Harry Halloween

besthalloweeneverrrrr

Mama Bear

Today is my mom's birthday. 

There are just 3 simple, but important things that sum up how much she means to me.

1. She is my very best friend. I remember when I was a junior in high school and going through a break up, which at the time, seemed like the end of the world. I got home late one night and I was so upset but it was too late to call any of my friends. Not sure who to talk to, I went to my mom. She laid in bed with me all night and held me while I cried. 

Ever since, she has been the most important person I confide in. 

2. She has given me one thing I consider priceless--a love for nature. We work our way up to the top of mountains whether we're hiking, biking or skiing and then suddenly we are in our own world, without another soul around. It is in this beautiful, secret world of ours that time stands still and worries weigh-down less while we talk, share secrets, laugh and cry.

3. For Christmas last year, she got me a set of nice scissors for my classroom. A classroom I didn't have yet. To most, this would be meaningless and probably disappointing. But to me, this was one of the most meaningful gifts I'd ever received.  

To me, this gift meant that my mom is proud of me, supports me and has endless faith in me.

Mountain Biking Millcreek Canyon

I love you, Mom. I always will. Even if someday you get Jacked.

Bonus Round

So...turns out I had another WEEK of vacation. Showed up to school monday morning ready to teach and was informed (by the custodian) that I was not back for another week. Uh....good thing I am responsible for 21 first graders, eh? They are in good hands.


So naturally, we vacationed some more.

Zions National Park

Now...it really is time to get back to those little ones.

 I'm itching for some finger painting, creative writing and picture book reading!

Vacation Appreciation

For the last three weeks I have been on break (year round school=9 weeks on, 3 weeks off) and it has been a a-maz-ing! 

Week 1: Snowbird condo get-away with our friends for the weekend. Then everyone had to go down during the week for school/work while I had the whole condo and mountain (practically) to myself. I hiked, ran, swam, read, slept, and ate. dreamcometrue.

View from the pool. Not too shabby. 

Mountainside

Top of mountain hike

Week 2: Visit from my babies, holiday festivities and enjoying the fall.

Miss B

Joseph

Asher

Sunday drive up AF canyon

Fall leaves

Week 3: California/Disneyland!

Newport Beach

Laguna Beach. I looked for L.C. the whole time. Honestly.

Thunder Mountain Roller Coaster

This picture kiilllss me. Totally candid.

I love roller coasters so much and I am so grateful Devin captured this moment. 

I am really excited and ready to get back to teaching my cuties, especially since it is Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas season! I have some really fun crafts and activities planned (and some learning will be thrown in there somewhere).

Holiday festivities in a 1st grade classroom?...please, it doesn't get any better than that!

Happy Birthday D!

This year for Devin's birthday we just had a low-key but fun night filled with good friends. 

We went to dinner and then came back to our place for dessert crepes. It's times like these that I am so grateful for such amazing friends and a wonderful husband.

Devin, I love you like Leslie Knope loves waffles. 

First Grade Anthology: Part 2

Well, I was surprised how many people have asked me to post more stories about my little ones. Do I have more stories? Oh, do I ever. Here goes Part 2.


Any Questions?
A few weeks ago a small plane crashed into my school while my students were at lunch. No big deal. Anyway, our school was put on a lock down and we had to bring the students back to our classroom. So my students are eating lunch when a firefighter comes in and explains to my students that there was a plane crash with a man and a dog on the plane. After he explains what happens he says the worst thing you can say to a first grader:
"Raise your hand if you have a question". 


Every.single.hand.went.up.


The following questions were asked:
1. What color was the dog? (I don't know).
2. We are eating in our classroom. (Not a question).
3. Did an airplane crash? (Yes, as I just said).
4. Was it an airplane? (Yes, it was).
5. What was the dogs name? (I don't know)


At this point I interjected and told the firefighter I would answer the rest of their questions. He looked very thankful and left. 


My favorite thing to do is let the students ask questions to the student "Sharer" (see below). They NEVER know what to ask but they all raise their hands. I love watching them panic when they get picked and try to come up with a question. It is almost always the same question the person before asked or when in doubt they ALWAYS ask: "Do you have a scooter?".


Missing Student
I have this student in my class who after 9 weeks still hasn't a clue who anyone in the class is because he is always in his own little world. Every day I choose one student to be the "Sharer". They can share an object they bring from home, tell a joke or share a story. Well, it was this student's turn. He shared a story with the class and then I told the students they may ask questions. They all raise their hand and this student looks around at all the students and says, "How about the girl with long, curly blonde hair".  All the students look around confused as they try to figure out who he means, because there is no one in our class that meets that description. Suddenly dawns on me... 


"Do you mean so-and-so from Mrs. Blackburns class (another first grade class)?" I ask. 
"Yes! Her!" He responds. 
"Well, she isn't in our class.".
"Oh." he says.
"You need to choose someone who is in our class to ask you a question." I inform him. 
"Well, then how about that kid" he replies as he points to a boy in the front row.


Dinner and a Show
One of our classroom incentives is lunch with the teacher. Every few weeks I choose 5 students from a drawing and they get to have lunch with me. This may sound like a punishment, but in 1st grade...it is the ultimate prize.
So we are having lunch in my classroom and the students start telling jokes. Most of them were your typical chicken-crossing-the-road jokes....but then this gem was told and my life will never be the same.


Knock, Knock. 
Who's there?
Pizza.
Pizza who?
When you get pizza and you want some sides but the pizza is taking up too much of your plate, just put the sides on your pizza! (insert children laughing hysterically)


I made her repeat it, to make sure I understood it and didn't miss the part where it was actually a joke.


                                                                                  I love my job.