I'm Still Here!

Since I'm on Thanksgiving Break, I figured I'd pay a visit to the old blog to see what I've been missing these past few months. I was shocked when I realized that I haven't blogged since JULY. Seriously??? July?? So much has happened since then! I'll see if I can catch you up a bit on my life, and I promise (pinky swear promise!) to be better about blogging from now on.

Despite a few bumps along the way, the beginning of the school year went well. I always seem to forget from year to year how much step-by-step modeling is needed to get my firsties to become independent little learners. But it has paid off! I absolutely adore my class this year: they are affectionate, funny, enthusiastic, and hard-working. It doesn't hurt that I also have a group of supportive, involved parents. I'm very lucky!

Princess A, Deedle, and me on the first day of school. Doesn't Deedle look thrilled?

Princess A settled right into a routine. It doesn't hurt that she has one of her very favorite people for a first grade teacher this year! Deedle, on the other hand, had a harder time adjusting to Kindergarten. He struggled with knowing that I was right down the hallway, but he couldn't see me whenever he wanted. Thankfully, he has an amazing Kindergarten teacher, and she helped to ease him into a routine. Still, the first few days were exhausting for him!

Kindergarten is tough!

I had the opportunity to take a personal day during the first part of October to accompany Deedle's class on a field trip to the pumpkin patch (I was a chaperone on the same field trip last year with Princess A's class). I can't tell you how fantastic it was to be Mom for the day, and not Mrs. Shafer! 

Now THAT'S a pumpkin!

Halloween, as always, was a blast, both at home and at work. Halloween is always Pajama Day at our school, and I love this tradition! It eliminates a lot of problems and chaos, and there is nothing better than being able to go to work in your pajamas! The fact that Halloween was on a Friday this year was an added bonus.

My little pumpkins

The day after Halloween, Princess A and I made the trek across "The Bridge" to go see "Frozen on Ice" in Baltimore. It was amazing! (It's entirely possible that I enjoyed it more than Princess A.) Having the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with Princess A was priceless.

Once we got through the month of October, November seemed to practically fly by! We always have a three-day weekend during November because of the local Waterfowl Festival (only on the Eastern Shore of Maryland!). We never go to the exhibits, but we sure do enjoy the people-watching and food!

Princess A and Deedle standing in the exact spot where KShaf and I said our wedding vows nine years ago. 

Now that I've caught you up on the goings on in my life (exciting, I know!), I hope that you'll stop in again. I promise I'll be better about blogging! Head on over to my Facebook page to check out the Fan Freebie that I posted recently...I hope you can use it!

Have a very happy Thanksgiving, and enjoy the time you have to spend with your family!