SAT10 weeks (these last two) and all teachers have been assigned to administer testing to different classes.  I guess they got tired of us giving  the kids answers, huh?    Such trust our superiors have in us, don't you think?  Anyway, it was an interesting experience this year. 

GOODNESS!!  I cannot even begin on how much ATTITUDE those 5th-graders  gave me!!  I tried to be lenient just because I knew how antsy the kids were getting having to sit there and take a test for almost an hour.  But you won't believe how much sass I got whenever I put my foot down!  One boy - this was the second day of testing - just kept yelling.  For what, I have no idea.  So I told him to quiet down.  He just shook his head mickingly while moving his lips (imitating me, I guess).  Oh man, it took a lot of will to stay calm.  I wanted to ask, "You treat your parents this way??"  After the second time he gave me sass, I took away the hackey (sic?) sack he kept kicking.  I didn't expect him to change but surprisingly enough, he 360'd his 'tude from there.  It's all about testing you and seeing how far they can go.    But the most attitude I got was from the girls in the class!!  I couldn't believe it!  "Sugar and spice and everything nice?"  NOT REALLY!!  This group of girls was always at the back of the class practicing some dance.  I liked watching them but after a while, they would get loud with their squeals.  And each time it got this way, I'd ask them to go back to their seats and just wait until the all-clear for recess was announced over the p.a.  One of the girls would just ...   goodness!!  The whole nine yards!  Stomping feet all the way back to her desk accompanied with rolling eyes.  Loud clanking around in the chair as she settled herself roughly at her desk.  Kicking the desk and throwing her head down into her arms ... oh man.  Can you believe the next time this happened, she repeated the behavior??  She had it down to an art!  So that was it.  I went up to her desk and I knew everyone was watching.  I didn't mean to embarass her but it couldn't be helped.  So I bent down right in front of her face and said, "The next time you roll your eyes at me and throw a tantrum when I ask you to sit down, you'll be coming back to my class during recess.  You wanna act like a baby?  You can hang out with my first-graders!!"    I guess you can say I lost my temper, but guess what?  She got the picture.  I could never imagine acting like that to a teacher or any adult at that age!  Anyway, they were sweet kids overall, don't get me wrong.  Just ... SPOILED!!! I don't ever want to teach beyond 3rd grade!!  Oh and two of the students were my very first students when I began teaching 1st grade!! 

One of my boboys ... excitable little guy ...   He's such a character.  I could tell you stories!  Anyway, he loves to hug.  He likes to kiss, too (still trying to gently break him of that habit)!!  Yes, kiss.  Kiss on the cheek or kiss on my hand ... such a character!    Not only that but we think he'll be a bit of a flirt when he gets older.  He's already 'proposed' several times.  "Will you marry me, my dahhhhling?" he'll say and when I say tell him sorry and that I can't, he'll say "But I love you madame!"  He watches Reggie through slitted eyes when he comes early to pick me up!  LMAO!!  I think it's cute but I'm just worried he'll get into trouble one of these days!  Anyway, like I said, he's very excitable.  The boy cannot keep still!  Running is walking for him.  I've been telling him since I first met him that he needs to slow down.  It's a long story, but it's something that he finds difficult compared to the next child.  "Slow down!  You're going to end up hurting yourself or someone else, I'm telling you!"  So the other day, he was running to me to give me a hug.  Oh you wouldn't believe what happened next ... right when he reached me, I felt the most incredibly excrutiatingly awful pain in my big toe.  His shoe had run into my foot and scraped half the toenail off the bed!!  Took all my will (and then some!!) to keep from yelling aloud.  Instead, I gave my boy a very mean look (awwww - sorry!) and told him to go back to his seat.  I'm not going to describe the state of my toe except that I must wear a bandaid over it to avoid grossing people out.  It's funny when I think about it because it's just so like him.  This is the boy who hears a knock at the door and even though he's seated halfway in the class, will still bound up abruptly to open it, stumbling over a few chairs and desks on the way (he actually manages to make it to the door before anyone else does ... I don't know how he does it!).  Anyway ... the toenail finally came off by accident (snagged it on our comforter - I was not a happy camper!!).    The day after, I told my boy to look carefully at what he'd caused in the hopes that it would finally get him to slow down.  To avail, however.  e and another boy were sent to the nurse yesterday for a head-to-head collision during lunch recess.    Ayyy my boy ...

School ends in about three weeks.    Almost cried the other day when I was talking to one of my girls.  She has made such an improvement since the beginning of the year!  I was telling her how proud of her I was and that she'd better keep up the good work when she goes to second grade.    I hate to see my munchkins go!!  I've been trying to convince them all to attend summer school since I'll be teaching first grade (yes, I applied and just found out today I got accepted - YES!!!).  I once joked with the kids, "You can just flunk and then you can be with me for another year!"    Bad me, I know!  If you spent time with them, you'd see what I mean.  Hopefully, I get to see some of them during the summer.  That just means we won't be leaving this summer to visit my folks.   

Wanna know something?  The day before the applicants had to go in for an interview with the principal, a survey was sent out throughout the school.  We had to rate the 'pal on performance.  It wasn't long before word got around that the evaluations were low.  As much as I felt the ratings were deserved, I felt really sorry for the 'pal.  I would hate to find out my employees thought of me that way!  Well, the day after, I was called in for an interview and the 'pal was in a foul mood!  To the point where it was affecting my interview!  I couldn't believe it but of course, kept my composure.  Anyway, I was told I'd be notified if I got the position after I filled out a written essay.  I didn't question it.  Found out later though that this was the first year the 'pal had required each applicant to complete an essay, written for that matter.  We finally realized it was probably for the purpose of comparing handwriting to see if anyone matched the evals.  Are you  serious??  I'm not sure if this was the actual intent, but I wouldn't be surprised.  This was last week.  Anyway, I got hired so that's some good news.  These last two weeks have been pretty shoddy.  I hate drama and that's exactly what's been happening.  Reggie keeps telling me to stop feeling bad because it isn't my fault but I can't help it.  It's been so that I can't wait for the day to end and when I finally get home, I'm torn between crying or taking my anger out on a wall.  If I told you what was going on, you'd be surprised.  I'm sure I'll get over it but it's just 'painful' right now.  I wish people would just grow up!!! 

My friend's been trying to convince me to go see the first showing of 'Star Wars' with him, but it'll cost us $40 each (going through Planet Hollywood).  I lined up with him for ep. 1 & 2 and it would be breaking tradition if I don't go this time.  SUCH A GEEK!!  LMAO!!  Whatever, Reggie lined up too!!    Joe keeps texting me messages, sayings from the movie, the last few days to convince us to go.  You can imagine how far he takes it.  LOL!!  He even went as far as to confirm that Jar Jar Binks will not be appearing in the movie (cannot stand that character - what was George Lucas thinking??).  We'll see .. Reg said to wait for his payday.  Don't worry Joe!  I won't break tradition!!  Well ... I'll try not to!

Okay ...  better go.  Rachel Ray is going into how to make mini-mudpie dessert sandwiches.  Finally figured out a way to make my own ice cream sandwiches!!  Wanna know?  Just ask! 

Thanks for taking the time!