Summer Vacation Week 8 & 9

Ah! Summer vacation is coming to a close. All 11-month employees are returned to school last Monday to get ready for the new school year. Here in 3 days, I'll be returning to work too! I seriously can not believe it! It's time to actually start thinking about my classroom again, even though my house isn't even ready for baby #2 and coming in 10 days. School starting isn't that far behind with only 14 days remaining. Let's pray I can do it all or get the help I need! :)

 Anyway, this past 2 weeks has me really fatigued so I did very little. I've cleaned a little and rested a lot! Josh has been busy with work and other projects. Little Miss has just been very active, but somewhat accommodating to this mommy needing her rest. Baby Girl is getting me ready for her arrival... I had about 3 hours of contractions Monday night and again yesterday. 

If you're reading this, I'd appreciate a little prayer for me and my family as there is still a lot to do! :) 

School Year Ending

As this school year comes to a close, I am beginning to think about next school year.... I have been up for the past 3 hours pinning many things! ( I wrote this at 3 in the morning btw...) 

I am sad that I will not be returning right away in August and being with my kiddos at the start of the year. Now that I have a full year under my belt at my new school, I feel beyond ready to prepare for the upcoming school year. I know what to expect and I am ready to take on a new year. 

But... I will be a mommy of two by the end of August. I am excited for our baby to come, I just didn't realize how much I'd miss the beginning of the school year. It is so important to set up everything from the beginning and I won't be there to kick it off right. It's kind of depressing me! 

I'm sure I may be singing a different tune come August, but I'm slowly realizing I may do better at a year-round school. Call me crazy, but I actually get in a depressive funk for 1-2 weeks after school ends and 1-2 weeks leading up to school. I also have so many amazing ideas I want to try but I feel like I never have the time to do it all. I honestly feel like getting 2 weeks off every 8 weeks would be more beneficial for me. 

First 2 Weeks of School

Oh my goodness!
The first two weeks of school have been fun, overwhelming, and just great. I have a very supportive grade level and my students are super sweet! I have been told, I have one of the best classes in 3rd grade. This school is using programs I have never used before so getting used to the programs have been and will be fun.
The school-wide reading program officially begins on Monday. It seems very overwhelming because there is a lot of pressure to follow this program with fidelity. After doing the lesson plans though, it doesn't seem like it's as hard as everyone describes. Of course, I need to teach it first!

Cookies from the first day of school from our admin. "Be Happy!"

Baby girl has adjusted well. She gets to hang out with grandma all day. She love driving her car, chasing the dogs and cousins, and playing with her toys. Her second tooth has broken through, she can scale herself across the room, crawl super fast, pick up foods with her fingers, and I know there is so much more I am missing. We can not believe how fast she is growing. She will have her doctor's appointment soon so we will learn just how much she has grown. We love this little girl so much!!! She is already 9 months.

Baby Girl 9 months old

Baby Girl feeding herself

My new haircut

My New Classroom

Day 1 (8/15/14)

Came in. Got what I needed from the office. Assessed the classroom. After thinking for awhile, decided I couldn't do much and left. 

Day 2 (8/18/14)

Came in. Found several pieces of furniture removed. Put desks together. Talked with grade level chair, have an idea what stations are needed in my room. Have an idea for floor plan. Left for family function. 

Day 3 (8/20/14)

Came in. Brought in some personal educational items. Rearranged furniture. Attended meetings. Ate lunch. Attended more meeting. Picked up school-purchased educational items. 

Day 4 (8/21/14)

Came in. Brought in more personal educational items. Attended a meeting. Picked up supplies. Got my writing and reading books. Rearranged my desks. Finalized my class schedule. Did some decorating, organizing, and setting up within my classroom. 

Day 5 (8/22/14)

Came in. Attended 2 meetings. Worked on lesson plans, copies, and a to-do list.

Day 6 & 7 (8/23-24/14)

Came in. Worked on setting up the rest of my classroom. Josh was awesome enough to help out for about 2 hours on Saturday night. 

Sunday night we spent some time with family. Baby girl's cousins thought that wearing a witch's hat would awesome!

Good-Bye Northwest

Today I said my final good-byes to the Northwest. I thought I was going to be a bit more sad than this but I am not. I am happy it happened and I am happy to move on to the next chapter of my life... East side. Lol :)

My Northwest story started back in 2010 when I was living in Henderson and needing a place to live. My friend offered me a room and I gladly accepted. :)

It had the best possible view ever, just around the base of Mt. Charleston! 

I became a member of the LDS church and our lifestyles were different and so I moved out and moved in with 2 awesome ladies!

Three short months later I was hired on at Bozarth Elementary School... Home of the Aviators! :)

My second year teaching, I got married and moved clear over to the East side of town to be closer to family. I stayed for a third year and I'm so glad I did because I got to meet many amazing people. Then this year (my 3rd year), my beautiful daughter came along and the drive became too much!

I miss my little girl tons! It was time to move closer to home and I found a school not to far away at all! 

Driving away today, I realized I am in a new chapter of my life. I needed to be in the Northwest for a season, but now my home and life are here in the East side... and I must say, it feels like home!