A relaxing weekend

We had a volleyball game on Thursday against Tippit MS, and although it went down in the books as a win, we certainly did not play our best.  There were some bad plays, bad calls, and general unenthusiastic playing from my kids.  I think the biggest factor, though, was the fact that it was our first home game and the BOYS were there to watch!!!  My puberty-stricken, boy-crazy, hormone-filled 8th grade girls just could not handle it.  They were giggly and distracted the whole time...  We had a conversation on Friday during practice about it, which was pretty funny.  I believe at one point someone said, (and I quote) "But Ms. Kinley, don't you have a boyfriend?"  I said yes, and reminded them that when he came to watch the tournament, I didn't stand there and giggle at him the whole time.  I coached when I needed to and paid attention to him in between games!  That made them think a little bit....   :-)

And, some sad news...I just found out that several of my players are failing their classes, which means they are out for three weeks.  This is a huge bummer.  I have been stressing all week and not sleeping because I have been so worried about them passing their tests this week and hopefully getting up to passing their classes. Luckily, the three girls that I have are passing for the six weeks, so I don't have to worry about them anymore.  But the others are in trouble, and I have already set up a plan to get them passing by the next three weeks so they can play with us again!

By the time Saturday rolled around, this sleep-deprived, stressed-to-the-max teacher just couldn't handle it anymore.  I went to Starbucks Saturday morning and stayed there all day, drinking coffee, reading, and grading tests.  It was the most relaxing day ever.  I am completely sunburned, but it was worth it.  I finished grading for the weekend, and I started (and finished) the 500 page book I needed to read for my book club.  It was a good, relaxing, peaceful day.  And now it's Sunday and I have errands to run and other things to do, but I now have the time to do it!  And, I have decided to take this coming Friday off for a "mental health day" and spend some time just focusing on me and relaxing a little more.  This first six weeks of school has been more work than I expected it to be!  But I made it, and things will be better soon.  Most of my students are passing now (all but four), and the next six weeks is starting tomorrow.  

Six weeks down, 30 more to go!