Spring Break (and Other Things)

I knew when I woke up Thursday morning that it was going to be a glorious day. Not because the weather was nice, not because I was almost finished with my college classes (including papers and projects), but totally, 100%, most certainly because it was going to be Spring Break starting at 3:05pm.

Now, don't get me wrong. I do enjoy teaching, I LOVE working with kids, and I enjoy seeing my colleagues- but nothing...and I mean NOTHING beats being at home with my family. Yes my kids can make me annoyed (who doesn't make someone else annoyed) but I love being with them. My littlest son is at a fun age. He follows me around and copies me, ask questions in his own point and mumble way, or simply smiles at me and runs at me hoping I will pick him up (and I do!).

I will skip boring you with all the details of what we have accomplished this break but I know that the lawn loves me more, the kids tetherball pole is standing proud and ready to use, and the enemy known as "the weeds" have been vanquished. All in all is have been a glorious break. I even mowed my parents lawn (with help from my 10 yr old) and after my parents gave me my new trimmer for Father's Day (I know, a little early but really needed) I even trimmed out their yard and then promptly came home and did my own. It has needed it for over a year- the lawn mower just doesn't do a great job of trimming the edges of the lawn. Believe me, I have tried everything short of flipping the mower on its back to cut those few stubborn blades of grass that elude me each mowing.

I can say that we have also visited the local ACE Hardware multiple times this break. Thankfully it was for little projects that I have wanted to do for a long time (fix the back gate, etc.). I need a few more items (little things like "roof repair" tar since the wind decided to remove a few of my shingles for me) and a couple of "L" brackets for the glass front cupboard door my daughter generously removed our cabinets for me.

Last night was nice. We cruised up to my parents house around 9pm and sat on their deck under their new (and wonderfully fun) deck heater. I was quite surprised that it put off as much heat as it did. The kids all ate grandma out of house and home and then snuggled down and three of them fell asleep. I must say that sitting there like a pop-tart in the toaster made it hard to stay awake. We made it home and to the couch before I fell asleep again for about 2 more hours. We woke up just in time to hear the Easter Bunny heading out the front door and then went to bed (for real in our real bed).

Today was a day full of meetings and "stuff". We did go on a nice walk around the town (not that that is hard in a town our size...lol). We made it home and the kids were just getting out their bikes and scooters to ride for a minute when the rain started. I guess on the upside, we were home and not out walking.

We are going to be heading out here in a few minutes to go on our weekly "ride with grandma and grandpa" so I should probably end this here. I think that it could be a while before I am back again as well. Tuesday is my final class and Ms. D and I have our presentation and then we are 100% done with the program, we just have to wait for the grades.

Wednesday is the pinewood derby race. It should be interesting to say the least. My son actually went for a "real" car this year. it actually looks like a 1950's police car. He really needs to finish that as well (I guess I need to help him).

Thursday should be an exciting day...we are heading to the hospital to have our 6th and (it better be) final child. We are excited and nervous all rolled into one. From there life will take us where it may- and hopefully May will be good!

Later...

It Has Begun...

WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Spring Break has officially begun! 6, six, S-I-X glorious days of rest and relaxation. Again is say, "WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOO"

That is All I have to say about that!

I am excited for the break and the chance it will bring for me to spend much needed/wanted time with my sweet little family. I don't feel like I see them anymore. I always have some meeting or other to go to. My kids are always asking when they will get to see me. That is really sad.

My oldest son moved from a Wolf to a Bear tonight in cub scouts. We attended the Blue and Gold Banquet and watched as he received many awards and then had his ceremony to move to the next rank. I have it on video and may someday add it (however don't hold your breath).

My classes last night were nice. I actually enjoyed both. I even made numerous comments in one that I usually don't comment often in. I had the due date mixed up for the next writing assignment and thus I turned it in a week early. Oh well, at least now I can enjoy my break. I also asked about the next writing assignment and asked why we needed it. The teacher modified it and made it much more manageable (at least it seems that way to me). So I have two more assignments to live through and then I can be done! I WILL MAKE IT!!!!!

Well, it is getting late (not that I care because I don't have to wake up early) and my kids want a late snack and to play Pictureka. So, I am off to have fun!

Later...

And We're Back...

Live from Life, it's T-U-E-S-D-A-Y Night! And a boy howdy to that too. You can really tell when students have had 5 straight days with no school. I feel that even though we had quite a few rough spots today, overall things went well.

We started today off with morning meeting. I haven't done that in about 5 months. I think that it was part of the problem. We had a great time. Then we headed right into math. Things seemed to go okay. We also started a new math unit today. We are now working in probability. I hope this change of topic will get the students motivated in math again!

I also tried a new strategy with the kids. I assigned them jobs at their tables. One thing that they were responsible for as well as being an active participant. I am excited to see how this new arrangement helps. I also mixed up our day as the students had requested. I think that added the chaos. But they weren't bored! :)

Yesterday was AWESOME too. The last day of spring break and I truly enjoyed it. I have to confess that I did spend 6 hours at the school (thanks honey for not killing me :) ) and got caught up on projects (like rearranging shelves so I can find stuff faster, and decluttering other areas). My wife and kids came and helped towards the end. That was fun. As we headed home from the store, we got a text from some friends asking if we wanted to head out to the "beach" (a really neat, sandy area close to town along the river). We were excited to be invited and headed out. It was very relaxing to visit with friends and let the kids play (and yes, I was stressed about them getting wet, etc. But I am trying to be more relaxed in those situations!). After the beach, we came home and had a BBQ as a family and went for a nice walk. It was hard to make myself get back in the routine to bedtime for the kids. I have enjoyed so much seeing them and being with them.

I am a little leary about starting my Masters Degree. My first meeting (new student orientation) in on the 23rd! From there we start classes in May. That isn't so bad, but my math endorsement classes only end 1 week before the masters start. YUCKY! (I have probably already cried about that in a post somewhere else, maybe even more than once. Can you tell I am a little worried? :)) But, I think once it is underway, things will go okay.

Oh, I forgot to say that the other night I got a phone call offering me a place in this year's CORE Academy. I politely declined! They tried to convince me to run up to the Wasatch Front every Wednesday (between my Tuesday, Thursday classes, mind you) and teach a session. Ummm.... Heck No! Not just no, but HECK NO!

Well, I think I have shared enough of my life for the night. Good night out there in Cyberland!

Later...

I know, I know...I Should Be Sleeping!

Greetings. I know that it is REALLY late and that I should be sleeping, but I wanted to make a quick post about the day.

It started by waking to the sound of rain hitting the roof and windows in our bedroom. I was a little disappointed because we were supposed to have a BBQ with some friends in the evening. But, we decided to get up and get started with our day. We had a great breakfast together and then got to work doing various projects we wanted to complete. I had asked my father to come and help me level the sand in the back yard and make the fenced in area larger so we could set up the swing set my parents gave the kids. That took about 2-3 hours to complete (minus the swing set- that will be another 5-6 hours tomorrow(today really) or Monday!).

Afterwards we had a few errands to run and took care of those.By this time it was time to head to the BBQ. Talk about a great evening. My wife and I enjoyed visiting with other adults and the kids had a blast with their kids. We even squeezed in some Guitar Hero and other games. It was pretty late when we left to come home (hence the late post).

Tomorrow will be a bit of a drowsy day, but BRING IT ON!!! :) Anyways, wanted to share this great day with everyone. I think that this has been the best spring break EVER!!!

Later...

P.S. Happy Birthday to my mom on Friday. We had a great time swimming. Thanks for taking us! :-)

YIPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am doing the happy dance right now- can you picture it? Well if you can't that's good because I am sure it would be REALLY ugly to see (I dance about as good as an elephant)! 5, FIVE, 1-2-3-4-5, glorious days of freedom (from school) and the chance to catch up on a TON of honey-do items. Thrown in with some: Swimming (I have strong feelings against it, but it IS my mom's birthday, so I will do along with it), BBQ with some friends, visiting my sister, catching up on school projects, and lots of yard work! I am looking forward to all of it.

Today was our Spring Celebration (a.k.a Easter Party). I have a really awesome parent volunteer who has done an outstanding job do my class parties. What a godsend she is! Thank you so much Michelle! The kids were SO ready to be done with school. I had to take a timeout and regain my perspective. When you feel like you want to walk out the door and head on down the principal's office and say, "I am quitting now. Good luck!" as you head on out the door, it is time to rethink where you are at. I did, and I am feeling much better. I had a candid conversation with the class about why things as so different. They said they are bored with the same routine. I found that strange. Every education book I have read says kids "crave" routine. Apparently they don't know this class. :) So, we had a good discussion on how all the things we do each day DO need to be done, and I will work to use more variety to teach them. Maybe that is the root of the whole problem. I look forward to trying a shift in the schedule to see if that helps things out. I am sure I will keep you posted!

I better go. I had a voice lesson that didn't show, so I am going to walk down to the church for my oldest son's pack meeting.

Later...