Happy Birthday, Exit 10A

     Exit 10A is one year old today!

Let's celebrate!

     The blog has come a long way from its first post, which featured a video of me peeling a clementine for an estimation180-type activity.  When I started writing, 1 year, 51 posts, and 35,000 pageviews ago, I could never have imagined that it would experience such growth.  I remember the feelings of nervousness and anticipation as I hit the "publish" button for the first time and sent my thoughts hurtling into the internet universe.  Would anyone listen?  Would anyone respond?
     I spent a week obsessively checking, hoping someone would leave a comment.  Nothing. I rationalized by telling myself that teachers were on winter break, and had better things to do then read math blogs, but as the days wore on I grew increasingly despondent.  And then, finally, it happened:

     A comment!  Someone named George Broklaw had taken the time to respond to the clementine post.  Who was he?  A teacher?  Maybe from the UK?  No matter.  I was ecstatic.  It wasn't until several days had gone by that I found out (from my wife) that "George Broklaw" was actually my son, Sam, commenting under a pseudonym.  He felt sorry for me.  What a good boy!
    Comment number 2 came about a week later:

     Andrew Stadel had been the inspiration behind the estimation task that I had described in that first post, and his work, both at estimation180 and his blog, Divisible by Three, was a major catalyst for starting a blog of my own.  His comment, along with Mr. Broklaw's, was all the encouragement I needed.
     Of course it takes a village to raise a child, and I need to take a moment to thank those who have been instrumental in helping make Exit10A a reality.  I have written about the tremendous influence those in the MTBoS have had on my work.  Special thanks to Dan Meyer, who was an early supporter, and brought word of my blog to the attention of his wide audience with this post.  I am blessed to work with an incredible group of teachers.  They have given me their time, their classrooms, and their trust.  Nothing could happen without the support of my principal.  A shout-out to my partner-in-crime and "work wife", Theresa.  And to Barbara, Kay, and Mr. Broklaw: love you guys!
  OK, enough yappin'.  Time to eat!

How many people can this cake feed?
Give me a too low, a too high, and a just right.  On an open number line, of course.