There has been a lot of hype about a planner by Erin Condren. It will supposedly rock your world . . . and your wallet. Anyway, I love organizational items, so I was very curious about this planner and immediately wanted one. They can be personalized, have your photos uploaded on the cover, etc. I missed a big half price promotion a few weeks ago, but I have just located a valid coupon code on the internet for $25 off the $50 planner which still makes it half-price! It was valid today because I just used it, and it went through on check-out without a glitch. My planner should arrive in two weeks!
If you are interested, it is "seeyousoon25" at www.erincondren.com. I have no idea how long it will be valid, so act fast if you want to get one!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Two Weeks Down
I am really going to try to attempt at least one blog post weekly, mainly for our families and friends to be able to stay caught up with us!
We have now been in school for two weeks, and it is already feeling like I never left! I finally know all my students' names, so it is easier now to call on students or have class discussions. My students seem very sweet and capable, so I think it will be a good year.I have already hit the ground running with curriculum and have introduced Socratic circles this past week. I have never done them this early before, but I am experimenting with it to see if the students will be even better at discussion in May if I start now.
National Board is on the back burner until Thanksgiving, as I don't have a tremendous amount left to write. I hope to send off some of my completed entries to some people to read this fall, so I can get some feedback from other NBPTS teachers. I am collecting writing samples over the course of this semester in order to eventually use these student work samples to analyze for my last entry, and I am experimenting with parent surveys and other ways to increase parental contact as another component that I must document. I have until March to get it written, so my main focus now is just collecting materials and getting into my regular school year duties.
I feel like the first two weeks of school have been MUCH busier than normal due to my time commitments with the Rhea Lana consignment sale which just happened to fall during the first week of school! I tagged my items before school started, but it took me one entire evening to load up and drop off all my items I was selling. Then, I spent a half day last Saturday shopping at the pre-sale. In addition, football practice is ongoing, so that is a huge adjustment to our evenings and family life. I also participated in my school's parent open house on Thursday night and was at school from 8 a.m. until 7:30 p.m that day without a break! It was great to meet the parents, and I had an excellent turn out, but it is exhausting physically. Stuart also left early this morning for a conference out-of-state for a week! I hope I can rest this weekend and try to recuperate!
I really want to see the movie The Help since I read the book and loved it. I have heard the movie is good, but I have no spare time on weeknights to see a movie, and Stuart is gone this weekend, so I have no childcare. Maybe I can squeeze it in during the Labor Day weekend!
Stuart bought a MacBook laptop computer this week and drove all the way to Tulsa to get it (nearest Apple store) because he wanted to take a tutorial on how to use it for some specific features. Now, we have two laptops, and our desk top is still dead. It hasn't worked in over a year, but we have yet to dispose of it, so I dust it, and it acts as a decoration in the office!
The kids want to go to the pool this weekend, since it will close soon, but it looks like it might rain today. All the kids are liking their new teachers, and the school year has been smooth so far. One development is that Owen's middle school now has a bus that drops of faculty's children at my junior high on its afternoon route. So, Owen has been able to come to my classroom about three days every week and sit in the back of my classroom for 30 minutes while I finish up teaching my last class. He really enjoys watching the 7th graders, and it has been working well so far. He has been good not to interrupt or talk to me, as I told him that he can't talk to me until school is dismissed since I'm still working. He brings a book to read, gets on my computer, or listens to the activities we are doing. It is saving us a lot of money in after school care, so I am very thankful that this busing option just started!
We have now been in school for two weeks, and it is already feeling like I never left! I finally know all my students' names, so it is easier now to call on students or have class discussions. My students seem very sweet and capable, so I think it will be a good year.I have already hit the ground running with curriculum and have introduced Socratic circles this past week. I have never done them this early before, but I am experimenting with it to see if the students will be even better at discussion in May if I start now.
National Board is on the back burner until Thanksgiving, as I don't have a tremendous amount left to write. I hope to send off some of my completed entries to some people to read this fall, so I can get some feedback from other NBPTS teachers. I am collecting writing samples over the course of this semester in order to eventually use these student work samples to analyze for my last entry, and I am experimenting with parent surveys and other ways to increase parental contact as another component that I must document. I have until March to get it written, so my main focus now is just collecting materials and getting into my regular school year duties.
I feel like the first two weeks of school have been MUCH busier than normal due to my time commitments with the Rhea Lana consignment sale which just happened to fall during the first week of school! I tagged my items before school started, but it took me one entire evening to load up and drop off all my items I was selling. Then, I spent a half day last Saturday shopping at the pre-sale. In addition, football practice is ongoing, so that is a huge adjustment to our evenings and family life. I also participated in my school's parent open house on Thursday night and was at school from 8 a.m. until 7:30 p.m that day without a break! It was great to meet the parents, and I had an excellent turn out, but it is exhausting physically. Stuart also left early this morning for a conference out-of-state for a week! I hope I can rest this weekend and try to recuperate!
I really want to see the movie The Help since I read the book and loved it. I have heard the movie is good, but I have no spare time on weeknights to see a movie, and Stuart is gone this weekend, so I have no childcare. Maybe I can squeeze it in during the Labor Day weekend!
Stuart bought a MacBook laptop computer this week and drove all the way to Tulsa to get it (nearest Apple store) because he wanted to take a tutorial on how to use it for some specific features. Now, we have two laptops, and our desk top is still dead. It hasn't worked in over a year, but we have yet to dispose of it, so I dust it, and it acts as a decoration in the office!
The kids want to go to the pool this weekend, since it will close soon, but it looks like it might rain today. All the kids are liking their new teachers, and the school year has been smooth so far. One development is that Owen's middle school now has a bus that drops of faculty's children at my junior high on its afternoon route. So, Owen has been able to come to my classroom about three days every week and sit in the back of my classroom for 30 minutes while I finish up teaching my last class. He really enjoys watching the 7th graders, and it has been working well so far. He has been good not to interrupt or talk to me, as I told him that he can't talk to me until school is dismissed since I'm still working. He brings a book to read, gets on my computer, or listens to the activities we are doing. It is saving us a lot of money in after school care, so I am very thankful that this busing option just started!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Life as I Used to Know It
My life as I used to know it was leisurely. I stayed home for six years and only worked part-time as an online instructor at a community college, so I set my own hours. Sure, I had 1-2 children at home and 1 in school, but I was the one who determined the pace of our family life. If we had a busy day, it was usually because I had us running errands, going to appointments, or I aggressively cleaned the house.
Fast forward. Football practice 4-5 days per week. Three kids in school programs. Homework to supervise. A full-time job. A larger house to keep clean. Did I mention football up to FIVE practices per week for a ten year old? Wow. This pace is getting a bit crazy. We have never been the ones to have our children in many (if any) activities. We made them wait until school age to play any organized sports,and then we only did Upward on a non-competitive team. I knew I didn't want the pressure. After years of begging for tackle football, we are trying it this year with the Boys Club of Benton County. Wow. It. Is. Intense. I didn't expect 12-15 hours of practice per week in 5th grade. Stuart has been going to every practice and watching, so he and Owen leave at 5:30 and usually don't get home until 8:30. Then, Owen takes a shower and goes to bed. I feel like I'm missing half my family for the whole week, and I am an only parent most nights to the younger kids. The unfortunate part (for me) is that Owen LOVES it. Stuart thinks he actually has some talent. In three seasons, he will be old enough to try out for a school team which has daily practice (and sometimes twice per day), so he needs to learn now if he ever hopes to get good enough to make the junior high team. Compared to most families, Owen is very old to finally play a real sport at age 10. The younger two kids are not even enrolled in anything. No sports or lessons for them! I can't take the stress of having every member of the family at different events all week long after I have taught school all day. I don't think it is worth it on my family life.
I hope we survive football season; maybe I will actually learn the rules (ha!). I have thought a cornerback was the same thing as a quarterback! Hopefully, it will be good experience, and Owen will learn life skills about responsibility, team work, dedication, and hard work. I think those lessons would help him develop immensely. Somehow, he does seem much older since he started playing football and began middle school last week!
When I picked him up from school the other day,he was shooting baskets in the gym with some friends. I saw him make three long distance shots in a row, and he won the shooting game they were playing. On the way home, he mentioned that he is getting pretty good at basketball and might want to try it this winter when football ends. Lord have mercy . . .
Fast forward. Football practice 4-5 days per week. Three kids in school programs. Homework to supervise. A full-time job. A larger house to keep clean. Did I mention football up to FIVE practices per week for a ten year old? Wow. This pace is getting a bit crazy. We have never been the ones to have our children in many (if any) activities. We made them wait until school age to play any organized sports,and then we only did Upward on a non-competitive team. I knew I didn't want the pressure. After years of begging for tackle football, we are trying it this year with the Boys Club of Benton County. Wow. It. Is. Intense. I didn't expect 12-15 hours of practice per week in 5th grade. Stuart has been going to every practice and watching, so he and Owen leave at 5:30 and usually don't get home until 8:30. Then, Owen takes a shower and goes to bed. I feel like I'm missing half my family for the whole week, and I am an only parent most nights to the younger kids. The unfortunate part (for me) is that Owen LOVES it. Stuart thinks he actually has some talent. In three seasons, he will be old enough to try out for a school team which has daily practice (and sometimes twice per day), so he needs to learn now if he ever hopes to get good enough to make the junior high team. Compared to most families, Owen is very old to finally play a real sport at age 10. The younger two kids are not even enrolled in anything. No sports or lessons for them! I can't take the stress of having every member of the family at different events all week long after I have taught school all day. I don't think it is worth it on my family life.
I hope we survive football season; maybe I will actually learn the rules (ha!). I have thought a cornerback was the same thing as a quarterback! Hopefully, it will be good experience, and Owen will learn life skills about responsibility, team work, dedication, and hard work. I think those lessons would help him develop immensely. Somehow, he does seem much older since he started playing football and began middle school last week!
When I picked him up from school the other day,he was shooting baskets in the gym with some friends. I saw him make three long distance shots in a row, and he won the shooting game they were playing. On the way home, he mentioned that he is getting pretty good at basketball and might want to try it this winter when football ends. Lord have mercy . . .
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Rhea Lana Sale Exceeds Expectations!
The Northwest Arkansas Rhea Lana consignment sale is this week from August 22-27 at the Frisco Station Mall in Rogers right next to Hobby Lobby. It is now open to the public daily and charges no admission! The hours are 9 am - 7 pm Monday through Wednesday and 9 am - 3 pm on Thursday. The half-price sale days are Friday with hours of 9 am - 7 pm and Saturday from 8 am - 2 pm.
I shopped during the pre-sale on Saturday when consignors are able to get in early before the sale opens to the public. I bought 60 items this time, and I averaged around $6 per item. My purchases included my daughter's ENTIRE fall/winter wardrobe including tops, pants, jeans, smocked dresses, pajamas, a light jacket, a heavy winter coat, and multiple pairs of shoes! Everything I found was name brand with styles from Gap, Children's Place, Gymboree, Matilda Jane, Orient Expressed, Stride Rite, Geox, Sperry, Petunia Pickle Bottom, Abercrombie, ZaZa Couture, and Mini Boden!
If you haven't gotten to the sale before, you need to try it out this week! This is the largest Rhea Lana sale in our area yet, and there were over 87,000 items from 1,100 consignors!!
I included pictures of some of my best deals above, and here are some more details:
1. Petunia Pickle Bottom toddler bag in mint condition - $8.00
2. Sperry Top Siders in mint condition - $10.00
3. Smocked dress by Orient Expressed - $15.00
4. Gap hooded heavy winter coat - $9.00
5. Pink Stride Rite tennis shoes in excellent condition - $3.50!!
6. Black mary jane Stride Rite shoes for $6.00
7. ZaZa Couture dress trimmed in faux fur - $10.00
8. Matilda Jane dress with minky dot ruffle pants (I am planning to use this outfit for a professional portrait this fall) - $20.00
I love the idea of recycling our used items at a consignment event because it is a form of living "green" plus it saves so much money in our family budget, even over sale shopping! So, get yourself to the Rhea Lana sale early this week to find all the good bargains that are still left! Don't forget to tell your friends! The sale also includes toys, bedding, and all sorts of baby equipment if you are needing those items. Happy shopping!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Back to School
Well, it's that time of year again, and we are getting ready to head back to school. I think this was the shortest summer ever, so I am still not quite ready to let it go! We had an amazing family vacation to Washington D.C. over the 4th of July and were away for ten days. This was our first family road trip of this length, and it was really fun. The kids did amazingly well on the 20 hour drive each way, and we enjoyed seeing sights like the arch in St. Louis and Gettysburg along the way since we were driving. We were invited to stay in a friend's apartment for free, so that was so convenient! We were only blocks from the Capitol and the Smithsonian museums.
Arden started pre-K yesterday at a new building with a new teacher, and she has been crying at drop-off. I have to begin attending teacher meetings next week, so I wanted her to have a few days to acclimate before I have to take her even earlier. I was hoping it would be an easier adjustment than this, but she really doesn't know anyone in her class right now, and she misses the security and comfort of her old building. She is still in the Bentonville School District program, but she was too old to attend in her previous location which only serves birth-3 year olds. I didn't have a choice about her being promoted to the pre-K facility, and I'm sure she would be like this at any new school. I am hoping it gets easier soon!
The boys will attend a week of day camp next week while I am in teacher inservice meetings, then they begin officially on August 15. Hudson will have Mr. Stolt for 2nd grade, and he is SO excited to have a male elementary teacher! Owen doesn't know his teacher assignment until next week, but he will be switching to middle school and also have a new building to navigate. He is very excited about it! Owen also signed up for competitive tackle football for the first time and had a skills test last night for team placement. He feels he did well and didn't have any problems auditioning in front of a panel of coaches! I am hoping the heat tapers off, so that practices are not too hot or demanding, but that is the "mom" in me! Stuart says we need to let him toughen up and follow his dreams which are to be an NFL player at this point! Ha
I am wrapping up tagging all my consignment clothes for the upcoming Rhea Lana sale and hope to finish that today, then I need to complete Arden's baby book before I go back to school. The good news from school that I found out yesterday is that I do not have to float this year! That is where a teacher teaches classes in several different rooms. I have room shared for the past two years which actually was not terrible, as I only taught one class each day in another English teacher's room. However, it will be luxury not to have a cart at all and no longer transport markers, supplies, projects, handouts, etc. up and down the crowded hallway every day!
I got a lot done on National Board Certification this summer, and I am taking a break from it for a few months to get into the routine of the new school year. I will be collecting writing samples from students this fall in order to select samples to use for my last entry where I analyze student writing. I have until March to finish the writing, and I am about 2/3 done already, so I feel good about that. I am sure I will be revising this fall as I get some professors and other NB teachers to be readers for me.
Arden started pre-K yesterday at a new building with a new teacher, and she has been crying at drop-off. I have to begin attending teacher meetings next week, so I wanted her to have a few days to acclimate before I have to take her even earlier. I was hoping it would be an easier adjustment than this, but she really doesn't know anyone in her class right now, and she misses the security and comfort of her old building. She is still in the Bentonville School District program, but she was too old to attend in her previous location which only serves birth-3 year olds. I didn't have a choice about her being promoted to the pre-K facility, and I'm sure she would be like this at any new school. I am hoping it gets easier soon!
The boys will attend a week of day camp next week while I am in teacher inservice meetings, then they begin officially on August 15. Hudson will have Mr. Stolt for 2nd grade, and he is SO excited to have a male elementary teacher! Owen doesn't know his teacher assignment until next week, but he will be switching to middle school and also have a new building to navigate. He is very excited about it! Owen also signed up for competitive tackle football for the first time and had a skills test last night for team placement. He feels he did well and didn't have any problems auditioning in front of a panel of coaches! I am hoping the heat tapers off, so that practices are not too hot or demanding, but that is the "mom" in me! Stuart says we need to let him toughen up and follow his dreams which are to be an NFL player at this point! Ha
I am wrapping up tagging all my consignment clothes for the upcoming Rhea Lana sale and hope to finish that today, then I need to complete Arden's baby book before I go back to school. The good news from school that I found out yesterday is that I do not have to float this year! That is where a teacher teaches classes in several different rooms. I have room shared for the past two years which actually was not terrible, as I only taught one class each day in another English teacher's room. However, it will be luxury not to have a cart at all and no longer transport markers, supplies, projects, handouts, etc. up and down the crowded hallway every day!
I got a lot done on National Board Certification this summer, and I am taking a break from it for a few months to get into the routine of the new school year. I will be collecting writing samples from students this fall in order to select samples to use for my last entry where I analyze student writing. I have until March to finish the writing, and I am about 2/3 done already, so I feel good about that. I am sure I will be revising this fall as I get some professors and other NB teachers to be readers for me.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
What exactly is the Rhea Lana sale??
Have you heard of this sale? Do you wonder what Rhea Lana is or how to pronounce it? Do you want to know how I saved over $1100 this past spring in only one day by shopping this consignment event? I simply shop for my daughter's entire seasonal wardrobe at a consignment sale and sell my children's outgrown clothing in the process! See, it's that easy.
In northwest Arkansas the best consignment sale is called Rhea Lana after the original founder. The local NWA franchise is actually run by Rhea Lana's sister Ashley Shaver. This amazing, large consignment sale sells kids' clothing, toys, and baby equipment. Rhea Lana offers a good selection from thousands of consignors, so that it is realistic to purchase a large amount of your child's wardrobe with used clothing. If you are pregnant, you can also purchase baby furniture, jumparoos, high chairs, exersaucers, bouncy seats, etc. Since my children are no longer infants, I have pretty much stopped shopping for anything but shoes and clothing, and it is still very much worth my time and effort.
The NW Arkansas Rhea Lana sale will be at the Frisco Station Mall on Walnut in Rogers (by Hobby Lobby) from August 21-27. It is free of charge and open to the public during those days. However, the key (I think) to both making money and getting the best bargains is to become a consignor. This means you sign up to sell 15-150 of your children's gently used fall/winter items. The benefit to this is that you get paid to clean out your children's outgrown items PLUS you get to shop early before the general public and get the best pick of the clothing that is for sale! If it feels overwhelming for the first time, just try selling 25 items in the first sale to learn the routine. It really is very easy and all done online. I usually sell around 125 items and make a profit of $200-300 (and most of my items are play clothes; fancier clothing and boutique items will sell for much more). Consignors get to keep 70% of your profits for items which sell, and you can pick up anything that doesn't sell if you don't want it donated. Rhea Lana sales even guarantee they will pay for any lost items!
Here are the FAQ's for the next sale:
1. They will only take fall/winter clothes and toys, baby items, furniture, etc
2. You must consign a minimum of 15 items to a maximum of 150
3. They will take a consignor fee and 30% off your profits and give you a check for the rest on the final pick-up day
4. Go online to Rhea Lana website to get a consignment number
5. Enter your items online into their spreadsheet format (so easy)
6. Drop off your items for check in and to put on the labels between August 17-19. When you check in your items, you will get the special pass to shop early.
7. Arrive at 1:00 on Saturday, August 20, to shop at the pre-sale for consignors
During the last sale, I purchased 72 items at the pre-sale and then went back to the 1/2 price sale and bought 20 more items. My total purchases cost $415 which averages to $4.51 per item! This included two smocked dresses, 3 pairs of Stride Rite shoes, and mostly Gymboree/Children's Place/Gap clothes. I can't beat that in terms of time saved plus "one stop shopping." I would never be able to find shoes, coats, and smocked dresses for that price on any sale in a store!
Now, let's do the math for real savings. If I purchased 92 items at retail stores, even on "good" sales, I would probably spend at least $14/item on average to get that many items in the right sizes. That would total $1288. Then, let's subtract what I actually spent at the sale which was $420. That leaves a difference of $873 in SAVINGS for purchasing the same number of clothes! Better yet, let's add to that savings the profit that I earned from selling my clothing at the same event which was $250. So, my total "savings + profit" for the last sale was $1123! Pretty amazing, isn't it.
So, for those of you who think consignment shopping is just too much work, you ought to try it at least once. Here is the break-down of how much time it cost me to participate:
1) hanging old clothes and pricing them online - 3 hours (for 125 items)
2) putting on labels that I printed at home and pinning on the sales tags - 1 1/2 hours
3) checking in my items to sell at the sale - 1 1/2 hours
4) shopping at the sales - 4 hours (includes two trips)
TOTAL: 10 hours labor
If my "savings + profit" was $1123 divided by 10 hours of labor/shopping time, I just made $112 per hour for my time. Yes, I think it is worth the effort. Don't you?
In northwest Arkansas the best consignment sale is called Rhea Lana after the original founder. The local NWA franchise is actually run by Rhea Lana's sister Ashley Shaver. This amazing, large consignment sale sells kids' clothing, toys, and baby equipment. Rhea Lana offers a good selection from thousands of consignors, so that it is realistic to purchase a large amount of your child's wardrobe with used clothing. If you are pregnant, you can also purchase baby furniture, jumparoos, high chairs, exersaucers, bouncy seats, etc. Since my children are no longer infants, I have pretty much stopped shopping for anything but shoes and clothing, and it is still very much worth my time and effort.
The NW Arkansas Rhea Lana sale will be at the Frisco Station Mall on Walnut in Rogers (by Hobby Lobby) from August 21-27. It is free of charge and open to the public during those days. However, the key (I think) to both making money and getting the best bargains is to become a consignor. This means you sign up to sell 15-150 of your children's gently used fall/winter items. The benefit to this is that you get paid to clean out your children's outgrown items PLUS you get to shop early before the general public and get the best pick of the clothing that is for sale! If it feels overwhelming for the first time, just try selling 25 items in the first sale to learn the routine. It really is very easy and all done online. I usually sell around 125 items and make a profit of $200-300 (and most of my items are play clothes; fancier clothing and boutique items will sell for much more). Consignors get to keep 70% of your profits for items which sell, and you can pick up anything that doesn't sell if you don't want it donated. Rhea Lana sales even guarantee they will pay for any lost items!
Here are the FAQ's for the next sale:
1. They will only take fall/winter clothes and toys, baby items, furniture, etc
2. You must consign a minimum of 15 items to a maximum of 150
3. They will take a consignor fee and 30% off your profits and give you a check for the rest on the final pick-up day
4. Go online to Rhea Lana website to get a consignment number
5. Enter your items online into their spreadsheet format (so easy)
6. Drop off your items for check in and to put on the labels between August 17-19. When you check in your items, you will get the special pass to shop early.
7. Arrive at 1:00 on Saturday, August 20, to shop at the pre-sale for consignors
During the last sale, I purchased 72 items at the pre-sale and then went back to the 1/2 price sale and bought 20 more items. My total purchases cost $415 which averages to $4.51 per item! This included two smocked dresses, 3 pairs of Stride Rite shoes, and mostly Gymboree/Children's Place/Gap clothes. I can't beat that in terms of time saved plus "one stop shopping." I would never be able to find shoes, coats, and smocked dresses for that price on any sale in a store!
Now, let's do the math for real savings. If I purchased 92 items at retail stores, even on "good" sales, I would probably spend at least $14/item on average to get that many items in the right sizes. That would total $1288. Then, let's subtract what I actually spent at the sale which was $420. That leaves a difference of $873 in SAVINGS for purchasing the same number of clothes! Better yet, let's add to that savings the profit that I earned from selling my clothing at the same event which was $250. So, my total "savings + profit" for the last sale was $1123! Pretty amazing, isn't it.
So, for those of you who think consignment shopping is just too much work, you ought to try it at least once. Here is the break-down of how much time it cost me to participate:
1) hanging old clothes and pricing them online - 3 hours (for 125 items)
2) putting on labels that I printed at home and pinning on the sales tags - 1 1/2 hours
3) checking in my items to sell at the sale - 1 1/2 hours
4) shopping at the sales - 4 hours (includes two trips)
TOTAL: 10 hours labor
If my "savings + profit" was $1123 divided by 10 hours of labor/shopping time, I just made $112 per hour for my time. Yes, I think it is worth the effort. Don't you?
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Winding Down
So . . . the school year is winding down, and it has been flying by since we finished spring break in March. The boys have had lots of school activities, and Owen was in the performance of 101 Dalmations with the 4th graders at his school. My birthday in April was a fun celebration, and Stuart bought me an iPhone 4 to replace my vintage flip phone that didn't have working voicemail. I have really enjoyed having a phone that allows me to check the internet and my email when away from a computer. It also comes in handy if we have a long wait at restaurants or doctor appointments, so I can show Hudson or Arden a children's video from Netflix right on my phone.
It's been a good month with my students, and this time of year is always reflective as I prepare to say goodbye to my students and don't see them in the same way next year. I have gotten some nice letters, a poem written about me, and a bouquet of flowers from some dear students over the past few weeks. I really love teaching, and I do feel that what I do matters.
I went to Little Rock over my birthday weekend to see Beth Moore live at Verizon Arena with my mom. It was a whirlwind trip, but it was very encouraging and uplifting. It was just the getaway I needed! I think it was the first time in several years that I had gone away overnight without kids.
We took the kids to Silver Dollar City with our new season passes and visited or the first time last weekend. It turned out to be a very hot day at almost 90 degrees, but it was a lot of fun!We didn't attempt the rides with long lines and just casually enjoyed the time. The kids rode a few rides like the teacups, Dumbo, and the jumping frogs. We all rode the boat ride, and then we went to two shows (a comedy circus and the step dancers). Arden's favorite part is getting taffy at the old-fashioned candy store!
We have about three more weeks of school, then I will be going to a few days of professional development training on the new Common Core Standards which our state is adopting. I am also beginning work on my National Board Certification, and I have plans to work a few hours each week during the summer on some of the entries that I can start now. I have lined up a teenager in our neighborhood to play with the kids at my house or one half-day every week this summer, so I can go and write my materials in an undisturbed session at the my school or the public library.
We hope to visit the Tulsa Zoo next weekend, if the weather cooperates. Then, the boys have church camp from June 20-24, which is a full-day outdoor camp at Beaver Lake. We are hoping to be able to take a family vacation to Washington D.C. in July, if our free housing works out; Stuart has a friend who works there and has a two bedroom apartment near the Capitol that he is offering us, if the dates work out. It will be a long drive with the kids, but it will be a relatively affordable trip since the housing would be free, and most of the museums we want to see are also free admission.
I am trying to get all the last minute things done to wrap up the year while also enjoying my final days with my great classes. I can't believe that Owen changes schools next year and begins middle school! He loved the tour of the middle school when we attended the orientation a few weeks ago; he is really ready to move up and have a team of four teachers. It is still a little sad to think that he and Hudson won't be riding the bus together next year anymore, and they won't be on the same campus again until high school. Arden will also be changing buildings next year, as she will be promoted to the pre-K facility in the school district that begins at age 3 1/2 until kindergarten. Thankfully, all of her friends in her current class will be moving up with her which will ease the transition.
I love this time of year; it's getting warm but not too hot, the anticipation of summer is upon us, the expanse of our vacation is still ahead, and I feel grateful for all we accomplished in the past year of school!
It's been a good month with my students, and this time of year is always reflective as I prepare to say goodbye to my students and don't see them in the same way next year. I have gotten some nice letters, a poem written about me, and a bouquet of flowers from some dear students over the past few weeks. I really love teaching, and I do feel that what I do matters.
I went to Little Rock over my birthday weekend to see Beth Moore live at Verizon Arena with my mom. It was a whirlwind trip, but it was very encouraging and uplifting. It was just the getaway I needed! I think it was the first time in several years that I had gone away overnight without kids.
We took the kids to Silver Dollar City with our new season passes and visited or the first time last weekend. It turned out to be a very hot day at almost 90 degrees, but it was a lot of fun!We didn't attempt the rides with long lines and just casually enjoyed the time. The kids rode a few rides like the teacups, Dumbo, and the jumping frogs. We all rode the boat ride, and then we went to two shows (a comedy circus and the step dancers). Arden's favorite part is getting taffy at the old-fashioned candy store!
We have about three more weeks of school, then I will be going to a few days of professional development training on the new Common Core Standards which our state is adopting. I am also beginning work on my National Board Certification, and I have plans to work a few hours each week during the summer on some of the entries that I can start now. I have lined up a teenager in our neighborhood to play with the kids at my house or one half-day every week this summer, so I can go and write my materials in an undisturbed session at the my school or the public library.
We hope to visit the Tulsa Zoo next weekend, if the weather cooperates. Then, the boys have church camp from June 20-24, which is a full-day outdoor camp at Beaver Lake. We are hoping to be able to take a family vacation to Washington D.C. in July, if our free housing works out; Stuart has a friend who works there and has a two bedroom apartment near the Capitol that he is offering us, if the dates work out. It will be a long drive with the kids, but it will be a relatively affordable trip since the housing would be free, and most of the museums we want to see are also free admission.
I am trying to get all the last minute things done to wrap up the year while also enjoying my final days with my great classes. I can't believe that Owen changes schools next year and begins middle school! He loved the tour of the middle school when we attended the orientation a few weeks ago; he is really ready to move up and have a team of four teachers. It is still a little sad to think that he and Hudson won't be riding the bus together next year anymore, and they won't be on the same campus again until high school. Arden will also be changing buildings next year, as she will be promoted to the pre-K facility in the school district that begins at age 3 1/2 until kindergarten. Thankfully, all of her friends in her current class will be moving up with her which will ease the transition.
I love this time of year; it's getting warm but not too hot, the anticipation of summer is upon us, the expanse of our vacation is still ahead, and I feel grateful for all we accomplished in the past year of school!
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