Welcome to Real Life

Three days into teaching and almost two weeks into officially working, and we're starting to discover our new normal. Life these days is so busy with school, but feels so much more like real life, instead of the limbo we were existing in. 

Granted, teaching is a bit tougher here. Mostly because our schedule is very different from what I'm used to. The day starts at 9am, the kids get lunch "recess" from 12:10 - 12:25 and then lunch from 12:25 - 12:45. Then back to class. The day ends at 3:40. 

If you noticed something lacking, you'd be right. The kids get no real recess! Now, I was originally outraged because they had such little play time. However, 3 days in, I've discovered the real issue. Imagine you are at your job, and you are told you need to stay in your seat and work for over three hours. You are not allowed any breaks for food or bathroom. Oh, and it's 115 degrees outside, so you need to be constantly drinking water.

(my car after work)

See the issue? Can you imagine telling an adult they can only use the bathroom every 3+ hours? It's driving me crazy - yesterday 24 kids went to the bathroom during class time. Today, I decided to take the kids to the bathroom to avoid the revolving door this afternoon. It took 15 minutes. Even worse is that if it's over 110, the kids can't play outside (though can you imagine sending kids outside if it was 108 in California?). So, they are stuck inside in a windowless room basically all day, so they aren't even getting a real recess.

Other than that, and having to teach language arts and math in the afternoon (after said lack of breaks and being stuck inside), it's not so bad. Luckily, the kids are super cute, each day is getting better and better with them. teaching is so much fun, that I can *almost* handle kids asking to use the bathroom every two minutes (and having to stay at work until 4:30). 

Something else that makes life lovely? This:

This pool has been the loveliest surprise of our home. We've gone swimming just about every day. Even when it's 110, the pool feels really nice and totally refreshes me after work. I'm up to swimming 25 minutes at a time. I was swimming what sounded impressive - 40 laps, until I actually timed it and found out it was a 12 minute workout. So, I'm up to 80 laps. Ideally I think 30 minutes would be perfect :).

The other part that has been great? Our home is starting to actually shape up. Case in point? Our painting has actually progressed! I wish I'd taken these pictures in the light, but these still give you a good idea.

We love our paint color! It just makes the whole space so much more beautiful.

In this light it looks almost green, but in daytime it's more blue. It also goes perfectly with our new prints.

The other side of the room? Not so hot. We're hoping to paint the big wall this weekend.

Our other new excitement happened today. We finally got our couches! How, after professing a hatred of all things leather, we ended up with two massive leather sofas is beyond me. Though, I must say, they fill the space quite nicely and look great in here. I do love that they're recliners, too!

And, we've finally hung/placed our things in our nooks to make our family room really ours.

This weekend, we're even talking about taking a day trip, just like we would in California. 

Settling into old habits (and new ones) never felt so good.