Thoughts on first full week of school

We have all finished our first full week of school. I was hoping for some sleep-in action this morning, but nope. Although it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

Macy has learned:
1. If she doesn't finish her homework, she misses recess time.
2. She doesn't like missing recess time, so that lesson has been learned.
3. Chicken Patty tastes better this year.

 Kaylin has learned:
1. It's a little harder than kindergarten.
2. It's also fun.
3. The same kid who picked on her in kindergarten is going to pick on her in 1st grade too.

I have learned:
1. From day one, you can tell which kids are going to be trouble.
2. 1994 must have been a popular year to name your son Zachary. I have 10.
3. Some girls are just snotty Mean Girls. I pray the girls don't become them.
4. After a five year hiatus of "real" teaching, I do remember how to do it.
5. A brand-new high school is beautiful, but lacks the personal touches to really make it feel like home.
6. A brand-new high school shouldn't play the local powerhouse in football for their first game. They might lose 55-0.

Magical Potions

Macy's homework for a book report: create a potion.

Recipe to get rid of my little sis:

Ingredients:
Tomato juice
A sliver of apple
Eye boogers
cinnimon
shampoo
body wash
a sliver of dirt
Rotten milk
Rotten cheese
Mud
A sliver of hair (anyone's hair)

Instructions:
1. Get a cup
2. Put in the following items (lists all ingredients)
3. Cook in microwave for 1 minute
4. Take it out and let it cool down
5. Give it to your little sister
6. Be happy she's gone.

Case of the Missing Lunch

This morning we received an email from our cafeteria manager (who is a fantastic cook) about a new kind of baked chicken she was making today. I had brought my lunch, but decided to try her chicken instead.

During 3rd hour, I was getting hungry, so I thought I'd eat the chips out of the lunch I'd brought, since I was going to buy Michelle's chicken.

Opened my lunchbox--empty.

 I laughed, and guessed that I had grabbed Macy's lunch box (yes, we have the same lunchbox--it was $3 at Walmart and better from the environment than a brown paper bag) and must have left mine at home. I bought Michelle's chicken, and it was excellent.

When I got home, the other lunchbox was on the kitchen counter. I looked inside, and it was empty too! I was confused, to say the least. So I decided that someone at school must have eaten my lunch--crazy as it sounds, it happens from time to time. I called my friend Ronna, and was telling her what happened.

Kaylin overheard me, and interrupted me--"No, Momma, it was Kobe. This morning after you left, before Daddy woke up, I saw Kobe getting into your lunch. I put the lunchbox back on the counter."

The case of the missing lunch was solved.

Interesting first week..

What a week...

Monday I got my 10-year plaque from my school district. Crazy to think I've been there 10 years! I was all prepared to walk across the stage, but this year they changed it up and I just had to stand up. Whew. No tripping across the stage. Frantically finished school shopping after work, then did back-to-school night.

Tuesday the girls started school, the car wouldn't start but finally did, I worked really hard all day, and I can't remember for the life of me what I did Tuesday night.

Wednesday was the opening day of the brand new high school. We had an opening dedication, kids did team-building all morning, a scavenger hunt, and then more activities. It was a full day of no teaching, and I felt more exhausted than if I had taught. 3 kids stayed after school until 6 and put together the first day of school issue. I went home and could barely keep my eyes open.

Thursday was get-to-know-you activities all day, I had a major freak-out and was in a rotten mood, Macy had her second guitar lesson, and I went to bed early.

Friday we handed out the first day of school issue, then we are sent to the basement--the teachers had no earthly idea where the basement at the new school issue was and we had to majorly wing it--for a severe warning alert, and it was an interesting end to the first week of school. We went down to Power and Light with some of Bobby's shift and had a great time. I bowled a strike, four gutter balls in a row, then another strike. What consistency.

Today Bobby is working and we are babysitting our friend's 9-month-old girl and 3 1/2 year old girl. Rather, I should say Macy is babysitting the 9-month-old. She has fed her peas, gave her her bottle, and has entertained her all afternoon. She will make an excellent babysitter in a couple years.

Ready for a calmer week next week.

untitled

Overwhelmed
Stressed
Tired
Unsure
Wanted
Empty
Overwhelmed

First day 2010-2011

Look at my big third grader. I won't tell you about the morning we had before this picture was taken, but just tell you things improved. Of course, she sent her lunch with me because her BFF Kaylee didn't bring her lunch. I'm not surprised in the least. She had a great day, and is excited about her teacher, her friends, and the new PE teacher. She read for 45 minutes in bed, when she only had to read for 20. That's my girl.

And here's my beautiful 1st grader. She too had a wonderful day, ate the lunch I sent her, loves her teacher and her friends, but is sad that her two BFF's are in another classroom. This one, while she can talk to a brick wall, has a hard time connecting with people, and it broke my heart to hear her say, "I didn't have anyone to play with a recess." It'll get better. I know it will. 

And me? Well, classes start tomorrow, and I think I am ready. I have to be, right? The kids are coming whether I am ready or not. We are actually not teaching tomorrow, but doing a day-long celebration for the first day of the brand new high school. This is going to be a challenging school year, and one I am dreading and looking forward to at the same time. 

And I'm disappointed in you, my readers. I usually average 27-35 readers a day, and ONE person, my beloved friend Sarah, told me which pictures she liked. Thank you, Sarah, for following directions. The rest of you? Shame on you. :) 

Watch out--Massive Amount of pictures ahead

A former student of mine is very talented in photography, and took some family pictures of us last Sunday. It was HOT, but she did a fantastic job, and a great job photoshopping the sweat and redness out of our faces.

I looooovvvvveee them, and wanted to share them all, but I narrowed it down to my favorite 15 or so. :)

Which one is your favorite? Come out of hiding and tell me!