What Do I Like?

This journal post is more of a reflection on things that I like in order to to embed them into my everyday life. Here's a top 10 list...
1. Medallion hunting/Clues & searching
2. My friends
3. Puzzles
4. Being outside
5. New experiences
6. Gardening/making things grow
7. Sports
8. Nice & happy people
9. Sensory things-sense of touch
10. A warm sunny beach...eh, throw a beer in there too:)

Okay, so not ALL of these are appropriate for my Kindergarteners, but it's definitely a start. I love writing down my top 10 list. I'm sure I will think of many more AFTER I post this. Oh well.

What are some of your favorite things?

Friends at work...WHAAAAATTTT????

This is definitely an area that I am BLESSED with!! Yes, I actually have FRIENDS at work who I LOVE to be with on a DAILY basis. I feel like this is such a rarity, especially in a setting where you spend most of your days with five and six year olds! Who has time for that? Here are some things that my team does to support each other and actually have FUN together:

• Plan together once each week. Everyone gets on the same page and has a common bond. 
• Discuss successes and growth areas 
• Go out to Happy Hour together
• Plan a dinner
• Celebrate birthdays
• Make goals together
• Be silly together
• Team teach
• 'Teacher Swap Day!!"
• Be a TEAM
• Have lunch together

Sweet Dreams PeoPle!!

Have you ever felt the end of the day you would like to lay down in dark room and just shut everything out? Do you have the energy to move on to the next activity? Are you tired....a lot??

If this is you, my friend, here are some suggestions to taking care of YOU, because it is not selfish to take care of yourself. By taking healthy steps forward, even basic needs like getting enough sleep, can and will make your days go better. I know that when I get enough sleep I am more PATIENT, thoughtful, and a better problem solver. But why is it so hard to get enough?? Here are some suggestions to get enough sleep:

• Make a bedtime routine (make next day's lunch, clean up, wash up, etc....)
• Make your sleep space only for sleep (don't bring work there)
• Drink some herbal tea to aid in sleeping
• Have a notebook next to your bed to jot anything down that you suddenly 'remember' while you are falling asleep
• Now this one works for me, so think of something boring yet tedious (like counting sheep) to help you fall asleep. I always rearrange my classroom in my head, I fall right asleep and have yet to actually rearrange my class room. :)

Living in P(ee) ?

Can you believe I am 'Living in P'? I am just throwing it out there that this is an intentional play on words. However, some may think that teaching Kindergarten, I may be ACTUALLY Living in Pee! Let's just say it...yes, Kindergarteners do pee outside of the toilet sometimes! Yikes!! 

But, there are so many other things that make Kindergarten great!! They are curious, literal, funny, excitable, energetic, and much, much more! I am working toward seeing the POSITIVE in each day rather than point out the negatives. By loving the end of each day I know that I will BELIEVE my job is the best in the world!

Practicing to be Positive!

There have been countless days that I leave the Kindergarten classroom at the end of the day and I think to myself 'What was even good about this day?'. Honestly, my first thought was 'Nothing, nothing was good. The kids were loud, little 'Susie' was naughty again, and there were so many tears at choice time today'. Many days I felt defeated and worn out. 

Then I would go home to my children (both VERY high energy) and muster up the energy to cook dinner and try not to yell at them. Again, my self-worth was going down the drain. I knew something needed to be changed. 

So, in sweeps the first of my mantra ' Be Positive'. Now, my goal today is to change those thoughts of defeat to focusing on what was great about the day. My goal this coming school year is to leave the day and say at least three things that went great about the day. They may not always outweigh the downs, but if I can focus on the positive then I know my attitude will change. 

I did some research and wanted to share what I found about how to be positive even in the worst circumstances. Please answer the questions, what is your key to staying positive in dire situations?  

Welcome to Living Life in P!

Hello PeoPle!!

Thanks for visiting Living Life in P! This blog was/is started to help remind me about my mantra (hint, hint...all P words), which is 'Be Positive, Patient, and Persistent'. 

Not only will this be for my teaching life, but the goal is to support my health life, social life, and family life. Thank you for joining me while I try to bring these words to life and share but successes and challenges along the way.  

But the question is, what is your mantra? 

What is something reassuring that you repeat to yourself to calm you down or lessen anxiety? Here are some tips to making your own mantra.