week one is done

This week was . . . a lot of things. It was exciting and scary, organized and chaotic, rejuvenating and exhausting. Here are some conversation pieces and personal thoughts from the first week of school.

Me - "Jocie! How was your first day of Middle School!?"

Jocie - "It was crazy."

Me - "Crazy in a good way or in a bad way?"

Jocie - "I don't know. It was just crazy."

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Me - "Ella! How was your first day of Kindergarten!?"

Ella - "Good!"

Me - "What did you learn?"

Ella - "I don't know."

Me - "Did you meet any new friends?"

Ella - "Yes!"

Me - "What are their names?"

Ella - "I don't know."

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Me - "Hi 1st Graders! My name is Mrs. Adolphson. If that is too hard for you to remember, you can just call me Mrs. A."

- about 20 minutes of class goes by . . . we are about to line up -

Me - "Okay, everyone. Pop quiz! What is my name?"

Student - "Mrs. Apple!"

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- A 1st grade class files into the gym and I introduce myself to them -

Student - "My teacher told me we were going to Music today"

Me - "You are going to Music right after Phy. Ed."

Student - "What is Phy. Ed.?"

Me - "This . . . you get to be active, play games, and learn how to be healthy"

Student - "Are you the music teacher?"

Me - "No. I am the Phy. Ed. Teacher" - - at this point I have to cut this conversation off so I can actually start class.

- about 15 minutes of class goes by -

Student - "Is this Music?"

Me - ". . . No."

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Me - "When you get tagged by the tagger, you have to freeze and raise your hand. When one of your classmates runs by, they will give you a high five and then you can come back into the game. Does anyone have any questions?"

Student - "It's my doggy's birthday today, and we are going to have a party for him later!"

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Me - "Did someone punch me in the face, or are those just bags under my eyes?"

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Me - "What did you learn in Kindergarten today, Ella?"

Ella - "Not enough. I have to go back tomorrow."

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I would be a liar if I said this week was all positive. There were many times where I felt frazzled, stressed, rushed, guilty, exhausted, and overwhelmed. In the mornings, I felt organized but rushed and guilty when it came to dropping Claire off at daycare. In the evenings I felt exhausted and overwhelmed. To top the week off, Claire woke up this morning throwing up! Poor little thing. She threw up over a dozen times before her nap. It as heartbreaking to watch . . . and really gross to clean up after. It's always really hard to let someone else teach your class on the first week of school. I hope the substitute did a good job, or I will have a challenging time reteaching what they should have learned the first time.

On a positive note, I think my school girls had a great first week (Jocie's days got less crazy as the week went on) and I know that I will "adjust" to the schedule. Everyday I looked forward to see Jocie walking into my gym at 3:00, and I swelled with pride everytime I saw Ella walking the halls or eating lunch at school. I can't tell you how awesome it is to have your children intertwined into your job.

Cheers to the second week! I know it will be . . . a lot of things :)