Back to work

I realize summer isn't officially over yet, but I miss it! Since I've been back to work I feel like I haven't had time to stop and breathe, let alone do much cooking or crafting! Work is crazy. I'm pushing a shopping cart from classroom to classroom to provide library time to my students and it has made planning much harder. Doesn't make sense to teach library skills when you're not in a library so instead I've been putting on storytime "dog and pony shows" for the little ones, reading chapter books with the third grade, my fourth graders will be doing a fairy/folk tale unit starting this week and then there's the fifth grade drama classes(if you only knew). I thought I'd be doing more read alouds of chapter books while we under construction, but my voice can't take it. At least with a storytime session, I can stop to sing or chant or do something silly with a puppet that isn't as straining on the voice as constant reading. Though I do love to read aloud. Anyhow, coming up with all that stuff has been rough, but the nice shiny new media center that will be the end result makes it worthwhile and the kids seem to enjoy my storytime sessions, so I really shouldn't complain.

On the craft front...I've made an apron for Jackie and a purse for Mom. I also started on a new apron last night...this particular apron, I've decided, is the devil. Not done with it yet. I also have an array of projects that I'd love to start working on. Mostly toys, but I did buy some fabric and patterns to try out a blouse and some pants. We'll see how long it takes me to get brave enough to try them! Here's a look at Jack's apron and Mom's purse. Not entire sure I like the purse pattern...it turned out cute enough, but working with the interfacing was a pain in the neck.