Where Is The Summer Going?

So this summer has become a busy one..a good busy though. Since school ended so much has happened. I spent 2 weeks scoring EQAO testing (provincial testing for the little ones). As tedious as the scoring was, I felt that it was a really good experience. My favourite part of the 2 weeks was meeting a handful of colleagues that I now get to call friends. Each day my dear friend Amanda and I would arrive and meet up at break times and slowly our table of two grew to a table of 3, 4...5, 6 and then 7...knowing that we would meet at break kind of helped us get through all the scoring. I'm sure that I will continue to get to know my new friends and I'm really looking forward to our first dinner night!!!

After the scoring was done I returned home and spent an amazing week with two little girls that I truly adore. I've been a Nanny for 2 families in my life (both experiences come with incredible stories) and one of the families are from Barrie. It has been 6 years since I have been the Nanny for Lauren and Victoria. When I was their Nanny they were 3 and 5 years old. I love spending time with the girls so I have spent about a week each summer with them, something they like to refer to as 'Becca Camp'. This week has become a week of adventure, fun, learning and lots of LAUGHTER! I enjoy hearing about their year at school and sharing the things that I have experienced throughout the school year.

I always arrive early Monday morning during Becca Camp to a mini book that acts as an itinerary for the week. This past week included a day of cooking, a trip to the ranch for some horseback riding (both of them had their first experience riding a horse), a pj and movie day, Wonderland and a day of pampering. As you can see below the girls really know how to pamper me...

What I love most about our visits is that the girls feel completely safe to share with me. They tell me how they are feeling, what makes them feel happy, sad, scared and curious. I also love see how much they grow into the women they will be one day...each year they become more beautiful, kind, loving, understanding and respectful. Even though the week we spend together goes by so quickly, I know I will see them again and we will continue to laugh about anything, create little movie theatres. Okay, a little back story here. When I was the girls' Nanny I would help them build whatever they imagined...we built a pretend campfire in the middle of January once (including fake sticks and real marshmallows for roasting), we built a rocket ship that was life size - it had buttons and everything! And, their favourite was the movie theatre - which they continue to run every time I visit. This past week the show was in 3D - so I had to wear a pair of sunglasses for the entire movie.

It means so much to me that they admire the things we did so much that it will forever be a part of their memories and I look forward to creating more as time and age shifts...I wonder what I will be able to convince a 11 and 13 year to build next...

p.s. this week I am running a summer camp that I opened with one of my best friends and colleagues called 'Little Yogi's that Groove n' Give' so my up coming blog will talk about all of the fun adventures from camp this year!
Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LittleYogisThatGroove?ref=hl

A Trip To The Doctors...

Just over a week ago I found myself sitting in my doctor's office waiting for that yearly examination, and of course I was listening in on the conversations around me. I'm happy to report, that all was well there...lol...however, shortly after I found myself sitting in the waiting room for the medical lab for some blood work, I realized that this "medical lab" (shall remain nameless) just wasn't in the business of making people happy. As I was sitting and waiting to be called into a room, a woman walked in and was sent away because what she was asking might have required just a little extra effort on their behalf...

I'm wondering when this place became such a business and why they feel entitled to make us (the clients) feel like we are just a number? Isn't the sheer fact that we may have a particular health concern we might be worrying about that put us here in the first place, enough???

Today's blog goes to the woman who wanted to be cut a little slack in the medical lab...she had made an appointment in the afternoon across town, however was stuck in this building for a couple of hours and was wondering if they could help her out and switch it to this location...she was super polite and hoping to save just a little headache out of her day...however, the medical lab lady thought it was too much of a hassle because she would have to have the paperwork faxed over...pretty sure that is why we have fax machine's...but okay...the lady ended up leaving and I was pretty annoyed by this for the woman, and found myself biting my tongue...lately I just feel so much like I want to speak up for the right things to be done for both myself and others. And believe me, I am the first person to feel empathy and understanding for even the employees and how they are feeling. It just so happens that I've had multiple experiences at medical lab's where the employees just jab you and are so rude.

A few minutes go by and the employee who couldn't be bothered to help the lady out tells me to wait in cubicle 4...I'm thinking "oh great, she's likely going to jab my arm". Then to my surprise this beautiful woman enters my cubicle with a bright smile and restores my faith in the healing arts....she was kind, considerate and patient...all of the qualities it takes to be in the profession. I felt incredibly relieved.

I do think that the medical field needs a huge makeover in the people skills department...there is no need to make people feel stressed, just simply adopt the attitude of being kind, doing what we can with what we have, and maybe...just maybe...exchanging a couple smiles and nice words...maybe I will spend some time advocating for this when I find myself in these situations.

Style Challenge Ends...

For the past three weeks I've enjoyed taking some 'selfies' and checking out the combinations of many beautiful women. Not gonna lie...the summer colours were my favourite...The challenge came to an end this week, and although I won't be seeing these wonderful women in the challenge group every morning, I know that our virtual friendship has just begun! Who knows...some of us might even step it up and meet in person!!!

Just a couple fun pics from the past week...

Okay, this last picture isn't an outfit...however, it is my new favourite (and colourful) summer beverage....Watermelon, Strawberries, Limes and Amaretto...blender...ENJOY!

And of course, check out these awesome women, their amazing words, and fun outfits!!!

Shoe to Shiraz | Just Jordan | Blog by a Herzog | RSquared | Mishaps and Mayhem of Solitary Life |

Grumbling Grace | 2 Teens & Their Mama | The Kelly's |

A Little Lovely Wardrobe | Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy | 

Family Love Inspiration Education | A Little Bit of Life, Love & Fashion |

Foxy's Domestic Side | My Running Stitches | Leading a Colourful Life |

The Best Teacher in Grade One (no offence to anyone...lol)

Alright, so today I found the story...and as I promised...here are some pics of the cuteness :)

It's Her Magic...

The school year ended last week and my student's definitely did their best to make me feel special. They showered me with cards, letters, gifts, and hugs...one of my favourite thank you gifts was this beautiful flower (the colours! right? how'd she know?)

As much as I appreciate gifts from my students, the cards are what makes my heart happy. The notes and kind words from parents thanking me for how hard I worked all year and the printing and writing from my students...and the eraser marks - all because mom and dad said to use their neatest printing. One student decided to write a whole story! This story melted my heart a little...okay...ALOT.

The story started by students wanting to enter my classroom. The little girl literally drew me with a beaming yellow light surrounding me and students calling out..."it's her magic!!!" in speech bubbles. Then there was a picture of the Principal coming by the room shouting "what's going on in here" ...with a secondary speech bubble that had the Principal saying "oh...her magic".
Like really??? The story continued by capturing our class trip to the Science Centre where I got the class lost in a forest (this never actually happened) and we were all found by this "man"...AND...out of no where it becomes a love story...I some how lived happily ever after with the man that found us in the forest...the last picture was myself and this prince charming and hearts all around us...

Okay, I admit it...sometimes I feel like I will never meet my person...but the hope, wonder, and pure love coming from this 7 year old definitely gives me a kick in the butt...because I don't actually know when or where...but it will happen (perhaps in some random forest when I am lost with not 1 but 20  - six and seven year olds...) lol

I really wanted to post a picture of the story today, but somehow in all of the packing of my teaching materials, it has been misplaced. Since I don't know what Grade I will be in next year I had to pack up EVERYTHING. It made me realize how much I have invested in this career (the one that won't even recognize me as permanent yet). Seven boxes, one pack of pre-written poems on chart paper, a classroom mascot, and pack of Mr.Sketch markers later and my basement is packed. All in all I end this school year feeling full of magic that shapes children's lives, a heart happy, and a mind that is curious...will I need my primary, junior or intermediate brain come September?