Fall Catch Up

I can't believe fall is here already!  I know it is because I've been busy switching out summer clothing with winter clothing from the basement all day (also I had soup for lunch).  

This was the first weekend I had to take a breath.  I was totally unprepared for the challenges that hit me the first six weeks of school but now things have settled and it had been a relaxing weekend.

You know what I've been doing?  

Watching this show-

Do you remember it?  I use to be in love with Teri Hatcher and Dean Cain.  This show ran through my high school years, so it brought back some memories of watching it each Sunday night.    

I'm telling y'all this is so (cheesetastic) good, you need to re-watch in-between your Riverdale fix.

Other 'Fall Catch Ups' in my life- 

Upward Flag Football:

This year Connor joined a christian flag football league and he has loved it.   It has been such a wonderful experience.

I'm really thankful he was able to participate and learn so much about being a Godly player.

 

He is praying over his next sport, so please pray with him.  My advice is that middle school is all about finding what you enjoy, so try as many different things as possible.

Annual Chicken Stew:

It's been a few years since we have attended the chicken stew due to scheduling conflicts but this year we made it and it was great! 

Connor brought his buddy and they had a blast.

These kids had dirt from head to toe when they got home! 

The kids took a hayride to the barn and out in the field to wait for a special treat. 

Mmmmmm, 

Treats 

& S'mores over a fire. 

Fall, Fellowship, and Fun

My Room: 

Once again I was tasked with reinventing my room.  

This year I walked into a few different pieces than what I had before.  When you've taught for 17 years you become accustom to things getting moved around to a different place.  My advice is if you want to secure something, take it home or post five notes on it wrapped in bulletin board with your name.   

before:

After-

Now that I know more about my role at middle school, I was better able to design my room for a math and reading 'coach' role.

The large portion of my day is meeting student need via co-teaching.  

I mainly use my room for-   1. intervention  2. mixed group rotations (general ed)  3.  homework/ skill help in the afternoons for grades 6-8. 

Everything is in short spurts, usually no more than 20-30 minutes.  That means when students enter, I don't have time for anything.

I have to be ready to rock and roll.

This first set up is my math station with the larger white board, individual desks, calculators, rulers, scratch paper, etc.   

Below is my reading intervention station with tables placed in an L shape.  A new shelf was added in the back for work tubs, SPIRE materials, and other reading materials. 

I dusted off Carlee's old white board for anything I need to write out for students during this time.

There are a few areas in the room for additional seating for independent work/ test mods or even students who need down-time. 

My library corner -

 I decided not to hang an extra bulletin board in favor of using it as a "door" in between two larger book shelves.  Behind the "door", I store additional materials and my bags/games that travel with me to the primary school for my PRC 29 learners. 

So far my space is working out great-  

here a group of learners are tutoring each other and working together to problem solve area.

Although I use computers and iPads for students to access videos that I make for them, I have found using the Smartboard way too time consuming (especially when half the time it doesn't work), so I have turned it into another whiteboard.  

Yes!  You can use a dry erase marker on a white board.  

See here.

If I need anything, I can go over to my neighbor who usually has it.

Isn't she too adorable?!  

She has been an amazing help with Connor too! 

So this is happening, I paid my big $$$ this morning.  

My ten years are almost up and it's time to renew.

Hopefully this process will not kill me (or make me fatter).   

Wedding Shower:

We have several fall weddings to attend, including cousin Hil.

super excited

I know, I know Carlee... 

the thought of planning a wedding for you makes me drink too. 

******************

Lots of fun events coming up in the future!

Until then, I hope you all enjoy your fall moments. 

"And all at once, summer collapsed into fall."  -Oscar Wilde  

Day at the Ranch II

Just checking in this morning before we run off to our next activity.  I've not had a lot to add to my blog, or rather I have lots of stuff to add but I haven't had a chance.  To sum up this year so far:

Mainly the kids are keeping me busy (and stressed).   What is it about odd number years that make it so hard?  

The last time I nearly experienced a break down like this was when Carlee was an infant with colic and Connor was a struggling first grader.  

I am determined to protect my mental and emotional health better this time around but it's hard for me.   I think I need this book in my life:

I would buy it but I can't read it right now.

The good news is my kids have verbal skills now and sleep at night (I mean seriously that makes a difference).  Right now, I am  appreciating the unexpected blessings that are hitting me at the right time.  

You know the blessings like:  loving and nonjudgemental teachers,  an authentic compliment, a husband who ignores your tangents, a funny text from a BFF, that new co-worker you get to know a little more each day (and really like), that old co-worker who you still love, sunsets, good coffee, running water, a new dress,

....  you know the good stuff.

This week another blessing was in the form of a field trip.  

Remember when I went with this fellow? 

It is my favorite.

Carlee

One thing that stood out to me is how much my sensory children just loved the corn pit the best. 

Connor First Grade

Maybe because their sensory mother loved it also. 

There was only one adult that could convince me to leave my inhibitions (and my bad knee) in the hay and just have fun-

Mrs. J.  

Sure we were the only adults in the corn but it was worth it because I laughed so hard. 

This lady is my animal spirit after all.

Carlee

Connor

The adventure begins:  the children just hop on the back of a flat bed truck and go!  The animals walk right up to the kids and they get a little snack.

It was a gorgeous but hot day. 

Girl Squad

Fall absolutely refuses to come to the Carolinas.

Don't worry, the heat didn't stop us from having fun.   After all, we are southern girls and we can take the heat!

A little lick won't hurt anything. 

 Carlee was a bit apprehensive about the animals, in particular the ostriches (I mean those things just go for it) but she really got into it mid-ride.

Carlee has a great teacher but I was so impressed with her class.  Another thing my kids have in common is that they both have the sweetest group of kids that traveled up with them (even in 7th grade).  Don't get me wrong, they still fight and do kid things, but I hear from other parents that some groups are so mean to each other.  

This truly was the sweetest class of kids! 

 #anotherblessing

After our adventure, we carpooled with a mommy and daughter.  That was another unexpected blessing because it was so good to talk to another woman for two hours.  She also bought the girls a nice cold ice cream.  

Don't these two girls look like they could be in a summer ad?  

What a great memory to make with my little girl! 

We had so much fun and I'm glad I could take a whole day to appreciate her.

Ps.  I need to learn how to make a corn pit in my backyard for my most stressful days!