Surviving the First Week

The first week of school is always the toughest. Not only are you exhausted from the long hours prepping your classroom and getting everything ready for the kids/parents, but you also forget just how adorable, small, and clueless they are when they first come to you. EVERYTHING has to be taught or retaught while fighting extreme wigglyness/hunger (on both the teacher AND student sides.) Do they remember how to line up and walk down the hall quietly? No. Do they know how to unpack their bookbags? No. Do they remember to get napkins, spoons, straws, and ketchup at lunch? No. Do they know what to do with all of those notebooks and folders? Of course not. But, however much I might feel like a broken record of a robot, it is always a good feeling to know that deep down you can't WAIT to get to know this new class of kids. Why? Because already you can tell it is going to be a great year.

Back to School

Monday starts the beginning of another school year! For the first time, I am completely ready for the first day. I repeat, I do not have to go into work this weekend! For those of you that know me (or any other teacher) well...this is quite an accomplishment. I got to meet my new students on Thursday. I think it is going to be an exciting year! More on this to come...for now, it's time to tackle the monstrous pile of laundry that is lurking in our bedroom.

Counter Surfing

Hank is a growing boy and needs his strength. What he does not need is his own bran muffin whenever he pleases off of the kitchen counter. Oh dear...I am saying goodbye to the days when we could place things out of our dog's reach, at least until we get this new "talent" under control.

Beach Reads

Ryan and I decided not to go on vacation this summer. We had elected to spend our "vacation money" for dog expenses. Now that Hank is a bona fide member of the Knapp family, I can't imagine spending this on anything more worth while. It has been a good summer, and I really have no reason to complain. But, as the summer comes to a close I have found that I am missing one thing: beach reads. My book club has read many great books over the course of this year. Many of them have been heavy topics or a little on the dark side. I felt better for have been challenged by their ideas, and great writing. Now, it is time to flip the switch and dedicate the rest of August to girly, fluffy, easy to read beach books. I put these types of books in a category all their own, because to me, they are just as important as the next Pulitzer prize winning fiction. So here's to chick-lit, and a fun last few weeks summer!