15 1/2 week update

These last few weeks have been busy, busy for Elliot and I.  During the week of July 23-27 I was attending the NC Sustainable Forestry Teacher's Academy here in Asheville.  It was an overnight week long teacher's workshop here in Asheville. They also hold one on the Eastern coast of NC, since the types of forests are so different in the mountains compared to the coast. I had signed up for the academy before I found out I was pregnant, but was determined to go if I was feeling ok.  Michelle, a 3rd/4th grade teacher at my school, signed up for the academy because it was FREE! and went well with the new Common Core curriculum that NC is instituting this year. Part of my role as a media specialist is to know and help my teachers with their lesson planning and technology related to the curriculum.

I did better than I thought I would at the teacher's academy.  The days were long, traveling on buses, windy roads and visiting 2 paper mills and a paper making plant (stinky and hot!) but staying hydrated and bringing snacks were key. Oh and lots of mouth breathing; nose breathing makes you feel nauseas. :-)  Thankfully we had several breaks and Michelle was really great in looking out for me.  I was glad I did it and learned a good deal about foresty. Reminds me of when we lived in Kansas and learned about the importance of crop rotation...

This is my last week of summer vacation before heading back to school.  I must admit that I am ready to go back. Not so excited about writing lesson plans, but to be teaching kids again and having something to do all day.  Summer break makes me lazy. I know there are several things I can and should do, I just don't feel much motivation to do any of them. I am so grateful this summer I was not looking for a job. Unless you have looked for a job recently, you have no idea how tight the job market is and how draining it can be to apply and wait/hope to be called for a job. I can't wait to go back to my little school!

Elliot is at another week long math workshop this week too. This makes his second week long math workshop this summer.  He has also been busy getting his classroom ready.  When Elliot first started teaching his classroom was located more with the foreign language teachers and not with the other math teachers, due to what classrooms were available. Due to teachers retiring, his new principal wants to move him and other teachers around so they are better grouped with their departments.  So Elliot, with the help of his mom, has been moving his entire classroom and setting up shop with the other math teachers.  Elliot's excited because his new room has more bookshelves and storage. I am excited because my pack rat husband now can take some of his numerous math textbooks to school instead of storing them here.

In my quest to get a few things accomplished before going back to school, I scheduled our first pregnancy classes. Since we are having twins, it is recommended that we take the Marvelous Multiples classes, which only meet on Saturdays.  Multiple mommies also have to take any classes early, since multiples tend to arrive before 40 weeks. We take our first class this Saturday!  We take part 2 in September. Guess taking the classes will make this seem all more real.