Skippyjon Jones

I have been reading Skippyjon Jones books to the kindergarten students for the past two weeks.  We have laughed pretty hard, especially when we listened to Judy Schachner read her books aloud, although I have to say that my Antonio Banderas-inspired accent has definitely improved of late!
The kids L-O-V-E these books and really did well with them.  They especially love how he bounces on his bed and how his mother always calls him by nicknames, and how his closet holds all his adventures.  They were shocked by Skippyjon when he talked back to his mother, "You aren't the boss of me!"--oh to see their little faces when Skippy said that! Out loud some kids said, "Yes she is!" and others said, "I got in trouble for saying that!".  One said, "That's backtalk."  (You know he's heard THAT before!)
So I've had Skippy on the brain lately, and the other day, I took my  dog Cosmo to the vet because he had an ear infection.  The vet was looking at him and said, "Cosmo, your ears are too big for your head." Now, those of you who know Skippito Friskito like I do know exactly what I said, in my very best Spanish accent: "Your ears are too beeg for your head; your head is too beeg for your body.  You are not a Black Lab, you are a chihuahua." 

The vet, not having children herself, has not yet met Skippyjon Jones, and had no idea what I was saying.  It was a very funny moment to me; probably not so much to her.  The kindergartners like my story, too, and they totally get the joke!

Just Going through the Motions

It's been a rough month, this month of May (and here I thought April was the cruelest month).  My mom passed away last Sunday, rather unexpectedly, but certainly not outside the realm of possibility for someone living with Alzheimer's for over 10 years.
I was with family for six days, and came back to work last Friday.  I definitely felt like I was just going through the motions of teaching, but if felt good to get back to the normalcy (if it can be called that) of the elementary school day, if not the routine. My colleagues were so, so kind, and I felt like I needed a sign on my chest reading, "I'm on the edge!  Do not hug me or smile sadly at me or welcome me back to school."  I did end up saying that to a few friends, and it was good for a a little laugh.
As if there has not been enough change in my household and life this month, I've also decided to apply for National Board certification.  I think it will be a good reflective process, which is always a good thing.  Now that I have a new administrator (one who values me and what I do), it seems like a good time to improve myself professionally. All I did so far was read over the timeline and apply online.  I will owe them (I don't even know who them is!) several thousand dollars within the next year, and hopefully gain a lot more than that back.  I think it will be an exciting thing to do, although I'm not feeling passionate abou it yet. Just going through the motions...