Hello, Hello!

Hi everyone! I've (finally) been back to work for a few days! It felt like I was gone away a long time. But, the school felt otherwise. I had to laugh, because a couple of the kids started fooling around for me and one of the girls told them that it wasn't worth it because they couldn't pull anything over on a teacher that has been there every day for a month. (I hadn't, but.... it made me feel good that they "knew" me, and I was considered a regular).

Later today I took a class to the computer lab. While I was there another class came in. A couple of the kids noticed I was there and got all excited, telling the rest of the kids coming in: "Look! Look! Miss Hall is here!"

I got some nice adult feedback too--the vice principal made a point to tell me that he had heard all good things about me. He was especially glad that he didn't have to teach today--there were a lot of teachers out. I told him he was welcome to come up period F and knock some heads in for me--my tough class. He laughed and told me that those boys gave everyone trouble, and not to worry about it. I handled them as well as anyone else did.

Actually, today was the first day I didn't have to throw this one kid out. At the end of class I made a comment to that effect, and the rest of the class even joined in congratulating him for making it the whole class without getting kicked out. (It probably didn't hurt that his side-kick was out today.....) what was it the VP said? Classroom management by subtraction? (hahahahaha) No less than five teachers stopped in their tracks in amazement at how calm and quiet the class was being for me today. I didn't bother pointing out that the worse of them weren't really working on what they were supposed to be working on, but they weren't playing games or looking at porn (what I was warned they would try to do) so I took it as progress. I showed them Christian's website-they were very impressed.

In other news.....

The girls have made a friend of a girl that lives just down the street. Julie rides their bus, and is in 8th grade with Alannah. She is very nice. I got to meet her parents too--we had a great time chatting and getting to know each other a bit. She is in Art Club with Alannah. Aidan and I went to pick Alannah and Julie today, and took the puppy with us. Aidan got out of the car, and a whole crowd of middle school girls came rushing over to ooh and ahh over Coal. He ate it right up! It was so cute. He is a major celebrity!

He is being a very good puppy. He is almost housetrained. Tomorrow he goes to the vet for his shots and a check up. I think he has grown way past his first weigh in at 11 pounds..... I think he is more like 30 now..... We are starting to take him on walks, and he is getting braver about going down the steps and running around in the yard. He loves, loves, loves people!

Last, but not least, the lake is frozen enough for ice fishing.... guess what Scott is getting for his birthday? :) brrrrrr! Fish-sicles anyone? It is amazing how big this is here!!!!!

more later!