I will just write a boring post and tell you what’s happening around here.  I am afraid it might end up being whining about whining. 

-Testing 18 first graders for 4 straight days is about as productive as milking a chicken.  And you better believe a lot of squawking occurred.  I am glad it is over. 

-Just when I thought the week was getting better, the husband calls me at 3:30 yesterday afternoon and informed me that he had to skedaddle out of town early this morning for a couple of days. 

UUGH!

To sum up my day at school:

-One little guy complained all morning that his tummy hurt.  I went thru the unofficial protocol ( you know, bathroom, pepto, water, saying a prayer over him, ignoring, etc) but he would not let up.  This is normal for this particular guy so I relied heavily on the ignoring part.  I put the trash can next to his desk and informed him that he WAS going to finish this test.  I was not coming up on a Friday to give it to him.  Yes, I am the most compassionate first grade teacher in the state of Texas!    He was somehow miraculously cured during our special “testing” recess.  Then the strangest thing happened.  The pain came back as soon as his little feet touched the carpet in the classroom. 

Faker.

Until he barfed.

Okay, I finally gave in let the kid go home.  

-One of my spunkier gals forgot her kite for Kite Day and was rather upset by it.  I was so proud of how many of my students offered a kite to her.  She refused.  She cried.  Loudly.

I sent her outside only to be greeted a few minutes later by another teacher ushering her in telling me she was upset that she did not have a kite.  I learned that she had refused about 55 offers from others.  I sat her on the bench and told her that if she was ungrateful then she could just sit and watch.  I am so full of compassion.

Go ahead and nominate me for teacher of the year.

-And to carry on my role of “notsoniceteacher” I ran the Kindergartners and First graders to death during P.E.  Those little cheeks were dripping with sweat and they were panting, begging for water.   I was exulting in my badness.

Okay, so I gave in and let them have water.  And I even allowed them to hug me with their sweaty little bodies.  See?  I really am a compassionate teacher.   

-Kite Day for K-2 was today and I could have not been happier about it.  I just lied.  I was thinking not so nice thoughts about the person who planned this lovely event after a dreadful week of testing.  I tried to hide in my classroom to complete work but a certain young lady found me. 

So maybe I was not the most compassionate teacher today but when my daughter came in begging asking me to observe how high her kite was flying, I gave in.  I must insert right here that I do not enjoy flying kites.  It causes extreme frustration among children which turns around to make the parents feel like idiots.  There is usually tears involved.  I saw about a dozen children with tears pouring out from their eyes and their parents desperately trying to solve the problem. 

But Kite Day is for the children and we will be happy.  We will be happy (I was happy when a parent brought me a soda and I went back to my classroom without a kid underfoot).  Bliss. 

I have no reservations admitting that I gave up.  All done.  

Maybe I was not the most compassionate mommy either. 

Now that I have whined a wee bit, I will share some JOY from my chaotic day. 

Although I did not stick with kite flying for long, our determined second grader kept persevering and had that girly kite flying high.  She has her Daddy’s good genes! 

I love her sweet little face in this one.  She is fascinated with that demon kite.  I am so thankful for her innocent spirit and ability to find joy in lots of little things.

The only reason I shared this last photo was to show you how our school really is in the country.  A rooster was to the left of Pumpkin and the cows were evidently scared off by the kites flipping out in the wind.  They were nowhere to be found. 

I will have a relaxing day tomorrow.

I will.  I will.  I will.

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