Better than nothing

I think if I want to continue blogging (and I do) I will have to accept that #1 not every post has to contain photos. I haven't touched my camera since the football games last Saturday. #2 I will have to realize a short post is better than none at all, even if I wish I had time to write more. So here are a few highlights of the past few days.

• I was able to teach all four classes yesterday (almost 6 hours straight). I was utterly wiped out by the end of the last one. I absolutely love being back in the classroom, but it's exhausting to me at this point. Hopefully as I get back in the groove it won't be as tiring.
• Paul came home from work earlier than usual (6pm) last night, which meant I could mow the lawn while he was home (meaning I wasn't responsible for the kids at the same time I was mowing as is usually the case).
• The kids didn't have their gym class this morning, and that was a blessing because I was able to focus more time on school work, which was helpful since we had taken Monday off. I'm still trying to figure out how to juggle all the subjects since they aren't doing certain ones with the babysitter on Tuesdays and Thursdays (ex. spelling). The one subject we need to start doing more regularly is writing. 
• Oliver read some words for the first time in his life today! I was thrilled beyond belief, and Paul was also very happy when Oliver read a few words for him this evening. We have officially started Level 1 of the reading program. The words he was reading today were ones like "ham," "jam," "sat, " etc. Way to go, Oliver!
• I was asked to teach at the university again next semester! My current contract is just for this semester, but I was asked if I wanted to be PT or FT next semester. I was given the choices of teaching 1-2 evening classes and/or supervising 5-20 student teachers (or some combination of those choices). I'm thrilled to be able to continue to teach, and I'm also happy there wasn't any mention of an 8:00 AM class because let me tell you getting three kids  and myself out the door at 6:35AM two days a week is not ideal to me. I am leaning toward asking for the Tuesday night (assessment) class plus 15 student teachers. When I first was a professor (January 2003) I supervised 20 student teachers and loved it. It's a very flexible position as far as the schedule goes. Since I wouldn't have a new course to prepare (which is why this semester is rather overwhelming at the moment), I think  it would be much easier. I could choose to have 20 student teachers and not teach on campus, but I also love teaching and I've taught that course many times so that's why I think it's the option I'll pick. The Thursday night course I was offered would be another new preparation, and at the moment I'm wanting to steer away from any new preps if possible. I'm also happy to know that although it will still take awhile for the paperwork to be processed, I am getting much more notice this time around and I should  be able to sign my contract long before the first week of class this time! Plus I'll already have a ID, key, email address, etc. I will need a new parking permit, but that will be about it. I also won't have to get all my clearances done again either. It should be much simpler even though I might have to go through a formal interview this time around.