Blending words

At school we "blend" words by writing them sound by sound and then having the kids read them. The next step is for me to give clues about words and then have the kids guess which word I am thinking of. Sometimes, I have the kids make up a sentence about the chosen word.
On Friday, I wrote about 25 words on the board. I gave a clue for one of them and after the kids guessed it, I stupidly asked for a sentence. I thought even as I asked for it, that I could be in trouble, but hoped that maybe they would give a sentence about ants or grasshoppers, because that is the context of the word.
What was I thinking?!?!?


"Mrs. Behrend has been mating with Marki Poo."

Thanksgiving

Well, as the time approaches for families to gather and eat more than they should, it occurs to me that I need to take stock of those things for which I am grateful. In no particular order:
First, I am grateful to have been born into this time of the world's history. Sometimes it is really hard, but I don't think I would have wanted to walk everywhere. I'm glad to have technology like a washing machine, an electric oven and indoor plumbing. I am glad to be a member of the church, and to have had it in my home my whole life. I am glad to be married to the fabulous Marki Poo. I am grateful that he loves me back. I am so happy to have the priesthood so accessible to me by him and my friends. I am thankful for the possibility of an eternal family. I am grateful for the prophet. I love him. I am grateful for the leaders and teachers in my ward and stake.
I am grateful for my family. I get no greater joy than being with them, and no greater sadness than when I see their sorrow. I am even grateful for the challenges I have in my family because when things are not challenging I know they are really great. I am thankful for grandkids. They really make life worth living.
I am grateful for friends. I have good friends. They are supportive and kind. I have friends who I feel are like sisters to me.
I am grateful for my sisters. They are my best friends.
I am grateful for the way I was raised by my parents. They live simply but greatly. They are the best people. They love us all unconditionally, but expect us to be the best we can.
I am grateful that my grandparents are still alive and able to influence my life. I am so thankful for every day we still have them, and that my kids and grandkids know them.
I am grateful that I have a healthy body. I am grateful to be able to hear, to see, to taste, to touch and to smell. I am grateful to be getting stronger. I am thankful to be gaining physical strength.
I am so glad and grateful to be blessed to have a job I love. I am grateful that I have the "world's best class." I am grateful that the kids trust me and that they are willing to risk and try new things, even if they sometimes seem silly. I AM serious about education!
I am thankful to have a family at work as well as at home. I am grateful to be able to rub shoulders with teachers who care so much for what they do, and parents to would do anything to help their kids succeed.
I am thankful that I have a sense of humor. Life would be hard if I didn't find humor in almost everything. I am grateful to have learned how to laugh inside myself when my students or grandkids say something REALLY funny.
I am grateful that I was able to teach the Sunbeams for so long.
I am grateful that I live in a country where I could write a blog like this and not be afraid of negative repurcussions. I am grateful for the slow pace of Blackfoot, Idaho. I am grateful that most of the people I love live within two or three hours of Blackfoot, Idaho.
I am grateful that I have learned things in my life.
I am grateful that when I go to bed, it will be in a bed and will be warm.
I am grateful that I will be able to meet with my extended family on Thursday, and many more times during the holiday season, and that only a few of these meetings will be because of the holiday. Most of the meeting will be for more eternal reasons.
I am grateful that I can walk.
I am grateful that if I want to eat chocolate, I can. I am grateful that I have 18 little voices telling me that if I do, I will ruin my diet.
I AM grateful.