The GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY!

Okay - We have the story of the the GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY! What to start with first? Contrary to the title I'm going to save the good for last and end on a positive note - that's what us educators are taught to do so we don't leave bad feelings!!

First the bad..... I'm a morning person. I love the morning! My favorite times have always been 7:15 AM to 8:15 in the morning before school when no one else is there - you would not believe how much work you can get done when no one is around. While the copier alone is amazing - no lines!!!! I just turn on my music (Pandora - thanks Pete) and get down to business. Well I used to. With just Mitch at school it still worked out OK. He's social enough that as soon as a friend or two got there he grabbed a basketball and headed out the door - usually before 8:00 so I still had some quiet time.

However - Now we have both children - and Mitch on crutches to top it off. My mornings are now filled with bickering and picking at one another - snipping and sniping and all of the crap that I used to get to drive away from - IT FOLLOWS ME TO SCHOOL!!!!!!!!! Mitch doesn't leave my room since he waits for the elevator to go down to vocal music and Peyton is still too unsure to head straight outside (so he says but I'm doubting this). Its like my peaceful morning has turned into a nightmare!!!! Is it legal to give children away? Speaking of illegal activities let's move on to the UGLY since it almost involved MURDER!

Peyton is an independent thinker - I know in a few years that will be a good quality - however now it often manifests itself in a selfish and self-serving manner. Last year at the last minute he decided all of his friends were playing optimist football so he wanted to play too. This was a little irritating to say the least (its a hassle to sign up late), but we were just really glad he wanted to do something besides sit on his butt and play video games.

Anyway - along comes the deadline for football this year - for the last 3 weeks dad, mom, and best friend's mom have been saying "are you sure you don't want to play football?" and his response has always been "NO". Dad has replied with "Well - you will stay active so it is football or cross country for 6th grade options so make sure you are sure". I'm sure you can see where this story is headed.....

Well on Monday Peyton passes me in the hall after 5th hour and says "Mom - did you remember to sign me up for football?". Yes - my jaw drops to the floor. I reply "WHAT?" He says "Ya -you remember at the pool party when you were talking with Sean's mom I said - okay I'll play football - I thought you heard me". Now - just to keep the story straight - the deadline to sign up was 8/18 and Monday was 8/25.

Anyway to make a very LOOONNGGG story short we spent a very UNGLY 2 1/2 hours at the Optimist gym and $150 and a lot of screaming "Well - I told you On Friday - You just didn't hear me so this is your fault" UGLINESS!!!! Peyton is lucky to be alive - and if anyone out there wants a completely potty trained semi-neat (not really) child I will sell him cheap!!!!

Now - on to the GOOD- I LOVE my new 7th graders! The totally wear me out each day but its a good feeling! I am doing lunch duty out on the playground this year and I really enjoy seeing the faces and interacting with them. They are definitely little hamsters on overdrive but they are nice and they are trying to do the right thing and they are trying their best! A simple High Five or a "great Job" seems to be the highlight of some of their days and it makes me feel like I'm doing a good job!

I always try and go into each year with a fresh look - I try not to take what the teachers from the last year have said too much to heart because kids change and they react differently to different teachers - but I admit the negative vibes coming from some 6th grade teeachers had me a touch worried (not that I would admit it to anyone). But I didn't need to worry at all - Do I need to stay on my toes - INDEED - Do I need to guard my candy - you bet - do I need to keep handing out positive praise - absolutely - but they are good kids and that - that -is a GOOD thing!