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.

So This is What it's Like

It has officially been forever since I last posted. Things have definitely gone from crazy to crazier! I started my new job as a 1st grade teacher at Cumberland, which is the main reason I haven't blogged in so long. My life has virtually been dedicated to my job 24/7 for the last month. Don't get me wrong I love my job, but I never realized how much time and effort it took to be a teacher. I finally know what it's like and why all the teachers I know are always exhausted and never stop working. I've posted some final pictures of my classroom for you all to see. The kids love it!

The view into the classroom from the door

The calendar area and computer center-there are now computers on the long table

The front of the room with my SmartBoard-this thing is the best invention ever!

The reading corner-the kids love the tent!

My desk

Part of the back of the room

The year has gone really pretty great so far. I really can't complain much. The first day was crazy, but the kids all survived and made it home alive. The second day was by far my worst day due to a note from a crazy parent and one of my boys got on the wrong bus to go home. Luckily, that night we had tickets to see Jeff Dunham at the State Fair, so I was cheered up by the time I went to bed that night. It was a great show and we definitely laughed until we cried. He's a hilarious guy and Walter did not disappoint. As for the crazy parent-she still sends me a note almost daily and is constantly concerned about her child and his academic progress, which makes me realize she is going to be on my back all year long. If that's the worst that I've got out of my 21 kiddos, then I think I'm good. I only have one girl that is truly challenging for me to handle every day and I'm working with her mom to try and get something figured out for her. All in all, it's been going good. I'm getting more and more confident in my routine and what I want to do and accomplish each day, as well as the kids. I finally got 2 student computers Friday, so I was really excited. I was promised these the first week of school and that clearly did not happen. The corporation is great and my principal totally has my back 100% which is a relief. I have a great building mentor, Kathy, who has given me so much and helped me out more than I could ever thank her for. I'd definitely be lost without her. We had our first field trip to the Indianapolis Zoo on the 16th and that went really well. The weather was perfect and the zoo was not packed at all. I was totally nervous and expecting to forget something, but it went without a hitch. I had 8 parent chaperones which is amazing! I didn't even have to take any kids which was a nice break.

Guitar Man opening for Jeff Dunham

Walter

Peanut and Jose the Jalepeno

Like I said, work has consumed my life-so I haven't really had much else go on. I haven't seen my husband much, which he is okay with because that gives him more time to go golfing without me getting mad because he's gone all the time, since I'm gone too. He's been great helping out around the house and coming into my classroom and helping me with stuff. I actually think he's come in at least every weekend for a little while on the days that I've had to go in. He's awesome! He even got me my new wedding band that I've been wanting. It's a band exactly like my original one, except now I have one on top and on bottom of my engagement ring. He definitely spoils me. So I figured I'd finally break down and let him sell his truck. So if you know anyone that wants to buy it, we're selling it for $7500. He's been wanting to get a 4 door truck possibly with a back window that goes down...for the dogs of course. Everything is always for the dogs. They're spoiled too. My poor dog has a benign tumor on his ear. We noticed a small bump about a month ago that just kept getting bigger and bigger. Of course, I started freaking out so we took him to the vet and found out that some dogs just get them and they will go away within 3 months. So basically we just have to deal with it and wait for it to fall off. It doesn't seem to bother him so that's the good news.

As some might know, Kyle and I have been trying to start a family since last November without success-obviously. So I made an appointment with the OBGYN to discuss what are options were. I went to a completely new doctor since my original OBGYN moved to Lebanon. I really like the guy and he got started with some tests right away, which I was grateful for. Not really sure what the tests were, but I know they were basic and just required my blood being drawn. We go back on the 6th to go over the results and run some more tests. He was good with explaining everything to us. I had Kyle go so that he could kind of see what goes on at the appointments and hear what the doctor has to say. He just thinks I'm full of it sometimes so it was interesting for him to hear everything and realize that I'm not overreacting and giving him false information. He's super excited about the "sample" that he will be asked to give at some point. I try to remind him that it's all for the greater good and our overall goal. I'm hoping that it's nothing to serious and can be an easy solution. I'm trying not to be too pessimistic and more optimistic but it's hard. It's hard when it's something that you have absolutely no control over and can't just make it happen. Hopefully we'll have some answers soon.

I'll keep you posted.

Hope everyone is having a great start to fall-my favorite season!