Something's Happening Here

I'm sitting here trying to come up with a post.  Hazel is watching Toy Story on abc family, Trey is out picking August up from his summer trip.  Have I told you about his trip yet?  Okay, so August wasn't doing his best in school last year.  We tried everything before we dangled the carrot- if he finished the year with no C's he could fly out to Cali to visit the Reynolds and the Mitchell girls.  We thought it was a long shot...but we should've known better.  He pulled some amazing grades and we bought the ticket.  The first part of the trip was spent with Aunt Anna where he skate boarded, swam, revved up a ferrari and visited some crazy big houses and much, much more.  And...they hunted down a real Banksy.  So cool.
The last part of the trip was spent with Uncle Scott and Aunt Amy where he took an animation class with his cousin Zane, went to the Tim Burton museum and much, much more.  I couldn't even keep up with all the cool things my boy got to do.  I'm so happy for him and so thankful to my California family for taking care of him.  He is home safe and in high spirits and is ready to go back.  While sitting at the kitchen table a few minutes ago he actually started making plans for next summer...if his grades are good.

Hazel, Trey and I spent part of the day purchasing supplies for my new classroom.  Yup.  You read that right.  After subbing for 7 years I finally have a classroom.  I'll be working with a great gal at Hazel's school teaching reading and writing to 1st graders.  It's a jobshare so I'll be working in the afternoon.  Hazel and I spent most of last week setting up the classroom and leveling books.  My extended family has been amazing and has sent boxes of books to fill the shelves that my neighbor built.  Uh, huh, our wonderful chicken neighbor came to the school and built shelves for the class.  The village has built this classroom, that's for sure.

In other news, Kat and her husband Justin and dog Royal are getting ready to move to Austin, TX.  We're going to have our last dinner with them on Monday.  It's a bummer because all of the events that I mentioned above have kept us very busy.  All the while, Kat and Justin have been packing up their belongings and the move date looms ever closer.  Soon they'll be on the road for an excellent adventure.  Austin is the right place.  Have you ever been there?  It's so cool.  They're going to have a great time out there...but the Many's will surely miss them.

So.  I know it's been a long time since the last post and I know I should put some pictures up, but my computer is so slow and it'd take me a half hour to open iphoto, so it's just not gonna happen this time.  But soon. 

Update

Well, it's been quite an adjustment this last week.
I'd like to say that the kids are just fine with all the changes in our schedule and if you'd have asked me last week I would have told you just that...but we're on week two of me working full time and I'm beginning to see some changes in their behavior.
I like to be at work by 8 so that I can get the room organized and make copies and do whatever other small task that must be completed by 9, which means that the kids are having to wake up around 7:15. It was difficult to wake them at 8...7:15 is almost torture! I try to get everything ready for them before I enter their rooms, I try to have breakfast packed so that they can eat in my class while I buzz around the school, I try to be positive while I poke and prod them from their beds. I try. And I sometimes fail.
The behaviors I'm seeing are definitely due to them being tired. Hazel has been very full of tears. Tears at the drop of the hat. I checked in on her today and watched her laugh and play with some friends but then she saw me and literally began crying in one second. Big tears. I walked over to a confused group of friends and hugged her and reassured her that when school was over she could come and hang out in my room until we leave. In the end I had to leave her crying to get back to my room.
August has been quiet. It could be because he's tired, it could also be that he's just working so hard at getting his homework done so that he can retire to his room to read the latest Percy Jackson book. Or it could be that he wants to rush home to play the guitar Trey bought him last week. Either way, the boy is changing from a little kid into a big kid before my very eyes.
When they have to be in my room in the morning and afternoon they are amazing. I couldn't ask for better behaved children. They are patient and willing to help get things done so we can leave.
I'm adjusting alright as well. No more idle time for me...every minute is used planning time slots throughout the day. I've got a great bunch of kids in this class. It should be a great 5 weeks. I can tell you that I am very much looking forward to Sasquatch. And I am very, very much looking forward to my week long trip with Trey in June. The count down has begun.