Back to the Grind

Well since I started back to work this week, we have fallen into our routine pretty easy, except I have only had to be there at 8:00 instead of the usual 7:30, so it's been a nice ease into things.

Our meetings start Monday, so all classroom teachers report Monday and kids start Wednesday.  My contract is just longer, so I work a week before teachers and a week after them in the summer.  I have just been getting everything set up at both schools after the cleaning crews came this summer.  I have also been getting the new batch of kids in our circulation program and working on getting our books ready for our updated Accellerated Reader program.

Basically, just doin' my job.

Blair's been getting up about 7:00, so I have been able to feed her breakfast and spend some time together in the morning.

Monday night, my friend Nellie came over to take Blair's 1 year pictures.  She sent me these teasers and I am obsessed.  I can't wait to see the rest.

Tuesday was election day and we were on pins and needles waiting to find out if our good friend, Joe Hensley, was going to be elected judge.  He, and his family, had campaigned so hard and their hard work paid off!  We had gone to parties, worn our t-shirts, drove around with a magnet on our car because we knew he was the best candidate.  We are so excited for Joe!

Wednesday night, was quiet and typical.  

Nothing too exciting to report on, but that's kind of how I like it.  

I like the simple life.

Summer Lovin, Had Me a Blast.

This is my last week of summer vacation.

School is right around the corner.

But, actually, I am looking forward to it.  Summer is great, but I think most teachers agree with me when I say we have the type of personality that can't sit still for too long.  I love being able to start a fresh, new year.  Not many jobs can you finish up, then get ready for a new year with a refreshed, motivated attitude.  I miss the kids too and the people I work with.  I am anxious to get started with some new ideas that have been stewing in my mind all summer.

but....

I will miss this sweet face.  

It is an absolute blessing to get to spend every day this summer with her.  She's my best friend in the whole, wide world.  I love being there when she makes new discoveries and I love watching her play with the excitement only a child can have.  I miss her more than words can express while I am at school, but it makes it a lot easier knowing that she is in such capable hands and with two other people who love her as dearly as I do.  (my mom and mother-in-law)  

Sometimes I feel guilty that I am not a stay-at-home mom.  It makes me wonder if moms who do stay home, think I don't love my baby as much because I don't stay home.  Disclaimer: I don't really think stay-at-home-moms are really thinking that AT ALL, but that's what mommy guilt will do for you.  There are many days that I wish I was home with my little one right next to you all, but let's be honest, there are also days when having some time to escape to work, doesn't sound too bad either.  Staying at home, is work!  Hard, hard work!  

I go back in forth with this argument in my head all the time.  I do find comfort in the fact that my mama was a teacher most my life and I think I turned out just fine.

I heard once that mamas who teach, are choosing to spend their days with someone else's children, because their love for all children runs deep.  My little baby will be in school soon, whether I want to admit it or not.  When that happens, I want her to be loved by those teachers, men and women who have chosen to be in the classroom and love someone else's kids too. 

So here I am, pouring my heart out and being pulled in two directions.  

Two purposes.

For me, I really think my job gives me a sense of purpose, so does being a mommy, but my job is just my OTHER purpose.  

I think I can have two.  

Thanks for reading if you made it this far.  I know I don't usually have such meaningful posts, but I know my audience of readers is small and I really want Blair to look back at this some day and know what my thoughts were.

Tumblebooks

Today I thought I'd share a website I use in the library and think it would be good to use at home with young kids too.

To get to it, first, I go to our local town's library website:

(They have a paid subscription, which you need.)

www.joplinpubliclibrary.org

and click on Kids

Then, click on Tumblebooks.

From here, I usually go to Story Books, but you can explore anywhere.

It works on ipads too!  I mirror it to my Apple TV in the library.

Have fun all you mamas!  Get those kids reading!

Audioboo

Audioboo is a great resource that I am starting to use in my libraries, but I think it would work into many mama's or grandmama's lives.  What you do is go to audioboo and set up an account.  It's free!

Then, go to the record/upload button OR get the app on your ipad/iphone and hit record.

You can record yourself reading a book (or anything really) aloud.

Once you have recorded something, you can take a picture of the cover, if you like.

Then, under MORE, you can get the QR code.

Print it.

 I taped the QR code to the front of the book.  In my situation, the kids could scan the code and listen to me read the book aloud.  I think this might be fun for the kiddos who may not have someone to read to them at home.  They just need a iPhone or iPad with a free QR scanner app.

It would also be really fun for grandparents who don't live close to their grandkids.  Also, parents who work nights or maybe are in the military could use it and share books with their kids that way.

Just an idea!  Thanks for stopping by!