A Slice of Life Writing Challenge: Year Two

Last year was my first year participating in the Slice of Life Writing Challenge. I participated because I wanted to reconnect with writing--a part of me that has mostly sat on the wayside, which is pretty evident as the last date posted on this blog was last April. With so many other important aspects of life taking priority, writing time sinks to the bottom of my to-do list. And, this is okay...because I have discovered March and the Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Writing Challenge. It is an opportunity for me to reconnect to writing. I do it for me. Last year, the only person outside of the Slicing community I shared the writing with was my husband. There was something safe about writing in a pretty anonymous setting; I could open up and I didn't worry much at all about expressing myself. I tried different formats and found that I really looked forward to writing a snippet about my day. Looking back at last year's posts reminded me of moments I would have otherwise forgotten, which is one incredibly important reason to write. I look forward to seeing where this month takes me and the moments I am able to capture. Here goes!

A Recap of Today

I am watching an episode of Bones from last week.
Before that, I kissed the best parts of my day goodnight.
Before that, I read The Giving Tree and Noah's Ark to my sons.
Before that, I visited with a dear friend and her precious new born baby and remembered what it was like to hold my own newborn babies. They grow so fast.
Before that, I enjoyed a dinner of chicken fajitas with my family and watched as my toddler cleaned her plate. Three times.
Before that, I smiled from the inside out at the sound of my laughing children as I cooked dinner.
Before that, I pushed my kids on the best tire swing ever (built by my very handy husband).
Before that, I cheered on my almost-four-year-old as he improved his bike riding skills.
Before that, I worked out, which immediately made me feel better.
Before that, I arrived home from work, ready to start the second part of my day. :-)

Requests from the Back

"Mommy, can you play "No Way Out?""

From the backseat, I hear my oldest requesting "No Easy Way Out" from the Rocky soundtrack.

"Sure." I happily play one of the newest additions to my running playlist. Pretty soon I hear my younger son.

"Mommy, can I hear "Ghostbusters?"" This is one of his favorite songs right up there with "Baby, It's Cold Outside," which he STILL requests even though it is April and I have taken it off of my iPhone.  After that, we listen to "Uptown Funk" which my oldest LOVES.  

Just like I do, my kids go through phases of music.  They really like to hear some songs over and over and over again and then, eventually, they move on to something else.  Like every other preschooler in the world, my son requested "Let it Go" every time we were in the car ALL. SUMMER. LONG. During the Christmas season, Mason's requests were "Rudolph" and "Frosty" and Jack had two different versions of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" he enjoyed. My husband preferred the Willie Nelson version. 

They sing along with me from the backseat and I love that we can enjoy music together.  I love they have preferences and make requests...even if that means I have listened to "Ghostbusters" more than any one person really should. :-) 

Challenge Completed!

I have been following Two Writing Teachers for awhile now and thought it would be a good experience to participate in Slice of Life Tuesdays, but I just hadn't yet.  When I read about the month-long challenge, I thought it would be a good time to jump in and give it a try.  Writing is one of those things I have enjoyed since I was a child, but sometimes it goes by the wayside.  The great thing about writing, though, is that you can pick back up any time.  It is always somethings you can work on, work towards and improve.  And here I am, 31 days later, reflecting on this journey.  Some days I wrote with gusto; I knew exactly what I wanted to write about and the words came easily.  Some days I had no idea what to write. I found following formats from other writers like I Believe and Today's Recap helped tremendously. Some days finding time to write was difficult.  Many nights I was posting pretty close to the end of the 24 hour period.  But I did it.  I completed the challenge!

It meant a lot to me to reconnect with a part of myself (writing) that many times gets neglected.  I used to teach Language Arts and Reading to middle school students, so I had many more opportunities to write and share my writing with my students.  Now, I am working with students on reading and math interventions and I do not have the same opportunities to teach, model and share creative writing.  It felt good to try different formats, be creative and practice my craft.

Being a part of a writing community was a new experience for me. I was inspired by reading what others wrote.  I gleaned ideas from my fellow Slicers, I gained perspective from their experiences and I enjoyed reading their stories.  It felt like checking in with friends.

As I wrap up this challenge, I am hopeful I will continue Slicing on Tuesdays.  I am anxious to share this challenge with my colleagues and I really want to introduce the Classroom Slice of Life Challenge to students. It is very inspiring to see the long list of (31!!) writing pieces I have completed this month, and I think that can be very motivating to students.  Writing will continue to be a part of my life.

And so for now, I sign off...until next Tuesday.  :-)

Spring Break To-Do List

1. Work out every day.
2. Clean out the closets.
3. Do an inventory of my kids' clothes and what they need for Spring and Summer.
4. Catch up on laundry and all that other household stuff after a weekend away.
5. Watch last week's episode of Bones.
6. Read at a time other than right before bed.
7. Finish a book.  Even if it is a short one. :-)
8. Have dinner with a friend.
9. Play outside with my kids.
10. Take my kids to Open Gym, which we never get to do during the school year.  They love playing on the equipment and there are bouncy houses!
11. Do an art project with my kids.
12. Decorate Easter eggs.
13. Make cookies with Jack.  He loves making cookie dough!
14. Listen to Mason read his new books.
15. Follow Amelia as she toddles around and see the world from her view.
16. NOT have to rush to get anywhere in the morning. ALL WEEK!!
17. Go to bed early.
18. Feel rejuvenated and rested.
19. Enjoy the time with my family, with myself, and appreciate that I have this time.
20. Go back to work next Monday with a smile on my face ready to give it my all. :-)

Today I Will

Today I will enjoy every last sip of that delightful coffee.
Today I will finish my Slice first thing in the morning, rather than at the end of the day.
Today I will explore a new city with my family.
Today I will learn something new.
Today I will feel the warm sunshine on my face and breathe in the fresh air.
Today I will hold my husband's hand while we walk.
Today I will enjoy the excitement and curiosity of my children as we explore this new city.
Today I will laugh.
Today I will eat at a new restaurant.
Today I will enjoy a ladies night out.
Today I will embrace Spring Break.
Today I will go to bed satisfied with a one-of-a-kind, full-of-new-experiences, go-to-bed-with-a-smile-on-my-face day.

The Kids Table

I love that my children have cousins around their age.  When I was a kid, all of my cousins were much older than me and when they started having kids, their kids were much younger than me.  At family functions, the kids at the kids table consisted of my brother and me.  Who wants to sit by her brother? I saw him all the time! It was so boring.  I LONGED for cousins around my age.

Tonight we went out to dinner with my husband's brother and his family.  We went to Buffalo Wild Wings for those of you curious about such things (I LOVE knowing where people go to eat!). The kids got to sit at their OWN table, right across from us. They had so much fun together and while they did come over to swipe boneless wings and chips, they were totally fine at the kids table.  They were giggling and having fun together with VERY few reminders from us about behavior.  The adults were able to carry on a conversation without too many interruptions.  It was great! 

My kids have seven cousins and they are all ten and under. They will grow up together, build memories together and I bet that the kids table will be WAY more fun than the kids table from my childhood. :-)