So about those 24 kids

I had three separate people at three separate times today stop me and tell me about my class. (Not in a good way.) They all patted me on the back and said, "I am praying for you. You have quite the class this year."
I was actually feeling much better about mt kids the last two days. They are finally starting to get the idea that I mean business. I carry a stop watch around my neck ALL THE TIME. Every time they start to talk over me (which they did from the first minute of school, I simply lift the stop watch in the air and press the button. The beep is quite a soft noise, although sharp, like a cricket across the room and under the couch. It is amazing. Those fifth graders can't seem to hear my voice telling them to be quiet but they sure do hear that beep. Suddenly they are shushing each other.

When afternoon break comes around, whatever time has accrued on the timer they spend working instead of outside playing.

It's working so far. We'll see how long it lasts.

I'm headed up to Boulder this weekend with Shauna. We're going the spend a few hours in the national forest, go to some singles BBQ, then stay the night with a friend of Shauna's who, apparently, lives in a house in the side of a mountain. I was not really looking forward to it at first, but now I am quite excited. Although, right now, it means I better get off the computer and finish grading all my papers so I am not up at 3:00 AM Monday morning getting ready for school.

I love you all tons and miss you.

LaDale

P.S. Fall is beginning to wrap it's arms around my fair city and I come alive!!!!!