Quirky Corner of Common Sense

Tonight, Mike and I met with Ethan's kindergarten teacher for our first conference of the year. We talked through questions and concerns before entering the school... and ended up learning more about our son than I could have imagined. And all the preparation for what to ask about and the few concerns we thought might be addressed just went out the window! Mrs. Kapmeyer had nothing but glowing remarks about Ethan. He is funny, smart, kind, and helpful. She called him "her little buddy" a few times because he seems to function more like an adult at times and gets jokes and insinuations that most of the other students aren't getting. We knew Ethan's reading skills have grown significantly in the last few weeks, but his teacher indicated he often helps the other students who are just learning their letters! Apparently, his writing skills are also above average, and we are thrilled to learn Mrs. Kapmeyer will be sending home extension work soon. Some of the homewo...

Last week, I received a very surprising invitation to participate on a committee at Lackawanna College.  Per the name of this post, I was asked to join a group of individuals at the college to look at long-term plans for the school... and innovative ways to help us reach those goals. Our school's mission is to be the #1 open-admission, two-year institution of choice in America. We can absolutely reach that goal.  I have no doubt, honestly.  From what I've seen, heard, and experienced in just one year there, I'm thrilled to be a part of this journey and help us attain our mission! But, let's go back to my initial confusion and shock at the invitation to participate.  How could I, a simple instructor of less than one year, be seen as an "emerging leader"?  That's the other name for this committee, by the way - Emerging Leaders.  Anyway, what skills and knowledge do I bring to the table that caught the attention of someone, anyone , to recommend me for ...

I get to experience the best of both worlds - stay at home mom AND career woman.  I am the luckiest lady alive!  I love my job, I love my family, I love vacation... and today I got to experience the benefits of them all.  My first day at home with Ethan over summer break between school semesters.  It was awesome! First, let me preface this blog post by saying that I am a teacher.  I cannot go for three whole months and NOT do some kinds of instructional activities with my son.  That would just be wrong.  On many levels...  So, I've decided to assign weekly "themes" to focus on and keep our time together interesting.  We might not focus on those areas every minute of every day that week, but I will do my best to incorporate discussions, activities, and adventures that align appropriately.  This first week, our theme is "animals".  No particular kind in mind - just animals.  We had an hour-long safari this morning, with Nerf ...

Happy birthday, buddy!  I can hardly believe you turned five years old today.  I remember how badly Daddy and I wanted to meet you when we went to the hospital such a short time ago.  Each year - every day - has only gotten better from the moment we met you. From when I woke you up this morning, you had sincere appreciation in your voice.  A smile on your handsome face.  Excitement in your heart. I'm happy you liked all the presents we got for you.  It was so awesome playing with everything you opened so far!  Bey Blades.  Nerf Swords.  Labryinth.  Kinetic Sand. I'm also happy we got to hang out at Knoebel's Amusement Park all afternoon... until that crazy, random hail storm launched full-force on us.  That was pretty unreal.  May 22nd, and ice was falling from the sky!  You rode The Phoenix for the first time today - not our favorite ride because of how bumpy it is.  But the Flying Turns roller coaster was real...

I attended my first continuing education / professional development activity today, since joining Lackawanna College full-time last fall.  It was so awesome! I drove 2 hours (each way) to Philadelphia, PA.  That was the only icky part.  Everything else was really fantastic!  Drexel University is amazing.  The campus is buzzing with students and faculty, and lots of professionals walking throughout the streets.  Music playing, people hanging out, streets bustling with cars and buses... the walk between the parking garage and the academic building for the summit was thoroughly enjoyable - even if it was just two blocks! So, now for the nitty gritty...  Drexel provided a long list of presenters throughout the day.  Six concurrent sessions ran between 9:30 and 3:30.  Each presentation I attended was valuable and insightful, helpful and entertaining.  I learned so much today - and I can't wait to share some of the information with my coll...

So, I am usually hesitant to try new technologies.  I'm easily intimidated.  By many things, if we're being honest.  I signed up for a Twitter account months ago... and never went back.  A constant influx of information, @ signs and # references, and famous people who might see what I write created this wave of apprehension that seemed a bit silly.  But it was all too real for me. Then, I met a student at Lackawanna College who tweets all the time.  We've become friends, so I asked Marcie to show me the ropes on Twitter.  She's awesome!  I learned so much from her in a short amount of time, that I actually enjoy spending time on Twitter now.   Seriously . Who am I?!?!  I am a tweeting techie who loves Twitter!  :) I actually want people to follow me... but how to go about that?  One way is to post this link on FB and Twitter to help spread the news of my new enthusiasm.  Come on, people post "selfies" all the time, ...

My first official spring break since 2001... a little different, now that I'm teaching college instead of attending college.  No Vegas trip or Hawaiian cruise with the fam for me this time!  But, it has certainly been just what I'd hoped it would be. Productive.  Relaxing.  Enjoyable.  Motivating.  Fulfilling. I finally got back to the gym (classes like pilates and zumba!).  I have done a bit of school work, although more could always be fit into my schedule.  I had lunch with friends.  I painted our master bathroom (finally, after a month of its completion).  I have been playing with Loki to keep him company.  I did my nails.  I have done PILES of laundry.  I got groceries.  I had an amazing massage first-thing on Monday morning (NOTE: everyone should start their vacation with a massage!). And I have made time to spend with Ethan.  That's probably the best part of my job... so much extra time getting to pl...

A few months ago, Ethan had expressed a sincere interest in learning to read.  We started doing sight words on his iPad and practiced reading BOB Books.  He was easily frustrated and we eventually waned on our focus of teaching him to read. Then, last week, Ethan picked up a book called Dragon Egg... and read it all by himself! With this renewed enthusiasm, Mike and I decided to invest in a bunch of 'Step Into Reading' books to help keep Ethan interested.  So far, he has read three of them almost completely on his own.  Wow! Two  months before Ethan's fifth birthday, he decides to give himself the best gift of all... learning how to read.  It is so exciting each time he finishes a book - for all of us! I am constantly in awe of Ethan's vocabulary and interest in learning.  I wish everyone had the drive and desire he continues to demonstrate.  Imagine what an amazing world we would live in if that were the case...

Years ago, after Mike and I brought Ethan home from the hospital, our dog (Logan) had a difficult time adjusting to the new addition.  After months of struggling with Logan's anxiety and self-mutilation, we made the difficult decision to give him up for adoption.  Thankfully, he's been welcomed into the home of a loving family without children, so he can be the primary focus of his new owners. But, the last three years have been the longest Mike has gone without a dog in his life... ever! The conversation to get a puppy began two years ago.  Then, last year we decided when Ethan turns 5 in 2014, we will adopt a new dog for our family. ... We couldn't wait that long! Loki joined our family in January.  He was just 8 weeks old at the time, and Mike drove 10+ hours in a snow storm to pick him up from the breeder in Macedon, NY.  Loki made the trek home without a whimper or bark.  Hmmm... was it going to be this easy, for real? Yes.  Loki is so a...

So, as I was reading my profile, I had to smile... it mentions dreaming of teaching in a college classroom one day.  Well, my dream has come true! In the late summer of 2013, I was appointed as a full time instructor in the business division at Lackawanna College.  Yay me! From the moment I met with the panel for my first interview, I felt at home.  The more I read about the school to prepare for my second interview, the more I fell in love.  Once I met with the college president and executive VP, I felt committed for life. Lackawanna College reminds me of Juniata so much; and I had the same kinds of feelings as when I visited there as a prospective student so many moons ago.  Words are very difficult to find to accurately explain how happy I have been since taking this job.  My enthusiasm for what I do bleeds through my explanations when I try to tell people how much I love what I do, the college, the people, the students... In addition to having f...