Buck & Breakdowns

Henry missed his first day of school on Monday.  He had a fever the night before, so he couldn't go.  He did not like missing and said his teachers would expect him to come in Tuesday with all his Monday work completed.  I said they wouldn't.  He didn't believe me and borrowed Josiah's math book to get at least his math homework done.  

Caroline finished reading The Call of the Wild this week and after all the class discussions and answering of questions, they were tasked to draw what they imagined Buck looked like.  He was a St Bernard/Scotch Shepherd mix.  Caroline commissioned Josiah to draw his version of Buck to give her a guide when she drew him in class.  Caroline also asked that he draw the wolf that Buck runs off with at the end of the book. They are still working on their artwork in class, but her teacher noted that she was artistic like her brother.  (Josiah's work below)

I was observed by my boss this week - I get observed four times a year.  On Monday, we had a new friend join our class.  The first boy in a group of seven girls, so now we are eight.  It was a bit of a crazy start.  They had just gotten off of Thanksgiving break and had to get back into the routine again.  We had quite a number of potty accidents.  There were several emotional breakdowns.  I never know how the observations are going to go, but that day the Lord was with us.  My boss came in, sat down, and the kids acted so well it was amazing.  They have never been so calm during their station time, and they probably never will be again, but they were at just the right time!  

Josiah is quick to leave us selfies should we ever leave our phones unattended.  Caroline does, too, but she would not like me to share her images...

Two weeks until Christmas break.  The kids have said this week is the 'easy' week.  The following week is full of exams and midterms.  This week, Josiah is going to try out for the spring play, Anne of Green Gables.  He was even encouraged by his classmates to try out.  In his Ancient History class, they were reading part of Aescheylus aloud and Josiah said he broke into a British accent.  His teacher let him go with it because he was 'understandable.'  When another kid started talking in a British accent, the teacher interrupted immediately and said, No. You can't.  My kids love their British accents.  Caroline broke into a British accent during her drama class a few weeks ago, too.  

And so begins another week.