Out came the sun and dried up all the rain...

This title is both homage to "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and the introduction to a very lovely story about a spider who made its way in to my classroom.

An eight legged friend (approximately the size of a loonie - and then add legs to that) was crawling under a table in our room and after stepping on it, I figured the excitement was over and we could get back to math. Minutes later, I had a student call out my name during the lesson, to which I of course answered, "Put your hand up if you have something to say!" I waited a bit of time before answering her, but when I did, dear Alexia proceeded to tell me that the spider was being dismembered by an army of ANTS. Not only that, but one of the legs had be carried halfway across the room by ten or so of the fast, evil little buggers! My solution was of course to spray both crime scenes with aerosol disinfectant spray (killed them all) and give the kid who swept up the subsequent mess a sticker. Ahh, to be seven and touch so many dead bugs for a sticker! Thanks to little Lerotisha who took one for the team and tidied up the bug situation.

Aside from insect and spider incidents, most of my days are smoothing out one at a time, and the kids are (finally) calming down and realizing I mean business - nobody gets away with much in Miss Bowers' class that's for sure! Despite my intolerance for tomfoolery, I still get love notes and hugs from my students who are happy to see me and sorry I was off sick (with a mean virus!) for two days last week.

We sneaked into a resort nearby this past Saturday to use their lovely beach equipment and lounge chairs. Drinks were not free, but we managed to overtake a big ocean floaty device that left us all relaxed and sun burnt after four plus hours in the Caribbean sun! Don't get too jealous: today on the way home from work I got trapped in a downpour that left me soaked and muddy (bad day to wear a white skirt!) and its currently still raining cats and dogs.

I'm off to watch Jeopardy!
Miss you all!