Rocker?

Ok, it's only fair to tell you that he is still learning. This is the guitar that his dad and I bought him along with an amp, and other accessories. He was very excited. So excited, in fact, that he broke a string the first time he tried to tune it. We need to get the poor boy a hard case though because every time he takes it out of the soft case, he hits one of the tuning knobs (no idea what they are called) and it sounds all out of whack again. His ninth grade year is going pretty well. Honors classes are WAY harder than he thought they would be; however, he can't say I didn't warn him. Well he could, but he would be lying. Maddie is doing GREAT in fifth grade although it too is harder than she thought it would be. She did just get moved into the highest math group though. Sierra is loving first grade and just took the fall reading test yesterday. I am sure she did fine, but I am dying to see the results.

As for me, fourth grade is honestly great. I really like my host teacher and like the fact she has so much faith in me that she just lets me take the class. I hope she likes having me there as much as I like being there :) Big Michael is still in the process of finding the right job after retirement in April or June. He has options that will keep us here for about three more years so I am not worried. I am just glad he gets to choose. Well, I guess I ought to get to work.

In the Middle of a Lesson

Ok, picture a teacher standing in front of her class giving a lesson on square numbers. Begin the lesson discussing simple multiplication facts and move into using graph paper to map out then color in different squares to show how to make the number using multiplication of the same two numbers. Imagine students working different double problems on the graph paper up to the 17 x 17 and trying to figure it out without counting up all the squares.

Now we sit carefully attempting to work the problem different ways and several students come up with GREAT ideas that make sense, but don't work. The idea is for them to try and problem solve on their own and as hard as they try, only one student comes up with the correct answer. Some are close, but none are correct but the one. I won't bore you with the details of the short cut he came up with, but I will tell you he was the last child chosen.

When the teacher called his name and he gave his answer, the class waited as the smile crossed her face. She told him he was right, asked him to explain his method and when it was all over, another student sang in a Mr. Deeds operah man voice, "THANK YOU LORD, THANK YOU LORD, THANK YOU LORD!!!!"

I tried very hard not to laugh because it really was inappropriate and made it through until he left the room at the end of the day. MAN OH MAN...kids are fascinating.

All I Want for Christmas

Well, I did forget to post something yesterday in my haste. Sierra is my little toothless wonder right now. She has no upper two front teeth. I told her that she can sing the "All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth" song now. Ok, that might have been a mistake because now she sings it constantly. Please pay no attention to the fact that she looks like she might kill you even though she is happy. What can I say, she is excited.

I am also attaching a couple of pictures from the first day of school which was the 25th of August. Am I behind? UMMMM yes. My excuse is the same as yesterday...I am exhausted. The thing is that this isn't the first time in my life that I have worked until I felt like I could sleep for the whol weekend. I mean come on, I used to be in the military. The question is, when did I get so old? Life is catching up with me.

And please tell me how some other teachers...remaining nameless...can leave the school at 3pm every day and still get all their work done. Man oh man am I a little bitter and jealous about that one. Most days, I get there around 7:30 and leave after 4pm. Not a big deal really but it is taking it out of this old lady more than I thought. No more nights of midnight or later only to get up at 5:30am. I just can't do it any longer. Again, don't tell my husband because boy would he gloat over that fact :) I honestly cannot have him thinking he is right.

Well, I am at two days in a row now...I will have to start thinking of funny stories from work and the kids to share. Man they are fascinating. Not to mention that by fourth grade, they know all there is to know. Don't you dare tell them that's not true either.

Well Hello Stranger!

Ok, I know you are saying to yourself..."What? Who is this posting on JennyBs blog?"

It's ME! I so should be getting ready for school, but I wanted to throw something on here so JennyP doesn't think I suck :) Nah really, it would take more than that for her...she loves me.

Let me say what I have learned in the last few weeks at school.

FOURTH GRADERS CRY OVER EVERYTHING!!!!

I mean quit being a baby. I am not cut out for the whining over every little thing.

Sound mean? OK, I guess I am.

Open house went great, the year is going great, and I am exhausted from being there at 7:30 and leaving around four or five. Don't tell my husband that working like this wears me out though because I think I'll get a big, "TOLD YOU SO!"

I don't want him to think that he is right or anything.

I don't have time to post pictures, BUT I will tell you that the new header is a picture that I took of my flowers out front and the Dahlia that is on my other BLOG is also a picture of my very own flowers outside my very own house. I was hoping to get building of the month, but my neighbor Anna across the street got it.

I asked her who she slept with to win and she said, "all of housing!" I am glad she knew I was joking :)