When is school out for break in this state?

*Note: It has been awhile since I’ve made a post. Lawyerboy and I built a house! Not with our two-hands, but with a lot of our ideas! Even though moving went very smoothly, I just haven’t felt like writing. I am back and will continue more on the first year of being a One L’s wife. 🙂

While Lawyerboy was playing video games, I was headed into what I thought was my last week of subbing before Christmas. I was once again really stressing out about money with Christmas drawing so near. I knew Lawyerboy and I didn’t have to buy gifts for anyone, but I simply love shopping, especially for others. It is so fun to think about what someone would need or want that they haven’t or wouldn’t get themselves. I usually had shopping fine by now. My life doesn’t have the structure it once did, and I didn’t go to any stores other than Super Target, and I never spent a single cent there while at work. So, I was once again relieved to get called to sub the whole week. Luckily, four of the five days were at Hope and for the last three days of the week, I was the same teacher! I taught the fourth graders. They are so sweet and calm. We did a lot of holiday math sheets, games, and activities. We also watched “Polar Express” on the last day before Winter Break. They called it this since not everyone celebrates Christmas. So many students brought me candy and cards. Some even gave me gifts and one family brought in homemade egg rolls! I normally am very careful about eating food from someone who I don’t know really well, but with these I wasn’t concerned. Lawyerboy and I had some before I went to Target. They were super good!

I spent the weekend working at Super Target. It was super busy. Lawyerboy and I were planning on doing our shopping on Monday the 22. I was so looking forward to a couple of days off during the day before having to work at Target. I wanted to Christmas shop, wrap gifts, and maybe whip up a batch of Rice Krispie bars, an easy sweet treat that takes only a few minutes. However, that isn’t how it worked out. I once again found myself without the time to make a single thing!

On Monday morning, bright and early, I got called to teach! I couldn’t believe it. It was a position at the first school I taught. It was not a good experience, but I wanted to give it another chance. Lawyerboy told me not to, but we need the money.

When I first got there, I walked across the corner of a big carpet in the center of an open room. Suddenly a teacher was yelling at me to stay off because it was the prayer carpet. I completely forgot and I immediately apologized. I truly felt bad. It isn’t an excuse, but I am naive to cultures and I need to be more aware and respectful!

I was reading the teacher’s notes when another teacher came in and forewarned me about the kids and to tell me that they’ve had a different sub each day. That gave me a funny feeling. A few minutes later, the assistant principal came in and asked if I would switch places and be a different teacher. “Sure! Where would you like me?” He told me he wanted me to teach ELL which is smaller groups and thought I would prefer it. He took me to the teachers room and the teacher was still in there. The teacher was confused as to why I was taking his job. I didn’t realize he was here and so I was just as confused! I did his job for part of the morning, then I had to go back to assist the third grade class I taught my very first day here a few months back! Nothing has changed! They are out of control and the teacher uses a whistle!!! I spent the afternoon doing one-on-one with students. This was much better! One girl told me that they had school again tomorrow. I am thinking I will get called again since some teachers are on their break already. Not sure when I am going to shop, wrap gifts, and pack!

I got home and related my time to Lawyerboy. Then, it was time to head to work at Target. I guess I may have to send Lawyerboy to do the shopping and I just might even ask him to make Rice Krispie Bars! They are easy and almost every household has made them multiple times. They are great plain, but once in a while, add some chocolate!

Rice Krispie Bars with Mini M&Ms

1/4 cup butter

1 bag mini marshmallows

6 cups Rice Krispies

1 cup mini M&Ms

*You can make these on the stove top or in a microwave. I am normally partial to the stove top, but with these, I have found that they mix better once heated in the microwave.

In a large glass bowl, add butter and marshmallows and toss with a spatula. Melt for 55 seconds. Stir. This is usually enough, but if they aren’t melted all the way through, heat a bit longer. Add the cereal and mix thoroughly with a spatula. Give them a couple of minutes to cool. I then butter a pan. If you want more bars, but thinner, use a 9 X 13 pan. If you’d like thicker bars and not as many, us a 9 X 9. I like a 9 X 9 since it is just Lawyerboy and myself! Now add the mini M&Ms and mix in. Pour into the pan and spread evenly. They are ready to be enjoyed immediately! *If you add the M&Ms right away, they melt.