I survived!

I have just completed my first year of teaching 2nd grade.

I can't believe I did it! I still have to go in and work half a day tomorrow, but I am going in early, will say my goodbyes, cry, and then hit the road. Bike drop off is tomorrow for my tri, and then the triathlon is on Sunday.

I've trained. I'm as ready as I'll ever be. I can't wait!

But for now, I can sit back and relax and know that I did a lot over the past year and a half to make it to the part of saying I am a teacher. I still have to take my two summer courses in order to get my certification, but I am confident that I will make A's. Instead of Gunner being gone this summer while I am in class, I will have a PCS to keep me occupied, camp for Em, a trip for Abs, and more potty training for Junior.

Never a dull moment! Pictures from the ball to come soon....

Home from the trainer

I met my trainer at the track today. I need to get off the treadmill and hit the road. I worked on my technique, which she said was good, but I was a little off on where I strike when I land. I changed it slightly and can feel it in my legs. Let's hope that the rest of my runs help it get strong and fast.

We talked tri.

She assured me I would not come in last. I know I won't come in first (yet) but I also know that my strongest will be the swim, and that's where I think a lot of people are weak. At least I am hoping that they are! I'm no runner like my friend Catherine or bloggers DAR or JLC, but I'm working on it! I'll be searching the internet for more running information.

I have training tomorrow too.

I am supposed to swim tomorrow too after school. Today Em and I stayed after school and I cranked out grades and reading stuff, and organized some files. I need another 57 hours in each day so I can catch up.

We have a ball coming up. I am still thinking about going. I'll have to find a dress and make sure I don't have training that night. I'll have to get the fro tamed too. I'm thinking about getting a haircut (I probably get one once a year) and getting it straightened--just until I wash it.

Junior has learned his basic shapes. He knew them before when he saw them, but now he applies that to everything he sees--his feet are rectangles, his belly button is a circle....the list goes on. It's amazing how much his speech has developed since he got tubes in his ears.

I do have training on the night of the ball, which is still on a Wednesday I might add. Who the heck planned that? So much of what the army does, makes no sense to me. After this long, it shouldn't surprise me anymore.

Two more days left this week!!!

Day off

It was dark this morning, with tons of lightening. Not a drop of rain fell, so I imagine it is waiting until we get to the campsite and then we will have a downpour. We have decided that I will go out tonight, stay all day tomorrow, and then come home after the kids are tucked in so I can grade papers, get everything finished up for school, and work on my big project for my class on the 2nd.

I got an email from Ab's teacher and apparently the sugar cubes were optional and not necessary unless they wanted to bring them. Not the story we received from Abs last night! Oh well, she has them and there are enough there for other children to share so they can each build a giant pyramid. I assume their trip around the world has taken them to Egypt, after just finishing up a trip to Germany. I sure miss Germany!

Chris is headed out to get Em and then drop off the RV at the campsite before returning for the rest of us. He has lunch with Em today since she was citizen of the month. I napped. We road 16 miles this morning and followed it with a 2 mile run--well I did. Gunner can't keep up with me yet, but I am working on him! The run felt good, and I could have gone further if I didn't have to pee so much. Having three kids sure ruined my body in that respect, I have to pee constantly! Good thing they are so cute, and will hopefully take care of me in my old age.

We got clips put on our bike and I found a pair of bike shoes for $30. They are sinfully ugly, and were originally more, but I told him I could pay that much for something so ugly. But, when he offered them for $30, my frugality took over and now I love them. I was so worried that I was going to crash or something while using them, but thankfully it was relatively easy. One less thing to worry about.

I found a disco triathlon, doesn't that sound like fun? In 5th grade I was in love with Andy Gibbs and the Bee Gees. Of course my first tape was the Beatles live in Germany. I can't believe that 40 is just a mere 3 1/2 years away. A few years ago I decided (since Gunner was gone) that we should get to take a trip for our 40th birthdays, somewhere fun and exciting. Gunner's two years older than me, so I guess I better start planning something! Maybe we can time it around jobs, deployments, and my mom's schedule to book her for babysitting and all will be well. Egypt? Thailand? Spain? Somewhere exotic?

I registered for my two classes this summer, and I will be sitting in class during the heat of the day from 11-4, monday-thursday. It could be worse, and the workload can be nothing like it was last summer or this school year, so I am hoping I can drop the kids at daycare in the morning (they have to be there by 8) and then head to the gym for a workout before going to class.

Best laid plans of mice and men....