Putting the Pieces, Together

I'm going green this year by writing my newsletter online. It's been a rollercoaster year for all of us. But as my best friend told me, we don't grow where we're comfortable. The year started out with Kurt and I officially and formally separating. There had been issues for several years and after much thought and careful consideration, it seemed that it was best to go our separate ways. It has been an adjustment in many ways but it has truly been the best decision for everyone. Hopefully, everything will be final before the new year.

Emma finished preschool this year and started kindergarten in the fall. She LOVES school and has been tremendously successful. We're still getting used to having homework - whatever happened to Play-Doh and the Letter People? - be she loves her little friends and her teacher, Mrs. Etter. Emma has definitely become Ms. Congeniality and makes friends wherever she goes. She is reading now and loves reading to me and Annie at night. I got to go on her first field trip to the apple orchard and decided that kindergarten is where it's at! Emma is still dancing and loves it. She loves her little sister although sibling rivalry has moved in.

Annie is now 2 1/2 going on 22. She has grown so much over the past year - she's not that much shorter than Emma. Annie is a ham. She loves to sing and dance and to make everyone laugh. Her favorite Christmas song is "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer." She runs around the house singing, "...now the goose is on the table..." She has an accent and it fluctuates between a mix of southern-Boston-Australian. It's hilarious, though, and suits her little personality. Where Emma is very cognizant of doing things properly, Annie couldn't care less. Annie's also very fond of the phrase, "I DO IT MYSELF!" My little peanut, Annie, is the one who will give me gray hair. If something happened around the house, chances are Annie did it and will claim responsibility with a smile.

I am back for my 13th year of teaching and am still at Snider. I love my job, my school and my kids, but the people making decisions about public schools are making jobs very difficult for those who have to carry out those decisions. Nonetheless, I still love it. I had a wonderful student teacher in the fall who was a former Snider student of mine - it made me feel mature. I am back in the classroom now and am loving sharing wonderful stories with my kids. I have 187 students between three classes of sophomores and three classes of seniors. After having freshman for so long, it's nice to have seniors and be able to discuss what we're reading. I'm working on my licenses for integrated social studies (world history, US history, government, economics, and, geography) and library media specialist. I'll be taking my tests in the spring so wish me luck.

I began the year feeling like I'd never be able to stand firmly on my own two feet. As the year comes to a close, despite set-backs, catastrophes, and unimaginable frustrations, I've never felt more solid on my feet or more clear about my direction. I've found my friends and family indispensable this year. I hope you are surrounded by the same kind of wonderful people we'll share our holiday with. May 2011 bring you hope and happiness.

Much love,

Heather, Emma, Annie, Noah & Sadie