After all the sweat and toil

I survived the first two days of school! *bowing* After all the work and worry, the first two days are over, and I am happy to say that I feel they went well. I didn't realize how much I missed teaching Sixth Grade until the students came walking through the door on Thursday. There is just something about that age, I love it. It's so interesting to see how my motivation changed. Last year I strolled into work almost when the bell rang and left the moment I could. Not only did I not really care, but no one else did either. Bad combination. Already this year, I find myself WANTING to get there early to make sure I am prepared and I have stayed after both days just to make sure I got all my bases covered for the next day. I know I am going to be happy with my job this next year and I count it a huge blessing.

With all of the good comes the not so fantastic, like the fact that twice in the past week I have fallen asleep and then woken up hours later... not remembering exactly when I fell asleep or ever planning on falling asleep. Today I was working on my computer and woke up (with my computer somehow safely put on the floor- i don't remember doing this), I had been asleep for at least two and a half hours. I guess the fact that I am so exhausted means I have been working hard - or waking up at 5:30 in the morning. That's another indicator that I like this job more - I actually get up early and shower BEFORE I go to work, rather than when I get home from work. Don't judge, I always shower every day. Just when I shower sometimes changes.

Ok, I'm done talking about how much I love my job and how exhausted I am. Now I will show you pictures of what was stressing me out so much....

yes, the bulletin boards are blank. I decided to save that project for next week. But doesn't the room look good???

Some of you are probably saying, "Sweet, *in a sarcastic tone* a room with desks and blank boards. Awesome." If that's you're reaction, well.... you're not invited to come hang out in my very cool classroom. The biggest hassle for me was organizing the bookshelf (which you can't see), putting together the Writer's Workshop (which is hidden by the desks), and finding a seating arrangement that worked (a little bit tricky, but I figured it out.) Oh and also, the lamp you see in the back is part of my Reading Nook. I love the Nook.

Also, the boxes on the wall took forever. Luckily last Saturday Mike helped me wrap them and even showed me a better way to apply the tape. Thank you Mike, or should I say, Thank you Box Wrapping Expert :).