What else don't they understand?

I have a great class this year. We have alot of fun and I forget that many of them are still learning English. For the most part they are all bilingual. They get a kick out of teaching me to speak Spanish and laugh at me when I say words funny. I do however forget that their vocabulary is limited in English.

This morning my students were working and many of them began to talk to each other. So I gave them a little reminder to stay focused on their work. "Ok, get busy." "Boys and girls you need to get busy." After a few reminders, one of my students looked at me and said, "Mrs. Howell what does busy mean?"

Wow! I didn't realize that many of them didn't know what I was talking about. We stopped and talked about "busy". It took me a minute to think about how to describe busy. I showed them how I could be busy and then how not to be busy.

We talked about "busy" all day. One little girl said "Guys do working."

I love my class.

My Today,
Christy

Granny's in the Garage

Back nine years ago my husband's grandmother passed away. She was an amazing woman of God. Everyday she would pray (and I mean PRAY) for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was known as Granny and Big Granny. No other person in this world could make a homemade sweet potato pie like Granny.

Granny loved to go out on her boat, by herself, and fish even though she could not swim. One of her son-in-laws would kid with her and tell her to tie a rope around her waste so if she fell in the lake and drowned, we wouldn't have to drag the whole lake for her body.

Granny lived a long good life. When she died it was hard.

We went up to Sneads, FL for the funeral, saw many friends and family, and returned home to Central Florida.

About two weeks had passed since the funeral, our son Judah came in from the garage. He was about three years old. He announced to everyone that Granny was in the garage. I was confused and for a moment I thought he must have seen someone. I went into the garage, looked around, came back into the house and told Judah no one was in the garage. He assured me that his Big Granny was in the garage.

I took him by the hand and together we went to see Granny.

When we walked in I asked Judah, "Where is Granny?" He pointed at a pile of objects stored in the garage. I was still confused. "Judah, Granny is not out here." "Yes she is." Judah was convinced. "I don't see her", I said. "She is in there," and he pointed.

As I looked at what he was pointing at I realized what he meant. There in front of us was the car top carrier. He thought it was Granny's casket. He thought we had brought her home and stored her in the garage. I don't know how long he thought she had been there. I had to open it an show him we were not keeping Granny in the garage.

My today,
Christy

The Muppets

I loved the Muppets! When I was in high school, I watched them every night. It came on at 7:30 p.m. and I was sitting right there. I loved Pigs in Space. The old guys that would heckle the show were so funny. I would always root for Gonzo when he would try to shot himself out of a cannon. I remember when Ralph would play the piano. Animal and his band were great. Oh! The Swedish Chef was so great! I remember it like this, "Heng borng snorng, Born heng schedo schedo, Heng boar snoar, Heng bork shnork, Heng bork shnork shnork! (With a thick Swedish accent) Today we make a baked chicken. First we need a chicken. Here a chickie, chickie, chickie." And he would chase the poor little chickens around the kitchen.

I'm sure if I do a youtube search I won't have quoted Chef correctly.

I always loved cartoons - Cartoon Saturday! My favorites were Underdog, and Hong Kong Phooey.

That must be why I like working with kids. Kindergarten suits me.

What were your favorites?

My Today,
Christy

90 Years Young

Last night was so much fun. We were privileged to celebrate Gertrude Cale's 90th birthday. Her children honored her and enjoyed an evening with friends and family. There is one thing about this family, they really know how to throw a party. We laughed and joined Gertrude for a dance or two. She has so much energy. When we left at 10:40 pm she was still going.

She gives all women a star to reach for. She is a very classy lady.

My Today,
Christy