Laughter is the Best Medicine

I remember the first time that Grace let out her first giggle. It was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. It was soon followed by laughter - not just a giggle, but the full belly laughs that seemed to consume her entire little body. I stand by my statement from that day - the sweetest sound in the entire world is a child's laughter.

I don't think I'll ever get sick of hearing her laugh. It is my daily mission to make her laugh! I chase her around the house, have pillow fights with her and tickle her until she can't stand it anymore. I do it all so that I can hear that sweet sound (and because I know that it is making her happy). :)

Grace has so many "levels of laughter" that I've become accustomed to hearing. She does the "fake laugh" when she knows that I'm trying to make her laugh, she "giggles" over silly things and then she has her big "open-mouthed laugh" when she finds something genuinely funny. She also has what I call the "shoulder shrugging laugh"; it's when she is laughing so hard that her shoulders move up and down uncontrollably. Each one of these laughs brings a smile to my face.

I walked in the house after bootcamp yesterday and could hear laughter coming from the bedroom. It was muffled (which was a clear sign that Grace and Daddy were having a pillow fight and she was throwing herself around the bed and into the blankets, lol). I instantly smiled.

Grace has that effect on me - she is so powerful without even knowing it. When I'm having a bad day, it's my little 16 month old daughter that knows how to cheer me up. Her smile and her laughter are amazing therapy! The other day after a particularly rough day at school, I came home to a smiling little girl. She wrapped her arms around my neck, snuggled in and said "Mommy". The she ran away from me as fast as she could, laughing and waiting for me to chase her. Every one of my worries melted away.

Laughter really is the best medicine. Sometimes I will say funny things to my class, just so that I can get them laughing. I could teach them 100 things in a day, but what they'll remember more is that moment when I made them laugh with my silly joke or crazy dance! I challenge you to laugh more this week. Tickle your child, watch a funny show, break out into a silly dance in the living room....whatever it takes to make you laugh. Trust me, it's good for your health! :)

I have this posted on my classroom wall - love it! :)

I'm Back!

Wow, I suck at blogging! I've been essentially MIA since September. Being a working Mommy is busier than I ever imagined! Blogging just isn't on the priority list these days. However, I've decided that I want to try to get back into it. My posts won't be the same as they used to be, because I no longer have 3 hours to sit and perfect a post, complete with pictures. :) I'll be posting about a variety of things as they come up.

So much has changed with Grace since I last posted. It would be impossible to tell you everything! She is 16 months old now and is the most incredible little girl. She has grown up so much and has such a little personality now. She is running and climbing and talking up a storm. She likes to entertain us with her dancing and singing and she loves reading books. The highlight of my day is seeing that smiling face when I pick her up at the babysitter's house. I continue to be amazed by how much love I have for her. Here is an updated picture!

Last time I posted, I had just accepted a 6 week teaching position in grade 4. Well, things changed quickly and the day before the students started at school, I had an interview for a full time grade 2 position at the same school. I got the job (YAY) and am there for the year (it's just a one year position). I absolutely adore my job and do not want it to end in June. Some of my posts will no doubt be about my job, because it's a big part of my life. Here's a link to my classroom blog if you're interested: Mrs. Roberts' Grade 2's

I am still going to bootcamp and am still LOVING it! :) I don't think it will ever get old! My eating is not as good as it used to be though and I've gained about 5lbs back. Ugh!! I only get to bootcamp 2-3 times/week now, but I'm going to try to start working out after school 1-2 days/week. It's really hard to squeeze it in when I am working, but I know that it can be done. No more excuses! I've also started meal planning and it's making a big difference with my eating. I plan out my suppers on Sunday and then I know what days I'll have leftovers for lunch and I know what I have to thaw out in advance. No more getting home and digging through the cupboards trying to figure out what to make (while eating whatever I can get my hands on, because I'm starving at that point, lol)! February's goal is to drink more water....a hard one to do when you only get one bathroom break a day!

Anyways, I know this is a very boring post, but I hope to have more exciting posts in the future! Thanks for reading and have a great Superbowl Sunday!
Cheryl