Random Tuesday

In which I ramble on about nothing in particular, but you're used to that by now. Random is what I do when I lack the energy and/or creativity to write an entire post about one topic. Or when I'm so tired I even bore myself to tears. So, here goes...

Aaron started the morning off yesterday by throwing up. I looked at him and said, "Seriously? You've had seventeen days off and you decide to get sick today? The day before TCAPs?" Yes, I'm nothing if not compassionate. Thank goodness we're so close to my Mom now. She took him to the doctor just to rule out strep throat (so he won't miss testing or infect his entire class). They said his ears were full of wax build-up. Again. Really? Seriously? Mom said it looked like two giant cockroaches had crawled up in his ears and died. They couldn't even irrigate it all out--they had to use tools and stuff to reach up in there and get it out.

And it hurt. And he cried. And I was at work.

Could you please pull that knife out of my heart? I don't think I can say enough how glad I am that we live close to my mom now, but I'm still sad when someone other than me has to take care of them while I work. I'm used to being the stay-at-home mom, not a full-time teacher.

We don't know how to prevent this from happening yet again, but it at least explains the nausea. We went swimming Friday night at the hotel...

Digression: Oops, I forgot to tell you that we took a spur-of-the-moment trip to Chattanooga Friday and Saturday. Look, I don't tell you everything, guys. Anyway, Dan had business down there so we tagged along. The kids swam (I napped and avoided having to wear a bathing suit), we spent the night, and then we did the aquarium and IMAX thing and came home in time for church the next morning. No biggie.

So anyway, the swimming probably caused the nausea because water was trapped behind all the wax in his ears. Saturday at the aquarium he complained about a headache and dizziness, but he was fine Sunday. Then threw up Monday morning. Aren't ears weird? He was back at school today, no worse for the wear.

As I mentioned, TCAPs started this morning, which means I have three more days of misery. I'd rather TAKE the test myself than stand by helplessly reading over my pumpkins' shoulders as they struggle through the tests. I hate when I can see that they've answered something incorrectly and I'm powerless to change it. But I'm SO PROUD when I see them using the test-taking strategies that I've taught them all year: reading the questions first, then going back to read the passage so that they know what to look for as they read; eliminating answer choices they know are wrong so they have a better chance if they have to guess, taking deep breaths in through their noses and blowing out slowly through their mouths. (Yes, I totally do yoga with my kids. Your point was?) Since I'm not a big fan of straight rows and totally silent classrooms, I'm just trying to get through the rest of the week. I did my job (and I did it well, if I do say so myself) all year; now it's up to them. I love this class and I know they'll do an awesome job.

I survived Pilates again last night, but it's so hard. I was thinking very un-Christian thoughts about the itty-bitty, teeny-tiny little instructor on the video tape. I don't think she eats food.

Ever.

I, on the other hand, eat enough for both her and myself. I brought my class doughnuts today (with a little note that said, "Donut you know you're going to do great on the TCAP?!" because,yes, I am that cheesy) and I had to sample them first, of course. Here's what's sad--I don't even like powdered doughnuts, but I ate them anyway. I ran/walked on the treadmill when I got home tonight to make up for it. Well, it probably only made up for ONE doughnut, but it's a start, right? I also walked the dog about two miles, but that doesn't count because she's slow and it was broken up into two different walks.

Kate Gosselin is finally going home, thank goodness. Tony showed some class and said very nice things about her at the end, but you know he was relieved that he doesn't have to work with her any more. As much as I cannot stand Pamela Anderson, she has danced well the last two weeks. It pains me to admit that, but she's pretty good. I still think she's disgustingly trampy, but it gets ratings. I'm ready for Jake to go home next because anything associated with The Bachelor is just icky.

I found out tonight that someone from my new church (hi, Loren) is reading the blog, so I have to try to be on my best behavior. We'll see how long that lasts. I'm excited about working with children's ministry on Wednesday nights this summer! YAY!

Now I need to go to bed so I can get up early and walk in quiet, boring, seemingly endless circles around the room tomorrow, observing and monitoring my students while they take the Math TCAP test. Ugh. Friday can't get here soon enough.