It's Almost Here!

Well, I officially did it. I've entered the blogging world. My friends, Hannah and Wendy, introduced me to all this awesomeness! Last year, Hannah casually mentioned that teachers are all about blogging now. Me, being the curious person I am, checked some of these blogs out. Now, it took me a few months to do that because of my hectic life as mom of 3 wonderful (but very, very busy) little boys and a full-time first grade teacher, but eventually I got to where I am now (a very primitive blog). I checked out my friend's teaching blog at readwithmeabc.blogspot.com, and I knew that I had to get this started (even if I'm the only one who reads it). I think it will be neat to document my year and reflect on it. I am addicted to teaching blogs, and hopefully, plan to make and sell some of my stuff on TPT. But, that may take another few months ;).

I don't know why, but every year about this same time, I am filled with "first day jitters" (yes, I also love the book by the same name). It's like all the calm of those carefree summer days, well as calm as a house with 3 little boys can be, has come to a screeching halt. Craziness has officially set in. Sleep, if you can call it that, is down to an average of 6 hours from 8. I've been hogging our computer for the past few weeks. And, I am preparing for this school year at a frightening pace.

My husband, a middle school teacher, doesn't understand this crazy culture of elementary teachers. He says he feels bad for me, with all the work I've been doing, but he shouldn't. I actually enjoy all the work I've been doing to prepare my first grade classroom. Don't get me wrong, he spends time preparing too. But, it's a little different preparing for 1-2 different classes as compared to preparing for a whole day with 6-year olds.

Today will be my 4th full day that I've spent in my classroom, getting everything just right. This is my 17th year teaching (12th teaching 1st), and I still spend all this time preparing. That's not normal, but it is what it is. This year, I've decided to go with a classroom theme. Really, it took me this long to do this? The classroom theme is owls, and every time I turn around, I find another really cute idea.

 I plan to post pictures of my classroom later today. But first I need to calm myself by exercising while no one else is awake. This is my "me time", even if I get it at 5:00a.m.