Tiger Scout

Connell recently joined Cub Scouts and therefore is a Tiger Scout. Here he is in his uniform that I helped with (sewing on the patches!) So he and Ray have been busy going to den and pack meetings and other activities planned by the group. He also is taking part in his first popcorn/wreath fundraiser.

Wedding

This weekend we made the drive up to Villard for Ray's cousin Wyatt's wedding. The boys were NOT on their best behavior to say the least. It was a beautiful day -- crisp and yet sunny. We drove up and back the same day and so at least spending 5 hours in the car allowed us to check out the beautiful Minnesota trees as they change color.

Back to a crazy lifestyle...

Just finished the first week WITH students and it has been crazy. I am been busy using technology (like creating PowerPoint presentations for the kids, introducing them to international songs/videos on YouTube, learning all about my InterWrite board, posting things to Moodle) and getting to know the students while diving into the material in the texts as well. Add in the work at home (picking out outfits and cooking and cleaning) and things are just wild! Since I have three different things I am teaching and they are all brand new to me (as far as the new curriculum is concerned) and span two different languages, I barely know which language I am supposed to be speaking each hour. I can't get ahead of the game and don't expect to for quite some time. But I do like being back and it almost feels like I never left. Kids are kids and they haven't changed although most of the ones I have now were only in 2nd grade when I had Connell and was last working in the school system! Wow - time sure does go by quickly.

So it's time to pick the kids up at daycare -- Connell got a cold the second day of school and has been snorting and sniffling and miserable ever since. Time to load up on rest and vitamins and hope for a healthy year because it will be VERY hard to do sub plans since the sub doesn't have the use of any of the technology (except for a DVD player) and will be doing 3 different levels and languages.

Back to real life

It's Friday of the first week back at work for me. Actually I only had to work mornings this week (new teacher workshops) and although I spent many more hours fixing up my classroom, I did get some time to relax without the boys. The boys spent each day this week 7-4 at their new daycare. They seemed to do fairly well, except yesterday Liam's teacher said that he spent the morning being very sad and missing mommy. We think it was simply because the thrill and newness finally wore off and he realized that he would be going there every day. I think he eats very little there simply because he is fussy and stubborn and so that plays into his mood. Both boys are ravenous when they get home and so our food schedule is very off! Next week I will be working M-Th 7-3 and so my days will be pretty full, so I hope they do well. Then school starts, Connell will only go to daycare for an hour before and after school and I will pray for a healthy year for everyone! (fingers crossed)

As far as my work is concerned...I am slowly readjusting. My classroom is shaping up, I am starting to figure out some of the computer programs and my colleague Tracy came in for a few hours specifically to help me out. I have some good workshops on my schedule for next week and am especially looking forward to the Interwrite training (that is the version of a Smartboard that I have in my room and have no idea how to use!) We also are being trained on Moodle -- and I'm not even sure what that is. I'm planning on using a forum for my pen pal project and combined with everything "going through the computer" (no overhead transparencies) I expect to be pretty tech savvy soon!

The time has come...

It's been more than 2260 days that I have been home -- out of the teaching realm -- mostly taking care of the boys. It all comes to an end tomorrow as I go back to work. New teacher workshops begin and the boys will spend their first day at New Horizons. We're all a little nervous about everything coming together, but I'm sure it will. Correcting papers, creating lesson plans, packing lunches, making supper, etc. etc. etc. For the first two weeks while workshops are taking place, things will be a little relaxed so I am glad that I get the chance to ease back into the teaching world. Will keep you posted. I suspect that my blog posts will be "fewer and farther between" since I won't have as many "noteworthy" things to report.

Birthday and Reunion Weekend

Friday the 13th started off with a bang! Liam was up much of the night vomiting (a stomach bug?) and there was a terrible storm. We lost power for an hour which is the first time since we have lived here (9 1/2 yrs). So we all had little sleep and so I spent the day watching Liam sleeping on the couch!

After taking Connell to his 1st grade assessment, I headed to Owatonna for my 20 yr class reunion. I went out with a few classmates first and then off to the Eagles. There were about 75-80 classmates total (and then many brought guests) but even though I had stayed until 11:30pm, I still missed 2 classmates that didn't show up until after I left! The music was way too loud and people were having way too much to drink and so it wasn't exactly my favorite reunion gathering. But it was nice catching up with some people I hadn't seen in many years.

Today I have an informal meeting with the other Spanish teachers at school while neighbor Sara takes the boys for me. Next week I start in with new teacher workshops (since I still need to learn all the computer programs and get all updated information about everything). The following week is regular workshops. So the countdown is on...

Dressed to impress...

Ray and I went to the wedding of a former co-worker of his last Saturday while Ray's mom babysat the boys. Here is a photo of Ray and I all dressed up for the occasion. We rarely dress up, so we figured it was "blog-worthy".