I did not enjoy Halloween this year. There were moments when it was good. But it all started yesterday when I opened the door and let in all my little cuties. "Tomorrow is Halloween!" The first few times I was thinking, yes it is. The next few times I'm thinking okay, I got it. The next 382 times got really annoying and the final 450 times I was ready to throw myself down the front steps of my school. (The super steep ones) My students were very chatty and very excitable yesterday. The mistake I made? I tried to teach them. Math, reading and stuff. They were so random. I'd ask "What mental math strategy can I use when adding 8 + 8?" And I'd get answers like "My brother is going to be a vampire." Show and tell was a gong show too. Little M brings in a dog tooth and the buzz in the room but noticable. Then when she showed it- holy sh*t they went wild. She had to show it around the class 3 or 4 times. And you must know that this took like 10 minutes which in teacher minutes feels like 70 minutes. Today my class was actually much better behaved. That and I didn't really try to teach much. We spelled some Halloween words, we did planners and we did journals. The rest of the day was a dream for them- recess, costume parade, birthday book, lunch, buddies (hey Lianne if you're reading this- missed you today! how'd the scavenger hunt go? and are we still best buddy classes even though I love the Broncos but I will not be wearing a Broncs jersey on jersey day?) super fun Halloween stations with the other grade two classes (hey Alison Holmes do you still check Facebook?) and then PARTY TIME!!!! Oh by the way the question of the day was "When's the party?" How many ways are there to say at the end of the day??? Just one. I wish there were a way to say it and have my kids listen and remember. And one little dude, let's call him J, he must have asked that question 8 times. I love you J but stop asking me the same question. It's still at the end of the day.
I wore my pj's today. I'm pretty random too hey? Well, I don't have a costume and I was thinking how if I'm not going to wear my clothes I'd rather wear pj's. I found a kids book about a little girl who's trying to get ready for bed but her stuffed animals are wild. So I was a book character. In my pj's. With a stuffed bear and really cozy Old Navy socks. One of my special little friends says to me "You look kinda cute with your hair like that." (My hair was in pigtails) I said "I will take that as a compliment. Thanks!" But the best comment of the day was from one of my neighbor's students (that's you Alison!) I was giving the directions for a game and his hand is straight up in the air. He's one of those little monkeys who's name you quickly know. So I call on him. He says "I've heard....(insert dramatic pause) you're the best teacher. EVER." (Emphasis on EVER.) I almost peed myself! I said "Is that the rumour going on around outside?" He says "No, inside" Then some other kids chime in and say "Ya, I heard that too." OMG!!! That's the best rumour about me. EVER.
So I must also talk about my trick or treating experience but I'm exhausted. So I'll make it quick-ish. Me: dead tired, eyes glazing over, asking "Are you sure you want to go out in this horrible rain?"
Olivia- yes, yes, yes, trick or treating is the best,
Alexis- I'm putting on my costume over my school uniform and I'm not changing, crying, I'm not wearing a jacket, put my boots on,
Cassidy- no, no, no, I'm Princess Peach bumble bee, I don't like my jacket
So we eventually head out in the dark, rainy night. And it actually stops raining. I kinda enjoyed the next 30 or so minutes. The big girls ran ahead, it was slippery, I had to hold Cassidy's hand and her bag and my umbrella at the same time and Cassidy poked along but it was all good. Dan met us about 30 minutes into. Then Cassidy lost it- she wanted to eat the candy and started to melt down. Bedtime is always difficult but tonight was especially difficult. I'm so glad it's finally over.
Okay, so this is an old photo but I was a little stressed out and maybe a little PMS'ing tonight so getting the girls together for a photo was not in the cards. Plus, it was raining so hard and they didn't really wear costumes. Olivia wore cat ears, Lexie wore a pink poodle Old Navy fuzzy costume and Cassidy wore her snowpants with a dress over them and a raincoat with bumble bee antenna. Tomorrow we pack the costumes away so I will stage another dress up shot and call it Halloween 2012. Here are some past Hallween photos:
Miss Olivia as Eeyore when she was 7 months old.
Miss Olivia as Tinkerbell when she was 19 months old. Last time she'll be alone at Halloween.
Miss Olivia as a chicken- this is my favourite costume. Lexie was only 3 months old she was ummm...nothing? I think I may have had a cute bear sleeper. Who knows? I wasn't sleeping much then.
There's Miss Alexis! A pumpkin and a princess.
Alexis as Tinkerbell at just over 2 years old and Olivia as a peacock at 4 and a half. And there's Miss Cassidy in my tummy.
Alexis and Olivia last year.
Cassidy last year.
More last year.
Oh! There's a mommy sighting.
Holy cow all 3 girls are together. In one place!!!
