Adventure #21: The 100th Day of School!!!

We made it to the 100th day of school! I can't believe it- I can't figure out where in the world all that time went. I feel like yesterday I was sitting in our apartment for the first time wondering what in the world I got myself into :) Sometimes I still wonder what in the world I got myself into! But I love my job and I love my students and I wouldn't trade it for anything right now. There are definitely days where I want to quit- days when I don't feel good and my students seem to never stop talking! But then I get some sleep and slow down and take a deep breathe and realize, they are just kids. They are kids who may be very talkative some days, who may not want to listen some days, and who can be perfect angels on other days!

Yesterday one of my students came up to me and said, "Miss Parkinson, thank you for teaching me how to draw stars!" It kind of threw me off a little, because it was such a random thing to thank me for, but she was really sincerely thankful. The kids were supposed to draw stars on their math paper and lots of them didn't know how to and were complaining as such, so I stopped for a minute and showed them how to draw stars. It was such a little thing, but this little girl was so excited to be able to draw stars. And its moments like this that remind me why I am a teacher. There have been lots of moments in the past couple weeks where I have really been able to see growth in my students- growth in their knowledge of the world around them and growth in their behavior. Its been awesome to see students who at the beginning of the year were driving me up the wall and back down again, now able to sit in their seats for most of the day and raise their hands when they have a question. I have really begun to feel like my students are learning something from me-and that's a great feeling :) That's the thing that keeps me waking up those days when I'm not feeling so well, keeps me going back after days that weren't so much fun, and drives me on through the mounds of papers I have to grade and file and keep track of :) Speaking of which, I better get on with getting those grades in the computer!

Adventure #20: Sunny Winter Days

As I look through my facebook newsfeed I often come across people discussing the lovely frigid weather in Minnesota, and it makes me miss the snow and winter just a little bit :) But then I walk out into the sunny 70 degree weather and I don't miss it very much at all! You are welcome to come on down and sit by my pool anytime :)

School is continuing to go well! The past couple of weeks I have really felt on top of everything and its a wonderful feeling. Its great to be able to come home at night and sit on the couch watching TV and not feel like there is something I should be doing or grading. The biggest problem I have encountered in the past couple weeks is an accident epidemic. I haven't had any issues with this all year long and all of a sudden in the past week, I've had 6 accidents. Maybe I'm being too mean and not letting them go to the bathroom or they are drinking too much water or what, but its been a little nuts. Thankfully we have a wonderful nurse who takes good care of the poor kids :) Hopefully this week will be accident free!

Hope you are all staying nice and warm! And just remember, if you ever need a break, this lovely pool is just waiting for some visitors :)

Adventure #19: You know you lived with someone too long when...

You wear the same outfit to school without even talking to each other! Ash and I got back from break and realized we bought the same shirt in different colors (this happens fairly often by the way). This morning I got up to work out (there were way too many Christmas cookies involved in my break!) and I was in the bathroom when Ash left for school and didn't see her before I got to school. Well we maybe need to check with each other before we get dressed because I walked into the copy room and realized we were wearing pretty much the same outfit in different colors! Great minds think alike I guess :)

The first couple days back have been pretty good! My kids have actually been fairly well behaved which I was not expecting but am really enjoying. I am really enjoying getting back into the groove of things and catching up with everyone. Break was really relaxing and refreshing for me and I was able to come back excited to be back to teaching and everything that goes with that! We'll see how long this new found energy lasts...a few more nights of grading 3,250 math facts and I might be ready for another break :)

Adventure #18: Wonderful Break in a Winter Wonderland

Christmas break has been wonderful so far! I have done lots and lots of relaxing, which is amazing :) I've visited with old friends, hung out with family, read books just for fun, went shopping with my mom and my sister, eaten way too many Christmas cookies and bars, and enjoyed the lovely Minnesota weather. There is so much snow, it never seems to end, but it is beautiful! Yesterday it was frosty and glittery beautiful! It is really cold, and I will definitely not miss that when I head back to Arizona, but I will miss the snow :)

I still get a few more days with the snow though :) I'm looking forward to hanging out with more friends and spending time with the kiddos I used to nanny. Plus there's always a little school work that needs to get done and before I know it, it will be Sunday morning and I'll be on my way back to warmer temperatures and all the adventures the next year is going to hold!

Adventure #17: Christmas Preparations

The past month has been a busy one! I've been hustling and bustling running this way and that getting things ready for the drama club performance, the class Christmas party, buying presents for people, and enjoying all the events that come along with the holiday season.


Teaching has been going really well! As early as some mornings come and as much as I sometimes wish I could just sleep instead of waking up to teach 27 first graders, I love getting up every morning to teach. I have really started to see some gains in my students and it is exciting to see them learning. We just started learning how to do subtraction a couple weeks ago and they think it is the coolest thing in the world to be able to do and are working so hard to learn their facts :) It still hits me every once in a while as I walk down the hallway with 27 little ones following me that I am a teacher, these are my students and their education for this year is in my hands. Its a scary thought, but I know God is giving me the strength I need everyday to take on the challenge.

Our drama club performance turned out wonderfully! The stage turned out so cute (after several late nights of hard work) and the kids did a wonderful job. Some of them went all out on their costumes and they were so cute! Ashley and I are so thankful the play is over, but we both had a lot of fun doing it and I think the kids did too!



Once the performance was over, there was still a round of parties to go to to celebrate! Our principal hosted a staff Christmas party at her house and we had a blast playing boys versus girls Family Fued. We had a white elephant gift exchange with our small group. There were some fascinating gifts with lots of laughs to go around as well. We also celebrated with the Lights by going out to dinner! And of course we had to have a class Christmas party! I had a bunch of parents who came in to help so it went wonderfully :) I sugared them up and sent them home for two weeks. I will miss them, but it is nice to have a break as well and I think they were ready for a break! I know we will all come back refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the year!


And now I'm back in the frozen north enjoying all the Christmas fun in Minnesota. I already got to go to the Holidazzle parade in downtown Minneapolis and celebrate an early Christmas with my mom's family. I've played in the snow with my cousins and shoveled the driveway after it snowed again today! I'm looking forward to lots more winter fun like sledding with friends and ice skating and hopefully more playing in the snow :) I'm also looking forward to spending some time with my friends and family as well as relaxing and enjoying my break.



I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and an enjoyable time with your friends and family!!

Adventure #16: To Minnesota and Back Again

I had a great trip to Minnesota for Thanksgiving! It was so wonderful to see my family and get to spend some time with them and of course the food was delicious :)It was crazy to see snow-and really really cold- but really pretty! Then I also got to take on the adventure of Black Friday with my mom, my aunt Crissy, and my Grandma. It was a little crazy but so much fun! And I got some shopping done too!

I also got the chance to visit some friends while I was there. I got to see some of my favorite little kiddos. They were all so excited to see me and it was so great to see them- I miss getting to hang out with them all the time! They have all grown up sooooo much too :) And I got to see some of my friends from forever- it was so nice to see them and catch up on life!

The whole trip was a little bit of a whirlwind, but I loved it! I am looking forward to going home again at Christmas when I will be there for a little longer and get to actually rest and relax and be at home :)

And now I'm back to school. My kids have been awesome this week!!! I missed them a little bit over break :) Its been a good start to the week. We had drama again today- it was a little nuts, but I think its going to turn out to be a good play! I've really enjoyed getting to spend time with the kids and interact with them on a different level!

It keeps hitting me this week- I'm a real live teacher! This is my job, these are my co-workers, I'm getting paid, these 27 kids staring at me are my students, I am their teacher. i need to teac them everything they need to learn in 1st grade, no one else is going to teach them. This is my life. Its crazy and scary and really exciting all at the same time!! Sometimes I can't believe what has happened to me in the past few months. Its mind-blowing, and amazing, and such a huge blessing!

Well the papers are piling up and I suppose I should make some dinner evenutally and figure out what in the world I'm going to teach these children tomorrow :)

Adventure #15: Give Thanks

The sermon today was about giving thanks- fitting since this week is the holiday focused mainly on giving thanks. But it got me thinking about all the things I have to be thankful for. There are so many things I'm thankful for...

For God and my faith in Him. It is through his strength alone I can wake up every day and through His amazing work in my life that I am where I am today!

For my family. They are amazing and I love them soooo much!


For my amazing roommate! I don't know what I would do without her :)


For friends-new and old!


For my adopted Arizona family and their sweet little girls!



For my job-and all the lovely papers that cover my coffee table every weekend because of it!


There are so many little blessings I see everyday. Thanksgiving is a wonderful reminder that I need to be thankful everyday for all the things God has blessed me with. Even on the hardest days, when my kids are incredibly talkative and I feel like I am a horrible teacher, and I miss my family, I still have a roof over my head, a closet full of clothes, plenty of food, and great people around me. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy the day of eating, hanging out with family, and counting your blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving- 2 1/2 day week and freezing north (supposed to be the coldest Thanksgiving since 1989- it was 65 and sunny here today) here I come!