Suitcases Boxes & Bags, Oh My!

    I never realized how much I have saved over the years even after I cleaned out a lot before moving into the Challenge lab last fall.  The first thing I did last week was to throw away 2 large filing cabinets full of old teaching ideas/papers.  I kept 1 small paper box of some of my favorites and important documents that I need to scan. It was very liberating.  I officially began packing last night.  It has been so hot that I decided to start weeding through my 30 some odd boxes from school around 11 p.m. I have been purchasing LARGE duffel bags to save on weight.  We are allowed 2 bags each and they must weigh 50 lbs. or less along with a carry on and laptop bag.  Unfortunately my carry on must hold my injectable meds and they will take up a large portion since they must travel in a cooler.
    I began with my favorite, Math, of course!  I was able to pack every type of manipulative (unifix cubes, a huge variety of dice, 2 color counters, colored links, pattern blocks, number tiles, etc.)  I also packed several types of pocket charts (calendar, number line, scheduling, place value, graphing, money, etc.) lots of games, smart pals, and versatiles.  Russ hung one of our big spring scales up so I could watch my weight limit.  I never realized how much you can pack for 50 pounds.  I have that bag overflowing and it is just under 50lbs.  I called it a night, or morning around 4:30 a.m.
     Tonight I will move into reading/language but I don't anticipate this to be as heavy so maybe I can get that and my technology into the big green rolling bag of Nana's.  When I finish packing all the hands on materials I will begin scanning all of my favorite picture books so that we can enjoy it by projecting it from the computer. This may help on the extra baggage cost I have been worried about.  Each extra bag we take will run $150-$175 depending on which airline they send us on.  Even though that seems expensive, it is cheaper than shipping.  I hope to have all of the suitcases, boxes, and bags organized and out of the way by Wednesday morning.  As August draws near I realize just how much I have left to do!