Does He Feel My Pain or What?

I grew up under this man's tutelage in high school and now he is pointing a finger at this summer reading pain I am experiencing. Excuse me. Pain my children are experiencing. PrepGirl is reading some crap about an idiot who died in Alaska after running away from home, and a book about going to the mall. BrownBear is reading some goofy book about an immigrant girl and a book about dumping illegal sewage in the Keys. Whatever. They're not happy and I'm not happy, either.

But, girls have got to do what girls have got to do. So, get busy.

One Down, One Seventy Nine to Go

So, today, they came. It looked like we were giving something away. "Free education right here!" The kindergarteners were absolutely precious - except the ones who don't answer to their own names. What? You talking to me?

My class is pretty good. I had more students tell me "yes ma'am" today than I have in four years. Praise be. Someone has had some home training.

UPDATE: I wrote this yesterday before the cable blew (kaboom!!!) and I couldn't post. I had another day with the kids- and I don't think it is a fluke. They are a good group. Now, they also realize that I am a bit of a freak, because I got choked up today, talking about the Constitution. Whatever. And I don't know what I did to them Monday, because several of them described me as "organized." WTH? Who came into my classroom when I wasn't looking? I was talking a good game and I have tried to clear off my desk these past two days, but man...organized. Whooooeeeee. I already have them right where I want them.

I am exhausted today; moreso today than yesterday. (Perhaps from all that organization) I can't wait until Friday. But you know, the kids are doing what I ask, when I ask, and so far, it has been good.

BrownBear and PrepGirl pick up their books tomorrow. Praise Oprah. Only another week before they go back full time. Those two need to finish that summer reading before I have an episode. How can my own flesh and blood not like to read? I swear. It ought to be imprinted in their DNA. Instead, I've got cheerleaders and scientists and mathematicians.

Sunday Musings

How did I break the power cord to my laptop? Now I am relegated to the dinosaur in the guestroom whose keyboard has the tendency to stick. I believe this, in itself, will drive me crazy.

I am going to do two things in a minute: look over plans for the first week of school and put together my first bulletin board. There. I wrote it down. It isn't far off - I go to pre-planning in two weeks - whew! That made me nauseous, just to type. BrownBear and PrepGirl have another month to go before that first day of school and it is a good thing because they both have three different summer reading assignments to complete.

I think I am going to make a list of things I want to do next summer and put it on my bulletin board. The first is to NOT teach summer school. Then I want to drive to California. See Texas and the Grand Canyon. Go to Turks and Caicos and DisneyWorld. I think I am already into the avoidance behavior I am so famous for during the school year.