School is starting to become a lot smoother.  I was so exhausted last night that I didn't really work on any lessons but I knew what I wanted to do with both classes today.  The morning went by fine.  Julissa did reading and other little things with them.  I honestly couldn't even tell you what happened this morning come to think of it.  That's a problem.  The AR program is finally up and running so students started taking their tests.  That was a flashback to grade school at SEAS. I started math with the 2nd grade before lunch and we were working on strategies/game plans for adding with 4 addends.  They think they are smart cookies for being able to add four numbers together--it's great! We got to lunch and I just want you all to know that I really enjoy school lunch some days.  Today was definitely a day where I felt like a child because we had chicken nuggets, mac n' cheese, broccoli, and mandarin oranges plus milk, of course! I thought about chicken ring things at SEAS and my favorite lunches from there and today's might have been my favorite at St. James so far.  I was so excited when I walked in the lunch room and saw our lunch for the day! After lunch we made a surprise mini-field trip to the sisters' house.  Sister Kathy decided she would take our class to their chapel and they were so well-behaved and respectful while they were in there! We talked about the tabernacle, having Jesus inside of us, and then sang some praise and worship songs.  It makes my heart so warm that they know so many songs and sing along.  They don't always know the songs perfect and that sometimes makes me laugh a little but the fact that they are participating and want to is so wonderful to me.  Sr. Kathy did a great job with them.

After our little excursion through their house, we had to get back to the classroom.  After I finished math with the 2nd grade, we did a whole group lesson for grammar.  The students each had a partner and they were to write a short story using complete sentences.  We have been working on what we need to write a complete sentence all week so this was a little more exciting way to practice.  After the partners wrote their story, they switched with another set and had to color code each sentence to make sure they was a subject, verb, and punctuation.  It took a little while for them to get the hang of it but I really think they enjoyed being able to move around in the classroom and not have to work out of a textbook.  I am slowly but surely breaking them of the habit to not pull out their book whenever I start to teach.  After I finished that lesson, I did math with the 3rd graders and we worked with Base 10 blocks and are working towards expanded form.  They have been struggling a little with it which surprises me but hopefully after today's lesson, it made more sense.  They had paper Base 10 blocks they could take home so I hope that helps them.  The end of school is always mass chaos.  Hopefully it gets better soon!

I stayed after to hunt down our technology teacher/assistant principal to figure out how to upload my lessons onto their online system they use and also got to hang out with the little preschool boy she watches after school.  He was such a cute kid and shared his cheese with us even! I stopped by Target on the way back to the apartment and then picked up the box my parents had sent me.  I'm sure you are thinking, "just what she needed, more stuff!" but some of it was things I had left at home so I was really wanting that box! The rest of the night has been spent packing for Orlando!!!  I am leaving after school tomorrow to go to Naples to pick up the 4 guys and then we will head up to Orlando together.  I am soo very excited! I was looking it up online and think I might actually go on some roller coasters this weekend.  I'm normally not a roller coaster rider but I figure I should probably try at least once.  That bag is pretty much packed so I can go straight there after school.  I also did a little unpacking...guilty I know. I still have laundry baskets full of things so I started attempting to organize some of it! I also finally put the fitted sheet on my bed. I had just been sleeping on the mattress with a sheet that I didn't really use.  Oh well.

Well it is past my bedtime! I am not sure if I will have time to write on here this weekend just so you are aware.  I hope my Godson had a happy 4th birthday! I will update you when I can with Harry Potter and Universal info! Harry Potter...this Kansas girl is headed you way!!

Good night and I love you all!