Literacy Learning Zone

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! I was trying to think of some clever way to share my thoughts about the month long writing challenge today, but instead I decided to just write.  Here's how I'm feeling right now ...  ___________________________________________________________ {celebrating the end} It's the end.   The end of another Slice of Life Story Challenge.  And I did it.  I wrote for another thirty-one days.  And you did too!  The Slice of Life Story Challenge party was packed -- and that is exciting!  Teachers, mothers, fathers, daughters, grandmothers, authors, poets -- all coming together to be writers and write for thirty-one days in a row ...  Sharing story after story.  {celebrating st...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! Sunday was just a gray, cold, rainy, windy day.   It was also my birthday .  And there was a little sunshine. My parents left to return home after a weeklong visit, I found my happy in all the new memories made. After a weekend of celebrating with my family,   I found my happy in a nap on the couch. My husband went grocery shopping this afternoon, I found my happy in only having to put the food away. We ordered in Chinese food for my birthday dinner,  I found my happy in the delicious crab rangoon. I watched a half an hour "birthday" circus show presented by my two girls, I found my happy in the singing and dancing of "Happy Birthday" on the high wire. After an enjoyable ...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! Every year of the Slice of Life Story Challenge, for the last five years, slice #29 is just for me.  I celebrate my birthday today usually with a list that grows by one each year.  In previous years, I have shared the joys in my life, what I am thankful for, and birthday wishes that have come true. This year I decided to share a   love , loathe, worry , wonder     list.  I have to mix is up a little bit for my own pure enjoyment and fun! 1.   I love my husband, Jon. 2.   I loathe that I don't always tell him how much I love and appreciate him every day. 3.   I worry about  what I would ever do without him.  He's my soulmate.  He's my one. 4.   I wond...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! "What's tomorrow Mommy?"  I think hard before I answer, not so sure.  "Saturday." "Real Saturday?" I think again, just to be sure.  "Yes, real Saturday." You see, all this week was spring break.  Nine days with no big plans .  So every day was a Saturday. Today is real Saturday.   Our day to sleep in -- especially after a late night of  early birthday celebrations with family.   Delicious dinner out, cake and ice cream in, laughter and talking in between. Today is real Saturday.    Time to snuggle in the big bed,   lounge in pajamas all morning  because we have time to take it slow with no big plans or places to go. Today is ...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! My mom promised me a date to get a pedicure while she was visiting.  A little early birthday treat for my toes to be ready for what we thought was spring.  We've been going, going, going all week.  There really hasn't been a moment that the two of us could get away.  I suggested that we bring the girls with us. I called a new nail salon in town  in the morning.  They had two openings for us right away.  I happened to ask how much a kiddie pedicure cost.  A reasonable $15 ... times two, of course.  I thought since my mom was treating me, I'd treat my girls to their first salon pedicure.  Once we arrived, we were the only ones in the salon and four ladies were ready and w...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! Yesterday was a busy day full of slicing story opportunities ... A trip to the big city  to visit the quaint Apollo Theatre  to watch the phenomenal  Elephant & Piggie Show . Impressed with the production! A trip to the local library to pick up more Elephant & Piggie books to reread, remember the show, and laugh again. Disappointed with no books available! A trip to The Tap House Grill to have a dinner date night out to connect and talk life with my hubby. Satisfied with sharing a delicious meal (and dessert). A trip to Feed My Starving Children to volunteer with our church family to pack meals to nourish hungry children. Fulfilled with helping in a little way....

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! I decided to take the girls to a free "give hockey a try" skate yesterday.  Usually, I'm on the sidelines, helping the girls lace up and encourage as Daddy hops on skates to skate around with them. Yesterday was my day on the ice.  Grandma and Grandpa participated in the sideline duty. My daughters now attack the ice with no fear.  Slip and slide and glide on the ice.  A few falls, but no tears any more.  We've learned to get right back up and try again.  Falling is just a part of skating. I awkwardly made my way onto the ice, joking with my girls that I would need assistance as they skated around me.  I now understand why it's important to try new activities early on in life when fear...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! A day with  Grandma and Grandpa  means an extra set of loving hands Lots of conversations and funny replies Playing a variety of games and then more games  Grandpa's magic trick and yoga poses with Grandma Helping around the house with dishes and laundry Cleaning up after a yogurt spill with extra love and patience Distractions away from Momma so she can sneak away upstairs Phone calls and email responding made in peace and quiet  Playing on Grandma's Kindle or practicing crocheting again Extra smiles and laughing with lots of hugs and kisses An extra set of loving hands Is a day with  Grandma and Grandpa ...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! I flipped through the photos on my phone and one caught my eye.  I laughed to myself, remembering this story. You see, a couple weekends ago, the weather warmed up and it was time to remove all things winter.  My husband was busy working outside taking down the Christmas lights and folding up the multiple blow-up decorations that were once buried under all the snow.   M. and I were busy locating every snowman, snowflake, and anything else that reminded us of winter around the house.   We made a pile that we eventually carried upstairs to put away until next winter into the walk-in attic.   P. wanted something to do, but she did not want to put on her shoes and head outside to help her Da...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! Only the second day of spring and it was chillier than we wished. Yet we enjoyed the sunshine and the cool breeze all before a blast of winter reappears in another day. Another trail-a-bike ride through the forest preserve much farther than we've gone before. We pushed and pedaled together up, up, up and down hills around the many ponds. It was a workout with the extra weight of the girls even though I wanted to complain I pushed forward and enjoyed hearing every muscle scream  over the eleven mile trek. And the girls were biking rock stars pedaling more than ever almost " running out of energy " wanting to just turn around but. kept. on. going. because of the promi...