January 17

Tonight I am grateful for Tuesdays; for well-behaved children and coffee with my husband; for the beauty and challenge of Bach; for the inspiration and gift of conversation with a friend; for quiet days at school; for balmy wind and sneaky sunshine and for the return of snow, too; for wonderful co-workers who make my days easier in so many ways; for comfortable routines and moments of stepping out of them.

I am grateful, too, for my children-- my children at home and my children at school.  I am grateful, so very grateful, for my two perfect babies, for their health and happiness, for the fact that they are, thus far, right on track in every way.  We are so lucky that our lives have been made this much easier, for all of its challenges.

I am grateful, too, so very grateful, for the children I teach, for each and every one of their differences and quirks, for all they teach me about life and happiness and perseverance and joy. I am so lucky that they make my life so much richer, more challenging and deep and real.   I am grateful for all the children who have touched my life over the years, all of their beauty.

And in the spirit of that gratefulness I would like to invite you to visit one of my favorite blogs, and meet some more beautiful children, and think about donating to a wonderful cause.  Seriously, even if you don't like donating, just go watch this video.  It will make you smile; it may make you cry; it will make you appreciate your children and all children and all the love and happiness that there is in this world....

http://www.kellehampton.com/2012/01/for-400000.html

Today's savings:

Made my own coffee ($2.00)
Forgot to pack my lunch (-$5.00)
Bought game for Jack on clearance ($5.00)
Didn't really need to get the game in the first place (-$4.00)
Bought really cool toy for Ivy on Craigslist instead of new ($15.00)
Didn't really need to get the toy in the first place (-$15.00)

Still have work to do.