Silver Linings - Installment 2

So apparently I am taking pictures of EVERYTHING while we're not in school. I am trying to get outside at least once or twice a day when the weather cooperates. Today's 30+ mile per hour wind gusts make it a little less fun to be outside, but at least the sun is shining!

Today, I had the opportunity to meet with the 5th grade team, and then we also met this afternoon with the 5th grade team and Mrs. Starr! I haven't seen her except while passing each other at the CCE Parade a couple of weeks ago. (Seriously, though - it feels like forever). That is definitely one thing I miss about being able to be out in public around people. I miss talking with friends. What is something you really miss? Have you found a way to make it better? Meeting online is better than not talking at all, so we'll go with that until we're allowed to see each other.

However, being away from school means we have more time at home and with our families. What is something you've seen lately that you might have missed had we been in school? I have been absolutely LOVING seeing Spring unfolding and changing every day. Looking back, I wish I had taken a picture of the tree outside my living room every day so I could have put together a time-lapse video. That would have been cool. Perhaps I'll plan ahead to try that with something else, like seeds I plant in my yard. I'll try planting sunflower seeds over Spring Break, though I have a really bad record of growing sunflowers. Every time the seeds sprout, something eats them! One year, I planted about 30 sunflower seeds, and they all sprouted. None grew past 1" tall because they were all eaten. Argh!

After watching the CCE News this week, I am wondering what makes you smile? What have you been happy about lately? I know many of you are enjoying the Quizizz games, and more of you are enjoying chatting in the Classroom during school hours. Several of you are cooking and baking, and your creations look and sound AMAZING!! Perhaps we should create a 5th Grade Cookbook and share recipes. I think I'll ask the team about doing that! Nila's brownies and Mikey's vanilla cake with lemon icing both sound excellent. Between today's meetings, I just baked a "Burnt Basque Cheesecake." It's not pretty, but apparently, it's supposed to look like this! My house smells delicious, and I can't wait until it cools down to try it!

What ELSE are you doing that is making you happy? Besides baking, I've been taking (MANY) pictures on my walks around the neighborhood. My poor phone's memory is probably crying right now!) I'll share a few more photos with you here. Before I leave you, though, I want you to think about something that makes you happy. Focus on that, especially when you might be having a stressed or blue moment. You can't often control what is going on around you, but you can choose how you respond. Look for the positives! Thinking of all of my students (past and present) and families right now. Miss you all!!