The Substitute

I'm really thinking about making an anonymous blog about my subbing adventures. But then again - I hardly keep this one up and if I am going to keep subbing will I have time for both?

Today was a crazy day subbing. First off I was asked to teach math. I know NOTHING about math. I said yes with the assumption that there would be lesson plans and that everything would be fine. WRONG! No plans. I was teaching remedial math and there were teachers aids in each of those classes. You would think this would be helpful but they didn't have any great ideas either. Fortunately one student in one class said something about a workbook. Ding ding ding - workbook it is. The next class the TA took over. Something about 3 adults sitting in the room while a 16 year old goes over a previous assignments and leads them in to completing the homework. The 4th class? We did NOTHING. The parapros said that is basically what they do everyday anyway. Really?

At the end of those classes the teacher came in and I let her know what we did with no plan. She argued that she had left them. She blamed the administration who, while teachers are taking pay cuts, are making all the money! What? You really can't tell me the substitute coordination secretary is making $$. I've seen district pay scales. She finally FOUND her lesson plans that she saved under the wrong name and admitted she sent ones from last week instead. We won't talk about the fact she was at a meeting the parapros all thought she should have opted out of when it was known that district wide we were low on subs. Oh well!

I ended the day with 2 Algebra2 classes. I barely made it through algebra so I was not much help but they all got their assignments.

The biggest thing of the day was the fact that I am SO thankful for friends who are willing to jump in and help out with my kids on a moments notice. Nothing like telling kids they can't have cell phones out while I'm texting and making calls to ensure my kid isn't stranded at school. Tomorrow - house keys will be made for the little latch key kids. ;)

Sunday Story - All About Dad

Today the little ones were learning that Jesus had a Father just like they do. We asked them what their Dads like to do. The answers?

-Play games with me
-Go to work
-Computer stuff

but the winning answer?

-Get some money and go to the store and buy Raisin Bran.

I mean really - who doesn't like cereal shopping?

Sunday Story

Oh, how I have missed the Sunday Stories. I really think now that I am working with the 3 year old's at church that I need to bring this weekly special back. The hard part is remembering all the funny things they say.

I do believe the BEST thing I heard at church was:

"Oh you silly girls, Erica, I just don't understand girls!" Really? You're 3 - at least he's figured that out early though, right?

Slacking Again

I guess I haven't gotten the New Year off to a very good start. I'll just have to do a pictorial edition of what we've been up to lately.

Stew went to England before Christmas. While he was gone I went to his company Christmas party. I took the kids and we stayed the night. They swam and we had great fun. I didn't take any pictures except for this:

Jackson has ALWAYS been a car guy so we had to document the sighting.

There was also this set of pictures - lonely me at the party.

Yes, I'm too lazy to scan it.

Oh - I can't forget this one of Jackson trying to gain a few inches in height.


My parents came for Christmas and on Christmas Eve we went to the museum of dead animals. I mean the International Wildlife Museum. We've been before and the kids always enjoy it.


And then there was Christmas:


We also went to Albuquerque for New Years and for our little friend Sophie's baptism.



And then tragedy hit Tucson. I went out to UMC with my neighbor.

It was really amazing being there - everyone was so quiet. It didn't feel like you were in the middle of the city. Such saddness.