Crafty Day

I drew this picture

I sewed this laptop case. 

Now or never

Korra had a check up this morning. After waiting for about 15 minutes in the waiting room she said, "we should just go. It's now or never." 

Also after an hour of patching those jeans, she put them on and they're too short. 

More eating and talking

Making the most of our break: lunch with my former partner teacher and then dinner with a family from church. 

Talking, laughing, eating

Yesterday we spent from about 4-8pm helping friends pack for their impending move to Massachusetts. There was also lots of talking, laughing, eating pizza. I'm going to miss them tremendously. 

Today we spent about the same amount of time with other friends eating dinner, talking, playing board games, laughing. 

It was a really wonderful way to spend the weekend. 

More embroidery mending

New 'do

Korra wanted her haircut in order to better show off the pierced ears were getting done in 3 weeks. 

Gag Reflex

Korra's easy gag reflex annoyingly keeps her from doing many household chores. She can't put her dishes in the dishwasher or put things in the trash (it smells bad).  If we make her because we think she's just making excuses not to help out, sure enough, she barfs. Just imagine if we tried to get her to clean her bathroom. 

Playground Playdate #2

Second playground playdate in 3 days with friends from school that we just realized live only a few blocks away. It was really wonderful to meet up spur of the moment for just an hour or two. Also really nice that I enjoy the mom's company as much as Korra enjoys playing with the daughter. 

Mending

My sister inspired me to try some embroidery mending on a hole in Korra's jeans. 

Definitely going to try some more tomorrow!

Outside!

Enjoyed the weather today with a morning playdate and an afternoon family bike ride. 

Christmas Day

Woke up in my own bed on Christmas morning.  Made an egg dish and apple coffee cake.  Opened gifts with family.  Called/Skyped with more family.  Watched Elf (or actually put on Elf and then took a nap on the couch).  It was wonderful.  Very different than our usual Christmas but lovely all the same.

Christmas Eve

For the first time in my married life, we're spending Christmas at our own home. That means Christmas Eve service at our church. As a family, we lit the Advent candles and served communion. It was so wonderful to be able to celebrate Christmas with our church community.

Chinese

Tried a new Chinese restaurant (Chin Chin on Ponce) for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. Everyone loved what they ordered so I'll count it as a success. 

ClueTown Scavenger Hunt

The weather is absolutely gorgeous today. 68 degrees and sunny!  My parents, brother, sister-in-law, Nate, Korra, and I went to Oakland Cemetery to walk around and do a ClueTown Scavenger Hunt. 

Gingerbread Train

Korra and my parents worked together to make  a gingerbread Hogwarts Express. 

Snack Dinner

Tonight's dinner: mini pigs in a blanket, shrimp and cocktail sauce, buffalo chicken dip, ranch dip and veggies, meatballs, edamame, black eyed pea dip, snickerdoodles, and chocolate covered pretzels. Our annual snack dinner (aka smorgasbord). I ate too much. Also there are so many leftovers. We didn't even put out all the cheese and crackers I bought. 

Birthday party and visitors

While Korra was at a birthday party, my parents arrived!  We had chili and homemade bread for dinner. Korra ate pizza and cupcakes in a cardboard box decorated to look like a car (for their "drive in movie). A great time was had by all, though Korra is having a really hard time calming down from the excitement of the birthday party and having grandparents here. Thank goodness there's no school tomorrow. 

Christmas Pageant

Korra was an angel in this year's pop-up pageant. 

King Arthur

Every recipe I've ever tried from the King Arthur Flour website has been amazing. 

Made this one today for a breakfast potluck at church (enjoyed before sorting the Christmas pageant costumes) and they were a huge hit. 

https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/apple-muffins-recipe

Apple Muffins | King Arthur Flour

Super Cleaning

Hosting Christmas is an excellent excuse to deep clean the house.  

You get a To-do list and you get a to-do list!

Woke up at 4:30 again. Laid in bed listening to an audiobook until 6 (a perk of Nate falling asleep on the couch). Then coffee and individual To-do lists for each member of the family. I'm sure they're going to love it. 

At least it's over

The school day was not great.  The kids did not leave. My coteachers were way more ok with "unstructured time" (for me this feels like chaos) than I was. Korra threw up during my middle schoolers' award ceremony (too much sugar and a "bad smell") so I had to leave for a bit to check in her. It was long. 

After school however was great. A teacher friend and her daughter joined Korra and me in the park for a little decompression time. I wrapped presents while watching Christmas episodes of The Simpsons. I took a long bubble bath while listening to an audiobook (by Liane Moriarty) and drinking "sipping chocolate" spiked with peppermint vodka. Those things have helped me shake lose the last bits of school so I will hopefully be able to fully enjoy my 2 week vacation. 

More things to keep me from sleeping

All the little end of the semester stuff is making me just stressed enough to impact my sleep.  Lists of things I need to remember to do or conversations that didn't go well that I'm replaying or future conversations I might have that I obsess over. Having to take melatonin at night to fall asleep but that doesn't help when I continually wake up at 4:30am. And then I check my email and see a confirmed cases of scabies in Korra's grade. Just one more thing to rob me of sleep. 

And now we wait

The pediatrician saw us quickly and then sent off Korra's urine to a lab. Glad we got the ball rolling before the weekend and holidays just in case it is a UTI. 

Mindful strategies

Really had to put my SEL (social-emotional learning) strategies into practice to pull myself together. I ate some lunch. I took deep breaths. I called a couple people to talk through my feelings. I made a new plan. I listened to Christmas music to distract myself from negative thoughts and reset. 

Took Korra grocery shopping. Called the old pediatrician at 2 and made an appointment for 3:15. Made an appointment to get the oil changed on Monday. Not the day I had hoped and planned for but not the end of the world either. 

What plans?

Today I had a half day.  I was going to take the car to get an oil change, go grocery shopping, maybe even pick up a fancy coffee for myself.  Right as I was about to leave, Korra's teacher brings Korra to me. She's sobbing.  Says it hurts when she pees.  Another UTI.  So I can the pediatrician around the corner. The one I was planning on transferring to anyway (just not today).  They say to come right over. After filling out ALL the paperwork, they tell me they don't accept our insurance.  So I call our old place to see if we can come in.  They're closed for lunch until 2 (it's NOON!)  I can't drag a crying kid who has to pee every 3 min around to run errands while I wait until then.  So do I go to Urgent Care?  Do I wait until 2 and call and hope they can squeeze us in?  Oh, and Korra has totally stopped crying now so does she really have a UTI anyway?

Threat

Friday morning we have the end of quarter awards ceremony. I told the kids that after that we'd be writing essays for the rest of the day. I'm not telling them outright that they should go home with their parents after the program but I'm trying to nudge them in that direction. Let's see if it works. 

Administrative Tasks

This time of year (like the beginning and end of the school year) are filled with administrative tasks. Entering grades, putting test data into spreadsheets, making lists for honor roll and perfect attendance, evaluations and surveys to complete... Whew. It's not even the kids who are making me exhausted. I'm ready for this break. 

Disorganized

A parent accused me of losing her child's assignments. Right after she said she was surprised he had a D because her son never gave her the biweekly progress reports. Yeah, because 35 year old professionals are way more disorganized and irresponsible than 12 year old boys. That's definitely the most logical assumption. 

Blog Scrolling

Spent about 15 minutes this morning scrolling through my old blog posts to figure out Austin (NA), Alquida (AL), and Danny's birthdays and then putting them on my calendar.  Thinking about each of them extra today for some reason.

Yoga

Tonight I went to my first yoga class in probably about 2 years and it was the best class I've been to since moving to Atlanta. It was so relaxing and intimidating (so much like the vibe in my neighborhood yoga classes in LaGrange that I loved so much). And maybe best of all, it was at a place I already had to be for an hour. Korra has Girl Scouts on Monday nights at our church. This yoga class is in the church basement at almost exactly the same time. 

Neighbor Friend

Korra decided to go outside to play this afternoon and I was able to arrange for a 3rd grade girl who lives in the next building to join her (she's also an only child). They played soccer and hopscotch and then went inside to play Connect Four and paint. Both girls had a great time and plan to hang out again. I'm extra happy about this because it feels like a bit of "real" childhood- going over to a neighbor friend's house and just knocking on the door to ask to play. Playing outside without constant adult supervision. Sometimes I feel like living in a big city limits some of her Independence, so this feels like a big deal. Hoping it's the first if many playdates!

Christmas cards

Today I wrote cards to all 23 of my students. The hardest part was making sure they don't all sound too much alike. What wasn't hard was saying how thankful I am to teach each one of them. 

Photos from Franklin

Pretty cute for a girl who doesn't believe in Santa. 

Family photos

Lots of hugs

Not sure why but I've been getting lots of big hugs from my students the last few days. It's been nice. They like me. 

Eye Doctor

Annual eye check-up. 

He who smelt it

I farted and then watched my students blame each other. 

I don't think that's right

One of my students said, "Ok, Boomer" ... to another student. 

Migraine Day

Went to school for less than 2 hours. Came home because yesterday's headache is a full-on migraine. Laying on the couch, listening to an audiobook with a heating pad on my neck and head. 

SHEL

The band that opened for Jars of Clay last night (they also collaborated with them on the new Christmas album) was AMAZING. 4 sisters, harmonies, mandolin, violin, BEATBOXING. I'm kind of obsessed. 

Korra loved them, too. She got them to sign her CD (though she didn't know what a CD was at first)

Here are some videos so you can get obsessed, too:

https://www.npr.org/2016/05/22/478738888/four-home-schooled-sisters-one-awesome-metallica-cover

Four Home-Schooled Sisters, One Awesome Metallica Cover : NPR

https://youtu.be/wIruMEXx7Nc

🎥 incredible female beatbox- Liza from SHEL rocks it out

https://youtu.be/-sikjsW4jiI

🎥 SHEL - When The Sky Fell (Official Music Video)

VIP

Thanks to a monthly donation to Blood: Water for the past 10 years, we got VIP tickets to the Jars of Clay Christmas concert. Neither of us have ever been VIPs before so this is extra exciting. We got to go in early for food (really delicious) and drinks (cocktails made with local whiskey) and have special reserved seating in the balcony (the rest of the concert is general admission). We also had the opportunity to get family portraits made before the concert. 

Christmas Parade

While exploring downtown Franklin, we learned that this afternoon is their big Christmas parade!  It was fun but quite long (how does such a small town have so many marching bands and dance teams?!) 

Because of traffic

We have hotel reservations in Franklin Tennessee tonight. Even though we were both home by 4:30, we decided not to leave until nearly 7 to avoid sitting in Friday rush hour traffic for an extra couple of hours. We won't get to the hotel until almost 10:30 but hopefully it'll be a much less stressful drive. It'll be even less stressful if Korra will go to sleep...

Persuasive essay

Today I had my students write persuasive essays about what their parents should get them for Christmas. It was mostly to practice correct essay organization but they seemed to really enjoy it.

Just a generally good day

School was really good today, mostly because of an encouraging one on one conversation I had with the executive director.  It made me feel freed of some pressures and constructing expectations and energized for the next semester. 

After school Korra and I walked to the library and then I made tacos, banana muffins and peanut butter cookies. I also got some post-illness house cleaning done which makes me feel much more back to normal. 

Back to Normal

I'm back to feeling normal again.  Nate's on his second day home from school but I think he's on the up-swing.  That means tonight I'll be washing all the sheets, cleaning the bathrooms, and spraying everything with Lysol so that maybe I can sleep in my own room tonight (I've been bunking with Korra since Sunday).

Low Energy

Woke up feeling totally fine this morning, but was about to lay down on the nasty carpet in my classroom before homeroom even began.  I've spent the whole day teaching from my rolling chair.  Super thankful for my student teacher (who was very helpful) and my students (who were calm and gracious).  Going to nap and then order pizza as soon as I get home.

Other side

I've come out on the other side of this illness (which in now starting to suspect it's actually the flu) but Nate's even worse. He spent the whole day in bed. I spent most of the day on the couch. Korra and I watched 2 Christmas movies and decorated the tree (Korra did most of it). I also watched about 6 more episodes of Veronica Mars in between very slowly folding laundry, taking out the trash, putting away the groceries, and making a frozen pizza. That's about all the energy I had today which doesn't exactly bode well for teaching tomorrow. 

Instacart

Severe cold + empty fridge = instacart grocery delivery to the rescue

Worse

If yesterday felt like getting hit by an SUV, today feels like getting ran over repeatedly by a dumptruck. With Nate feeling about the same, packing up and driving home was tough. Even though it's absolutely gorgeous out today, we spent the afternoon napping and watching TV. Praying we're both better by Monday. 

Patient Zero

Korra has infected nearly everyone else in the family with her illness. I feel like I've been run over by a smallish SUV. 

But still we're at the movie theater to see Frozen 2. 

Nate went home Monday night and worked all day Tuesday and most of Wednesday. He came back to the cabin on Wednesday night and left again this morning for work. Thankfully it's only a 2ish hour drive each way so he's coming back tonight. Still adjusting to the fact that we're not both on school schedules. 

For a reason I can only attribute to God, some of our best friends from college continue to live close to our family members even after multiple moves. First they were just down the street from my parents and now they're a short drive from the cabin. We love them. We love their kids. Time with them feels like home. I didn't realize how much I needed quality time with friends like that. Friends who just totally get you. Also, I just happened to match their kids' outfits. 

Probably just a cold

Korra's fever is gradually getting lower and she's completely fine when she has ibuprofen in her system. Pretty sure it's just a cold and not the flu or strep or a stomach bug so we decided to head up to the cabin. 

Fever

Korra has a fever of 101. Not going to the cabin tonight. 

Abuelita

Our foster son Danny told me today that I'm going to be a grandma in January. Feeling both worried and excited, shocked and at the same time not really surprised. Going to start on a baby blanket this week!

The results are in

Woke up at 4:30. At 5:15 I decided to check my email and I saw that my student survey results came. You know, the surveys that cost me my raise/promotion last year. I've done some things this year to be more intentional about creating and maintaining student relationships so I was both excited and nervous to see if it's worked. And it has!  The results are so good!  My students are excited about my class and know I care about them and believe I have high expectations of them. This is a huge win for me. What a great way to start my Thanksgiving break. 

Playdate/Date

Korra went home with a friend after school today so Nate and I went out for an early dinner date at a brewery. It was only about an hour but it was much needed and much enjoyed. (Korra had a lot of fun on her playdate, too) 

Weird and Small

I wore my glasses today. My students said they made my eyes look weird and small. We then had a conversation about the connotation of weird. 

GMA

A teacher from my school made it onto the GMA website this week!

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/atlanta-teachers-freestyle-fridays-build-confidence-boost-grades-67207319  

Knock on wood and cross your fingers

Several confirmed cases of both strep and the flu at my school. Thankfully not in my grade or Korra's but hoping and praying that we do not get sick over Thanksgiving break. 

Space Camp

60% of my students are on a field trip to Space Camp today.   I usually teach 2 classes in the afternoon on Thursdays (the mornings are for professional development, meetings, and planning) but today I've consolidated both classes into one class of 10 students so I only have to teach 75 minutes all day.  Here's hoping it won't suck.

Learning Experience

My student teacher taught most of the day today. I sat at my desk and tried my very best not to engage at all.  The students' behavior was not the best.  She struggled.  But hopefully she learned something from it.  I know I did.

Like a Book

Korra has this adorable habit of saying things like, "I can't wait, she exclaimed" or "let's read Harry Potter, she said enthusiastically." She said she likes talking like she's in a book. I love that she essentially narratates her own life.

Veronica Mars season 2

Finished season 2 of Veronica Mars. I'm enjoying this show so much. 

Another Tooth

Korra wouldn't let the dentist touch (much less pull) her incredibly loose tooth this morning.  Then she lost it while eating breakfast immediately after.  

New Boots

After months of research, I finally purchased a new pair of boots. I have never spent this much a pair of shoes but hopefully they'll be worth it. 

What do you think? 

Sex Ed

Taught my first sex ed lesson of the year and it went so well. It was actually the highlight of my day.

Sunday Night Dread

My partner teacher is taking tomorrow off. My student teacher (who was supposed to teach all day tomorrow) texted and said she's not coming in so she can complete assignments. So yeah. It's not looking great. 

Sheets

Yesterday we went to Target, in part because we needed a new set of sheets. The whole time I'm looking through the sheets, all I can think about is this stand-up routine by Aziz Ansari. 

https://youtu.be/kcYL3s9qP04  (Warning: language is not suitable for work :)

HP3

Korra and I finished reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban last night so today we baked rock cakes and watched the movie. Korra said several times, "that's not what happens in the book!" Ah, Korra, that's definitely not the first movie that's going to make you say that. 

Spelling Bee

Korra is really excited about the grade level spelling bee that's coming up next week. She asks us to quiz her constantly. 

4:30 phone call

After the rough day I've had, a parent called me at 4:30. I didn't answer. She texts for me to please call her immediately. I reply that I'm at a family event (she doesn't need to know the family event is me watching TV with Korra while eating Halloween candy) and ask if it's an emergency or if I can call him Monday. She says, "it's about my son." I want to reply "is he hurt?  Missing?" but I wait. Finally she replies, "Monday is fine." Damn right it is. 

Poop Fart Kind of Day

Today has been rough and it's not even noon.  A student was disruptive and just plain mean to me first thing this morning.  Picture Day threw off the schedule.  Then there was the lock-down during locker and bag searches (which has never happened before and really irritated these 6th grader's new sense of privacy).  Then the electives teachers both called out sick and the subs didn't show up so there goes my planning.  And one copier is out of toner and the other is jammed beyond my repair skills so I can't print the progress reports I already told the parents are coming home today.  And I have lunch duty.  Oh, and of course all the kids are failing their quiz (that I'm not allowed to reschedule).  

So while I heated up my lunch, I used the little magnetic letters on the little magnetic board in the teacher work room to write the words "poop" and "fart."  It made me feel a little better.

Catalogs

The Christmas toy catalogs have found their way to our house.  First Target, then Amazon, and yesterday was American Girl.  Korra has spent many afternoons laying on her bedroom floor pouring over those catalogs and dreaming of Christmas.

Thanksgiving lunch

My mom came from North Carolina to visit and go to Thanksgiving lunch at school. Since Nate and I aren't ever able to go). She's a pretty wonderful grandma. 

Observations

Today I had 1 administrator and 2 visiting teachers observe my classes. I also had 3 kids cry and 1 total shut-off down during that time. It wasn't the best day as far as actual content teaching goes but thanks to my student teacher, I was able to do a lot of comforting and relationship building today. Hopefully that counts for something. 

Day 100

Today is day 100 of the 100 Day Challenge, but I'm not even at school. Plus most of the kids didn't do it after day 50 (in part because I stopped checking up on them). So... I'm still going to have them write the essay about what they learned through the process. And I'm going to let kids who actually practiced present it for extra credit. But as for my own performance, I think I'll only invite kids who made an A on the essay. Thoughts?

All alone

For the first time in my life, I'm spending the night alone in a hotel. Even though the reason for this little trip isn't great (a funeral), I'm making the most of it with some self care. A good audiobook and special snacks for the ride and planning to take myself out to breakfast tomorrow. 

Ungraded

I brought home 2 stacks of papers to grade this weekend. I didn't even take then out of my school bag. 

Not one but two

Today's weather was so lovely I went on two walks. 

Date Night!

Nate and I went out on a much needed date this evening. We shared a babysitter with the friends we went out with (being with her friends made Korra's separation anxiety much better) and spent a couple of hours at The Painted Pin. Dinner, drinks, and games (bocce ball, ping pong, ski ball, and skittles). It was a super fun evening. 

Running Buddy

Ran/walked with one of my 6th graders. Slower than I would have done it in my own but a good time (both the race time and the experience). 39 minutes. 

It's very cold and very early

A few months ago I signed up for a 5k with some coworkers. Today's the day and it's currently 34 degrees and it's not going to get much warmer today. Immediately following the race is Korra's last soccer game. I'm already looking forward to an afternoon nap under all the blankets we own. 

Special lunch

Even though I'm at a school in the middle of the city and I'm allowed to leave campus during lunch/planning (unlike every other school I've ever worked at), I rarely take advantage of it. Like I can count on one hand how many times I've eaten lunch out in the past 2+years.  It gets expensive, it isn't good for my health, and it takes away time that I could be planning/grading. But today I drove myself to Chick-fil-A (had to be a day I drove instead of biking or walking), daringly didn't pay for street parking, got myself a #1 combo with lemonade, and ate it in another teacher's classroom so I socialized instead of working. Do I have to do some grading this weekend now? Yup. But I think it was worth it. Especially since I really didn't want another peanut butter sandwich this week (Korra called dibs on the last of the leftovers). 

Another exhausting day

The only thing that made today more tolerable than yesterday was that I only had to teach half the day. The kids were just so distractible, needy, argumentative... I'm so thankful tomorrow has Friday. And I'm thankful they're taking a test tomorrow so in theory it will be a quiet day. 

Sushi and ice cream for dinner are helping me recover. 

Today Sucked

My partner teacher called in sick. Her sub didn't show. There was a tornado drill. This happened during a moment of horseplay:

I am so glad today is over. 

The problem with eating dinner at 4:30

is that you're hungry again before dinner. 

Prodigy

Another thing Korra's been wanting (read: begging) me to do is to sign her up on the math game site Prodigy. We also got around to that this weekend. She's probably spent 4 hours doing math on that website. There are worse ways to spend your weekend, right?

Geocaching

Korra read a book about geocaching and has been begging is to try. Earlier in the week I downloaded an app. Twice this weekend we gave it a try but it was a bust. Either the caches were too hard to find or they're not there anymore. Bummer. 

It only took 7 years

Whenever I have picked up or carried Korra, I've always thought, "this isn't even as much as I carried around when I was 9 months pregnant." I gained 40 pounds in during my pregnancy with Korra. 7 years later, Korra finally weighs 40 pounds. I think that means I'm done picking her up. 

Extra Hour

With my extra hour, I did some meal prep for the week (cut up veggies for soup, made a breakfast casserole) and made pancakes which I ate while watching (what else?) Veronica Mars. Daylight savings day might be my favorite morning of the year- but my least favorite night. 

It is done... sort of

Facebook deleted.  It takes 30 days for it to take effect though.  If I log back in, it cancels the delete.  So now I have 30 days to see if I can happily live without Facebook.

One cold soccer mom

This morning Korra's soccer game was at 8:30am when it was 37 degrees. Brrrr. 

Mellow Mushroom

It's a pizza and TV kind of night. Mellow Mushroom and Survivor and The Good Place and maybe some Halloween candy for dessert. 

Pennies for Patients

We sat through a 30 minute Pennies for Patients assembly today. As much as I want the kids to feel involved in doing good in the world, it feels pretty messed up to have kids from the inner city begging for change to support cancer research when we live in a city and county with billionaires. 

Trick or treating

The last 3 years, we've spent Halloween with friends from church trick or treating in their neighborhood. This year, our complex did trick or treating for the first time in at least 24 years- maybe ever! (The complex is about 32 years old but no one I talked to tonight has been here for longer than 24). As much as I really wanted to be with our friends tonight, it felt important to be a part of the community we live in. 

It was really cold and windy, so it was nice to be close to home (and have a small area to cover). This morning it was 65 degrees, tonight was 45. We saw about two dozen neighbors out with kids and about a dozen who put bowls out or handed out candy on the first floors of the building stairwells. 

We came home after about 40 minutes and had some hot cocoa. Much shorter than our usual Halloween festivities but a normal bedtime is definitely not a bad idea for us tonight. 

Oh, and Nate and Korra had matching costumes again- Spider Gwen and Spiderman. 

The Clown Statue

Today I scared the bejesus out of my students.  First I showed them a couple of scary short movies (Dewalt Horror on YouTube) and we talked about suspense and surprise.  Then we read The Clown Statue (a girl is babysitting for a family who has a lot of art.  She's creeped out by a clown statue so she calls the family to ask if she can cover it up.  The family says they don't have a clown statue- turns out it's a crazy murderer).  During the story, I had another teacher sneak into the darkened room wearing a clown costume.  Of course, they screamed.  It was awesome.  Teacher of the Year material, right here.

Book Character Day

Korra and I are Matilda and Ms Trunchbull!

Bus Accident Part 2

It turns out that when a school bus is in an accident, you have to do a lot. You have to wait for the bus driver's supervisor. And the principal. And the police. And the EMT (they have to check that everyone is ok). It ended up taking about an hour. I went with the principal back to the school to get sack lunches for all the kids because they were getting hangry. It was crazy to pull back up and see a police car, an ambulance, and a fire truck- all because a fit in a black sedan tried to squeeze into a turn lane early and scraped the side of the bus. At least the kids had a good story to share when we got back to school!  

Bus accident

On our way back to school from the field trip and a car scrapes alongside the bus- and then keeps going. Luckily, 2 teachers got pictures of the car's plates and no one was hurt. Unluckily, we have to sit on the stuffy bus (it's raining so no open windows) until the police arrive. Going on 20 minutes...

Family Worries and Field Trips

Today I'm on a field trip to the natural history museum but my mind is with my family. My brother's partner is back in the ICU. My sister-in-law's grandfather is missing. I wish I could carry part of their pain and worry. 

Parent Life

Yesterday it was Girl Scouts. Tonight it's soccer.  And Thursday is trick or treating.  We only have one kid. I can't imagine how other parents function. 

MY cat

For no reason I can understand, Mrs Renyolds has suddenly decided that she likes to lay on MY lap. She basically ignores me for 12 years and now I'm her favorite. 

Bleh Day

Today was not a great day. It wasn't bad. It was just frustrating.  The kids were easily distracted. I tried to get too much done. Nothing went quite like I wanted. Including when the principal, assistant principal, executive director, and an APS board member all walked in at the same time to observe my class. Bleh. Good thing I have a really fun lesson planned for later this week. 

This Weather

Perfect fall weather.  Church, lunch with friends (on a patio on the Beltline), a bike ride and playground visit with Korra, reading in the hammock... just wonderful.

Day 84

Today, like every day this week, I've practiced dancing through all of "Panini" three times in a row. I've got all the moves down. I don't get flustered and forget what goes next. Now I'm just working on adding a little extra bounce. Or facial expressions. Mostly I just try to reconcile myself to the fact that in a little over 2 weeks, I'll be doing this in front of my students. 

Soup and Biscuits

This dreary Saturday is perfect weather for broccoli potato soup and biscuits (and maybe like 3 episodes of Veronica Mars). 

Bye, bye Facebook

I've decided to delete my Facebook.  So for the first time in... no idea... I've given out the address for this blog to new people.  Which is kind of weird because it reminds me that people read about my life and maybe I should make sure that I'm being nice but also that I should try to be more interesting.  So of course now I can't think of a single interesting thing to say about my day.

Donburi Bowls

About a year ago we did Blue Apron for a while.  This recipe is the only one that I've made again (and again).  It's so good and easy and satisfying and inexpensive and healthy.  I made it tonight.  Even after going to TWO award assemblies AND having 2 parent conferences after school.  Because I'm basically a superhero.   Here's the recipe.

That's how it goes

My student teacher did another recorded lesson today. Her teaching was good but the kids were really off. Their behavior was all over the place. I was trying so hard not to intervene but she hasn't had to deal with them like that yet. It's really hard to know how to be helpful but not too helpful, especially since the kids were not their usual selves. The good thing about teaching is that they's always another day to try again. 

Zoom Coaching

I get to spend the next hour in an online video coaching call for being a mentor teacher.  Oh joy.

Alliance Theater

Today we took the kids on a field trip to see a play at the Alliance Theater. It was such a great play for middle school students and really well done. Once again, in super thankful to live and work right in the middle of the city where we have access to so many amazing things. 

Student teacher's turn

My student teacher is teaching twice this week. I'm looking forward to next semester when her teaching will make my day easier instead of harder. 

Last day of break

Today was filled with church, sushi lunch with friends, and a long walk. I don't feel at all ready to go back to school tomorrow but I'm not dreading it either. Only 5 weeks until I get another full week off!

Veronica Mars

Been binge watching Veronica Mars the last 48 hours. I sure do love Kristin Bell. 

Lazy, rainy, Saturday

Last night we had nachos and played D&D with some friends. It was fun but we got home LATE.  Korra and I slept in until 8.  Nate slept in until 1pm!  We watched a lot of TV in our PJs.  All of this was made possible by the rain, which caused Korra's soccer game to be cancelled.  

Later this afternoon, I suppose we need to do some things around the house and get ready for going back to school on Monday.  And we have to figure out what to do about this car...  maybe after a nap.

Well that sucks

Turns out that when you don't take your (12 year old) car in for regular maintenance (like for 3+ years), you get stuck with a $5000 bill. So now we have to decide if it's worth it to fix said car (which also has a home-repaired bullet holes in the roof and over 200,000 miles), if it's time to get a new one, or if it's possible to go back to having only one car (it's been 9 years). At least we have a little time to figure it out. 

Errand Day

Yesterday was spent driving home (Korra and I finished listening to another Reading Bowl book and enjoyed lunch at a Panera along the way) and then I did a bunch of laundry while Korra and Nate were at soccer practice. 

Today is a day full of errands: grocery shopping, a Target return, the UPS store, Korra's yearly checkup at the pediatrician, lunch with Nate, taking one of the cars to the shop.  Hoping to squeeze a Fall Break nap into there, too. 

Chris' birthday

For my brother-in-law's birthday today we had delicious Mediterranean bowls for lunch and then took the kiddos bowling (followed by a little bit of arcading). Tonight we'll have pot roast and funfetti cake!

Day at the Museum

We spent most of the day at the Museum of Life and Science. A good part of it is outside which was perfect since the weather was absolutely gorgeous. 

Uncle Todd

Todd's partner was doing so well today (moving off the ICU and able to start eating and drinking again!) that he was able to come visit his nieces, nephew, and sisters. The kits enjoyed playing at the park with Uncle Todd, painting pumpkins, and digging in the dirt. A relaxing day with family!

11 Years?!

I've been blogging nearly daily for 11 years.  Over 8,300 posts.  That averages out to about 2 posts per day.  I had to actually look at my blog to figure this out (something that I don't do very often).  I usually just send in posts via email.  I haven't changed the font or formatting in that whole time.  I noticed that my "Blogs I follow" list is made up of blogs that haven't been updated in years.  And I noticed that I have 31 followers.  But I had to wonder... who reads this?  Is there anyone who's been reading this for the whole 11 years (or close to it)?  If you do read this, will you either leave me a comment, email me, or text me?  I write this pretty much completely for myself, but I am curious.  Here's to 11+ years more of blogging!

Road Trip

Right after getting back from the parade (which was wet but wonderful), Korra and I hopped in the car for the 6 + hour drive up to my sister's. 

Pride Parade!

Great Wolf

GWL

On our way through Friday (holiday weekend) rush hour traffic to Great Wolf Lodge. Hoping we'll have a fun 20 or so hours with family at the GWL water park!

Conferences

On this teacher work day, I had 6 parent conferences in the afternoon. I feel like they went really well, which makes it feel like it was a really good use of my time. Also, it makes the week after break much easier since almost half my conferences are now done!

BBQ date

Korra is at Great Wolf Lodge with Nate's family. Nate and I both have to work tomorrow so tonight we're enjoying a date at Fox Brother's BBQ. Up next: eating dessert while watching Survivor at home. 

Pizza night (again)

Managed to avoid pizza for almost 2 weeks. But when company comes into town on a weeknight (and that company has a couple of picky-ish eaters in the family), it calls for pizza. And I might have purposely ordered more than we need so I can have pizza for lunch tomorrow. 

Weird Week (or two)

In addition to being on high alert from the transplant, this week is also weird because Friday begins a 10 day Fall Break for our students. And my sister-in-law (and her husband and 2 kids) are coming into town tomorrow.  They're spending the night and then leaving in the morning with Korra for a long weekend at Great Wolf Lodge (where they will meet the rest of Nate's family).  Nate and I will join them on Friday evening.  Then we'll head back home Saturday afternoon along with my other sister-in-law who's staying a night or two with us so she can go to a concert.  Then Sunday is the Pride Parade and immediately after, Korra and I are leaving for a few days in North Carolina to visit my sister and her family.  It's kind of insane (but in a good way).  But before (or in the middle of) all this, I need to finish grading a huge stack of papers because grades are due.  And I need to set up end-of-quarter parent conferences.  And I'm pretty sure there are a dozen other things I'm forgetting to do...  like grocery shopping.  I just made a 9:30 PM run to Dunkin Doughnuts to get a gift card for my student teacher because it's her birthday.  Oh, and I need to go practice my Panini dance before bed.  Which is right now.

In Awe

I am in awe.  The surgery was much shorter than expected and by this afternoon, she was off her ventilator, breathing on her own, writing to family, and was expected to get up and walk before the end of the day.  It's so amazing.  I'm so grateful. 

Distracted

I haven't been able to concentrate on anything since 7:30 this morning when I got the news that my brother's partner is getting her double lung and liver transplant today. Still another 18 hours or so to go in the surgery. 

2/10

While at the cabin I finished 2 of the 10 books I'm supposed to read as a coach of the Reading Bowl. They were both really good. 

I also baked cookies, scones, French bread, and soft pretzels. For me, that's like the perfect weekend. 

Sore Throat, Headache

I've had a bad sore throat arrive yesterday. I've had a bad headache all day. But it doesn't matter because we're going to the cabin this afternoon for a long weekend!

Letting Go

I'm sitting here watching my student teacher teach my classes today.  It's not easy.  It's taking all my self control not to jump in and fix the things she's doing wrong (or not quite the way I would do it).  I know this is what I agreed to. I know this is what's best for her.  But..... I am not good at letting go of control.  This is either going to make me grow or drive me crazy.  

People who need help

Korra has been very concerned about the people we see asking for help on the side of roads. (We're trying to use the term "people who need help" instead of homeless.) We decided to do some research on what people might need most, we went shopping for those items, I sewed some drawstring bags, and yesterday we went to give them out. While I was immediately overwhelmed by the need (there are so many more people than we have bags for, this bag will not fix systemic issues, etc), Korra reminded me to have "faith like a child" and see the good we can do. She's pumped to make more bags (96 more in fact). Her heart is so big.

Good place

I binged all 3 seasons of The Good Place in the last 2 weeks or so. It's a good show. Also, sometimes binge watching Netflix is good for the soul. 

One less tooth

She lost another tooth today!  

Soccer Game

Korra's first sleepover

I dropped Korra off at her first sleepover. 

While she was at a birthday party, Nate and I were able to enjoy dinner out with my parents who are in town for the night. 

Not long after we got our food, I got the text that Korra wanted to go home. She was overwhelmed by how many kids were there and that she didn't know most of them.  The text wasn't totally unexpected (most first sleepovers end this way). There's always next time. 

Good scores!

For the first time this year, my kids did really well on the weekly quiz!  Called all the parents of the kids who made As right there in class. 

Reading buddies

This morning, nearly the whole school participated in reading buddies- the literacy initiative I initiated. It was beautiful. It was amazing. Kids were reading together. Teachers were beaming. So many people told me how much they enjoyed it. I am immeasurably happy to have such a great start to this weekly reading program!

Day 52 and 53

Day 52

Today I learned how to do the Milly Rock!  When I first watched the video, I almost said, "that's too hard for me" and didn't even try. But then I thought of my students and I felt inspired to try. It was actually easy!  I think dancing might have gotten easier for me! I know it seems obvious that is you practice something out gets easier but somehow I must have started to believe that wasn't true of me and dancing.

Day 53

Finally!  Some blessed souls have uploaded fully choreographed Panini Zumba videos to YouTube!  This project would have been sooooooo much easier if those had existed 53 days ago!

Tired but good

Yesterday I was feeling exhausted and frustrated. Today I had 3 hours of planning so I feel tired but refocused. It probably also helps I didn't cook dinner (thanks, Publix subs!) and watched a few episodes of The Good Place. 

Universal Christ

I'm currently reading The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr with a small group of people from church. Tonight there was only one other woman there but we had such a good conversation. So thankful to be able to read this book in community. 

Girl Scouts

Officially a Brownie! (Girl Scouts years go from October to September)

Day 48 and 49

Day 48

Today I learned "the floss." The video I watched was called "A Parent's Guide to Flossing." The girl who did the video was more than a little condescending but overall helpful.

Day 49

Today I learned how to Bop, Whip, and Duff (thanks, Silento!) I also practiced flossing. I've been practicing from about 9-9:30pm most days but I think I need to move it earlier in the day. I'm worried I'm going to drive my downstairs neighbors nuts by dancing and jumping around so late.

A little more grateful

After kitty-sitting, I'm more thankful for ornery Mrs Renyolds. She never jumps on the counters or scratches the furniture or tries to eat your food off the table or knocks over potted plants. Sure, she might take a swipe at you if you try to touch her when she's not in the mood (and she's rarely in the mood), but overall, she's a pretty good cat, all things considered. 

Kitty Sitting

Korra has both loved and hated having this kitten over for the weekend. Korra loves playing with the laser pointer and petting her. She hates that the kitten doesn't listen, bites, scratches, and wakes her up early.