Thursday: names

Today was the first day that I tried to remember my students' names.  This tends to be about a month long process since I see the backs of their heads twice a week, but I usually get most of them.  (One semester I had a "J" corner where all the guys' names started with J and I could never keep them straight.  There are usually one or two that don't put their name tags up or move seats that I miss too.)  Now, I won't remember their names come January, but it is helpful for the short term.

I find I remember names of students best if they are also names of friends or family.  However, today I also had an Everett and Chase and I'm afraid I'm going to remember the names because they're on Paw Patrol.

We got this picture from Isaac's teacher yesterday.

Wednesday: book and sleep over

Joshua had a sleep over with Cheryl last night.  He said he went to bed really late and that he had some fun and some not fun.  It was fun playing with Cheryl and not fun when he wasn't playing with her. :)  He also got a bunch of craft stuff that he was very excited about.

I also got my first blog book.  I've wanted to have the blog in print for a while and this was the first year that I tried (it was the fewest entries).  I was happy about how it turned out.  I'll probably continue to make them, but realistically it might be a while.

Tuesday: first day of school

It was raining this morning.  We got some pictures when the rain had paused.

Right after the pictures it started to downpour.  Ben just happened to be leaving at the same time and agreed to take Isaac so that Isaac could be dropped off much closer to the door.  It...was probably a bad plan.  Apparently it was barely raining by the time they got to the school and the parking lot was pure chaos.  Ben made it through though, and even managed to snap the picture I asked him to take. :D

Isaac said he had a good day.  I felt like I has having a hard time getting a reading on him, but I don't know if I was putting my feelings on him or if it was a good day but kind of boring because it is all the beginning of the year stuff.

Yesterday I couldn't believe I had a first grader, but today what really hit me is that my youngest is in the preschool room now.  I feel like once Isaac got into preschool he got a ton older.  I got a full report from him when the day was done...we 'played, cleaned up, watched an ice cream show, made a craft, washed our hands, had a snack, played, cleaned up, had lunch, took a nap, then Ms. Colleen was there, played, washed my hand, sat down, I got veggie straws, you picked me up!"  He also told me about some of the kids (there or not there) as we passed their pictures on the way out.

It was also my first day of school, and as first days always go, it was busy.  There was some extra stuff to do and things weren't quite as prepared as I would have liked.  (Prepared enough, just not super awesome prepared.)  I also did a ton of talking.  Besides that though, everything seemed to go ok.  ...including the super boring lesson that makes up the first day of the excel class.

Monday: last day

Today was the last day of summer vacation.  I haven't decided whether I'm excited for school or really sad that summer is done.

Excited: The routine will be nice.  Isaac will learn a lot.  Joshua will hopefully learn a lot.  Perhaps the boys will not get on each other's nerves quite so much.

Sad: packing lunches.  Getting up early.  Wearing socks.  Being Joshua's only playmate during the day.


We went on a walk and found all the colors of the rainbow...but mainly green.  I thought we all could use some green before going back to school.

Sunday: made it

Well, everyone survived today.  I'm not really sure what was in the water, but everyone was having a slightly off day.  I took a nap that I wasn't planning on taking and it made me feel a lot better.  Naps often do an excellent job of resetting my outlook on everything.

Saturday: birthday week

Continuing with my birthday week, I got some presents this morning.  Before I opened the presents I learned that, "It's not ice cream" (Isaac) and "Can I have a donut with lunch?" (Joshua)  I also got some lovely fabric.

We also went for a very nice boat ride and dinner this evening.

Thursday: mini golf

We went mini-golfing and had some ice cream today.  Isaac did a pretty good job, but he wasn't keeping score so several he just swept into the hole.  Joshua was hilarious, just like last time.  I completely gave up trying to get any sort of correct form.