Hey Peeps -
Thanks for your patience. The good news is the only anxiety I've had lately is what the heck to do about this blog. I'm not ready to move on and find a new site that's updated, mainly because I believe I'd have to pay. I don't like the thought of not having all my work in one location and I don't trust myself to transfer properly. Needless to say, I've run into about 7 blocks and I finally decided to do the slow as heck, not at all efficient way of work that does get the job done. So, I'm emailing all the pics I like to myself and then saving them to my computer and then uploading them. Job. Done. Just not well. I hate wasted time, it's sincerely my biggest pet peeve in life, but for the blog, it's worth it.
My pics will be all over, but they'll be here.
We finished our second week of school. I already had an IEP meeting to amend Everett's document. I added a lot under the supplemental needs section to beef it up so when the lady from the county comes next week she can see an extra set of hands for him would be really helpful. My admin have my back and we're all on the same page fighting for him. The county doesn't want to spend the money of course, so they'll fight hard to not provide but he does need it so mama bear will keep at it.
Everett & Clara are doing amazing. I'm so super thankful because if they weren't my heart would be in knots. Clara loves school and my co-worker who teaches third grade with me has her son going to school at Southern Oak (my school's name) this year and they LOVE playing together before and after school. His name is Thomas and he is the sweetest, cutest, little boy. Everett joins them sometimes. We manage to get out of the house on time, the kids have been going to bed earlier and waking earlier...well, Everett has always been an early riser. He slept each day last week so that's helped. I'm going to be making some calls this week to get us back into therapy. I'm not sure what the frequency will be at this time, or the availability, but it takes a while to get the paperwork done, find time slots that will fit our limited schedule and such. We have been continuing with feeding so we need to start speech, PT and OT again. Our OT is moving on and up which is super exciting for her but we are so sad for us, she was the best.
This past weekend we took it easy. Clara got a bug mid week and was out one day. Doe, our old care provider is willing to watch sick kids so that's super helpful. The kids are always excited to be there, Doe and Michael are pseudo grandparents, they didn't choose us, we kind of don't allow for it to be any other way. She snapped back quick and I had it Saturday, I think I sneezed 9,999 times in one day. It's lingering but only a little today, Sunday. However, Everett got a runny nose Saturday evening so I knew he was next. He had a fever all day today but still ate and drank. Hopefully it goes through him quick but Doe is ready for him tomorrow if need be. They are right by work so that's super helpful too!
I don't think I've gotten into my teaching much. I'm third grade again. Since I've been at Southern Oak I've been 3, 4, 5, 5, 3, 2, now back to 3rd. This is my 14th year teaching. My admin wanted me to teach 4th and I asked to go to 3rd where I have great co-workers who will get my back if the kids or anyone gets super sick and I have to be out. I'm nervous about the germs and how it'll hit us when flu season strikes, it was so bad last year everywhere, but our school in particular. Thankfully she understood my concerns and left me third. I wanted to teach math and science, it's just a lot easier than ELA and being back full time and my worries with my kids I did want to take the easy road. I normally take whatever is handed or asked of me and roll with it. It's the first time I've seriously begged for the easy road. She gave it to me then revoked it. Apparently, since my scores and results show success I'm pigeonholed into a position I really don't want this year. Also, on top of it, I have all the low kids. I do believe in myself, however I'm not a miracle worker. I went to admin again, expressed my concerns. They pulled two out. I've been hearing through the grape vine they are coming back to me. I'm carrying 40% of our student's reading scores on my shoulders. That's not anything I'd ever want, particularly in my first year back part time with two little ones to think about and the boat load of after school responsibilities I have. I currently have 5 kids who cannot read, and when those two come back we can all do the math, yes, 7 kids who cannot read a lick. They have a big test in 3rd grade that will hold them back if they don't pass it. I also have kids on and above grade level but I'm tied to teaching the struggling kids for the majority of the day. I don't blame admin for this, these rules are state wide and it is getting worse and worse. No one holds kids back anymore, not until third grade that is, so I have these poor kids who don't even know their letter sounds in THIRD grade...just typing that makes my blood boil. So, I'm expected to differentiate my instruction to meet the needs of all 40 kids I have and work miracles to get kids who cannot read to pass a timed reading test. Super. Mind you, them not being able to read isn't even the beginning of the problem, you can imagine the behaviors of kids who make it to third grade not knowing how to read. To say I'm frustrated with the teaching portion of my career is a complete and pathetic understatement. I've made my voice heard, it's known I don't want this responsibility and it's still what it is SOOOOOO I digress. On a positive note, I'm departmentalizing with Lisa so I teach two different classes ELA and she is teaching math and science. I'll do my best, as I always will, but the UBER kicker is there are currently many other teachers who have been in third grade for years (familiar with the newer content which I'm not since I've been in so many different grade levels kindly doing what's asked of me) in a row familiar with the content, without small children at home and super demanding out of school activities to attend to that could have done what I'm doing, but that's not what is happening. So, I'm done. I'm going to try and do my best to not be up at night worrying about how the heck I'm supposed to get all these NON readers to read by April. :/ Rant. Over.
I've been doing hours of work a night and that won't change all year. From the moment my lids open until I try to keep them closed it's utter chaos. I'm getting us all ready for school, out the door, to my room to get nothing done bc my kids are under toe, race them to their rooms before my students get to my room, and pick them up as soon as I drop them off, to again, get next to nothing done since they're hungry and tired to then go home and not make dinner since there's no time for that, get them in bed by 6 make lunches, clean up, and do countless hours of school work. Andre is bringing the kids two times a week, one of which is a faculty meeting. That one day a week I have thirty minutes in my class to get my work done I tend to spin in circles not knowing where to begin. Thankfully weekends have been low key and I can do loads and loads of laundry and attempt to get my house in order. I'm trying desperately to spend quality time with my kids and not be short since I'm constantly feeling like I'm barely scraping the surface of life. It'll get easier they say...I hope "they" are right! I just hope our sickness is kept to a minimum, that would really help!
Kayak trip to Weeki Wachee River, it's so beautiful. We were a bit nervous taking Bubs because it's a long day but he did super duper of course. He even napped for a bit.
Clara had a super cranky day...wouldn't know here, she hides it well. She has been doing so well behaviorally. I have been nervous to get back to school. We see some lame behaviors she picks up on in class come out, we're hoping with age she can keep it in check! ;) The best news is in school is does super duper!!! Always proud of my spirited little lady.
Big kids climb high and jump, I hold my breath every time. I think I'll pass out when Clara starts!!
Pre school days when I am in my classroom, these nuggets joined me for a lot of it when I wasn't in meetings. They also "helped" me plants my classroom plants.
They have been super behaved but between eating, diaper changes, bathroom help, I can't get anything done.
Daddy came in to help, hanging backpack hooks, THANKS LOVE! I appreciate all your help, it makes a huge difference.
Aunt Kristin at school is crazy! Her classroom is this close, she can see me right there outside of my classroom. You'd think we'd see one another more but we really don't. She is now working with all my non readers as the ESE teacher so that's awesome!
Clara's teacher Mrs. Green. I taught third grade with Ms. Green my first year at SO. She is a great teacher and Clara has been better about going to school this year! We showed up after the meet the teacher since I had my own class to tend to...Molly the babysitter brought them to me just in time for her to make it to her classroom quick. Everett too!
I had been promising them all week a trip to the playground they stare at outside my classroom window, there is never time for it. I'm going to make time for it, especially when it COOLS DOWN!
Annual BFF pic
Clara has been avoiding the poor because she doesn't want to wash her hair after. Daddy switched it to salt water right when we moved which helps but her hair is my hair and it dries it out so quick so we solved the problem with a cap! And goggles for other chlorine pools, she keeps her eyes open and is a fish so she has had a few bad experiences with burning eyes this summer.
My sunshine! Lisa brought these beauties over and I shared four with the kids teachers and their assistants, they lasted so long and were super big and bright.
The first day of school!
Daddy following us to school. (don't worry we were sopped at a red light taking pics of each other)
My family, at WORK!!! Crazy awesome.
On our way to class, day 1!
Everett is amazing. He is in a new place, with new teachers, and he gives us a look of "don't go, but I know you have to" and off we go and he does his thing. He is the best little man.
Kingston to his left is Doe's grandson, Kate, his mom, I work with and that's how I was originally connected to Doe. Lia, behind them is my old AP's daughter. Everett sees these two every time I had to use Doe as a sitter over the years in a pinch. So, he already has two friends. :)
Peaking in on Clara! :) She is so brave, in everything she does. She tells me how much she misses being with me and we have in depth conversations about being apart. I remind her that those were the exact feelings I had as a kid and that's why I became a teacher. I loved having my mom at school. I was a mama's girl and loved her by my side, I loved knowing she was just upstairs when I was at school. I started my career in accounting my first semester and I decided to be a teacher to be with my kids. Probably one of the best choices I've ever made in my life, not just for them, for my sanity!
After a LONG first day.
Doe and Michael watched my two with Kingston and Lia when I had meetings at work before the kids came back. I love they are always together. Clara is super excited to have her brother at school with her!
Whoop, back to trip.
Already busy working day 1.
I hate and will always hate every, single, moment away from these beauties. It sucks being away from them.
Everett - you belong. You are brave and strong. You know what to do, and do it. You are kind and the cutest little man on the planet. I'm always worried for you but hold the highest standards for you and it's because I know you can, even when I have doubts. You are capable and we will continue this good fight together to keep you included. I'm so proud of all you do, your ethic, your bravery, your independent ways, and your ability to make everyone fall in love with you within seconds. You are smart, you are special and you will always make me proud.
I go in and see Everett for lunch and help feed him. He's already feeding himself much more. We're tweaking things like his seat and such to help him succeed. He follows directions and his teachers say they wish they had a classroom full of Everett's. He lets me come and go with a smile on his face. I've stopped to see Clara two times, she has a harder time with me leaving, I get it, I was just like her. I can't peek in anymore because we have to have all of our windows covered and doors locked, don't even get me started on our new rules since the out of control shootings. I'm glad we're keeping our kids safe but school feels like prison. I wait patiently for 2:45 when I get to see my cuties again. They are both getting to big too fast and I want it to stop!
