One week down…

Well, I have now officially survived a full week of school with my new kiddos.  Last week was our first full week, and I must say that it’s nice to have it over with!  I was so tired because it has been really hard for me to get back into the swing of things.  The kids are starting to understand how I function as a teacher, and I am starting to get to know them.  I always say it takes until about October to truly get a feel for each other and fall into our own regular routine.  I always feel much better about the year by about that time.  This time of the year is always stressful just because I have students testing my limits as well as trying to find a groove that works in various subjects with this group of kids.  They are all so different that I can’t hardly use anything from one year to the next.  I just have to figure out what works with the new group. 

My kiddos really are cute and fun.  They like to laugh and have a good time, and I have a few that are VERY social.  That can be a negative thing at times, too, but hopefully that’ll be cut back once they figure out when it is and isn’t appropriate to be loud in my classroom.  We are finally starting to get all of the subject areas worked in the way that I’d like them to be for the new year, so that will help us get into a routine.  I have 18 kids this year, three of which are completely new to the district.  I am pretty even with boys and girls, so it’s a different mix compared to the mostly-girls that I had last year.  🙂  It has been fun getting to know them!  I am fairly relieved that this week will only have four days because it gives me another week to adjust.

My Labor Day weekend was really nice, and I have been able to relax and enjoy my time at home a bit!  Saturday was my mom’s birthday, and the hubby was going to help his dad get ready for an auction that have this Wednesday to sell the farm equipment that had been his grandpa’s, so my mom and mother-in-law and I all went for a little road trip.  We headed out of town to go out to eat and do a little shopping.  I still had some things to buy for the baby shower I’m throwing this next weekend, so it was a great chance to get away.  My dad had to work, so my mom would’ve sat at home by herself on her birthday otherwise.  She really enjoyed the day, so I am very glad that we went.  Trent came over to my parents’ house Saturday night, we went to church together, and then we all went out for supper.  It was a great day!  Then yesterday Trent went to help his dad again.  I was going to get up early and go with him to spend the day with my parents, but I could not make myself get out of bed yesterday morning.  Instead I had a very quiet day at home by myself.  I did get some laundry done as well as a few things for my graduate class, so it wasn’t a completely wasted day.  Today we went and visited some of Trent’s relatives that are here for the sale, and then we went and had supper with my parents.  We got home at a decent time for me to unwind from the weekend, do a little more laundry, and relax before heading to bed for work tomorrow.  This will be a busy week because family will be coming in tomorrow evening for the sale that is on Wednesday.  I am not taking the day off work for the sale (which I do feel fairly guilty about), but hopefully I’ll be able to spend some time with family tomorrow or Wednesday night.  We’ll see! 

As I said, this upcoming weekend I am throwing my friend Rachel a baby shower.  I am so excited!!  My mom is going to KC with me on Friday, and then we’ll spend the weekend there.  I have the games all planned and her gifts all ready to go!  I just have to make the punch and freeze it sometime this week as well as get a few things printed off and gifts wrapped.  I can’t believe it’s time for the shower already!  It seems like just the other day she called and said she was pregnant and I offered to throw her shower.  To think that was like 7 months ago seems unbelievable.  The time has gone so quickly!  She’s due at the beginning of October, so I’m sure I’ll be making another trip to KC in a month or so.  It’ll be nice to spend some time with her and her mom, and we plan to take the mothers out Saturday night after the shower.  That should be fun! 

Well, I have probably rambled on long enough for you all.  I need to get back upstairs and unload the dishwasher.  I have a show coming on in about 10 minutes, so I best get moving!  I hope everyone enjoyed an extra day off today (if you got the day off), and that you have a great week!