All First Graders Have Cats.

My husband has begged me to begin a blog, even though I keep telling him that only he thinks I am funny and clever. I secretly, and nerdily (a word?), LOVE writing. But it is not something I wanted to ever go public... Nevertheless, here I am. And after reading other people's blogs (yes, I do read any and every blog I can), I have noticed that the most difficult part of blogging is coming up with a stupid title. One of my favorite blogs, A Cup of Jo, has the cutest name. And Joanna, I feel like, had it easy... her name goes very well with something we all love - coffee. Why couldn't I be a Joanna, Mom? Needless to say, please refrain from mocking my blog title... I only spent 2 weeks brainstorming. Lame..? YES. 


I have decided to blog about my path through student teaching, as well as my new life as a learning wife. By learning wife, I mean that I literally have had to learn many things to be considered 'domestic.' Thank goodness my husband loves to cook, because other than baking, I have not been interested in teaching myself things like that. But other than talking about those two things, I have decided to just blog about things that I love. So - we will see where that gets me! Enjoy. :) 


As I mentioned, I am now a student teacher. Why am I still in college you ask? Well, I only have changed my major 7 times which has resulted in three almost complete majors. NO. BIG. DEAL. My indecisiveness shines through daily. If I had a dollar for how many times my sweet husband gets annoyed with my "I don't care" responses, I wouldn't even have to finish my three majors and get out into the real world.


I am an Elementary Ed. major (or 1/3 major,) and the youngest I have taught thus far is third grade. I have mostly preferred the older grades. However, I was given the school assignment to do half of my student teaching in the first grade. WOW. I am a little nervous. Let me tell you though, these little creatures are PRECIOUS. I could be swayed to teach younger - or it might be too soon for that. We will see. 


On my first day, I noticed something about all first graders. When reading a cutie patooty story about a big, fat cat, we found ourselves discussing cats for twenty minutes. Unlike my third, fourth, and fifth graders... these kiddos have stories that, if not cut off by a teacher, could last until the child is dehydrated from talking. When I asked the kids a simple question before the book was read, something very interesting happened. 


"Ok, sweethearts, who has a cat at their house??" --- an "innocent," NAIVE-TEACHER question... 


One hand goes up... Ok, this isn't too bad. Little Suzie has a cat.


Oh, so does little Johnny...


And now Timmy...


That's weird, I thought we talked about Mary's allergy to cats but her hand is raised. 


Suddenly, it was like I had a standing ovation of cat owners. Hands raising and shaking in the air, I finally asked the dreaded question... "WHO REALLY HAS A CAT?"


"Well I have seen one.."


"My mom had one but it died..."


"My neighbor has four cats that live by my house so they are like mine..."


"I saw one in a picture one time." 


"My sister has a three-legged cat..." 


Okay, the last one did not happen. But seriously, kids... I asked you who CURRENTLY had a cat... not what your life history with cats was. 


I will never make that mistake again.


But, I ended the day thinking about how cute they are and how their smiling faces make my days. I could get used to this.. just maybe.