Day 45

The Beginning of a Long Drive Home

We made it home safely after a 9 hour drive.  It was a fun trip and we will definitely have to go back to Havasu, some time.  The dogs and kitty were VERY excited to see us when we came home.  There will be lots of snuggling with the pets tonight, we missed them!

Day 44

London Bridge is Falling Down

We walked across the London Bridge today here in Lake Havasu, AZ.  The cost to buy the bridge was close to half of what it cost to ship it over here, piece by piece. 

Day 43

A Race Well Done!

Chris raced, "Ironman", today.  This means he ran the race ALONE!  He was one of three to race alone.  The remainder had teams of two or three.  In addition, most of the racers were run-a-bouts (sit down skis).  The first racer to hit 300 miles ends the race.  When that happened, Chris had just finished mile #120, which was exceptional, especially for being alone.  We had a wonderful day and I am so proud of Chris!

Day 42

A Very Looooooong Drive!

Well, we made it to Lake Havasu.  The drive started and ended rough.  We left Pleasanton at 6:30 a.m. in the pouring rain which lasted for about an hour into our drive.  Then, it cleared up....phew!  Chris and I traded off driving every two hours, or so, which really helped with passing time.  Then, who would have thought that TWO freeways both called 95 head to Lake Havasu?  Guess which one we took?  The wrong one!  That cost us about an extra hour, ugh.  In the end we made it here safely and Chris is preparing for his big race.

Day 41

You Tell Them, Einstein!

The fifth grade went to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory today for a field trip.  This picture is of Einstein in the classroom at the site.  

The kids played around with fun science, completed projects at different stations, and then participated in experiments with a scientist.  Mr. Walker even came to visit us since this is his place of work.  

I always love this field trip because they learn so much, have fun, and it is FREE!

Day 40

Retirement for Me = NO!

So uplifting...Social Security will run out and my retirement from teaching (the one everyone says will be so fabulous) will be nonexistent.  

I decided to make my picture for today about this newspaper article stating how all teachers retiring now will get around 60% of their pay for retirement, but me, 0!  Let's hope California wins the Lottery!

Day 39

The Team T-Shirt for the Big Race

Chris' big jet-ski race is this Saturday and we are getting all ready.  We purchased this t-shirt for me and the whole "pit crew" to wear.  Chris' mom came up with this great idea and we will sure stand out with these bright yellow shirts.

The reason why we will wear "Tillman" shirts is because Chris is racing to raise money for the Pat Tillman Foundation which gives scholarships to military members.  Chris is the only racer (to our knowledge) that is raising money for a charity.  So far, he has raised over $1100...I am so proud!

Day 38

A Walk On Our Day Off

Chris and I took the dogs out today for one of our favorite walks that overlooks a creek.  We also brought our new camera to experiment with it.  Ahhh, how I wish every weekend was a 3-day one!

Day 37

Spinning Football (I was the spinner)

Lounging Harles

Yet, Another Amazing Sunset Sky

There is Hope-Blossoms are Sprouting!

Cactus that Survived the Move

 

Well, that was sure more than a picture today!  But, we just got the new camera (see yesterday's post) and we have been playing around with it last night and today.  So much fun!

Day 36

Our New and Improved Camera

Since I won our annual College Football Pool, I got a gift of my choosing.  So, we used money from our tax returns and purchased a new, long awaited camera.  The next photos will be from our new toy.

Day 35

Cheers!

Finally the end to a very long, rainy week.  Oh, how excited I am for this three day weekend!

Day 34

AM or PM or maybe BOTH!?!?

Ya, this would be the time I was driving down the street leading to school this morning and from school this night.  Oh what a long day it has been!  

1.  It was raining.  Kids are CRAZY in the rain.  Each time it rains they act like it is raining literal dogs and cats outside.

2.  Hormones are going wild in fifth grade.  Even worse than that, when hormones are going wild, they are mean to the ones they like.  I don't get it.

3.  Looong meeting after school...3-4:30 with follow up work until 6. 

4.  I am in charge of Staff Room cleaning this week...gross!

5.  Math Night with the first graders and their parents.  I actually saw a child try to put beans in his ears (the beans were counters).  I then thought how fifth grade is much easier, even though they are boy/girl crazy right now.

And...good night!

Day 33

After Workout

Ahhhh, done with that session.  I saw my trainer today that I have been going to since August.  Today was hard!  The only picture of an after workout will be of my feet because I was sweaty today.  Since it was so very cold we had the heat cranked up but then I just got HOT and I worked hard. 

Day 32

Empty Plate = TROUBLE!

A Doggy Kicked Out

 I cleaned the dishes and thought everything was put away.  So, I let in the two dogs and...Dixie went sniffing around, jumped, we heard a plate move, silence!  Chris turned to me and asked, "Did you put the bacon away?!"  UH OH!  

Dixie ate three pieces of bacon and did leave one on the plate, so nice of her!  Well, Dixie got kicked out to the backyard (and is barking away as I type this) while Kona got the remaining piece.  Chris is pouting!

Day 31

Decorating Cookies

I had so many worries, all weekend, about today but it went well with the kids.  My Student Teacher, did a fun lesson with the kids in which they learned about the history of Valentine's Day, learned how to say "I love you" in many different languages, and did a candy heart sentence activity.  

For our party we watch "Charlie Brown" and the kids passed out their valentines.  We also decorated cookies and that is shown in the picture.  I have many adorable pictures of all the kids but don't feel it is right to publish their cute faces online.  The most impressive part of the day was that so many of the kids decorated cookies for other people, besides themselves.  Too cute!

Day 30

Mailboxes for Many Valentines

I found these mailbox kits at Micheal's last week.  So, I made a Valentine mailbox for both me and my Student Teacher.  

I need lots of luck to make it through this week.  Since Valentine's Day is the first day of the week, I sure hope the kids will calm down after tomorrow.  (Crossing my fingers and toes)!!!

Day 29

Valentine Cards

These two cards arrived on the same day and both from our moms...they are too cute!  The card with the basset hound jumping up to all the hearts reads, "Love is in the air".  And the lady with the rather large class of wine reads, "We should limit ourselves to just a couple glasses of wine". 

Day 28

Flying Creatures

Each year we assign the kids a project in which they have to create an animal.  This animal is made up of at least three different animals' characteristics.  I hang each animal on a wire that crosses my room.  

Next week, the kids will be using these animals as an inspiration to write a persuasive essay.  This essay is to try and persuade their parents to keep these strange animals.

Day 27

The Vampire Cat

I was woken up in the middle of the night by Chris "bopping" Harley, the cat, on the head!  When I asked Chris about it this morning he said that the cat bit him in middle of the night...hee, hee, hee!  That's what Chris gets when he wrestles with, throws, flips, bowls the cat.

Day 26

Feeding Time

Here is Dixie right after she had been "yelling" at Chris to hurry up with her dinner!  She is quite serious about her food.  One may ask where the other dog, Kona, is during this photo.  Well...she is a good girl and is waiting patiently outside!
 

Day 25

Our Entryway

This is what you see when you are looking at our front door (from the inside, that is).  There is the old fashioned telephone, which is actually a radio, and I just love it.  Then, there is the little mail slot that is never big enough to hold all the mail so it just houses some stamps.  

You will see the drawings of a black lab with a tennis ball in its mouth and it reads, "All guests must be approved by the dog".  How true that statement is in the Walker household.  The basset hound with the shades on reads, "It's cool to drool".  Our basset is definitely a drooler when there is food around or when she is nervous.  

The lamp is self explanatory but Chris would prefer his leg lamp to be in its place but that is in his office (my orders).  :)  The heart candles, wrap up the photo, and are there to show the season of love.  

Not pictured is one of the many bookshelves in our house.  Of course one would find many bookshelves in this house!

Day 24

The Invention of Hugo Cabret, A Recommended Book

One of the Many Amazing Drawings

For our school's auction this year, each teacher and staff member is donating a new, hard covered book that they love.  With each book, there will be an inscription telling why this book is beloved by that person.  All books will be auctioned off in a bookcase for one lucky family.  

I am donating the book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which is pictured above.  The first time I read this book, I was amazed.  It is quite a thick book which is filled with both an amazing story and wonderful black and white drawings.  Also pictured above, you can see one of my favorite drawings that is found in the book.  

As I typed this entry for today, I also decided to include all the titles of the books being donated because it sure is a good list.  For anyone looking to get a great book, here are many to choose from:

Horton Hatches an Egg

Chrysanthemum

The Quiltmakers Gift

The Pout Pout Fish

Where the Sidewalk Ends

The Treasure

Dog Heaven

Super, Completely and Totally the Messiest

Magic Treehouse 

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters

Amelia Bedilia

Thank You, Mister Falker

Goldilocks Has Chicken Pox

A Light in the Attic

Ruby Bridges

Frindle

Little House in the Big Woods

Charlotte’s Web

Ramona Quimby, Age 8

The Sisters Grimm #1

The Giving Tree

A Wrinkle in Time

The BFG

Marley

My Lucky Day

Calvin and Hobbes

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day!

Good Night, Moon

Hatchet

The Recess Queen

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Matilda

Fancy Nancy and the Fabulous Fashion Boutique

Day 23

Packers Light Up the Night

Our neighbor is a BIG cheese head and has been displaying this Green Bay player on his front lawn for months now.  Each time that Green Bay is playing Chris and I always joke around asking what Bill (our neighbor) is doing as the game is played.  Today I said he must be watching some chick flick!

Well, I am sure Bill, our neighbor is celebrating his team's win.  And we celebrated because Cal's own, Aaron Rodgers, played a great game and season.  We enjoyed a great game between Green Bay and Pittsburgh at Chris' parents house.  I don't feel completely stuffed since we ate quite well. 

Day 22

Wow!

I had such a great day today!  We woke up early, I worked out at the gym, went shopping and to lunch with my fabulous mom, and then I saw this gorgeous sunset just outside my front door.  We have such wonderful sunsets in Pleasanton...so lucky!

Day 21

My View as I Pulled Up at Home

As I pulled up after a loooooong day at work, filled with a pounding headache, I saw Chris flexing away.  He is working real hard on preparing (working out and fixing up his jet ski) for The Mark Hahn 300 Jet Ski Race. 

Day 20

Some BIG Slippers

Chris received these funny slippers from his sister, Shawna, for Christmas.  They are decorated with WVU, of course. 

Day 19

The Real Me

Hair back, glasses on, behind student's work, grading...this is the real me, after hours.  For all of those out there who think teachers only work until 3:00 and get all this time off, HA!  I worked from 8 a.m. until 5:45 p.m. (at school).  Then I came home and will do something school related for at least 2 hours more.  The sad part is that I still won't even be close to what needs to be completed!

Day 18

Polka Dots

You know how you just have a few favorite outfits?  Well, I already loved polka dots and then I found this sweater.  Soon after finding the sweater, my mother-in-law gave me this Stella and Dot necklace for my birthday!  And now a perfect ensemble.