From My Pumpkins

Happy Halloween!

from Charlie!

from Toby!

I am not one to dress up my animals, but the other weekend while I was in the vet's office I noticed that they were having a little costume party on Halloween. I wasn't seriously considering getting them an outfit, but when I came across this little pumpkin hat thing I couldn't resist! I'm sure that Charlie and Toby wish I had tried just a little bit harder.

Their little faces probably don't convey it, but we wish y'all plenty of treats and absolutely no tricks!

Something Fun

I finally got into the new building and was able to see my classroom. Yep, I did take pictures, but that is a whole post in and of itself so I'll save it for tomorrow. Anyway, since we weren't able to actually do any work in our rooms, we got to leave early. I decided to kill a little time at Garden Ridge. I try not to go too often as I usually find more that I want than I really need. Well, as I turned the corner I ran into this couple.

I'm guessing they are for die hard Halloween fans huh? The bride even speaks...says something about how this is the happiest day of her...death. Seriously!

Yesterday was Toby's first day (and I mean full day...6:30AM till 5:00PM) at home alone. When I got home he was really wound up and ready for some attention. I loved on him and played with his favorite teaser wand for about 45 minutes. He finally wore down so I thought it might be safe to come and get on the computer. Have I mentioned that Toby doesn't like when my attention is directed at the computer?

Now I know some of you might say it was probably his picture he didn't want to have taken, but I know deep down in his little self he hates having to share my attention. Still...ain't he handsome!? I look at this (and of course others) picture and realize that his kitten looking days are coming to an end. He's lost that fluff ball look. Now, he looks catish.

Happy Halloween

One of my sweet kids brought me a little jack-o-lantern today for Halloween! Her parents had drawn a face on an orange for me and written Happy Halloween Ms. Stewart on the back. I thanked her for the cute jack-o-lantern and she quickly informed me that it was really just an orange. What a cute idea and it totally made my day! Gotta love sweet "homemade" gifts from kids!

Today was a half day staff development day. The kids went home at noon and the teachers went to a meeting. I know this is going to sound like a rant (and maybe it is just a little bit) but just bear with me. As a teacher, I'm already over-whelmed by all the paperwork that comes with teaching. There are so many things to do and assessments to give. I already feel that sometimes all that assessing gets in the way of actual teaching. Anyway, today more work was dumped in our laps. One teacher looked at me and said, "Is it too late to change careers?" I'm sure she was joking, but seriously...how many straws before the camel breaks?

All that said to just say that those sweet and thoughtful (and almost always simple) gifts from kids really brighten the days. I'd like to say I treasured it. Well, I did...right up until lunch. Tastiest jack-o-lantern I've ever eaten!

Hope everyone's Halloween is full of more treats than tricks!