Kindergarten fun!

Okay, as I was talking to my sister, two more stories came to mind that I wanted to share. My kids are cute...they are, but at times it seem like they become more like sheep that smrt little ones. If one student does something, then they all do the same thing. For example, they were all swinging form vines the other day. Indiana Jones seems to be the hot topic of this week, and one of the students claimed to be a huge fan of the movie and showed the class his favorite part...swinging from a vine. I've not seen the movie myself, but according to the kids reactions and the magic of pretend, he did the movie justice. One thing, however, was really off...the theme music. Picture this kid swinging from a pretend vine singing at the top of his lungs the most off key, up and down, slightly familiar theme song. I laughed right out loud. Then comes the sheep. I think I need to see the movie now...he sure peaked my interest. Then another time I was teaching and I noticed something about one of the kids. You see, it is a constant struggle to keep things out of kid's mouths at times and at this time, I looked at the student and his lips were blue, more so in the center-deep blue. And instead of asking him not to chew on markers-as I should have-I asked, "Bill...have you been chewing on markers?" He said, "No". I caught him red-handed, or blue lipped I should say. I laughed right out loud. How could you not laugh? I guess these stories are ones that you have to see, but I love these kids so much! Blues lips and swinging vines, there is never a dull moment.

Watch what you say.

So I am learning a lot of lessons while I teach these five-year-olds. Patience is the number one lesson, and is a daily test. This is something that happen today that I just have to write about. I have a form of punishment...lets say consequence, that sounds better, that I use in class. It's been around a long time and is a classic...the corner. The deal is, if they can not have respect for me, their classmates and themselves, they get two warnings and then on the third warning they have to separate themselves from the class. They can still listen, but they can not talk or participate. It works. So there was a couple of kids that would not stop talking...and I said this(names have been changed to protect the innocence), "Sue and Bill this is warning number three. You know better then to talk...I think I have to separate you...go to the corner." Well five minutes later, maybe ten, Bill starts calling my name, "Mrs. Jenn, Mrs. Jenn" and he sounded really worried and scared...I asked him what is the matter and with tears in his eyes he asked me form the corner, "Mrs. Jenn what does separate mean?" Oh it just broke my heart, and it was so funny to think about, because this poor boy had no idea what it meant, he thought it was something awful. I just assumed he knew what it was. So watch your words and make sure you're not just understood, but that you're not misunderstood.

Rise and shine!

This was funny...and so we thought we should share. Today was stake priesthood meeting, and Nick, as always, was excited. He called up others to remind them of the meeting and off he went at 6:45, pad and pen in hand, to gain some spiritual insight at 7:00...or so we thought. At around 7:18 Nick comes walking in the door, with a sheepish look on his face. No one was at the stake center...all was dark and locked up. So he calls a friend in the ward to see if he got the right day, place or time. Well he got the right day, and place but the time...he was 12 hours too late. That's right folk, down here in Utah they have early mornings, stake priesthood meeting was at 7:00 A.M. We're a long way from La Grande Toto.

BIRTHDAYS!!!

What a week!! Welcome November...did it sneak up on anyone else or was it just me? Now that it is November we are facing changes, not change promised by the President elect either. The season is getting colder and now I am a quarter of a century old, my mother is half a century old-with stating that the season is getting colder and we are getting older, I am not hinting to a similarity between the two- even though it feels about right. Thanks to all of you who wished me a happy birthday!! It meant so much. Nick and I celebrated with Dinner (at Mimi's cafe-which we absolutely loved, go-we send our recommendation) and then went shopping for socks. Yep it's back, my obession for warm, cool looking sock. Which will be much needed as I wait for my bus during the Utah winter. We also met up with our wonderful friends the Tibbs and they had dinner for us as well. That's us four!! I love them! Another highlight of my B-day was the party we had in my kindergarten class. They won a pie because of their hard work and then I brought donuts for my b-day, and then the parents brought candy because of Halloween-to say the least they had tons of sugar...and I thought to give it to them all at once, right before recces. Ten minutes is all it took, ten minutes and the class exploded and the sweet Greek children turned into crazy, jumping springs. They all at once ran everywhere, jumped up and down for no reason, laughed at everything and started to take their clothes off because it got so hot-then after our congo line and salsa instruction they started dropping...trash!! And then the room was silent. It was the funniest thing I have ever seen, I laughed so hard-funny, but I wont do that again, that is for sure. So all in all it was a great 25th b-day. And speaking of B-day, my beautiful mother had one as well. And I want to take this time to say how much we love her and how much she means to us!!! I think of her often, wondering how she is doing, what exciting event she is planning-or running, if she would think something was funny or not, what she would think of my life. She has always been there for me during my hardest and darkest moments...as well as my most dear and blessed ones. I love her and look up to her as an example. An example of how a mom should be, a wife and more importantly a righteous daughter of our Heavenly Father. She has lead and guided me and I owe not just my life, but in a huge way of how I live it, toher. Thanks Mom!!! We love you! I hope to send your card off soon!!

OXI Night was a hit!!!

OXI Night was a hit!!! The music program I was in charge of went off with a blow out performance! Each year Saint Sophia, along with most Greeks, celebrate the day the Greek nation beat the Italians during the WW2 world conquering tour. OXI means no in the language and that as what the leader said to the Italian government when asked to join forces with them and Hitler. It's a big event. So our theme this year was international freedom. There was singing, speeches, dances and instruments. Every child performed and in some way shared what freedom means to them. The program started with the children walking in with flags from their heritage lands, they also dressed up in outfits representing that culture. I thought it was a good idea when I presented it, I never knew how excited everyone would get! I am the one in the pink-I'm France...just in case you can't tell.

This is the Zorba-that's not how it's written in Greek, but how it sounds. I was the leader, organizer, choir director and tech person during the program. I was crawling on the floor a lot-hushing kids, adjusting mics. and etc. The dancing bookended the event-it was a huge hit.

This is me with three of my students and a pre-schooler. Right to Left: Hannah (dutch), Me (France), Roman (Greek) and Raeya (Pakinstan).
It took everything I could say to make them stop running around and pose for the picture.

R to L: Mary (dutch) Me, Vriege(Armenian)
This is after the program, when we were eating dinner-I love pasta.

R to L: Me, Kaliope (Greek), Karlyn (Greek), Eleni(Greek) I love these little girls!!! I love getting hugs from them each day. Being a kindergarten teacher really rocks!!

This is me leading the singing, they did such a nice job! We sang the Saint Sophia hymn, My Country Tis of Thee, I sang Amazing Grace with a student band, and then the Greek National Anthem. Hard work, but so worth it in the end. Their parent's faces were great-best they had ever sang they said. So all in all, the stress and work was worth it and I think I could do this again next year-thanks for Sue, teachers, Mr. Paul my TA and the beautiful students.