Seeking Imperfection

I am an intensive needs special education teacher. I work with students with multiple physical and cognitive challenges. I'm finishing my second year working in an elementary school, and next year they are moving my program to the middle school. There are several people - custodians, secretaries, cafeteria staff, teacher's aides, specialists (the gym teacher, the art teacher), classroom teachers, etc, who have been very accepting of my students and have also helped me out during my first two years working in public school. I'd like to give out some little thank yous to these people, but, obviously, I don't have a lot of money to spend.

My question is, what is the most memorable/thoughtful thank you note/gift that someone gave you?

I know you don't have to spend a lot of money to do something nice. I tell people all the time that a simple "thank you" goes a long way. But I wouldn't mind some ideas on maybe how I could add a little extra touch to my thank yous.

For more Aloha Friday, go to An Island Life.

I've been tired this week - we took Paige to a branch of Boston's Children's Hospital on Monday to try and get to the heart of her sleeping issues. The result is a plan that starts with me going to bed with her and spending the night in her room. I've been meaning to blog about it, but right now most of my time without Paige is when I'm at work.

In the meantime, I thought I'd take it easy today (I'm home sick) and participate in Aloha Friday.



My question this week is stems from the fact that I look at a lot of blogs, books, and magazines, and being a visual person, I come up with tons of crafty projects I want to try, or things I'd like to do with Paige, or recipes to make. However, I don't know how to best organize what I want to do, and then I can't figure out how to make time for any of it, or how to decide what to do when. Does anyone see my perfectionism sneaking in here?

So my question is, How do you keep track of all the projects you'd like to try, and how do you decide what to try when? I've been trying to decide if I should have some sort of "To Do" list or something. I guess I could use your organizational help here!

For more Aloha Friday, go to An Island Life.

Just when I was getting pretty regular about posting, I had an exhausting week at work, full of IEP Meetings, parent meetings, and finishing state alternate assessment portfolios. I was exhausted every day. So, hopefully after I get a little rest, I can have a little more blog time. I'm trying not to feel "guilty" about not posting on my own blog. But we all know how much of a struggle that can be, right?

In any event, it is time for Aloha Friday.



In honor of Mother's Day, my question is: What is your favorite memory of you and your mother?

Happy Mother's Day to all. :)

For more Aloha Friday, go to An Island Life.

I have a four year old daughter who is an only child, and who has TONS of energy. That usually makes me her BFF, and I generally do not have a lot of energy. Most days I try to be a "good" mom and take her outside to let her run around (I often compare raising Paige to having a large St. Bernard puppy - she needs lots of room to run) or to do "projects" or play games, etc. with her. But some days I am doing all I can just to survive the hours between getting home from work and putting her to bed. When I'm really exhausted or not feeling well, that's when I find myself suggesting a video or tv show to her. Although I'm not against her watching (appropriate) TV, I sometimes feel bad that I'm the one suggesting she watch it, just because it'll keep her busy and I can sit still for a bit.

So my question is this: What are your best tips for entertaining energetic children when you are sick, exhausted, feeling brain dead, (all of the above?) or just want a minute to breathe?

For more Aloha Friday, go to An Island Life.

This is my first time participating in Aloha Friday at An Island Life. My understanding is it is a place where I can ask a question and see if I can get some input, and maybe meet some new friends too. I thought I'd give it a try to see if anyone has an idea for me. Couldn't hurt, right?

We moved into our new house in mid December, after staying with my inlaws for about six months. Prior to moving out of our old house, my now four year old shared a room with my husband and me, and was in a crib. Now she's in her own room, in a big girl bed, in a new house, and she's having a lot of anxiety. A couple of days ago she told me that she misses the old house because she misses her room with her crib with Momma and Daddy. I know she misses sleeping in our room because that's all she's ever known. We've tried all kinds of things to make her feel more comfortable in her own room...nightlights, dream catchers, special stuffed animals to watch over her, the fan and the radio on for white noise...you name it, but she would still prefer to sleep in our room. Someone suggested to me that I try finding a book about moving to read to her.

So after all of that wordiness, my question is, does anyone know any good children's books about moving, or getting your own room?