Cokes at work.....

 I have been trying to drink less soda lately. A co-worker brought me a temptation. Thank you for the cokes.

What happened in 2025?

 I have been using Facebook as a social media platform more than my blog. Life has still been happening. There are plenty of pictures and events to celebrate. I just need to get back in blogger mode. One of the biggest things to celebrate this past year are the children I have hosted in my home through foster care. I am still enjoying my teaching. My health has maintained. Cancer hasn't reared its head any more. It has been 3  years and 5 months since my breast cancer diagnosis and 2 years since my lung cancer diagnosis and surgery. Hopefully I will get back on track with some posts. The kids are going well. Evan has moved out of his dad's house. Eliot has been accepted into college. The adult children are all well. The little kids are not so little anymore. Eli is the only one still in elementary school. 4 of the kids went to a Halloween festival last month. Ted drove too and we were able to hang out... Eliot showed up with her boyfriend later. Everything has been very typical lately.

Snow Day

 We got a few inches of snow last night. We had a snow day. The kids were out of school and I didn't have to go to work. Some kids went to Grandma's yesterday. Etta had fun playing.....

 

Some Montessori inspired activities for the toddler classroom....

 I am lucky to work at a school that allows me to explore a lot of learning and teaching styles. I like to borrow a lot of ideas from different philosophies. The Montessori tradition is one of them. I like how many if not all items used in play and learning are real items. Young children enjoy emulating older children and adults. Using household items in play just comes naturally. There is no need to invest in expensive electronics toys or gadgets. Here are a few activities I put together this weekend.