Life Long Learner

The school year is over for me, which is always a bittersweet feeling. I must admit, I don't think I've ever made it through the last day of school without shedding at least 1 tear. This year was no different. The tears are happy and sad. So, today, let's focus on the happy. Now I am completely focused on being a mother to my awesome children. My kids are such a gift to me - they bring me joy, and I love spending so much time with them. Most of all, I love to watch them interact as brother and sister...the hugs, the fights, the laughter, the mischief! Last summer I really liked the Literacy Challenge I set for myself. This summer my goal is to keep my shelfari shelf up to date with all the books we read on a daily basis. What? You don't know shelfari? Well, check out my digital bookshelf at the bottom of this page! Go to www.shelfari.com and start making your very own digital bookshelf! I hope to write a short review of select books. Check out my shelf if you are looki...

As I wake up this morning I am filled with gratitude and joy. Even though today is the day Hallmark deems "mother's day" I believe Mother's Day is celebrated all year long. My children have their own little ways of showing appreciation, and these little acts fill my heart and keep me striving to be the best mom I can be all year long. Yesterday was a perfect day..I began the day with a play date with my college friends. Even though our friendship started before motherhood I am happy to be raising my kids with these awesome women. It is interesting to watch the next generations' friendships blossom, and share parenting troubles and triumphs together. Then, we celebrated my niece's First Holy Communion with my family. Again, I had the opportunity to spend time with my own mother, nieces,  brothers, and their fantastic wives. When I looked around the room yesterday I felt rich. I am surrounded by women who are all role models to me. My day continued with a very s...

Monday I had the wonderful experience of taking my daughter to have her cast removed. I didn't even think about how casts were removed until I picked up Shannon from "school." Lynda, (her teacher) asked, "So do you know how they take casts off?" I replied, "I haven't even thought about it." I was so excited to get this pink fiberglass cast off her foot that I didn't even give a thought as to how in the world casts come off. For those of you that don't know...It involves a huge machine. It involves a huge, loud machine. It involves a huge, loud, ultrasonic saw machine that would scare me if it came near me. Needless to say Shannon freaked out. The saw master had to stop his sawing and call out to the hallway for the reserves to come in to help hold Shannon. The most ironic part was that the saw master kept saying, "Don't worry. This won't hurt you. See it tickles." Tickles????? A you completely out of your mind? This saw w...

Tuesday began like any other day. Kevin had court, which meant I had both drop off and pick up duty. We got the kids in the car, said our goodbyes and I headed to Lynda's house. I pulled in her driveway, quickly unbuckled Pat, and grabbed Shannon out of her seat. We walked in and I lowered Shannon down. She wouldn't go. This never happens. Shannon is not clingy. Shannon is a social butterfly. I gave her another squeeze and went to let her ago again. She clung. Then, I noticed she was pointing her toes so she wouldn't put any weight on her left foot. "Seriously, Shannon? Can't you stay healthy for 1 week?" I though as I sat down with her and pulled her shoes off her feet... So, my double duty day turned drastically different. Here are the highlights... -went to work for all of 20 minutes. Called the doctor at 9:00 sharp and got an appointment for 9:45. -picked up Shannon (tenderly explained to Pat that Shannon had to go to the dr. and he couldn't come) ...

This morning while I was tutoring a high school student I saw another former student walk by in the hallway. I waved to her and continued on with my tutoring lesson. Next thing I knew this young lady was stretching her arms out exclaiming, "Mrs. Birkhead!!!! You're Back!!!!" We embraced, and I explained to her that I come once a week to the high school to work with a student. She went on to tell me about how successful she has been in school, and that, thanks to me, she loved to read and has moved from self-contained English to inclusion English. This little story is the reason I teach. I want to make a difference in the world, and I know I can do that by teaching students how to read, and how to positively contribute to society. I taught this young lady English in 9th grade 2 years ago. I no longer work at the high school. Yet, when she saw me this morning SHE stopped what she was doing. SHE turned around, SHE entered the library, SHE walked all the way to the back room...

The nebulizer has become a regular part of our days and nights around here. Shannon has never been a fan of the nebulizer. In fact, last June when she had to get a treatment in the hospital the Respiration Tech stopped and claimed she was the worst neb patient ever. I've tried to brainstorm creative ways to distract her during treatments this time around. I really hope this helps other parents with children who refuse to use the nebulizer. We do not use the mask...I just hold it up in front of her nose and mouth. 3. Watch a movie, or youtube clip on a computer, tablet, or phone. It is impossible to hear the regular tv over the noise of the nebulizer, but if the device is in close proximity to the child it tends to hold their attention better. Allow your child to hold a favorite toy or blanket. 2. Sing songs together. This works well for an active child because you can bounce them up and down and swing their head from side to side. Again, hold hands which keeps the hands awa...

(FRIDAY) The alarm sounded at 5AM this morning and I hit snooze...5 more minutes! When it rang again I sprung from bed, put on my workout clothes and headed out the door to yoga. I love to begin my day with yoga, and find on the days that I practice in the morning I am more centered and peaceful. I've often thought about how incredible it is that so many people wake up early to come to yoga, or to work out. It's like an entire different universe of people who are up before the sun - ready to start their day on their terms rather than on the typical hustle and bustle that fills our lives. This morning just as class was beginning one of the other ladies jumped up from her mat and said, "Ok, plan B today. The first teacher overslept, and I'm going to be teaching class this morning. I recognized this lady right away - she is another teacher at the studio, so it wasn't just a random person. But, then I thought, she came this morning for herself, and when she found out...