We were Benchmarking at work again so the library was closed. Orlie and the other students walked in and he took a seat beside me, ready to tackle his Science test and get some drawing in. I told him I unfortunately couldn’t sit with him for that test that day; this time I would be working on the bulletin boards per Mrs. V.’s request. He was a little upset, but I told him he was in good hands. I let her know about how he needs to distract himself with drawing sometimes so he doesn’t become so overwhelmed.

I laminated the heart die-cuts that were still not laminated and sat and chatted with Elva in her office as we cut the hearts out of the plastic. I’m really going to miss all the girls. They’re all so fun to talk to.

I finished as much of the boards as I could and later, when Karina and Jesus finished their tests they went out to help me. They did the high stapling for me since I didn’t want anyone scolding me for stretching again. When we were done, I started looking through files and putting my stuff in my bag (like my hairspray and lotions and stuff). I had enough time to cut out, laminate and glue the bright pink number cards for the computer center which I hadn’t had a chance to do all year! As I was instructing Saul and Jesus where to glue the cards, Mrs. V. let me know about the field trip the next day. I had no idea I was going with the Book Club to the movies, so that was a nice surprise!

I picked the boys up afterschool and they handed me a very last-minute note about a TAKS meeting and report card night. Grr. I hate that they do that, let us know about stuff at the last minute. So I waited till the last possible moment and got the boys in the car while Mom entertained Alaethia.

The TAKS meeting was about what we should look out for when the kids are doing their TAKS practice homework. Basically, if their passages and math work doesn’t have writing all over it, then they’re not doing their strategies correctly. I’m one of those people who’s extremely anti-TAKS, because they focus so much on stupid, confusing strategies than just getting to the point and showing the kids what the hell to do. It’s seriously more confusing then just doing regular work to get the right answer. Eenan can find the answer himself but has so much trouble trying to correctly assemble his strategies. I think it’s bogus. I do have to admit, though, that the strategy, or game as they called it, that they used to elaborate and be more descriptive with their sentences was pretty darn neat.

The meeting was over and Eenan’s teacher gave me his report card. He got all A’s! I’m so proud of him. And even after the whole perfect-attendance-field-trip fiasco, they still did give him perfect attendance. Good. Or I would have raised hell again—crying, or no crying.

The 4th grade classes are having fundraisers to visit the aquarium in Corpus. We have the pleasure of selling 51 different types of candy. The good thing is they’re candies people actually want to eat, like Snickers, M&Ms, and Skittles.

Jaylen’s teacher had nothing but good things to say about him, too. He’s reading anywhere from 1st to 4th grade reading level and he actually comprehends, so that’s great :). That’s what I love about his teacher; she doesn’t hold them back, regardless of the “rules” of the program.

He’d also be having a fundraiser, but they didn’t know what it was yet. I told myself last year, after they lost his whole packet with $174 or so in it (and didn’t believe ME when I went to complain about it) that I wasn’t going to sell crap from those booklets if that’s what it was. We’ll see.

Mario had just gotten home when I arrived with the boys. We all picked at left-overs at Mary’s and then Yadira and the kids got there and everyone started working on the candy bags for Alaethia’s and Angela’s party. I felt awful leaving them but Mary said it was fine and shooed Mario and I away. The kiddos all stayed with the in-laws while Mario and I went to Scent Chips and then Target. I wanted to get Mrs. V. and Mrs. Ruiz something nice and found some cute angels at Scent Chips. We went next door to Claire’s where we found a Jonas Brothers tote bag for Angela for her birthday. Then we went to Target where our first stop was nail polishes for Angela (she had actually told us that’s all she wanted) and went on to the stationery I picked out some thank-you cards for the baby shower and tried finding the perfect card for each Mrs. V and Mrs. Ruiz. It wasn’t easy, let me tell you. Mario had been doing wonderfully till I started taking long at the cards. I decided to start making up my mind when he said, “I’ll be in electronics,” which means he’s pissed and he’s probably going to wait in the car LOL.

I went to bed that night feeling bittersweet about my last day of work the next day. I even prayed that I’d keep my composure and not cry throughout the day.

Tues. Jan 20th – I don’t remember much from this day, oddly enough. It was probably another hectic day in the morning, downtime from 10-11, lunch at 11:30 and organizing the rest of the day.

I know for sure I didn’t want to go anywhere that evening. Mrs. Ruiz had brought me a huge bag-full of grapefruits from her trees at home a few days before and I had every intention of eating/using them. I decided I wanted grapefruit pie that night and I made it with Mario’s help. I hate making it because peeling the grapefruits is so tedious and it takes forever. I’d only made it once before this and I wasn’t too happy with the results at that time. As we were peeling the fruits Alaethia kept running over to us like a little puppy, opening her mouth for some grapefruit and running back to her room. She loved it. If all she could eat is fruit all day she’d be such a happy baby.

When the pies were done I stuck them in the fridge to cool. It was torture knowing I’d have to wait till lunchtime the next day to eat a piece. I’d be leaving one at home and taking one to work.

Wed. Jan 21st – I knew we’d be Benchmarking that day but I had no idea we’d be closing the library and testing kids there. We had a total of 3. Mrs. V. asked me to finish up the bulletin boards, and I really felt a sense of panic because Friday would be my last day and the bulletin boards were still not done. It’s not really like I could have done much anyway during the previous two weeks since I was busy with the usual every-day work, but still. I happily took my packs of construction paper to the copy room and got started using the die-cut machine. Mrs. V. called me from the copy room about 15 minutes later and asked me to sit with one of the kids testing in the library. I said sure. The cool thing was I could read while the student was testing and I actually got a bit further with my Twilight book.

The student I’d be sitting with was Orlie, one of my kids who usually came to visit me at the library. Or should I say who’d try to skip at the library LOL. He wanted to go at a faster pace than the other two students so he wanted to be separate. He reminds me a lot of Eenan. Eenan has to get distracted for a little bit with drawing or talking because he gets bored, or else he’ll become disruptive. So I let Orlie have some breaks and draw and then get back to work. He did my last name in these awesome graffiti letters and I laminated it. I kept all his drawings from that day, to remember him. He used to drive me nuts since last year—he never did what he was told and would roll his eyes or just plain ignore me when given a directive. He made a complete 360 from last year. He actually asked me not to leave, aww.

Since the library was already closed Mrs. V., Mrs. Ruiz and I all ate lunch together. We ate with the dance teacher, nurse, and a substitute. I offered everyone some of the grapefruit pie and they all loved it. I promised I’d type up some recipes and hand them out the next day.

The social committee had a baby shower after school for Mrs. Saenz and me. There were so many co-workers who couldn’t make it because they had afterschool activities, but they promised to get me a gift. I felt so odd and humbled at the same time. I wish they’d gotten a chance to actually be there and just have fun and not worried about gifts. They got to play 3 games and we ate and just talked about the babies and pregnancies. Mr. Dennett stopped by when everything was over and he, Mrs. V. and Mrs. Duty all stood around talking. Eric, one of our students, showed up later and helped Mrs. V. and I take things to the library and he took some cake with him to his guitar class. When I got home I opened my gifts and found out Mrs. Ruiz had given us a very generous gift! I couldn’t believe it; I even called to ask her if she’d maybe made a mistake! Of course she said she didn’t. I couldn’t believe how generous everyone was. We’re truly blessed to know such amazing people.

I didn’t sleep more than 4 hours Sunday night thanks to Alaethia. I had tons of books to check-in even though the library was closed after 8:45 when I was absent Friday. Mrs. V. closed the library since she had interviews that day. She had two more interviews that day and I got to meet both candidates. One of them was a woman who wanted to volunteer at the beginning of the year but for some reason it never worked out.

The internet was so slow that day. I don’t know why it still surprises me anymore. Mrs. Ruiz was there that day so we got to talk all day long. The day passes by much faster when she’s there.

I had a doctor’s appointment that afternoon. I was actually supposed to have it on Wednesday but since I’d already missed Monday and Friday of the previous week I felt guilty taking another day. I still had about 3 more days to use up but oh well.

Everything was good. I weighed 140.4, which is great. I got to see Emily’s beautiful little hand wave at me. It was a quick appointment. They’ll be seeing me once a week after my appointment on Feb. 2nd.

Jaylen had been begging to go over to Aaron’s to play, so his mom and I set a play date for that afternoon. I dropped Jaylen off and then Mary and I picked up Church’s. We ate and then I went to Target with Mom while Mario watched the kiddos. The social committee at work was having a baby shower in honor of Mrs. Saenz and me so I wanted to go to Target to get a few more deals. I was shocked by how much beautiful new stuff was on the shelves that wasn’t there yesterday! Mom got Emily a bunch of stuff.

Jaylen was dropped off with Mario before I got home. They’d gone to a party but he and Aaron still got to play Playstation for a little while.

Eenan kept calling the whole time I was at Target to ask if I’d bought his book yet. He’d been waiting for Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw for months now. I’m glad he’s excited about a book.

I started making chili for our lunch tomorrow. Alaethia’d fallen asleep since 8:20. Grr. I hope I get to sleep tonight!