The front fell off...

Good for some giggles.

The first days...

It definitely helps to be a veteran. While perhaps not a veteran of 4th grade, but a veteran to the behavior, establishing class community and all that. It makes all the difference. I am off to a really good start, although obviously insanely busy and insanely overwhelmed. I have so much work to do posting this blog was a decision between letting go and feeling more behind or doing more work. Obviously, I chose wisely, grasshopper. I made a decision long ago to try to commute thing, but it hasn't been easy. Its only been a few days. But, like anything, its about prioritizing, figuring out routines and all. I also feel a little unsettled because we are actually moving, just to another location in the same town. I am extremely excited (yes, of course, because I am moving with JE) but mostly because I get to have a full kitchen, with a dish washer. That's right, a dishwasher. You are so jealous of my new water-consuming device that allows you to stack dishes out of sight because you don't feel like cleaning them at the moment. I haven't had a dishwasher (the machine kind) since I moved from my parents house. Its one of those super luxuries. Can you believe it? Jealous, you are. I will also have a nice space to do yoga in an actual living room. Ohhh! The luxury of it all. It is really close to downtown, so it will make going to farmer's markets, the library and out to dinner really convenient. Its been so long since I went to a public library. Wow. That is another cool thing, its blocks, yards in fact, from my new place. All very exciting. Of course work and the commute as they are, I may never enjoy any of these things, but darn it, I know they're there, if I so choose. The big move this weekend and then adjusting to new arrangements, but I think this a is a good and lasting arrangement. I know that for the first time in my life, I want to really work at it, because, well, it is work, but its fun too.

Getting back to school, I can say I love my new grade level, I enjoy my new coworkers immensely and I feel like I am part of a wonderful place. Sure, its a lot of work, but I just need to remind myself that like the parents of my students, we all make the choice and sacrifices to be there because its worth it.