It is almost time to go back to school! Josie and I spent part of yesterday in my classroom working and trying cheer uniforms on girls. It was weird, as I have not spent any time at school since leaving for the summer. It really doesn't even seen possible that summer is coming to a close. Right now Jos is watching Dora while I start my planning. I am excited to use most of my material from last year, but make it better. I think I have some new exciting ideas for this years 7th graders. I don't really know how I will get used to a new group of kids. I know that as I watch my class from last year walk down the 8th grade hallway I will feel like we broke up, like they have moved on to their new English teacher =( This year will be different. Last year I was able to do a ton of after school activities and evening events with the kids. I felt like it help me connect to them. This year with Jeff at work in the evenings I will have to decline these activities to be home with Jos. Reading that after typing it makes me happy, I need to spend more time with Jos this year!
Last year I had 13 cheerleaders and this year I have 20! It's going to be a good test for me. I will have to demand more from them, be harder on them. It's not my personality, but in order to keep them safe and learning I am going to have to learn how to change. I am excited, do you know how much more you can do with 20 cheerleaders? I am also terrified, do you you know how hard it will be to get them to shut their mouths and listen? I was able to attend two cheer camps this summer and have some awesome ideas for the season. Look out for lots of stories and pictures to come.
Today is day 3 of Jeff's new schedule. So far it hasn't been too awful. I am lonely in the evenings after putting Jos to bed and eating dinner just Jos and me is a little weird. On the bright side I can eat dessert in front of the t.v. every night if I want too. (better get out of that habit right now) haha! For now we get to see Jeff during the day and that is nice, but two weeks from today we will have to try and enjoy every second of time we get, as it will be limited during the weekdays. His job as far is going well, his employees like him and he is learning his new job quickly.
I am 4 weeks into my training for my half marathon. I am running 6 miles on my long run days and 4 for my easy runs. Also thrown in between are sprint days and strength training. I am feeling my body do things I never ever thought possible and it is awesome to finish something I always thought too hard.
Josie is going to "school" this year twice a week for 2 hours. I took her to register and tour the school. She loved it and didn't want to leave. I know it is early for this, but Josie thrives off this kinda stuff and loves people and leaning. I hope it will be good for her and she will contiune to love learning as she grows up!
So here we are, have had a great summer and are excited for what is coming for us this year. Stay tunned and I bet I can keep you pretty entertained.
Maybe I can try to inspire this little girl!
My "assistant" coach. There to help spot stunts and crowd control! Thank you!
Josie took some pictures for me!
(above) This is almost half way through the race, and right by my house! Jeff and Josie made tee shirts that said "Team Danielle" to surprise me! Way cute, I loved it. We ran from downtown to College Hill, my neighborhood and back. A few of my students live in this neighborhood too and they were out side to cheer me on, it was awesome!
(above) these are the girls I trained with and we all finished with out walking! Having them made this whole process so much better and a lot more fun! Next up is an indoor triathlon in Nov. After that I am trying to talk them into a full marathon!
She pulls out her supplies to look at them everyday. I remember doing that too. Packing and repacking my backpack til it was time to go. 
Josie and my cousin's daughter Presley. My grandma bought them matching dresses, necklaces, shoes and babies. They were so cute together and I wish we lived closer so they could really get to know each other. 
Then we headed to the Warren for the movie.
She watched the first hour screaming SHREKYBOYYYYYY when he came on the screen. Then slept though the scary parts (thank goodness) and woke up for the end!
We ended up getting, Camp Champs (1st place or best at camp) in the dance routine for their age group! Their performance was awesome. We even put up two half's, a straight up full and thigh stand, and then for good measure did a suspended forward roll out of the full, and threw in some standing back handsprings. Only a few of the high school squads did that stuff. I am excited that I have some real talent this year. Camp was tough and we all learned some valuable lessons. I am glad we went and excited for a new season to start! I LOVE MY GIRLS!!!!! AND BOY!!!!! (who, by the way, spent some time with the big guy instructors and got his very first CHAIR!!!!, that's a guy/girl partner stunt) 
Goofing off and having fun!
After the museum we went to the memorial and museum. I had been to the outside before but never inside. It was really good, they take you through the whole day, you leave feeling like you were there. The bomb was set off downtown outside a Federal building at 9:02am in April of 1995. I was in 7th grade and in the process of moving from New York to Ohio. In the blast the daycare was destroyed and all of the kids died (19 or 20 I can't remember). Most of my students were moved and was nice to see a softer side to them. There is one; however, I will never forget. He was standing in the elevator getting ready to go up to the beginning of the display and had a pair of scissors in his hand. I asked him what he was doing with them, expecting the worst (he is a 7th grade boy, and you never know what in the world they are doing) but he tells me, " I have to do something to remember those kids! I am cutting up my shoe laces so I can leave them on their memorials here. No one should ever forget them, I won't cause these are my favorite shoes Mrs. Jackson." And then I cried!
And here they all are, my children, my first class all 57. I think we learned a lot together this year and I will miss them!
Before a trip to the park.
She wore her sun glasses most of the trip.
Just a cute picture.
Playing princess, you can't see but she has her clip-on earrings on too.
All of this playing together makes me excited for summer break and all of the fun we will have!
Josie had to stop and look inside each egg, so she didn't get very many =( but still had a lot of fun!
Mommy and Josie
