What a Whirlwind Weekend That Was...

Phew! What a crazy, but enjoyable weekend. The highlight was getting to visit with my sister. We dropped of my oldest in Price on the way up so he could go to the races with his grandparents. We finally made it to Magna after stopping at my wife's wood sets dealer (that sounds so dark and evil, doesn't it?!?!) to get the wood for her special orders. It is always an adventure to visit their store what with 4 little kids running around. We did finally make it to my sisters house, however.  I really enjoyed the time I got to sit and chat with her. She also showed us the "Prince of Persia" movie. It was actually quite good. It is definitely a "buyer". I was glad that there wasn't a lot of visual violence (blood and guts- I mean there was a lot of implied violence).

We stayed Friday night into Saturday. Saturday was a lazy day in that I got to sleep in, but felt like I never got any sleep. We went to DI and found some great scrapbooking "stuff" for my wife and then I went home with my brother-in-law and chilled while the ladies finished shopping. They finally got home around 6pm and we loaded up and headed home. That was quite the trip.

We stopped in Price to shop at Wal-Mart (the kids had to get gifts for their friends birthdays). It was a nice break. The kids had fun shopping in the school clearance isle- lol. We bought quite the array of items, that is for sure. We finally made it home around 10:30pm and by the time we got everything unloaded, unpacked, and put away (okay, my wife did most of that) it was almost 11pm. I attempted to read for my class (thankfully it is a very light load this week, only one chapter between BOTH classes- YEA!) but ended up asleep in the chair.

Church today was nice. There was one less early morning meeting so I got to sleep in today. Church went well, and I was able to visit all the families that I have been assigned to watch over. This afternoon, I watered the yard and garden and we went to visit my parents. The kids had fun picking raspberries with grandma and fresh plums off her tree. She was so cute with the kids. She poured a bowl of sugar and the kids had "sugar plums".  They really enjoyed that time with grandma.

After we came home we all did our own thing for a while before I told everyone we needed to get out of the house and go for a walk. We walked around the block. When we got home, we all stayed outside and played. Below are some great pictures I took of the kids (thanks for unloading the camera honey!):

This is one of my favorite ones. I hid around the corner and jumped out and scared my son and daughter. She about had a heart-attack. Man, that was great! 

 The kids wanted me to get their picture while they were in the air. They were so silly! They kept trying and trying. We mostly succeeded.

I really enjoyed this weekend. I hope that I can have many more in the future that were this productive and relaxing.

Later...

A Fun Friday and a Relaxing Saturday!

Friday started out as a focused work day. I headed to school after having breakfast with the kids and doing a few chores around the house. After arriving in my classroom, I set to work working on Back-2-School packets for the August 18th parent meetings (this is the first time since I have been at this school that Back-2-School has been BEFORE school starts. I am liking the idea a lot). Since my brain was in high-gear, I took some time to go over the student council application and process that I have been using over the past few years. I had noted at the end of the school year last year items that I wanted changed or more emphasis placed on. I made my list, altered the applications and then headed down to get approval from my administrator. I went over all my ideas, and with many helpful suggestions from my boss, it was decided that we would present this information for the faculty and also get their feedback. I am truly excited for the changes this year.

After visiting with my administrator I returned to my room to find if full or friends and kids. Some friends from our ward had stopped into see my wife and I. They had a question about an open position at the school so I asked Ms. D (our administrator) to come down to my room and talk to them. We all started visiting.

FAST FORWARD 4 HOURS...

We were still talking when we realized  that all the adults had not eaten. The kids had all eaten at the school's free summer lunch program, but they were starting to get hungry. Well, that led to some plotting and it was decided that we would have a BBQ at our house. We decided to meet up a couple of hours later to allow us time to go to our homes and make our assigned dishes. (and it also meant that I didn't finish what I had set out to work on... and that was perfectly great because I enjoyed visiting VERY MUCH!)

When the party got under way it was very fun. The kids all played well together, the food was fantastic, and the company was even better. We laughed, shared stories, watched crazy youtube videos, teased the kids, and even sang some songs while my wife  accompanied us. The party ended around 11:30am due to the fact that everyone had to be up for some event or other the next day, not to mention the kids were dropping off asleep like flies.

It was a wonderful time and we appreciate our friends very much! :) We need to do that more often with these and other friends as well. Sigh...

I love summer.

My wife and I actually went to bed "early" for us. It was before midnight when we were out! Still slept until after 8. Well, I did. My wife was up feeding the baby around 7:00am ish. I think. I don't remember for sure.

After getting up, showered, and ready for the day, I decided that I was simply going to spend today doing what I wanted and really nothing school related. I finished a book (and wanted to start another one, but couldn't find one here at home I wanted to read- ironic I know). So, I have been blogging, watering the flowerbeds, and watching DVD's of Perry Mason. What more could I want today???? :)

Well, I am going to get back to enjoying my day!

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...

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...

A New Day, A New Look

Well,
I finally had a spare hour to sit down and update my blog design. I like this layout lots better. Still not sure about the color choices for fonts, etc. But all those things are fixable. I am going to have my sister design a new header for me (and also one that fits!)

It has been a lazy Saturday- something we have waited a month to have. Even better is that next week is only 3 days of school. Yea! I am so glad about that. Tomorrow (Sunday) should be eventful to say the least. I am speaking in church (was asked yesterday) and I am also conducting Elder's Quorum this month. Luckily, next week I am going with my dad to Moab to speak in a ward there. Wahoo for me! Still need to get my Home Teaching done. Wow- so much to do and not enough time to do it all!

I have been working with Elysabeth Eldering in my classroom for 2 weeks now (I think- WOW TIME FLIES). We make a great team- especially since we are about as far apart in this great nation as you can be! Amazing the things that CAN be accomplished with the technology of today. My students are enjoying it as well. Today we have been discussing ways to make the experience even better. 3 of 5 groups of my students have finished the book and the other 2 will finish it on Tuesday. They have really given it great reviews. If you haven't checked out her book yet on Amazon, you ought to. Click Here: State of Wilderness. It really is worth every penny- quick, interesting read for adults, but fun and engaging for young adults/kids.

I look forward to sharing my own "book" that I have written someday. Maybe I will work on that today as well! Who knows. The writing bug is starting to bite again. Anyways...

This evening is going to be fun. We went to the store as a family a little while ago and bought a bunch of treats (and 25 lbs. of hamburger since it was $1 a pound- HOLY CRAP! It's all bagged and in the deep freeze!) and we are going to watch Hocus Pocus and eat all our treats (And most likely end up REALLY sick- lol)! That is going to be a lot of fun. The kids are very excited. They, however are stuck in "clean the house" mode as they have to do that before we do anything. I just figure they have WAY too many toys. Maybe the "Toy Stealer" will have to visit one night. LOL

Well, I have school stuff that I probably SHOULD do (Don't wanna) so I better sign off for now. Enjoy the day,

Later...

Finally, A Day Of My Own

Ahhh,
That is the word of the day today. I have had a relaxing and enjoyable day. I made it to my tutoring gig around 9am. Found out that I am going to be tutoring in a lot more than just math! I spent about 1.5 hours getting him set up with assignments and will be returning again tomorrow to check his work and set him up with more work. Then I was able to work in the yard, help my mom make an invitation for her counsins reunion, and went shopping. Now I am sitting here trying to think of something to tell that will entertain you.

Well, I really can't. So I know that this is a short, boring post, but I wanted to check-in with everyone today.

Oh, I guess I could tell you that I got an e-mail for the CORE Academy asking me to teach the presentation before mine in Logan. I told them that I really didn't want to teach for 5 hours straight. So I would rather not. I haven't heard back, so I assume that they know I am not doing it. They tried to use the "You owe us one since we didn't get mad about the books and dice you forgot".

Speaking of which, I guess I do have an entertaining story to share. I last left you with the knowledge that my books had been shipped, and that they were in Spanish Fork. At least that is what the confirmation results showed. I even called the post office, but they were of little help (which is kind of typical of most post offices). I got to the school and Ami, the assistant was on her phone outside. She told me they hadn't shown up yet. I went ahead and set up for my presentation. Had lunch with Allisha and the kids. Still no box. I went and talked to the school office staff. They said the mail is rarely later than 1:30. My presentations start at 1:20. I just know that with my luck the post truck will go up in flames and my items will be lost forever. Right on the dot at 1:20 I start my presentation. I had told my wife if they came to count out the number I needed and bring them in to me. I kept looking at my watch. it was 1:35 and still no wife or box. I am starting to get VERY worried, almost to the point of NOT being able to focus super well on my presentation.

To Be Continued...