Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Love is Powerful by Heather Dean Brewer

Love is Powerful by Heather Dean Brewer and illustrated by LeUyen Pham is a book modeling activism for children.  The story follows a mother and daughter's journey from planning, prepping, and attending the Women's March. They bring two signs; be kind and love is powerful.  Mari, the little girl is worried her message won't be heard.  The illustrations show the crowd from different perspectives and I found myself feeling empathy for Mari.  As Mari sits on her Mama's shoulders she begins to share her message.  Her parade neighbors begin to chant with her and her message grows through the crowd.  Her message is heard.

I had to stop and reread the book once I read the author's note.  It's based on a true story and Mari was six years old.  I can't wait for my students to meet Mari and become inspired to share their voice.


                          Thank you Candlewick Press for this advanced readers copy. 

The book is available now.

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Planning Together {Enjoying the Now}


I'm finding during this season of teaching when it's nothing like I've experienced or tried to implement before there are moments of joy.  Yes, I'm worried about lots.  Yes, I'm missing the way things were.  Yes, I get frustrated.  When I breath and accept the slowing down I'm finding things I enjoy.  

This week I began working with my literacy coach on a content social study standards anchored in literacy  instructional moves.  It all began with the question; How do I make a shift from hearing sounds to being accountable for conventional spelling?  My Hearing Sounds and Words Sentence Dictation assessment showed quite a gap for three-fourths of my students.  Her answer was interactive/shared writing.  Of course!  We began planning together and I felt that internal excitement that had been missing.  The excitement when you plan something with intention.  The excitement of including sound instructional moves that will engage students.  I hadn't found time, made time, or thought I had time to really implement these in second grade. Of course I do!  The planning and anticipating the process of our learning with interactive/shared writing is helping me enjoy the now.

I hope we can all find an enjoying the now moment this coming week.

Thursday, October 22, 2020

I Won the Parenting Lottery this Week! {SOS: Magic in a Blog}

Within 24 hours I heard from all three girls.  Each text warmed my heart.  Each text made me smile.  Each text let me know my attempts, tries, and failures did bring goodness for them.  Not only for them - for me and for us.  Parenting is a journey and all journeys need moments of pause and reflection.

N sent the first text.

"I realized you have unintentionally raised me to be a food snob!  As I prefer to make everything from scratch which I personally think is a great and healthy trait.  This speech lady was talking about her potato soup she's making for dinner tonight and it's just like bags and cans of stuff frozen thrown in the crock pot and I was like bleach gross and it's because you raised me to love making everything from scratch!!! But she also has 4 kids in elementary school so gotta do what you gotta do."

Sweet girl - I hope you remember that last line in life.  Short cuts are okay and take time to make life easier.  I may not always do that very well.


A sent the second text.

"Call me when you drive home, I miss your voice!!"

Yes sweet girl, hearing each other's voices is so needed right now especially.  The technology is wonderful and quick and sometimes easy and isn't the same as the real voice.  Also, thank you for the grace because I stopped for some groceries, started dinner to get to yoga on time and called you about an hour and a half later while dinner was baking.  You are so patient.


B sent the third text.

"Is it cool if I order pizza from flyers and you pick it up after yoga.  Dad said it was cool just needed to know if you could pick it up."....I reply yes and can you cut up some vegetables.  "Of course!  I would have made pasta or something but I made 3 lunches today and I'm cooked out.  Taking care of people is hard.  Thanks for doing it mom.".....I reply I could make pasta when I get home.  "I appreciate you.  No pizza sounds heavenly."

Oh, sweet girl - I will take this moment of appreciation and hang on to it for quite some time.  It is a lot of work to take care of others and just as you made three lunches - you did it with love.  It's good to know when you need a break and reward yourself.  Fill your own bucket with something you enjoy.  The pizza was heavenly this week because of this story and you.  I enjoyed our chat at dinner just the two of us.

Join me as I share my story with

                                                           Sharing Our Stories:  Magic in a Blog 




Friday, October 16, 2020

Stop the Stifle. {SOS: Magic in a Blog}








Stop the Stifle.


Open the laptop.

Open the notebook.

Reflect. Review. Question.

Observe. Gather.

Click a Photo.

Post. Share. Join.

Plan. Draft. Revise.

Memories. Inquiries. Surprises.

Courage. Bravery. Faith.

Personal. Professional.

Open the notebook.

Open the laptop.


Join me as I share my story with

                                                           Sharing Our Stories:  Magic in a Blog 

Thursday, October 8, 2020

Annoying or Caring? {SOS: Magic in a Blog}

"You are annoying."

I like to look at it as caring and helpful.

She stops and ponders my phrase, I go about my day.


"Stop being nosey."

I like to think it's being interested and supportive, 

She stops and ponders my phrase, I go about my day.


I wonder if she'd flip those words and tell me she's interested, supportive, caring, and helpful if I said you are annoying or nosey.  I wonder if the roles every change...



Join me as I share my story with

                                                           Sharing Our Stories:  Magic in a Blog 

Friday, September 11, 2020

Silent Empathy {SOS - Magic in a Blog}

I recently read this quote, "Silent empathy is where you think, "I'm sorry, and I love you" without saying it out loud."  As I read this, I thought about moments when this is needed.  I wondered if I've been doing this.  I know this would be something to ponder and use during moments of distress.

Distress arrived.  It was the night before school.  Five months before she navigated bells, crowded hallways, looks from others, and learning.  Worries. Worries. Worries.  Clothes were on and off.  Clothes were strewn on the floor.  Tears were starting.  She talked.  I listened.  She talked.  I responded.  She babbled and I sat in silent empathy.  She leaned in to me and her thoughts were running through my head. I found myself saying silently, "I'm sorry, and I love you." 


Join me as I share my story with

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Turn the Desks! {Slice of Life}

I'm walking down the hallway and look in on a kindergarten room as we are all adjusting our physical spaces.  I go past the door and stop.  I take a few steps back and look in again.  I observe they have desks now and they are facing into the middle of the classroom.  I wander to the door and inquire why.  My friend shared they got permission because the smart board is on the front wall and their word wall is on the back wall.  If the desks were facing forward the word wall may not be used.

I continue down the hallway and ponder what I saw.  I walk into my classroom that I do not like right now.  I have desks facing forwards and a couple of tables until the desks come.  My custodian comes by and I pounce with new thinking.

I share what I saw in kindergarten.  

I ask if I can do this too?  

It makes sense to use the smart board and the back wall for anchor charts, which I always have.

We lost our carpets.

Why do we have carpets?

We have carpets so we can sit in a circle and see each other in conversations.

If we have desks facing forwards we can't see each other and have conversations.

Can I move my four vertical rows so two and two face the middle?

He's nodding his head yes and I think he's just grateful I'm not tearing up as I did 48 hours earlier in the first five minutes I was back in the building.

My other desks come.

We take out the two tables.

We move the desk to face the middle and my whole self settled.    

I can do this.

Students can see each other.

We can have conversations and be safe.

It's not 1920 - turn the desks friends!


Thank you Two Writing Teachers for fostering this writing community.

Friday, September 4, 2020

Short and Sweet by Josh Funk

 

I'm so excited to join Josh Funk and friends for the Long and Savory Virtual Blog Tour.  Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast are appearing in their fourth volume with the same humor and rhyming rhythm. It appears Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast are spoiling a bit; looking pale and need some assistance to stop looking frail.  Baron von Waffle offers to get them help by visiting Professor Biscotti Laboratory.  The goal was to despoil the pair and a an unlikely outcome appeared resizing!  There's an adventure through town seeking a solution.  I find it interesting how Josh is able to humanize nonhuman things through the illustrations; with a simple line showing a turn or facial expression.  I think this new book and adventure will help student enjoy reading more with giggles.  Students will love the humorous actions that take place.  You can find more information and links to other blogs on the tour at Josh Funk Books.

Monday, August 17, 2020

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! Helped Me Tonight

Today was my first day back at school in my classroom. It was filled with unease and odd. There's a lot of different to figure out this year. Recently I've been seeing a lot of people sharing the book, The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! with words and pictures by Mo Willems. Part way through the afternoon I found it in my classroom and wondered if it would help me with my own thinking right now.  I fully believe picture books are for all ages and there are messages for the young and older.  

Pigeon and I ask the same question; Why do I have to go to school? I can already answer Pigeons' question about liking school or not. I don't like school with COVID guidelines changing how it looks and feels.  I had to laugh when Pigeon asks about all the stuff? Pigeon is worried about learning too much and I'm worried about not teaching enough. I really enjoyed seeing the text I'm scared in smaller letters - me too a little bit Pigeon. Pigeon has so many questions at one point and that was my mind today at various moments.  

At the end Pigeon, is all on board and headed to school. My district has given us two weeks to prepare and learn more about teaching this year. I'm grateful for time to process, reorganize, design a safe space, learn, and sit with my emotions. As I read this book, I found comfort in Mo Willems words. 

Monday, August 10, 2020

Happy Picture Book 10 for 10 Day!




We are so happy and can't wait to see some picture book love shared today.  This is a season of grace and flexibility.  You can join today, tomorrow, later this week.  Keep it simple with book covers, a list, one sentence why or maybe a few sentences.  
Here's the nuts and bolts -  





The Basics
Want to join the conversation? 
  • What:  10 picture books you can't live without.
  • Hashtag:  #pb10for10
  • Hosts:  @mandyrobek (you're here), 
  •             @cathymere (Reflect and Refine: Building a Learning Community)
  • Who:  Anyone interested - 
  •           educators, media specialists, librarians, parents, and book lovers.  
  • When:  Monday, August 10th
  • Where:  Leave a link to your sharing here in this post.  That will help others locate them in one space.

Here's how you can participate:
  1. Grab a Badge (just copy the URL address of the one above or take a screenshot)
  2. Choose Your Favorites:  All you need to do is choose ten picture books you cannot live without for whatever reason.  In the first days of this event, everyone shared their ten very favorite titles.  This still works.  You will notice, however, that many past participants choose some type of theme or thread to connect their selections.  We'll leave this up to you.
  3. Narrow Your List to Ten:  It isn't easy, is it?  We've seen some crafty ways to get around that number.  
  4. Write Your August 10th Post:  Write a post about the ten books you cannot live without.  Share the link to your collection here, at Enjoy and Embrace Learning, on August 10th.  
  5. No Blog?  No Problem:  If you don't have a blog, this might be the perfect time to start one --- or there are a million digital ways to join.  You could post from a Google page, create a S'more, share in Twitter (and copy the Tweet link), or any other creative idea you may be considering.  We will also be tweeting from the #pb10for10 hashtag.    
  6. Comment:  On August 10th (and maybe for a week --- there are a lot of posts) take some time to read posts from other participants.  Please comment on at least three.

Books for the First Two Weeks {Picture Book 10 for 10}

Today. I'm starting the year teaching in a hybrid model.  I will have half of my students physically at a time and half of my students working virtually.  In two weeks, I will physically be with my students five days. Last week I had my yearly physical and got some really sound advice from my doctor for returning to school and being safe.  He also predicted we'll be closed within two weeks.  Yikes, I started my appointment with no anxiety.  This whole season of life is strange and I have to say after I worked through my doctor's point of view and brainstormed some ways to keep myself healthy I found a focus for my sharing this year.

I hope to be able to read these books in person with my students.  I miss the natural responses in a group setting.  These are books I had at home and ones I feel could anchor our year together.  It's going to be a year of patience, grace, acceptance, flexibility, and like no other.  I wish you all a safe new school year and hope you can use picture books to help you and your community come together.


Count on Me by Miguel Tanco might be one of my new favorite books, oh my goodness. A book about passions and how they are different for each other. It's also about accepting a passion others may not always understand - math! This is a wonderful book celebrating the ways we can see math in our lives.


The Hike by Alison Farrell will encourage readers to get outside, move, notice, and write. Yes, an activity we can do during these uncertain times and be safe.


I Am a Warrior Goddess by Jennifer Adams and Illustrated by Carme Lemniscates guides readers in thinking about finishing their own I am statement. We are all empowered with great I am...


I Believe I Can by Grace Byers and Illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo is a book celebrating the big possibilities of children. This is a beautiful book representing children from different backgrounds.  The author plays with words and empowers the reader.


Jack's Worry by Sam Zuppardi shows readers how a worry can fester and grow, changing colors until we share it with someone. Talking to others is so important as we embrace new things.


Just Ask by Sonia Sotomayor and Illustrated by Rafael Lopez created a beautiful book to help readers understand a variety of health concerns their friends may have or even family members. Another wonderful book to help readers feel empowered.


Layla's Happiness by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and Illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin is the perfect book to help us focus on what happiness is for each of us. School is going to be different this year and we can still celebrate the things that make us happy.


Lulu the One and Only by Lynnette Mawhinney and Illustrated by Jennie Poh is a gift for all children.   A multiracial family shows readers how to focus on who we are; not what we are. Readers are introduced to the idea of a power statement. We all need a power statement.


The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld is a book about sitting with each other.  It's a book about waiting.  It's a book about subtle kindness and patience. We may not need fast quick solutions this year - we will need grace.


Ruby's Worry by Tom Percival is lets readers know others have worries too and talking about them helps them diminish some. We can live with our worries.




Monday, July 27, 2020

Picture Book 10 for 10 is Coming!



Our world has been different for months. COVID put our classroom environments on pause and while they froze in time we didn't. We worked harder than ever and felt all the emotions of juggling a pandemic personally and professionally. Our world has embraced great sadness and is in the process of learning lots about race and equity.  At times it's hard to know what to do. Cathy and I have chatted and wondered does our little Picture Book 10 for 10 event have a place right now. 

In May, I was able to keep my first scheduled date with my good friend to a local Peony Farm.  We had scheduled a special event where we learned about growing peonies and we got to pick peonies. It felt so good to do something we had planned.  It felt so good to see my friend while socially distancing and in person. It feels good when we can do normal things and Picture Book 10 for 10 has been an August tradition for ten years and it feels right to talk about picture books.  Picture books help us process topics, relationships, and life.  Picture books are good for read aloud, shared reading, and independent reading. We are faced with a lot of unknowns right now in our profession and what I do know is I will be using picture books as I teach this year.

We hope you can join us in sharing your FAVORITE 10 picture books.  It can be your favorite all time favorites.  It can be your must have right now.  It can be around a theme or topic.  We just wish you luck selecting 10! This all began with Cathy asking me what were my must have picture books. We also understand if now isn't the season for you to join us. We hope you are all safe and healthy.


The Basics
Want to join the conversation? 

  • What:  10 picture books you can't live without.
  • Hashtag:  #pb10for10
  • Hosts:  @mandyrobek (you're here), 
  •             @cathymere (Reflect and Refine: Building a Learning Community)
  • Who:  Anyone interested - 
  •           educators, media specialists, librarians, parents, and book lovers.  
  • When:  Saturday, August 10th
  • Where:  All posts for 2020 will be linked here: Enjoy and Embrace Learning

Here's how you can participate:

  1. Grab a Badge (just copy the URL address of the one above or take a screenshot)
  2. Choose Your Favorites:  All you need to do is choose ten picture books you cannot live without for whatever reason.  In the first days of this event, everyone shared their ten very favorite titles.  This still works.  You will notice, however, that many past participants choose some type of theme or thread to connect their selections.  We'll leave this up to you.
  3. Narrow Your List to Ten:  It isn't easy, is it?  We've seen some crafty ways to get around that number.  
  4. Write Your August 10th Post:  Write a post about the ten books you cannot live without.  Share the link to your collection here, at Enjoy and Embrace Learning, on August 10th.  
  5. No Blog?  No Problem:  If you don't have a blog, this might be the perfect time to start one --- or there are a million digital ways to join.  You could post from a Google page, create a S'more, share in Twitter (and copy the Tweet link), or any other creative idea you may be considering.  We will also be tweeting from the #pb10for10 hashtag.    
  6. Comment:  On August 10th (and maybe for a week --- there are a lot of posts) take some time to read posts from other participants.  Please comment on at least three.


Friday, July 24, 2020

Writing Communities Reflection {SOS: Magic in a Blog}


Retreat. Uncertainty. Slip by. Matters. Pretend.

Clack a few words.

It matters.

Nobody can make it out there alone.



These words jumped off the page in our Open Invitation today.  I think it was written for me.   This space has thrived and this space has sat alone.   I've retreated in some dark times and I've retreated when I've wondered about my teaching practice.  This blog is about writing, sharing, and connecting. I know when this space has been loved; writing communities have helped foster the love.  I've participated in writing communities that post daily and post weekly.  I've formed friendships and gotten to meet writing friends in person.  I've looked forward to reading post and following other's journeys and wonder how things have turned out as they share stories from their lives.  I also continuously learn from the writing others share.  I find comfort in their thoughts and nudges to guide my thinking.

I've participated in writing retreats where I came ready with plans and ideas and wrote several articles.  I love walking away from daily life and have some space to really focus on writing.   Writing communities have stretched me and encouraged me to be brave.  I was so nervous and felt uncertain about my first in person writing retreat.  I was sitting on a cabin porch surrounded by trees and sketchy wifi; embracing the birds chirping and the clacks on my keyboard were dancing with those birds when quietly Ruth Ayers came to my space and asked if we could share it.  I graciously said yes and in reality all I wanted to do was pinch myself and stay really calm because I was totally fan girl crushing it on the inside.  

I've learned over time writing communities and working along the side of others lifts me up and gives me that motivation, desire to be a writer.  Just clacking these random words makes me excited to love this space again; to write, share, and connect.

Thank you for joining me today and each time I write.

Join me as I share my story with

Friday, July 3, 2020

My Wooden Box {Poetry Friday}

a single 
wooden box
entertains
my days

propped in my yard 
near my garden 
inviting 
cavity dwelling birds

for weeks
I chase away
a non-cavity dwelling bird
the house sparrow

passively

gently removing 
their nest
haphazardly created

natural materials
junk; thread, plastic, paper
frustrating to see

patiently waiting
hoping 
for a nest of pine needles

surprise
a nest with twigs
discover
it's a house wren

encouraging

new friend
build male bird build
female wants to 
lay some eggs

house sparrow
returns - building
on twigs

gently removing

patiently waiting

encouraged
my house wren
returns

Mandy Robek @ 2020




Thank you Linda at A World Edgewise for hosting Poetry Friday this week.





Thursday, July 2, 2020

Moving Forward Scares Me {SOS: Magic in a Blog}

Today, as I listened to the governors guidance for school in the fall my mind kept thinking about education and the industrial revolution.  I can't shake the image of students in desks and rows.   I understand the need for human connection.  I understand the need for community.  I understand the need for face to face interactions.  We are still in a pandemic.  The status of the virus hasn't changed and risks of catching it haven't changed.  I don't have any answers.  I just worry the quality of education is at jeopardy with so many health parameters.  I have a whole list of I can't imagines flowing in my head as I"m sure other educators do too.  I pray these decisions won't cause harm and trauma to those directly involved.  

Join me as I share my story with

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

What Do You Do If You Work At The Zoo? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

Zookeepers take care of animals.  I'm confident my students know this and What Do You Do If You Work at The Zoo? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page is perfect for opening their minds to surprising things zookeepers may do.  The top of each page names the job and then the reason for this job is described in detailed with information on the how the job is done.  Do you know zookeepers may impersonate a vulture with a puppet to prevent a baby chick from becoming attached to a human as they prepare it for being released in the wild?  Do you know komondo dragon's can be trained to follow a red ball on a stick so the vet can give it a check up?  There's also different ways zookeepers do enrichment and provide daily health care to large animals.

The end of the book has a few pages with additional nonfiction features.  I enjoyed the list which felt like definition for zookeepers.  There's some information about zoo pros and cons.  A zoo timeline and a list of some top zoos in our world.  Each animal highlighted in the book has a nonfiction paragraph to help readers learn more facts. 

The illustrations in this book are meant to spend time with.  The cut and torn paper collage bring depth and detail.  I love how papers were chosen to show texture.  I'm always intrigued with paper collage and how realistic the animals look.

I'm joining Alyson at Kid Lit Frenzy for Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge.  

Thursday, June 18, 2020

It's Okay to Feel Uncomfortable {SOS: Magic In a Blog}

I don't feel comfortable yet.  I want to say yes and needed to do some research.  I volunteer at our local zoo.  It's a 1.63 mile bike ride downhill there and yes 1.63 mile bike ride uphill coming home.  Volunteers and employees got to visit for two days before they opened to the public.  I went each day with a different daughter.  It was so fun to see the new babies that were born since COVID started; gorilla, gibbons, kangaroo, cheetah, and penguin.  We missed the baby polar bear both days.  While we were there everyone was wearing masks.  Social distancing was being followed.  Everyone there is emotionally connected to the zoo and represent this organization either through employment or volunteering.  It was really joyful to walk outside, spend time with a daughter and do something familiar.  I anticipated volunteering and wanted to do some more research.  

Right now you have to "register" as a member or buy tickets on line as a guest with a timed entrance stamp to help with social distancing and attendance.  Typically the zoo can see 15,000 to 20,000 people in a day and right now the cap is just above 6,000.  It's been tricky to get tickets, there are happy members to be back visiting.  We went yesterday at dinner time, the crowd was less than earlier in the day.  Our first mission was to see the new baby polar bear and he's adorable!  Our second mission was to see what it felt like the public there.  I was shocked at how many visitors weren't wearing masks.  I know everyone has their own opinions on the mask wearing situation and as you visit the zoo you can hear audio guidelines for your visit.  "Wearing masks is encouraged during your stay."  Social distancing was also a bit tricky in spots; six feet is the length of height of a red kangaroo.  I realize seeing a baby polar bear splashing in the water with his mama draws people closer.  I waited back until others were done while others got excited and that red kangaroo shrunk in height.

I visited one of my volunteering spots and just decided I wasn't comfortable with the decisions of others enough to volunteer.  The zoo realizes this and is so supportive and understanding.  I appreciate them accepting the uncomfortable feelings I have.

Join me as I share my story with


Monday, June 15, 2020

you matter by Christian Robinson {Mental Wellness}

you matter by Christian Robinson is a beautiful new picture book for our younger readers and quite honestly I found comfort in reading this text too.  Our lives are filled with things; small and big, going first and going last, doing things and not doing things.  Sometimes things are out of reach and sometimes we fall down.  We may feel sad, lost, or alone.  The message for readers in this book is no matter what happens or how you feel, you matter.  This two word phrase is repeated throughout the text.  I imagine this is a book that I will read slowly and our community will savor the illustrations.  They are done in acrylic paints then pieced together in a collage format.  Warm colors against a white background carefully enhance the text.  For the text, "If you fall down" a shooting star is falling against the night sky headed to Earth.  Sometimes the falling down feels really big and it's okay to have big feelings; you matter.

You can learn more about Christian Robinson at theartoffun.com

Friday, June 12, 2020

Stella Endicott and the Anything -Is-Possible Poem {Poetry Friday}


Poetry can be daunting for some.  It can be daunting for readers.  It can be daunting for writers.  I love when I can find a picture book with poetry woven in naturally and poetry is made to look more easily accessible.  Kate DiCamillo does just that with her newest book, out this month.  Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible is the next installment in the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series, an extension of the adorable fun loving Mercy Watson series.

The begins on the first day of second grade.  Miss Liliana is Stella's new teacher and together they begin a poetry writing unit the second week of school.  The first poem assignment needed to have a metaphor.  Stella feels writer's block and goes to visit Mercy Watson for inspiration.  She's inspired and writers about her moments there.  Her friend Horace doesn't believe a pig sits on the couch and judges Stella's work immediately.  The story continues as their friendship works on this conflict between the two of them.

Readers will learn that poetry can have curiosity and courage.  Poems can have the possible and impossible.  Poetry can have patterns and surprises.  It was really fun to see metaphor examples during the part when Stella and Horace are stuck in the janitorial supply closet.  

Thank you Irene Latham at Live Your Poem for hosting Poetry Friday today.

Thank you Candlewick Press for this advanced readers copy.

Thursday, June 11, 2020

SQUAWK! {SOS: Magic in a Blog}

Walking, wandering, winding down my deck stairs and SQUAWK!  I look to my right and this little creature with a wide open beak is SQUAWKING and I really wondered if it was a baby dinosaur.  I took a quick step away from the deck and started observing this little creature.  It hopped.  It had downy fur? feathers? fluff?  It was blueish, grayish, with a spot of white?  It had a yellow beak.  I listen in more carefully and realize there are other creatures making bigger SQUAWKING sounds.  As I look around, I discover a pair of blue jays hovering and rapidly flying over head.  I look again at my new little friend hopping and barely lifting off the ground.  I start to connect the dots and realize this must be a baby bluejay.  I began wondering if it fell out of the nest a smidge early.  I follow it around the yard a bit and realize the parent pair is following us both so I stop and go back inside.  Later that day I go back out to check on my new friend and I couldn't find it.  I became determined and started looking around the yard more.  I found my new friend and learned my new friend had a sibling.  Two baby bluejays exploring this great big world in my little corner of it.  I sat in the yard for a bit and just watched them.  Maybe we don't have to go away from home to see discover and appreciate new things.

This post was inspired by Ruth's suggestions from last week with stack a series of sounds.  I might of fallen asleep on the couch without hitting publish...oops.

Join me as I share my story with

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Stop and Listen {SOS: Magic in a Blog}

Today we celebrated 17.  It was so nice of her friends to stop by for social distancing visits.  It was nice to see her sister get donuts and lunch with her.  It was nice her other sister came home for dinner. It was nice to know a few friends were coming over for a bonfire in the backyard.  Celebrations right now are so important for everyone.  I just wanted her to feel loved today.

The celebrations above were anticipated and I had a surprise celebration.  I made her cake and in a rush baked all three 9" round tins on the same oven shelf and didn't rotate them.  So, they came out a smidge uneven.  I thought about making them over and talked myself out of it.  A little flip, turn, rotate, frosting and I was determined to make this work.  I started putting together the Most Amazing Chocolate Cake patching in some frosting and as I put on the third layer it started sliding.  I nudge it upwards.  It slid again.  I felt the frustration coming and decide I would make another cake.  In a moment of frustration, I swoop the spatula up against the leaning side and walk away starting another batch of batter.

She's watching my little cake flurry with a friend and they are laughing at me.  I start listening in more and she says, "it doesn't matter what it looks like, it's all about how it tastes.  Who cares if it's crooked?"  I stop and listen.  I reflect and remember when just a couple of years ago everywhere we went she was straightening things hanging on the wall.  It could be in our home, in a doctor office, in a store even.  She left the kitchen.  I add a few more ingredients to the new batter and then I stopped and did some thinking; she doesn't care if the cake is crooked.  I look at the spatula supporting the cake and realize it's not leaning.  We all have growth at year 17 and I made cupcakes instead.

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