this is you.

I wish I could show you a picture of the little boy who drew this rendition of me. I cannot tell you how precious this child is with his big eyes and eyelashes and his little boy voice. I wish I could describe him to you properly, as only an almost-master of English would...but confidentiality prevents me from doing so. But let me say this, when this little boy, who I adore, who my heart breaks for, turns to the first page in his notebook scribbles with his fat purple marker then looks up at me and says "this is you"... suddenly, in a moment i realize, he's right. this is me. this child, this classroom, this life that years ago i would have "poo-poo"ed. this is me. and it's a me i never thought would be. i never thought i could have wanted to be.

who knew?

...sometimes i even surprise myself.

Poopy on the Potty and other amazing feats...

Right, so...my last post was a lame attempt to keep this thing updated. It turns out after 8 hours with 14 three year olds, blogging is not on the top of my list of things to do.

But anyway...

Teaching is fabulous. In some "spots of time" (that's a Wordsworthian reference, folks) its rather challenging and I must take deep breaths and focus on the fact that the people I am dealing with are not adults but tinies who can't even be trusted to put their own toothpaste on their toothbrush. We have had two chrysalises (chrysali?) in our classroom. One butterfly emerged on Friday and the I delighted the children with my random knowledge. This time that butterflies do not have noses but smell with their feet. I have no idea how I knew that but it is true. I'm like a sponge for useless knowledge. This seriously comes in handy as a preschool teacher.

We are awaiting butterfly #2's emersion. Maybe I'll try to grab some photos with my personal camera. The pics from #1 were pretty incredible.

Other than the butterflies we are really just trying to teach the children our classroom routine and learn about them. Not just "facts" but... oh! It's 11am, hopefully we can get little Billy to the pot before he poops himself as he has the past two days. Pooping on the potty is seriously a big deal in our classrooms. We have celebrations complete with stickers, jazz hands and telling any grown person that enters a 10 foot radius of us.

I love these kids, though. For. serious. If I didn't would I KNOW that Billy needs to crap at 11am? would I care?

Alright, so on other fronts...

I got to see APMZ and SZ Labor Day weekend. My loves. I miss them!! We did our usual ritual of some food at the Appalachin Brewing Company followed by chillaxing at their apt with beverages in hand. Always such an amazing time but this time it was coupled with the new addition to the family!

This is Chloe Kate Miller-Zervos...that's right, our family gives animals middle names.



I also got to spend some time with Miss G and her parents which was a sunny, fabulous, tasty, relaxing time...


So, on and on to Thursday afternoon when I met Karli at Applebee's on Front Street and proceeded to spend the weekend celebrating her arrival, finally going to see The Dark Knight (excellent movie), watching Penn State football, losing my first fantasy football game (to Nick! damn!), and reading Romantic Literature.

Have I mentioned that I love my Romantic Lit class? I'll save that gushing for my next blog... Until then enjoy these photos:


You know it's gonna be a fun night when that's our smallest wine glass available...

I wanted to rename this the small gathering of Italian-American women...but then I wouldn't have been allowed...



I'm always out of place... then I put on a cowboy hat and big brass buckle...


Nick's reaction to that INCREDIBLE photo...


hmm...compare that to the photo below... ;)

smiley

Did you ever watch Sesame Street in the 80s? Do you remember Guy Smiley? (see above)

Well, this week that is what I have become.

I haven't smiled or laughed this much in years.

Smiling RULES. :)

yup...that's my blog today.

12 new loves...

Oh man. What a perfect day...including 6 children who napped and one who sat quietly on her cot playing with felt figures. yeah... this may never happen again but it was the best first day to teaching EVER. I got to meet 12 of our 16 new children, read to them, rock them, feed them... but not change them because they all used the potty. yeah, you read that right.

perfect.

first.

day.

wonder what hell i'll have to endure to pay for this one...

Tomorrow!

So here I sit...the day before I the children show up in my classroom and I begin the career that I feel like I have done battle for. I know I'm not the first nor the last person who has undergone an schedule destinted to make you insane but I am dang proud that I did it. And I am SO THANKFUL for my friends who cheered me on along the way.

Now I'm on chantix as most of you know and I need as much cheering. Yesterday was day 2 and it went pretty well. I even chilled with my friends for a couple of hours until the craving got so bad that even the helpline relaxation therapy couldn't do it and I had to go home. :( I did it though. I'm on day 3. I'm a little weepy today for my sister and Karli and Emily.

Luckily, I have friends like these here in good ol' Bing:






and places to go like this:
Port Dick Park



...Thank God/the HP

First Week...

Yes, friends, its the moment I have been waiting for... have gone through the dark tunnel of the past year for...

MY CLASSROOM!!


okay, it's OUR classroom, but it's mine. We've been interviewing parents and meeting our children. Writing lesson plans via themes (the first one: Welcome to School...lacking in originality but fun nonetheless) and doing general paperwork and getting ready.

The children that I have met (approx 9 of 16) are so cute. A few of them I already know from my summer in with the tots. It's amazing what strong personalities 3 year olds have. We just get to help them to express it through language, math, science, dramatic play, music, art, etc. I just can't wait for Monday.

Okay, honestly...I just can't wait for Friday. Talking with parents is informative and a great way to forge relationships but, really, it's a bit tiring. I'm getting up later than I was at the bux but I'm using my brain in such a different way. I'm also taking chantix and having weird dreams and sleep. That's right, you read it. I'm not going to write about it too much because this blog is searchable but it's a huge step.

I really enjoy the people that I work with, including a GREAT friend (T) who I met while in the ECE program. It's so so FABULOUS to be able to share this experience with her. Our first days together, our first classrooms, our first children. It's absolutely a blessing.

What else is a blessing is the other teacher in the classroom. I feel like we are totally insync. She's into music and art and the children's CHOICES. I cannot cannot wait for year to begin!!

Some shots of the classroom for your viewing pleasure:

The cubbies and Dramatic Play Area


Cozy Book and Computer Area


Music Area (MANY instruments in those drawers!)


Construction Area (blocks, legos, cars, etc)

Weekends...

...so this is what having weekends off is like! For the past three years the only reason I have had a weekend off is if I had something to do like travel plans or weddings. Don't get me wrong, both things are spectacular but no one told me how fun a Saturday could be!

We did so much yesterday and yet it was so relaxing. Knowing that today would be a day that I "accomplished." Preparing for that I am drinking a tasty americano (that i made here, cuz i am a champion barista) out of my Chase Lake mug Mom bought for me and contemplating TOMORROW which is my first day as a teacher.

No children tomorrow just a staff meeting and putting our rooms together. I can't wait though. I hope to take lots of shots tomorrow to post here. Wish me luck!!

Creepily, I googled the center in google images and found this photo. This is my room and my co-teacher, Karen, who I hold in VERY HIGH regard! The love and caring she feels for these children is IN-CREDIBLE. I learn so much from her every second I am in the classroom. yay! yayayay!!