Summer's End in Southern Spain: Horse Races on the Beach, 30th Birthday & Subbing Starts Back

This summer has been packed full of fun, but like all good things, this also must come to an end. As we near the end of summer, Bryan and I have crammed in a ton of fun!

Aidan & RJ invited us for an afternoon at the beach clubs in Chipiona. We also enjoyed a puppy playdate at their house celebrating Bella's first birthday with ten other dog friends! Hugo loved swimming in their pool and retrieving the balls, while Reynolds did so good making new dog-friends!

Bryan and I also soaked in some final summer rays on the beach by our house. While it will stay warm here through October, we know with school starting back, those beach days will be limited!

Wednesday, August 28: San Lucar Beach Horse Races

During the first week of school, San Lucar hosted their annual horse race on the beach! Aidan, Meghan, Bryan, and I took our beach chairs and enjoyed a drink while searching the sand for hoofbeats!

We watched two horse races and cheered on alongside a beach full of locals! It's not every day you get to attend a beach-front horse race! This officially ends the summer for those vacationing in Rota- meaning we finally have our town back from the summer visitors!

September 6: Katie Turns 30

After a long day of substitute teaching, Bryan surprised me with a lovely birthday cake decorated with edible books! This cake was stunning and brought tears to my eyes, looking at all the detail a fellow spouse put into this artistic piece! If you look closely, you can even see the book Hugo is named after on the cake!

My day wasn't over yet; Bryan also took me to our favorite restaurant, Kammala, for dinner. Then we met all our friends downtown for a few drinks to end my day! It was a fantastic surprise and the best way to ring in my 30th year!

August 20-September 13: Long-Term Substitute in 2nd Grade

The true end of our summer came when school started back. In August, I went back to work as a substitute teacher at Rota Elementary, but this school year looked a little different. I was asked to be a long-term sub in second grade; the new teacher had been hired but hadn't been given a start date yet.

I will admit, this month-long substitute job was the hardest sub job I have had to date. For a month, I dealt with setting up a classroom, establishing classroom routines, constantly emailing parents to ease their worries, and figuring out how to teach a standard 2nd-grade curriculum. With an entirely new second-grade team, I didn't have other teachers to ask questions- I was literally on my own.

I won't lie- I came home multiple times and told Bryan I wanted to quit. I didn't sleep well. I cried a lot. When I found out the teacher's background check had cleared and she was taking over I was beyond relieved.

But I have to admit- I miss those kiddos now! I was responsible for 19 kiddos who were beyond sweet! When I turned over the reins to Mrs. Miller, I left a part of my heart in that classroom. But don't get me wrong, I don't want to ever do that again. Being a classroom teacher is an exhausting job and kudos to those who can handle that stress every day.

With that being said, I have stayed busy at Rota Elementary since my long-term job ended! I have spent my time in 5th grade, 4th grade, and preschool since then. I even subbed in a classroom where I had to keep the class pets alive in addition to twenty-eight 4th graders!

I enjoy subbing; it gives me the flexibility to travel with Bryan's schedule, while also keeping my foot in the door in the educational system. It still doesn't replace my true love of school libraries though. I'm lucky to have befriended the elementary librarian, Lauren, so I at least get to talk shop some with her!

Speaking of traveling, keep an eye out for our most recent adventure! (I earned it after that long-term sub job!)

--Katie