Another school year done

Kate finished grade 3, Alice grade 1 and Fiona JK. I finished year what? I started teaching for the board in 2000, I had one complete school year off, and three calendar years off on top of that, but always part of a school year...

I don't know why this year felt different. I'm not sure why I felt more exasperated, more tired, more fed up, more disillusioned, but I did. This year was a hard year. There were so many amazing moments, so much to be thankful for, but I had to fight to feel happy more than I remember in years past.

I know the drive was hard. Not every day, but generally it added up, and I was really done by the end of the year. I listened to some fantastic books - but it was long.

Most of my classes were great, some made some real progress as classes, but others were tough all year and I was so done with them by the end. So done with the disrespect.

Transfers... in theory I really want to be closer to home, but the thought of leaving my school and starting over again is a little terrifying. That being said, I did apply for three or four - music positions in my board in Markham. I had two interviews lined up, but neither of them ever happened.

The first interview was cancelled because the board had to place a surplus teacher. Someone messed up because the transfer process was closed for a month to place surplus teachers. The second interview was cancelled because the music teacher that was supposed to be leaving changed his mind. My principal was really upset. He was really trying to help me get closer to home, but it just didn't happen. I was calm because I love my school, but I did have a few tearful moments. There were days that I just didn't think that I could keep doing this job, and then when there was really no chance of my leaving this year - I had to have a night to cry and come to terms with it. But in talking to colleagues, I just know, that this isn't about me, there is a plan for my life. My Heavenly Father knows what is best. It will work out the way it is supposed to work out, when it is supposed to work out. That and my principal said that he'd put me on Administrative Transfer next year to get me east, so I think next year will be my last at Blue Willow. I think...

I do love teaching music, I received so many lovely notes of gratitude from students and parents. The notes are such a lovely way to end the year, and really remind me why I do what I do. I love my school, my community, and my job. I am grateful. I need to figure out what to do differently next year, because I do need to do some things differently. And I'm grateful for the summer to think about those things.

Grade Eight Graduation: The music award winner - Yvonne. Dineshree, Jodi and I. The lunch crew - Sia, Emily, Tamilini, Jersey, Shuruktiga, and Me. And the dancing.

Fiona's Birthday Experience

Fiona chose a family outing instead of a party. She wanted to go to a fair. (Specifically the Beeton fall fair with Amelie and Marisol - so cute!) I have known about Woodbine Mall and Fantasy Fair for years, and we've always meant to go, but until today we'd never gone.

It's pretty cute. The store fronts that open onto the fair are really cute, I don't think I got a photo, but the area is fun. The place seems a little dirty/dusty in places - showing its age, but generally things seemed in good repair and looked cute. We bought a family pass - one adult and three kids and away we went.

The first "ride" was a giant play area. Alice didn't want to go, there might have been a few tears. So Alice and I went to stand in line for the Ferris Wheel, which turned into a ride for Alice, Kate and Fiona. Is was kind of cool. The Ferris Wheel went down to the first floor where there was this little jungle scene. I ran down on the escalator to get a cute photo.

Then it was the balloons, the "roller" coaster, the train, the carousel, the airplanes, the baskets, and then this air hopper thing that made Alice and Fiona cry.

And then it was time for the thing that I think Fiona wanted more than the rides... COTTON CANDY!

I think Fiona enjoyed her birthday outing... I think?! Anyway, next it was off to the Grandparents to celebrate with them. We had hot dogs - Fiona's request and pizza, and finished the celebration with cupcakes. Fiona was ecstactic to receive her birthday money.

I had to take a pic of Grandma waving goodbye. She always goes out the balcony to wave goodbye. I think Fiona has had a pretty great birthday - and she's still got birthday money to spend!

Fiona Birthday Fun

Last night Fiona and I went to the Party Store. She wanted to give her class loot bags. Holy expensive batman! Then we went to Mastermind at the mall and she picked out her birthday presents. She picked out some Playmobil. Kate has a bunch and Fiona's been talking for a while about getting some.

Today was a fun day for more than just Fiona. I was asked to come out to Enrichment Band Camp in Schomberg and do a flute sectional rehearsal. I was looking forward to a fun day away from school, and to sleep in just a little. Well wouldn't you know that Fiona came in bright and early, before my alarm, asking if she could open her present. And being the awesome Mom that I am I sent Alice with my phone to capture the moment where Fiona opened her presents that she had picked out the night before!

I was happy that Alice got one really cute pic of Fiona and her presents! After school I came early because I had been at the Band Camp and was done at 2:30 up in Schomberg. I had a really fun day, and the place was gorgeous!

 Fiona was not impressed that I was there early and was going to have a melt down when I suggested we go buy a treat, and then she was happy again!

Fiona had specifically asked for waffles for dinner, and Ken was going to come home early and make waffles, but Kate had not been feeling well, so he had picked her up early, and started making dinner when we got home! Ken made waffles and sausage and Fiona seemed to cling - tenuously to her sanity.

Alice was a little jealous of Fiona tonight, which is par for the course on a birth-day. Someone is always grumpy - and it's often the birthday girl! Fiona had agreed that she wanted the sugar cookies that Auntie Michelle had brought to be her birthday treat on her birthday. So we sang to her as Daddy brought out a sugar cookie with a candle.

We asked the birthday questions, and then the girls decided to watch something together. It didn't surprise me that when Grandma phoned around 7 to wish Fiona a happy birthday, this is what I found!

She'd woken up so early in the morning and she'd gone to bed late the night before. My little (big) five year old didn't even stay awake until bedtime!

Oh my goodness Fiona. What to say? I couldn't imagine your fun, sweet, fiesty spirit not being in our family. I love it when you giggle, I love it when you cuddle, I love it when you get along with your sisters, I love it when you read, I love it when you write words, I love it when you pray. You've grown so much this year. You're so ready to be an SK next year, but I'm glad you'll still crawl in my lap and give me cuddles. Happy Birthday Fiona! We love you!