week one down!

I made it. One week of teaching down!

I've heard people say that they have had super first days. I am very happy that had such great days, but me on the other hand, my first days were hectic. Teaching kindergarten is a little different from the other grades because for the most part, many of them still need to learn how to be students. 

My first day included one of my little boys getting a terrible bloody nose en route to music - thankfully we were by a bathroom so we were able to stop and he could get some paper towels for his nose. 

My second day included another little boy throwing up. Thankfully just a little got on the floor - I was able to hurdle a few desks to snatch up the garbage. 

My third day included a girl having a royal melt down because she didn't get the center she wanted. (We do centers at the end of the day. This includes a reading center, writing center, dramatic play center, etc.)

And then there's the end of the day. I have 17 kids all going different directions. Some on the bus (all different buses it seems like) and then a few going on the city bus. And then there's the seven that need to walk to their siblings classrooms but they don't know how to get there...and then finally there are the four that get picked up by a parent after school. (But the parents are waiting at different doors of the building.)  Very, very thankful for supportive and helpful staff that helped with the end of the day arrangements!

But you know what? In between all the chaos and the busy-ness are the special moments.The moments when you get a tight hug from a student because you helped them write their name, the "you are the best teacher ever!" because you let them do the hokey pokey in school, the beams on the faces when they are praised for doing a job well done, the giggles when I ran around the room giving them all high-fives because they all had their red marker out (and everything else put away), the excitement of getting a story read to them, and when I'm out and about around the town - hearing my name being called from a student and when I look over, two little hands are ferociously waving in my direction with a huge grin on their face...

Yes, my first week was hectic and a bit crazy - but as I sit here and reflect on the week, it's the little moments above that make me so happy I'm a teacher...and make me just a little bit excited to get back to school next Tuesday and see my seventeen kids that I'm already, oh dear, so attached to.

(But for now, I am going to fully enjoy the three days off!)

Classroom 2014/2015

I finally got around to taking pictures of my room. I will be taking pictures as it changes and evolves throughout the year but here is a quick preview of where I spend my days with 17 kinders!

Our Honeymoon

This August day has been cold, windy, cloudy, and it has been raining non-stop. I must admit, I woke up late (it's so easy to sleep in when it's cloudy/rainy out) and haven't done much of anything. 

I think it'll just be one of those days. It's a good Yanni listening day.

Anyways, I was going through all the photo albums on my computer and came across our honeymoon album. And I realized I never posted any pictures!

We headed to the state south of us and I really enjoyed it. Aaron planned it all - and he did good!

So, here is a glimpse of our honeymoon...1 year and 2 months later!

Our cabin

Aaron modeling the outside of our cabin.

At a super interesting museum in Deadwood.
Left - Wild Bill Hickok's final poker hand and gun.
Right - A needle used during that time period.

Downtown Deadwood

Aaron made us hamburgers in our little kitchenette one day for lunch before our hike.

View during our hike

Hubby and I

A waterfall along the way.

Here we are, eating at Jake's - Kevin Costner's restaurant.
It was fancy and expensive.

A terrible storm the night before we left.
I was biting my fingernails with worry while Aaron wanted to go in the hottub!

I would love to go back! Maybe for our 50th... :)

Phase 2, Day 1

I've kind of lumped our garage building into three phases. Our garage floor is complete - check it out here - which was phase one. Phase two has begun, which is putting up the walls/roof. And phase three will be putting on the steel roof/siding.

Here is a picture of phase two in progress. I went to work at 8, got back at 5, and this was done!

On an unrelated note, I have barely had time to breathe these last two weeks with preparing for school! I have loved getting my classroom colorful and cheery and ready for my kids - but it is a lot of work. Classroom pictures to come soon! We don't have air conditioning in the school and so at the end of my work days, when I'm sticky with sweat, I just don't feel like taking pictures. 

On that note, school starts tomorrow! For kindergarten it's just a meet and greet so Friday is technically our "first" day of school. I feel ready, nervous, excited, anxious, a little bit scared, and curious. I'm curious about my students, how the days will go, will my lessons go well? what will the dynamic be of my classroom? will they be a busy bunch or more easy going? So many "I wonders"! 

end of summer '14

I consider this last week, my last week of summer vacation. School doesn't start for another two weeks but I already know I'll be spending most of my time in my classroom this week - getting things ready for the 17 little youngsters that will be showing up! {I know the kids probably won't believe this, but I'll be as nervous as them when August 21st rolls around!}

As a wrap up of summer vacation, I decided to post this photo. I know I'll look at this photo in January when it is -50 below with wind chill and sigh deeply. 

It was a sweet, sweet summer.

{with prominent Keen tan lines - reminder of all the wonderful time spent outdoors in the sun!}

maplewood state park

My August 6th was spent riding horse with my mom in the hills and trees of Maplewood State Park. Besides the fact that I could barely get my foot up into the stirrup {uff}, it was a great day!

 A few months back I remember having a conversation with my eldest sister about when you're not able to do something for awhile, it makes you appreciate it even more when you are able to do it again. She was talking about when she was pregnant with her son and not able to run - but - I could say the same for horseback riding. 

Our boys, Tobey and Rio, both have their little quirks. For some reason Tobey thinks he's a bloodhound. If I don't bring his head up, he'll keep his head down close to the ground, sniffing the trail the whole way. Today he also felt the need to not want to walk in the path but beside it. Oh well. And Rio, he can be as slow as molasses one minute and then get into his crow-hopping mood the next. Thankfully he wasn't in his little "mood" when mom's rein broke!

There was no bolting, no horse freak-outs while tied to the trailer, no waiting outside the trailer for 2.5 hours because a horse wouldn't load, no bucking, no leading a horse across mud because they wouldn't go themselves, no rolling... {yes, all this has happened before and more...}

It was just pleasurable, enjoying the scenery, horseback riding. Our two boys, Rio and Tobey, are keepers. 

wildflowers

This spring my mom planted some wildflowers. They are in bloom and are just beautiful. I know what kind of flowers are my favorite, now! 

I read a blog recently and the author states she misses summer already and it's not even done yet.

I agree with her - I miss it already, too!

Elizabeth's Visit Part 1

Elizabeth came and visited us this weekend!

Our Friday consisted of meandering through Theodore Roosevelt Nat'l Park, browsing the shops in Medora, eating at a fantastic pizza parlor, taking in the Medora Musical, and a few other eventful events that will be blogged about, later!

Today, we spent the day at the Knife River Indian Village historic site and drove to the Garrison Dam to take in the mighty Lake Sakakawea. It's been another excellent {hot} summer weekend so far!