Those are my top 5 Easter candies. I could eat them all day, even though that would not be wise. But Peeps? Nope. No thank you. You won't catch me nibbling even an ear. They are just not my thing. Once, I attempted to make a microwave S'Mores out of a Peep and it was somewhat decent, but not something I would actively make again. The coolest thing I have seen happen to a Peep is when my high school science teacher put one into a vacuum pump. That was entertaining. But would I eat one? Not unless I had to.
So, the other day I confused my kids when I saw a row of fuzzy plush bunny Peeps and told my kids that we just had to take a selfie with them.
"Mom, we don't even like Peeps!"
"Of course we don't, sweetie. I'm just hangin' with my Peeps."
The day was full of possibility. The sun was shining, and there were slice ideas all around. So much beauty and opportunity was noticed by my observant blue eyes.
My fresh cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee, flavored to Girl Scout Cookie perfection?
A deep conversation with coworkers?
My pizza at lunch?
My daughter dressed up like her current favorite Star Wars droid?
A kind note from a friend?
Oreos to celebrate a birthday?
The day was filled with stories, but no time to slice. So, I just kept tucking the ideas away for later.
...and then the school day ended, and Mom duties began
...and then the sun set.
I have been sitting here, staring at my computer screen, with a blank slice that can't be written. I looked at my phone for photo inspiration, and I found how I must look with slicing block.
I used to tell people, before I had kids, that I wished I could have a baby that was born 8 years old. I had this irrational fear of babies, and would go out of my way to not hold them for fear of making them cry. I had taught 2nd great for ten years the time, and I felt that I knew that age group well. So, that was my joke. Can't I just have an 8 year old baby? Then I'd know how to take care of it.
I did end up having two babies who were indeed born as newborns, not as 8 year olds. While there was a large growth curve, I did hold them and feed them and carry them and managed to not make them cry some of the time. Many times, in fact, I actually calmed them as they cried. I guess we figured it out together.
Today, my youngest turns 8. Yep, 8. How did 8 years pass so fast?
If they were born 8, I would have missed so many firsts. Those first steps, first words, first accomplishments, first dance recitals, first everything. I know there are so many more firsts ahead, yet she's EIGHT. I am overwhelmed as my youngest starts to wind down 2nd grade and heads towards 3rd. How. Is. This. Possible? A part of me was on to something, though. Boy, am I enjoying them at this age. Still so full of love and creativity, yet beginning to be independent and have their own personalities and interests. I always said kids at this age are the best, and I have 2 of the best around. I just can't believe how fast time goes. I am so proud to be their mom. Who would have known that babies end up teaching you almost as much as we teach them?
I wasn't particularly looking to find reasons to smile, but smiles are often found when you least expect them.
One was hidden behind a sprinkle cookie from my favorite bakery, near the Star Wars birthday
candles we purchased with them.
One escaped when my daughter read Officer Buckle and Gloria to me, and Gloria was so Gloria.
One snuck up on me when a 7th grader surprised me with a hug.
One illuminated my face when I put a picture of two former students in U of I sweatshirts on my
desk, knowing that's where they are headed in the fall.
One was thanks to Smedley Butler.
One was the result of a text from a coworker.
Many were caused by Slice of Life posts written by 3rd-5th grade Huskies.
One was a smile of relief as the last dose of an antibiotic was measured.
One was for the moment my son said, "Mom, you look sassy in those." I guess wearing my
daughter's sunglasses do that. :)
Smiles. They sure do make a sunny day even sunnier.
I'm a Toys R Us Kid. Well, I guess I always will be in my heart, as they are closing forever. Sniffle.
Just last week, I had asked some kids to do some informal blogging by making a Top 10 Toy List. Much to my surprise (and irritation) many of the 4th graders replied that they don't play with toys. I remember reading the posts at home, whining about it to my husband. I was just so disappointed that the kids didn't play with toys and/or that they didn't think it was cool to play with toys. I did amend the questions to Top 10 Toys/Hobbies, but 13 kids said they don't play with any toys. I left the class a personal note before the next blog post, saying:
Dear 4th Graders,
I am deeply saddened by the number of posts saying that you do not play with toys. Your iPhones and video games are indeed expensive toys. I would also count soccer balls and other sports equipment as outdoor toys for people your age. I would like to remind you that you are children, and your primary job is to be a kid and play. So, play. Also, I'm pretty sure you enjoy some nice toys, courtesy of your teachers, at indoor recess. Play on, young friends. Love, Mrs. O'Donnell
It just made me so sad that they didn't PLAY. Or weren't aware that they were playing. Or felt like they had to be too old for toys.
And then Toys R Us closed.
I'm just devastated, as is my daughter. We both have such fond memories of saving up for the perfect toys. My toys of choice were Barbies, and my kids love Playmobil, Lego, and Star Wars. I think the Shopkin craze it finally starting to pass. Oh, Toys R Us, you have always been there to support our play. My house is a constant mess, because my kids play with toys. And I play with toys with them. And I'm 40.
I don't know. This slice is just a rambling post to somehow document that I think kids should play more. Whether they get toys from to a toy store, or play outside in the fresh air, kids should play. And they should know that they should play, and embrace it. Hopefully, that playful side will never be lost.
OK, I'm off my soap box. I'll end with a song that is etched in my childhood memories, and pictures of my mom taking my kids to Toys R Us for my son's birthday. I guess we will file these memories under the good old days. Goodbye, Geoffrey the Giraffe.
I don't wanna grow up I'm a Toys R' Us kid They've got a million toys at Toys R' Us that I can play with
I don't wanna grow up I'm a Toys R' Us kid They've got the best for so much less You'll really flip your lid
From bikes To Trains To Video Games It's the biggest Toy Store there is GEE WHIZ!
I don't wanna grow up Cause baby if I did I couldn't be a Toys R' Us kid More games, more toysOh boy! I wanna be a Toys R' Us kid
This is not my Blue Bomb. But I did have a Blue Bomb.
I turned 16, and my parents gave me their old car, as long as I got a job to pay for the car insurance. I applied to McDonald's, got my driver's license, and hit the open suburban roads in my 1976 powder blue Ford Maverick. I was able to drive that car because my dad keeps such care of everything he buys, and my mom saves everything.
***Important Note: I was born in 1977.
I was the first person in my friend group to turn 16, so the Blue Bomb (as we nicknamed it) became our ride. It was fully equipped with Rustoleum spots and an 8-track player in 1993. That car was built like a tank with blue vinyl seats. We jammed out to Abba and early Billy Joel as we went to the movies or the local Denny's. Mostly, though, I drove that car to McDonald's and saw it parked and patiently waiting as I worked the drive thru.
This year, I started taking a new-ish route to work, and now I get an almost daily reminder of that car and my 16 year old self as I drive near Route 66 and see this mint condition Blue Bomb. Perhaps because it is Slice of Life month, or possibly because the sky so perfectly matched the paint on this particular day, I found myself parked on the street, taking a picture of a stranger's car. That stranger's car, though, is almost like a window into my past. If I could do it again? I'd totally get a decal like his for my car: Blue Bomb. Other than that, I'd keep everything the same.
My name is Leah O'Donnell. I am a Literacy Coordinator and a literacy coach in the Chicago area. This is my 23rd year in education. I am an NBCT, a proud Illini graduate, and was recognized by ISBE for #ThoseWhoExcel. I give professional development for my district and use Twitter to learn and grow as an educator. I am a Founder/Moderator of #d100chat. I have dabbled as a literacy consultant.
Hand me my camera and a cup of coffee, and my day is made!
Do you want to see the great things happening in my district? Follow #d100inspires on Twitter.
