Back to the Grindstone & Giveaways

First day back to school and I am beat!  The kids weren't calm or tired at all.  What the *&%%!

I was pleased that they were excited to come back to school though.  I love it that they love school and learning.  I sucked up the hugs and sweet words like a vacuum.  :)

Everyone was so sad about the guinea pig dying.  There were tears and a bagillion questions.  When did she die?  How did she die?  (Don't know I'm not a vet.)  Am I going to find out?  Like on TV, one kiddo asked, when they cut up the person?  (Uh, no, do you know how much an autopsy would cost.)

Then of course they want to have a funeral.  Oh golly.  Anyone know how to handle that one.

Then I read Houdini Was...  a book written by a second grade class when their hamster dies.

While I was reading it, the kids were practically shouting at me "We could do that!"  "We need to write about Antonia!"  I kept reading and then when I finished, I said, "You sound like you really want to write about Antonia."  And we did.  There were more tears and a lot of adorable pictures and interesting sentences.

Then the next big questions.  When will we get a new pet?  Will it be another guinea pig?

We'll see.  Maybe.  Probably.  But not right away.  We need a little time.

So the ideas for the New Year that I collected from all of you amazing peeps were put off until tomorrow while we deal with this death.  One little sweetie even filled out a form to see the counselor.  Aw!

On to some giveaways you need to check out.

Jen at The Teacher's Cauldron has reached 200 followers and is having a giveaway for a $25 gift card.  The winner gets to choose TpT or Amazon.  (I think it's so cool that she's letting the winner choose!)

Tammy at Klinger Cafe is having a 100 follower giveaway of three amazing things.  You have to go check it out for yourself.  (Or don't so I have a better chance of winning!)

And last but not least, Leanne at Spend a Day in Second Grade is having a giveaway for a Starbucks card and a new unit!  Her stuff is awesome!

Now I am off to bed.  I barely slept last night since my a.m. and p.m. are totally confused.  I feel like someone poured sand in my eyes and have a lack of sleep throb going in the head.  I hope to be back on a normal sleep schedule in a couple days.  But it takes a while.

BTW, my bra and shirt felt like they were chaffing my skin by lunch time and my feet hurt.  It was h-e-double toothpicks having to wear real clothes today.

And I started going through my desk and getting rid of anything I don't need or use.  I AM getting rid of that thing by Easter or I'm going to die trying!  I bought some more plastic storage drawers and am putting things into them as I clean it out.  When it's empty...BYE BYE!