Changes

DJ started school this year in the 4's class and I started working in the pre-k class two afternoons a week. That put DJ in school ALL day twice a week, which he has done fine with, but I can tell he's pretty wiped out at the end of the day. He has a lot of friends in the 4's class, kids he was in class with last year. His very bestest friend is in that class. However, with his moving onto kindergarten next fall and with me already working in there twice a week, DJ will be moving to the Pre-K class. Right now, he's doing both classes, but next week, he will move from three mornings a week to four afternoons a week. He will be sad to leave his friends, but we will still be able to have playdates and he has already made lots of friends in his new class. It's a change, but a good change.

I'm fitting in well in my work, the kids are getting to know me and some of them actually listen to me. Four and Five is such an interesting age. So many questions, so many strange and wonderful insights. They sure do like to find errors in anything you say or do and make sure to point them out very quickly. It's fun, though.

The best news of all....I get to go home for Christmas!! We will all fly out (DJ, his mom, and I) and then they will drive down to Coos Bay, Oregon, to spend the holiday with her family. I can't even put my excitement into words. I spent the summer with my mom, but I haven't seen my grandparents in almost a year and there are aunts, uncles, cousins to see. Grandma's cooking! Just spending the holidays in the house I grew up in, the traditions, the fun. I can't wait!!!

Zzzz...

Things are going well at the preschool. I am enjoying my assistant teacher position a lot. However, I would like to state for the record that spending three hours with 14 four-and-five-year-olds is EXHAUSTING!!!

School, Friends, and other adventures

The weather is finally cool enough (actually cold in the mornings) to finally be out during the day and do things, like go to the park, take walks, etc. So, I had planned to be outside this weekend. What have we done? Absolutely nothing. DJ made it two whole weeks in school before he picked up a bug. It's just a cold and doesn't seem to be bothering him much at all, but it's annoying. So its a weekend of relaxation and lots of cuddles.

Last week, my best friend flew out from Tacoma to visit. It was a short trip, but good to spend time with her. The weather had been cooling off, but for some reason, her first day here, we had a freak summer day 93+ degrees with 60% humidity. Yuck. It cooled off significantly the rest of the week.

Monday, DJ went home with his best friend from school, and Jess and I took the Metro into DC. We visited the National Museum of Crime and Punishment. It was totally worth the money and I can't even begin to tell you how nice it was to be able to walk through at my own pace, without worrying about what DJ was touching, how loud he was being, etc. It's been a very long time. DJ had a blast playing with his friend all day, so it was great all around. I have to say, though, it seems so weird to me that DJ is even old enough to go home with a friend after school. Where does the time go?

Tuesday, the three of us hopped back on the Metro (basically, the subway) and went to the National Zoo in Washington DC. It is an amazing, gigantic zoo and because it's run by the Smithsonian, its totally FREE! We had a great day walking around the zoo, seeing all the animals, taking lots of pictures. My friend is a photography fanatic, so she took a lot of pics.

Wednesday, DJ had school in the morning and we just relaxed and she packed. We took her to the airport on Thursday morning and here we are at Saturday evening.

I have a lot of pics, but DJ is telling me he is "so so so soooooo hungry", so I must go make dinner. I will post pictures later.

First Day of School/Work

Today was DJ's first day of school for the 4's class and also my first day working as the assistant teacher in the pre-k class, which DJ gets to attend, while I'm working. It all went very well. We're both pretty tired, but it went smoothly. The teacher I'm working with was one of DJ's teachers last year, so we are familiar with each other and get along very well. Its a little overwhelming right now, figuring out where everything is in the classroom and getting into the routine, not to mention the 14 4-6 year olds! I think I'm going to like it, though.

It was very bright and sunny and HOT today, so I ended up with only goofy pictures on the front steps.

Tropical Storm Hanna

Everything about living on the east coast is an adventure. One of the biggest adventures since moving here has been the weather. Today, I got to experience a tropical storm. We have had remnants of storms, which just means it rains a bit. This time, it was the real deal. We had known it was coming for awhile, so there was plenty of time to gather supplies and be prepared for any potential issues that could arise.

It rained heavily for hours and hours and hours. It was cold, at least for summer standards, at barely 72 degrees. Personally, I think 72 is a beautiful temperature, but considering it was 91 yesterday... The wind blew a little but it wasn't consistent and only gusted a few times. Mostly, it just rained.

I couldn't figure out how it could be so tropical, if it got so cold, but one step outside, between rain showers and you could tell. It felt like I had somehow stepped out of my maryland home and into a tahitian rainforest! The humidity was insane, enough that it made the upstairs balmy, made posters, once flat against the walls, saggy, and left the air with a musty smell. Very odd.

In any event, it was fast moving and by dinner time, there were patches of blue sky and the sun even shone a little. Its supposed to be 85 tomorrow. As I was getting DJ ready for bed, I looked out and saw something cool....


A Rainbow!

I had been worrying about this storm for a few days but knew that God would protect us. I felt like this rainbow at the end of the storm was just a beautiful reminder of his presence.

God is Great!

Do you ever have moments when you are just completely reminded of God's amazing love and power in our lives?

Today, I am having that moment.

This morning, we had DJ's preschool orientation. He attended the 3's class there this past Spring. While it is held at a church, it is not a specifically Christian preschool. They do occasionally incorporate stories and ideas, but with the diversity of our area, it's generally religion neutral. In any event, we got there, met his new teachers for the 4's class this year, and then the parents went to the sanctuary to get the low-down on the years activities.

The first thing Miss Wendy, the director, said was that they were looking for a parent volunteer to assist twice a week in the pre-k class (afternoon class). As soon as she said it, I knew it was meant to be. Not only will it allow DJ to experience the pre-k class prior to going to Kindergarten next year, but it will allow me to experience teaching.

I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. I have doubts sometimes, whether it's the right job for me, but this will be a great chance to see if it truly is where I belong. I will make some much-needed extra money, and on top of that, DJ's tuition will be FREE!!! So, I spoke to the director and I have to get a few things done (fingerprinting and CPR class), but I will start right away on the first day, Monday.

It will be an adjustment for DJ and in the beginning, the days will be long. His Mondays and Wednesdays will be all-day school. He will have his own class from 9:30-12 and then have lunch and then be in the pre-k class from 12:30-3. I have every confidence in his ability to handle it, he is very adaptable, and it will be very good experience before he attends all-day kindergarten the next year. He will also have school just in the morning on Fridays.

Ahhh...I'm rambling! It's not a totally for sure thing yet, but it looks good and even to just experience it for a little while is awesome.

I feel so blessed!!!