2012... So far.

I must say that so far, 2012 has been a decent year.  We're 7 days into the new year and I really don't have too many complaints so far.

I was able to ring in the new year with some good friends.  One of my besties that moved away a few months ago came back into town for the week between Christmas and New Years, so it was really great to get to spend time with him during my time off.  I went back to work Tuesday for an inservice and then worked with the kids a whole day and a half!  I ended up getting sent to a last minute assessment meeting on Thursday and then took yesterday off because I have another good friend in town this weekend!  I was feeling a little under the weather yesterday, so it worked out well for me to have the day off and have the flexibility to sleep a few extra hours.  We enjoyed a day of going out to lunch, shopping, and then I hosted a Cotton Bowl watching party.  Unfortunately, the football game didn't quite turn out the way I wanted.  I still love my K-State Wildcats,  though, and I am already anxiously awaiting the next season of college football!

Speaking of shopping, you would all be so proud...  I'm 7 days into the new year and I have so far resisted some of the tempting sales that have surrounded me.  I'm trying to stick with this wish list thing and save any extra income (babysitting, eBates cash back, random part-time work) on non-necessities.  January is my birthday month and I do have some good birthday coupons that I may have to let myself use, but I'm hoping maybe for some birthday money to go along with those coupons!

I'd say the worst thing about 2012 so far is the state assessments that are looming on the horizon.  That seems to have been the only topic of discussion brought up at school in the days since we've returned.  Here's the thing about my school...  We're consistently one of the top scoring schools in our state.  Yes, in the whole state.  It's really nice to be in such a high-achieving school, but we have a lot of pressure to continue to do well.  With a new principal and several new teachers this year the pressure is really on to maintain these super high standards.

I'm hoping to have some time soon to talk about state assessment prep and share some ideas of things that we do in my building to help prepare our students.  Third grade is the first year our kids are tested, so we do a lot to help the kids just learn good test taking skills that they will need for the rest of their test taking lives.  But, that's a whole 'nother post and I've got a sushi lunch date I need to get ready for!

Anyway, hopefully 2012 will continue to be a decent year.  I'm hopeful for things to come...  I hope everyone out there in blog world has had a good start to the year as well!  Talk to you all again soon!