All that hard work...

is beginning to pay off. I have been working in my classroom since last Wed. I realize that most teachers work in theirs all summer, so I am a slacker in their eyes, but I never go to school before the end of July. My brain doesn't work until then!!! I never realize how much I have to do until I get to school for the first time and then reality hits. I leave my room straight, neat and organized, so it would seem that I wouldn't have much to do. However, I have the same children for 3 years, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Language Arts, so I have to change my room around and keep things exciting for them. I mean, who wants to see the very same thing for 3 years? Children love surprises, so that is what I try to give them, a little bit of the unexpected on the first day of class. Arden and I have been at school each day for at least 6 hours at a time and it seems that the time slips by so quickly and I get nothing accomplished. She has been a trooper and hasn't complained one time. This week I inherited an UGLY BLUE bookshelf that is probably older than I am. Granted, I am very greatful for it because I needed it desperately for my Thesauruses (CAN'T live without these) and Dictionaries. However, it had to be the ugliest color of blue known to man, and the fact that blue happens to be my least favorite color didn't help matters. Anyway, I went to work and painted it UT orange, which is the same color I painted my room last summer and is the inspirtation for my new template colors on the blog.(Can't wait til Football Season) After it dried, I took a Wal-Mart bag and some white paint and gave it a sponged look. It turned out soooo cute. I feel like Martha Stewart! I wish that I had some pix of before, but I didn't think to bring my camera that day and I couldn't wait to paint over that hideous blue. Well, here is the progress that has been made so far. Steph, these are for you girlie!