October 9 - a very important day!

I have 3 reasons to tell you about how important Monday, October 9th is.

First, it is Leif Erikson Day! :) For those of you in the blogging world who don't know why this is important to me, I am Norwegian and this is a very big day. Contrary to popular belief, Leif discovered America 500 years before Columbus. It makes me ill to celebrate Columbus Day. He was a murderous and icky man. Leif was a VIKING! :) And for the record, his name is pronouced "Life". For more fun info on him, check out http://www.mnc.net/norway/LeifErikson.htm.

Another reason October 9 is important is because it is the day the MEAP window opens. I teach 3rd grade, which is the first year that students are required to take the test. It sucks. A lot. It's a lot of pressure that 8 year olds just don't need. They don't know anything about it, yet they're scared out of their minds about it. They don't even get that it's the MEAP test - they call it the MEAT test. We've done a lot of prep for it - keep your fingers crossed for us! :)

Lastly, October 9 is a very important day because it's my bestest best friend Melinda's THIRTIETH BIRTHDAY!!!!! 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30!!! Happy happy bday Mimi!!