the pinhole of light at the end of a very long, long tunnel

I had a great, great work day. I finally feel like instead of just writing due dates in my agenda, on my calendar, and adding to my very LONG list of Things to Do...I actually put a few checkmarks in the boxes.

Last week was overwhelming, to say the least. 9 classes, in 3 days with minimum 3 assignments each...plus the readings...DO THE MATH PEOPLE!!! Going back to school when you have two young children is a CHALLENGE. Chris is working really hard, picking up the slack. But, if I was single, 21 (like my peers at school...for the most part), and free as a bird, I'd still be overwhelmed and exhausted!

Now I remember why students DRINK.

But tonight, as I sat down to watch a lovely, brainless, romantic comedy (What Happens In Vegas...)

at the end of a 10 hour work-day, I felt relaxed...for the first time in two weeks. No math curriculum, no Standards of Ethical Practice, no Piaget or Vygotsky, no Educational Law, just...Ashton Kutcher



and drippy, unrealistic romance.

(Oh Ashton....why are you so adorable?)

Sweet escape.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Whoa. And. I. Mean. It.

I am in teacher's college overload. This week, though exciting was very, VERY, overwhelming. I am so excited about the career path I've chosen...this week has only made it clearer that this is what I want to do. However, if I get through this year without my head exploding...well...I'd be surprised. I'll try to get back here in the next day or two to give more of an update...but right now, I'm off to my first internship day in Grade 1!

First Days...

I couldn't believe my little boy looked like such a big boy as he marched off, without fear, to his first day of Junior Kindergarten.



He's been ready to go to school for a while now. He learned all the letters and their sounds last year at preschool. He counts to 50, he knows the days of the weeks and the months of the year. He is MORE than ready. And this morning, as I put him into line to go off with his little friends, I shed a little tear. He's a big boy now. Just look at him!

Aurora is off to grade 2 this year...and although throughout the summer she shared her nerves with me...she met her new teacher the week before school and was totally pumped for her first day! I can't believe how far she's come!







What was really special was getting to see Rory's big sister instinct take hold. She told me that she spent all three recesses today looking desperately looking for her brother in the school yard. What she didn't know is that the JK's don't do recess right away -- while they are adjusting to the routine. Poor Rory! But how adorable is that???

Here are some pics we took in the morning on each of their first days:






















I'm so proud of them BOTH!!!!!!!!!