Losing My Mind

I haven't slept more than five hours in a few nights, and my body doesn't react well to that. I was bound and determined to get at least eight hours of sleep last night. I went running in the evening, got ready for bed, and was asleep at a ridiculously early hour. It was heavenly. I set my alarm clock for 5 O'clock, so that I could get up and exercize before going to school (I am trying for 45 minutes a day for Great in Eight, and knew that I wouldn't have time this afternoon)

When I woke up I looked at the clock and saw that it was 5:43. My alarm hadn't gone off! I litterally leaped out of bed, threw on my exercize clothes, and ran downstairs. I knew that it would be a tight fit, but that I could still get everything in that I needed.

I did an intense exercize video for the next 45 minutes. For me, that is a long time! I really pushed myself and was all sweaty and worn out by the end. I was also happy that I had gotten my exercise in before the day started! I was now ready to get to school. I was full of energy!

I walked into the kitchen to get a drink of water and take my vitamins. As I was drinking I looked at the stove clock, it said: 12:38. What?!? 12:38. How is that possible? I looked at the microwave clock - same thing. I ran upstairs and grabbed my phone. 12:39. Yes, folks, I got up in the middle of the night and exercised my heart out. No wonder my alarm clock didn't go off, I still had 5 hours to sleep! I have no idea why I thought it was 5:43. A 5 and an 11 don't even look similar. Ug.

I had a really hard time falling back to sleep. Needless to say, I didn't get that eight hours that I was hoping for. Do these things only happen to me?

Life as I know it

-I don't have internet at my house. This has caused blogging to become much more difficult, as well as following blogs. If I haven't commented on your blog lately, I apologize!

-The second year of teaching is way less stressful than the first. I still have my moments, but the difference is HUGE!

-The other day we were working on our "All About Me" books in class. One page had the students tell about where they live. The options were house, apartment, mobile home, and duplex. They had no idea what a duplex was, so I tried to explain it. I told them that I live in a duplex (not quite true, but it was the closest choice to a townhome) and that it means that I share a wall with my neighbors. They were so confused. I drew a picture. I told them that I can't see or hear my neighbors, there is just a wall there. Afterward, a little boy came up and said "There is lots of room in my house, maybe you should stay there!" So cute!!

-The weather is cooling off and I saw a tree with leaves starting to change colors. It makes me so happy! This is my all time favorite part of the year!

-I got a calling in my new ward - Relief Society Counselor. Third time since being home from Brazil. I laughed, but I really am excited for the opportunity.

-School causes me to forget about being healthy (things like exercising, and eating well). I have decided to try Great in Eight again and see if I can get myself on a routine of exercising during the school year, and not just the summer. Wish me luck!

I'm that weird teacher you hear about

My students this year are an extremely different bunch than my group last year. I have five less students (which I love!). I am constantly counting them, because I feel like I have lost some! I have an almost equal set of boys and girls - 11 and 10 - instead of my 2/3 boys group of last year. The biggest difference, however, is that they are QUIET! Seriously, it shocks me. Yes, they are still first graders, they still talk, they still talk loudly, but they can be convinced to be quiet. It is amazing!

Another difference is that my last years group thought I was funny. We would laugh and giggle all the time. I could get them to laugh constantly. This group, not so much. I think that they think I'm weird.

For example, during calendar time we put a number on our number line for each day we have been in school. Any day that ends with a zero (10,20,30 . . . ) we do "Zero the Hero" day. The kids sing the Zero the Hero song, I throw on my red sequined cape, and spend all of calendar time talking in my best super hero voice. Last years kids loved it. They looked forward to every Zero the Hero day. They would laugh and laugh.

Thursday was our first Zero the Hero day. I taught the kids the song, I threw my cape on and acted all cool. That is when I looked down and saw a student covering her face. In a very loud voice she said "This is SO embarrassing". Another kid raised his hand and said "Zero the Hero is just you". He was not impressed. Hmmmmmm. I am embarrassing my six-year-old students. It is going to be an interesting year!

Dear Mommy,

I had so much fun sleeping over at Aunt Katie's this weekend! She is pretty much the coolest person in the world ;-)

I was a great house guest and made sure that I left my shoes by the door when I went inside. We watched a movie and took LOTS of pictures.

Aunt Katie even let me use her camera to take my first ever successful self-portrait (below). I did it all by myself! Are you impressed? Aunt Katie sure was!

She also let me floss before we went to bed! It was awesome!

Katie even let me use her pillows. You know how much she likes her pillows. That is what I call love!

I slept like a rock. A wiggly one, but a rock still the same. In the morning Katie lent me her jacket (since I forgot mine) and we fed the ducks. They were so funny!

It was so much fun! Please let me sleep over again soon. I have the greatest Aunt(s) ever!

Love,

Maddie Jo

Decisions, Decisions

I had three choices on Saturday. I could:

1. Work in my classroom. I am always behind (true story) I think I could live there and still not be caught up. Or I could:
2. Clean my house. It has been neglected the past few weeks and could use some serious attention. Or I could throw responsibility out the window and:
3. Go on a fantastic 11.4 mile (round trip) hike to give myself some much needed physical & mental exercise.

It was an easy choice. Hiking is one of my true loves in life. I had never been on this hike in particular. It is a longer one, but not super difficult. It is mostly shaded (happy pale skin!) and simply spectacular!

There are stunning views

fun trees

delightful wildflowers

and colorful trunks.

And all of that was just leading up to the main event: The Jardine Juniper. This juniper tree is estimated to be 3200 years old, which means it was a young tree when the Egyptians were building the pyramids.

It is still alive (at the top) and extremely cool!

Going hiking was a very good choice. I came back feeling very relaxed (and a bit sore). I think I need to go hiking more often. Who's up for this weekend? :-)

What I'll Miss About Summer

There are some things about summer that I will miss. For example, I will sorely miss these:

Chaco's. The greatest shoe of all times. I don't own flip flops - these are the only shoe I wear all summer. Yesterday was the first day I wore real shoes in months, and my feet were not happy about it!

I will also miss the ability to run away at any time of the day to have some fun, especially when that fun involves my darling nieces.

And sleeping in! For me, sleeping in is about 7:30. That would be my ideal time to wake up each day. Miss that!

And reading. I think I averaged 2-3 books a week this summer. It was great! Reading during the school year is much more difficult. Yesterday night I fell asleep while trying to read Mockingjay (shocking, I know!) It wasn't even ten yet, but I had to put it away.

I will not, however, miss the heat. I don't like the heat! And as much as I love sleeping in, and reading and having lots of free time, it is nice to get back on a schedule and feel like I am doing something again. I think I am happier when I am working. It keeps me busy, sleeping extremely well, and enjoying my free moments!

(and I have to add that I have successfully made it to school fully dressed for the past three days. I'm improving!)

You know that dream where you show up naked on the first day of school?

Yesterday was my first day back at school. The students aren't back yet - that comes later this week. But it was my first day back. It was filled with meetings, trainings, planning, and even meeting some parents. I did not sleep well Sunday night. I woke up groggy and bleary-eyed. However, I was determined to get to school early, so I rolled out of bed and started to get ready.

*To tell the rest of my story I need to explain my morning habits to you. After I shower I only get half ready. Sometimes I keep my pajama pants on, sometimes I change into my work pants. I put on an undershirt, but not my nice shirt. This is because I tend to spill food when I eat breakfast, but I need to have my undershirt on so I don't get makeup all over it when I pull it over my face. Plus, no one really cares if I am fully dressed as I wander around my house!*

So yesterday morning I got 1/2 ready. I did my hair and makeup, read a bit, ate breakfast while I watched the news, got ready to leave, pulled on a jacket (it was a bit chilly) and ran out the door. I felt pretty good about the fact that I was so early!

I arrived at school, parked, and walked all the way across the school to my classroom greeting people as I went. I got to my classroom, took off my jacket, and realized I had never finished getting dressed. Really? How embarrassing! I put my jacket right back on, rushed out to my car, and went home to finish getting dressed.

You know that dream where you show up at school naked on the first day of school? I almost did just that. I am way too talented.