That Kid....

In my last post I talked about how Isabella was having a hard time transitioning to the new day care. Well, let me update you. Isabella is teething and when she does, she seems to get a bunch at a time. So right now, she is getting ALL 4 molars. Ouch! Last week was a mess. She was running a fever, so of course couldn't be at daycare. She was CrAnkY!! (Wouldn't you be with 4 teeth coming in?) Friday at her 18 month check-up (I can't believe she is already 18 months!) the doctor gave us a note for her to go back to daycare. When Skip picked her up there was a little note on the sign out sheet, "Please see office". Isabella got a naughty note! She bit...twice! Skip had to sign a form that acknowledges she bit. Great! Then on Monday, there was another, "See office" note. Yep, she bit again! Twice! So 4 kids have gone home with a "Your child was bit by another child today..."

So, now she is jumping out of the car and waving hello as we walk in. She blows me kisses and is off...biting!

A New Day Care

Isabella started a new day care this school year. This is a good thing. In August we spent a lot of time checking out day cares around us. Home and Centers. Picking a day care is hard. Will these strangers really love and cherish my baby?

The first day of school was also her first day. She screamed. I mean SCREAMED. Top of her lungs screaming and crying - reaching for me as I left. Boy, I felt good!

Day 2 - same as before. Screaming, crying.
Day 3- Ok. I tried something new. We brought her snack bowl of Cheerios. I thought maybe I could keep her occupied. So I signed her in and as I walked down the hallway, she wrapped her legs tightly around my and started crying and clinging to me. Not good. We aren't even to the classroom yet.

So I told Skip, we will give it one more week. I am really hoping that it is just because she isn't used to being away from us that long. Heck, I had just spent the whole summer with her!

So the next week started off just like before. I tried new "tricks". We brought Eeyore. We brought Eeyore and cheerios. I stayed those extra few minutes. I gave 1 last kiss good-bye. Nothing seemed to be working. Then last Thursday - a break through - Ms. Diane kept her occupied so I could sneak out. I watched through the window and she was smiling. It was good.

After the weekend, I thought today was going to be a bear again. Boy was I wrong. We walked in the door. She wanted down. She walked behind the counter, waved and shouted "Hi" to the director. She walked herself down the hall to her classroom and when I opened the classroom door, she yelled "Hi" again. Making her grand entrance. We went in, she found some books I hung up her lunch and went to give her a kiss. And she turned to me, says "BYE!" and waves.

WOW! I almost cried. That hit me more then her screaming and crying. My little girl is growing up, becoming Miss Independent!

Different

I am the new kid. I get that. I am trying really hard to not say, "At my old school we ________." I am REALLY trying not to be that person. It's getting really hard for me to be quiet........

I worked my old district for 7 years. I felt that in that time, progress was (and is still) being made for what is right for students and teachers. Professional development for teachers to learn and collaborate with one another...HUGE! (I know parents don't like all the days off, but the students do benefit) Students working at their individual learning level - GREAT!

The more I learn about my new district, the more I feeling I am being pulled in a time warp....backwards. I know that in this new district, money is not as prevalent as the old one. But they're are still ways to progress.

Some of the luxuries I had I am desperately missing - my continuous planning time, planning time every day, the print shop, & access to teaching materials. Sigh....

First Day of School

I was nervous as hell.

2nd grade? What did I do? Can I really teach 2nd grade?

I got dressed up. Yes, I wore a WHITE skirt (could never do that in kindergarten!) and black top. I figured if I could cover up my nervousness by feeling good about my outfit! Hey, if I bombed at least I looked good!!

Well, it turned out GREAT! Completely different experience but it went well. 2nd graders can do so much more on the first day! I am amazed at how much we accomplished today. Not just, "When's recess? When's lunch? When's PE?" We actually did some reading, writing and math. YEAH!

It will take a lot of getting used to, but it just might be ok.....

Missing my home

So, I have been putting "together" my classroom that last few days. (I use quotations on 'together' because switching grade levels has left my room pretty bare bones.) Since I hadn't met many of the other teachers yet, I was actually being very productive. In other words, I wasn't being my chatty self.

We'll today we had the first staff meeting to start the year. It was hard. I kept wondering what CL was doing and really missing them. I was missing hearing everyone's stories of the summer. I was missing the laughter and fun we have together.

Change is hard. I know I did the right thing for my family. But, right now it sucks.

Making a change...

This last school year was very hard for me for many reasons. I REALLY wanted to stay at home with Isabella, but that just wasn't in the cards. So I drug my feet back to work.

I work in Woodinville. I live in Marysville. I commute for ATLEAST an hour each way. YUCK! I am spending 2 hours or more in the car, when I could be playing with my baby.

In January, we decided that I would look for a job closer to home.

This is easier said than done (of course!) I love where I work. I love the people I work with. I love the community. It is truly a great school to be. This made it hard for me to apply for a new job. When I told my principals I was going to apply to other districts to move closer to home, I cried. Just saying it out loud to them really made it real to me. I am really doing to do this.

By mid-april, after much procrastination, I finally sat down and filled out the applications. As I hit that first "submit" button, I was nauseous. But it was done. I only told a handful of people at work. I was really afraid of the "What if no one calls me? or What if I don't get a job?" I don't think a could deal with that.

But then, I started asking for boxes to pack up my room. One of the office assistants delivered about 15 paper boxes and stacked them outside my classroom. My secret was out!

So at the end of the school year, I packed up my room and waited.

The monday before we went on our adventure to Utah for the family reunion (I'll write about that another time) I got a call from a principal in Lake Stevens. Just the phone call alone lasted 30mins. I was asked to come in for an interview that Wednesday - the day we were leaving...

So I went. The interview lasted an hour and was awesome. The principal was so positive and excited about the changes in education, it was inspiring. I left the interview excited and hoping I got the job. Within a day, he called and offered me the job. I accepted the position.

Not only that, but it is also a 2nd grade teaching position. So I am changing schools and grades. I have to tell you, my new school is right down the road. Literally, 5 mins away. Could it be any better?

Today was the first official day back to school. I am very excited and nervous as HELL!

Here's to a great school year and new adventures!

Finally!!

Our computer has been down for over a month (hence, no new stories). We finally got a new one today and Skip spent most of the night setting it all up. I am so excited! I can't wait to fill you all in! Stay tuned!