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Monday, September 3, 2012

The Dot-on the Exclamation Point

Two Writing Teachers -weekly slice of life stories-read a story, leave a comment today!



Ahhh, the long days of summer
                          drifting off behind us now
                                                    giving way to the start of something new

the arrival of fall and the beginning of the school year
                           but the need to savor the flavor of summer one last time
                                                    going and getting ice cream together as a family!

Putting the dot on the exclamation point
                           of a very busy but full-of-fun summer
                                                    moments to treasure full of joys to remember!
                          
WE did it!  We celebrated the joy of summer one last time before jumping full force into fall!  We decided to head out tonight as a family, and enjoy the taste of ice cream!  Experiencing this family tradition made me realize how things have changed...and so, I reflected on the differences after our outing.

Kam-ordered for himself-he decided on a "cherry" milkshake.  He just stepped right up and let his order be known-definitely a more confident little boy.

Nattie-fed herself-from her cup of vanilla ice cream-no she did not order for herself-but she did climb into a seat-no longer needing to be boosted up, no more "high chair" for her-definitely a more confident toddler.

Me-this summer has made me more reflective-constantly thinking about what a writer might notice-a conversation here, a car peeling out, the whirrrrrrr of the blizzard making machine, the cashier checking with a co-worker on how to adjust the pricing.  I pay constant attention to the details.  I try harder to capture them in my notebook, journal or little note pad now.

Kevin-tried to resist eating the whole thing-his plan "went down in flames" as he mentioned after eating the whole blizzard-strawberry chocolate lovers...who could resist?

Anyway, in a nutshell, it's been a fabulous summer for me-even the ornery escapades of my toddler-to learn as much as I did and to take it all into practice this fall!  As we dot the exclamation point and head into something new, I am really looking forward to the learning that waits ahead of me...

22 comments:

  1. I don't know how you absolutely have time for it all, Amy! I love how you looked at everyone in your family reflectively while eating a favorite treat. xo nanc

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  2. Amy,
    You captured so nicely the end of summer...one door closing the other opening! I so agree when you say how you pay more attention to details...because it may be another something to write about. Very nice!

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  3. Wonderful post!! Note the exclamation point. I enjoyed each reflection, but especially yours Amy, noting those little things that writers notice. Things move on, don't they? Have a wonderful beginning to the school year.

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    1. Thanks Linda,
      Things do move along-sometimes you blink and it's gone-that's why capturing in journals and notebooks makes good sense...can always go back to things...

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  4. Yes, putting it all in your notebook. This is a habit I am trying to cultivate for myself so I can bring it more authentically into the classroom. Great notes - your reflection on how a simple trip to the ice cream shop illustrates how your family is growing is wonderful.

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    1. Thanks Laura,
      It's sometimes hard to keep up with but worth the effort when you get things into your notebook...

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  5. My question is what did you order? :-) I love the dot on the exclamation point, ice cream is that perfect dot. Life changes and you capture those small moments, nice!

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    1. Thanks Elsie,
      I got a "mini" blizzard chocolate cookie dough! I didn't feel as guilty since it was mini size!

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  6. The image of an ice cream as a dot on the exclamation point looks perfect for the end of summer. Somehow I have associated spring with reflection. I can see how reflecting in the end of summer makes sense too. I wish you all wonderful learning experiences for the school year.

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    1. Terje,
      Thanks! I think I was just reflecting on how my family has changed and it just happened to coincide with the end of summer...Thanks for the well wishes for wonderful experiences this year.
      Hope you have the same!

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  7. What a great way to look at the passage of summer time, all too short though it may be. Have a great start to your year!

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  8. Love that title- and that it describes a family tradition!

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    1. Yes, we try to do this at least 3x a summer-Memorial Day, 4th of july and Labor day!

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  9. A wonderful way to put the exclamation point on your summer. I enjoyed how you shared the different perspectives of your family and I agree that writing makes us so much more aware of what is going on around us, what is be said or unsaid, the expressions and what is really important. I hope the beginning of your school year will have an exclamation point too!

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    1. Thanks Judy!
      I hope the school year goes well too...so far it's been a rough start...but that's another slice for another day.

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  10. I loved all of this slice. The dot on the exclamation point is such a great phrase. I enjoyed your descriptions of each family member and how they have changed/grown. By the way, great tradition to end the summer and start school. Ice cream. What could be better?

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  11. Life is in the details. Thank you for sharing your ice cream.

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  12. It wouldn't be an exclamation point without the dot. !

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