Back to School...

Last First Day of Elementary School

She looks cool, calm and collected. She was really nervous.

 

 

 

Summer Vacation...

Summer vacation has not existed for me for the last few years, while kids attended Vacation Bible Schools, day camps, visited their grandparents and cousins, suffered through long hot days at campus Club, I was sneaking away to work. Afternoons were spent at my home computer working and answering forwarded phone calls from the office. I loved my job, I loved talking to the little old ladies and their stories of their lives. I often said that I probably knew more about the people who I spoke with over the phone then their own children. But life has taken a turn, every day is better than the day before (and most days are pretty great), but, continuing to work from the office became difficult and stressful, and then doing something different became necessary... The big QUESTION was -WHAT???

After spending a lot of time volunteering at the kids school during the last few weeks of school, I realized that I missed the personal interaction I had with my students, watching them grow, develop, and create. I still feel proud of all of my students from the ones that I had nearly 15 years ago for 6 weeks in summer school, to the "kid" who checks me out at the grocery store, to the ones who have chosen careers in education, government, and those who have started families of their own- I had a little hand in guiding them into the adults that they are now. The ANSWER- go back to teaching!

I applied for what seems like a million jobs, interviewed and tested for what seemed like thousands, and then I found the one... the one that was the perfect fit, the one that meant that I wouldn't have to leave for work at 5 am to commute 50 miles, the one that gives student that opportunity to experience real hands on education with practical applications, in a state of the art facility.

I am happy to announce that I have accepted a position teaching United States History and Government and Economics at the Center for Advanced Research and Technology in the Finance /Business and Hospitality / Event Management Labs. The power of this organization is incredible, students WANT to be at CART! Teachers are facilitators, students really drive their education, and community partners provide the experience for practical application.

To everyone who has supported me through this change of paths THANK YOU! I could not have done this without your letters of recommendation and support or the phone calls and emails that you took time out of your lives to complete. Thank you to those of you who listened to me complain, whine, and get really excited about the changes that I am making. You all have been encouraging, inspiring, and reminded me (often) what I am capable of doing. THANK YOU!



Medalist!!!

Science Fair work started at Thanksgiving. Jack worked on selecting 5 different topics to research and experiment. None of this was easy, especially when you don't really want to listen to what your parents have to say about things. In the end, Steve and I offered our assistance when we could but Jack did an amazing job on his project all on his own, down to typing all of the written material and using the computer to create a chart to show his data.

I was happy to find out that he earned 100% on the completed project. And even more thrilled to hear that he placed in his school's Science Fair competition. Out of 72 fifth graders he earned a 2nd Place  Medal.

Jack and the other 5th grade medalists

The completed project

Pinterest has Made Me a Crazy Person...

Kids are at swim practice with Grandma and what do I do on the eve of Summer Vacation? Think about the pictures and interviews that that need to be completed tomorrow. YIKES!

Click graphic, it will open and save picture, print from the saved document. I am incapable of doing it the fancy way.

 HAPPY SUMMER VACATION!

First Day of School...

Yesterday was the first day of school. The first day of school has reminded me of "Finding Nemo" since the first time I saw the movie. Nemo jumping up and down on Marlin excited about his first day in Mr. Ray's class. While Marlin would be happy if school didn't start for another year.

Even more so yesterday...

One has Nemo's enthusiasm and other the understated

fear of what the fourth grade {or the ocean} may bring, just like Marlin.

Thank you to Jamielyn at I {heart} Nap Time for the

adorable Back to School printables

Progress...

Last week, Jack almost made me drive off the road, not because he was fighting with his sister but because of what he said. He told me "Mom, when I was in the second grade I felt like a failure." As I safely steered the car back on the road and regain my composer, I asked why. "Mom, I was in trouble everyday and I was not very smart." Good thing I have been in training for the last 20 years for this kind of distracted driving, in fact, my friend warned me about the "backseat confessional almost" accidents that her children subjected her to. "Jack, no one thinks that you are a bad kid or not smart, believe me they don't, I don't." As the words came out of my mouth, I began to wonder if he believed me or if this a case of "your Mom thinks that you are beautiful." Jack is the kid who has never won anything (not really- but I am just saying), he has never been recognized for his achievements at school, he is not the kid who has ever read to the Principal, been a Character that Counts, or until this year, high enough on the roll to get honored or even a letter in the mail. We think he is the best, but does anyone else?

***FLASH FORWARD TO YESTERDAY***

Jack was to receive the reading medallion, and award for kids who read and earn a certain amount of points according to their grade level. Steve and I joke that it is really our award, because half way through the year Jack lost interest in taking the required tests, but we continued to "encourage" him to work at it. Halfway through the assembly, the Principal described the Student of the Quarter award. Each class has two, a student who has character, who works hard, and who is a friend to all (totally my kid everyone thinks). As kids' names were called all of the kids coming forward were kids who had already gotten High Honor Roll or Principal's Honor Roll (predictable), until Mrs. Nixon's class... Jack K. Lump in my throat, tear in my eye my kid was being recognized! Someone besides me thinks that he is great! We are so proud.

I guess I need to take the "My underachiever can swim faster than your overachiever" bumper sticker off the back of my car- I kid! It is hard to imagine what this year would have been like if it hadn't been for Jack's amazing teacher. She is patient, kind, intelligent, funny, and just the person to make Jack feel smart and important. Thank you, Mrs. Nixon for everything! This morning a different kid woke up at our house. A kid excited to go to school and do things (it may have something to do with today being "Video Game "Day, but a different kid none the less).

Truth Be Told...

Yesterday I was surprised at the note that was sent home with my kids... The note was announcing that due to popular demand our school is considering requiring school uniforms next school year. More surprising than that was what I expected to be my reaction was not my reaction at all. My entire life I have thought that a school uniform would make things a lot easier and the "playing field" level for students. I suddenly found myself dreading the thought. After long hours of thinking about why I am suddenly on the opposite side of the fence on an issue I thought I was pretty set in my convictions about, I realized what is holding ME back from thinking this is the greatest thing that has ever happened to public school (besides me deciding to NEVER teach again)... The ONLY THING that I hate more than putting clothes away is...

IRONING!

HATE-IT-WITH-A-PASSION!!! School uniform screams "IRON ME!" Crazy right? I need to just get over it! "Move on Rachel! Snap out of it Crazy Lady!" says the school uniform. I am working on it, but it may take me awhile.

They are pretty cute... :)

Air Quotes...

The other night at dinner the conversation between the kids and I revolved around what happened at school that day...

Jack- Abby, what do you drink at lunch? White milk or Chocolate?

Abby- Jack, I drink chocolate milk.

Mom- What do you drink at lunch?

Jack- Water. I am not not what you would call a {insert air quote} milk fan.

Mom- Milk fan? okay, but what is this {insert air quote}.

Jack- Air quotes Mom. Duh!

Seriously, third grade... is this one the long list of things that I can attribute to my kid learned from watching 1 too many episodes of iCarly or Hannah Montana? Air quotes and his love of spaghetti tacos.

How Was Your Day...

I did it to my parents why wouldn't my kids do it to me???

The report today when asked how Abby's day went was:

1. I didn't see Jack at lunch.

2. She may or may not have shared a baby pickle with a girl in the purple dress... "now can I have a playday with Miya?" (I got this after I threatened that if there was not a change in attitude about school then there would never again be another Miya- Abby Playday).

3. She didn't like Campus Club.

4. Riding the bus was okay. Jack didn't forget me at school.

While at Grandma's this evening the real story emerged.

1. The playground is FUN and crowded.

2. The bus ride was cool.

3. Abby played with the girl in the purple dress, but she can't remember her name, but she "likes everything" about her (about Abby, not the other way around, yet).

I would have to say good reconnaissance work Dad! Thank God, day two was better. At bedtime Abby told me that when I said good-bye this morning it made her eyes want to cry but she was brave... that is all I am asking for , Babycakes

The First Day...

We survived! The first day of Kindergarten. The last of the tears were cried last night at bedtime, when I told Abby that I could not stay at school with her for 3 hours because I had already done Kindergarten back in 1980. This morning she is up, and ready to an exciting day of school.

The end of the first day school report was:

1. Kindergarten is boring.
2. The playground is no fun.
3. Abby made no new friends.
4. Kindergarten is hot. (Just wait for Wednesday, Babycakes!)
5. And there are no toys, just magic playdoh... which is no fun.

The brightside is that instead of me picking her up tomorrow she would like to go to Campus Club and ride the bus home with Jack. Done!

Someone is N*E*R*V*O*U*S...

About the First Day of School... okay maybe two people... Yesterday was the fateful "class list" day. The day that you finally figure out who you are going to entrust the education of your child to for the next 180 days because you couldn't homeschool your kids without it ending in murder. Jack is excited... to see where his friends are. Abby is reluctant to get out of the car... she is "too tired". WHATEVER!

"Yes!" I exclaim as I realize that both kids got the teachers that we wanted for them.

Jack was consumed with where "The Twins" are (in case you were wondering...finally placed appropriately in separate classrooms), and who stayed back in second grade. Nice!

Abby tried to hide, act like a baby that needed to be held, and nearly cried.

At home, Abby promptly refused to eat what I made for lunch, threw a fit, was sent to her room, and fained a stomach ache.

At dinner, I explained to Steve that someone is N*E*R*V*O*U*S about school. So the questions start, sure enough 3 questions deep Abby lowers her head, juts out her lip,and doesn't say a word. THEN... the tears come and the "Mommy feelings of making the worst decision in the World for her kid" start, along with horrible flashbacks of Summer Fun 3 weeks ago with the sobbing and the screaming. I am ready to panic, "what is Monday going to be like???" 4 minutes later the old Abby is back, asking if she can take herself to the bathroom in the restaurant, I don't get it! Who is this child?

Last night, I dreamt crazy dreams of dropping Abby off for school (with the drama) and then forgetting to pick her up from school (with MORE drama). I woke up in a panic... maybe my psyche is telling me something... Okay... I admit it... I am N*E*R*V*O*U*S too! My Baby is going to be in Kindergarten! Of course, I am nervous!

51.1!!!

While Second Grade has not been the easiest 180 days for any of us. Jack has a competitive drive that keeps him moving in the right direction. On Tuesday, he received the highest reading award at Reagan Elementary School, for achieving 51.1 AR points in one school year. We are so proud. Check out his super cool medal. It is engraved with his name and 51.1! AWESOME!

Last Day of...

PRESCHOOL!

And I made it through without completely crying like a baby. My baby is officially a Kindergartener! BOOOO! HOOOOO!

Summer Hasn't Even Started AND...

I have already lost my patience and I know that school goes back on August 24th. My Summer Bridge homework books are not the most fun that an 8 year old boy who has not missed a day of school in the last 177 days could have. Poor Jack, school isn't easy for him and no one can figure out why. Is it motivation? Is it that he can't see? Is it that all of this stuff he is supposed to know hasn't "clicked" yet? I don't know but he is going to have a long 9 weeks if this is going to be his attitude (and mine for that matter). I am thinking about making a bumper sticker that reads "My perfect attendance student drives me up the wall. (That's why he goes to school every day)" Meanest Mom!

It Doesn't Get Better Than...

Valentine's Day! If you are a 4 year old girl that is. This 34 year old girl can think of a lot of things better than Valentine's Day, but this blog isn't about me... Things heard coming from the backseat of my car today...

• "Oh that Sayler, she is such a sweet girl."
• "What a beautiful card Maya picked!"
• "This is the cutest puppy card I have ever seen!"
• "I am going to have to thank all my friends for all of my Valentimes (note the spelling) cards!"
• "I wonder how much candy I got. I certainly need to share some with Jack!"
• "Who made this delicious cake?"... that comment almost prompted me to swerve off the road to save the nice black leather in my new car.
• "Sienna gave me my favorite kind of candy. She is my best friend in the whole World forever!"
• "That Jacob is such a nice boy!"
• "Hee! Hee! I gave myself two Valentime's! That is so funny!"

Now I know who Valentine's Day is for... the 4 year old girl who could eat all the sap and then some with a spoon.

I was given permission...

To tell everyone that I suffer from Steve's OCD. This morning reinforced this fact, when Jack presented us with last week's behavior report from school. 4 out of 5 days he got in trouble for talking, but one day had a different note, "making fun of a student". Steve, upset with Jack for laughing at another student demanded to know that occurred to cause this unthinkable behavior from our usually kind and caring little boy. Through the tears and wails, all I could understand was "food" "teeth" and Jack repeating over and over again "I just couldn't take it." I think he tossed in for good measure pointing at his front teeth.

Now for those of you who know Steve, you know that he will obsess about the smallest "sesame seed" (sorry Sara), mole, crazy hair, and facial tic to the point of either dealing with it or not hearing a thing a person might be saying to him. I realized that Jack (Steve's "Mini Me") is his father in every way possible.

The story went like this (I think). A girl had something in her teeth that was black. Jack drew attention to the fact that she had a black something on her teeth, the girl either told the teacher or Jack upset the girl to the point that the teacher had to direct her attention to Jack, thus resulting in Jack having to "move his person" and then three days later his father reaming Jack for being... just like his father.

"I just couldn't take it. I had to laugh. I had to make fun of Steve about it. I got permission to blog about it. I just couldn't keep it to myself!"

First Day of School Do Over...

Classes were full!!! Too full!!! On day 13 Jack is in a new classroom. We will see how it goes with the child that doesn't take change so well.

Those were the days...

College. I loved college. I realize I say this in retrospect, but I truly believe that I loved college. Life was different then, easier. I was lucky enough to go far away from home to experience higher education, and experience I did!

I went to parties. I danced. I met new interesting people (some of whom are still consider my very best friends). I laughed. I travelled (not enough but I saw things that I had never seen before). I learned about things that I never knew existed. I sang. I learned to talk in front of a class of my peers, and that the key to speaking in front of people is to be assertive and unwavering and most everyone will believe what you are saying. I slept. I learned to study. I learned to write better. I drank. I learned that using my time effectively always results in better grades. I learned about new cultures and people. I learned to pull all nighters when I didn't use my time effectively. Most importantly I learned about myself.

If only I knew then what I know now maybe I would have savored those four years rather than chomp right through them, in a hurry to get on with my life. I think I would remember more. I would have realized that there is no hurry to get out because it really does take 10 years to pay off your student loans (and if you do the math you will be 32 and a stay-at-home mom with no income when you make the final payment to the government for your education). I would have travelled more. Laughed more. Studied more. Listened better. Worked harder. Danced more. Used my credit card less(that's for you Steve!). Drank less.

What about you? Is there a time in your life you wish you could go back and do over?

Second Grade...

A belly full of cinnamon rolls, bacon, and berries. Jack was off for day 1 of second grade. An old pro! While all around me my girlfriends are ushering their children off monumental days of school- like the first day of Jr. High and Kindergarten. Jack and I were cool as ice. It doesn't happen very often so I will relish in it. It wouldn't be the first day of school if we didn't take pictures. Jack knew just where to stand.But opening his eyes is always a problem.

Mrs. Brock, Jack's teacher. Don't they look so happy on the first day of school? Still can't open his eyes.

First Day of School!!!

I think I have adequately bored my children into wanting to go back to school. While Abby has another week before school starts Jack gets the big shove off tomorrow. Or make that I get the big shove off. My cool kid wants to ride the bus to school on the first day of school. Really? Humor me with one day of taking you to school, then you can ride the bus to and from school every day after that. 179 times 2 is a lot of bus rides. BOO! HOO!