Back to School...REALLY?? ALREADY??

Wow---time sure flies when you're having fun! It's hard to believe I returned from grad school over four weeks ago! I spent the few last weeks of summer hanging out with friends one last time, spending time with my niece, and of course--enjoying the new car =). I didn't do quite as much work as I had planned, but in the end I think that was a good thing! Though, it sure made for a busy "teacher" week this past week!

One of the last things I did for summer vacation was have McKayla (my almost 4-year-old niece) come stay the night with me. That was an adventure! We started out the day by swimming with my good friend Melissa, her step-daughter Avery, and our other friend Lauren. McKayla LOVES swimming and we had a great time. This also wore her out and I was convinced she would sleep well. Not so much. She did okay, but it took her a LONG time to fall asleep (11:30, and bed time was 9:00!). Then, when she did finally konk out, she flailed her arms and legs all over the place and kept me awake the whole night. It was kind of a rough night for aunt Michelle...but it was worth it! In the morning she was not ready to go home because she was having so much fun. However, the next sleep over will involve a special new sleeping bag which can be put on the floor of our room, because I am NOT sleeping with a 3-year-old again =)!!

This past week was the ever fun and exciting teacher week at TSD. It was fun and exciting to see all my teacher buds and catch up with everything. The four hour meetings however, not so fun and exciting. Any time not spent in meetings I was crazily trying to get all my curriculum ready, decorate my room, and get all the parent letters/syllabi ready. It was a little insane. Plus, I was helping host a baby shower for a good teacher friend so we were busy making plans for that all week so that we would be ready to host on Saturday. Kind of nut-so...but lots of fun too!! I still don't feel quite ready for students tomorrow, but like a fellow teacher told me this week--even if we're not ready...they're showing up tomorrow! At least the first day is pretty easy =).

This year should be pretty exciting. I am pumped to teach a new class to TSD--Anatomy and Physiology. It was one of my favorite classes in high school and I hope it will turn out to be a favorite for my students. Lots of hard work for them, but it should be lots of fun too--I hope! Plus, I will be finishing my last three master's degree courses. I can hardly believe I'm 3/4 done and will graduate in May! In November I'll be presenting a session at the National Biology Teacher's Professional Development Conference, held in Denver. Justin gets to come with me and we're also going to be able to see his "Colorado" friends. It will be so fun to see them again--they are wonderful people!! So, we have lots on our plate for this year!!

To my fellow teachers--good luck and may you have a wonderful year and be blessed with wonderful students =)!!!


My new skeleton in my classroom, for Anatomy & Physiology



Me in front of one of my bulletin boards...for the HS "bulletin board" pictures



Me with Tamara at her super fun baby shower!