Ahhh…The work week is over, and the weekend has arrived. I sit with a steaming cup of coffee and my laptop. My husband, Randy, is working right now, so I have some time to myself to unwind a bit.

This is a great time to read and comment on the slices I missed these past few days and respond to the comments left for mine. I look forward to this time each day. I find it relaxing.

I also feel this way about my notebooking time. I am going to spend time with my notebook after dinner this evening. I have sincerely missed the past couple of days with the busyness of report cards. The notebooking challenge has helped me create quite a habit! I also look forward to catching up on other posts in the #100daysofnotebooking Facebook group.

Reading and responding to the slices and notebooking posts seems reminiscent of days long ago when I would relax with something to drink and read and respond to handwritten letters.

Sometimes I really miss sending and receiving letters via “snail mail.” Emails are not usually personal and texts are short, sweet, and to the point. However, the slicing and notebooking offer glimpses into the lives of other likeminded souls. We begin as strangers and end up as friends in many cases. Isn’t that a lot like having a pen pal? I think in some ways that it is.

Thanks, virtual pals, for providing enjoyment, inspiration, and encouragement. I appreciate you and hope that I can do the same for you. Have a wonderful Friday!

Click, click, tap, tap, tap…My last writing report card comment is nearly done. In a few seconds, I will be able to move on to science for fourth and fifth grades. Those won’t take long at all, and then I will be completely done. I can submit all of my sections to the principal tonight. Report card week will be done and done!

Tap, tap, tap…last word. Reread the comment. Looks good. Now, I’ll just click “Save,” and…

Wait a minute…

What’s happening here? Oh no! The page froze! You have got to be kidding me!

My mouse won’t move. I can’t escape the page. The entire computer is stuck! I have no choice but to shut down. I snap a picture of the unsaved comment with my phone and pray that all of my work is not lost. I shut down my computer and restart. Perhaps powering down and then turning everything back on will help.

It doesn’t.

Now I am getting an error message. I type out an SOS message to chat support. Of course, they have office hours. Grrr…

Wouldn’t you know it. I am nearly done after spending all week working on this. The finish line is so close. The light is at the end of the tunnel.

But am I able to see it through to completion and go to bed at a decent hour with the weight of the world off of my shoulders? No.

Sigh…

So much for being done tonight.

Wednesday after school is one of the highlights of my week. Fourth, fifth, and sixth grade writers converge in my room to spend an hour creating, writing, and enjoying the company of other writers. It’s a time of fellowship, support, and creative collaboration.

These students are writers at heart. They truly love writing and want the freedom to write without rubrics, assigned genres, and stress.

Today was an especially happy day for me. Daniel, a sixth grade student and once an incredibly reluctant writer, published a rather lengthy story last week. He had taken it through workshop, we conferenced, and then I printed it. I assumed he would be ready this week to work on the sequel that he had already started. This afternoon, Daniel came in, grabbed a Chromebook, set his things down, and immediately began to dig through his backpack.

“Mrs. V.,” he began. “I was reading over my story this week, and…well…there are some things I think I should change to make it even better. Would that be okay?”

He handed me his copy. It was covered in highlights and scribbled notations. It was obvious that he had spent a significant amount of time rereading and revising.

“Sure. Tell me about these changes, Daniel,” I said.

He began to explain his thinking and his reasons. He asked questions. I asked questions. Time stood still and the rest of the room faded as writer and editor talked about the heart of his story and where he wanted to go with it. He decided upon a few additional minor changes, and then I printed it again.

When he first became my student four years ago as a third grader, I never would have guessed that he would turn into the writer that he is now. He resisted writing. Now, here he is, choosing to be a member in my after school writing club and writing wonderfully creative tales. He is already asking me if he can join as a seventh grader.

“Definitely, Daniel! I hope you do!”

My heart is full this evening!

Early last week, I just happened to look ahead on the calendar.

“What?! It’s here already?”

What had me in a tizzy was the date March 6th. The end of the grading period. The date when all third quarter reporting must be finalized.

I knew it was coming, but I hadn’t realized it would be here so quickly. I was close to completing all units, yet I knew I had to kick it into high gear to get everything done before the due date. The student absences due to sickness and the two hour delays were not helping, either.

So, fast forward to today. All final essays are in, and I am spending the evening assessing and recording them. Once those are complete, I will begin report card comments. I can breathe knowing that all will be well, and this work will be done in a couple of days. Even so, the end of the grading period is always a stressful time. I will breathe a sigh of relief when the weekend arrives!

I watch with fascination as my 14 year old granddaughter pulls out her sketchbook and begins revising one of her latest creations. She works intently, focused only on the task in front of her.

“I can’t wait to see your latest drawing,” I say.

“I’m nearly finished with it. I will show it to you before I take a pic and post it,” she says with a smile and slight glance my direction.

“I will be looking forward to it!” I smile as I turn back to my own project so she can work undisturbed.

I marvel as I watch her work with expertise and confidence. She has always been encouraged to pursue her art. Drawing and sharing her drawings is as natural to her as breathing.

As I begin the Slice of Life Story Challenge, I hope to write daily slices with the same assurance that I see in my granddaughter when she creates her art.

I look forward to this challenge and sharing inspiration and support with all of you. May all of us approach our daily blogging with my granddaughter’s confidence and focus. Happy writing, slicers!