Beamed Down by Aliens

The last week and a half has been a blur to me. You may have noticed I've been a bit absent lately, and here's why.

I was abducted by aliens.

Well okay, not really, but I was standing in my classroom yesterday, in front of my new sixth graders on the first day of school, and I thought to myself, "How did I get here? I was just on summer vacation and then KA-BLAM! Here I am. Back in the classroom."

My girls came back with me too, and I'm super excited about having them at my school this year. It's going to simplify everything. And annoy me to the point of wanting to jump off a bridge when they're bickering in my classroom after school, but they're there with me, and that is just the coolest thing. Now I can deal with snakes first hand when they crop up. I can't wait.

I just got the one picture yesterday because we were running late. We got up in plenty of time, hard as it was, but Zoe Bug woke up looking like this again, and that threw a wrench in the getting ready routine. It set us back a good fifteen minutes. Plus, because we're so lucky, it was raining. I had to rush the first day of school picture, and as a result it's a little blurry.

I am back in the saddle though, and looking forward to a routine again. I'm pretty happy with my new sixth graders. I have another super sweet class, and it's going to be a great year, I can already tell. Today I had them read "Dear New Sixth Grader" letters from my class last year, and I got a little teary eyed while reminiscing. It made me laugh to read some of the tips and advice given to my new sixth graders. Here's a small sampling of the nuggets of wisdom that were dispensed.

Sixth grade is pretty epic. You learn a lot and have fun.

Hmmm. I have to stop and look up the word "epic." I'm not sure it was used appropriately. It's dang cute though. I should make a vinyl quote for my classroom wall. Yes, that's it! I'm doing it.

About Mrs. Scott, be careful. She's OCD and a little clutzy.

Word.

Give Mrs. Scott presents. She loves presents.

And you my dear, get an A.  A big. Fat. A.

She is fun, and sometimes, I have to admit, she's boring.

Join the club, sister. This isn't MTV.

Um, does that even exist anymore?

She is a funny teacher sometimes, but when you get on her bad side, her head will pop off and chase you around the room, so it's better to be on her good side.

Most excellent advice, if I do say so myself.

Mrs. Scott is a crafty person, so she will make you little bookmarks and all kinds of stuff that is crafty.

I seriously cannot help it. I want to make them things because they are so dang cute. And sweet. And amazing.

You need to know that Mrs. Scott likes to joke around and give lots of homework.

I have no idea what this person is talking about.

Oh, and she hates the word reduce, so don't say it, say simplify.

What can I say? I'm quirky. And picky.

She is really nice and she also likes everything really clean and straight in the classroom, but that's a good thing because then you won't have to clean a lot.

I have symmetry issues. This is true.

Rule #1 - Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself, Rule #2 - stay in your seat when someone is talking, Rule #3 - No airborne objects.

It's true. I absolutely insist that they do not throw their desks.

They just kill me. I can't wait to read what my new class writes at the end of this school year.