Project Play Date

All of my girls were discussing how they wanted to have playdates today, and how their moms were going to talk to each other so that they could have playdates. Then, one of my students walked up to me and was getting really excited about the idea of all of these playdates. She said, "I need to tell you something." Then she cupped her hands and whispered in my ear, "Mrs. Flynn, come to my house for a playdate. I will tell my mom. I live in the projects." And smiled ear-to-ear when she pulled away, thrilled at the idea of her kindergarten teacher coming to her house for a playdate, and her ability to tell me where to go to get to it.

I love kindergarten.

Home Visit

I went on my first home visit this week. One of my students has always been a behavior problem. She is repeating kindergarten this year, and I am her third school so far. (Her older brother is in 3rd grade, and in his 9th school.) She came in with a lot of trust issues. Just to paint you a picture, she called someone a B**** the second day she was there. She constantly pinched, punched, and slapped students when she was upset about something. Also, she wore the same jumper (with no shirt underneath) for the first two days. I gave her 3 shirts on her 2nd day.

I gave her the tools to show emotion in an appropriate way, and gave a ton of positive reinforcement and logical consequences, and always said, "I love you," after discussing her bad behavior. Ihave had an amazing result. She is a different person. She hasn't physically hurt a child since about her 2nd week of school. She always tells me how she feels, and had become an average student, behaviorally, for me, and my favorite student, because I just have a soft spot for her. However, she is still awful for every other authority figure - bus driver, related arts class teachers, substitutes, cafeteria workers. I've had a sub twice this year; both times, they had to send her to the office because they couldn't control her. The bus driver has recently stated that if her behavior doesn't change, she is going to be suspended from the bus. She gets notes sent home at least once a week in related arts classes. It's a mess.

Then about 3 weeks ago, I caught her stealing, for the 2nd time this year (although I now know there were several other times that I just didn't catch her). It was the same day that she had gotten in trouble on the bus (for the 1000000th time this year, it seems) for hitting kids, cussing at them, and yelling "NO!" at the driver, when she would tell her to sit down. Also, her brother brought a knife on the bus that same day.

Then last week, her and her cousin (who lives with them due to parental incarceration and abuse in his own family) came all week, disgustingly dirty - worse than usual - and wreaking of urine. And she started stealing food from my classroom. It broke my heart. I threated to buy a secret house in the woods and begin stealing children, to give them a better life. Obviously not going to happen, but it just eats me up inside to send them home after school, when I don't know what they're going home to, but I know it's bad. It kills me. And poor Brenton gets the brunt of it, because I come home sobbing to him. These are my babies, and they don't deserve to be living the way they are.

So on Thursday of last week, I went to the assistant principal and I just said, "I don't know what to do. She's so dirty and smelly, and there is obviously something going on. She has now started stealing food. All of the kids at the school from this family have started acting out more than usual, and I can't just sit by and wonder if everything is okay." So, she suggested we go on a home visit to mom. I was so excited. I have never met mom before. We scheduled it, and the social worker, guidance counselor, and I went on Tuesday.

We showed up with bags of canned food in hand, and prepared to see the worst. No one answered when we continued to knock over and over. Eventually, we saw someone walking back and forth, but still, no one answered. Someone started yelling, "come in!" Although, we weren't really comfortable with that, so kept knocking. Eventually, we gave up on being greeted, and let ourselves in. I wasn't prepared for what I saw.

The kitchen was piled 2 feet high with trash. Old food, dirty diapers, and who knows what else. Surely small to medium sized rodents. It smelled terribly. But, just like my student. We kept walking in until we reached the back of the house (about 5 steps). Mom was asleep on the couch. She sort of awknowledged us (sort of), with a grunt. We stood there for the longest minute ever, before she finally sat up and invited us to sit. If you know anything about my germaphobia, you'll understand how I felt about that. But I did it. I sat.

After talking to her about progress and problems, she began to wake up more. Eventually, she opened up. I mean, really opened up. She told us all about how she loves children and family and has never been separated from any of her kids. She told us about the specifics of the abuse that my student's cousin suffered. She told us about how hard it is to work the graveyard shift at the hospital (ironically cleaning rooms), because she doesn't get to see her children. She told us about the other child she has living with them, who is 13 years old and due in January. When the social worker asked her if they had decided what they would do with the baby, she replied, "We're keepin' it. I keep everyone. Family's the most important thing." I couldn't understand. That baby could live such a better life with an adoptive family. But that is not her mentality. Somehow, the mentality that people like that have is that if they have to give up a child, they've somehow failed, when in fact that child would have such a better life if given up. Also, if done through an agency, she could be getting prenatal care paid for and be learning how to take care of her body for this child.

Anyway, there were definitely the positives and negatives about going. I learned that she is loved. This mother works (unlike a lot of single mothers in this situation), loves each of her 9 biological children (ranging in age from 17 to 2) and all of the others she's taken in. She wants her kids to succeed, but just doesn't have the resources or knowledge to make it happen. But I left knowing that my student is loved.

On the other side, I still hate what I'm sending her home to. It's not appropriate for a child (or 11; 12 in January). And the worst part is that there is very little I can do about it. This is what she knows. She doesn't realize what an innapropriate home this is. I mean think about what you would do if your child's teacher was coming to your home. I know what I would do, "Okay, I need to vacuum and dust and make sure I have a list of questions. Maybe have some tea brewing incase she wants some." She was asleep, and her home was a disaster, with 4 children running around. She didn't know that this was bad. She wasn't aware that the fact that she had to kill a cockroach crawling up her leg, 1/2 way through our conversation, means that her home is not suitable for children.

So, I hope to do something small - help out with their Thanksgiving. And focus on the student that I can hopefully continue to give some tools to. And other than that, I have to focus on the positive. She is loved. At home, and at school, she is loved.

Best Compliment EVER.

Okay, so it had nothing to do with teaching.

We had the silent auction parent night last weekend. It was fun - I enjoy interacting with the parents in a role where I am not also trying to reprimand 22 five year olds at the same time. I actually get to be a normal human. Even the parents are slightly surprised that I am a real person, too. Anywho, so I was talking to our PTO president and my room mom, and somehow we got on the topic of fashion. (Yay.) The PTO president's daughter started kindergarten this year, and she said that she was so sad that she didn't get me as her teacher. When I started to say, "Awww..." she stopped me and said, "No. Just wait. It's because 'Mrs. Flynn dresses so well, and has the best shoes,' " according to her daughter. So apparently, she still comes home and tells her mom what I wore that day (when she passes me in the hallway or sees me on the playground)! Then, my room mom said that when she first found out who her son's teacher would be, she couldn't think of which teacher I was (from kindergarten open house). So she asked the PTO prez, who she's friends with, who Mrs. Flynn is. She replied, "She's the one who always looks like she's just stepped out of a JCrew catalog." And my room mom said, "Oh, I know exactly who you're talking about!"

So, that was the best compliment EVER!!!!! :-)

2 Stories...

Story #1 - The Shooting

Several weeks ago, a handful of students came in telling me about a shooting in their neighborhood. The first said, "Mrs. Flynn, somebody got shot behind my house." She was relatively nonchalant, so I tried to be, as well.

"When?" I asked.

"Yesterday."

"Did you hear it?"

"Yea. It was by my back door."

I thought for a while about how to respond. "Did you know the person?"

"Yea. It LaDasha's cousin."

"Is he okay?"

"Yea."

Then the other child chimed in. "Yea. I heard the ambulance. They went to the hospital. I heard it, too."

I brought the students over to me to talk about it more, as this first part was happening across the room. "How did it make you feel?" I asked them. They were each thoughtful about their responses.

"It made me wake up during the night and I dreamed about monsters," one told me.

"Scared. And sad," the other said.

It's so sad to me. That was the last I heard of it. I had the guidance counselor talk to them the next day, but they never seemed interested in talking about it again. I mean, these kids are barely five years old. They shouldn't have to experience this. And if they do experience it, it shouldn't be so normal. They're already beginnging to be desensitised, which is the worst part, in my opinion. I just want to wrap them up in my arms and bring them home. I just love my babies.

Story #2 - Flickin' People Off

My new friend (student) started throwing up her middle finger at people this afternoon. For no apparent reason, not that it would make it better if there was a reason, I suppose. I think that besides the fact that she was doing it at all, the next worst part is that my other student came over to me and said, "Mrs. Flynn, she flickin' people off."

"What?" I said.

"She puttin' up her middle finger at people." I mean seriously, at 6 years old, they not only know the sign and what it means, but know the slang for it! I mean, come on!

Just another day with my new buddy...

Two pukers today.

At 7:45, one of my students came walking down the hallway to begin the day, hands cupped around her mouth, mid-barf. So, that was a nice beginning to the day. "Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop!" I yelled at the door. I grabbed the trash can and put it in front of her and said, "Okay, let go." And she did. All sorts of regurgitated breakfast all over my trashcan, her jacket, her shirt, her face, her hands, the floor. It was fun. Am I painting a picture for ya? Anyway, that was a good start to the day. Then we went on our field trip (after I sent her home, of course) and when we walked down the stairs in the theatre, another child was cupping her hands with vomit. We went to clean up (and I thus had no seat when I got back), and her mom came to get her when we got back. She informed me that she gets carsick. Would have been a nice thing to know before our week of two field trips on the bus, so that I could have put her in the front row of the bus. Anyway, it was loads of fun. Goood thing I'm not one of those people who gets sick seeing other people get sick (e.g. The Office 3 weeks ago). What can I do; I love my job. :-)

New Student...sorry for the delay!

Sorry it's been a while, if anyone is keeping up... :-) It's been pretty crazy. I got a new student, which brings me to 22, and she's crazy. She acts like she's never been given a direction before. I sound like a broken record, trying to tell her what to do each day. On day 3 of her, I decided to teach her what it means to follow directions. I started with, "So, when I say, sit criss cross on the carpet, what should you do?" She actually said, "Go sit in my chair?" So I told her again, and finally she figured it out. Then, we practiced. Many times. And I made a huge deal out of it when she did it correctly. It's helped, but we still have a long way to go. Oh, did I mention she calls me "Ms Lynn?"

One of my other students has started coming only about once a week. So that's nice. She's been enrolled in my school for 40 days, and has been there for 21 of them. Pretty crazy. Also, she's really low, so when she randomly shows up, what I really want to say is, "How can I teach you?" Instead, I smile and give her a big hug and tell her how happy I am to see her. The social worker has tried to call several times, got hung up on once and never got through again, until recently, when she finally did, and the school system is finally bringing them to court, I believe. So we shall see how that all goes...

One of my students decided yesterday to change the spelling of her name. I do feel slightly bad about it, as I have pointed out several times that her name is the same as my dog's, only spelled differently. So yesterday, she said, "This is how I'm spelling my name now," spelled like my dog. Oops. Well, I showed her parents, who were not too happy, and convinced them that it is a phase and she will be over it in a few days (hopefully). So, we're just ignoring it for now... haha

We've had a fun couple of weeks, recently. We had apple week two weeks ago. Centers were so fun, and we ate lots of apples and apple baked goods! Then we made homemade applesauce on the final day of it. So yummy and fun! Then last week was fall break. When explaining that to the students, I got asked (as I did last year), who would be their substitute since I was going away. I had to explain again that they would, too, be gone. Oh I love five-year-olds. This week has been fun too. A field trip to the Farmers' Market to use our five senses and shop for pumpkins, then pumpkin day today, at which several parents volunteered, and we weighed and measured our pumpkins and had taste tests. Then, we played with the guts of the pumpkin and voted to make a scary face on the jack-o-lantern. So fun! Tomorrow we go to see The Very Hungry Caterpillar at TPAC (Tennessee Performing Arts Center). They're excited. Then Friday is a 1/2 day where they'll get to decorate their pumpkins with their book buddies and then I have parent-teacher conferences in the afternoon.

I'm a little nervous about those... talking to parents turns my face red. Maybe I should go tanning and get burned the day before so that my face is already red and doesn't turn red throughout each conference. Also, I know I am going to have to let some parents know that their kids are not doing so hot... Ahh.

So, that's a brief synopsis of my last few weeks! :-) More to come sooner next time!

Picture Day Stripes and Polka Dots

This morning, I had a phonecall in my classroom at about 7:10. I picked up and found myself talking to the father of my ELL (English Language Learner) student. He has been doing really well, and has had almost no language barriers. He is so so sweet and adorable and so kind and works so hard. This is the first time I have seen a language misunderstanding. Anyway, here's the story. His father called and said, "The reason I am calling is because my son insists that he has to wear either stripes or polka dots today. Is this true?"

I immediately knew where this came from. Yesterday, during dismissal, I was explaining to the kids that tomorrow is picture day, and they do not have to wear their standard school attire, or uniform. A student said, "What's our uniform?" So I was explaining that their solid, collared shirts and khaki (etc.) bottoms are their uniforms. I said, "Tomorrow, you can wear strips, or polka dots, or anything you want!" He understood about picture day, and even told me that he was getting his hair cut for picture day. Well, he went home and told his parents that he could only wear stripes or polka dots for picture day. His dad said, "So, he doesn't have to wear stripes or polka dots?" I said, "No!"

He came in stripes. :-) Love that kid.

Oh LeChris...

So I have a little boy, who I so lovingly refer to as "Pipsqueek" - not to his face, of course. He is tiny. Recently, he has been sagging his pants with his little spiderman underpants hanging out. So yesterday, I said, "You have got to pull up your pants." And I checked to see if his belt could go tighter, but it couldn't. He said, "This is how LeChris wear his pants!" I said, "Who is LeChris?" He said, "LeChris?! He live with him mama." I said, "In your neighboorhood?" He said, "Yea!" Then his cousin (who is also in my class) came out of the bathroom. Pipsqueek said, "Tell her 'bout LeChris!" And she said, "LeChris! He live at our nanny house!" I said, "Is he your uncle?" She said, "No, he our cousin." And then I said, "How does LeChris wear his pants?" And she said, "He sag them LOWWW." So, that's that. LeChris does it. Must be cool, then. Anyway, I explained that even if LeChris does, he has to pull up his pants at school...

Then I worked with another student from that neighboorhood on changing her "I'm is," to "I am." She did not get it. "I'm is?" She asked. "No. I am," I corrected. "I'm am?" She changed. "No. I..." Then she repeated, "I" Then me - "am" her - "am." We practiced over and over. Don't think I'm going to break that all at once, but I've got to start. Especially since I know how my little sister (Shatorria, not Whitney or Gillian...) writes like she talks, and oh man, it's special. Justin will surely get enjoyment out of the card she wrote him for his soon to arrive care package... :-)

They're learning!!!

Here's the really cool thing about kindergarten. When you stop "teaching," they keep learning. Let me give you some "for instances." All week this week, we've been in literacy centers. When they finish the "must-do task" in the literacy center, they have a variety of games within their center to play with. For example, in the word study center, there are all sorts of letter games right now, since that is our focus. In the small muscle center, there are legos, some lacing tools, and some building toys. You get the idea. So, like I was saying, after they finish their must-do, they can choose one of these activities, as long as it's one from their center shelf. So here's the cool part. Today, kids in the writing center were practicing their letter sounds with a small set of letter/sound cards. Two days ago, in the word study center, the kids each had their own set of letters (one had lowercase sandpaper letters, one had uppercase sandpaper letters, one had big rubber mat letters, and one had foam shapes that create letters). Then, one at a time, one of them would hold up a letter and name it, and all the others would find the same letter from their set, and hold it up. I mean, they think of this stuff all by themselves!!! It was so cool to see. At this age, they just need the tools, and they create their own learning. I mean, it's so so cool. Talk about inquiry-based teaching. They just want to learn. So fun to see.

I came to the realization today that my class last year was really, really close to one another. I almost hope I didn't do them a disservice by our closeness. The reason I realized it today was because I passed one of my babies from last year, and he gave me a hug, then said sadly that the other student that is in his class this year from my class is absent today. There are only two of them in that class. He was so heartbroken. I said, "So you're the only All Star in your class today?" And he said with his saddest face, "Yes." Then I walked into the cafeteria, and there were 3 parents from my class last year, all spread out around the 1st grade tables, with their child. I was like, "Oh man! It's an All Star Parent Reunion!" They were all in agreement. Earlier in the week, I got an email from a student in first grade, about her birthday party. The email was to all of my kids from last year. She had asked for her party to be with her All Star friends, rather than her new friends from class. What can I say, we were a tight group.

I think we're going to be similar this year. I think I really just work hard to bring a sense of belonging and ownership to the classroom, through caring for the "things" in the room, as well as the people. Whenever someone gets their feelings hurt, I always ask the other person, "Did you make her feel happy?" And when they answer, "no," I always remind them that our goal is only to make people feel good, and that is it. So if what you did didn't do that, then you need to apologize to that person, and make sure you are only making people feel good, and filling everyone's bucket each day. One parent from last year told me at the start of this year, that she had a friend whose child is at another school, and they had some bullying problems, and was so surprised that we don't have any of that in my class. She said, "I just want to tell you how impressed I have been with the way you have enstilled such a sense of love in these kids, for one another." What a kind thing to say, and what a cool thing to teach 5-year-olds. If they can go through life with just that remembrance, that we should love each other, no matter what, I guess that might even be worth as much as reading levels. :-)

Diagnosis: SwineFlu-Cold-Strep-Pregnant

When I felt like I was going to throw up during centers yesterday, my assistant principal came down to watch my kids. When I came back, she asked if I might be pregnant. Thanks for that suggestion... Then, I talked to my neighbor, who suggested I have the cold she had last week. Then I spoke with my mom, who immediately jumped on the swine flu bandwagon, suggesting I immediately go get a mask so as to not infect Brenton. Then last night, I got an email from a coworker who suggested I might have strep, as that was going around.

While I appreciate all of those wonderful suggestions, I was not surprised when the Minute Clinic diagnosed that 5-year-olds' germs have gotten the best of me, and it is viral. I had to leave school early yesterday, much to my dismay, because I felt really sick. I burst into tears when I got into Brenton's car when he picked me up, because I was so upset to be leaving like that. I absolutely hate missing school, but here I am today, home again. I cannot stand it. However, I'll admit that it's good that I did, because I do have a fever today, so I'm glad I'm not at school, spreading it to my little babies.

I am so sad to not see them for 4 1/2 days. This weekend was a really fun experience last year, because when I explained to the kids that we had a 3 day weekend, they were really worried, "But who will be our teacher?" they asked. When I explained that it would still be me, just one extra day of weekend, "I'll miss you!" they all told me. And this year, I will miss that love before the long weekend.

Well, at least I won't be spreading H1N1 around town. I'll leave that to Whit's friend, Kelly.

Gang signs and stuff...

With our change in population this year, we have some other changes that apparently come along. For instance, for the second time yesterday, I had a gang sign thrown up at me from a five-year-old... So that's nice. When I spoke to the child about it, it was clear that he had no idea what it meant. He said he learned it from his little sister, and it means "hi." So he's seeing it done, but with no knowledge of what it actually is. Still a little much.

My crier has been crying slightly less, but still likes to inform me, "I'm done." or "No I don't want to do that." But I just ignore him and forge ahead. And when he tried to start the tears today, I just reminded him, "Oh no, remember, in kindergarten crying doesn't mean you don't have to do it. You'll have to anyway." Then I just ignored the fake tears and asked him what he wanted to write about today. Worked well.

So I was really impressed with one child who started last week, knowing all of her letters and almost all sounds. She was one that I thought would know nothing. Came to find out that she is on year two of kindergarten right now, and will be 7 years old in November. So that explains her knowledge. She has lots of paperwork in her cumulative review, and I'm really worried about a potentially bad home life, already from my experience, and justified with the paperwork from her two previous schools from last year. I've already given her 4 shirts, because she comes in the same jumper almost every day, with no shirt under it. We shall see. Tionna take two, anyone?

I started literacy centers yesterday, and they're going so well! The kids are loving them, not to mention doing really well with the independence of them, and I am so pleased! The centers are making the first letter of your name with clay (which they will paint in their next round of centers), writing your name in shaving cream on the table (practicing upper and lowercase letters), listening to Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? on tape and making/ coloring your own, illustrating our poem we've been working on, creating the cover to the book they've been making, and making your name out of beans. So we're obviously working a lot on names right now. It's so fun to see how successful the centers are and how successful the kids feel!

Have I mentioned yet that I love my kids? Gosh I love my kids.

I have a crier...

So, after bragging for the first week that I have no criers, I have one that has cried every day since Tuesday. On Tuesday, he cried almost the entire day, and for over two hours straight. So, that was fun. Oh, did I mention it was about nothing? Yea. That was fun. Ever since Tuesday, he's cried at least every day. Usually because he doesn't want to do something that we, as a class, are doing. Sometimes when he doesn't want to do something, he just sits and does nothing. So that's fun too.

But on a happy note, I have an awesome student with some sensory issues, who is doing so well, and I am loving it. He is able to function so well, with the help of some simple tools, like a wiggle seat and some sensory balls to hold. He's even able to self-regulate, and tell me "Mrs. Flynn, I need my wiggle seat." or "I need something to hold." When another child was very anxious and upset about something, he said, "Mrs. Flynn, I think he needs something to hold." And, it worked! So adorable. I love my kiddies. :-) So much love to go around.

We made it through week one!

Week one has ended. And it was great. I love my 20 little babies to pieces. They are so adorable and want to learn and are really catching on to everything in the classroom. I feel so much better today than I did a year ago after week one. I just knew what to expect and I think I took it a little bit slower and really emphasized all of the procedures so much. Next week will be exhausting, I think. We are really starting to get into the content more, beginning Monday. This week was mostly procedural.

We had no bathroom accidents, only one student throwing up, and only one student got lost. Five-year-olds have so much love and are so adorable. Can't wait to dive in more! Yay!!!!

Day Two and Parent Orientation

Okay, well today was the second day of school - still a 1/2 day, followed by parent orientation at night. I didn't get a great turn out from the parents - only about 1/2 showed. Last year, all but 2 showed, so that was a little disappointing. I hope it isn't a reflection on their future involvement! We shall see... But I felt like I was able to answer questions a lot more clearly this year, so that was exciting. But I still got total dry mouth and red faced throughout the orientation. I was just not created to talk to adults. I deal very well with 4-6 year olds, thank you very much.

I am so looking forward to our first full day tomorrow. It will be a whirlwind, I know, but I am looking forward to it, none-the-less. I am anxious to get into the real routines. Today, I am up to 21 students. I got one at about 10am. I didn't know how to spell her name, what her last name was, or how to send her home. My suspicion was that she would ride the bus, but another girl in my class said -"I live in the project. She don't live in our neighborhood. She don't ride the bus." But she told me the neighborhood she lives in, which is the same after all. Low and behold, she did. Hopefully she got home okay. I found out her full name (and spelling) after the day was over.

I hope I don't get up to 22. I lose one one Thursday, who only started because they're moving to Florida and she misses the cut off due to a late birthday, but can start there if she's transferring from somewhere else. So then I'll be back to 2o. Hopefully I will stay there, but I won't hold my breath. Obviously I will love every little baby I get. :-)

Day One

Oh my goodness. I cannot express the feelings of today. Amazing-ness, perhaps. First of all, watching my babies from last year make their way down to first grade made me want to cry, and actually tear up. They are my first loves, and I will always remember each of those kids. I just love them! They all looked so proud and happy and excited, and one even told me when he saw me in the hallway, "I'm in first grade, Mrs. Flynn!" Oh my loves.

And then there are my new babies. Oh I am just so excited for all that this year will have in store. One child asked for a band aid, and another pulled one off her bloody knee and offered it to him. So much kindness and pure, good kids. Can't wait to teach them how to walk in a line, raise their hands, get someone's attention, respect our classroom, love each other, and learn to read and write. I started with 19, and ended the day with 20, and from what we've heard, we can expect to get more. So, I'm going to keep nametags on hand and pray. I think 20 just happens to be the perfect number...... I won't hold my breath though. They are so cute, and I cannot wait to see how far they will go this year. Just cannot wait. I am so excited for next week. And the one after that. And the one after that. And the one after that. And......

I met my kiddies!!!!!!!

Today, at the Kindergarten popsicle party, I met my kiddies!!!!!!! I am so so so excited I cannot even stand it. Last night, while Brenton and I were going to sleep, I was able to recall every one of my kids names, and I hadn't even seen their faces yet. Now, I got to see their faces! So much excitement. I cannot sleep or think about anything else except school on Friday.

I had a slightly hard time watching kids out on the playground, ignoring parents and rules, but am excited to get my chance to teach following directions. So interesting how parents don't seem to teach that anymore......

I got to bring a couple of kids (who struggle with transitions) into my classroom before and after the popsicle party to see it before school starts on Friday. It was fun for them to look around and to show them all of the cool things going on. We have pretty much all day tomorrow to work in our rooms, only problem is, mine is ready. So, I will probably bring my home computer to work on my newsletter for next week and some other things. I'll make sure that I'm all ready for next week as well, since Friday is all ready to go! I know I will not be able to sleep Thursday night. I just cannot stand the excitement. My kindergarten team thinks it's hilarious (and probably slightly annoying) how excited I am, but I think it's contagious, and others are starting to get the bug... :-)

All the changes

So I've spent many hours in my classroom this week, and I am loving every second. Also, I met my new principal and assistant principal this week. I am so excited about the new administration; I think they'll be awesome and really great for Eakin. I've heard such good things about them.

Last night, I was on the phone with my mom, telling her all of the things that we are going to do in my classroom once she gets here on Monday. All of a sudden I realized that I had not unplugged my hot glue gun. So, at 8:00 at night, I drove back to school, de-armed the alarm, went down to my classroom (eerie at night, all alone!) and it was unplugged. I have no recollection of unplugging it. Oh well. So, I armed the alarm back up, left the school, and drove back home. As Dad said, "Better safe than sorry." I certainly don't want to be the one to burn down the school. Eek.

I have two more days of summer nannying, then I'll be full time in my classroom. Oh how I love it. Can't wait for it to be filled with little kiddos! :-)

I've joined the blogging world...

So, I decided to start blogging because I know that I have some of the funniest (and unfortunately, saddest) stories from my class, and I wanted to write them down, so I’d remember them, in year two. Also, there are several blogs that I enjoy reading, and with my family so spread out, I think this will be fun for some of you to read to keep up with my class.

I am finally back in my classroom after my first summer break. Although, it’s still July. But I've missed it like crazy, and love being back. I’ve started dreaming about my new class a few nights a week. (I know, I'm crazy. Trust me, it's not bad yet - at least I'm not sitting straight up in the middle of the night and talking out loud to my kids in my sleep yet...) Also, I was majorly getting baby fever, and couldn’t figure out why, since B and I are so totally not ready for that yet. I mean it was crazy. Every time I saw a baby, I went nuts. Like I basically wanted to steal it. But I finally realized why, when I got back in my classroom. I miss my babies (aka students). Now that I’ve started to get back in my room and set up and plan for year two, my fever has totally gone down. I now have an appropriate temperature. Thank God.

For those of you who have been in my classroom, it has a different layout this year. Centers will be different, my daily schedule will be different - lots of changes - exciting ones if you're a nerd like me. I think each year I'll find things to do better for the next one.

Can't wait to meet my new babies, and learn all about them. It's gonna be a great year. And my new kiddies come 4 weeks from tomorrow. :-) Did I mention I cannot wait?