It's the little things...

I was just looking at my blog stats today. I don't look at them to make me feel validated, or to boost my ego. I honestly love seeing where my visitors come from (the countries and their links)...and what they type in to get to my site or when they pin something to Pinterest. It especially makes me happy when people spell my name right and leave comments. It makes me even happier that my new coworkers ALL say it right too. I love how excited my students were when they said my name after seeing it on my name tag, as if they figured out the super secret no student is supposed to know...because we aren't real people after all! I catch some of them whispering both at once at random times. Alysia Battista...Aleeeeeeshuh Buhtteeeeesta! As a teacher, it's so weird to hear your first name during the school year, probably just as weird to us as knowing it is for our students.

Link up with A Teacher's Treasure New Years Linky Party here!

So for my New Years Resolution, I am resolving to read Loving What Is and to be super positive and grateful all year by trying to see the good in every situation and every person.

Here's my student-based what I love list:

• I just love how my students say thank you when a worksheet or manipulative is passed to them....I honestly don't know what planet these kids came from, but I'd like to keep them!  
• I love how they just have to yell, "Bye Miss Battista!" at the top of their lungs when they walk out the door to go home. 
• I love how excited they get when they see a great grade and a sticker on their paper.
• I love how amazed they are when they get to free draw, read WHATEVER THEY WANT, or play a game at indoor recess. (More on teacher guilt in another post.)

• I love how excited they are to apply what they have learned, and when I realize that I was the one who taught them something for the first time.
• I love how cute it is when they are mortified after realizing they just called me, "Mom." 
• I love how my walkers and kids who go to the after school program literally have to be pushed out of the door to get them to leave. 
• I love how excited they get when they get to add the "cha cha cha" to Happy Birthday when someone brings in cupcakes for their birthday. And I especially love eating the cupcakes! :)
• I love how proud they feel when they get to turn the Promethean Projector on, have a discussion without raising hands, or - GASP - go to the bathroom WITHOUT ASKING!

• I love how they are fascinated with pencil top erasers, pencil grips, dry erase markers, staplers, tape, and white out...but then again, aren't most of us teachers? 
• I love how much our classroom feels like home and how I enjoy getting up before the sun rises to go to work. 
• I love how responsible and self-sufficient my students have become. Some days I forget that they are just 8 and 9 year olds.

• I love how I get to teach them about Ghost Busters and Ninja Turtles, Full House and Uncle Jesse's "Have mercy," Babysitter's Club and The Boxcar Children, audio and VHS tapes, life before computers, cds, email, and cell phones, how to do the Cabbage Patch and Tootsie Roll dances, and what life was like in the "2000s" aka the "olden times." 

I'm not trying to jinx myself here, and I'm not saying my students are perfect. Some days they can drive me down right NUTS... but a second later we're all laughing again. And after all, it's my New Years resolution not to waste another second of my energy or time not being happy. Cheers to the New Year!

New Years Resolutions

I have one main New Years Resolution, to be less wasteful of time, money, energy, and resources. I will stay positive no matter what happens because I know all things are possible when you surround yourself with amazing people! Every year I say this year will be my best ever...and despite crazy setbacks, it always is. I always end up right where I'm meant to be :) Here's what I'm going to do:

• See close family members at least every 6 months, or more often if they are nearby. Skype with those who aren't at least once a month and talk on the phone or through text at least once a week.
• Open all mail and paperwork as soon as I get it. Recycle what I don't need, then write out checks or make automatic payments right away. File away important paperwork immediately. No more clutter!

• Put away shoes and hang up clothes after wearing or deciding not to wear them.
• Go through my closet and dresser once a month to donate clothes I don't wear.
• Clip coupons and actually use them before they expire.

• Use coupon and discount codes before hitting "buy" online.
• Leave all items in my online "cart" for at least 24 hours before buying.
• Only buy what I can eat within 2 weeks of purchase.
• Keep my purse and car extremely organized. 

• Load dirty dishes into the dishwasher as soon as they are done being used and empty it as soon as they are clean.
• Sew any holes or missing buttons back on as soon as I notice it. Otherwise I'll wait months!
• Watch what I say and how I say it before I say it.