#6 on my Maine List

It's very unlikely, I would imagine, in most cases that someone would be as excited as I was to spend another day at an old job. Yesterday I volunteered in the library at Center Drive School and got to see all students and staff that I hadn't seen since I left at the end of March. A lot of the adults knew I was coming, but it was so entertaining to see the students' reactions when I arrived yesterday morning. First, a blank stare of confusion, then recognition, and finally hugging. I was even "allowed" to do the read alouds with the library classes and scan some books into the system while I was there. It was wonderful to see everyone and made for an awesome day. Center Drive School will always be in my heart.

#2 on the List

Last night we flew into Portland and got to Hampden around 8. We hadn't eaten since lunch and wanted to eat somewhere quick and close to home. Dysart's was the easy choice and I was able to cross #2 of the list of things to do while in Maine. 

My healthy eating had to be put on hold for a curly fry Poutine. (But don't worry, I didn't eat the whole thing by myself.)

It was the perfect "Welcome Home to Maine" meal. :) Now, back to yard work. 

10 Things I Learned Today 5/29

It's always fun going to a school for the first time - all new kids, staff, and schedules.  Today I was an educational assistant at the elementary school in Iron Mountain. Lots of recess duties = lots of conversations with lots of different kids. This school was grades EK - 3 and they all believe that at the top of the hill behind their school is a giant snake hole. The reason the playground is fenced off is to keep the snakes out. Obviously. Also, after third grade gym class, the boys all clamored to one water fountain while the girls filed behind the other. Not because it's an actual rule or even directions from the gym teacher, but because they are nine and the opposite gender is disgusting. 

1. Irony is wearing a "Happy Camper" t-shirt while throwing a temper tantrum. 

2. Common footwear are not called "sneakers", but tennis shoes. 

3. All you need to do is gesture toward the door when approached by an 8-year old pinching a scrambling wood tick. It's so common that they'll go straight to the bathroom, flush it, and come back to recess like nothing happened. This happened eight times today. 

4. Nachos are an appropriate main course for school lunch. 

5. The playground is fenced off specifically to keep snakes out.

6. There is such a thing as girls' and boys' water fountains.

7. Early kindergarten is the same thing as Pre-K. 

8. In May, you leave the house in the morning when it's 40 degrees and drive home when it's 85 degrees.

9. You cannot effectively backtrack your route to work when a one way road is involved.

10. Whichever way you want to turn at a four-way intersection during road construction will be the last line of traffic the sign holder allows by.

To Do List: Maine Edition

In a couple weeks, I'll be heading back to Maine to visit for the first time since leaving for the U.P. almost two months ago.  My little sissy is graduating from high school! Other than seeing family and friends, I have been compiling a list of things I want to see, do, and eat while I'm there that can only be done in Maine. Now I'm starving. Poutine anyone?

1. Get the FOTW at Gifford's 
   
2. Have a poutine at Dysart's 
   
3. See the Atlantic Ocean
   
4. Learn to drive stick
   
5. Order spicy tuna rolls and fried oreos from Yoshi in Brewer
   
6. Visit Center Drive School in Orrington
   
7. Go to Acadia National Park
   
8. Do the scenic overlook off of I-95 to see Katahdin
   
9. Drive up to camp on Second Lake, Wallagrass
   
10. Get peanut butter soft serve from Al's
    
     

Miss Waddle Reporting for Duty! 5/13

I love kindergarten. How I am able to enjoy sixth grade and kindergarten at the same time is beyond me, but I love that being a substitute gives the opportunity to experience EVERYTHING. For example, last week I was in first grade, fifth grade science for two days, sixth grade science, and second grade. This week, I am in kindergarten, Title One, sixth grade social studies, and second grade special education.  It's given me the assurance that I am capable of teaching students outside of my (now nonexistent) comfort zone. I am having an absolute blast.

This morning, the students were doing some inventive writing in their journals. They were to finish the prompt: 

I like...swimming.

I like...the sunshine.

But I LOVE...my dog Jack.

With inventive spelling, you always run the risk of unfortunate (but entertaining) misspellings. Some were too good not to share and some were just so cute. 

I like oranges. I like computers. But I LOVE mom.

I like the sun. I like my mom and my dad. But I LOVE peaches.

I like my sisters and my dog. I like my mom and my dad. But I LOVE them too.

I like the sun. I like the lake.  But I LOVE the sky.

I like to go to the YMCA.  I like ladybugs. But I LOVE to go swimming.

I like my mom. I like my dad too. But I LOVE my family.

I like the sun and I like that it tans me. But I LOVE the moon.

I like my mom. I like my dad. But I LOVE my cat.

I like to cannonball. I like to swim. But I LOVE the pool.

I like my mom. I like my dad. But I LOVE my family.

I like to play with Legos. I like Star Wars. But I LOVE The Clone Wars.

I like TV. I like Mama's phone. But I LOVE computer.

I like ice cream. I like sun.  But I LOVE my bearded dragon.

I like free time. I like school. But I LOVE school because of Miss.

I like gym. I like pancakes. But I LOVE my dog Missy.

Today, no matter how many times I corrected them, I was Miss Waddle. It makes me miss the kindergartners at Center Drive that called me Mrs. Fallette. I really should just introduce myself as Miss O. to the younger grades, but in all honesty, the creative mispronunciations of my name are too much fun.

Mothers' Day in Second Grade

Today I subbed in second grade and in honor of Mothers' Day on Sunday, the kids were making books to bring home. Each page had a different sentence starter and a space for them to include illustrations. Since I never asked if I could take pictures in school, I don't have photos of the kids' work, but some of them were pretty good. Happy Mothers' Day! 

My mom is the best because - 

- she makes cupcakes.

- she "snoogles" me.

- she lets me get my ears pierced.

- she picks me up so I don't ride the bus.

My mom makes me laugh when -

- she steps in dog poop.

- she gets pulled over by the cops.

- she falls in the trash can. (There has got to be a story there.)

- she wakes up.

My mom is the prettiest when -

- she goes on a date with my dad.

- she wears makeup.

- she is at church.

- all the time. (Smart kid.)

My mom shows me she loves me when -

- she cooks me food.

- she lets me have dessert.

- she doesn't make me go to school.

- we have lemonade and Popsicles.

Weekend in the Dells!

We spent this weekend at the Wisconsin Dells to celebrate Jesse's birthday. Within 20 minutes of arriving I realized that my camera battery was oh so dead so I did not take nearly as many pictures as I was hoping to. On the bright side, this place was so awesome that we will definitely be going back again with a fully charged camera in tow.

 I did get some great pictures from the zoo, though. There was this adorable little fisher that was hamming it up for us. 

On our way out of the zoo, we stopped back in time for his dinner and got to chat with one of the workers. Apparently he is the only person the little guy won't attack. The man was actually picking him up and rubbing his belly. He even played a little game similar to this kitten: http://youtu.be/0Bmhjf0rKe8 We also made some friends with a couple giraffes and some kangaroos.

We also took an Original Wisconsin Duck tour along (and down) the Wisconsin River. A "duck" is a vehicle that drives on land and in the water. What was extra cool was that they allowed pets to come so Jack was able to experience the ride as well. 

                      

                                   

It was a great weekend away and we will definitely be back soon. :)