Remembering the Simple Things in Life

Today, as I was teaching my third graders about verbs and that they were action words, I asked them to think of sentences with verbs. I gave them some help by saying "I love...(fill in the blank). I have one student that was trying to be funny and he said "I love a girl....I love my girlfriend" The class laughed. I said "Man, Valentine's Day sure brings out your crushes!" He along with the class started to laugh. Then all the boys wanted to talk about their crushes, as all my shy girls blushed :). I just thought how young love like that is so innocent and cute. I thought it was cute how boys said so boldly that they actually love a girl and they weren't afraid to share it. This made me think of the simple things in life that can make you smile and feel love.
I remember being their age and lamenting forever over what valentine I wanted to give or not give someone because of what it said on the front. I mean I didn't want the "Be My Valentine" to go to the boy I liked least, yet I didn't want my crush to actually realize I liked him. It is funny, but true how Valentine's Day always seems to bring out the youngsters crushes. These past couple of days when the topic of "love" comes up, I've simply have to nod my head, smile and laugh. How carefree were the days of third grade and what seemed like love to the one you had a crush on?

In math today I had to teach the students how to write a check. By the looks on their faces, you would have thought that I was giving them a million bucks. I guess writing a check has become more of something that I dread than rejoice in. It means another month has come to pass and I must pay the rent, the electric bill ect. I decided to take myself back....I remember being their age and thinking checks were the coolest thing. I mean, adults were able to write them. I remember thinking $20.00 seemed like it could buy anything. It seems that as we get older, we tend to take fore granted the simple things in life-like writing a check. Instead of dreading it, I should be thankful that I have money to pay for all those things I want or need. I know the Lord knew best when he commanded us to be like little children. I have come to know that is by the acts of a child that we can become humble and submissive. I learned today, to take joy in the simple things in life. It is by the simple things that the most happiness will be wrought.

Recent Favorite Quotes by students:

"Can we write a poem about how love breaks?"

"I just can't seem to stop thinking about love with Valentine's Day coming up."

"I have bacon bits up my nose and they're bothering me."

"I'll write a check to you, Miss Dilworth for $10,000 dollars!"

"Can we write a check to Santa Claus? I think he might need the money after buying all of us Christmas gifts."

Student: "I timed myself and did my math facts at the same time!" Me: "You're really that talented?" Student "yep!"

I have a friend who is going on her mission to Alaska and I was telling the students about this.

Student 1:"There are polar bears there, she could get eaten."
Student 2:"There are also wolves there, she could get eaten by that."
Student 3:"You better say goodbye to your friend before she leaves."


I also had a good day, because I got the grant I wrote on donorschoose.org for the things I need to create a reading center in my classroom. I absolutely excited!!