Conundrums

As I posted earlier, I love snow a lot. However, it's presented a little bit of a problem because another thing that I like a lot is outside recess. Open fresh air where a kid can run and scream to his or her little heart's content. And at my school, we don't go outside when there is snow on the ground. Therefore, we've basically been inside since December 1st. Great for me the snow lover; not so great for pent up five year old energy.

Student 1: Um, where's jelly from? Does jelly come from jellyfish?
Me: No, it's made out of berries like strawberries or raspberries.
Student 2: Or grapes!
Student 1: Oh, okay.

Full moons. Seriously. It's true. Ask anyone who works with large groups of children. Full moons make kids act out. They get in fights. They shout. They argue. They bug each other to death. It's totally weird. No way around it.

We didn't have school on Monday because of President's day and I had forgotten how great a 3 day weekend followed by a 4 day week feels. We haven't had one this year since we cancelled all our holidays, and it was much more appreciated than usual. You never know what you've got until it's gone.

My kids are LOUD. I could write this entire post in caps lock and you still wouldn't understand how loud they are. My noise tolerance is probably too high because most of the time I can let it go but the last 2 weeks have started to get to me. Maybe it was the 3 months of inside recess or the full moon but whatever it was I'm glad we've moved past it. I changed up the seating chart and while they take another week to get used to sitting with new people, I'm going to enjoy the moments of less shouting. Less shouting my name. Less shouting at each other. Less shouting at me. Maybe while we aren't shouting, I'll make a big deal of it and we can stop shouting all together. That would probably make the 1st grade teachers happy.

I have two girls who usually like to be friends but also drive each other crazy which in turns drives me crazy. They tattle all day long for "bothering" one another. Looking at each other. Being too close to one another. Then, they are friends. Then, they hate each other. Then, they are never coming back to school. Then, they love me. Then, they're sharing. Then, they're fighting. Then, they're best friends. Please just leave me out of it.

My best "tattle" of the year?
Student: He's going to tattle on me!!
Me: So you are going to tattle on him for tattling on you?
Student: Yes
Me: Go away.

Sometimes, I appreciate the tattling because it's something that needs to be stopped, disciplined, or investigated. Most of the time, I just wish I had ear muffs. Can we go outside now??

100 Days

Here is my 100th day picture. You know you like it. Friday was the big day and we spent the afternoon making the rounds of crafts and games. I was again in the "crown" station but didn't get my own colored. I had a student bring in 100 band aids which was a great idea. But the best part about it was that it was 10 different kinds of band aids all unwrapped and put onto a poster. It was a seriously good job for a Kindergartener. Then there was a kid who brought in 3 bags of 100 tootsie rolls. I asked him if he helped count them all but he admitted, "Nope. I was asleep. My mommy did it while I was sleeping." At least he's honest.

It's a good thing I had a relaxing weekend because tomorrow is Valentine's day parties. Any day that has a different schedule is extra draining. Extra patience is always needed.

We have had some sickness sweep through in January but last week everyone was back. It's great that we're healthy and everyone is there but there is never a dull moment. Tie my shoe. She pushed me. He called me stupid. Is it snack time? Arh! I'm a monster! That's my day. I need a monster sidekick. That would be helpful.

On Snow Days

Real reason I appreciate snow days? Not having to de-ice my car in dress clothes at 7 AM. Also not having to drive slowly and carefully. Just staying home, making cinnamon rolls, and catching up on to-do lists is a good snow day well spent.

It also cracks me up to look at the school closings. A lot of times, they don't put that it's a school district. They just put "Kansas: Closed," "Jamaica: Closed," "Paris: Closed." It's like the entire town is just shut down. CLOSED. Also because they are funny places in IL. Actual towns of course but it always crosses my mind that maybe the entire state or country might just be CLOSED. Shut down. Nada.

I got a lot done on my to-do list today. Not quite sure what I'll work on tomorrow. Might just get the whole month of February planned. Homework is done, newsletters done, Valentine's bags, and next week planned. This is good but maybe too much production. Hence the two blog posts in less than 4 hours. Perhaps I'll watch the rest of Grey's anatomy season that I got for Christmas. Today I found myself watching ESPN. That's how bad it's gotten.

One other thing that I enjoy? Getting to eat sugar past 3 PM. In fact, I purposely just ate a bowl of Peppermint stick ice cream so that I can stay awake until midnight and sleep until 8 in the morning. This morning I up at 7. WAY too early for day stuck inside. I'm about blogged out for tonight. Maybe tomorrow I'll actually write about what's going on in room 25. Since that is in fact the name of this blog.

On Blizzards

People are kind of freaking out about this snow storm. While this is a pretty big deal and doesn't happen very often, I can think of just about every other natural disaster/force of nature that could be worse. Let's break it down.

Tornados: Unexpected; destroys homes
Hurricanes: Flooding, destroys homes; evacuation; annual
Earthquakes: Unexpected; buildings fall down; destroys homes
Flooding: Sometimes unexpected; destroys homes; evacuation

All of the above also take weeks and months to recover from, knock out power, contaminate water, and are hard if not impossible to truly prepare yourself for.

Other less extreme natural weather related events
Drought: Bad for plants; people are fine
Extreme Heat: Bad if you live in the middle of the dessert without a shade tree
Probably forgot one that we don't have here in IL. Sorry.

Now, let's take a look at the blizzard such as the one hitting us now.

Blizzards: Possible power outages; dangerous driving
Everything is cancelled basically begging you to stay off the road. Most people have piles of blankets bigger than their beds.

Seriously? Basically, a blizzard is just an amazing excuse to stay inside, eat junk food, read a book, catch up on TV and to-do lists, and when it's all said and done you have an AWESOME play date. Sure, it can be an inconvenience and for those who have to work for the safety and well being of others, it IS a risk going out. You all get big props. But, 4 wheel drive, smart driving, and people helping people we have basically eliminated the possibility that you will end up dead. Plus, it's all going to last 2 days? Maybe 3? You dig out your car, scrape off the ice, and go back to work. Done deal. They haul away the snow. Your house is still standing. Your pantry is stocked. You are probably a little more thankful for your warm house, working car, and families and less dependent on things we don't need anyway like TV. Enjoy the time. Enjoy the blizzard. It only comes around every once in while.