Back to School

Once again, another academic year has begun. Shawn started classes on Thursday. He has 3 classes (i.e., learning, cognitive, & intro) back to back on Tuesday and Thursday. He crams it all in to give himself a bit more flexibility. He attempted to lecture and the students eyes glazed over. No one wanted to listen on the first day of class. They just wanted their syllabus and out the door. He is really looking forward to this semester. He has great research assistants, a couple of them returning from last year. He will continue on as the Psi Chi advisor. He really enjoys working with the students. Of course, he uses this time to encourage as well as prepare them for graduate school.
Friday was my first day back to teaching. I have 2 intro psychology courses back to back starting at 8 in the morning. I was surprised when I walked 10 minutes till and the class was packed. I thought for sure everyone would be dragging themselves in with droopy eyes. I opened up asking them if any of them have been following the olympics and men's beach volleyball in particular. Then I mentioned one of the players is a professor, imagine how cool that would be to know your professor just one a gold medal at the olympics. I then said, "Sorry you're stuck with me but hopefully we will have a little fun along the way." One class I asked how many people were fans of Friends and ER and quite a few hands were raised. This was nice. I use examples from these shows and last semester the students would look at me with a blank look on their face. So, hopefully the class will have a little personality.
The kids had fun with their friends throughout the week. Jaxon speech resumed. He was very excited to see Ms. Sharon. She enjoyed listening how much Jaxon is talking as well as Jeron. It's been fun for her to watch Jeron because he is so atypical no words to phrases. Most of the phrases are demands of course. He is a little guy who knows what he wants. Jaxon & Ashlin also returned to Sonshine Academy this week. They were both very excited to resume classes. Jaxon came home and was finally able to complete his somersault. Ashlin came home with excitement for the the new friends she had met.
We have been watching every available minute we can of the olympics. I can not decide if it's disgusting or we are showing our American Pride!?! I will opt for American Pride and keep watching. My favorite moment this week was when Shawn Johnson won the gold on beam. I loved watching the volleyball as well. It brought back memories from high school days when I played, which seems like forever ago.
Well, wish us luck as life goes into full swing again. Once again, we are really looking forward to Christmas break when we can see our friends and family! We miss you!