Feels Like Fall

My two favorite seasons: fall & spring.

I just can't decide between the two yet.

This fall season has made me pause my stress (temporarily) to enjoy the season.

It's time to stop and smell the leaves 

and take time for-

Family,

Friends,

and 

Football.

Flag Football is in Session

This year we were so proud that our children choose to be a part of the Upward Ministry!

Carlee is cheering and Connor is coaching.

They are doing such a good job.

The children have face covers when they are not running/ cheering, sanitizing stations, and temperature checks for everyone before entering the game.

It's a great outdoor outlet.

Being physical is more than important during this time.

Maggie is loving this fall weather too! 

Carlee pushed me to decorate our house for fall this year.

It was a good idea because it put me in the holiday spirit.

Our whole table setting was put together from- the Dollar Tree.

I think we did pretty good.

I love to brag about my 1.00 tree finds.  

Fall Views

The Great Pumpkin?

I found this little pumpkin on one of my walks. 

It was growing outside of a primary teacher's classroom, 

the students will be thrilled.

This was my friend's house on the way to bible study, 

and I had to take a calendar FaLL pic.

#gorgeousviews 

Bible Study was the BEST.

It's Not Supposed to be This Way

God is good.

Loving my new teal Study Bible

It feels good to get back into the swing of things.

I have really been neglecting my God Time.

Hot Pizza and Wings on a Cool Day?  

Yes, Please.

Sleeping in with snuggle blankets.

Fallish Polish

Playing outside in nature's air condition.

This funny card I got my sister 

(I don't want to ruin the surprise).

A visit with my friend.  

I haven't seen her in in so long 

and we laughed and laughed.

(just one without distance)

I love her photo wall.  J. is so talented.

Connor is on the bottom featured in the red truck,

and is one of my all time favorite photos of him.

Gooey SMores

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”– L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

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