I started off my middle school teaching true to Jordan Keith fashion. Lately I've become quite a "pacer" and I constantly pace back in forth in front of the class when I'm speaking to them. Well, I've put a new monitor in the classroom right next to the electric piano and it sits kind of low. One minute I'm introducing myself, and the next I'm toppling over backwards landing on my head. The kids stared at me in shock and didn't know if they could laugh, or do anything. I told them to go ahead and laugh at me because this will for sure not be the last time I make a fool of myself this year.
I'm teaching choir 2nd hour this year, so this means I prep first thing in the morning, and I'm really loving it. It makes my morning low key, and a little more stress-free. It gives me time to wake my brain up too. I'm teaching 7th hour Drama/Musical Theater with the High School Media Specialist (librarian). I'm excited because she's really pumped about it, and the kids will love her! We're going to equal the responsibilities more than it was last year, so I'm really grateful for that! I think we're going to be doing an Aladdin medley with some small acting transitions in our performance.
High School couldn't be anymore exciting. The first day I walked in to welcome Taste of Sound, they were all over the place excited to see one another and be in the group together. The first day is generally boring syllabus stuff, but I finally had them rehearse and do some singing and Friday and I couldn't be more thrilled with their sound! I can't believe it's only the second year I've been teaching here- and I feel they've grown a TON since last year. The boys in there are doing a Newsies Medley, and I can't wait for people to hear their dirty, stanky, brooklyn/New York accents. They're totally on board with it all. The girls in there will be doing a Spring Awakening Medley of Mama Who Bore Me with really difficult harmonies, and they're going to rock it. The first thing I had them sing was "Celebration" you know that great 80's classic hit that Ross wanted to play at Monica and Chandler's wedding on the bagpipes (I'm way too much of a Friends fan I guess.) I can't describe the energy that's in there, it's amazing!
Bel Canto is HUGE this year. I think we're close to 40 in there now. They all have amazing voices, incredible rehearsal skills, and a drive to be the best they can be! The first thing I had them start learning is a Carrie Underwood Medley- they're going to love it! I love this choir cause I can throw really emotional-deep pieces at them, and they gobble it up! Singers looks to be much more manageable than they were last year. I don't think I can call them my "goth choir" anymore. I'll miss that. :) Now they'll be my breeding ground for awesome singers and a place to develop their musical talents and reading skills (which is what it should have been all along last year.) They'll be doing some Michael Buble and Daughtry stuff.
My lessons are looking PACKED for the semester. I'll be teaching voice at the college this fall MWF, and T/TH I'll be here at the house teaching younger students and piano students. A lot of them are doubling up on voice and piano lessons- so that's exciting. I have to say. . .I love being a teacher and the fulfillment it brings in to our lives. I love coming home and having non-stop wonderful stories and experiences to share with Ariana. I'm going to try and put those up on here a lot more than I have in the past, so I can remember them.
Jaxon and Kodee are slowly transitioning to this new schedule. At first Jaxon HATED to see me leave and go to work. He'd beg me to go with him. Now he's getting used to it, but I have to say, the hugs I get when I get home are the best part of my day! He's really becoming a little man and saying more and more everyday. He's now saying "hold you" which means for us to hold him. He always says "not on" for "off" which means, turn the light off, or the fan. His number one word of choice is definitely "No!" though, which is a problem. He is extremely defiant and does not respond to "stop", "don't", "wait" and "no." Sometimes we don't know what we're going to do with him. It's his way or the highway (how long does this stage last for? I'll just try to concentrate on the snuggly times, and the cute times for right now. His favorite people in the whole world right now are the Green's (Debbie James' family). I grew up next to Debbie so it's pretty neat that the second generation of our kids are getting along so well. Her daughter babysits for us all the time, and her son Cody is one of Jaxon's favorite people, who he insists on calling "mommy."
Kodee is still all smiles. I think he misses being the only child like he was in Oregon. His big thing lately is sitting up in the middle of the night, and not being able to lay back down. It's kind of the opposite of "help I've fallen and I can't get up." I swear he's going to take off crawling any day. If he can just figure out those darn legs. He REFUSES to stand on them, even when we help him. His legs just automatically bend and he plops on his booty. He can sure get around twisting and turning on his bottom though, so he is figuring out some sort of a mode of transportation. His hair grows like a mad man's and I think will require much more cutting than Jaxon's did. He loves to play with lips, and mouths, and he gives the most adorable kisses. When he gets a little sleepy he'll put his head on your shoulder and purr away. It's the cutest thing. (Much more cuddlier than Jaxon ever was.)
Ari's doing a great job of her "stay at home/mom work." I think it's gotta be the hardest job out there, I know I wouldn't last more than a couple of days at it- so proud of her. She's working on getting a weekly schedule down, so they'll have something to look forward to everyday like: library, groceries, park, etc. I think she's going to take an institute class this fall at the Gila Valley Institute, so that will be a great chance for her to get out and interact with humanoids. :) She definitely could use a break out of the house, then she can come home and teach me what she learns! She LOVES her sunday school class, as do I. I love seeing her teach the lessons and share her knowledge of the gospel with our primary kids. I try to keep Kodee as quiet as possible during the classes.
All in all things are looking good here at the Keith's. Hope all of you are having great starts to your years as well. Keep "chuggin" along- as Jaxon's many trains he's obsessed with do! I swear if I had a nickle for every time that kid has said "choo choo!" We'd be millionaires for sure!
Ari and our sunday school class! (this is from my iPhone, I'm still trying to figure out how to focus it better. I hate camera/phone pics) :(
I tried to catch what almost looked like Kodee's first crawl. This is as close as we're getting right now.
Jaxon was SO cute a couple of weeks ago at Carly's birthday party. He just LOVED this one black puppy. I think I'm gonna have to try to talk Ari into a dog one day- but that'll be the day. . .
Kodee was also pretty cute at the party. I think it's safe to say we may have the cutest boys ever!:
All done with my iPhone, whadya think?
3 comments:
Sounds like so much excitement! Brianna is at a Catholic Private school and having to start all over again since she is teaching classes that are new to her. You'll have to stay in touch. Though you are in the same field, you have very different experiences with them. She seems to be the one to bring in and build a program.
Have a great year and I hope we can get over there to see some of your performances.
You make me want to be in highschool again. Sounds like the kids have an awesome year ahead of them!
And as always, your family is beautiful!
Jardan Hi this is Debbie Wiltbank.
do you remember Me? Michael's mom.
just wanted to tell you that the James family are my husband's first cousin. Great people. Love hearing about you and your little family.those boys are the cutest. so proud of the great job you are doing with your music.. hope your year is a great one!!!!
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