Early Dismissal

A tornado watch at a nature school (with no central building) means early dismissal. My principal asked if I wanted to go once about half the kids were gone and I jumped at the chance. The drive home was yucky and a little scary but I'm glad to be riding out the bad storm at home- snuggled up on the couch with Korra. 

Lice and Strep

Got an email this morning that there's a case of lice AND a case of strep throat in Korra's class.  Fantastic.

Rain!!!!

For the first time in almost 2 months it's raining!

Stuck

Korra went behind the rocking chair and then felt stuck because the cat was in the chair (and Korra is terrified of the cat). 

Alarm

After 9 days off, I just turned my weekday 5:55am alarm back on. Thankfully, it's only for 19 days before I get another big break!

Delia's

Lunch today: Delia's Chicken Sausage Stand!

Costumes Required

I just got an email informing me (and all padrbts, students, and staff) that every day in December is a themed dress-up day. I'm probably the only person this is a surprise to. Can I deduct the cost if a reindeer costume from my taxes in addition to the hiking boots and bug spray I had to buy as school supplies?

Car Loan

Danny just called for the first time in over 6 weeks (with a new phone number) and he asked us to cosign on a car loan. Teenagers. 

Moana

We're at the drive-in watching Moana and it's wonderful!

No Voice

Yesterday's sore throat turned into a lost voice today. Oh well. No need to talk for the next day or two- time alone with Nate and Korra at the cabin before the rest of the family arrives Sunday night. About to head into 8 days of no emails, text, internet access, or TV. Hurray!

Alarm Off

That amazing feeling when you turn your alarm off... for 9 whole days!

Oil Change

Finding a new stuff like dentists and veterinarians is not fun or easy. Today I'm tackling the task of finding a new place for car maintenance and repair. Think I've found a winner- and it's on the way home from work. It's been really frustrating to find stuff because it turns out there is very little besides houses and gas stations in our area without driving further into the city (traffic and interstates!) or out into the suburbs. I'm not impressed with our current location- glad it's just a rental -but I don't know that we can afford to live in an area we'd love (or that it would be as convenient for our jobs). There is the slight hope that things will get better (the area is supposed to be on the rise) but I'm not sure I'm willing to wait it out. 

Beyond the Fence

In addition to the slightly crazy atmosphere of pre-Thanksgiving break, we had a big "Beyond the Fence" curriculum day with parents. It was good but exhausting. So ready for cabin time.

Progress Reports

Nothing like sending home progress reports to have an email box full of passive aggressive parent emails. I am so ready for a break. 

No Book Fair

For the first time in 8 years, it's the week before Thanksgiving and I don't have an eye twitch. I'm not in charge of the book fair!  

Babies

Korra likes to pretend she is a baby. Nate and I hate it. So she pretends all her stuffed animals are babies (complete with baby talk and crying). We don't really like that either. Tonight she says to her elephant, "Ellie, you have to stay in here because my mommy does not like babies at all." Wondering what her teachers think of me when she says stuff like that. 

No Planning

Today's one parent conference took 80 of my 90 minute planning period.  

Cousins

Korra loved her time with her cousins and grandparents. I loved my time with my sister and parents. 

Family Time

Heading up to my folks' house after school today for a weekend with them and my sister and her family.  Really looking forward to seeing them, but already feeling bummed that it will be for such a short time.

Today was Korra's special day at school. Everyone wore her favorite colors (pink and purple), she got to be the line leader, and I went to her school to read one of her favorite books, and we made Fruit Loop necklaces. 

Patriotism

And... Today our whole school is practicing for our big Veteran's Day program tomorrow. Nothing like forcing the kids to sing patriotic songs and wave flags when most if my kids are upset by the election.  They want to know what saying the pledge means when the nan who is about to be president has repeatedly said racist, sexist, hurtful, and hateful things. I don't know what to tell them. 

Sick

God help us

Sleepless Night

I didn't sleep well last night. And now I'm up and I'm still afraid to check the results. I never thought I'd feel this strongly about a presidential election. 

Bike Ride

Trying to keep my mind off of things that are outside my control. We went on a bike ride to the park and now we're watching some Drunk History. Hoping today we make history with our first female president. 

Flat Tire

 I got a flat tire on the way home from yoga. I'm thankful tomorrow is a teacher work-day but really bummed I'm going  to spend what would have been my leisurely morning at home finding a used tire place. 

Saints

Thus morning at church we remembered those of the faith who we have lost. I was asked to share about my neighbor Norma and to serve communion. We stayed after church for over an hour talking with people. Pretty amazing considering this is only the second time I've been to this church. I think we've found a home. 

Baby Shower and Football

We took a short trip to LaGrange yesterday to attend a baby shower and have lunch (while watching college football) with some neighbor friends. It was so nice to be with everyone but felt strange not to go home to our house there. I did stop by the house to pick up some mail. It was the weirdest thing to knock on our door and go into our house but have it be someone else's home. It was also weird to come back into Atlanta and have it feel like home.

Couple Date

Third "date" this week with our new friends. Nate and I keep making comparisons between finding adult friendships with dating. Do they like us as much as we like them?  Is it too soon to text and make plans to get together again?  It's nice to find friends here in Atlanta that we really connect with, especially since making friends seems to get trickier the older we get (probably because we add in all these extra people like spouses and kids!)

Proportions for President

Today I taught the kids about the electoral college and how we can calculate the number of electoral college votes each state gets using proportions!

Field Trip

Taking the middle schoolers on a field trip to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra today. Fingers crossed it's fun and not stressful!

Skinned Knees

Scraped up both my knees after slipping on the acorns in our driveway. Ouch.