A day of rest

You guys are so funny!!!

But let me explain.

I have this disease....

I think they call it ADHD. lol

Seriously. My mom said the only way she could keep me "normal" as a kid was to keep me in sports...so I played softball and soccer and was in the band...sometimes I was on TWO soccer teams or softball teams. And when I was a senior in high school (well, I didn't go to my HS my senior year bc I hated my HS, so I enrolled in the Comm. College and ended up graduating with my AA and my HS diploma at the same time), I was a full time student at the Comm. College, worked a 40 hour job at JCPenney, was a Kinder teacher aid every morning until noon, volunteered at a church preschool a few days a week, AND I still had a social life.

So see??? I CAN NOT sit still!! lol.

I think I'm happiest when I'm all stressed out with TONS on my plate, you know? Like, this time last year...In a week's span, I was writing my FINAL paper for my master's class, closing on our house - AND we had to move in because my parents were coming in THREE days to visit...but our house needed EVERY room painted(trust me, it was GROSS!), and we needed new carpet, and new bedroom furniture (trust me...my furniture? my mom dusted when she was a kid, so it had lived it's life...lol) AND my husband was turning 30 that week too, so I was planning his party - ahhh!!! lol

My  mind is constantly going and I get anxious if I sit without multitasking on the computer and watching tv AND playing with A...lol. Seriously...I have bitten my nails ever since I can remember...like, I'm talking since I was 7 years old, as my way of being able to stay calm when needed...lol.


this is me..seriously...Hubs asks me all the time if I'm hungry or he can get me something to eat bc my fingers are always in my mouth! I turn it into a positive thing and say that is why my immune system is like a rock! lol

BUT, I will let you know that yesterday, I took a Saturday off....well, from creating anything anyway. I did not create anything new for school...even though I'm into my Seuss theme right now...what can I say? I'm obSEUSSed..lol. I got into in college when I realized there was a Read Across America in March, and 10 years later, I'm still going strong! lol

AND I did not craft or bake anything either!

Instead, my friend came over with her son and he and A played while we caught up...and then A napped and I laid on the couch with B and watched a movie!! Did you hear that Kristin?? I did it!!!

Well, until.....some knocked on my door looking for someone who used to live here a YEAR AGO...which of course made the 100 pound dog bark, which in turn made the 2 year old get up from her nap early...so, I didn't actually get to watch the whole movie, only an hour of it.

Then...because I'm SICK, when A and I were on the front porch, playing in the mulch..lol, I noticed the rocking chairs and porch railing were rather disgusting, (can you say HOLY POLLEN SEASON??), so what did I do??? Went and got a hose and scrub brush and CLEANED my front porch and chairs!!
I'm sick... I know...
Wait...
It gets worse....
A got all wet and dirty from playing in the hose and dirt...no it's not mud. We don't have mud in FL.
So she wanted to take a bath...well, as I was filling up her bathtub, I noticed it needed to be cleaned...so what did I do??? I started cleaning the bathrooms!!! ALL 3 of them...lol.

So, I promise I'm not trying to be an over achiever on here...lol. I just can NOT stop my mind or my body....until about 9/10:00 at night, and then I crash....hard.

However...

I fear that when I go back to work (on the 27th!), I may disappear for a while...or not show up as often...or not create as often, even though I have ideas coming out the ying yang to create...lol.

I have to admit. I'm quite excited about going back to work.  I miss it. Teaching is such a part of who I am. and I LOVE my job, I really do...not every day, of course. But after almost 10 years of teaching, I actually like it more now then I did when I first started....

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being home with my baby girls too, but I KNOW they are in good hands when I'm back at work. Daddy is home 2 out of 3 days and I have a friend who watches them the 3rd day. And I'm home pretty early...usually no later than 3:30 most days, so I have good amount of time to hang out with them after work.

Ok, so since I had a day of rest yesterday, does that mean I can get off the couch now?? lol

I think I'm going to go to Office Depot today to print up some things...with my 25% off coupon! boo-yah!

Hope y'all have a super Sunday!


OH! I have a quick question/survey.... please answer if you have a thought.

What is the difference between Fry's words/phrases Lists and the Dolche words/phrases list??  Why would one prefer one over the other?
My Reading Coach asked me a while ago if I had one of the lists and at the time, I only had the other on hand...and she said she really didn't like that one.
And I see some people in Bloggyland that use mainly one over the other.
I'm curious.

Thanks!

19 comments

Jessica said...

You made me tired just by reading all the things you do. I have to say I am the same way. I am the same way by family and friends keep telling me to slow down and realize how busy I am and that it is okay to take a break. I have a hard time watching a movie. Glad you at least attempted one. :)

I use dolch words over Fry's phrases but I don't have a great reason. It is just that it is easier to focus on just the word with most of my students. I know it would be helpful to use the phrases once my students had more practice with the words so they are actually getting practice using the word not in isolation. Enjoy your last week at home with your girls!
Jessica

Apples and Papers

Holly said...

I don't even know what list I use - I use whatever comes in my word wall words that I cut out, laminated and put on my wall {I purchased at the teacher store}. I also "supplement" with words that my district sends out to us {most are in my store purchased pack, but some aren't - so I just make them} and still others I add on my own because they aren't on either list, but my kids keep using them in their writing or seeing them in their books but they are nowhere to be found, so I make those too. I have no idea what list they come from ... I'm gonna guess Dolch.

You sound just like my best friend...she goes, goes, goes....rarely rests and relaxes. I'm a mover and a shaker too...but I definitely know how to rest {I just need to turn the mental "to do list" off in my mind...because as I'm "relaxing" I'm usually fretting over what needs to be done}

Holly
Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade

Unknown said...

I'm exhausted just reading what you did on your day off!!! That's a day off?!?!?!?!! haha
I WISH I had your energy levels!!!!

Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

❤ Mor Zrihen from...
A Teacher's Treasure
Teaching Treasures Shop

Holly said...

Oh, and I say that my immune is so dang strong because of biting my nails too. Such a horrible habit - they are actually long right now...not for long though.

Holly
Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade

Unknown said...

Oh my!! I wish I had your energy!
So you return to work and I will be strating my maternity in about a month... maybe I'll have more energy once this 30 pound baby is outta my belly! Hehe!

I use Dolch words because that's what works for me. I'm sure both are good ;)

✿Valerie
Grow Up Learning
Grow Up Learning Facebook Page

SunnyDays said...

So I have no kids and sat on my rump all day yesterday. Seriously, we need to be friends in real life, we need to hang out. I need you to rub off on me!!
You are invited over any time you want. I'll let you cook, clean or even craft in my craft room! lol!
Denise
Sunny Days In Second Grade

Unknown said...

Holy Busy Batman! You are like the Tasmanian Devil (except not destructive, rather productive.) Ha! Is there an opposite to ADHD that isn't called LAZY? That would be me. You accomplish more in one day then I do in a week!

Also, our grade level uses the Dolch list, however my reading coach wants us to do away with it altogether?? I have no idea why. She tells me that it is unnecessary to teach these words. I was shocked! Unless she can give me DATA to prove her position, I'm not buying it!

Unknown said...

Just reading your list made me get up and load the dishwasher!!

I just use whatever words I want... sorry useless answer.

lol.


Rachel
Ms. Rachel’s Room

Amy said...

WOW! I am pretty active too, but you win for sure!!!! I wish I had that much energy.

Our school uses Fry's words. I really don't understand why one is better than the other either.

Amy
Krazy About Kiddos

Miss Squirrels said...

"We're not worthy! We're not worthy!"

You are pretty amazing-
Whenever my mom knew of someone who was a little spectacular she was always say, "Honey, there's a special place in Heaven for you!"

I bet there is one for you, too, Jen. I just hope it's really clean and already decorated- or you'll never get ANY rest!!!!
Staci

Going Nutty!

misssquirrels@yahoo.com

Amber @ Adventures of a Third Grade Teacher said...

You're never ending energy cracks me up!

Adventures of a Third Grade Teacher

YearntoLearn said...

One word for you...Wow!
Don't know how you do it all.


Yearn to Learn Blog

Kristin said...

I hear you, I hear you! But I don't think it counts!!! :) I do understand your need to keep moving. I don't think mine is as far over on "the spectrum" as yours, but my hubs tells me I need to relax all of the time.
I cracked up over the porch thing and the bathroom thing. That happens to me all the time. I'll think, "I'm just going to clean up this area right here" and the next thing I know, I'm wearing rubber gloves and cleaning trash cans. Or mailboxes. So I HEAR YOU!!!!
Enjoy your day of . . . multi tasking!!! :)
A Teeny Tiny Teacher

Laura said...

So impressed with your energy! Okay, I only know this because I spent 3 years in Curriculum. Dolch compiled a list of the most common sight words for kids around 1930. Fry did the same thing in the 1990s then he put his in order of frequency. Just fyi: They were both named Edward. Ha!

Laura
llmartin305@gmail.com
Peace, Love, and First Grade

Erika said...

Jen, you crack me up! I used to be like you before I got sick. Now I mostly think about doing all those things if I had the energy. I will miss you when you go back to work if you aren't around as much. Thank you for creating all the wonderful school things and recipes for us non-ADHD (lazy) people! :)

2B Honey Bunch
The Best Endings

Traci Clausen said...

I am told ALL the time to just sit still, relax, take a break... but SERIOUSLY - reading that made me tired! Have you ever hit "the wall" and crashed? Seriously crashed... like I can.not.move.a.single.thing? Just remember, the higher the climb, the longer the fall. You REALLY do need to take some time off - even if it's for a few hours!

But I get it, the energy just flows when you are doing things you love.

Enjoy the rest of the full-time you have with the girls. I can't believe it's almost over. Can't imagine how you feel.
Dragonflies in First

Traci Clausen said...

OH, here's my 2 cents regarding your sight word question...

What I understand is Dolche came first with a minimal list of high frequency, irregular words. Then Fry came along and expanded on that list and put them in order of occurrence (most often used to least). In the end, they contain the same words, but Fry's list was an improvement because it exposed the kids to words in the order most commonly seen in texts. I believe the two are pretty much interchangeable at this point.

Personally, I don't prefer one over the other and I use a combination of those irregular words and words that could be "sounded out" but are seen a lot (high-frequency) as my sight words because I want the kids to build as much fluency as possible.
Dragonflies in First

Journey of a Substitute Teacher (Ms. T) said...

Sheesh girl, you definitely need to rest! Lol :) And my friends give ME a bad time about the cooking/crafting I do.


Journey of a Substitute Teacher

Michelle Tsivgadellis said...

You are too funny! The cleaning attack could be "Spring fever" coming a little early!...we might all have it (-;

Michelle
The 3AM Teacher

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