I miss me....

For the past year, I have enjoyed the wonderful new role of my life...Mommy, but I miss parts of me. It is funny I was looking at a friend's pics on flickr and saw her oldest is graduating from high school. I remember when he was 9 months old. I kept thinking about how much fun we had together and suddenly I'm missing old stuff.

I downloaded the lastest Depeche Mode and Duran Duran. I miss these bands and music right now I like, but it doesn't let me escape like these guys. I was a little sad to see Timbaland on Duran Duran. I think he and Justin Timberlake have become a bit overexposed, but I digress. I had a rough couple of days and whenever I got the chance I would drown in Cure - Disintegration is the best album ever.

I miss my crafts--cross stitching and scrapbooking. So far Noah is still in the NICU and connected to many tubes. There just isn't time with work and Noah to do it all. I want to learn to knit better and finish learning sign language.

I miss literature and book discussions. Although adorable Big Bulldozer is not some great allegory.

I guess you could consider this my birthday whine, but I think of it more as a moment of misty-eyed walk down memory lane and the dreams I had when I was young.

(Now is the perfect time for a song...)

But all that comes to mind is 5 Little Ducks :)

Coolest Unit Ever

Although most of my blogging is about Noah, I have to share the coolest science unit ever. The kids and I have become science detectives at Mrs. Faraday's Fudge Factory. Turns out her factory isn't working properly and we are there to gather clues, conduct electrical experiments and solve the mystery. The best part so far comes tomorrow, when the kids and I test insulators and conductors with electricity and fudge. Can you think of a better way to spend the day? The other great part is that Maureen is going to make the fudge. She is a fantastic baker and makes the best goodies. She promised to keep making me yummies even when I am in third grade.

Stephen and I went on our first date in 2008. When we went to see "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." We loved it. In the movie theater we were at, you could order dinner, so we picked up our dinner at the cafe and took it with us--a very fun time. Unfortunately, when we returned from our 3 hour fun feast, we found out that Noah spent a half an hour at my mother's door crying mommy and daddy and pushing his hands against the door. So it will probably be a while before I will be ready for a date again. I know this is his age, and I can't wait until Grandma's is the coolest place ever.

Change

Change is good, albeit scary, but good. Several events have happened over the last week. First, Stephen and I attended a band concert from our band. I haven't played in over a year and I was amazed at how much I missed it. Noah is one and I think by September I will be able to handle going to practice again. I will leave school at 3:00 and stay with Noah until 7:00, then head to practice. We will see how it goes. It is hard to be without him, but I have given up all of my interests to be with him, so I want to try and bring some of them back - slowly. He is so much fun to be with and I always feel like I am missing something. How can you resist a face like this....



The second change of the day is that I am changing grade levels. Due to the budget issues, we have to downsize 4th grade from five teachers to three. I sat in the meeting and looked at my team and felt it made the most sense for me to go. I had contemplated pushing for 1st grade, but 3rd seem to be a better placement, so I am off to 3rd grade next year. It is only one of two grades I haven't taught yet. I think it will be fun and challenging. Of course this all occurs just as I figure out a new way to organize all my 4th grade materials. Teaching 4th for seven years has resulting in the accumulation of a lot of stuff. One advantage to 3rd is that their is still pieces of what I have that can be useful. Unfortunately, changing grade levels can also be expensive. Luckily, I shouldn't need too many more picture books for next year. Although I do love picture books. :)

Spring is here....

I love Spring. It is my favorite season and Virginia has the best springtime weather. We got up to the low 70s today, so I went on a photo shoot. It was a good way to play with my digital camera.




Fortunately, I have kind neighbors who don't mind me poking through their flowers to take some pictures. The last one is from my yard. I have high hopes for my rhododendron. Maybe it will be pink. I love pink now that I am the minority in my house.