Almost...I Am Almost Ready!

Well, after a week and a half of practically living at the school, I feel that I have de-cluttered, de-junked, de-any thing else you can think of in my room! I love that feeling of clean and organized. I have set up the tables and chairs (I don't use desks in my classroom) and got the table totes and materials mostly handed out and ready to go on each desk. I still need to write a letter that I want sent home in each registration packet or on it's own, if I can get the secretary to do that, plan out the first few days (since my master's classes start the same day as the first day of school again- but never again as we are finally in the home stretch and on our last year- YAY!) and a few other little odds-n-ends. I have really enjoyed working there, but I am also grateful to have it done so I can focus on being with the family for the last couple weeks of summer! School starts in just over three weeks, so I want to get in all the family time I can.

While I was at the school today, my wife finished off the last white wall (minus the kid's rooms) in the house! You go honey! She will do her own posting on that, so be watching her blog for that. The house looks so different with all the walls painted tan (or walnut wash or something like that) and I love it.

Since she was painting (amazing work, I can't say that enough) I made dinner. It was tough too, I made frozen pizza with left over salad from last night. I did do grapes and soda and chips. See, I am all about a healthy, well thought out meal. Actually I did pull out the cookbooks to see, but everything that looked good took like 2 hours to make and it was already late. Frozen pizza was okay though.

We are still loving our new table. We bought a booster seat for the baby and he ate his fist meal at the table tonight. Unfortunately the booster is a tad bit short and so he just shovels right off the table into his mouth. It is nice to have everyone at the table though. YEA!

Well, now that everyone is showered and clean, it is time to sign-off and get started on that family time. I am NOT going to the school tomorrow, rather I am going to stay home and we are going to hang out as a family. I am really looking forward to it. Hopefully the 100+ degrees we have had everyday for 2 weeks will break tomorrow and we will get a break and have a little cooler weather.

Later...

T-Minus 13 and counting

I can't believe another summer is coming to a close. I am pretty close to being ready for school preparation wise, but I still have some mental adjusting to do to be ready. Thanks to my wife I have been able to get everything ready much faster than normal. I am grateful I was able to get everything back into my classroom and get all my books better organized.

I forgot to tell you a funny story about my little Z when I was adding shelves to the pantry. I has trying to get a screw through the edge piece into the wall. Z was walking by the pantry door. I was grunting as I pushed on the power drill to get it. Suddenly I hear, "Be a man, dad!". I had to set down the drill I was laughing so hard. Man I love that little kid.

We had a great visit with my wife's sister and her family this evening. They were on their way home to Colorado and popped in for a visit. It was nice to see them again.

Tomorrow is going to be another day at the school. I really truly hope to have a majority of my planning done so I can enjoy the last few days of summer with my little family.

Well, it's late. I am heading to bed!

Later...

Houston, We Have LIft Off... Mostly

Mission Control...

I am happy to report that after a total of almost 8 hours, I almost have my room back in order. At least everything is out of the hallway and back in my classroom. Having a new closet in my room is very cool, but without shelves, it is looking a little junkie. Oh well. At least no one has to look at all the crap stacked in there. That is one of the frustrating things of being a teacher- We have to store many, many items that are used for one key lesson the entire year. But they are items I wouldn't give up.

After working in my classroom all day (thank you honey for helping), we headed to my parents. They have actually decided to come home for a few days before they head out again. My dad had to go with the ward bishop to attend a fireside so we bought pizza and ate dinner with my mom. It was nice to visit with her and catch up. We headed home around 9:00 to get the kids in pj's and read scriptures and have family prayer. Now we are finally just relaxing. We are heading back tomorrow to continue the work of getting everything settled in. Guess I will sign off. My little princess is wanting me to hold her. I can't pass this up since before I know it, she will be graduated and gone :(

Later...

Finally, I Feel Ready! (Almost)

Ok, So I am not 100% done in my room, but I have my first day ready to go, the tables are ready with new crisp folders, and the room feels clean and welcoming. I agree with Damien Riley, a 4th grade teacher in CA. Teachers deserve praise the public doesn't even know they should be giving. (Read about it by clicking HERE.) He had a great point. I am very excited for the new year, just worn out from the long drawn out summer. But that is okay.

I think I found a new favorite quote. My kids were watching a new Garfield cartoon. Garfield was having a hard time getting what he needed to do done. He had this to say, "Every time I think I've hit rock bottom, someone hands me a shovel." This totally reaffirms the fact that it can ALWAYS be worse, so buck-up little campers and get on with it. So remember that as you go about this school year- someone could always hand you a shovel. It could always be deeper. Of course, when you are in trouble is not the time to be looking for the shovel... However that is another topic all together.

The last couple of days I was in a training session for level 5. I can't remember if I explained that, but whatever. It was long and I struggled to stay awake after all the long nights of watching the Olympics.

I was able to make it home by noon and water the garden, grass, pick the cucumbers (WOW we got lots), and work in my room. All this before my parents invited us up for pizza. My dad is going in on Monday to have his other knee replaced. So I will be mowing their lawn and other odd jobs for the next few weeks.

I think that about catches you up on my crazy life for the past few days. Remember to tell your friends about my amusing life! (and have them check it out!)

Later...