2013 - aka Where’s Claire?

Hello and Happy 2013! 

It’s been a while. 

(Ha! That’s an understatement)

If you’re still reading my blog . . . thank you, thank you, thank you!

I came so close to writing 100 posts and then something happened.

Something good.

Way back in October we went to the cottage to close it up for the winter. While we are at the cottage my only contact with home is a bottom-of-the-line cell phone with limited reception and internet access. I refuse to have a cell phone contract.

On a whim, I checked my email and found that a Kindergarten teacher had been trying to get hold of me for two days. Via text messages, I landed myself a supply teaching job indefinitely. The following Tuesday I started teaching a Full-Day Kindergarten class with a fabulous Early Childhood Educator.

28 little bodies in one room.

But, in the meantime, my cousin’s wife, Laura, who teaches at the same school went on an early maternity leave. They had not interviewed anyone for her position at this point because she expected to teach until the end of October. However, the twins she was carrying had other plans!

I interviewed for her position (Grade 3/4) and heard nothing for a few days. Then, the day before Halloween the Principal approached me to tell me I had been recommended for the position and would switch over on November 1st.  Eeek!

So, after surviving Halloween in Kindergarten, I made my way down the hall to drop off my things in the classroom where I will be teaching until the end of the school year.

Two months later, I am still trying to strike a balance between teaching and “in the meantime.”

Grade 3 and 4 are completely out of my comfort zone. I have been teaching for almost 7 years but all of my previous long-term positions have been in Kindergarten and Grade 1. I am not used to a curriculum that I have to teach myself before I can teach the class!  And the split. I have huge respect for teachers of split grade classes. Oh, and I have to teach French since I have 6 Grade 4’s in my class. I haven’t taken French since University.

November felt more like September as everyone got settled into new routines and December was a blur with holiday activities taking up more time than I could afford.

I have to remind myself to take everything one day at a time.

As overwhelmed as I feel at times, it is such a honour that my administrators saw my potential and chose me for the job.

I hope January can be a fresh start for everyone.

No matter what, this new teaching adventure would not be possible if it were not for these little ladies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zoe and Lyla, born on December 28th, 2012

 

Of course, I had to use my Silhouette to make a special card welcoming them to the world!

Handmade cards are one thing I can always make time for . . . unless you count Christmas cards. Sorry, they didn’t happen this year!

For the first few days it was Lyla and “Baby B” so I had to wait until a second name was picked before I could send it on its way. 

As an added bonus, I got to take photos of my card with my new DSLR camera! No editing, just cropping. Love it!

Proud parents Laura and Adam now have 4 little girls – Claudia, Annabelle, Lyla and Zoe. I cannot even imagine!  Oh, and they’re all under 4 years old!

So, that’s where I’ve been. How about you? I hope things are well in your neck of the woods!

Please know that even if I’m not commenting on your posts, I’m still reading your blog in my downtime. I don’t think I could give that up!

Have a great day/week/month! (let’s be realistic – it’s report card writing time)