Creative Eyes

“Painting is self-discovery. Every good artist paints what he is.” Jackson Pollock

Paul Jackson Pollack was an American painter and abstract expressionist. 1912-1956

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One of the joys of working in an Primary/Elementary school is to see the kids art work lining the hallway by the Art room.

I’m always amazed at their creativity. The following pictures are 3-D handmade clay figures expressing how they see themselves ❤️ Enjoy!

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Peyton’s curly golden hair is an especially nice touch. Yep, I think I see cheer pom-poms 🥰 Go Peyton!

This one reminds me of wild hair “gingerbread” coming in from a windy playground ❤️ I’m so glad you have your yellow boots on because it’s muddy out there!

I think “Alondra”was thinking about lunch because it looks like her lunchbox ❤️

I love the peaks in the background especially since we live in a fairly flat location ❤️ I think I see a “steering wheel”. Maybe Leo is planning a trip to the mountains!

I couldn’t see the student’s name on this picture, but I love the fly away curls!❤️

As I stood looking at their clay figures expressing their unique selves, I couldn’t help but be encouraged to see how beautiful they see themselves and each other ❤️

I’m not sure if Elena is jumping or doing a cheer, but the details of her face in the clay is beautiful ❤️❤️

My personal favorite (I think I see myself this way), Red, White and Blue through and through ❤️🇺🇲 Go Edger!🇺🇲🇺🇲❤️

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“We are the clay and You are the Potter. Each one of us is the creative work of Your hands.’ Isaiah 64:8 The Passion Translation

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“To see through a child’s eyes, is a daily chuckle and a full face smile ” quote by me❤️

I hope you enjoyed a “seeing” my daily world ❤️

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“And if you tenderly care for this little one on My behalf, you are tenderly caring for Me ” Matthew 18:5 The Passion Translation

Blessings and have a great day! Denise

The First Day Counts

It’s been awhile since you heard from me.

I started back to school, and yes,

I could barely see.

Covered in questions, “When does enrollment start?”

I thought I lose my mind at each day’s start.

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But then the bells began to ring,

School is open! Welcome our children in!

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“My child, if you truly want a long and satisfying life, never forget the things that I’ve taught you.” Proverbs 3:1-2 TPT

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“A child who reads will be an adult who thinks.” Unknown

WordPress friends and family,

I’ve missed seeing you!

Denise

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“The ways of wisdom are sweet,

Always drawing you into the place of wholeness.”

Proverbs 3:17 TPT

Sugar Eyes

“Do you want a flat mint or the poofy kind?” I would ask sweet Edwin at least once, and occasionally if he could swing it, twice during the day.

She Loves to Party

If you ever wondered what a school secretary and the Principal really do when the kids are outside at recess, well this second grader knows the real truth.

We party!

I love all the stars, hearts and what looks like balloons hanging from the ceiling in Maddison’s drawing. They are actually brightly colored paper flowers our student remembers seeing hanging in the office.

Kids aren’t always looking for fireworks and a plugin device to look at, sometimes it’s simply floating flowers in the most unusual places that brings joy to their heart and delight to the eye.

ps: The Principal is actually on the playground during Recess and I am at my desk putting on Band-Aids or washing woodchips, yes, you heard me right, woodchips from kids eyes. I haven’t actually found a “woodchip” in anyone’s eye, but I guess when Oklahoma winds get blowing even a piece of dust can feel like a wood chip in the eye.😊🎐

School Secretary

“Ms Denise, can I have a mask?” Or my favorite when I would ask where their mask was “I don’t know, I think I lost it on the playground.” Of course you lost it on the playground! Lol

Kids are so resilient. They never complained about wearing them except maybe when they couldn’t find their “favorite.” PreK to 2nd grade is hard work keeping up with a piece of fabric or a paper string deal for 4 year olds to about 8 year olds. Many a “princess” or “shark” lost its way from the cafeteria to the playground.

We had to go “virtual” for two weeks early on because the football team/coaches were exposed and we didn’t have enough drivers for the school buses to get the kids to school. When the kids were told to pack up because we had to be out for two weeks, many cried as they left the building. Kids upset to miss school. God bless them, we didn’t mind the temp checks at the door or handing out the numerous mask a day, we just wanted our kiddos in school and they wanted to be there too. ♥️

The drawing pictured is one of my favorites from the “make me cry” gift I received this year for Secretaries Day. Two books full of drawings from “my” kids. I will cherish each picture and caption forever.

Jesse’s drawing cracked me up and pretty much sums up our 2020/2021 school year the best. I must have given Mr. Jesse, a first grader, a mask EVERY day, possibly two depending on if he had PE in the late afternoon.

We never ran out masks, and thankfully, we we’re able finish the year out with our kids and mask free.♥️

Elementary Eyes

Well we made it through our first 100 days of school this week.

Yep, I think these 6 year old, first graders captured our 2020-2021 school right!

I chuckle every time I walk down the hall past their art pictures. I can’t help but wonder, “Is this how they see us this year, or am I just seeing me!” I am especially thankful their creative eyes and hands dazzled us up with jewels!

My world as a Primary School Secretary – PreK to 2nd grade.

Love my place and purpose in their little lives.

Have a great day!

Denise

xoxxo

Summer Song

“Good bye from here.

It’s been a year,

To sing a song and

Shed a tear.

We wish you well,

Our hearts do tell.

We send you off,

“It’s been swell!

 

Good bye our friends and

Little ones.

We send our love and

Joy along.

“Enjoy your days!”

Our hearts do say.

As we stand again,

For one last wave.”

 

 

Poem by denisebalog©

Blessed is the Nurse – Celebrating National Nurses Day

Especially for all the Nurses in my life.
“LORD on this day of prayer,

Bless the “Day of Nurses” everywhere.

Their helping hands,

Caring hearts;

Dressed for healing from the start.

Blessed is she who cares for the ill.

Strength and dignity are her fill.

Strengthen each with wisdom and might.

Continue strong,

Women in white!”

Discovered today, my Nana was a Nurse at Williamsburg Hospital, Virginia! Thanks Cousin for sharing the photo!!

“She is far more precious than jewels…

She rises while it is yet night…

She dresses herself with strength and

Makes her arms strong.

She opens her hand to the poor

And reaches out her hands to the needy.

Strength and dignity are her clothing…

Many women have done excellently,

But you surpass them all.

Give her of the fruit of her hands,

And let her works praise her in the gates.”

Proverbs 31:1-31 (ESV)

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A funny in Elementary…

Miss Cheryl (in the blue) and I dressed up for the Fall Carnival. I borrowed the traditional “white” nurses uniform from a friend. The kids, Pre-K through 5th grade, DID NOT HAVE A CLUE of what I was supposed to be dressed up as!!!

Kids today are familiar with “scrubs”!! Oh we laughed and laughed! Here we thought we were so “smart,” and the kids looked at us like we were crazy!! Gotta love Elementary!! 

poem by denisebalog

Pink Boots in Flight

“The blonde of curl

Is in her hair.

She runs with flight;

Steps soar the air.

She’ll reach for stars;

Her future bright.

Pre-K in motion,

Pink boots and tights!”

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poem by denisebalog

photo credit by: LM2016

Hugs in Elementary – Friendship

“…but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)

Spring Break Adventure – Hugs in Elementary

A first grade boy, running into my office from P.E. this morning,

“Please, check my forehead, Miss Denise, cause I feel hot!”

Motioning the small frame six year old to my desk, I opened the drawer.

Pulling out the grey box, which houses the ticket for either staying in school, or the “please come pickup your child,” – The Thermometer.

“No Samuel, I’m not seeing a temperature.”

“Do you think you can make it to lunch, and we can see how you feel then?” I asked.

The boy, one who never complains, agreed with a nasal sound to his voice, “Yes, I can make it to lunch.”

As he turned to leave, I asked if his mother was home from work today.

“Yes, she is home packing, cause we are goanna to sleep in the car for two days!”

“Sleep in the car for two days?” Running the possibility through my mind, as I know his Dad is a teacher, and his Mom is a RN at the local hospital.

“Sleep in the car?” I asked again.

“Yep, sleep one night in a motel, and live in the car for two days!”

“Two days?” I questioned.

With renewed joy and health to his step, just from talking about his adventure, Samuel called back to me,

“We’re going to Arkansas for Spring break, and we’re goanna live in the car for two days!”

Chuckling to myself, I called his Mom. Sure enough, Mom was home packing for a family vacation to visit relatives, and true to her calling, Mom came right on up to check on him.

Finding her slightly congested boy, running and playing, and stopping long enough to take a decongestant.

By the time the school bell rang at 3:10, Samuel was ready for the

Spring Break adventure of living in the car for two days!!

The Hope of “Romantic Love”

The last one to share. This essay really touched my heart. I pray you have been blessed reading the thoughts and hearts of fifth grade children.

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“Romantic love to me means: someone who you care enough for that you’d do anything for and they care enough for you to do the same thing, or family. As some people like to call it, that is what I call romantic love is: never wanting to be away from one certain person, that’s what romantic love is to some people.

To all romantic love is the thing that bonds people together. To some it is hope, it is the thing that everybody needs, without it, we’d be lost, we would be emotionless robots.”

Written by a Fifth grade boy in a single parent house.

Love fills the air in Elementary!

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