#SOLSC15 Day 31

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              

What Good Days Are Made Of



Good days are made of s-l-o-w to start mornings. This morning my boys played together and I sipped coffee from my new Today Show mug. There were puzzles, games, and cute conversations.


Good days are made of staying at home. I love to do little random things around the house. Maybe it is organizing a cupboard, catching up on cleaning, or reading through slices.


Good days are made of making breakfast. Every morning is so rushed. On days off (like this week being on spring break), I get to make the kids breakfast, cut their fruit, and hang at the breakfast bar chatting away with them.


Good days are made of sitting in the cuddle chair. I love when I get to sit in our chair-and-a-half and our 80 lb Labroodle hops up there like he's a lapdog. Add a 3 year old and then a 6 year and the chair becomes smaller by the minute.


Good days are made of spontaneous fun. Today my best friend came over with her two girls. We laughed, played, had pizza night, and baked cupcakes. She lives in Virginia and we never get to have afternoons/nights like these.


Good days are made of homemade happy hours. Slice up some cheese, pour some wine, and throw on some good music. Of course the company is most important.


Good days are made of great read alouds. Doesn't matter if it is my kids at home or at school, there's nothing like a moment with good reads such as Beautiful Oops, Elephant and Piggie, Press Here, Hop on Pop, One Smile, My Rotten Red-Headed Older Brother, and The Night Tree. 


Good days are made of risk-tasking. I love trying something new. Sure, it can be unsettling, but the satisfaction of meeting a challenge head-on really ranks as one of my favorites! Slicing during this month has been that for me.


Good days are made of simplicity. I love the quiet days, the nothing-out-of-the-ordinary days, and the no frills sort of days. I'm actually quite happy with these kind of days because it means my family is together another day with nothing "eventful" to stress us out. I pause to thank God for these sort of days often.


Good days are made of richness.
rich in health
rich in happiness
rich in humor
rich in kindness
rich in love


Wishing all my fellow slicers who I've come to know through slices and comments, good days that are made of these and whatever YOU consider to be your top-choices.


I hope to see you all on Tuesdays. Thanks for making my first experience a great one.

#SOLSC15 Day 30

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              
Small Moments

Today I walked among young and old
Today I brushed shoulders with culture.
Today I feasted upon works of art and talent.
Today I found unique opportunities.
Today I witnessed families holding hands.
Today I lost myself in children's books.
Today I savored Cabernet and layered homemade ricotta on crostini.
Today I caught up with my friend.
Today I looked at space uniquely.
Today I marveled at creativity.
Today I was thankful for diversity.
Today I witnessed our big, bold world sharing a common experience.

To think I found this all at Chelsea Market. 

#SOLSC15 Day 29

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              

Well it's the day after the Saturday Reunion at Teachers College and I write this from my hotel, in bed at 7:30am on my phone. So, I will have to elaborate later :-) I may follow Fran's lead and do just a little summary of the experience with intentions of elaborating in the next few days. However, my summary I mean one little word:-)

OLW for each part of yesterday.

Hotel- anticipation
Cab ride- excitement
Patricia Polacco- heartfelt (not a dry eye in the room)
Shanna Schwartz- pacing (something I can always work on)
Kylene Beers- incredible
Lucy Calkins- generous
Kylene Beers (closing keynote)- hopeful
Walking 70+ blocks "home"- ouch
Dinner (rinkside at Rockefellar)- relaxing
Radio City Music Hall show-mesmerizing
Hotel-restful

Today-repeat the fun

Phew!

#SOLSC15 Day 28

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              
**got into NYC late Friday night. I am slicing from my home so I hope the pictures come through!

Exciting day ahead!! Momentarily I'll be leaving the hotel room to head to Columbia for The Saturday Reinion, but I find myself away from home and missing my boys. So here's my little homesick slice (even though they are all fine with Daddy rock in' out "boy's weekend."

This is my proud kindgartener who just finished his first book (I have a couple he did at age 3 but this counts as the first in his eyes). He's sensitive, loyal, polite, caring, wise, motivated, and likes to create/make. He is the "I-support-a-good-cause" kind of kid. He helps others, sets a good example and love to read. He is crafty, happy, and all mine :-)

 This is my three year old who can charm mostly anyone with that smile and his sweet and loving ways. He's huggable, cuddly, sweet, charming, feisty, full of it, hard working, passionate and persistent. He loves to tell me how much he loves me and has to sit on my lap. He is willing to take a stand, lead-not follow, and share his ideas with you. He loves music, movies, electronis, coloring, and crafting. He is happy, witty, and all mine :-)

Here is my Owen. He's loyal, soft, cuddly, and honestly...perfect.

My hubby. He is the reason I can do what I do. He helps me think, plan, and do just about everything. A true partner and collaborator.

Lucky me.

#SOLSC15 Day 27

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              
Today I find myself a bit frustrated with slicing.  I'm not feeling confident in my writing and I feel as though I lack style. I wonder if it is just the timing in this challenge or the fact that I just wrote 26 days in a row? I don't know, but blogging/writing is new to me as of January. It is a new committment and just like everything else, I have to practice to get better. 

My co-worker and friend happens to be reading aloud Pollyanna to her class and she reminded me today of the "Be Glad" game. I am not one for pessimism or glass half empty thinking so here's my attempt to change my thinking for today and BE GLAD that...

* I've stuck with slicing all month (so far)
* I've jumped outside my comfort zone
* my family loves me no matter what my writing style is ;)
* there are so many inspirational writers in the SOL community
* I had two positive coaching moments today!
* my two boys are so joyful, loving, and sweet 
* my family is healthy
* my hubby is an awesome Dad
* I'm blessed to have my parents and see them everyday 

And the finale...
*be glad that this slice is over (just kidding)!

Here's to a better "slicing" day tomorrow. 

#SOLSC15 Day 26

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              
Shoes. 

I just love 'em. 
    Fancy ones, 
                                       plain ones, 
                           tall ones, 
                   cl-icky heeled ones, 
                                                                     flat ones, 
                                                                               accessorized ones, new ones
old ones

I just love shoes. They make the day fun, enjoyable, and sometimes {wink}comfortable.

Last year, our fancy-shmancy librarian at school retired. My two co-workers and I had regularly received "hand-me-down" shoes that were anything but hand me downs. 

More like a hand-me-up-some-trendy-foot fun. 

Lucky for us, we wear her size. 

You have to envision us receiving these deliveries with the excitement that is most closely related to Christmas morning. She had name brands, Italian leather, incredible color options, and variety. Whenever she would share, we'd wear a smile for days. 

This year she emailed me in the Fall to say that retirement felt like a good time to downsize her shoe collection by about half. She was going to send in a special delivery for my two co-workers and I. She had two bags separated for each of us. She had labeled, organized, and thoughtfully sorted. She knew both of us and our style so she carefully re-homed them where she felt most appropriate. It was really fun to see what she carefully chose for Karen and what she had selected for me. How neat to see what someone would choose for based on their perspective of you. 

As I choose my shoes each day for school, I can't help but think of her generosity. I love that we get to carry a little piece of her each time we clunk up and down the hallways at school reminiscent of the days when we were small and wearing our mother's heels (only this time they fit). 

Yes, we received shoes in the literal sense, but we've truly received so much more than what meets the eye. These are more than just pairs of shoes. Her memories "walk" the halls with us each day even after retirement. 


*One of our reading teachers is currently using "Whisper, Skim, and Scan" as a pre-reading strategy. So I used it to re-read my slice to see what words POP and then I tried them in a poem. It kind of reminds me of "black-out" poetry that a few slicers shared in the beginning of the month. 

Shoes

Sharing and smiling 

The thoughtful sorting 

Carefully re-homed

Carrying little pieces 

Walking the halls

Long after retirement

More than just shoes

 My loot from just one delivery :)

#SOLSC15 Day 25

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              

I'm in a New York state of mind and I will apologize now. Most of my slices from today through Monday will probably be about NYC as I'm super excited to head there this weekend for the Saturday Reunion at Teachers College. 

I can't wait...
- for the bumpy cab ride to Manhattan
- for the warm chocolate chip cookie at the front desk as we check-in
- for the walk around our familiar block of midtown
- for the trendy sights
- for The Saturday Reunion

I'm anxious to see...
- the familiar coffee shop next door
- the Saturday morning cab ride up Riverside Dr. 
- the corner drop off at Teachers College at Riverside Church
- Lucy
- Patricia Polacco's keynote



Ready for...
- learning
- being inspired
- Sunday morning Mass at St. Patrick's
- the Spring Rockette's show at Radio City
- the awe of being Whole Foods
- the beauty of corner markets
- the Walk to SoHo
- Italian treats at Ferrara's bakery
- new shoe purchases!

Loving...
- the anticipation of the trip; the build up
- the opportunity for girl's weekend with my friend
- the idea of quaint dinners and shopping
- the return to Eataly
- idea of not having a plan, just a direction





Although I love all the familiar stops like...
- Broadway 
- a ride through Central Park
- dinner at Risottos
- the Today Show
- Central Park
- the walk down Columbus Ave.
- taking Fifth Ave as far as we can
- dinner at Croton Reservoir and Tavern 
-Bryant Park

I'm hoping to squeeze in new stops like...
- Chelsea Market
- the High Line
- meeting up with fellow slicers at the Kitchenette (happy I saw this on Fran's page) 





Ahhhh....New York. I just can't wait.

#SOLSC15 Day 24

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              
"Hi Marcie,


My name is Colleen Clark and I’m the editor of Reading Today. It’s nice to “meet” you! I loved your answer to our question on Facebook about advice you’d give to a new teacher, and I’d like to include it on the next In Your Words page of the magazine. Do you have a headshot you can send me?


Please let me know as soon as you get a chance. Thanks!

Colleen Patrice Clark


Managing Editor, Reading Today | International Literacy Association
800 Barksdale Road | Newark, DE 19711"






To say this message caught me off guard is an understatement. I guess I had forgotten that I had even thrown my "two cents" into a Facebook discussion question from the ILA. How many times have we all responded to questions on Facebook? I typically only respond to legit organizations and I had vaguely remembered responding to something from ILA, but I couldn't recall any details. 

Upon opening this email, several things ran through my mind.


What did I say?


                      Was it the advice about three positive calls home? (Always my #1 go-to.)


Headshot? Do I even have one?


                                                                   Is this spam?



I responded back to see if this was a scam. She responded within the hour and I received confirmation that it was indeed the real deal. So I did what any teacher would do when you are looking for answers. I went straight to the school secretary. 

"Do we have a photo that is has just a headshot of me?" Our secretary looked at me kind of looked at me funny. "Like a school picture or my ID badge photo?" I figured I should elaborate a bit. I went on to explain (in a whisper voice) and she responded in a not-so-whisper voice. "Marcie! That's really awesome! You have to bring it in when you get it," she proclaimed loudly. "Shhhh!" I told her. She was beyond excited about the possibility of my comment being featured in the Reading Today magazine and electronically sent my photo to me. So why was I whispering? I actually don't know why?! Maybe because it felt kind of insignificant on the grand scale of life- I mean, it isn't like I wrote an article, submitted a story, or featured a new strategy. 

It was just a small piece of advice. 
Just a few words of wisdom. 

Words of wisdom that had been passed on to me over 15 years ago from my mentor teacher in my first student teaching placement:

Be sure to contact a family 2-3 times with positive news before you have to contact them with an academic or behavioral concern.

Reading this page of advice, I couldn't but say "Oh good one!" or "Yes, that's so true!" There's so much advice to give new teachers. Narrowing it down to just one piece of advice can be kind of tough. It makes me think about all the advice we once received at some point in our career. 

Those words from my mentor teacher from over 15 years ago have rung true each and every school year. Not only did she pass that advice on, but I've followed it every year and have always felt so good about taking time to call for positive pieces of our school day. I'm thankful she passed that and other tidbits of advice on to me. Words are powerful.

I also know...
Our words can stick. 
Our words can sting. 

Note to self:
Be positive.

Be kind.

Be encouraging.

Be realistic.

Be understanding.

How will your words linger one day?

#SOLSC15 Day 23

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              
Thanks to a co-worker, my son received his first desk this weekend. My friend has given us so much of his boys' items over the last several years: toys, clothes, shoes, coats, swim wear, and more. This desk is extra special because he made it by hand for his own sons. Now both of his sons have outgrown it and we are the lucky recipients.

Or should I say, this guy is...

It got me thinking back to my first desk. I had a fairly large bedroom, but the wall space was a bit tricky. So I ended up with a white corner desk and boy did I love it. For some reason I have a great memory of me sitting at my desk one time with the Cocktail soundtrack playing my cassette player. On the soundtrack was Kokomo from The Beach Boys. Back then, I would sit for hours in my bedroom with my tape player writing the lyrics down to song after song. I had awhile spiral notebook full of songs. Isn't it crazy we can just Google lyrics now? Type, type, type and click... seconds later we have the entire song right there. But, I think I still prefer my way. Listen. Stop  the cassette. Write. Play. Repeat.

Even though Michael was not listening to a cassette player at his desk, he certainly broke it in over this past weekend. There were many pictures made, even a card for his friend's birthday. It prompted my hubby and I to clean out our old desk on the third floor of our home. So, Michael scored some extra office supplies that my hubby and I were hoarding.

Yup. The day came where my little guy got his first desk. I hope he uses this space for magical fun for a long time, just like I did back then. 

#SOLSC15 Day 22

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              
I've Started a Bad Habit

It all starts with a quick check of the time.

Then...click

Facebook

Twitter

Email

Sale?

Click

I should pin this outfit. Click

Pinterest

Pin

Pin

Pin

Back to email

"Oh the new slice email is out!" I think to myself.

Click

One slice, two slice, click...click...click

Oh great idea for school

Open notes

Type

Oh that reminds me

Back to email

Brain racing

4:15am

Ugh...I feel too awake

But then 4:30

Yawn

Yawn 4:45

Eyes close...zzzzz

5:35 alarm



I shouldn't have checked the time at 4am.

Maybe my phone shouldn't charge beside me each night.
Perhaps across the room is best?

#SOLSC15 Day 21

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              
This is also doubling as a celebration post!!
Ruth Ayers invites us to participate in a Celebrate Link-Up on Saturdays. Click here to see what others are celebrating and maybe join in yourself, too! 
                              

Teachers United

Today I celebrate the amazing feeling of being united with fellow educators. I'll get the same in a week when I show up to Columbia University at Teachers College for the Saturday Reunion.

Thursday night, I spent time with some amazing co-workers. In New York State we have a big mess on our hands with our governor. Public education across our nation is being attacked and we aren't siting around any more.

It was so incredible to be in the midst of a sea of committed, passionate colleagues.

Some I knew...

 And some I didn't.

But at the end of the day, we know one thing is certain:

#SOLSC15 Day20

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              

(Inspired by  Leigh Anne's post from Wednesday)

Yesterday I modified this to describe my best friend since it was her birthday. Today I thought I'd use it to describe me :-)

i am passionate about....well... everything 

i keep handwritten cards, mementos, and notes to myself

i wish i could document everything about my boys because I love this time in my life 
i love jewelry, shoes, purses, bags, my dog, books, and music

i dance whenever given an opportunity-or I will create the opportunity if it is not there ;)

i sing along to P!nk, The Script, Kelly Clarkson, Imagine Dragons, OAR, Keith Urban...

i think I'm spending too much time on work this year, but feel so addicted

i really must confess that I love to watch Mob Wives 

i need to get back to scheduling date nights with my hubby

i should put my phone down more often (I'm working on this)

i can see through the messy lines of conflict

i like to host game nights and have people in my home

i make a great Common Core 'tini 

i always wanted to join a hockey team

#SOLSC15 Day 19

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              

(slightly modified from Leigh Anne's post yesterday to fit my description of my best friend)

My Best Friend...

is my opposite twin

keeps me grounded

wishes we had less miles in between us

loves my family as if it were her own

dances into my day when I need it most

sings my praises 

thinks simplicity is best

really knows my roots

needs to be spoiled 

should be on her way to NY in about 10 days!

can predict my actions, thoughts, and words

likes to keep it real (which makes me laugh)

makes herself at home (something only true friends can do)

always will have my story

(and I'm adding one)

gets me

Today I celebrate Jessica, her birthday, and our 30 years of friendship. 

#SOLSC15 Day 18

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

 My Love/Hate Relationship with Technology

On Monday, a brilliant idea popped into my head on the way back from Kindergarten. I don't even realize it, but I'm always thinking of ideas to support our teachers even when I think I'm focused on other things. 

Each day I teach for an hour in our Kindergarten intervention program. As I walked down the hallway on Monday to return to my classroom/office, it came to me.

This year our district adopted a phonological assessment at K and 1 to be administered in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. It is an area of our instruction that we've been working really hard at improving. We've spent some time professionally developing our staff, we've worked in a study group together, and we continue to meet as grade levels to work on Action Plans using data from our assessments. After our Winter scores came out, we were happy with the growth, but had not stacked up to well when compared to the other four elementary schools. Disheartening to say the least, but we didn't give up. Since then, we've kicked things up a notch and are tightening up our instruction. 

That's when the Movenote idea popped into my head. As literacy coach, I could use Movenote to send a demo lesson each week to our K and 1 teachers. Our district is in the process of piloting Fundations. Up until now, we've been using a combination of Words Their Way, F&P, Systematic Phonics and Making Words lessons. From now until the end of the year, we committed as a group to using the F&P Phonics Lessons. It is hard for some teachers to get into the mindset that this resource doesn't have to be so time intensive after all. We can work smarter, not harder. Before becoming literacy coach, I spent the last four years using it in my classroom and absolutely loved it. I've used the 1st and 2nd grade one and now this year I've gotten a chance to use the K one. Again, I love this resource.

So, in an effort to make things a little easier on the teachers, I decided I'd try to make a Movenote showing a sample lesson that supports one of our subsets on the phonological assessment. I set up an account and waited for an account verification email. Ten minutes later it arrived. I was a bit annoyed it was instantaneously in my inbox, but I carried on. (We are a society of instant rewards, aren't we? Yikes). Then, I videoed myself highlighting the lesson features and when I went to send it, it was gone. Frustrated I called upon my principal and Library Media Specialist to help. We couldn't figure it out over the phone so after misplacing my F&P book, I spent 20 minutes trying to regroup and look for my book.  I decided I'd have to video it all over. This time I couldn't get it to share or upload. After walking away, driving home, and trying it again I was able to make it happen. Finally I sent it out.  Phew!

Hoping this will be a helpful way to save our teachers time, model how to use a new resource, and support our efforts with improving our phonological instruction with the help of technology.

I love to take advantage of technology, but sometimes it requires a lot of patience. What I could of had done in 10 minutes on my iPhone video took me an hour to sort out.




                           

#SOLSC15 Day 17

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              

Learning to Think Ahead

Last year I drove all over Rochester ON St. Patrick's Day to look for gold coins because my son came home from preschool the day before shouting "Leprechauns left us gold at preschool and I think they are coming to our house." Uh--what??? I'm all for fun and games, but preschool just upped the ante without any prior notice. So, after a long hunt around town for coins I finally found foil wrapped Easter egg chocolates from a specialty chocolate shop. I way overpaid and I had to sift through the bag carefully choosing only the golden eggs.

This year? Well, let's just say I'm prepared. I found golden wrapped chocolate coins in December and didn't even think twice about stocking up for the St. Patrick's Day holiday. At school kids are already talking about the excitement that ensues after leprechauns have been around messing up their house or rooms or even dying the toilet water green. That is a bit high maintenance for me. 

Now, I must admit, even with my Irish heritage, I didn't grow up with these traditions and I am not sure what to think about these leprechauns leaving gold coins around. But, hey, a little extra chocolate never hurts :) And...it is much more relaxing and fun this year now that I've learned to think ahead.

                                                 

#SOLSC15 Day 16

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              
My parents invited us over last night for our annual Irish Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner. We weren't sure we could fit this tradition in on Tuesday this year, so we made a plan for yesterday. It was amazing.

My cousins came and we relished in some after dinner talk. We were catching up about our week, laughing, and discussing the St. Patrick's Day holiday that is fast approaching. This prompted a discussion about our heritage. My mom was able to tell me that my great, great grandmother (Margaret) and my great, great grandfather (Patrick) came over from Ireland and then she dropped this...we have his citizenship papers.

So, my mom and I ran to dig through their files and we found it!

                                                         

We noticed that he was granted citizenship in 1880 so that meant that he must of came to the United States a short time before.  I then went to Ellis Island online and found several by his name, but nothing before 1880. So, this left us with some questions. I learned on this site that Ellis Island was the reception point from 1892, so I wonder if that is why we couldn't find him within the online information at Ellis Island? I did find my paternal grandparents' from Italy, so that was pretty neat.

This all felt like an episode of Who Do You Think You Are? and it makes me curious enough to keep learning about the rest of my heritage. Last year I started a picture collage in my dining room and, although it is a big project, I realized that I need to keep working on it.

Who knew such a great dinner would lead to uncovering this citizenship paperwork. I never knew my parents had it! 

#SOLSC15 Day 15

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

 

Last night my husband, Mark, was helping my two boys settle on a television show. Next thing I know, Mark is all engrossed in some show. I think to myself, "Great. I just lost all of them to screen time." Come to find out, Mark had stumbled on something from his childhood, The Super Mario Brothers Super Show. They were all glued to the TV and loving it. I have to admit, it was a sweet moment. A dad, his boys, and a childhood memory.

It got me thinking...what was my favorite show? I ran through a list in my head:
Captain Kangaroo
Zoobilee Zoo
Reading Rainbow
Charles In Charge
Newhart
Life Goes On
Mr. Roger's Neighborhood
PeeWee's Playhouse
The Elephant Show
Bewitched

When all of a sudden I looked up at the show my husband was watching with the kids and saw Winnie Cooper! Then, I settled on it.

The Wonder Years. 

The Wonder Years was my favorite show as a kid. I remember hoping it was on TV if I was home sick. I remember stretching out on the couch after dinner and waiting for that song...

I loved watching Kevin go through common kid struggles. I hated his brother. I loved Winnie. Then there was the mother who tried holding onto typical American family traditions within a dysfunctional family. The father who ruled with a fist and a bad attitude, but at the end of the day, he loved his family. Yes. The Wonder Years. I began going through You Tube clips, listening, laughing, remembering. I came across the the last show and watched with tear-filled eyes all these year later.

I end this post with the monologue from the last show because it has that warm, cozy feeling and brings me right back to that place in my childhood.

Once upon a time, there was a girl I knew who lived across the street.  Brown hair, brown eyes.  When she smiled, I smiled.  When she cried, I cried.  Every single thing that ever happened to me that mattered, in some way, had to do with her.  That day, Winnie and I promised each other that, no matter what, that we'd always be together.  It was a promise full of passion, and truth, and wisdom.  It was the kind of promise that could only come from the hearts of the very young.

The next day Winnie and I came home, back to where we'd started.  It was the fourth of July in that little suburban town. Somehow, though, things were different.  Our past was here, but our future was somewhere else. And we both knew, sooner or later, we had to go.  It was the last July I ever spent in that town.  The next year after graduation, I was on my way.  So was Paul.  He went to Harvard, of course, studied law.  He's still allergic to everything.  As for my father, well...we patched things up.  Hey, we were family, for better or worse. One for all...and all for one.  

Karen's son was born that September.  I gotta say, I think he looks like me.  Poor kid.  Mom, she did well.  Businesswoman, board chairman, grandmother, cooker of mashed potatoes.  The Wayner stayed on in furniture.  Wood seemed to suit him.  In fact, he took over the factory two years later, when Dad passed away. Winnie left the next summer to study art history in Paris.  Still we never forgot our promise.  We wrote to each other once a week for the next eight years.  I was there to meet her when she came home...with my wife, and my first son, eight months old. 

Like I said, things never turn out exactly the way you planned.  

Growing up happens in a heartbeat.  One day you're in diapers, next day you're gone.  But the memories of childhood stay with you for the long haul.  I remember a place, a town, a house...like a lot of houses.  A yard like a lot of other yards, on a street like a lot of other streets.  And the thing is, after all these YEARS, I still look back...with WONDER.

#SOLSC15 Day 14

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

This slice will also double up as a celebrate post.

Ruth Ayers invites us to participate in a Celebrate Link-Up on Saturdays. Click here to see what others are celebrating and maybe join in yourself, too!
                                  

                               
It is short.
It is posted later than I posted have for 13 days.
But, my slice is here. I worried about what I'd write today and then last night happened. A fire in the kitchen.

Everyone is safe; all is well. 

But, I'm thankful for: 
-my people not my things
-my husband's swift actions
-my dad's practical gift of a fire extinguisher years ago when we moved in
-choosing to place a fire extinguisher right in the kitchen
-no damage to my brand new kitchen except for minor smoke and TONS of extinguisher dust. Big clean up.
-fire safety instruction at school so my kindergartener knew to "evacuate." (Love how he tossed that super vocab word around in the aftermath). 

I feel bad because after getting my three year old at the sitter after school at 4:30, I rushed back to work because I had so much to do. So, Matthew and I worked while my hubby, six year old, and my in-laws got fish fries to go. They insisted on waiting for me instead of just saving my meal. That's when it happened...keeping the boxes in the oven under low heat. 

That's when I walked in the house with Matthew. 

It is hard not for me to say what were you thinking???????? I would never put a box in the oven. But, it's a decision that was made and it is neither here nor there at the moment. But, I'm pretty certain everyone learned a lesson or two. 

So, please take it from me and the lesson I learned. Make sure you own a fire extinguisher TODAY. Perhaps I should take a note from my dad and purchase fire extinguishers as house warming gifts. I never knew the importance until now. 

Thankful to celebrate a happy ending.