livin on love

Tomorrow is pay day....yay!  Unfortunately....tis the season to be completely broke!  Checks are currently in the mail to pay bills that will pretty much equal most of my not-yet-received pay check.  My 27-year-old husband is turning 28 on Saturday so gifts, dinner, drinks are in the works....not to mention the fact that he's a twin, which means I also have a sister-in-law with a birthday on Saturday as well!  Can't wait, going to be tons of fun celebrating in Saratoga Springs but these things cost money...ya know?  Oh boy...don't remind me that Christmas is in 18 days and not all of my gifts have been purchased. 

While emptying the dishwasher earlier with my birthday boy husband I said "I hate being broke!  But I love being broke with YOU!"  If there were anyone I had to live paycheck to paycheck with it would most definitely be Andrew Bushey.  I could have a husband who panics and stresses and takes it all out on me with a negative attitude about our current (not permenant....we are still young and making our way in this big ol' world) situation, but I don't.  I have a husband who calms me down, smiles, focuses on the moment, cooks dinner, and moves on.  This is exactly what I need....remember that first husband type I described...well unfortunately that persona matches my own much closer than my even-headed husband's.  I am a worrier.  A trait passed down from generation to generation on my mother's side of the family.  It does seem to lessen as the offspring carry it on....maybe my future children have some hope at a rational-minded existence.  But they will always have their worrisome mother there to remind them of all the possibilities in every situation. :)

As my husband and I create a family of our own, there will be hard times ahead financially (especially in the month of December!), but the chance to live out this dream with him is something I would never pass up.  Not for all the money in the world!  I would much rather be "Livin on love!"

Livin on Love
Alan Jackson

Two young people without a thing
Say some vows and spread their wings
Settle down with just what they need
Livin on love

She don't care bout what's in style
She just likes the way he smiles
It takes more than marble and tile
Livin on love

Livin on love, buyin on time
Without somebody nothin aint worth dime
Just like an old fashioned storybook rhyme
Livin on love
It sounds simple, that's what you're thinkin
But love can walk through fire without blinkin
It doesn't take much when you get enough
Livin on love

If you know this song by Alan Jackson, you know that there is another verse about "two old people."  One day, this next verse will be true for me.  Maybe we will have a little more money, but it doesn't matter whether we do or we don't, we'll still be livin on love. <3  That will be enough.

<3- Sarah

While visions of sugar plums...

Working in a school 3 weeks before Christmas can be a bittersweet experience.  There are a number of ways I am reminded, daily, of the upcoming holiday and I love it because I am, and always have been, a true Christmas spirit!  There is a daily announcement email that is sent out each morning, reminding us teachers of the school events that will occur within the next month (most of which are holiday related), the windows of each classroom decorated with lights, trees, paper crafts created by small hands, and snow made out of anything from cotton balls to silver glitter, picture books being read aloud within the classrooms, full of characters such as The Gingerbread Man, snowmen of all sorts, and the all important, Santa Clause, faculty and staff decked out in their best Christmas sweaters, sweatshirts, socks, and pins, and students on a school bus asking the driver, "Hey Joe, is today a Christmas music day?"  Only the beginning of the many sights and sounds of the season I will embark upon throughout my work days this December!

As I walked my first grade class out to the buses this afternoon, while passing by a fellow teacher, she gave me that, "Oh my goodness!" look in response to the energy level streaming down the hallways of our rural school building.  I replied with, "Christmas is coming!" and I heard her quiet voice (she is always very quiet when she speaks....sometimes wish I could be the same way) come back with, "Visions of sugarplums!"  This reference to the classic poem, The Night Before Christmas, could be the very best way I have heard a teacher describe the anticipation felt by these little guys.  Even 180 years after it was written, these words still explain the pure joy felt by little ones at Christmas time, with simple sentiment.

Now you may be wondering where the "bitter" part comes in b/c everything I have written so far sounds quite sweet!?  Well...unfortunately December does not get to be all about our friends, The Gingerbread Man (one of my favorite units to teach all year b/c of our Gingerbread Man hunt...more about that later in the week), snowmen, and our old friend Mr. Clause in first grade.  There are still assessments to be completed, homework assignments, administration observations, etc.  (Man...talking about the sweet part was sooo much sweeter!)  It is not so easy to get 6-year-olds to think about spelling words when all those sugarplums are doing "The Twist" in their noggins. 

There are times when a teacher needs to sit back and let the excitement fill the room.  Rules, routines, lessons aside....children are what make the season magical and alive.  While adults are bustling around with shopping, baking, decorating, wrapping, cursing the fact that they waited til the last minute, children are making sure they watch plenty of Christmas movies, see the lights (I mean they really stop and admire the lights), savor candy canes, slowly and gently hang tree ornaments, and read and reread their lists for Santa as many times as possible.  Their little eyes grow 2x bigger between the months of October and January, there is sooo much to take in.  Over these next few weeks, watch a child enjoying Christmas and join in.  We can all re-learn something that we once knew and have now forgotten about the joy of the season. 

                                               

                        Love how the lights reflect in all directions through the top of this jar and the window behind it.

While I write this, in my living room full of twinkle lights (but no tree just yet)...I'm enjoying the TV special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a holiday tradition for many families.  I've seen it every year since I can remember!  This teacher is enjoying being a kid for the evening.  SHE THINKS I'M CUTE!!!

Lincoln and GrayC getting along....Tis the Season <3

<3 - Sarah

a little bit of life

When I first began my blog back in July, I had been inspired by so many educational blogs and the ideas that they were filled with.  I had known blogs were out there, but I had never really read anyone's blog until, searching for teaching ideas, I stumbled upon teacher blogs.  Now that I have been blogging (kinda...funny how teaching tends to get in the way of my teacher blog) for about 4 months and I have stumbled upon some blogs that don't relate to teaching, I'm motivated to begin adding some other life happenings into my blog. 

Teaching is an enormous part of my everyday thinking...escpecially b/c I don't yet have any babies of my own.  So it will make an appearance for sure, but with so many other wonderful things happening in this 27-year-old's life, I'm wondering, "Why not?"  Why not share a little more of what Mrs. Bushey is all about?  For example, I loove crafting!  After finding Pinterest and etsy, two crafter's dream sites, I've wanted to craft more than ever.  I just finished my first hooked rug and I'm looking forward to starting to knit my second baby blanket within the next couple weeks.  With my sister being a mommy-to-be, there are sooo many ideas, hopes, and dreams running through this head.  These are things I feel like sharing in my blog each day....soooo...why not?   I became a cat person in my college years, after rescuing a barn kitten that was left behind by her mother and littermates.  I now have two cats, the barn kitten, GrayC, and a chubby gray and white cuddler named Annabelle.  My husband and I got a Golden Retriever puppy this summer and named him Lincoln as a tribute to our first home together which resides on Lincoln Hill Road.  These lovies give me something to write about nearly everyday....so why not?

GrayC's version of Facebook

Santa Paws brought a cat scratcher covered in catnip for Christmas!

The first time Lincoln ever laid in his crate by choice...we were thrilled!  It broke our hearts to hear his cries at night, but it all turned out okay...it always does. :)

My life is filled with things, good and bad, to share, to talk about, to get out of my head.  So this is me saying, that this blog may transition into something more than just a teacher blog.  There is this other part of my life where I am not Mrs. Bushey...I am just Sarah.  That part of my life is wonderful and worth sharing also.  So, why not?

<3 - Sarah, the blogger formerly known as Mrs. Bushey :)

peace.

While reading a relative's inspiring blogs, (A Winsome Journey: check Jessica out....beautiful blogs about life, love, and laughter out on the farm) I'm sipping tea out of a mug that reads,

"peace.  it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.  it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. (unknown)."

This quote can relate to all parts of life, but as a teacher, it truly fills me with hope.  Most mornings, while getting ready for school, I say to myself, "No matter what happens, try to be calm, try to stay enthusiastic, try to find something wonderful that is going on in the classroom, something that will make you smile."  Luckily, 22 first graders provide many joyful moments throughout the school day, but there are always those moments when you feel yourself boiling up and you just wonder...."are any of these kids listening to me?"  I literally have to take a deep breath in these moments.  I am not always the calm, enthusiastic teacher that I aspire to be, but I reflect everyday on those moments that got to me and learn. 

This quote touched me so much, that I even cut apart the box that the mug came in, printed with the quote, and framed it.  It sits on a shelf in my living room and makes me feel calm whenever I look at it.  I admire people who are calm, soft-spoken, and peaceful. 

My job will always be full of noise, trouble and hardwork, but that doesn't mean it can't also be full of peace.

Wishing everyone a peaceful week and a Happy Thanksgiving!
<3- Mrs. Bushey

The Reading Teacher's Plan Book on YouTube

I'm struggling this year with my guided reading groups and how to get my other firsties to rotate through literacy centers while I meet with my leveled groups. So...I started searching the web for some inspiration.  I wasn't finding much to help my reading blues until I came upon The Reading Teacher's Plan Book on YouTube.  This teacher's organized, calm way of moving through her guided reading lessons really got me excited about this part of my day that had been bugging me the first few weeks of school! Here is just one of her many lesson examples:

We are heading into our 5th week of school and after missing the entire 4th week b/c of my "Back to School" back problems, I am going to start our guided reading and literacy centers block from scratch.  The students will still move through the same centers, but I am going to use the next week (or two) to go through each center together to discuss the different activities they will be expected to do at the centers throughout the school year.  (Probably what I should have done from the beginning...woops!  That's why we reflect and change it up when necessary!)  Hopefully, this will allow for my guided reading group time to have a more organized, calm feeling like "The Reading Teacher" on YouTube.

Love when I am inspired by fellow teachers!!!  Thank goodness for blogs and web videos where I can observe these great educators at work from the comfort of my own couch...which is covered in blankets right now b/c it is getting CHILLY here in upstate NY!  Not sure at the moment if I'm using my heating pad to help with the back pain or just warm up in this frosty weather!  Either way....loving it!!!  Happy Fall bloggers!

<3 - Mrs. Bushey

Not so BACK to school...

What a crazy week!  All that work I put into getting my classroom ready in August, got the room ready for back to school but it didn't get me so ready for BACK to school. (Pun intended!)  My back had been bothering me ever since the last week of August and took a terrible turn for the worse this week.  On Monday I woke up and could barely stand or walk.  Long story short...I have been out of work all week and am just barely back to normal today.  Sooo hoping I will be ready for school on Monday.  I don't know about you, but I go a little nuts when I have to stay home from school and prepare lessons for a sub. I just feel like I'm missing everything that's going on.  I used to feel the same way when I was student and had to miss a day of school...I know, I know...a little dorky!  I've never had to do it for an entire week though, so this has just been not soo fun.  Luckily, my school assigned one sub for the entire week and she is a certified teacher.  She went above and beyond the lesson plans I supplied for her and wrote me on fb everyday to let me know how everything was going....LOVE HER!

So while I'm sitting at home just waiting for this back to heal, I figured I'd post a pic of the treats I made for my firsties to go along with our Kissing Hand theme.  I got this Kissing Hand cookie idea from Michelle at Fabulous in First.  My cookies are not quite as adorable as hers, but my kids didn't know that, so they loved them!  Some of them were actually jumping up and down when they came into the room and saw their Kissing Hand treats!  Soooo cute!

My kids were also sooo excited to find out that Mr. Bushey helped make the hearts in the middle of the cookies!  They made sure that the two cookies that were left over after snack time were saved for Mr. Bushey (because he was such a good helper) and my dad (because he is a busdriver for my school). 

On a whole 'nother note...I may be missing school, but I am loving all the extra time I am getting to spend blog stalking now that I can actually sit up!  Getting lots of great apple, pumpkin, and fall ideas for the upcoming weeks.  The leaves up here in New York and Vermont are starting to turn into beautiful fall foliage.  LOOOVE FALL!

<3 - Mrs. Bushey

No rest for the crazy!

We are back from ARUBA and I've spent every weekday getting my room ready for first grade friends.  We had our professional development days last Thursday and Friday and I knew there wouldn't be much time in the classroom so I needed as much done as possible before then.  Unfortunately, all that time setting up my new classroom has meant NO time getting lesson plans ready for the first couple weeks. :(  Don't worry my plans for next week are finally done!

We also had our Open House on Thursday where I got to meet 12 of my 22 firsties!  They were very excited about the guinea pigs and seemed to be great listeners while I quickly went through the G.O. Book, which I got from Michelle at Fabulous in First, with their grown ups.  And... two of my first grade team members will be using the G.O. Book this year also b/c they loved the idea when I showed them my example. I am excited about this b/c we can compare how its working in different classrooms with different groups of kids.

So, am I C-R-A-Z-Y to head into school today, on Labor Day, to finish up some last minute projects and have one last look at the classroom before the 1st day of school?  Here are the reasons why I have decided this is not soooo crazy:

1. The things I have left to do will be really quick and I have already done most of the work at home.

2.  I now have two guinea pigs, Vera and Janie, living in my classroom and I want to check on them over

     the long weekend.
3.  My hubby is coming along to see the progress.  (Ya know those scary pics I posted earlier..that's
     what he's seen so far.)
4.  I LOOOVE my job and it really doesn't feel like doing work on Labor Day anyways!

Finally...Here are the pics I will be using for my four Math Tray areas.  I use four different colored pocket charts with the pics and the student names in them and those colors match the Math Tray that those students will use for the day.  I didnt have a pic of the charts but they look like these from Lakeshore.  I use the blue, yellow, green, and red (I wish I had the purple and orange too!  Those are super cute!).  For my trays I took 4 old lunch trays from our high school cafeteria and wrapped them in duct tape in those four colors.  The activity I place on the tray is what those students will do that day. 

 

 These are the four areas where the students will go with their Math Tray activity.

Stay tuned for pics of the new guinea pigs!  For anyone starting school tomorrow like me, Good Luck and keep on smiling!  And for all of you heading back for another week, Keep up the good work!

<3- Mrs. Bushey