So… I know I’ve been neglecting my blog a bit. I don’t think I’ve ever gone this long without checking in before. I have a list of things I want to blog about and a half dozen resources to finish before uploading, but… well, that hasn’t happened. Life outside of my computer has gotten in the way. =)
I knew I was in trouble when I received an email from a follower {thank you!} asking if I was coming back. I have been checking in on Facebook though, both at Ms. Fultz’s Corner over on Instagram too. With the holiday craziness already settling in, I just need quick and easy communication right now. I’m sure you can all relate to that.
For those of you not following me elsewhere, I went to D.C. for 5 days. Five.whole.days. My husband is on the AMA delegate committee or something and was having a meeting there. Last year’s was in Hawaii and I didn’t go because I didn’t want to take off work. Yes, I passed up a free trip to Hawaii. I don’t know what I was thinking. No, actually I do know what I was thinking. I was thinking about the sub plans I’d have to write and the mess/piles of papers to grade that I’d come back to. And the parent notes. And the teacher guilt for being gone.
But, my attitude has been different this year. We are people too and we shouldn’t be expected to give our entire lives to our classrooms. I’m allowed to take 3 days off work and the world will go on without me. So, we left last Thursday night and got back late Tuesday. Then I had a dentist appointment, hair cut, and allergy shots to look forward to when I came back. It all seems to hit at once, ya know? We’ll be on the road again this week for Thanksgiving. It’s a whirlwind around here. Check back in January. 😉 {I’m kidding… I hope!}
Until then, If you haven’t been to D.C. and get the chance to go, you should definitely do it. There is so much history there. I mean I got to see the actual Star-Spangled Banner flag people. And monuments. And Smithsonian museums. And the Holocaust Museum. Priceless.
And you know what? My classroom didn’t fall apart. I came back to neat, orderly piles of papers (some were even graded). Did I mention one of the days ended up being a field trip? Yup. I missed a field trip. And it was fine.
My kids were happy to have me back. I received a wrapped up star burst with a tootsie roll along with the sweetest note from one of my kiddos. Because I missed the field trip, she gave me something out of her treat bag. I received another note telling me how I was her favorite teacher because I made her feel safe and our class is like a family, and that family isn’t whole without me. Seriously people. Those kiddos are the reason I keep getting up at the crack of dawn, but at the same time it’s okay that I took a little break.
So there’s my preholiday gift to you… the gift of taking time for yourself and not feeling guilty about it. You’re welcome.
Also, there’s no way I’ll get another post up in time to help you before Thanksgiving. Here’s my throw-back post from last year if you still need ideas. The only new resource I’ve added that isn’t in there is this turkey math craftivity. I’ll get to work on Christmas/winter ideas for you before it’s down to the wire like this. Promise. 😉 Hang in there, friends!
What a great post, Christi! I must admit, I was one of those kind of wondering what had happened to you, but now I see that you were busy with LIFE! Good for you for taking the opportunity to get away – and I loved how you shared that your classroom did not fall apart because of it – it's amazing how things continue on in our absence, isn't it? Anyway, loved your photos, too – thanks for sharing all of them! Best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving!
~Deb
Crafting Connections
Thanks, Deb! I know I hate it when my favorite Bloggers disappear from my reader. I kept telling myself I needed to get over here. 🙂
I think the fact that our classrooms roll so smoothly without us is a testament to the hard work we (students included) have put in.
DC is certainly no Hawaii, but it looks like you had a good time. It's a pretty fun place. Happy Thanksgiving! =)
We went to D.C. over the summer, it's definitely a great trip! I got to go to Hawaii with my husband this summer, but I know there will be many future Hawaii trips that I will have to miss out on too. We aren't able to take all our personal days off together. We can only take one at a time. Glad that you got to go on this trip and I hope you make it to Hawaii some day – it's a trip you'll never forget!
Sara 🙂
The Colorful Apple
I suppose I'd just have to get really sick in order to go if our personal days worked like that. 😉
It's always hard to imagine that….yes, life will still go on at school whether I'm there or not! Thanks for the reminder. I haven't been to D.C. in years. Your pictures are fun from your trip!
Alison
Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'
I just found your blog, and I must say—I'm so jealous! I've always wanted to see the Lincoln Memorial! Was it very tall? I've never been able to figure out the size of the statue. It looks so dignified.
As to your overall message—I have a hard time stepping away, too! It's hard to believe that the world goes on without me when I'm away (or maybe I'm a little *worried* that the world goes on without me when I'm gone…?). Either way, I think it's wonderful you were able to spend some QT and make some memories. That is so important.
Anyway, I will definitely be stopping back. Have a good Thanksgiving!
For some reason I expected the Lincoln Memorial to be life-sized, but it is much larger than life. Standing next to him, him head would have touched the base or so. They also request silence, so the entire place is just moving.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving, Matthew!