Tag: Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday #18

On By Alicia McCauleyIn Thankful Thursdays2 Comments

This week I’m thankful for…

  • the NCAA basketball tournament because I love watching the underdog win
  • my friends who made me lemon blueberry cake just because I requested it
  • my teacher friend who is retiring and bequeathing all of her writing resource books to younger teachers
  • the patch of blue sky that peeked out Saturday reminding me that winter won’t last forever
  • riding on the river trail when the river is so high that the water laps at the trail, even flooding it in places
  • riding with newbie cyclists who are excited to ride ‘long distances’ like 15-16 miles
  • remembering when 6 miles was a long way to ride my bike
  • the fact that my class is too young for state testing.  Yes and amen.
  • waking up early and reading a good book before heading off to work

Thankful Thursday #17

On By Alicia McCauleyIn Thankful ThursdaysLeave a comment

This week I’m thankful for…

  • the scent of rain on warm asphalt
  • the attitude of my little one who accidentally poked himself in the eye with a fork at lunch.  He was completely fine and when I asked him how it happened, he shrugged and replied “I aimed for the peas and missed.”  I’ll say.
  • meals with friends
  • the book of Esther
  • a fresh haircut
  • bike rides so challenging that I’m left stripped bare at the end, knowing I gave everything I had, and by some miracle, it was enough
  • hearing Dr. Maya Angelou speak.  It was a night I’ll treasure always.  And because I will never look at rainbows the same again.  And because you weren’t able to join me that night.  And because you deserve a little more poetry in your life, here she is.  I thought of giving you just a morsel to chew on, but who am I to be so selfish.  So click on the picture below and while it takes you to the site starts loading, get yourself a cup of tea, throw a blanket around your shoulders and get ready to enjoy this 42 minute master class with Maya Angelou.  Don’t tell me you don’t have that kind of time.  Make the time.  I assure you, her words will speak to the most joyful and the most tender places in your heart.

Thankful Thursday #16

On By Alicia McCauleyIn Thankful Thursdays5 Comments

This week I’m thankful for…

  • bike rides with friends
  • my new little one who wrote this in his notebook “I’m thankful for my home.”  Makes me wonder if there is a place for Thankful Thursdays in my classroom.  Hmmm…
  • my little one who wrote this about her mom “She is pretty like white, shiny milk.  She is so beautiful, I can’t believe it.  It knocks me down how much I love her.”  Her mom recently had brain surgery.  I’m pretty sure those are the kinds of words that lend speed to recovery.
  • the parents of my little ones who took time at our parent teacher conferences to thank me and tell me how much their children love being a part of our class.  Those words sink down deep and warm my heart.
  • my little girl who told me in a moment of quiet exclaimed “I love math!  No, wait-I love reading!  No, wait-I love writing!”
  • outside recess
  • outside recess.  I know I mentioned it twice.  Trust me, this week I was doubly thankful for it.
  • my husband who offered to make me dinner after a particularly rough day
  • books that are so good, I can’t put them down.  If only I could force myself to stay awake a little longer at night to read them!
  • my little one who brought in $10 of her own money to donate to our change drive for the local rescue mission.  Her mother, touched her daughter’s generosity, matched it dollar for dollar.

Thankful Thursday #15

On By Alicia McCauleyIn Thankful ThursdaysLeave a comment

This week I’m thankful for…

  • days when the rain holds off until after recess
  • a darling former student who bought me a dragonfly windchime with her own money.  I can only imagine how many chores she had to do to earn enough money to buy it.  I was so touched.
  • the kid who came to school with the Batman symbol shaved in his head, proving that everything old becomes new again.
  • getting my report cards done ahead of time instead of scrambling at the last minute
  • Girl Scout cookies
  • my new little one who asked the class to pray that his family would find a house
  • The Fat Cyclist for making this photo of my brother and I his new blog header.  Go, Team Fatty!

Thankful Thursday #14

On By Alicia McCauleyIn Thankful Thursdays2 Comments

This week I’m thankful for…

  • my blogger friend, Hippie, who bestowed the Stylish Blogger award on Pedals and Pencils.  I’ve been called a lot of things, but never stylish.  So thanks, Hippie.  And hello, friends of Le Cahier.  Kick off your shoes and stay awhile.
  • writing Haikus with my little ones
  • dresses with tights and tall boots
  • the rainbow that streaked the sky after a day of unrelenting rain
  • the rare pleasure of sleeping through the night
  • my little one who wrote “Yippee ki yay, Mommy’s home!” in his notebook the day after his mom returned from Kuwait.  I couldn’t have said it better myself.
  • dancing with my favorite five-year-old.  It doesn’t matter that I have no rhythm because all he wanted to do was spin.  Works for me.
  • my hubby’s prickly stubble against my cheek
  • the woman sitting next to me in church during worship who couldn’t begin to carry a tune-and didn’t care one bit
  • days when exercise takes the form of walking by the river with a friend
  • the two little girls who were swinging on the playground after school.  It was sprinkling and they were swinging and singing at the top of their lungs having a grand time.