First Day

So today was my first day teaching music. I had two kindergarten classes, and three sessions of first graders. The first Kindergarten class got off to a rocky start, and we went through all my planned stuff a little too fast. The Second Kindergarten class went a little better, as I was able to pace myself better.

The first 1st grade class fell apart. I wasn't able to keep control for very long, thanks to a few really rowdy boys. After that class I was thinking "What did I get myself into?" but I was determined, so I tried harder in the next class, and it paid off. Everything went smoothly, and we had just enough stuff to do in the time aloted. The last class went even better, and again, we almost ran out of stuff to do before class was over. I just jumped back to the begining, and it all worked out.
I'm really glad I got this job, and I know things will get better as the weeks go on.

So out of ten I'd give my first day a 7.5

Go me!

Things that are hard

Coming up with lesson plans (that are enough, but not too much)
Filtering through the millions of ideas I've had since I found out I was going to be teaching this year.
Coming up with an idea for an essay for English-118
Writing rough draft for said essay
getting someone to read said essay, and comment on it (without hurting my feelings)
writing "revised draft" of said essay
getting someone else to read revised essay
Writing Final draft of essay
all while trying to be a good mom to a 2 year old and a third grader.

Back to school

So it is getting closer to that time of year. We went back to school shopping yesterday. First we went to Walmart, and the clothes shopping took quite a while because Lindsey isn't into Hananah Montana, and so the picks were a little slim. She did find some cute stuff tho. I will post pics later. The Camera battery is charging.
I bought some clothes for Westley. I don't know what I'm going to do with him. He is now in size 2t shirts, but 24month pants, and even then we have to roll them up a bit. Well, that just means they'll last a while right?
Lindsey didn't like any of the backpacks at Walmart, so we had to go to Target for that. And of course Westley had a huge tantrum in the store. I don't remember myself ever being that bad, but if I ever was "I AM SO SORRY MOM AND DAD"
Now we have to wait for Lindsey to get her class assignment so we know what supplies to get.
I got myself some supplies for the English class I am taking this semester. With my Brother-in-law's help I've figured out what classes I need to take at the Junior College so I can transfer as a Liberal Studies - Elementary teacher preparation major. I'm a little behind in English and Math, but when I transfer my units that I took WAY BACK WHEN at Stanislaus, I will be ahead in some of the other subjects.
I'm also taking the Materworks Chorale class again. We are doing Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem, and another peice we haven't gotten yet. It feels really good to be a part of a choir again.

so that's Back to school. I promise I will try to play catch up when I have pictures to post.
love you all

Stroke of Luck

Yesterday when I got the junk mail out of the mail box, I just set it down on top of the trash I was about to take out. I happen to glace at it, and saw an ad for Childcare. so I fished out the ad, and took the rest of the trash out. The ad said there is a new child care place opening really close to BART and they have extended hours, and only charge $8/hour. So I e-mailed them to make sure Westley would be a good fit, and if the hours that I'm going to work (It's looking like mondays mornings from 8-11 or so, wednesdays all day and Fridays all day) are ok with them. they are totally fine with it. And he doesn't have to be potty trained. they said they would help him, and urge him to go, but if he was still in diapers it's no problem.
Who knew that you could find important stuff in the junk mail. I guess I'll have to start looking through it more often.

and just because, here's some pictures of the kids.

Reaching out

I was just wondering what all my brothers and Sister-in-laws were up to, when I thought how bad it is that they never call. Of course I never call either, so I guess I'm part of the problem. So I settle for reading my family's blogs and getting all my news from Mom (Who I'm not ashamed to say I still call quite often). She gives me the report of everyone whos called her, so that's good enough for me. But then I thought, If my brothers and sister-in-laws are trying to read my blog to see whats up, they be pretty disappointed, because I hardly ever post. So I am going to do my best to Start posting every week, so that my family can know what's up with me. I still recommend calling Mom every week tho.
Anyways, right now we are in the lull of summer. Lindsey and Westley both finished there swimming classes (Lindsey moved up a level and isn't afraid of the low dive anymore. I'm so proud of her.) This weekend Lindsey is going camping with the girlscouts, on her first overnight. She is really excited. Westley thinks he is ready for a bike. Everytime we go outside, he trys crawling up on Lindsey's bike. I would show you pictures of this stuff, but I left my camera at mom and dad's when we were up for the forth of july. So right now, we don't have much going on. I'm trying to prepare my lessons for Nest year.
At this moment unless the superintendent decides he doesn't like me, I will be teaching K-2 grade music at Buena Vista Elementry. I'm very excited. I have a lot of ideas, and I'm working hard on trying to make most of them work. I'm really nervous, but I have a lot of support and I think it will all work out.
so that's the news as of right now. I gotta go and try to get my kids to bed.