Return to Reality

Fantastic to be away....so relaxing....but good to be back home to the wee doggies and even work!

 It is amazing to love my job so much, sometimes I almost feel guilty thinking I get paid to work with these kids. I have to say it is due to how I run my classroom- high expectations, lots of fun, encouragement, mistakes are part of learning, hands on learning. As a result...kids who follow the rules and make sure their peers follow the rules, kids who teach skills to those that don't know them and lots of praise and encouragement among the kids themselves. Disabilities....what disabilities!!!!

We traveled inland from the west coast of Florida  one day to visit the Audobon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. 2.5 miles of boardwalk through 5 regions of the swamp. Fascinating!! Took tons of pictures of the birds, butterflies, animals, reptiles, trees and vegetation. Here are a few......

                                                White Great Egret

                                                 Painted Bunting

                                                  Bald Cypress Knees

                                                Green Anole

                                                  Brown Anole
 

                                                 Black Crowned Night Heron

Construction

Had a busy, busy week trying to get as much done in the house before we take off for Florida tomorrow. Painted the laundry room all weekend, primer, 2 coats of paint on the walls and the trim. Monday JJ and a friend, then son put together the big cupboards that will stretch across one side of the room. Tues. and Wed. nights I had to finish report cards and Individual Education Plans for all my kids before the break. Last night we had another sbowstorm, freezing rain...so lucky for me the buses were all cancelled.  I couldn't go in to school as I have not had a car for the past 2 days. Yea!!! Extra work day....I'm totally exhausted, my back hurts and I know I'll be sorry tomorrow...but heck ...I'll just be sitting on a plane heading for warmth and sunshine.
Got a call today from my oldest son Ryan...he presented his Masters Thesis today at York University in Toronto....he was successful!!!!  School is done with an M.A.(Anthropology) after his name.  He is coming home as I write this. He'll stay at home with the wee doggies, begin the job of looking for a job, and fill in the free time doing some renovation work around home. It is payback time!!!!