Kids Go Back To School

It was a big week last week. My kids finally went back to school. I've been working since August 6th so that felt like a long time for them to be home while I was at work. I'm glad they will be back in school now. Gabby was pretty nervous about going to Middle School. She didn't sleep very well the night before. Piper was super nervous about being the big sister in charge and getting herself and Ryan off to school. Luckily Scott had Thursday off of work. It was helpful for him to be home. He had to take Gabby and Corbin to school because the bus didn't show up (they are very short on bus drivers, it's a mess). He then walked Piper and Ryan to school. I didn't get a ton of feedback from the kids but I know Piper and Ryan got great teachers that we've had in the past so I'm happy about that. Gabby seems to be adjusting to Middle School. Corbin is chill as usual and doesn't seem to worry about much. He is the big man on campus this year, 8th grade!

Work for me last week was good. It wasn't too stressful or tiring. I have a couple of classes that are a little out of control. I sent a bunch of parent emails last week. I'm hoping to reign it in! 8th grade boys! 

I ran 20 miles yesterday. Luckily it was overall a good run. I went with my friend Brittany and we couldn't believe how fast it went and how good we felt. I think it was because of the cooler temperatures. We've been training all summer and even when we would go for a run at 6:00 in the morning it was still kind of hot. It felt really good to run in cooler temperatures. The run was very manageable and okay until mile 16, after that all bets were off! The last 4 miles felt longer than the 16 before it. I just had to keep moving and tell myself to keep moving my feet. Our pace was MUCH slower on the last 4 miles but we did it! Holy smokes it felt good to get to mile 20 and be done. I was very tired the rest of the day and didn't do hardly anything. I'm still very sore today. I think I need to go take an ice bath. Brrrr. My knees have been hurting me the whole time I've been training but I got new running shoes and it has helped. My knees felt pretty okay the entire run yesterday which was encouraging. I'm worried the race will get canceled because of covid. I will be very disappointed if that is the case. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! The race is less than 3 weeks away.    

We stopped for a quick bridge pic, 9 miles in.

These goof balls.

I love when they hang together. So cute.

Middle Schoolers! 8th grade and 6th.

Scott walking the kids to school.

4th grade!

2nd grade!

First week! Check!

 Wahoo I survived my first week of teaching. It was okay and not okay. Ha. It's an adjustment to be in the mindset of thinking about what I need to do next all the time, by Wednesday I was feeling pretty overwhelmed and a little depressed about the constant strain of feeling like I'm in survival mode. Luckily Thursday and Friday felt much better. I will be okay as long as I can have some days where I feel in control. Even though I taught Teen Living last year it was so different where a lot of the year was strictly online, hybrid teaching. and on a block schedule. I have two classes with a lot of rowdy boys. I was very strict with them and I'm hoping that I can keep them in control. So far so good! Keeping my fingers crossed. I'm also in charge of the Yearbook this year and I'm definitely nervous about it. 

On Friday after work, I drove to Rigby to watch my sister Trisha in her community play The Sound of Music. I barely made it just in time for Trisha's first lines and solo. She did a great job. The play was excellent except it was too long! That's always my beef with theater. Oy! Over 3 hours....no thanks! After she got home from the play she and I were able to chat for a bit. The next day we went to breakfast together before I left. It was a quick trip but it was fun. 

My kids start school this Thursday. Hooray!

Tin Foil Dinners

Floating at DeMeyer Park

Smore's via the oven. 

I put up some lights and a banner in my classroom. Not much but cute! 

The playgoers. 

Sisters!

Kids and their rats. 

Gabby trying to reach the pedals! 

Scott let Corbin and Gabby do some practice driving. 

Gabby built a fort!

Work Training

This last week at work was really good. I feel like I got so much done which was really helpful. Unfortunately by Friday, I realized that I still have so much to do and am very much behind. It's okay. This year will hopefully be better than last year but in some ways, I'm learning so many things for the first time now. We were in such survival mode last year that I didn't know a lot of procedures and policies that I'm learning now. I'm already feeling pretty stressed, tired, and overwhelmed. I just have to pace myself bit by bit and strive for good enough for now. 

All four of the kids have had pretty nasty colds this last week. I probably should have had them tested but I didn't. Luckily Scott and I haven't gotten sick yet. Hoping we stay lucky on that front. Of course, my kids wait until I start working again to get sick. It's so stressful to get even a cold these days. It's like do I have to take off work? Oy! I'm taking lots of vitamin D and drinking lots of water and praying to the sick Gods! 

Later today I'm going to cook some tin foil dinners and we will go and eat them in the park and float the canal there. I think we may try cooking some s'mores in the oven. It's way too hot here to build a fire. I'm wanting to get in some last-minute summer things today. My kids don't start school until the 26th! It's not ideal to be in a different school district than my kids but it's okay. My students come back tomorrow. I still need to get ready for it. Wish me luck! 

My training for my marathon has been somewhat halted. My knees are not doing okay. They are fine if I don't run and rest them but if I run they get jacked!!! I was supposed to run 18 miles yesterday but I decided that was a bad idea. I rode my stationary bike for 3 hours instead. I'm getting a consult for better running shoes tomorrow. I'm hoping they will help my knees! I'm so close to the end of my goal but I don't want to do lasting damage. I'm trying my best to keep training but not hurting my body in the long run. 

Sick girls camping out in my room.

Ryan has had tissue up his nose for days and days and days. He had a shed sleepover by himself a few times last week. 

Gabby painted last week! I love when she gets in creative mode! 

Isn't it stunning?

Cute kiddos

I cooked so much hamburger today for future easy meal prep! 

 

Boise River

I took the kids the to river on Monday. They had so much fun. I didn't make Corbin go since he was going to float the river later in scouts. I did make Corbin go swimming with us on Wednesday and he refused to go in the water. It was 102 degrees. Whatever dude! Ha. Oh well. I went to work on Thursday to help with registration and ended up not really having a job to do and going home after an hour. My first full day of work was Friday. I got so much done! The classroom has so much stuff from the last teacher and Janet and I went through it and got rid of most of it. I love dejunking! I'm actually excited to go to work tomorrow because it's just another work day and I know I will get so much done. I have a lot to do since I did nothing over the summer. Get ready for crunch time!  

Haha!

Scott got a microscope and went out with the kids to check out Saturn.

Corbin is SOOOO close to being taller than me!

Our strawberry crops have been dope! 

Piper eating a garden greenbean. 

When I came home from work early on Thursday I caught Gabby making hash browns. Love it! 

Corbin sat on the side of the pool for 2 1/2 hours! Why? Why?

Fun river times! 

Doodle Bots

 We had another week filled with swimming and chilling. I have started some back to school shopping but need to do a lot more. I have to go back to work on Thursday. Boo! I'm hoping that when I get to work I can quickly switch gears and get my brain ready to lesson plan and do all the things I will have to do. I've really enjoyed my summer vacation but I've been bored plenty of times so I'm hoping that I will enjoy the new groove of going back to work. Fingers crossed! 

Ryan wanted to sit on my lap while we waited for the sunscreen to absorb. He is getting so big!

We went to the library and the kids made doodle bots. They had tons of fun playing with them.

We watched my friend's cat while she had her house on the market. I wanted to test out having a cat knowing that I am allergic and afraid of them. I did have to take an allergy pill everyday. The kitty was a little raskly and bit and scratched all of the kids. He surprisingly didn't bother me too much. The jury is still out if we will get one.

I defrosted and organized the freezer. Yay!

  

So much better! 

Corbin ate some hot peppers! Milk is needed with that.

The kids went to watch friends in a play.

Kitten cuddles.

Cute Kitty.