Children Never Cease to Amaze Me

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….after a stressful and frustrating couple of days, an act of kindness melts my heart

Today was much calmer at school. The children actually got outside for recess despite the overcast skies. We started the day with our Character Education assembly and two of the kindergarten classes entertained us with fantastic performances featuring the theme cooperation. Mr. J. presented the trophy to this year’s winning floor hockey team and handed out medals to the boys’ touch football team that came in second in the City Finals. Mrs. F’s grade 3 class performed a musical production on the Orff instruments, conducted by Ms C. In my opinion it was one of the best assemblies we’ve had this year.

Now that all the voting for favourite books in the library is finished some of my stress has been lifted. I managed to email the last set of votes before I left school today. All day during library classes the kids were truly interested in knowing how the vote went. In art class the grade 3s continued on their weaving projects. I’m really loving this assignment. It’s so relaxing and the kids really like it. One of the students who finished his project is working on a design for our class project that everyone will participate in. When it’s done we will donate it for the silent auction at this year’s Fun Fair at the end of May. I’ll keep you posted on our progress.

I started and ended the day with soccer tryouts for the grade 4/5 girls. A group of students wanted to help me in the library and I told them what I really needed was a clean office and clean art equipment. They were happy to take up the challenge. All I really wanted was to have the paint cleaned off the palettes and brushes from Monday’s class.

When I walked into the library after soccer practice the room was dark but I heard a few giggles and my three helpers jumped out from behind my office door and yelled surprise. Not only had they put away all the books but they cleared off my library/computer table, washed all the art equipment, polished the sink, tidied the counter and organized the table and surfaces in my office. If that wasn’t enough they brought me a tray of fresh fruit and made me a cup of coffee. What a great way to end the day. They made me feel very special.

Back on Track

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Mama Cormier

….at least with my eating

The temperature was sitting at zero celsius when I woke up this morning but the sun was shining and there was no wind. I made a great omelet with shallots, mushrooms and spinach. I didn’t have time to eat it so I packed it up and took it to school with me. We had a 7:40 soccer practice. Coach S and I were debating whether we should play outside or in the gym. The field was pretty wet from all the rain yesterday but it had warmed up a bit so we decided to do the drills on the field.

An hour after I made my breakfast I finally got to enjoy it. I filled up my sports bottle with water and took it back to the library and sipped on it all day. For lunch I had a big salad with chicken.

At the end of the school day the weather changed drastically. The temperature dropped again and the wind picked up. We went outside with the girls for Girls on the Run but I didn’t run with them tonight. It was too cold and windy for me and the ground was too soggy.

For dinner we ate the leftover vegetables from a couple of nights ago and we finished the chicken from last night. I had my pottery class tonight so we didn’t have time to prepare anything more elaborate. Luckily it turned out to be a pretty tasty meal.

When I arrived at the class the students and my instructor were still having their pot luck supper. The week before they had kindly invited me to join them but I knew that arriving earlier and with a dish to share would be very difficult with my tight schedule on Thursdays. Nonetheless they asked me to join them and offered me wine and dessert. I passed on both but I did sit with them and got to know them all a little bit better.

In my class tonight I cut the lid way from the pot and finished the edges. It is now sitting on the shelf waiting to be fired. I started a second project. D showed me a simple way to make a plate using a Chinette paper plate as a mold. I rolled out a slab and placed it on top of the plate and then gently pressed it to fit the shape of the plate. To add interest to the plate I stamped designs onto the rim of the plate and I etched a simple design in the middle of the plate. It now also sits on the shelf waiting to be fired.

All in all it wasn’t a bad day. I didn’t get to the gym because yesterday I forgot about my pottery class. Tomorrow we’re taking my daughter and her partner to the airport after we take them out for dinner so I won’t have time to get to the gym. I’ll have to make a point of getting there on the weekend. I did drink a litre of water and ate well today. More of the same tomorrow.

Cheers!

Buying Things for Others Makes Me Happy

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Mama Cormier

…..especially when it’s not my money

Every year in the library we host a book fair and all the profits go to buying more books for the library and to support the curriculum across different grades and subjects. I had a nice sum of money from the last two book fairs to spend. Routinely the company that runs the fairs sends me catalogues and flyers of all the products that they sell. When I see something that I think would benefit a class or a specialty teacher I pass it on to see if there is any interest.

Today I actually found the time to order everything that a number of teachers expressed an interest in and the best part is that I still have more than half of my credits left. I’m looking forward to approaching more staff to help me spend the rest of the money. I love children’s books and I know it will feel like my birthday when this order comes in. So far half the order will stay in the library and the rest will go into different classrooms.

I have students that are library helpers and they love helping me unpack new books. Next week when this order comes in I’ll have a group of very happy children.

Yesterday I went to a meeting for girls’ soccer and track and field. The good news is that extra-curricular sports are back in the TDSB and I’ve volunteered to coach soccer again. So on days when I’m not coaching Girls on the Run, I’ll be out with the soccer team. Luckily I have some parents that are eager to help me coach the girls and their expertise and dedication are greatly appreciated.

The third reason to be happy today is that the temperatures went into the double digits today and I was able to wear my spring jacket. We had our best day so far for Girls on the Run until the rain started but we were able to get in most of the run before we had to head back inside. It looks like the rain is going to stay with us for a few days and unfortunately we’re being threatened wit a winter storm warning. Really???????

Anyway, new books, warmer temperatures (even if only for a day) and bringing back extra-curricular sports are in my Happiness File today.

Cheers!