First Week of School

Today was the day!  I sent my baby to Kindergarten!  Emma went yesterday and Jack started today!  I thought he would be sad but basically just gave me a hug and said goodbye!  "See ya later Mom!"    I was happy that he was excited for school and not afraid!!  Needless to say, he had a great day!  He really liked P.E.!  Big surprise there for Mr. Active. 

 I am happy to say that I think they are in a great place and the teachers and other staff will be very caring!  Emma is making new friends and I believe Jackson will make many new friends as well!  He told me tonight there are only 6 boys in his class.  I asked him how many girls and he said, "A lot more than that! "  HA!  That made me laugh!

Emma has a planner this year and so far (2 days), she has been very good about showing it to me!  We are starting a checklist at home to perk up the responsibility around the house!  I am hoping for the best!  It always takes time at the beginning of the school to get into that new routine.  She likes her teacher and seems to like everything about the new routine!  She will also have the other third grade teachers throughout the year for units in Science and Social Studies.  I will be interested to see how they do things!

Today was the first day I haven't had kids since we moved!   I took a me day!  I am not ashamed to admit it!  It was nice to kick back today.  I took the dog for a walk.  I read my book.  I watched a little TV.  I did do a load of laundry!  Yea ME!  I also made a nice dinner for my family which they didn't really like!  I guess that is how it goes and great for me because I have leftovers for lunch tomorrow. 
I promise to work much harder tomorrow!

My friends in Fairfield start school tomorrow!  I wish them a great day!  I wish all my former students a great school year!!!!

Meet the Teacher Night

Tonight was meet the teacher night at Emma and Jack's new school.  We only met Emma's teacher as Jack's Open House is next Monday night.  He starts one day later than Emma!  Emma's classroom looked great and all her supplies were sitting on her desk along with a letter from her teacher.  She met two students in her class that was fun for her as well.  She will have a lesson planner this year and that will definitely be something new for her.  Her teacher Mrs. S. uses The Daily 5, so of course I am happy about that as well!
It's pretty hard being on the other side of the desk so to speak!  However, I am confident that Emma will have a great school year.  I am also glad that someone besides me will be wanting her to read.  It's been hard keeping her reading all summer.
On the up side, I was able to volunteer for multiple things with the PTA.  I am excited to volunteer and help out in the classroom if I can.    I will try not to be "that parent" as best I can this school year.  Three more days of freedom for the kids and then my freedom will begin at least part time!
I hope everyone has great back to school moments!  Make new friends and build each other up!

August is Here!

Normally, I would be going into school today to start getting ready for the year. I loved getting ready for the first day of school. No matter how many years I taught, the beginning of the school always captured the same excitement for me. I loved the idea of a new class, new challenges, and new checking pens! Oh let's face it, I loved shopping for school supplies more than my students did. It was a guilty pleasure to stroll the aisles of Target and see the new things retailers had created for school. I loved buying markers, colored pencils, and notebooks for my classroom. Most importantly, finding the right different colored pens to check papers with each day!
At Emma and Jack's new school, you pay a sum and the school supplies are provided for each student. Although, this is convenient for parents and all students have the same, I am sad I won't get to purchase school supplies with my kids. However, knowing myself too well, I am sure we will be visiting Target at least once and we will probably have to get something. I just won't be able to help myself. After all, I am going to substitute, I need good checking pens to check those papers. Right?
I was able to help my cousin Jennifer do some stuff for her classroom. This was a great teacher fix. I am also going back to Fairfield to visit and help in the classrooms of my former hallway team! I know it will help my fix but also make me really sad. I truly will miss the classroom this year. I hope to continue learning new tools this year so that when I go back to the classroom, I am ready!
I wish all my fellow teachers a successful beginning of the school year and most of all a successful school year with all their students. Thanks for all the hard work you do at the beginning of the year (unpaid) to ensure the success and happiness of your students all year!