Hi Ho, Hi Ho.... Hee, Hee, Hee...

Yep, It's back to work I go... Hee hee...

Not much to report on the work front.  I actually got all caught up on my marking over the February break and I have been using my one period of prep time per day to keep up on my preparation for my classes so for them moment all is well. Ask me next week once I am getting behind! Hee hee..

Today I had two messages on facebook left for me when I got home. Both of them had to do with babywearing.  By no means am I an expert at this but I love to help people out.  I have a good sized stash of wraps here (3 here for me) but now I seem to be lending them out (4 of them) for people to try so I told Mike I think I need to buy more... he didn't say no! (which is a good thing since I have another one on the way) LOL But he did say then I could sell them off to the other people I get hooked on it! Hee hee...

A week or so ago I was the Featured Follower on the blog Nurture Baby... Naturally.  It was quite a honor as I was their first ever featured follower! Guess I am bragging a bit! Hee hee....

Today Shallen had her one year old check up and needles. She is by far my biggest baby weighing in at 18lbs 10oz at one year. (still only in the 25th or so percentile for weight so in NO way is she huge) She had to have 3 needles today.  She was such a trooper for them.  She squawked a bit for each one but not for long.  She is zonked out on the couch beside me right now. She was in good spirits tonight until an hour or so ago.  Mike was holding her while I got the other three bathed and ready for bed.  I had to snap a picture of them when I returned to the room where Mike was "watching" the hockey game (through he's eye lids). Hee hee...

I am hoping that she sleeps well tonight although I won't be surprised if she doesn't since she has been napping all evening.

I am totally loving the Olympics.  I am pretty sleep deprived because of staying up late watching them but heck they only happen once every four years right... Hee hee...

Ok... I am totally rambling... do blogs have to have a point? I am kind of new to this blogging thing. I have noticed that most blog posts have a purpose or some sort of topic of the day. Is it ok if mine is just mindless rambling? Hee hee...

I love my job... I love my job... I love my job...

Being a teacher is a wonderful job if you are a mom.  Eventhough the job can be stressful and the marking overwhelming there is no better profession for the working momma.  I am off work afterschool so I can meet my kids when they get home on the bus. I can drive them to their afterschool and evening activities.  I get most school holidays off to spend with my kids.  We always have Christmas, Easter and summer holidays together.  I am lucky that I get all this time with my kids that other working moms may not have the opportunity to have.  It is hard for me to imagine only have 4-6 weeks of holidays (if that) to spend with my kids throughout the year.

It is easy for me to love my job right now! We are currently on February break. This allows me to catch up on my marking and spend some time with my kids. Oh and to watch the Olympics from morning to night!

Last weekend I went to Saskatoon for an evening with some of my extended family. My cousin's wife, Amanda, was having a Dinner Rush party.  I highly recommend it to anyone who is a working momma.  Basically you go to the Dinner Rush "store" and there they have prepared all different ingredients for the entrees you have selected.  You then assemble the entrees so that they are all ready to be prepared at home.  You then just have to pull the bag out of the freezer the night before or morning before you leave for work.  Once you get home you just follow the instructions to prepare your entree.  All ingredients are precut, premeasured and premarinated.  They are fast, nutritious meals.  I am hoping that this will help with that suppertime stress in my house.  Also because I often have an hour or so between when we get home and when we have to run to our first activity I will be able to prepare the entree and put it in the oven so when we get home from our activity supper will be ready!  I am so excited to try these items out! They looks SOOOO yummy!

Anyway, I am hoping to get all caught up in my marking and maybe spend a couple hours at the school planning later on this week. Other than that I am going to enjoy my time at home with the kiddos!

GO CANADA GO!!!!

The Honeymoon is over....

Yes, today was the day.  The day I finally cracked. I have only been back at work for less than two weeks but today was overwhelming.
I am trying to get my two classes of grade 12 English classes going on their Literature Circles for their novels.  I am trying to implement the new grade 8 Social Studies curriculum using backwards design and the new assessment strategies. It was all too much.  Thankfully I have my grade 8 Health class that is just bumping along.
I thought I had it all together but today the house of cards came tumbling down.  I had some issues with when we have to have our marks submitted in April and my principal said he would make an exception for me BUT that just makes me feel guilty.  Then I went for a meeting with our Differentiated Learning Teacher to help me with the new curriculum, backwards design and assessment and I just got soooo overwhelmed. Yep, cried at her desk.  Thank goodness February break is only 1 day away.

I am not sure how I will be able to do this for 22 more years. It seems so pointless.  As soon as I seem to get my feet under me they change the way we have to plan or assess or the curriculum changes (or like right now... they change all of them at the same time!)... I am sure once I have figured this all out they will pull the carpet out and change it all again.  I am not sure I can do it......  Ok I am being overly dramatic! LOL...  I am sure I will be fine... just a major stressful day.

The funny thing is none of my stress has to do with the students.  My students are wonderful.  They are enlightening and challenging.  I love teaching them... if only that is what is was all about!!!

It's not only me.....

Today Jorja freaked out at dance.  We had forgotten her shoes and she refused to go dance without them, eventhough another momma had a spare pair for her to use. This is not like Jorja, she loves to dance but in the last 3 weeks she has done this twice.  I think the lead up to me going back to work and going back to work has been hardest on her.
She is used to being home with me. My maternity leave was the most beneficial to her.  She had my attention during the day when the baby was asleep.  She didn't have to get up early to go to the sitters. We did things on our own schedule.
Since going back to work I have noticed that her personality has changed. She is stressed for a little person. I notice this because she overreacts to situations more easily, she fights more with her sisters and she doesn't seem to play as much.  Generally, I think she is tired (and maybe a little mad at me for going back to work)
Although she enjoys herself at the sitters, she still says on occasion that she would like to stay home.  This doesn't make it any easier on me, but this entry is not about me ;)
So after she refused to dance tonight I loaded the kids in the van and headed home. When we arrived home, Jorja got a spank on her bum (please don't judge) and was sent to her room to get ready for bed. Once she settled in, I went up and had a little talk with her, found the missing shoes (which seemed to make her feel so much better) and put her to bed.  Yes, she went to bed without any supper. She was so tired that she was asleep in minutes.
I feel awful that my working is affecting her so much.  I know that after awhile she will adjust but it saddens me that she has to. Luckily, next week is February break so we get to spend the week at home together, cuddling on the couch and watching the Olympics. The downside to this is that the following weeks she will have to get used to going to the sitter's again... *sigh*.

SIDE NOTE: I tried to find a free blinkie that said "Momma Guilt" or something like that to put here... but I was surprised to find nothing of the sort. However, I did find this awesome article about Mom guilt and how to deal with it.

I remember when.....

Nostalgia (n) A bittersweet longing for things, persons, or situations of the past.

On Thursday, I had my first staff meeting of the school year.  Before the meeting I was commenting on how when I started at this school we had cake or goodies at the staff meetings.  This is now long gone.  It was not until the end of the meeting about 45 minutes later that I remembered the reason for the food... our meetings used to last for HOURS!!!!!

Isn't it weird how the mind works. When looking back, at first things seem so much better back then. I remember how much more exciting work used to be when I started... then I remember the stress of being a new teacher prepping all the new classes. It is like when I hold a newborn baby; I always yearn for another.  I forget the nights I slept in the recliner all night or the times when I things I needed to get done but the baby wouldn't allow it.

Maybe this feeling of nostalgia is caused by the fact that I am having Rhiannon's 7th birthday party tonight.  Maybe it is because my baby is almost one.  Even though looking back is enjoyable I know that looking in the future is just as exciting.  As my kids grow up there will be so many more activities we will be able to share and experiences we will have together.

And here is the birthday girl... doesn't she look grown up!

If people were meant to pop out of bed, we'd all sleep in toasters. ~Author unknown

Well two days of work done and I am BEAT! I am counting down the days to February break already! Thank goodness it is only 10 days away!!!

A very sweet babywearing momma sent me a special surprise... a wrap I have wanted for a while now. (a wooly indio named Malve)  It arrived on Monday afterwork. What perfect timing.  She said I could borrow it for as long as I wanted and that if I end up loving it that I can buy it off her... SO SWEET.  Shallen and I have been enjoying cuddling in it once I get home from work.

Today I was the first person in Pajamas in the house. It is not even 9pm and I am struggling to keep my eyes open. I hope that my stamina increases soon since I haven't even begun to mark in the evenings yet.  I wish I could bottle Shallen's energy.

So my new motto is that if I am going to have to work for the next 20 years I might as well enjoy my time at work.  It will make my life more pleasant and hopefully make me less grumpy!!!  Today my sister, whose classroom is across from mine, and I decorated our neighbouring teacher's door.  He is a pretty straight laced, young guy and we like to bug him a bit.  Anyway, his classroom door is now all pretty and pink for Valentine's day.  The "twisted sisters" ride again!

So far, other than being totally tired at the end of the day, work has been going well.  The kids have adjusted well and over all things have been positive.

Of course, that doesn't mean that I am going to stop buying lottery tickets!!!!