peaceful saturday

bootcamp.  basic training.   

the little newbie 2nd grade punks still have their milk teeth.  

 after 16 years the new recruits haven't gotten easier to train. 

most human beings, even the wee ones, are not amenable to being herded.

and you know, trying to turn 28 little punks into ordered, organized, law-abiding citizens really really is like.

like...HERDING CATS.

only i don't have a horse or lasso.

 

you wanna know what i do all day long?  watch this:
 

 

after 3 long days my head hurts, my arse hurts, my back won't straighten.  

someone stuck a sponge bob sticker on my ankle during story time.

 
i don't know who.

somebody

Comments

[PJ]

HA!!!! LOVE IT!!! ...at least my bus only has ONE main door!..of course, the herding of 67 of them down a one-way aisle to find a seat...mind you, three to a seat. Talk about 'in my bubble' issue. ahhhh, a truly good teacher, like yourself, ponders-understands your herding. Your flock are in awesome hands! if teaching is 'easy' they aren't doing it right! (that's the way I think about parenting as well...) some have the talent...some do not

[Sharon]

They all look like they're in on the Spongebob sticker caper. So cute!

[Andria]

I LOVE KIDS! These faces are just so blessedly adorable to me. Have a great year with them! :-)

[Tabitha]

What an unruly lot--LOL! You're post put a great big smile on my face this morning. Thanks!

[Dawn E. Nguyen]

Isn't it wonderful to be needed by such little flower-faced imps? :)
Enjoy their light!

Take care my dear,
Dawn

[Laura]

Love it!!! Such cuties!! You know you love 'em.

[Barbara I.]

Thanks for the encouragement. I am an assistant in a kindergarten classroom. We have 25 this year just like last year. It is hard work getting them into the routines. Exactly like herding cats! I needed to read your post today as I was a tad discouraged last week. When I read your posts I feel like a sweet friend is writing to me. You have such a way with words and I really appreciate you taking the time to write your blog. I hope that you have a blessed week.

[Judy H.]

OMG! Loved the video! :D
Best wishes for a great school year. :)

[maryk]

ohhhh, new craft monkeys. can't wait to see what their little minds conjure up this year. such an impressionable age just waiting to absorb the love and learning you guide them toward. god bless, you are an angel on earth.

[Fran Meneley]

Hilarious video...I know just what you mean...such happy, shining faces at the start of school. Hope it cools down soon - they are so blessed to have you as their teacher, lucky youngins'

[Karyl]

I don't think that you need a lasso or a horse. I think that the looks on their faces tell me that you are using an even more effective "tool" -- love. Teach on!

[Margaret Applin]

OMG your post was too funny!!!!! On a more serious note, kudos to you for dedicating yourself to teaching our future generations.

[celeste]

they are so, so beautiful.
thank you for doing the second most important job in the world (first being parent).
teachers are *so* misunderstood and not given nearly enough praise and respect in our country.
tank you, thank you for all that you do!

[Anna Maria]

Sweet. Like a children's storybook.

[Anna Maria]

Sweet like a children's story book.

[Shelley Noble]

You are doing the work of angels, Mary Ann

These photos are AMAZING!!! I'm so glad you post them. They give a real sense of your work.

[missy]

even if they are rascals....everyone of those smiling faces warmed my heart!!
missy from the bayou

[paulette]

Geesh,
and they look SO adorable!
Good luck with herding.

[Cheryl]

Such beautiful children, full of potential.

[Lynn]

maybe you should try some catnip :) or would that make them even sillier than they already are? Think like a cat and you will have them in the paw-lm of your uhh paw. I picture you now as big as Budapest Buck keeping watch over all your little charges. Sweet.

[susan w]

Isn't it great to see them with just that little bit of distance that a published photo provides. You don't have to remind him to stop touching or making mouth noises or that 'Yes , you do have to do this". Just beautiful children, forever quiet, forever still and compliant, frozen smiles and twinkling eyes.

tick, tick, tick, . . .

MONDAY!!!!!

annnnndddd, we go back to the circus

[Susie LaFond]

Adorable and then some...you just watch in a week or 3 or maybe 10 they will all be under your spell and won't need any herding as they will come stampeding into the classroom whether they have been called or not. Enjoy your weekend in any manner you choose.

[Janet Ghio]

It's a good thing they are all so cute isn't it!

[donna, doni, lady d]

All that potential in one room. Sometimes you must be simply amazed at the limitless of it all. I also know, sometimes you just want a martini. :o) Donna

[Michele Unger]

Oh, my goodness, that was one funny video...however, there was one right after it called "Probably the Funnies Cat Video You'll Ever See" or something similar. WATCH IT. I am weeping with hysteria. My cat, who hangs out here on the computer table, snuggled up to the "warm thing" (MacBook) did not appreciate my howls of laughter. HE was TRYING to take a NAP, if you don't mind.....I woke him up.

Cat herding. Bet you're really, REALLY good at it. You wrangle the FTB Monkeys pretty darn well, after all.

[debbiejl]

Oh my goodness they are so adorable! I am not partially to being herded either.

I know you will charm them with your wily ways.

[Carol Kitchell]

Well, who better than you? What faces - love the last one! Blessings on ya, girl!!

[natalea]

these are some of the sweetest faces ever! thanks for sharing Mary Ann! xo natalea

[Jenny Walker]

At least you weren't called a "ninja".....or told you were a "goddess among teachers" and then almost in the same hour told how mean you are...and what I wouldn't give for a sponge bob sticker....I find minature penis made out of kneadable erasers left for me on shelves......crafty little devils.....:) and I could go on with more magical teacher moments from this week....that's what's scary!

[Maureen]

Herding volunteers in a non-profit is the same doggone thing. Cats, all loose cannon cats.

btw, love the fascinator Miss Punk #1 is wearing. You've got a fashionista in your midst.

[Jane Bumar]

Ok, I laughed out loud on that Spongebob sticker - thank you for the giggles, I hope you are having some peace and enjoying working on your Budapest journal :-)

[Sharon]

Lovely little anarchists - one and all. Do you enjoy being herded? I didn't think so! Once you start working your magic, I'm sure you'll have them all under your spell. I'm guessing you're in for a fascinating year ahead.

[Angie Sutton]

Haha...I hear ya!! Life isn't any easier up in fifth grade!

[Rhonda]

I love that video -- I had forgotten it, thanks for reminding me -- you know why? Because TEACHING MIDDLE SCHOOL IS ALSO LIKE HERDING CATS! haha It's weird though, I could never be an elementary school teacher (I envy your patience) but others say they could never do my job so I guess it is cosmically even.

Loving seeing your Budapest reminiscences! I so much want to go there now!

I hope sometime you get to Prague too!

[SuZ]

but they are so darn cute ! :-)

[ruth krening]

love the video...........and the term "hearding cats" applies to many different areas in my life too!!! Thanks for a good laugh........REST!

[Chelsy]

P.S. That video is hilarious! I love how tough those Catboys are.

[Angela]

Livin' the dream, huh? Why do they all have a mischevious glint in their eye?
They are planning something, Miss Moss . . .

[Chelsy]

I can only imagine. They're lucky to have you as a teacher; and perhaps spongebob climbed onto your ankle himself?