My older boys redid a flower bed for me. It had been ripped up years ago to get rid of the scraggly bushes that were trying to grow, but we had never replanted anything in their place. A friend of mine organized with the boys to have them come over and dig up some of her shade flowers to plant in the space. Then the boys decided to purchase some additional bushes and bags of mulch to complete the area.
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Along with redoing the front bed, the older boys also purchased some ground cover for a new flower bed we have in the backyard. They also added additional mulch to the area and the finished product looks so good! They don’t verbalize their love for me, but “acts of service” is definitely one of my love languages so this gesture definitely conveys their feelings towards me.
TJ and the other kids bought me 4 hanging flower baskets to go around our patio area. They also purchased a hammock swing for me. I love to sit outside and read, and I know love it even more! I literally sit in the swing for a couple of hours every afternoon with my book. I have been researching a topic and was able to finish two books on the subject this week. The benefit is I can hear my children if they are playing in the driveway, and if they are in the backyard, we can swing together. It is one of my most favorite gifts EVER!
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| The hanging basketes and swing from TJ and the kids |
Some big news this week was that I was accepted into graduate school. I began researching the steps necessary for me to renew my teaching certificate a couple of years ago. At the time, I decided I didn’t want to complete the requirements, and it was mostly because I was being lazy and didn’t want to have an added stress in my life. I researched the topic again last summer, and for much the same reason, decided to postpone it. However, now that I am only going to have one child at home with me during the day (outside of preschool hours), I figured now is a good time. As I began the steps to re-certify, I realized I had been out of school far too long and a refresher class would be helpful. That led to exploring options of working towards my Master’s degree. Once I learned I could both work and attend school at the same time, I decided to apply. I am super excited to begin this journey! I have always loved to learn and I definitely think taking more classes will have a direct impact on my teaching ability. I am hoping to begin classes soon!
SDW9 also provided some closure on the school year. I was able to work in my classroom to pack it up for the summer. I gathered all the students’ belongings and bagged them up for their families to retrieve. I took down art work and bulletin boards, removed the line-up spots off the floor, put away all my alphabet and lesson plans, emptied mailboxes and cubbies, and packed up the calendar. It was very surreal, particularly because I was by myself.
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| The day time stopped on traditional schooling |
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| We had 112 days together |
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| Cubbies emptied, floor ready to be waxed, and bulletin boards down |
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| Bare bulletin board and reading area- ready for a new school year! |
Closing up the classroom is something my assistant and I do together. We go through each cabinet and purge unnecessary items, toss broken manipulatives, and clean as we go. None of that happened this year. It felt as if I was walking into an abandoned house and was trying to process what I was seeing. There were evidences of life everywhere!
It just so happened, on our last day together in class we had a Silly String fight. It was totally unplanned and definitely out of character for me, but an urge took over and I just started spraying Silly String across the room. Mrs. Barnes (my assistant) picked up a can and it was an all-out war! The kids thought it was hilarious, and although messy, it was such a fun time! I am so unbelievably grateful that was our last time physically together. As I worked around the room, I found remnants of Silly String on cabinet doors and chairs. It immediately brought a smile to my face and memories of our year together came rushing back. It was a GREAT year!
SDW9 also brought a birthday for one of my daughter’s teacher. She is single and lives alone so Taryn, my daughter, planned a special afternoon for her. We picked up sandwiches and enjoyed a picnic with her by the river. We talked, laughed, and shared memories of their year together. Taryn loved every minute of it, especially being able to personally give her teacher her birthday, end of year, and Teacher Appreciation gifts. It was a sweet time together! Ms. Fuller has become a favorite teacher, for sure! I could write an entire post dedicated to my kids' teachers this year. They have all gone above and beyond to help my children (and their classmates) succeed this school year. And this behavior didn't start when schools closed due to COVID, it began on the first day of school.
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| Taryn and her precious teacher |
As week 9 comes to an end, I am reminded that the school year (for my own children) is wrapping up. I am grateful we have made it this far in terms of schooling at home. We have our routine and we have all adjusted to it. It was definitely challenging in the beginning, but we reflected, adjusted, and analyzed how things went each week (the true traits of a teacher). I am so proud of their diligence and ability to adapt and overcome so well. They miss their friends, teachers, and school routine for sure!
I have come to realize that our previous “normal” will never truly routine as social distancing is now an ingrained part of our lives. I don’t know what next school year looks like or if I will even be returning to teach (due to societal changes) because of social distancing requirements. How does one keep little children, who barely understand germs, separated from each other? Social distancing is for sure going to affect social development in these little children, for sure! I try not to think about next school for too long because my anxiety tends to take over. I know the Lord is in control and He will give the wisdom and grace needed when the time comes. Until then, I am going to continue to live in the moment and enjoy today.
If you need me, I’ll be in my swing enjoying the warm breeze and shade given by my favorite tree.
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