What kind of "tooth" do you have?

We (my children and myself) have discussed for a while what kind of "tooth" we have. I have a sweet tooth (just bought a pound of See's chocolates and don't plan on sharing much of it!) and they know that their Grandma, also has a sweet tooth.

Child #1, after some thought, informed me that he had an "oatmeal tooth"... he likes to shares it with random strangers - like the fireman we were talking to at the local fire house. Child #2 has a "pistachio tooth" and it is pretty cute to hear her pip up and share this fact about herself.

And we're all convinced that my husband has an "egg tooth" because he eats eggs every morning for breakfast.

Give it some thought, what kind of "tooth" do you have?

Happy thinking!

I Feel Famous!

See the sea glass vase I created in its new home and read such nice words! 

Thanks Marian!

:) Kirstin

Loads of Sea Glass

Pottery from the days collection

Unusual, large pieces found

Random item that washed up!

What a day, I mean, what a GREAT day!

In full disclosure, I must share that Child #1 prayed last night in his prayers that there would be lots of glass for me and that no one would take "my glass".  While it isn't "my glass" and I don't mind when others look for glass on our beach, it was nice to have the WHOLE beach to myself at 6:30 am!

How much is it worth?

Two weeks ago, I happened to overhear a woman asking about sea glass. I was at Jo-Ann's Fabric. I couldn't help it. I piped up, "I have sea glass". We spoke for a moment and then she gave me her card. Conveniently she lived in my community. After a few e-mails, she was looking for an accent piece for her bathroom, I created this. She liked it and today she picked it up. I charged her $50. Was that enough? How can you put a price on polished glass that brings such bliss when it is found nestled in the sand?
But I liked her and I think she really liked the piece. My first sell! 

Another thing I love aside from Sea Glass!

I often think about how much I enjoy teaching! Especially young children. I like thinking about how to make something relate to them or what sequence of activities will be most effective for their active bodies and minds. One outlet that I have for this "love" is Joy School. It is the preschool I have chosen for my children. I love that I get to teach the classes, and I love that the other teachers are my friends and parents of the the other Joy School children. I love how the curriculum focuses on teaching children about the joys in life while incorporating Kindergarten skills, social skills and life skills. And I love that I only pay $70 a semester!

Here are the kids today making the letter N with their bodies!

Here are the pictures we drew after talking about feelings and what feelings are. Over and over again we have talked about how it is o.k. to be mad, sad, angry, happy or excited! So important!

Walking along the beach makes me happy. (my thoughts and my drawing)

I am really happy because I'm seeing some sharks eating some fish. - G.O.

I am excited when my Monster Truck kit arrived! - A.F.

I know that Joy School isn't for everyone. Some moms need a break, some moms don't like or want to teach and some kids need more than just a handful of kids in their preschool. But I have found that it works for us. I genuinely feel my son will be ready for his Kindergarten experience. Joy School has taught him those things that he will need to survive in public school. Plus it has been a great creative outlet for me!

Thanks Joy School for allowing me to grow and continue with what I love! Teaching!

Backache

Well, if I have a sore back tomorrow, this will be why!

 It seems there was so much I couldn't pick it up fast enough! I liked the little orange piece, it is quite small but upclose it is evident that it is a piece of glass - from a fancy dish or something.
My find of the day was this:

It is a stopper, it is my first one and I shouted a yahoo on the beach when I picked it up! (Sorry this photos isn't that great). Stoppers kept medicines, perfumes and other valuable liquids from evaporating and were used in the 18th and 19th centurys. Such a find!

Love - a day late!

I love Valentine's Day! And recently read this on a favorite blog: drippingwithpassion.blogspot.com

She explained that John Steinbeck wrote a letter to his son about love. Young Thom told his Pa that he thought he was in love, and here is how his father responded… It is a bit long, but really, very, VERY insightful. Worth the 2 minutes it will take to read.... Happy Valentine's Day - a day late!

    November 10, 1958

Dear Thom:
We had your letter this morning. I will answer it from my point of view and of course Elaine will from hers.
First - if you are in love - that's a good thing - that's about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don't let anyone make it small or light to you.
Second - There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you - of kindness, and consideration and respect - not only the social respect of manners but the greatest respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn't know you had.

You say this is not puppy love. If you feel so deeply - of course it isn't puppy love.
But I don't think you were asking me what you feel. You know that better than anyone. What you wanted me to help you with is what to do about it - and that I can tell you.
Glory in it for one thing and be very glad and grateful for it.
The object of love is the best and most beautiful. Try to live up to it.
If you love someone - there is no possible harm in saying so - only you must remember that some people are very shy and sometimes the saying must take that shyness into consideration.
Girls have a way of knowing or feeling what you feel, but they usually like to hear it also.
It sometimes happens that what you feel inside is not returned for one reason or another - but that does not make your feeling less valuable and good.
Lastly, I know your feeling because I have it and I am glad you have it.
We will be glad to meet Susan. She will be very welcome. But Elaine will make all such arrangements because that is her province and she will be very glad to. She knows about love too and maybe she can give you more help than I can.
And don't worry about losing. If it is right, it happens - The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.
Love
Fa