Monday

It was cool and windy at the pool for Memorial Day. Big D has been feeling much better since his recovery from the surgery. He doesn't really like to swim but had fun playing ping-pong and Tiny Wings pool side.
Headbanz is a fun game for both kids and adults. The idea is that you try to figure out what your card says by asking other people questions.

I always start with "Am I an Animal?" Be careful when playing with TT, his favorite answer to any question is "sometimes" which might be true but can really throw you off track.

Sunday

We finally got a membership to the pool club that is 2 blocks from our house. Since I have a job next year and they were running a really good special we decided this was our year.

They have a pool, diving board, basketball and volleyball courts, grills and an arcade. Plus the kids get free swimming lessons. You can look forward to many pictures from the pool.

Saturday

Breakfast and Knitting at Mead's Corner with the always glamorous KnitnRide.

Then, a trip to the Downtown Farmer's Market. I bought a pound of Southwest Orzo pasta from Pappardelle's. We are having it tonight with grilled chicken.

These "JazzKatz" were great and I loved the couples swing dancing right there in the square. I hope D and I can takes some dances classes this summer.

Friday

Lunch at Noodles and Company.

TT's art at Final Friday

Summer is fabulous!!

First Day of Spring

This year is flying by; only 8 weeks till the end of my first year of teaching. It has been an adventure to say the least.

I am hapy to report that my principal recommended that my contract be renewed and I have full 6th and 7th grade classes for next year. But I am worried about the budget situation, just like everyone else. Since I have no control over what will happen I am trying to have a positive attitude and make great experiences for my students.

The family is good. D is recoverying from surgery. It will be a while before he will be back to normal. S will be 13 this week. She loves middle school and is doing great in her classes. TT spends his time working on his RC truck and being a ladies man.

Feburary (So far)

It has been a long month, already. Dennis had surgery on the 4th to correct a congenital defect with his kidney. It was suppose to be a simple 1 to 2 days in the hospital and a week off work but it turned into 8 days in the hospital and 3 weeks off work. Complication from the surgery included low blood pressure, nausea, a blown internal stitch (because of the nausea,) anemia and dehydration. The days and nights in the hospital allowed me to complete a cowl but kept me from my workout goals.

Snow Day part Deux

INCREDIBLE, another Snow Day!!

I did everything on yesterday's to do list except for the lesson plans but I added a nap. Above you can see what the kids did. They were outside in 30 minute increments during the day-building.

I am very happy to have another day at home but I have a little anxiety because of all the free time. Since I am usually going a million miles an hour, it feels strange and wrong to just relax. I am working on getting over that.

Snow Day!!

Sunday night, I was dreaming there would be a snow day on Monday. The snow fell all night but in the morning there was no cancellation. My first hour only had 8 students and the buses were 30 minutes late. Throughout the day, I had at least 5 students missing from each class. It continued to snow all day long. Paprika's volleyball practice was cancelled so we spent the evening eating chili, s'mores made in the fireplace and playing Left, Right, Center.

Monday night, I dreamed of no school on Tuesday. Now, it feels like Disney because dreams do come true. Here's my Snow Day to do list:

• 30 minutes of yoga
• 3 mile run (wish I had some snow shoes so I could run outside)
• laundry (about 5 more loads and every stitch will be clean and that makes me happy)
• finish TT's hat (which I started on Christmas break)
• a few days of lesson plans
• card making with Paprika (we love the Card Patterns blog)
• Snow ball fight and fort building with TT
• watch some bad daytime tv (I love my judge shows)

I know that making a to do list could be wrong on so many levels but having my own classroom has increased my Type A personality factors. I like the control of making lists and checking things off.

Christmas Morning 2010

I think this is the last year TT will "believe" in Santa. He seemed like he wants to believe but he knows something fishing is going on because he went with D to buy *Paprika's gift.

The kid's wish list was short. TT wanted a big, nice, fast RC car and Paprika didn't know what she wanted. We decided a TV for Paprika's room was a good gift. No worries, she doesn't have cable- just a Wii and streaming Netflix.

I hope everyone's Christmas was magical and bright.

* I need a cute, fake name for my daughter for the blog. S doesn't work so well when I need to use it as a possessive (i.e S's gift.) I was thinking a spice for obvious reasons. I am open to suggestions.

Merry Christmas

Santa was very nice to me this year. First, I got a Cricut machine. Most of my Christmas presents to my friends were created from the fabulous cutting machine. I decorated and personalized notebooks and clipboards. S and I have spent many hours crafting and creating.

Secondly, Santa (Dennis) brought me a new Droid Incredible. It is awesome.