with the new book, Esme has a new blog! Even though I'm technically not an elementary school teacher, I'll be a regular reader. Check it out!
Anyway, I've always loved Educating Esme and have read and recommended several of Esme's others books to my student. In fact, I read Sahara Special to my class every year and they always lovelovelove it. Sahara has become like one of my own students; I aspire to be more like Ms. Pointy. She wrote an amazing book for parents and teachers that catalogs a bajillion books for kids and it's awesome. I was fortunate enough that when Esme came to Roanoke College a few years ago for the Margaret Sue Copenhaver Institute, I was able to meet and talk with her. You know the way some people get about meeting musicians or stars? That's how I get with authors. I get all geeky and I talk too fast and in general, show my nerdiness. This year, they are reissuing Educating Esme, with all kinds of new additions and a foreward written by another favorite author, Katherine Paterson. I'll probably buy another copy, just because. To go along with the new book, Esme has a new blog! Even though I'm technically not an elementary school teacher, I'll be a regular reader. Check it out!
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