Getting back into the habit of writing is more difficult than I’d originally thought it would be, but I think I’m finally finding my voice. It’s starting to feel good again. I can do this.

It’s freaking cold here, and it’s been freaking cold for several days. It’s only November, and it already feels like January. We had just enough snow to dust the top of they patio table last night. Tonight, it’s supposed to be down to 17 degrees. If it’s going to be this cold, we need some major snow and snow days to go with it.

I would start snow dancing and praying to the snow gods, but we only have two days of school next week, and I really need to complete some serious work with my classes on those two days. I know, I know. It’s not like me to worry about such things, especially when I could be hoping for a snow day, but I’d rather save those snow days for January and February when we get little time off anyway.

My students and I are ready for Thanksgiving break, though. They’re incredibly squirrelly, and I’m losing patience with them. Since the beginning of the school year, we’ve had a small celebration after Friday lunch. On each of these Fridays, I would bring a cake or cupcakes. Each child would receive two servings—one for himself and one for him to give to another adult in the building who helped him have a good week. However, for the past two Fridays, I haven’t bothered to bring in anything to share with the students, because of their behavior. They were surprised when they had to go the first Friday without a celebration, but I didn’t feel we should celebrate a week in which one student bit another student so severely that he broke the skin, and the student had to go to the ER. This week, we didn’t celebrate since only 20% of the students turned in their homework assignments. We all need a break.

In the meantime, I’ll appreciate the weekend. I have to bake cupcakes for Emily to take work for a potluck. I’ll catch up on my laundry and clean the house. I’m also going to stay up late tonight and sleep in tomorrow. Notice how all of these activities are indoor activities? That’s because it’s too freaking cold to go outside.

Have a great weekend!