Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Changes Changes Changes

Summer is over as we know it, and its back to the wind and grind of work!  Lots has changed over the past month in our house  I'll try to recount as much as I can.....
First Josh gave his notice in July that he would be leaving AAA.  He was very kind and gave them 3 weeks notice, everyone parted in a peaceful way.  He didn't feel like disaster restoration was really the career he wanted for the rest of his life.  So the end of July he went to Denver for an 8 day class that certified him to be a CAT insurance adjuster in 44 states.  He enjoyed learning some of the new aspects, he already knew lots of the stuff from having worked with insurance adjusters  and companies doing restoration.  He passed his Texas all lines test with 95%!  Wahoo we were so proud of him! :)
So when he got home it was back to work for mommy.  Well since daddy had to wait for a disaster to strike he got to stay at home with the boys!  What an adjustment for him......going from working full time-- if not over time to staying at home all day with our 2 almost 3 year old and 1 year old! :)  to make matters worse it was a crazy week for me I had things scheduled from 6 am to 6-7 pm all week.  It was not the best week to start being a stay at home dad.  things calmed down the next week a little bit, but still slightly hectic.  By this point dad had the boys in  a routine for the most part.
So Leslie's change was that I started teaching severe special education at Hurricane Elementary.  I have had so many people ask me which I like better general education or special education.  But honestly it's not something you can compare.  I absolutely loved teaching my 2nd graders for 3 years.  But I love the students with severe disabilities that I have now.  They keep me laughing, and stressing and busy just the same.   I have 6 students on my caseload.  2 kindergarten 1 first 1 second and 2 third.  I have 3 part time aids to help me out too!   

Saturday, August 6, 2011

ThiNGs I have leaRNed this SuMMer (2011)

I took my friend Nikki's challenge to post 10 things I learned this summer,
excerpt from her blog....but holds pretty dang true to me!! :)
 Because school is about to start and I am a teacher, I feel inclined to reflect on the summer and what I learned. I think that it is highly important to continue to learn while in the summer months, (did you know that the average student looses nearly 1/2 a grade level during the summer break? Crazy huh?) so...I have compiled a list of things that I have learned during this summer, so I do not have to face the fact that I may have gotten a little dumber...and probably a lot lazier...


So here it is......
  Things I have Learned Summer 2011
1. Potty training can control your life!!  Braxton is 7/8 of the way potty trained.  He is just slightly obstinate and still poops in his undies....ugg I hate cleaning poop out of undies~ hence why I used disposable diapers. 
2.  The splash pad is AMAZING!  seriously the kids can play for hours, but lesson learned Mommy must wear her swimsuit and plan to get wet!
3.Boston CAN DO lots of things that he doesn't want to do.....Like walk, go down the stairs the right way ( he now does this all the time) play by himself! He took like 6 steps to my dad, not wobbly or anything but will he do it again, Uhhh NOOO!  
4.  I hate clutter!!!  ya it's true I discovered that I HATE it!!!
5.  When I don't drink enough water, I get killer headaches.  Ya I've known this along time, but discovered it this summer.
6.  It feels so nice to have your (new) classroom all set up before the  week before school starts!  Thank you summer school!!
7.  It doesn't matter how much you plan and plan, things will always go wrong, just roll with it.
8.  I like having my body back! ( not pregnant or nursing,) I actually feel kinda skinny and cute!
9.  My family is my life......if you look at my Facebook posts 90%  are about my kids/family
10.  You are never too old to have your momma help you!  She has been my life saver this summer, helping me with the kids, classroom, party planning and fixing up the house and yard!


And now... in true teacher spirit, I challenge you all to post 10 things that you have learned over the summer. Seriously, I want you to do it or I might think that you too, have gotten a little dumber...:)