Celebrity Look Alike

I have this idea that Will is a Paul Rudd look alike.  I have gotten some agreements but Will has no idea how I can think this.  Naturally, since I think Will looks like Paul Rudd, I love Paul Rudd. Is there not a resemblance?

Perfect

I have never, ever been a perfectionist.  My wall hangings are crooked, my handwriting is sloppy, and I fold clean clothes inside out. And I honestly have to say- I have no problem with this at all.  In fact, I almost like it. How much time have I saved myself by hanging up a shirt inside out when I'm not going to wear it again for weeks? How much anxiety have I saved myself by looking at my wall hangings slightly sideways instead of fussing about them? My baking may be subpar but at least I contribute to the family feasts and I rarely hear complaints. Yes, that is a bleach stain on my shirt but it just assures everyone I'm wearing clean clothes.  (Will especially hates that)

Well something terrible has happened. I think I have developed selective perfectionism.  It first developed at school. I ran to 3 different thrifts stores finding the right materials for my lesson.  Yes, I sanded and painted wooden trains for a 20 minute lesson I will never teach again. No team, you do not have to get anything for Friday's lesson because I got the supplies weeks ago.  Embarrasingly enough, I did bring props for an ungraded 30 second skit.
It hasn't stopped there.  My morning came to a screeching halt when Will cheerfully told me he made the bed.  With a quick "thanks" I couldn't get in there quick enough.  The sheets were not hospital corners, the pillows were all wrong, and there there was a gap at the foot where quilt meets bedskirt.
Another day, I appointed Will to swiffer the entry way.  30 seconds later he's done.  Sure enough, he had "pulled a Mae" and strategically swiffered around every flung shoe, rug, even shoelace on the floor. 
Normally, that would be ME.  And I was almost jealous! How carefree! 

I have decided, before it gets to late I'm picking my battles.  I can be a perfectionist about school and I will allow myself the bed because I like it looking nice.  But enough is enough.  I started out as the kid writing over mistakes and forgoing the eraser and I plan to keep that in me as much as school, grades, and being a wife tries to break me into this perfection nonsense. 
I watched my big brother sand all four walls of his bedroom one summer just because he thought the walls weren't flat.  No one was allowed to sit on his chair because of the three books he displayed in a fan-like formation on the seat.  My sister scrubs her floor everyday and my dad used to clean his car tires with a toothbrush.  I won't do it! I have to keep these people sane. :)

Nothing is perfect.

Life is messy.

Relationships are complex.

Outcomes are uncertain.

People are irrational.

           -Hugh Mackay

If people are going to work with kids...a vent.

If people are going to continue to work with kids they need to pick up a book, take a class, or tap into their common sense.

A one year old has only been in the world for ONE YEAR.  Their toy being stolen is a big deal in their tiny world.  Don't act annoyed.

Just because their parents are psycho doesn't mean they don't deserve love.

A snuggle can go along way.

You can never use "too many" diapers.  If they are sitting in their own filth, they need it changed.

They are not adults, so don't talk to them like adults.

If they are crying, hold them.  It's not a bad thing to hold kids.

They wear their emotions on their sleeves; don't ruin this; acknowledge their bumps and cries.

If someone grabbed you up in the dead of your sleep... you would freak too.  How scary.  Be gentle.

My name is not Mae, it's Speedy Spike.

Each day I am with at least one age group of kids and I am slowly figuring out my favorite age to be with.  Just when I have my age preference picked, the other class I am in does something that melts my heart and makes me think I HAVE to be a part of this experience during my career.  As much as I was set on second grade a year ago, I continue to fall in love with the tots at work.  As of yesterday morning the 4-5 room has my heart.  This week they have been really into "secret names".  These were how the majority of our conversation went yesterday morning and it kept me completely entertained.

Noah (in my ear): I have a secret name and you can't tell ANYBODY.
Mae:  I promise, pinky promise.
Noah: Copy Cat, I'm a Villian but a nice one.
Mae: Can I have a secret name?
Noah:  You are Speedy Spike.  You can run real fast and you throw spikes.
Mae:  Only foam spikes and at trees though. :)

Although it was his SECRET name, he only responded to speedy spike the rest of the day by everyone.
----
Mae: Rya, will you play blocks with me?
Rya: My name is NOT Rya.
Mae: Oh, what is it?
Rya:  Strawberry Shortcake Rainbow Purple-icious.
Mae: Strawberry shortcake rainbow purple-icious, will you play blocks with me?
Rya: Yeah, I will.

Her identical twin sister chose the name Strawberry Shortcake Rainbow PINK-ilicious Grape.
Rya said she could not have grape in her name because people would try to eat her.  Mya dropped the grape.

Later Copy Cat told me he was going to Minnesota after school... "I tell ya, I love MN.... I tell ya."

Video Montage

I have always wanted to make a video montage so last night I put my to do list aside and worked with what little material we had on our flip cam.  Here are the results:

PS.  Please make sure your volume is up and keep in mind this is my first video montage :)

Will and Mae's 2010

Will you be my Valentine?

On Friday I spent the morning in the four's room at the child development center of UNI and we were all reminded of the upcoming holiday.  The class is "studying" Europe and the lesson for that day was about the queen.  While the teacher was showing off a picture of the queen and pointing out the shiny crown a little boy exclaimed: 

"My Mama says she LOOOVEEES shiny things!"

Perhaps Mama has been leaving a few hints for Daddy....?  

__________________________________________

Although I would have loved to spend the day snuggling my Valentine, Monday duties still called but I did come home to flowers and a teddy bear.  Will received a little craft of his own and we called for take out.  After work I put my snot/poop/blood and pee clothes out of sight and put on some red jammies.  Because of the holiday, I think I can talk Will into watching twenty minutes of The Bachlor with me :).  I love my Valentine and if this is what the next 100 February 14th's have in store for me I have no complaints.  

Title by Reader

I have no words left in me.  Writing papers is the new sleeping.  My update to you is to be through photo.  Will with his business, me with my school.  This is what we do.  This is our hub.

Perhaps a bit dramatic... we do allow ourselves some social time.  We tried out a new sushi (ew) place with friends the other weekend:

Visit the new business! www.alkaliscientific.com
It's slightly under construction, but it's really coming along.