Spring break is over? Don't cry... a reading update and an inspiring note to teachers to end your year

It's Sunday night!  Where did my break go?  Even though it wasn't enough time to do EVERYTHING I wanted to do, I did have some fun with my kiddos, had time to catch up with good friends, and take a much-needed girls trip (adults only!!) to the Ozarks.  I did, however, lose sight of my reading goals (oops!) I really need to get better at sitting down and enjoying a book when I'm at home.  I just don't know how to sit and do that!!! Someone help me!  

I made it to chapter 6 of The Dark Ferret Society.  It is definitely getting good!  I do not want to spoil the book, so I will choose my words carefully, but I love how it got me hooked from the very beginning.  I also love how I have to pay special attention to the details in order to "solve" some of the mysteries that this book has to offer.  It has definitely been a fun one to read and get into.  I love the main character and her family.  I love her new friends she's making too through the course of the book.  If you haven't gotten your copy yet, do not hesitate! I can get you hooked up with a copy from my friend Scott (the author's husband!!)  Message me or comment below if you would like to read it!

As I prepare my heart and my mind to go back into the classroom tomorrow, I am reminded that I only have a short time (34 days to be exact) left to go.  Only 34 days?!?!!  How did this happen??  I immediately get anxious about all the things I have to do in order to close out the school year.  I have to get my end of year data all together.  I need to make sure my kiddos end up on grade-level for reading/ writing!  I need to make sure they are all readers and have a plan for the summer!  I need to get their final benchmarks for spelling and sight words!  I need to.....      STOP AND SOAK IT IN!  
Every year, the end of the year flies by - and before I know it - it's over.  Over.  And those kids (the ones I think about each night before I go to bed - the ones my husband knows even by name - The ones I am constantly worried about or praying about) - They are gone from my classroom.  They are like a speck of dust.  They are only in my life for a short period.  I hope I have made an impact on them, and I hope and pray that somehow I made their life better.  Maybe I didn't get them on-track with their reading goals.  Maybe I didn't teach them all of their sight words.  Maybe they still aren't using kind words to friends after lots of practice.  BUT MAYBE... just maybe they've seen how much I care for them or how proud I am of their small successes each day.  Maybe they realize that they have ambition and integrity to do the right thing in their life.  If I can instill a little of that in their lives in my short time with them, then I would say I've done my job.  So as you teachers are getting ready for the end of the year, don't forget to soak it all in.  These are the last moments you may spend with them.  Don't let them leave not knowing how much you care about them or without leaving a lasting impression.  Appreciate the small moments that make your job great.  Appreciate the kids because, at times, they will teach you more  than you will teach them.  

So go get em! And have some fun along the way!    Don't forget to keep those little notes and pictures they make for you.