i've been a busy bee the last few weeks and have little of anything to offer the ol blog.  or perhaps i do, just no time to download pics or think of fun stories to tell describing them or some kind of keeping a creative record of life.  so for now i'll just write a few words to feel connected still.

my classroom is together, but i won't feel complete until my binders are organized and my expectations are on the wall.  i also need to take pics of the wee ones and post them on all the regular places (bulletins, charts and such).  my plan is to have it together enough to take and post pics this week.  which will likely happen bc open house is this week and i will so have it done before then.  it is a happy happy work space.  i think for me and them.  they seem to love it.  they take care of it, and i've never had that before.  maybe cause it's new, or maybe because it feels beautiful and they don't want to mess it up.   whatever the reason, i'll take it.  my group this year is lovely.  i only have 16.  they are a smart, eclectic bunch and certainly keep me on my toes, but in ways i've yet to experience with any group.  this is going to be a fun year.  one of the most endearing things i'm experiencing is seeing my old babies in the 4th and 5th grade hall.  probably because it's still the beginning of the year, my heart swells every time i see them.  every.single.time.  knowing i have some in 5th grade makes me really consider the teacherFacebook page.  i would be sad to lose touch with how these guys are doing.  they are my first year babies and they are so mature and tall and fantastic.  i'm so proud when i see them.  i'm wearing sunglasses to 5th grade graduation this year.

speaking of proud and needing sunglasses, how about that teenager i live with?!  he grew another quarter of an inch since july.  i had to ask for help finding socks to fit a size 13.  he ties his own ties for church now and they are 100x better than any tie i've ever done.  boys are just better at that stuff i suppose.  and he is just about the most handsome boy ever.  he went home-teaching today and helped share the message (visiting with and sharing a spiritual message with a family at church).  he did his homework and practiced (percussion) without any reminders. i even saw him planning out some things in his scout book today (oober smart incentive of getting the cell phone once the EAGLE has been earned).  we spent the last part of today cleaning the treehouse and getting organized for the week and i decided he is really just completely wonderful.  i mean, even more wonderful.  happily, fantastically, wonderful.  not perfect...just wonderful.  i adore him...even when he's grouchy cause i say too much about him (and then i get grouchy back cause i'm all like, "get a real problem" and we have our typical mother/teenager conversation).

i suppose i should go to bed.  before i have a "real problem" tomorrow with 16 peeps expecting me to be on my toes and i have to start explaining that i'm tired cause i was blogging and pinning all night.  can't wait to post some pics and visually jazz up this place!
until then...