Image 30: Bugs

Today has been excellent.  We walked the .5 mile "Discovery Trail" in Brown County and let me tell you that trail is aptly named.  We saw a scarlet tanager, a yellow warbler, many bluebirds, an indigo bunting and these weird bugs.

As usual, the blogging challenge has elevated my quality of life considerably during the cruelest month of all.  Thanks for all the images and words, friends!

Image 29: Morel

I walked into the kinders two days ago during their free choice time.  This one kinder was running about trying to play a monster game with 2 other kinders, but his play was limited due to a problem with his pantaloons.  He had to hold his pantaloons up with both hands as they were both unzipped and unsnapped.  I asked what was going on with his pantaloons and he just looked helpless.
"I don't know what to do about this," he said.
So I helped get his pantaloons fastened (he had to do some sucking in action) and he ran back to play.  I guess the kid had his priorities in the right place.  Play, then pantaloons.  But honestly, get your act together buddy.  You're just a few months shy of being a firstie.

Image 29: Blue People

Okay, #1 son lived to tell the tale. 
Our first grade team has a new tradition.  We now meet at our local watering hole, Nick's, every Thursday afternoon.  Today we graded a gazillion common assessments.  Remember that little text I made up about hummingbirds?  Well the firsties did a great job reading and writing about these cool birds.  Because the first grade teachers are on the young side, they've introduced me to SHOTS!  I've never had SHOTS before.
I love this PLC work!

Image 28: Pencilton

#1 Son is up in Indy watching Arcade Fire.  I'm stressed because the tv keeps reporting that some tornados may touch down in Indy tonight.  I love having children, but this kind of moment gets a 5 on the fist of 5 scale for worst frickin parenting moments.   Wondering if a tornado's going to land on your kid sucks.

On a more upbeat note, my neck feels a little better.

Image 27: Museum Flower

Geezlouise, I've had this pain in my neck and shoulder blade for about 2 weeks.  TWO WEEKS!!!!!  Today I got so sick of it that I started asking random people if they had any muscle relaxants.  Most people just shook their heads slowly, or simply stared off in silence.  I have been walking up to random peeps, pointing to the spot in my back and requesting upper back massages.  A few accommodate, but they don't have the time to really help in the long term.  I should go to the doctor because this pain is driving me insane.  But you know I'm not going to, so don't even bother suggesting it.

Image 26: The Daffs

This Monday will go down in infamy as one of the worst Mondays in history.  It was so bad that
when I got home I was earning a capital f for FUNK.  The good news is this:  we went to #1 son's orchestra concert and that cheered me up considerably. #1 son's bass was the best instrument in the entire orchestra.  Another good thing was that 20something daughter called to tell me that her computer has died and she would like everyone on the blogging challenge to know that her computerless state is keeping her from blogging.  She also pointed out that SHE'S COMING HOME IN 19 DAYS!!!!!!

Tomorrow's a new day and I'm going in positive, people.  I sank in to the dark side today, allowed stuff to get to me, took it all personally, sank into despair, glared angrily at the empty half of the glass.  That's over, peeps. I'm not proud of myself. I'm just saying.  I'm going in positive.  Doing my best, forgetting the rest.

On another, unrelated, note:  Here's a Karla Kuskin Poem that merits sharing.

Write about a radish

Too many people write about the moon.

The night is black

The stars are small and high

The clock unwinds its ever-ticking tune

Hills gleam dimly

Distant nighthawks cry.

A radish rises in the waiting sky

Image 25: Brown's Bridge

A pal asked me to take this picture and email it to him.  I keep forgetting to do that. If he's a loyal
leeway reader, the bridge is his.
Otherwise, Sorry Mr. B.

Mr. B.'s actually going to build a bridge like this.  I can only stand back in awe at this proposal.
I would like to learn how to build something some day.  A gazebo, or a zip line.

Image 24: Egg Huntress

Hope you all have a joyful day of chocolate bunnies, and lots of peeps.

Image 23: Rocket

I was at a teacher meeting today where the speaker kept talking about "the leaders."  "The leaders have created a set of beliefs about assessment."  "The leaders have listened to your previous concerns."  "The leaders have done an impressive job with setting up our future action plan."  After awhile, I asked someone, "Who are the leaders?"
Turns out the leaders are the district principals.  Why they can't be called "the principals," I don't know,  but this constant reference to "the leaders" creeped me out a little bit.  I'm still a little freaked out by it, to tell you the truth.

Image 22: Votto

I am missing the kinders.  I haven't been in their room for awhile, so when they see me in the hallway, they all want to tell me something.  It's hard to respond to each kid but I really try.  Imagine a long line of kiddos walking by, all earnestly screaming out sentences to you as they pass:

Hi Mrs. Dr. H.!
What are you doing here Mrs. Dr. H?
Mrs. Dr. H. I haven't seen you in a long while.
I'm mad at my brother.  He hit me in the head with his shoe!
I wrote a sentence!
I read a book about pancakes!
I have a coat that matches this outfit!  It has roses on it!
I lost 5 teeth in ONE WEEK!
My birthday is in 3 days.
My birthday is on June 25th.  Just like 25 cents!

It's a pretty cool gig, nodding and giving the thumbs up to each kid as they walk by, accepting hugs from a few line jumpers, waving good bye as they walk on down the hallway.  I love those little kinders.  I hope they know that.  They're neat little peeps.

Image 20: Nance's Hummingbird

As you can see, Nance has done a great job with this hummingbird.  I actually tried to draw a hummingbird a few days ago, but gave up on it.  So, KUDOS, NANCE!  Here's the thing you might not know.  I made a common assessment text about hummingbirds the other day and I learned 2 things:

a.  Red dye in the hummingbird feeder is unnecessary.  It harms the hummingbird's tiny kidneys, people!

b.  The largest hummingbird is 8 inches long.  (I can't remember the name, but that's ridiculous to have such a large hummingbird).

c.  The smallest hummingbird (bee hummingbird) is 2 inches long.