Literacy Learning Zone

Slice of Life is  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ I debated writing today. I debated about what to write about today. I did my usual pre-procrastination social media scroll. Twitter. Instagram. Pinterest. Ahhhh ... I linger as I scroll and smile. "Yes. Oh, I like that one. Favorite that! Agreed.  I needed to hear that." And, so, to continue on with my procrastination, I needed to share my love ... And, thus, a tweet that led to writing this slice. This last year I needed some positive reinforcements and to re-c...

Slice of Life is  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ It's been a whirlwind of a week that has felt more like a month with the official moving day: Packing and emptying a 1950 Cape Cod family built and owned house full of 11 years of ... stuff. A move to just the next town over ... but far enough away to find newness in it all. A new house with bedrooms and bathrooms for everyone ... and an extra for Grandma and Grandpa. Setting up room by room with the help of family ... even when I don't know where I want that. Arriving...

Slice of Life is  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ A week ago I celebrated my birthday.  It was a big birthday of sorts.  After living with that birthday for a week, it really seems as if not much has changed.   Another year, another number.  I guess I'm good with being forty {sigh} . This weekend I was lucky enough to meet up with a dear friend and fellow slicer.  She gave me one of the best birthday gifts ... My very own sparkly and purply and glittery board (with a side of delicious chocolate).   I remembered seeing visions of the fabulous ...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! __________________________________________________ Yesterday was just another day.  It happened to also be my birthday. A special kind of birthday. I don't like big surprises.  I did not want a big surprise for my birthday. I warned my family, particularly my husband, Jon.  I. Do. Not. Want. A. Surprise. Of. Any. Kind. I got a surprise.   And I liked it. You see, my husband woke up early at 4:39 AM as he usually does on a Tuesday.  He got dressed and said his quick goodbye to go play racquetball. I dozed back asleep. My alarm buzzed me awake an hour later.  I hit snooze.  No need to get up early on my birthday. Six o'clock glowed brightly in the darkness.  I dragged myself ou...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! __________________________________________________ I've been dreading this birthday for over a year now. When I say forty, an {ugh} comes before it. Why does a number bother me so? It's just a number.  It does not tell a story, more specifically, my story.  It's merely a number holding my time here in this world. Yet, I let it bother me. I hide from any thoughts of it.  Honestly, I don't really want to talk about it. I tease my girls that I want them to stay five forever -- it's just such a perfect age to enjoy. "Mommy, we can't! We have to be six and then seven and then eight! We can't stop growing!" So I'm told by a five year old. My {ugh} forty comment came out recently with t...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! __________________________________________________ I saw them hide the gold, sparkly bag last week. Then this morning I heard the whispers. The girls were getting ready and dressed for the day as I was finishing up in the bathroom. I peeked around the corner to see what they were up to. I could see them whispering to each other and deciding their next step while watching me. Moments later ... "Mommy? We want to give you something. For your birthday," M. said. "Oh, really? Are you sure you don't want to wait until my birthday?" I responded. M. looked at P.  P. looked at M. Without a word, they agreed that now was the right time for this gift. P. pulled the gold, sparkly bag f...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted at the Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! _____________________________________________________ An hour makes all the difference.   After I'm finally cleaned up and organized for the next school day, I race back home to pick up the girls. They spend their afternoon at the after school program.  Most days they roll their eyes and look the other way when I walk in to pick them up.   I'm happy and I'll take this as a good sign that they enjoy their time. Yesterday, I picked them up and we headed home having a conversation about their day.  Then the girls sat at the counter in the kitchen and worked on their math homework, while I warmed up dinner.  Nothing fancy tonight.  I'm happy with simple. After our dinner was complete, it was only six o'clock and it was light out.  And there was still an hour of daylight lingering.  The four of us looked at each other ...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted at the Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! ______________________________________________ It was a simple text. Wonder if you and Jeff want to meet us for dinner tonight. Not a girl outing but we can fit that in next week over spring break. And she said yes.  It has been way too long.  It can be hard to get together with friends when schedules change, lives get busy, and the kids' routines lead our way. Chris and I have known each other for over 13 years.  This is the first year that we are not working in the same building.  That's been hard.  She's my ying to my yang.  She balances me.  She edited my emails and letters and soften the words.  She thinks BIG and in circles.  She makes me remember to laugh.  She always knows how to lighten the mood during stressful moments. Last night was no different.  She listened to me babble and compl...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! _____________________________________________________ I'm struggling living my one little word lately. I shouldn't be. I mean, c'mon, there is so much to be happy about ... Even the song is playing right now as I write this little slice.  I need to find the sunshine in my days ... So, here's why I'm happy today ... ( clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth ) Happy  to be with my girls -- that will be SIX years old too soon -- growing and learning each day surprising me with what they know ... and say! Happy  to be writing again a little each day, reading as many slices as my ...