Yesterday I was a rock star.
After creating a lesson plan and presenting that lesson to a group of my cohorts (((who had to pretend to be six and seven year olds (my lesson was teaching near-doubles addition to a first grade class (what is a near-double? you ask – 4+4, and 2+2 are doubles so 4+5 and 1+2 are near-doubles. I demonstrated using fun snap blocks I stole barrowed from the boys))), I had to go home and write a four page paper highlighting my reflections on the activity. (Wow, I have never done whatever that was I just did with parenthesis before. I am not sure what this says about me other than I am both tired and feeling a little goofy. Try and stay with me.) The four page paper was on top of reading three rather long case studies, writing short reflections on them, and preparing to discuss them in class. I could have put off writing the paper until tonight as today was the last day this class will meet and the professors extended the paper deadline to midnight tonight.
But I decided to be a rock star and get it all done yesterday. Why did I do this?
I did it so that today I could pick the boys up from the babysitter early and go do this:
It was a scorching 71 degrees this afternoon so we packed up some sand toys and treats and headed to the beach. We, meaning me, lounged on the beach for hours enjoying both the sun and watching the boys simply be kids. They spent most of the time building dams, and sandcastles and looking for wishing rocks.
A wishing rock, for those of you unfamiliar with the term, is a rock that has a ring of another type of rock infused within it that goes all the way around to form a circle. When I asked Cody what he wished for after throwing his wishing rock into the water he scoffed at me and informed me that it was against the law to tell anyone what you wished for. Carter, who is apparently not so law abiding, whispered to me that he wished for a thousand pizzas. Not a bad wish, if you ask me.
As I tossed my wishing rock into the waves I wished for confidence and strength for not only the upcoming year but for the many years to come as I navigate my way through what I know will be a most challenged and rewarding career change.
Shoes On The Wrong Feet 
I wish for you the same, and many more lovely days at the beach like this one! Great pics…
Thank you. There is nothing in the world like being at the beach. Somehow everything slows down and is just as it should be when I am on the beach.
Wonderful post and best of luck!
Thanks. I am chugging right along, half way through summer classes and feeling good about it.
Wishing the same for you, Mama Shoes…the pizzas sound good, too! 😀
Thank you. I wonder if I can change my wish for a thousand bowls of ice cream and then Carter and I can share… 🙂
Great pics.
Glad you were a rock star and were able to enjoy some quality family time. It’s important to be able to get away.
Thanks! I love the beach. I have been really trying to compartmentalize schoolwork from home whenever I can so when I am with the boys, my mind is fully with them as well. It is not an easy thing to do but I work at it.
Definitely challenging. I hope you can find a way to swing it though as it is worthy goal.
sounds like a wonderful few days and I think I will start looking for wishing rocks too
After I wrote and posted this, I happened to notice that right here on my little desk (which is actually my mom’s old sewing table, sits a wishing rock. I have no idea where it came from although I suspect Carter (who is quite fond of rocks) found it, brought it in, and left it for me. I think I will hang on to it and mull over my next wish.
May you find many a wishing rock…
thanks … not sure Berlin is the right place for it but am sure in Dublin I’ll find some on the beach
What a wonderful day with your boys! It’s funny how sometimes being extra busy makes you more efficient and appreciative of the bits of down time that you do have. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
How right you are. I think that the boys are pretty good motivators for me to get my schoolwork done so I have time for family.
That’s a great wish. I sure hope it comes true.