Visiting Shaw

After we left New York, we were able to spend 4 days in Cincinnati with our families. Since moving away, I cherish that time with our families even more than before. I was so glad that we could enjoy family dinners, playing with Gavin, and lounging around the house for a few days.

On Wednesday, we headed north for a few hours so I could visit Shaw. You have no idea how much I was looking forward to that visit! I couldn't wait to see my old students, coworkers and friends. Being there in the halls felt like I'd never been gone. It felt so normal to be there, heading to room 12 (which changed numbers the last year I was there, but I can't remember to what....). I even glanced down to see if I had mail in my mailbox while chatting with Karen in the office. So strange!

Gavin loved being there, too. The big kids in the halls didn't phase him at all. He just made himself at home in every class we visited. He was extremely excited to find Henry hidden among Mrs. Howard's recess toys. She was even nice enough to let him keep it! (And believe me....he loves it! We even had to turn around one day and come back to get Henry after we'd left because he was crying in the car saying, "Henry, where are you?") My favorite pictures, though, are from Mrs. See's room. Gavin found an empty chair and climbed right up. When Sara announced that they were going to watch a movie, he got all excited thinking it was Elmo. Wrong, Gavin....you're going to watch 'Children of the World: Puerto Rico' with the second graders! :)

He quickly got bored and started looking through the desk for things to do.

I had a great time....I just wish I could have stayed longer and visited more friends in Dayton. But, our time was limited, and we had to get back to dinner with the family. Hopefully we'll all see each other again real soon.

So sweet...

So, 4 years ago, I was lucky enough to be Jesse's teacher. He was this adorable little boy that was so lovey and sensitive. Every morning, I would greet the kids with an H - a hug, high five, or a handshake. Most of the girls gave hugs, the boys high fives... Not Jesse. I always got a hug from Jesse. Sometimes in the middle of my lessons...he'd just come right up and hug me while I was teaching. The came to be known by the other kids as my Jesse-hugs. Well, as the years went by and Jesse went from 1st to 2nd and so on, I still got my Jesse-hugs. He'd stop by in the mornings and give me a hug, and say "Have a good day, Ms. Pate!"

When time came for me to break the news to the kids that I was moving, I knew I had to let Jesse know I was moving. I gave him my email and address so he could write me, but he immediately asked how he was going to be able to give me my Jesse-hug each morning. We smiled and said we'd figure it out somehow.

Well, look at what I got in the mail. I'd received a letter from Jesse once already, but I was surprised to see a small package in my mailbox. Inside was the cutest magnet ever. He figured out how to give me my Jesse-hug! :)

First day of school at Shaw

I'm thinking about you guys! Miss you! Hope the school year gets off to a great start. :)

Great friends are hard to find

...but I always seem to find them! I remember leaving Toledo thinking, "I'll never meet friends as great as Angie, Heidi, and Lauren." I love those girls so much and I still look forward to any chance we can all get together. But I must say, I feel so lucky to have met so many more great friends here in Dayton, especially Lindsay, Sara, and Tori. They have been more than supportive since Jarrod's been gone, and I can't even imagine what it would have been like to be a single mom without them! Here are some pictures from the going away party that we had at Marion's for Tracy and me. Tracy is also leaving Shaw and moving to a new place with her family.

With Laura

Sara, Tori and me
Me and Sara

Lynne, Kristen and me

Lindsay, Tori and me with the babies

Gavin, Carson, and Zoe

These are pictures from my last day as a Shaw School employee. Our teacher work day was Monday, and I took lots of pictures of the girls and me, and the phenomenal people I work with. I'm going to miss them all, but I am so excited to start the new chapter in my life with my family back together again!

Tori, Sara, me and Lindsay with the Sebastian the Shaw Tiger :)
My new favorite picture...Love you girls!

With Theresa - where would I be without her wisdom and words of encouragement? I appreciate everything you've said and done, Theresa. Thank you!!!

The Jens ~ looking much skinnier than the last time we had a picture taken together. I'll always remember our pregnant walks, Jen. Thanks for being a great friend and for being such a support during our pregnancies and motherhood. Give Andrew a hug for me!

Lynne - where would I be without this woman??? She saved me so many times, through maternity leave to my stint as a single mom. What a wonderful friend and teacher! You need to hire her, Beavercreek City Schools! You don't know what you're missing out on! :)

Of course, the Shaw family and I are going to stay in touch! I'll be sending them updates and links to the blog frequently, and I'm sure I'll be by to visit on trips home. It was quite strange turning in my key Monday and leaving for the very last time as a Shaw 1st grade teacher...but guess what? I'm a STAY AT HOME MOM! I get to enjoy every last minute with my little bug! I can't wait!!!

Bittersweet

School is out. I'm so glad the make-up days are finally complete. The year seemed to last forever. But, no matter how excited I am to stay at home with Gavin and be back with Jarrod again, I'm going to miss Shaw. I'm going to miss my fellow teachers and fabulous friends. I'm going to miss the kids. My morning Jesse-hugs. The funny things they say... "You don't even know what the Jitterbug is!" "Yes I do...it's a cell phone!" (Think about it... jitterbug... jitterbug...) Deciphering their stories, especially when their version of a word makes the story take a whole new meaning! Having second graders come back to give me hugs and ask how Gavin is. Oh...there are so many more memories. I could go on forever. Jeffrey crying his eyes out on the very first day of my first year of teaching because they didn't have pizza for lunch. Giuseppe's vocabulary. Edward's jokes and his collection of 'nuts.' Hayden coming into the room, announcing for everyone to hear, "I'm going to stink today!" Jayashree wishing me a "Happy ______ Day" ... she had something for nearly everyday. Surviving Praxis with Sara. Pregnant walks with Jen. Baby stories with Martha, Lindsay, Tori, Jen, Kelly, Brian, Nick, Megan, Jill...crazy, huh? Sharing tears with Pat. Listening to Susan sing in the hallways. Recher's hats. P.E. with my kids and Mrs. Knopp. Telling Pat I was engaged and watching her nearly fall down. Pies in the face with Nick. Mentoring Tori. Barb playing games at the staff party :) It was such an emotional day. And we still have our teacher work day! I'm looking forward to my future, but I'll always remember my past. I love you, Shaw. Thanks for 5 amazing years!

End-of-the-year Staff Party

Gavin and went to the end of the year staff party last Friday. It was a beautiful night and we were at Tori's beautiful home. What more could we ask for? I took my camera with all intentions of taking lots of pictures of my Shaw friends, but didn't take it out of my bag until I was loading the car up to leave! Duh! We had a great time, eating great food, and hanging out and talking. Sara, Tori, Laura and I played cornhole in the rain...so fun! I'm going to miss everyone from Shaw so much. What great people to work with, and great friends to have!

In the car on the way over...don't you just love the hat???

Sara, Tori, Gavin and me just before leaving for the night

Meeting "Chicks"

No....not those kind of chicks. We incubate chicks every year in first grade. Of course, I saw this as a great photo op! So, I took Gavin today to meet the chicks. It didn't go quite as planned. He was actually a lot more interested in them than I thought, and he tried to grab them! He did get a hold of one and picked it up. After I told him no several times, he gave up and wanted nothing to do with them. But, in the 5 minutes that we snapped pictures, I did get a few good ones. Here they are!