Kids....School....And The State Of Illinois :(

Our government has spent, spent, spent everything they had or hoped to have....and now they are bailing out on our schools and the education of our children.  Taxes have gone up and gambling was approved...but still no real answers.  All districts are making deep cuts...cuts that will cull the young out of the field of education and damage the retirement of the older employees.  Class sizes will double...schools will be closed... does anyone care?

Here today....Gone Tomorrow.....

Our precious Jacob spent yesterday afternoon and evening with us. He is so much fun to have around.  We played with play dough, splashed in the bathtub, and snuggled, snuggled, snuggled :)   Mike and I are so lucky to be able to have seen 1/2 of our grandkids this week - Cam Monday, Gavin and Blane Friday, Jake Saturday and talked to Katey and Hira over the weekend, too :) 

I am so anxious for warmer weather to arrive and need to see more of the sun!  I am not one to start summer plants indoors, but envy those who have the patience...I need instant gratification, I am afraid... and more bloom for the time invested.

Back to school  in the AM and back to writing end of the quarter reports for me...maybe I will take a soak in the hot tub before turning out the lights tonight!

Here Comes The Sun!

Hasn't it been wonderful to see the sun shine so many days in a row?  I am sure everyone is in a better mood :)  The kids at school have been able to play outside this week, too.  While the snow is melting, our road is getting soupy!  Maybe our groundhop friend was wrong on February 2nd, and spring will come EARLY !

New Look :)

I am getting crafty with my blogsite!  I discovered how easy it really is to create a new look, found something I liked and ...... decided to steal it!  What do you think?

Testing....Testing....1...2....3......

Our school is taking ISAT tests this week.  As the Title I Reading Specialists, I work with special needs children in an alternate setting and read portions of the test to them, serve as a secretary, and quite simply, KEEP THEM CALM and out of the classroom teacher's hair!  One of my little guys is sooooooo hyper and has really responded to having me sit next to him and just rub his back as we read together --- who would have thought?  Normally this child does not like to be touched, but in this situation, it soothes him.

Mike is making progress....slow, painful progress...He claims he does not sleep, but I think he takes little naps throughout the day and then does not sleep much at night.  He has taken to sleeping in the "guest" room so as not to disturb me.

I am back on steroids and anti-biotics combined with breathing treatments --- YUCK!

Back to school ---- We held grade K-2 RtI meetings yesterday --- they are meetings set with parents of struggling students to use a team approach to finding ways to help their child become a successful learner.  We had several meetings set up from noon until 3:30.  I was so disappointed that few parents took the opportunity to attend this important meeting.  Some of these children are in danger of being retained, and the parents just could not make arrangements to meet with us!  We are very flexible and will meet at any time of the day.... so working is not an excuse!  Yes, all of these children are my students and I love them...

Today....

Cam stayed overnight Sunday and spent today with us because neither he nor I had school.  I definitely set a personal record for playing the most games and watching the greatest number of   videos in one day !  Cam and I played aggravation, uno, and war at various times we were not watching videos !  I did squeeze in a load or two of laundry, too, but it was tough!  Just can't pass up kiddo days like ths...in a blink of an eye he will be a teenage and grandparents will be oh so  uncool!