TED talks...

'A three year old is not half a six year old. They're three'.

'Creativity is as important as literacy'.

My favourite TED talk... take a listen.

 

horoscopes are my fave....

I really want to be a Frankenstein beauty queen! Love it.  Halloween is my most favourite time of year... is it yours too?? I kind of dropped the ball this year, I didn't realize it was this weekend.. this new job has consumed me, all of a sudden October is over. Yikes. I think instead I'll stay in, drink a bottle of champagne and watch Beetlejuice. Keeping eyes open for ugly treasures in November. Love that idea.

[p.s. jesus, sorry it's so offensively big. can't seem to fix that]

deep thoughts...

I walked back into the classroom today after lunch... a three year old came over and put this picture in my hand. 'Here', he said. 'This is your brain'. 

inspiration.

I have a few things to share....

+ we had a dance party this afternoon at daycare.  It was wicked. When it's a childs birthday at daycare the teachers ask them what they would like to do to celebrate their birthday.  Not what they want... but what they want to do.  Love that. So today, I worked the early shift, which meant I got to decorate M's locker with balloons [she turned 4, she's Japanese, so insert the most adorable Japanese name you can think of here], I made her a sign for the front door [both her requests], we made a cake during small group time, and this afternoon we had a dance party.  It totally ruled. I wish I could post the pictures, but I think you can probably imagine it.

+ also, I've been meaning to share this for weeks but keep forgetting. At any other centre I've worked at, when it's time to tidy up the teachers start singing the god awful tidy up song... something resembling 'clean up, clean up, every-body, every-where, clean up, clean up, every-body, every-where'.  It's affective but also awful.  My first day at the new place I watched in awe and fascination as one of the teachers put on this::

All 21 children immediately stopped what they were doing, dropped whatever toy they were playing with and ran to the carpet area.  They all sat down, closed their eyes, and began to pretend to play the piano along with the music.  For the entire duration of the song. And it gets so good at the end and they get so so into it.  It is so amazing to watch.  They're encouraged to close their eyes and feel the music.  It slows everyone down, gets everyone on the same page, allows for a nice relaxing break, and then everyone has re-grouped before clean up time.  I love love love love it.  Today was my first time to 'lead' the experience.. I hit play and watched them all descend on the carpet and start to play their imaginary pianos.  And I was reminded why I do what I do.  Because it's freakin awesome. I'd love for all of you to come to our classroom and take a look for yourselves.  It's completely inspiring.

blargh.

I love Toronto, it's always been one of my favourite cities. People love to bash Toronto, and I'm not really sure why.  I always ask those who have negative things to say... have you been there? Have you actually spent any time there? Usually the answer is no, which leads me to believe (like voting) if you don't do it... you don't get the right to complain about it, ya know?? Anyway... today I'm wondering, Toronto, what the hell happened? It's been many years since I've lived in the city, but I'm fortunate enough to be able to travel back every year. So maybe a lot has changed that I am unaware of, but man.... this guy for mayor? Immigration, equality, public transportation, the vitality, health and well being of the biggest city in our country??? hmmm... that's pretty freakin bleak.

I'm reading Douglas Couplands new book, Player One, right now.... reading is an understatement, devouring it actually.  And in it, he wisely implies that things are going to get much much worse before they get better.  So... let's just patiently wait with our fingers crossed for the eventual moment when we seem to climb our way out of the shit hole that we appear to be marching straight into. Let's hope for that.  Read about it here.  It's fabulous.  I love it.  In particular, number 34 speaks to me.

On another note, I'm having a really shit day at work.  All around.  I hate days like today.  So... not to be complete doom and gloom.. let's add some sunshine to our lives on this bleak Tuesday.  Here are a few gems ::

Have a nice afternoon friends.

once there was a boy....

One of my favourite things about the work that I do is having the opportunity to embrace and be surrounded by children's literature. Books, music, singing, dancing... those are my most favourite parts of the day and usually are the basis of my interactions with kids.  I love story-telling, whether it be books, stories of my own, or those that the children choose to share with me. This lovely little book here is one of my all time faves ....

Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers

...  the story begins, "once there was a boy and one day he found a penguin at his door'. Perfect. It's so lovely and funny too.  And to my sheer joy and delight, I recently discovered that they've made it into a short film, and based on this trailer.. on my, it looks magical.

And if you're really digging all of this, check out this fun video about the author.  He's Irish! He has a great mustache! I love it!

 

balance.

My mantra lately is balance. It's funny how sometimes when you're thinking about something, or working through something... all of a sudden you see examples and inspiration all around you.  I think often what we need is sitting patiently, waiting right in front of us, or maybe just off to the side, but we're just too busy and too consumed to notice.  When we slow down and make space, then things seem to magically enter, at just the right moment. Anyway... blah blah... back to the point. I've been all over the place for quite some time now. Mentally, physically, emotionally... just feeling pretty wonky.  I know the reasons why, and of course, it's never just one reason, but a whole stewey mess of life. So I love it when things come along at just the right time to help, assist, aid, comfort or inspire in some way.  These are only videos on the web of course, nothing life changing or revolutionary.  I just think they are so entirely worth watching. Inspiring. For me, I became completely drawn in at about two minutes in on the first video. As I watched her focus, I thought, she is nowhere except right there, in that moment, on that wire, concentrating on her body, her movement, her breath and her balance. Anything else that enters in her mind in that moment will throw her off, literally. So let's just quiet our minds for a little bit and focus on that which is right in front of us, no matter what it is. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.

Sidenote:: I will master the firefly pose in the second video, despite it's stupid name.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/15833440]

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/15733322]

dyno-MITE

Oh man.  Today was bonkers.  Seriously off the wall crazy shit at daycare.  Wild children, pandemonium, no listening, crazy maniacs.... for a variety of different reasons, today was  not a great day.  In spite of this, I don't mind it too much because at the end of the day I get to walk away.  I get to hand all of these crazy creatures back to their parents and say goodbye, and know that tomorrow will be a different day. It may not necessarily be a better day, but it will at least be different.  So that's positive.

The highlight?? [because there is always a highlight when you're working with kids. Always, and if you don't think so, you shouldn't be working with kids. Period.]

During the chaos that was free play today I could hear someone across the classroom singing. I listened and thought... no, that can't be right.  I discretely made my way across the room to get a better listen and this is what I heard coming from a 3 year old ::

TNT. I'm dyno-MITE. yeah!

TNT. I'm dyno-MITE. yeah!

As in.... this

 

excuse me, but it was the best damn thing I've heard in a long time and I can't wait to tell these parents how freakin awesome their kid is.

eating is my favourite....

Did everyone have a nice Thanksgiving weekend? Mine was fantastic.  People kept inviting us over and feeding us delicious food...love that!  And speaking of food,  I thought I would share how fantastic my mother is.... she decided to make pumpkin gnocchi [by hand!] over the weekend and sent along this picture.  Check them out!! Superstar.  I"m heading to the grocery store tonight to pick up some pumpkin to try this recipe myself..... prolong this pumpkin eating for as long as possible, I say.

Also, check out my friend Alexis' blog here... she is a fantastic cook and wonderful baker and has offered to do a pie making tutorial with me! She made a vanilla spiced pear pie on the weekend that was so good you seriously wanted to kill yourself.  THAT good... yum.  I think there may be hope for my baking skills.  Hope.

Did I mention I'm walking to work all this week? mmhmm... necessary.

p.s. I also bought a new laptop! yay!

happy monday.

Holidays are great. I had a great weekend, did you have a great one too? I hope so. Wishing you fun fun fun.

[uhoh... click to view on youtube I guess, same thing]

so in love with dartmouth today....

Thanksgiving is definitely my most favourite time of year.  More so, even, than Christmas.  I love it.  Even though someone decided it was a great idea that I get another cold this weekend... things are still off to a great start.  Here is my horn of plenty from early am adventures  ::

Completely loving the Dartmouth Farmers Market.

I had a moment of sadness on Friday when I realized I wouldn't be having my mom's pumpkin pie this year.  Pumpkin pie + Cool Whip is Thanksgiving for me.  I'm the only one that eats Cool Whip, but I can't have pumpkin pie without it, and pumpkin pie is my favourite.  I had this momentary freak out when I realized that basically from this point forward, if I want pie or other delicious baked mom treats, that I am responsible for them.  Me.  The one who cannot bake. And really, it's been years now since we've been together on Thanksgiving, so I don't remember the last time I had her pie.  Anyway, I quickly realized, wait.  I can buy a pie.  I live in the modern world where other women bake pies.  And I can give them money for one.  So that's what I did. I bought a delicious home made pie from a lovely Ahmish, or Mennonite woman at the market, and oh my, it's yummy. And no, that doesn't erase the fact that I still miss you mom.

On the agenda for today ::

+ pear and walnut stuffing

+ brussel sprouts with butter & parmesean that taste nothing like brussel sprouts

+ vanilla baked pears

Also, I took a drive around Dartmouth/Waverly yesterday and had really great future thoughts.  It must be the trees with the colours of the leaves changing, the sun on the lakes, happy thoughts in the air, but for the first time I clearly thought, oh man, I want to live here.  This is home, and what an exciting thought for someone who's never felt home or been from anywhere [ I apologize for all of italics, it's that type of day I guess, emphasis is required].

Anyway... Happy Thanksgiving!

Jill.

maps + quilts

Loving these ....

find them here
[via Cup of Jo]

while on the subject of maps, check out this really cool book 
about one of my fave cities

i heart reggio

Day Two.  Success.  I promise I won't update you daily on my new job, but I have a few things to share because I think I kinda love it....

First: The centre is Reggio Emilia inspired.  A child care philosophy that I've been inspired, intrigued and in love with for the last few years.  My Master's thesis was Reggio-inspired, as much as I hate that term, for lack of a better one. So I'm super pumped to be in an environment that is embracing these ideas towards child development and early learning, and putting them into practice every day. Check out Reggio here, and this blog is great.

Second: I said to M. last week, or at least very recently, how funny and strange it is that I've been in the child care field for 11 years now [yikes] and I've never worked with men.  Ever.  There were never any males in any of my classes, in any of the institutions that I've attended, and we've never had any males on staff in any of the [many] centres I've worked at.  Wait.. I lie.  One year I co-taught with a wonderful man for a few months for a few hours a day.  It was short-lived, but I absolutley adored having him in the classroom.  He was responsible for the First Nations cultural component of the program I was involved in. But other than that... nothing! Trying to recruit men to the field is an ongoing issue, in a field that is traditionally deemed 'female', 'women's work', etc... and also one that pays so low.  The men folk just aren't interested.  However... that changes now! I'm currently working with not one, but two men at the new job! I'm so pumped! New ideas, new approaches, new experiences... love it.

Third: The kids are allowed and encouraged to keep their bicycles and bike helmets in their lockers at daycare.  All of their little bikes are kept in a shed out back, and a huge section is paved for riding.  So every day that it's nice [every day!] the kids get to put on their bicycle helmets, grab their water bottles, and we all go out back so they can ride around like maniacs on their bicycles.  It is outstanding.  What's more... I don't think I've ever seen 4 year olds negotiating a two wheeler so well... no training wheels! Very cool.

So.. all of these things together?? Pretty great in my book. Plus the kids are damn cute.

first days.

I have to develop a new blogging schedule.  My laptop died, I started a new full-time job, and I have NO access to interweb or computers for the WHOLE day.. yikes!

But I had my first day today at the brand new job. So that was exciting.  What was not exciting was getting my first ever flat tire on the drive into work today.  That blew. Literally.  So a brisk walk from North & Robie to the South End got me movin this morning.  I at least made it across the bridge and then abandoned the car at a service station. Things improved significantly though once I got to work.  The highlight? Playing legos with a 4 year old.  We were building spaceships and this is how the conversation went ::

J: My spaceship flies in outer space and this is the moon and this is the sun and this is the planet and this is the stars and this is the galaxy.

Me: okay.  That sounds a lot like outer space.

J: yeah. I live on earth [long pause]. Do you live on earth?

Me: yes.  Yes I do live on earth.

J: oh good.

Great first day.

woof.

Happy Week-ending.

taken from here :: http://pinterest.com/pin/535753/

it's business time.

So. Tomorrow I'm starting an intensive, three day workshop/professional development series.... Business Management Development for Early Childhood Educators. Business school! gah! What the heck, right? I'm trying to put things in place so that I can successfully open a child care centre within the next year [or two]. And since I can barely add or subtract, I figure some financial training may be a necessity.  As well as budgeting, business plans, etc. etc.  It's always been a dream to have my own place, so hopefully we'll get there! It's exciting. And scary. And then exciting again.

Is it terrible that when I think of business..... all I can think of is this?? I've been singing it all week, well the chorus anyway.