Reality is hitting us big time at our house lately.  The reality that our precious lazy days of summer are coming to an end....very soon.  This week has been filled with Karl being super busy with summer school and research, and me practically living out of my classroom.  I've been tutoring all summer on Tuesdays/Thursdays (which I love), but this week, on top of tutoring, I've been trying to at least wrap up the "cosmetic" part of my classroom.  As shallow as it may sound, the cosmetic part is super important to me.  Here's why:

1.  I spend more hours in a day (awake) at school than I do at home, so I want it to be a place that I enjoy looking at and being in.
2.  I feel like my kiddos' learning environment is vitally important in their overall experience during that school year.
3.  I like pretty things, and I enjoy receiving compliments for the blood, sweat, and tears that I (and my sweet, wonderful, and loving husband) put into the room.

Anyway, for those of you who don't know, I am now teaching 3rd grade this year, after having taught 2nd grade for the last 5 years.  Therefore, I've spent a lot (and I mean....A LOT) of time this summer just moving my things into a new classroom, and getting organized.  After this week, I'm anxious to be settled into my room, and will actually be able to start working on lesson plans and everything that goes along with that.  I will try to post pictures after we wrap some things up tomorrow.

Until then, hubby, Paisley, and I will be at home this evening staying cozy during the rainy weather, cutting out laminated things I brought home from school, and pondering a few fun things we might do with our remaining days of summer vacation. :)

Watch out....The Smith Family has officially entered the blogging world!  That's right...we may be behind the times, but we are finally here!  Who knows how successful this attempt at blogging will be, however, it is my (our) best effort at keeping family and friends up to speed on our oh-so-exciting life.  I think this little spot will come in quite handy after we move for hubby to go to graduate school, but until then, we already have enough family and friends out-of-state to justify doing this.  One warning though:  I (we) make no promises to update this blog on a daily or even weekly basis.  Once school starts, I'll (we'll) be lucky to have monthly posts happening here at our "Southern Smith Family" blog.  Yes, you read that correctly.  "Southern Smith Family" is the official name for the location of our happy little home.  Creativity is a must when you have such a common name as "Smith", because of course, "TheSmithFamily.blogspot.com" was already taken.  Alrighty, well this is my official introduction, and hopefully our next post will begin to give you a glimpse into the life of our sweet little family.  Happy Reading! :)

~Angela and Karl

Until my next post, I'll leave you with a picture of our sweet girl, enjoying the summer sun at the lake. :)