Searching through My Documents for letters to Nana. Remembering Nana today. My visits to Ohio. Back in 2004, I visited Nana's 100th birthday at our house.

This is her room at Kendal. Pictures of Gramps, herself in her youth, my mom when she was a child, and of course... some of her amazing needle work.

Nice Fall Day

Patty and I take the 6 Seahorses up to Fairview Park. What a lovely day. We run colorful tongue depressors along the wooden fences and make a rattling sound.

My sense of balance is terrible. I try to walk along the perimeter with the kids, but I tumble off. You win, kids! They think it's hilarious when I fall off.

Back to school. I read We're Going On A Leaf Hunt. They totally love it!

I'm trying to keep the kids engaged while Patty sets up lunches.

Star Wars - The Next Generation

Since Andy, Margot and Julie are out, I get to hang out with the pre-schoolers. Gwen wants me to eat her eggplant and purple cabbage meal at her house. The other kids set up an elaborate Star Wars scenario with the waffle blocks. Some kids build TIE-fighters.

I think General Emir is building a Star Destroyer.

The Jedi and the Stormtroopers grapple. The kids are really into the drama, and every now and then, I hear... "No! I'm a good guy!"

Special attention from the kids

I came into work today after dealing with a serious cold. I'm still dragging. I come into the classroom and wash my hands. I ask myself, "Why am I here?" I should've called in sick for an extra day.

Ok, Mike. Pull yourself up.

10 to 11:30 - Planning time for Charmaine. The 7 Seahorses have free play. The kids missed me and they hang around me. Thanks, kids, for the special attention.

They show me their favorite baby dolls, books and toy cars.

Happy Holidays 2009

45-minute Lunches

Walk up Westlake to work. It's going to be a busy day with 45-minute lunches.

Heather subs for Kim. I do Kitchen Patrol from 10 to 11. Three loads of laundry to fold... I manage to do 2. 11 to 11:45 - Teresa's lunch. We're in the Bike Room with the Dolphins and Sea Otters. We seem to be having a cranky Monday. 11:45 to 12:30 - Lydia's lunch. Busy hour with diapers, lunch mess and setting out mats. Darnell comes in to give me a break. I need it! 12:30 to 1:15 - Leisha's lunch. I feel exhausted. The Moons & Stars are mellow, eating their lunches. Lonnie does potty time. I help with the lunch mess. I'm amazed how fluent Henrik's English is. When he started at Hutch Kids, he only knew German. The kids sit together to read Bear Feels Scared.

1:15 to 2:00 - Jessica's lunch. (She's subbing for Pam.) Seven Dolphins are sleeping. It's a quiet time. Thank goodness. 2:00 - Patty's lunch. The Sea Otters are waking up. Lydia takes 3 down to the Bike Room. The other Sea Otters wake up one-by-one. 3 - Streetcar to d'town.

The Need To Be Alone

There are times when each of us feels the need to be alone, and that includes children. When a child needs to get away from the group. It's often hard for other children to understand why that child doesn't want to be with them. Sometimes a child may just need to know that thoughts and feelings can be kept safe inside. Believe that children who are allowed their times alone are the ones most likely to feel comfortable around other people -- just a the children who know their thought are private are the ones who become most able to share their feelings with the people they love.