Texas Children's Hospital

Sorry it's taken me so long to get around to posting about this, but I've been busy (I sound like a broken record, I know haha). Last week was my first week volunteering at Texas Children's Hospital. I am SO excited about this volunteer position, I really think I am going to love it!

I shadowed someone last week to get a feel for the hospital and what to do. The lady I shadowed has been there 11 years, so she knew everything there was to know. The whole thing is really laid back, which I really like. Basically they have this board with cards with kids information on them. These are kids whose parents have requested someone come in or the nurse has. The card has their name, their age, and their sex. You choose a few you want to visit, dig through the closets to find some games or books that a child that age might like, then you go visit them. You can hang out with them in their room and play games and chat, or if they are able, you can take them to the play room on the floor. Some are just babies, so you just hold them (um, my personal favorite! haha). If a nurse needs help keeping a kid distracted, you can pop in help. Like I said, very laid back. The point is just to hang out with kids when the parent needs a break, or when there is no one there with them.

Tomorrow will be my first day by myself. I'm a little nervous, but I also can't wait. I'll keep you posted on how it goes (though I can't guarantee it will be any time this week haha)

Project 365 - Week 10

Shots from week 10:

Check Yes or No

Two funny stories from my day:

Our district made the decision that students in grades K-5 needed to do a science project, complete with trifold board, every year. K-3 can do a class project, while 4 and 5 make their own for the science fair. Yesterday we completed our project and found out which packing material was the most protective by wrapping eggs inside each type, dropping them from a given height, and then recording what happened. The kids LOVED it! It was so much fun!

Anyway, I took some pictures while they were doing it to put on our board. Today we worked on putting all the information together. I have a boy in my class who is a twin. He comes up to see the pictures I printed to glue on and he notices one of him and completely serious he says, "hey! That looks like (insert twin brother's name here)". I laughed and said of course it does. He then went on to say, "it's so weird, even when we were babies in pictures he looks like me. I never know if it is him or me." I just laughed out loud. Um, of course it looks like your brother, you are identical twins! Too cute!

I don't think I've blogged about it yet, but I have a love triangle going on in my second grade classroom. Little boy A loves little girl. Little boy B loves little girl. Little girl likes both boys. Little boy A is constantly worried about what little boy B is doing with little girl. Today, little boy A comes up to me and looks completely heartbroken. I ask what is wrong and he shows me this note he has given to little girl:

This of course led to a discussion about no kissing at school, but only after I took a minute to contain my laughter. Little boy B volunteered to be my spy (I totally didn't ask). He said he was making sure to watch them at all times because he is worried this might happen if he looks away.

These kids are 8 years old! Goodness gracious!

Project 365 - Week 9

I am so incredibly behind ... I'm behind in blogging, posting photos, writing lesson plans, grading papers, pretty much everything. I just can't keep up. This is my fault of course, as I have taken to spending my time having fun rather than sitting home and working or laying around or worrying etc. It's a good thing, but I have to admit, I am extremely behind in pretty much every area of my life at this moment. I need some catch up time desperately. That's sort of what I'm doing tonight. I'm playing catch up ... or at least I'm trying to.

So, here are my photos from last week ... finally!

Hopefully I'll get around to doing some blogging soon. I keep starting posts and then not having time to think them through and finish them. I guess at the very least, next week on the plane to Colorado I can get some things ready to post. Speaking of which, I freaking cannot wait to go see my dad and go snowboarding next weekend! YAY :)

Project 365 - Week 8

Here are my shots from this week for Project 365. There were a few days this week it was harder to get a shot in because I was pretty busy (and the weather wasn't so good many of the days), but I managed.

Photoblog Obsession

I have a new obsession: photoblog. I admit it, I literally can spend hours upon hours on that site! I just LOVE looking through other people's photos for inspiration. There are so many great photographers out there with such great ideas! Plus, it's like this awesome little community. I used to think it was ridiculous that people could "make friends" online. Through whatever the medium, a game, a messenger service, etc, it just seemed unlikely to me. How can you be friends with someone you've never even met but only talked to online? Apparently, you can. I have all kinds of new photoblog friends! They comment on my pictures, and send me messages, and I look forward to hearing from them every day. Sounds weird, but it's sort of nice. Plus, apparently they don't think I suck, because they take some awesome pictures, and yet they seem to think mine are really good. That's pretty encouraging

In other news, I am a total drama queen. You know this, and I know this. I sort of had a mini mental breakdown this weekend (which was hardly anything compared to years past). I did some serious overreacting and pouted like a baby. BUT, all is fine now. No need for tears. As I mentioned, things are changing. That's sad because it was good before; but, it's good now too, and it's going to be good in the future. All is well :)

project 365 - Week 7

Here are shots from week 7 of project 365. Honestly, I'm surprised I've made it this far without missing a day. I thought for sure I would have failed by now. So far, so good though.