Stop and Smell the Flowers

Well, year two is all neatly boxed and packed away. It's amazing to think it's all gone by so fast. Time to stop and smell the flowers so to speak and write a little bit about some of the mini successes from the 2010-2011 school year.

1. A fantabulous parent who came on trips, sent encouraging notes, supported her son, offered to cut things out, and basically just was awesome in every facet.
2. That my students didn't pick at the tape and their name tags. Last year, I had to replace them almost every month and this year I think I redid them three times total. Sweet money I doubt that will ever happen again.
3. Students that ignored the chaos and just kept on listening. They rock.
4. The improvement of some really low kids who are now ready for first grade.
5. A closet that started and ended organized. Next year, I'm shooting for during the year too.
6. A really great Kindergarten team that worked well together and survived a pretty rough group of kiddos.
7. Air conditioning in June which happened to be 90 degrees plus.
8. Leaving at or before 4 about three quarters of the school year.
9. Only going in to school 3 or 4 weekends ALL YEAR.
10. Not procrastinating packing my room so that today on the last day I didn't have to do a thing but walk in and walk out.

Good thing I was ready too because they painters are EXCITED to paint in air conditioning and were already working at 8 this morning. It stunk like paint so much we didn't even sit outside our rooms to pass out report cards but instead sat in the commons together. We were supposed to have today to finish our rooms but apparently when the painting company found out we had air conditioning every single painter they employed jumped on the bandwagon and came to help. They were funny, talkative, and raring to go. They'll probably be done by the end of week. We're getting three slightly darker grayish walls and one accent wall. I chose blue for mine. Hopefully, it will be calming.

I know I didn't post as much this year as I did last year but I hope I kept it up enough to keep everyone up to date. Next up is a busy summer with trips, book reading, relaxing, and softball at the end. First up? Ethiopia, Africa June 17-26. Prayers appreciated and updates to come!!