Perks of Being a Teacher

So I'm starting to experience the much dreaded report cards and parent-teacher conferences that all my friends have complained about and dread doing twice a year. Report cards are due next Wednesday for us and I have yet to start, so from what it sounds like I'll be doing those all weekend. Oh well, as crazy as it sounds I'm looking forward to this first experience, although it might be the only time I look forward to doing report cards. We'll see how it goes.

Now I'm wondering why I decided to hold parent-teacher conferences. Since the State of Indiana took away teacher professional development days a year ago, West Lafayette decided that they would leave it up to the teacher to do conferences-which is really nice and extremely different than what my friends in TSC have to go through. Still being the goody-good person that hates to let people down (my kids' parents), I decided to have conferences. We have one day for Fall Break next Friday, so I decided I wanted to get them done before then. So I gave the parents a scheduled time and I'm only meeting with parents for 20 minutes each until 5:30 on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I told them if they can't make their time it has to be rescheduled for one of those 3 days. I want to be done with them after Wednesday night. Luckily, most of the times have worked out and a few said they don't really feel the need to meet. =) I've gotten some really nice emails from some of my parents thanking me for holding conferences-they said they know it's all out of my own personal time and they really appreciate my graciousness. Haha-guess I'm getting brownie points. Still, I can't help but think that I would expect the same thing from my child's teacher someday. I mean everything aside, we are still teachers and we need to be looking in the best interest of the kids. I'll let you know how they go.

2 weeks ago, Kyle sold his truck and got a newer, updated style that he is IN LOVE with. He sold his 99 Ford outright and we actually made some money on it which was nice. We went looking because it sold so quickly and he found a 07 Chevy Silverado that's a brownish color and has leather interior, 4 door, a sunroof (totally unnecessary, but he wanted it if he could find it), and his favorite feature-the input to plug his iPhone into the stereo so it plays directly into the car (like my car does). It was a little bit more than I wanted to spend, but he really wasn't finding anything remotely close to what he liked, and well he had to have a truck because I for sure was not going to drive his toosh to work at 5:30 in the morning. So he now has a new baby and washes it and cleans it out almost every other day. After we broke down and bought it I asked him what he thought and if he was excited. He said he's never been so excited because he never thought he'd have a truck this nice that was exactly what he wanted. Definitely brought a smile to my heart. He doesn't hold high enough hopes, and goals, and dreams for himself sometimes, so I was so happy to be able to help him get his dream. And of course the dogs are loving have their own full window to roll down when they go for a ride with us. All in all, that's the only thing that matters with us-if our dogs are happy.

Last weekend we went to Bluefin with some of my besties from Hershey and their husbands. It was so nice to see everyone and catch up. I realized how much I miss those girls. My job now would be perfect if they all came to Cumberland, but I doubt that will happen.

I am definitely ready for next weekend to be here because we don't have school on Friday for our Fall Break which has seemed extremely far out. I'm going to try and get all my stuff done on Friday here at the house and for work because Saturday we are going to venture up to Chicago to see my ultimate bestest, Jackie and her...wait for it...husband, Alex. I'm so excited to go up there and see their place post wedding gifts and for Kyle to go to the big city. He hasn't been up there with me to Jackie's ever. I know he's a little nervous about going into a big city-he's not at all a fan of the traffic and all the people-but he is excited to get away for awhile and see their new place. Also wanted to give a big shout out and congratulations to Alex for passing his BAR exam!! He's now in the process of looking for jobs and I know he'll land a great one! We're so proud of you!!

I guess that's it for now. As much as I hate this colder weather, I am super excited and can't wait for Thanksgiving and the day after! This is my favorite time of year. I love the holiday season and just the overall mood that it sets. It doesn't hurt that there will be an insane amount of amazing food! I LOVE shopping the day after Thanksgiving to get good deals and just watch the people-it's always so interesting. Not yet sure what mom and I will do this year. Whatever it is I know it'll be a good time.