In like a lamb, out like a lion...

Time has once again escaped me...I have my blog bookmarked and so when I have a few moments to check my email, I see the link and a pang of guilt washes over me... So, along comes May and the events of potty training, birthday party planning and tying up loose ends at school have come upon me.

• On the homefront, Madeline has FINALLY conquered wearing panties.....I must say that for her it is the ultimate freedom, but I can't help but to think that it is also freedom for Steve and I too! She was the anti-Mason of training...ONCE she decided, she was quick and easy and responded to little incentives like stickers...who knew I would whole heartedly embrace hello kitty and Dora the Explorer panties with such open arms!
• Mason continues to play T-ball...weekly games in which he shines each time. More importantly, and I am sure to remind him of this, is that he is a READER!! He brought home his first reading book a week or so ago- Jan and Pam...although each page has only about 2-3 words, he is actively sounding out the words, is getting better at his sight words and is SO proud of his ability to read at 5. He likes to go around the house looking at food labels, mail and the newspaper sounding out words...."momma, does this say puh - puh -paper?".......
• Madeline turns 3 this Saturday, May 10th...the theme of her party (if you ask her, anyway) is pink...apparently she has ideas about what this party will look like more than I do!!
• At work...I chose to accept a position at another high school. Despite having a rock solid program here, having tripled the number of students in the last 3 years in our program, another opportunity came knocking. I spent A LOT of time thinking and stressing about what to do. Unlike many other jobs, when you leave a school you leave behind the friends you have made (which is the case with any job I know), but you also leave behind students who only know you as their teacher in that classroom...although many I will have only had this year, I had several returning students who were upset with my decision. I actually had a girl in my second hour class shed a few tears and a few threatened to follow me to the school and be in my classes there. Their comments made me feel good, but I also know that they recover quickly and within a day the discussion had faded and they were back to their chatty selves. I also know that it is easy to think that as teachers we are not replaceable (a little egotistic I know), that somehow it can't be done without us..but I know that this is NOT true as there are many fantastic and caring teachers at this school who will provide them with the compassion and encouragement they need. I do look forward to my new adventure however, and hope to create many more memories at this high school!