Tot Time - A complete Redo

Well, I've had a slight change of heart.  After one week (last week) of doing some preschool I had a realization that . . .I was the one that wanted preschool HA!  Really, I realized that my son is only 2.  What in the world am I doing starting preschool when he is only 2????  That is insane.  We are three years from Kindergarten since we don't plan on starting him until he is 5, not 4.  (those darn fall birthdays!) So with that in mind, I've packed away our calendars and put away all of the preschool ideas I had already printed/laminated and instead, I'm going to focus on more of the "units"  like these from Itsy Bitsy Learners, Oopsey Daisy and 1+1+1=1.  Check out these great packs:

Itsy Bitsy Learners has two tot packs - Apples, Apples and Scarecrows 'n' Pumpkins that you can purchase at a combo rate.  I really love these theme units because you are able to focus on seasons yet do some fun worksheets together.  I think by cutting way back and focusing on more fun things we will all be happier!

 Oopsey Daisy has this great L is for Leaves unit plus she does have a mini-unit with Apple ideas as well.  Not to mention a Halloween Unit too! 

I plan on using these units for September and October.  So much less stress now that all I need to do is print, laminate and have fun!

Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?

September 11, 2001

It is hard to believe that it has been 10 years since that day when life changed.  I happened to be teaching school, 4th grade, at Algoma Christian School.  The Librarian was given the task of knocking on the door of each classroom and calling the teachers out one by one.  All I was told is that a plane had hit the World Trade Center and there was concern there was more to come.  No students would be allowed out of the building, many parents were on their way to take kids home and we were to carry on as normal.  A little while later I was pulled out again to be told that three more planes had crashed and all other planes were being grounded but, at that time, there were still several plans unaccounted for and there was great concern that they would be crashed as well.  I was never so thankful for the end of the day to come.  I drove home and met up with my husband - both of us dumbfounded - we did what many people were doing, we drove to the gas station, fearful that our life was about to change.  As we waiting in line to fill up our vehicles, a plane flew over - it was the oddest thing since we knew that all planes had been grounded - everyone at the gas station just stood and watched.  Who knows who it was flying up there!  We than went home and did what probably most of  the country was doing - we watched TV for the next endless number of hours.  We were afraid to turn the TV off even to go to bed because of the concern that something else would happen.  Those images are ingrained in my mind to this day!  It was several days later when we were watching the CMA's that Alan Jackson came out and sang this song "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning" - it was amazing.  It is still one of my all time favorite songs and, to me, is the perfect song as I remember where I was 10 years ago.