school, school, school

Yes, I've been busy since school started on the 14th. This week was consumed with teaching and laundry... But we did squeeze in a visit with ML back from her month-long trip to California, two birthday parties, and S's two-year-old check-up (32.5" tall, 26.5 lbs). One of the birthday parties was a "princess party." Simone wasn't interested in dressing up but did enjoy wearing her mini tiara. Our co-op had a yard sale which we checked out. Unbidden she wanted to get the 25-cent Disney princess book - short version stories of Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and Snow White. The Little Mermaid is her favorite.

School -
- Like my class, 13 students, 7 girls, 6 boys. This cohort has a good reputation. So far I haven't had any "side talking" issues like I've had in prior classes so I'm optimistic.
- Like my new officemate, the other part-time science teacher. She's teaching biology and chemistry. I'm so glad I decided not to try teaching biology.
- Still feeling out the new chair of the department. My antennae go up with the suggested changes but I should give her a chance.
- Enjoying being around for lunch - nice to talk to other faculty.
- The Science Enrichment stuff is a lot of time. Do I really want to help start the Trinity Science Club? One junior has been particularly helpful - she seems like one of those people who are enviable because they seem to have everything - pretty, nice, super bright, etc.

Elsewhere:
- Turns out BSF doesn't have room for Simone so I'm probably not going to go unless something changes/opens up.
- Had a really good first parents group meeting even though there were only four of us - a lot of laughter.
- Read a book Unhooked Generation: The Truth about Why We're Still Single; made several good points.
- Thankful for babysitters like Angela and May. We had sushi last week and get to go out in the daytime this weekend.
- Free chapstick is one of my favorite giveaways - the latest from the US Open sponsored by Stonybrook was strawberry flavored and SPF 15.

Pictures!

Simone came along with us to a Mercy Team dinner we helped cook...making the tiger prowl:


Dance party:

Hangin' out with Mom:

US Open Men's Final:


Visiting with Lynn, our girl really loves her char-siu:


She gets a kick out of balloons being blown up - this is her friend Addy:



Nooooooo: