I put the "work" in teacher workday, today. There are few things in my teaching life that I heart more than a workday (without any scheduled meetings, btw). I do love new pens, the smell of a fresh box of crayons and superfantastic "if this doesn't do it maybe I should hang it up" ideas. But none of those have the power to reorganize my Rigby library, make a new seating arrangement (with new nametags nicely contact papered down), grade a gazillion papers, meet with a new student teacher, write a "If You Take a Mouse to the Library" for the superfabulous librarian (clearly inspired by Laura Numeroff), assemble planners for my friends to use in order to help with the transition to the next grade, and be treated to a birthday lunch (at a restaurant, mind you).
That's a comprehensive list of what I got accomplished today on our first day back after a too short break (plus catching up with all my friendly colleagues). I feel ready for tomorrow (I know this overall feeling of preparedness won't last very long). As for tonight, I might not even dream about school.