And where I start doesn't really matter, I just gotta get some of these thoughts out. I'm going to try out High points/Low points. That's how I've been blogging in my head.
Today, the subject is....
School
The boys started and I never ever showed you First Day of School Pictures. So, here the boys are on their first day.
Here they are with the principal. Avery says she gives the best hugs. You wouldn't know it by the looks of him here. He was worried he was going to be late...as he's hugging the principal...on the first day of school.
Aunt Nee Nee and Uncle Steve are ever supportive!
whoa. check out that self portrait on the bottom row, fourth from the left.
what a looker!!
High points:
It's close. I can run up there with a moment's notice if I need to bring a forgotten lunch or if someone is sick.
It's Christian. When one of the kindergarten teachers gave birth to twins at 24 weeks, Miles brought home a letter with the news. I read it with tears welling in my eyes and let out an audible, "oh no," and explained that the babies were born very early. Miles chirped in with, "Mommy, it's good that the babies were born, because that's what God wanted." That's good theology. It's good to have right theology before you feel the weight of personal grief when the storm rolls in. I'm thankful for that.
It's education. I really can't imagine educating my boys right now. Avery is writing poetry, learning Spanish, loving Phys Ed, and actually enjoying art. And that's just four things I couldn't be doing right now. Miles comes home, his mind overflowing with facts about Bats, Japan and Christopher Columbus. He complains that he doesn't like school, but when I ask him for a specific reason he says, "Well....I kind of like it." hm.
Low points:
Homework. Man alive. They're gone all day. And then they come home and we have to do more school! The weather has been absolutely beautiful. After they've been inside most of the day, the last thing I want to do is have them sit down and work on math problems or a book report in the house. Poor kids.
Papers, newsletters, crap for sale. Holy Moley. I cannot handle the load of papers comin' in through the door. There's the abstract-tell-me-about-this-"artwork", the this-week-we-learned-all-about-such-and-such-and-next-week-blah-blah-blah, the hey-it's-October-but-are-you-ready-to-buy-a-wreath-sale???, the countless "great opportunity" sign-ups for skating lessons, chess club, junior great books, science fair, space camp after school program...seriously...I canNOT breathe just thinking about all the paper.
TEACHER APPRECIATION. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the boys' teachers. But, whatever happened to short notes and little emails and verbal affirmation. I simply don't have the time, money or energy required for appreciating my teachers. By the way, I have well-behaved, curious, team-playing, class-participating, reading, helpful boys. Thank me once in awhile. I did something, too. And I'm not making any money off this gig. I know I sound embittered. I'm not. I'm just easily overwhelmed.
Those are the highs and lows of today. Have a blessed Tuesday!!!
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8 comments:
I enjoyed reading that, Jenna!
When Ethan was at a Christian school, I remember feeling extremely overwhelmed by all of the papers that came home and had to be dealt with, etc.
fun to see the pictures of the boys at school! your portrait is rather hilarious. :) about teacher appreciation.....you know what i'm going to say, right? really, though, you don't have to spend a lot of money. sometimes the cheapest or even free gifts (notes, e-mails, homemade cookies, starbucks) are "worth" more than the more expensive ones....though those certainly are nice too. haha! you're right though, whose sending you e-mails and giving you chocolates and writing you notes??
ALL SOOOOOO interesting. I love knowing what the boys are doing. Thanks for the pics...I love that you've twice (and i think on the phone as well) mentioned that Avery was so concerned about being late for school. It shows so completely in that picture...and he is standing next to the principal...I'm laughing!! And I love how sweet Jilly is clearly interested in something else to right there...whatever it was...so cute.
A friend here just brought up the same subject regarding teacher appreciation. It does get a little crazy. I know from watching my mom that they work so hard but the committees that organize those things can go a bit over board. And the paper work...it is out of control!!! Loved this..and miss you...we really need to talk!! LOVe SARAH
Thank YOU.
;)
seriously, this is off topic and i know we have discussed it before but what are the odds of both of us having relatives called aunt ne-ne and uncle steve (uncle stephen, in my case) crazy!
sounds like you made a great school choice. i found it encouraging, even if eva is only about to turn 3. we'll be thinking about school stuff in just a few short years!
Just another thought, Jenna.
I still have several notes and cards from students and parents from when I was a classroom teacher. Those, I think, are truly the best way to show appreciation to a teacher. A lot of the other stuff can get to be too much...I agree.
i get it. i feel like a jerk. it's just that what ends up happening, too, is that the moms say, "hey, let's do a group gift". and if you don't participate, you feel like a jerk. but, if i give the group gift, i still want to do something special from us. again, it's overwhelming and i'm not naturally a gift giver. i'm a quality time, verbal affirmation kind of gal.
hooray that everything is so great! there is SUCH a peace about really liking where your kids are being educated. nothing is perfect but i am so thankful that you are liking it so much...and that they are thriving.
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