Chicka Chicka Boom Boom! Looks What’s Going on in Our Room!

Hey! I have not disappeared! I went back to school mid-October and have been running full force since then. When I returned to school, the MCS exhibitions were 3 weeks away. I spent the next few weeks trying to acclamate my children to my way of teaching, creating projects for the expedition, trying to get organized, and attempting to catch up!!! I am a very organized person and the first day back in my room…I noticed that supplies, paper, junk, and more supplies were just stuck wherever.

I absolutely LOVE technology, computers, cameras, and more computers. I have never claimed to be the brightest in all of these areas, just very intrigued, interested, and motivated by it all!  I was so thrilled that I got the opportunity to attend the MCS Technology Conference November 6 and 7, since I had only been teaching this school year for a few weeks. I had had all intentions of presenting during this time, but was not prepared for all the catch-up paperwork as well as getting to know my students and their families.   I ended up having my precious baby 5 weeks early and stayed off work a little longer than planned from the beginning.  I have been staying after school as much as I can, but since the time change my co-workers have encouraged me to leave by 5.

I wish I had the time to look/play/research the many ideas and websites that I hear about. I am glad that I am in the profession I have chosen because I hear a lot of comments about certain websites!  I am looking forward to the 2008 Technology Conference Group getting together at some point after the holidays. I am very interested in the many ways we, as teachers, have used all the different skills and information from the summer camp in our classrooms this year!

I have almost completed Egypt’s pictures/renaming for MCS. I am getting nervous because the deadline is the end of next week and time seems to be flying more than ever! I plan on taking one day at a time with my classroom, but also have the future of my students in my thoughts at all times! I absoluetly love being the mother of two boys. It is the best feeling ever!

My mind races daily about precious little children. I have really enjoyed being home with my 3 1/2 year old son, Garrett, and my 7 week old son, Hayden.  Garrett is so helpful and loves being a big brother. Having two children has made my life much more interesting as well as busy. My husband works a lot of hours, so I spend a lot of time just me and the boys. Garrett loves to play any kind of ball outside and I never have enough energy to keep up with his! Hayden is a good baby and is sleeping through the night most nights.  Children are the most wonderful miracles!

Now, I also think a lot about the 22 children in my classroom that I have not met yet.  I have seen pictures of most of them, but cant match names with the faces. My baby, Hayden, has not had his shots yet. Once he has had his first set, I would like to go to my class and share him with my children and try to put names with faces.  I have big plans of doing a lot of school work the week before I go back to make sure that I am prepared and organized.  My children are on their 3rd substitute. I wish that it would have just been one the entire time. This worries me because I dont want them confused.  I have my fingers crossed that the one that started Monday will stay til the end of my maternity leave.

I feel lost when it comes to my job because I hear so many “rumors” of things that have changed this year. New rules from the principal and the new superintendent seem to be the topic of conversation a lot with my friends that teach at many different schools. I am very open to change, just like to know all the details. I don’t want to bombard my team with questions all the time so I am trying to just take notes until I return.

I have gotten myself on a schedule since I have been home and need to start preparing myself to return to work. I still have four weeks, but have really gotten addicted to certain t.v. shows…Ellen and Wife Swap on Lifetime!  I plan on getting back on a better work schedule starting next week to prepare myself for the 22 children in my classroom who I am dying to meet!

Kindergarten students come one day this week for testing and they all return this coming Monday for a fun-filled school year. I am very dedicated to my job and my family!!  I am enjoying being home with my newborn son and my 3 1/2 year old. We are all doing great!  I am gonna miss my students’ first day as a class.  I know they are being taken care of with the teacher taking my place and that is what matters the most! This is the first time in 10 years of teaching that I dont have everything done to start the school year out and not there when school starts.

I know that things will work out and this school year will be a lot of fun.  Having two children is the highlight of my life! I have always enjoyed teaching and I am sure everything will run smoothly!

My precious angel is here!!! Hayden Bennett was born Saturday, July 26 at 2:06 p.m.  He weighed 5.4 pounds and was 19 inches long.  I was put in the hospital on Friday because I had severe preclamcia and had a section on Saturday. He was 5 weeks early and had respitory distress. He has been in the NICU Nursery and will be till he gets to go home.  I have not been discharged yet because I have Post-Partum Preclamcia and Pregnacy Induced Hypertension. I have been improving daily, as well as my precious baby boy!!!!

He is a MIRACLE!!! He is doing so much better every time that we get to see him!!! He is eating better, in a regular bed, and off all machines!!!! We pray daily that he keeps getting better and he gets to go home soon!!!  Family is a very precious thing to me. It will be very hard to leave the hospital without my baby, but also know that he is being well taken care of and will get to come home soon!!

Miracles are very precious and Hayden will always be very special to me. I just thought I would let you know about my special day Saturday and ask for your thoughts and prayers for Hayden to improve daily and come home soon!!

I have been trying to play around with my camera to see what all it can do. It has many different functions that I have always wondered about. During Tech Camp, Scott talked about digital photography and the many different kinds of cameras. My head has been spinning ever since about finding things to practice taking pictures of.  I took my little boy to the zoo and we sat in front of the polar bears for over 30 minutes so I could watch and try to take pictures. I got so carried away with the picture taking that I forgot to really pay attention to the two polar bears eating, swimming, and playing together.  Scott has a digital photography class three days this next week and it is full. I am hoping that everyone does not show up so that I can have a spot. I love taking pictures at home and at school.  Sometimes my friends tell me its time to put the camera down because I am constantly trying to take pictures!!