This week I’m thankful for…

• a visit from my brother.  It was too short, but still sweet
• the leaves that are beginning to change colors
• walking to church in the cool of the morning
• the parents and children who still visit me long after they were in my class
• crisp sheets
• minor league baseball games
• road trips with friends
• spin class
• walking to school in the morning before the sun bakes everything
• the fact that it’s no longer Wednesday.  Wednesday was a doozy of a day with my little ones.  Thank goodness they’re not always like that!
• this Just Because present from a friend.  She gives the most perfect gifts.

Since my terrible photography skills are making it impossible to read the quote, here’s a better version of the print.

This week I’m thankful for…

• the little one who brought me a bag of nectarines, freshly picked from the tree in her yard that morning.  She always brings me flowers or fruit, offerings from her yard.  It touches me to know that she thinks of me when she’s at home.
• watching The Sound of Music in the park.  I’ve seen it, oh, probably 100 times.  I met a friend there and this was her first viewing.  I was so glad to watch it with her.
• my little one who saw me across the playground before school and ran full speed, arms and legs flailing, just to say hi and get a hug.  What a great way to start the day.
• watching my little ones sand and hammer pencil boxes together as part of a Home Depot project.  They were so proud of their work.
• driving with Terry in the MINI with the top down
• the movie Stranger than Fiction.  Some movies just get better with each viewing and this is one of them.
• playing Parcheesi with Terry.  Strike that, we have the knock-off version.  I’m thankful for playing Pachisi with Terry.
• my friend and former parent, Mandy, who volunteers her time in my class to help my twins with special needs.  She is just the kind of person they need right now and I’m touched that she would devote her time to these sweet boys of mine.
• 2 of my other former parents who sought me out specifically to see if I needed any help in class.  The answer is a big resounding YES!  I’m thankful for you, Kim and Melody!
• my former student teacher who stopped by to see me at lunch today.  I’m just so proud of her!
• cozying up under the covers and watching a lightning storm out my bedroom window
• reading Thundercake by Patricia Polacco to my class the next day

This week I’m thankful for…

• slipping in between nice, fresh sheets
• the great parent volunteers working in my classroom
• writing in bed early Saturday morning
• the parents of a former student who called down the hallway “How’s our favorite teacher doing?”  It was the tail end of a long day and hearing that  made me smile.
• Jaison, a server at Olive Garden, who made the Never Ending Pasta Bowl true to the name.  I had dinner, lunch and dinner again.  Plus when I asked if I could box up the teensy bit of leftover salad, he boxed it up and added more salad and garnish.  Best service I’ve had in a long time at any restaurant.  He really loves his job and it showed.
• walking by the river just in time to see the sunset
• my work-out buddy
• lifting weights until I’m sure my arms are going to fall off
• these beautiful flowers picked from a student’s backyard

This week I’m thankful for…

• riding with the top down
• my curly hair
• skirts because it’s just too blasted hot for pants
• the little boy who wrote this for our August weather summary.  “Mostly sunny.  I like Mrs. McCauley.  She is nice.  I like school.”  Yep, that about sums up the weather, both inside and outside of the classroom
• my little one who brought an encyclopedia bookmarked to the page on Nudibranchs for N day.  Who knew sea slugs could be so beautiful.  I heart word nerds.
• the fact that I have 364 more days until SweatFest Back to School Night comes around again
• my parent volunteers, especially the ones who don’t even have kids in my class anymore and still come and help

This week I’m thankful for…

• the conclusion of the first week of school.  They’re cute, but, oh man, training them is exhausting.
• my Neti Pot for battling it out with my first cold of the school year.  Breathing out of both nostrils is awesome.
• Just Because roses from Terry
• Garrison Keillor and his red shoes
• my students, even the challenging ones
• my awesome parent volunteers who are my saving grace with twenty-seven 5 and 6 year olds and no classroom aide
• my little one who turned 6 this week and told me her two goals this year are to do a cartwheel and learn to fly
• Mike & Ike’s after they’ve been in a hot car all day
• my grade level team
• morning prayers with Terry