Kindergarten, Convicts, and Bethany Bootcamp

It's been a very busy and interesting week, to say the least.

I had my first Methods Lab on Thursday. I'm in a kindergarten classroom at John Hay Elementary, just five minutes from SPU. John Hay is one of the best schools in Seattle, and my mentor teacher, Caitlin Collins, is excellent. I must admit that I was apprehensive about kindergarten. My day was really wonderful, though. All of the kids took to me right away and I had a lot of fun with them. I can't wait to take pictures of all of them! One little boy, Salvatore, has dread locks. I'd never witnessed a five-year-old with dreads before, and it's really cute! Even though I had a really great day and no longer dread going into kindergarten, I'm still not so sure that kindergarten is where I want to end up. It's really close to preschool, and I've noticed that there really is a huge difference between a kindergartener and a first grader. We'll see what this coming Thursday brings...

Convicts. Well, actually just one convict, and he's our next-door neighbor. Turns out that Nick, who lives right next to us, is wanted by the Seattle police for many things, including breaking and entering and burglary. He harrassed my friend's mom Saturday, and another friend of ours reported it. So now we are supposed to be on the look out for this guy, and call the police when/if he returns home. No, that's not creepy or anything....!

Yesterday I took the all day membership class at church, which I like to refer to as "Bethany Bootcamp." It was a really long day, but I am nearly finished with the membership process! I still need to talk with Pastor Dan about Presbyterianism and then have coffee with my assigned elder. I'm being "inducted" on December 11th, and can't wait!

Nannying has been going really well. I nannied for 21 hours this past week. There was one point in which I felt like I lived at Gracie and Oliver's house. I am also quite tired of kid food - mac and cheese and anything that can be eaten without utensils. All of my kids were really great this past week, though. I love them so much and really look forward to watching them every week.

I've been pretty productive so far this weekend. Gotten lots of homework done (but still have lots to do tomorrow), talked to my best friend for the first time in three weeks (she was in Ireland for two weeks), took the membership class, did some chores, and got caught up on emails. I actually don't have to nanny tomorrow morning, so I am going to be able to finish everything else up before class on Tuesday. Tomorrow is going to be one long day of homework and studying...