WOW, That feels better!

Although I love to write, (I guess I always have) I have recently procrastinated an important writing assignment. I am in the process for applying for my first Principalship in my school district. Part of the process includes producing a project that focuses on implementing a model called Working on the Work. (More sophisticated Bloggers would insert a link here so you could check out the model yourself, but I'm still a Bloggin' Baby, so...no.) My sincere hope is that I will be considered for an interview for the position and gain some confidence in that setting. You all know that I'm a firm believer in the "grow where you're planted" theory and that I believe that leaders (I'm talkin' all leaders here, people, not just world leaders) are divinely appointed, therefore, if I'm right for this school and this school is right for me, that's where I'll be but "anywho" (Holla, Sarah!). I've been working on this work - the project - and I'm almost done. And amazingly enough, as I work on it, my confidence in what I know and believe as a public school administrator solidifies. I know in my heart and in my mind that even if I don't get this job, I do have what it takes to do the job (a lot to learn, I know) but the core of who I am and what I believe is necessary for students to be learners at high levels is there! Thus, I say WOW, that feels better! Till then, I'm gonna keep on growin' right where I've been planted and for me, for now, that's just the right place.

Easter Fun!

Easter smiles for everyone.

Karsen may decide to hunt eggs professionally.

She seems pretty happy doing this job.

She even spotted the one on Cookie and PawPaw's camping house.

Griffin spots one begind the iris plants.

After pointing for a LONG time, he decided to go for it.

Alas, notice it was pink so it promptly got snatched by his sister.

She sweetly offered him one of hers that contained none of her favorite colors.

This egg was by far Griff's favorite. He picked it up and replaced it no less than 12 times.

Sarah, I fear he may have a touch of your "condition".

The Best Egg Hunt Ever

Karsen has always been a pretty good hunter. Don't get too excited, Uncle Alan or PawPaw, we're talkin' eggs here not real game. But this Easter was pretty amazing due to the fact that she had a little bit of competition. It was really fun to see Griff spy an egg from across the yard and take out toward it. (He is a pretty good walker now and it is his preferred method of transportation, however, he still has greater speed with the crawl.) Needless to say he didn't take out toward the eggs with enough locomotion to "win" his sister to the cackleberries. She is highly competitive lately with her attempts to "win ya" at just about everything. We use this to our advantage when we are attempting to get her to brush her teeth, load up in the car, eat green things, etc. But it is not so handy when it comes to egg hunts with a brother who is newly mobile and easily distracted. We did marvel at the kindness big sister showed little man. She eagerly gave him all eggs that did not have pink or purple markings on them. She was a bit overly zealous in locating even a trace amount of pink or purple on eggs she thought she wanted to keep. When you see the pictures, I'm sure you will agree that it looks like fun!

Smokin' Crack or Pokin' Crack

So today I get a call from the Karsen's Preschool. She has just visited "the office". She was not there to show off her alphabet skills, get a birthday sticker or deliver a note for her teacher (all considered acceptable reasons for visiting the office by those residing at our house). Nope - She was in trouble. Teacher had been reading a story to all of the little boys and girls. Each and every one of the uniformed tykes were gathered around her, engaged in the story, I'm sure, when Karsen must have noticed that someone's khakis were riding a little low.

I know not everyone has the opportunity to sit at the back of a 4 year old class as often as I do so I'll just tell you - there is not enough Spackle in a good carpenters tool box to fill all the cracks you would count during story time. (Someone should definitely talk to the makers of 4-6X clothes. They simply don't fit right!)

Well Karsen apparently couldn't help herself.

She poked the crack.

And went to the office for it.

Imagine my reaction. I was called from the school because my daughter was pokin' crack. When the initial shock wore off, I had to laugh. After all, crack is funny - at least when it is creeping out the top of someone's size 5 khaki uniform pants.

Pretty Lights Aren't Just For the Holidays

The day started off when I was running a wee bit late and decided to take my favorite short cut. You all have one - admit it! It's the street that you just know will have very little traffic and NEVER has a patrolman. That's what I was repeating to myself as Karsen inquired from her booster seat in the back of the mini van about why her Hannah Montana music had to stop, why we were stopped and why "that car back there" had "pretty red and blue lights going around and around." I love the way she sees things - so different from my jaded maturity. I don't think I've ever looked behind me to see "pretty" red and blue lights. Mostly I've only seen the ones that make me want to say ugly words.

So I'm a rule enforcer, right! Every day I spend time helping others realize why we have rules, why we should follow rules and what happens if we don't follow them.

That's my job! That's what I do!

(Isn't that a line from a country and western song, Bicknell?)

I "consult" with the students, teachers and parents. I'm very creative. I consider myself a very logical person when it comes to consequences for actions that my have been wrong. I want to achieve the biggest change in behavior with the smallest consequence. But this takes time. And time can never be wasted as school, so I have a red box. It's not an actual box, it is just tape on the floor. Lots can happen in the red box but mostly it is just for exercising. Nothing too strenuous. I'm fairly certain ALL of the students work harder when they play during recess. But exercising in the red box in my office really seems to stink - and I usually get my point across. I'm fairly certain that most kids would rather just get detention or isolated lunch or something and get it over with. But they get the red box. This is not so different from how I was reprimands this very morning. The kind officer with the pretty red and blue lights just gave me a warning. This warning went on FOR EVER! At some point in my head (I'm fairly certain mixed amongst the ugly words) I thought that I'd rather just have the ticket - but I was stuck in that red box! No ticket (we've determined the mini van is impervious to them) but changed behavior, no doubt. Tomorrow I'll look for a different short cut.