Tid Bits

The start of the school year always makes for some good stories as I begin to meet my students. Here is a small list of some "things":
- All students are to write a letter to me on the first day of school. One boy wrote a list of what he likes and dislikes. One dislike? Wearing clothes.
- There was a boy in my room last year who I found hard to connect with no matter how hard I tried. We talked footbal during the season, but come January Superbowl was over and there went our connection. He wouldn't so much as shake my hand. On the first day of school I looked up and he was running across the quad with a smile on his face. He walked right up to me and gave a huge hug. So confused!
- My little fashionista from last year was disappointed that I cut my hair and was not shy to tell me.
- I have a student that does NOTHING. seriously...nothing. Come to find out he has always done nothing. Maybe letter grades will shock him out of his work coma.
- locker day in 6th grade makes me want to take shots of tequila (or anything).
- I am reminded that I work with some pretty amazing educators and people. I pray that my own children are blessed with such wonderful teachers.

More later!

Back to School

We are back to the old routine here at the Russell household. This year is a bit different though. Haley will begin preschool and is playing soccer, which changes the old routine. Starting after Labor Day Josh will have two drop offs in the morning and I will have two in the afternoon. We have soccer practice during the week and a game every Saturday. This is different than our more flexible schedule before although we have always felt fairly busy. Haley is SO EXCITED to start school. Ryan is walking everywhere and wants to climb everything...very busy! Josh is more tired than usual as he is now waking up to get the kids ready an hour earlier than he woke up all summer. 

The school year is here and we are all adjusting to our non vacation lives.

You Know Summer is Over and the School Year Has Started When...

1. I am up at 5:45 with things racing through my mind.

2. The alarm needs to be set.

3. I am falling asleep on the couch before 10:00 instead of staying up until 11 or 12.

4. The kids' bedtime is back to 7:30 versus 8:00.

5. I come home to a clean house because none of us were home.

6. I am having anxiety dreams: one that I was assigned to 3rd grade (I now love middle school) and a student came to school with crystal meth on the first day, another that had nests of bugs in my hair.

7. I blow dry my hair.

8. The back of my car no longer has the park blanket and sand toys that we needed at a drop of a hat.

9. I am packing a lunch.

10. I am avoiding work that I need to do and typing this instead.

Indeed this was a fabulous summer. I have now had 5 summers as a parent and this one was BY FAR the best. I really loved it. I have now been back to work for a week and get so excited about a new school year and the potential of the kids, that it makes it somewhat easier to saying goodbye to the summer fun and head back into work. I am glad that I love my job. I am sad that this special summer is over, but only 180 work days until our next one! Cheers to year 11 in the classroom. May it be the best one yet!

Some Times Just Aren't So Fun

Today was a gray hair day. Nothing major happened. It was just one of those days. I sit and write with my hair in a hat because I couldn't find a way to get it done today. I have crusty graham cracker on my hoody and flung yogurt on my tank top. As parents we all have moments when we want to stop time and take a breath. Today was just a day with SEVERAL of those moments, making it a tough day. Ryan just wanted me and "up" all day. Once I got him up he wanted down. Once he got down he would cry. That was the glorious cycle today. I wanted to scream "Please learn more words so I know what the hell you want!!!" Ok, a bit harsh, but you know what I am talking about. Haley behaved well, but she is also demanding of time and attention as is every child by nature. I feel worn down and beat up. It was a day when all I saw were the messes that needed cleaning (which were just cleaned moments ago), the dishes needing washing (didn't I just do the dishes?), the clothes needing laundering (wearing dirty clothes isn't too bad, is it?). Thank you, Josh, for bathing the kids tonight and getting them ready for bed. I was not up for it. Today was rough. Tomorrow is a new day. 

Soccer Has Begun

11 boys and 2 girls on the team. She did great yesterday. On the way home she said she had so much fun but wasn't every good. We asked her more and she talked about how she wasn't done when the other kids were (she was talking about the little drills and dribbling). Of course we gave her the big talk of learning something new. We talked about when she first started music and dance and gymnastics and art and how she learned more and became better each time. She loved it none the less and wants there to be soccer today. The coaches are so sweet with the kids.

The Russells Take Tahoe by Storm

Tahoe was simply perfect. The four of us enjoyed almost 5 days of sun, swim, and adventure.  We played in the pool, went to the beach, rode the gondola, and explored. The trip was a hit with all of us. We still dream of buying a place there. Come on lotto!

Family Weekend

The Yuba City Family was here and we had a great time. Lots of food, drink and sand. Spent the day in Santa cruz and evenings in the Rasul backyard. Always such a good time.