Somewhat back on schedule...

Connell is back in school after his week off and yet Liam is still on break for another week. Combined with the fact that it's Holy Week and all our other plans are canceled, we aren't exactly back to our normal schedule. I am busy with contest stuff -- a record 1040 entries came through my email this past week or so. It was a nightmare setting up a schedule for 1040 entrants. Not to mention that I ran out of certificates (a typical year sees about 700-800 participants max) and so I have had some set-backs in trying to accommodate the large numbers.

The weather has been gorgeous and so we have been spending hours outside every day. That brings its own set of issues -- like reminding the kids of all the rules in playing with neighbors and being aware of cars, etc.

That will have to do for now. Still more than a week until I have a sense for a possible job next year. I will be busy with contest tasks and so the time will fly by now!

Happy Easter!

Spring Break

Both Connell and Liam are off from school the entire week. We have plans with many different friends, but it probably will be a long week simply because the weather isn't feeling too spring-like! Liam also has next week off, so it will be another drawn-out week with very few plans. It just makes waiting to find out my job placement so much harder!

A few photos thanks to Liam...

I wanted to share a couple of photos courtesy of Liam. The first is a picture that he drew of me - unsolicited. He explained the little circles as my knees and elbows and then the round thing in the middle as my stomach. The other photo is simply Liam after eating a cupcake with colored frosting.

And March is here...

Although I still have a faint cough, we are almost healthy right now. The temps in the 40s the last few days have allowed the boys to play outside on their scooters. To their dismay, daddy doesn't think it's time to bring the bikes out quite yet as there is still tons of piled snow and puddles in the street.

Last Friday we were treated to Connell's spring kindergarten concert at his school. Although all 65-70 of the morning/K plus kindergartners were part of the large numbers, the kids also each got to be part of a small group. They dressed Connell in a fake tuxedo complete with top hat and cane and he did a Skidamarink number alongside a handful of others boys. It was adorable. Liam was antsy and so it took away from my ability to concentrate although my nagging cough didn't help either. The footage didn't turn out great due to our seats and the lighting.

Although it feels like an eternity waiting, I will find out about my job (for next year) in about 5 weeks. The list comes out on Friday, April 9th although it is possible that the HR director will have some inside info to give me a few days prior. At this point it looks like it might be a combo position between Rosemount High and Eagan High (2 sections at RHS and 3 at EHS) although that is just speculation from hearing things from people. For sure I will be teaching Spanish and it will be several years before I will be able to make my way back into teaching French in the district. Those who are tenured and that are only licensed in French have priority over those of us licensed in two areas. Of the approx. 15 licensed French teachers in our district, only about half of us have other licensure areas and most of us will be made to teach in them until there are some retirements.

The French contest is heating up as well. March 26th I will have all my 800 student names and categories and will starting to put together the master schedule and print certificates, etc. From the end of March until the end of April (the actual contest date is April 20th although I still have work for about a week beyond), I will spend most of my freetime on contest duties. This is year #14 and my last.

Sorry I have no great pix to post right now. Hopefully as spring arrives, I will have some things to photograph!