14 > 11.

Vacation is officially over.  School started again today.  Well, technically I started work yesterday, but it was a teacher workday.  It was great to see all the staff and catch up on all that had occurred over the last two weeks.  Two weeks is a long time to be apart when you typically spend all day, everyday with people.

I was also informed yesterday...the day before students came back, that I would not only be getting the two new students that they had mentioned were a possibility before Christmas break, but a THIRD new student.  Holy moly.  3 new students at once is a lot.  Especially when you are used to a quaint little class of 11.  It was a little stressful and overwhelming to try to get everything together/ change the layout of my room/ plan for everyone coming back in one day.  And I was a little nervous about three new ones-- I'm sure it will change the dynamic of my class quite a bit.  But I was looking forward to it at the same time, and very excited to see my students.  I had missed them a lot.

I was greeted this morning with lots of squeals and hugs, which is always a nice feeling.  The day went pretty smoothly, which was definitely a blessing.  I think the transition will be okay-- the new students seem to be fitting in well, and the returning class has been very accepting.  I still had one absent, so I haven't felt the full blow of having 14 (I know, I know-- all the teachers reading are thinking...14? whats the big deal? But I'm telling you, when you are used to 11, changing to 14 makes a difference).  But I think it will be great.  I truly do have a great class.  I definitely felt exhausted at the end of the day, but its good to be back.

Oh yeah, and when I was introducing myself to the new students/ telling a little about myself-- one of the returning students was quick to bring up a little goof up I had made way back in November.  They think its sooo funny and won't let me live it down.   We were studying about the Spanish Explorers coming to America and I was trying to say the names of the three ships-- Niña, Pinta, and the Santa Maria.  Only problem was that when speaking my tired brain combined Pinta and Niña to make up a totally new ship that never existed... the Piña.  Which happens to mean pineapple in spanish.  They, of course, thought this was hilarious and tease me about it to this day. They have such terrific memories. Awesome.