Day 76

Getting Into the Season

My Forgotten Bunnies

Egg-cellent Display

Our Table...Ready for a Party!

I finally put away the Valentine's Day stuff today (I know, embarrassing).  And, found all the Easter decorations that have not been used in years.  I sure love Easter!

Day 75

Stuffed Sole

Lots of Meat, For Us to Eat

We received a coupon from Omaha Steaks, so we checked it out.  There were GREAT deals for LOTS of meat.  The best part...the meat is very good!  Yum!

Day 74

Student's Desk with the Comfy Chair

My Desk with a Less Than Comfy Chair

In my class we have "money" called Hula Mula.  Each kid gets money when they have completed a class job for a week, helped with a task, etc.  Kids also lose money for not having materials ready, misbehaving, etc.

Three times a year, I hold a class auction where the students can spend their money through a live auction.  One item was "Teacher Chair for a Week".  Well, the winner cashed in.  

I think I am regretting this auction item!

Day 73

Sunshine and Warmth in the Forecast

Spring Has Sprung

Flip flops were worn today, the sun was shining, and now we can celebrate the season of spring.  It may be a week late, but it is here!  

Growing up in Southern California and then spending my college years in Santa Barbara I sure got used to the sunshine.  Living in Northern California, I am tested each year with the longer winters than I would prefer.

I sure love the forecast and the blooming flowers!

Day 72

Starting Out His Birthday with a Cat Torment

 

Shooting Sporting Clays

Ready, Aim, Fire...He Hit It!

BULL *$%#

Make a WISH!!!

Happy 34th Birthday, Chris!  Or as I say it, "Happy Barfday Chrissy!"  

Chris started out his day, like any day, tormenting the cat.  Then, we went down to Morgan Hill to a sporting clay range.  The sun was out for a small bit but the best news was...no rain!!!  Chris shot pulverized most of the clays today (kill the wabbit) and we had a great time.

Then, we went home and opened gifts from me, the pets, and my parents.  Chris made out like a bandit...lots of great stuff.  

The celebrating continued when we went over to Chris' parents house for a yummy dinner with his parents, sister, and"The Bug".  Chris was spoiled some more with gifts and a specially made carrot cake.

Now we are home and the doggies are very jealous since we smell of Duke and Dolly (Chris' parents dogs).

Day 71

Heavenly Day Spa

Ahhhhhhhhh...got a facial today!  My mom called the other night asked, "Do you want to get a facial this weekend?".  "YES!" I replied.

Thanks Mom, the facial felt wonderful.  Such a nice treat on this rainy Saturday.  :)

Day 70

Relief for Japan

One of my current students has immediate family in Japan.  So, we are holding a fundraiser at school for the American Red Cross.  The mom of my student made cranes for each person who donated money.  Hopefully this money will help in some small way for this major disaster.

Day 69

"Don't Make Me Go Out There!!!"

I am thinking I may need to start building my ark!  It has rained ALL DAY and we now have lakefront property in our backyard.  Here is Dixie looking out and hating all this rain.  

Do you see that eye sore of a fence in the picture?  Well, that sure has a story but it will have to wait.  I will make it a picture of the day sometime soon.

Day 68

Colonial Day Center #1:  Stencil Work

Many of the Final Stencil Products

Colonial Day Center #2:  Candle Making

The Friendship Candles, Drying

Colonial Day Center #3:  Tin Art

The Tins in the Rain

Colonial Day Center #4:  Corn Husk Dolls

Embroidery Too!

Colonial Lunch Time

One of the Baskets a Student Used for Lunch...Summed Up the Day!

Today was Colonial Day for our 90 fifth graders.  As you can see in the photos, we held many activities for the kids to participate in to help them travel back to the colonial times.  It was such a fun and educational day for all involved!

Day 67

Throw Out the Crown!

The fifth grade's colonial play was FABULOUS!  Ninety fifth graders performed the "The 13 Colonies".  

This play was led by Martha and George Washington taking us through American history beginning with the Native Americans.  There was a scene of the search for the fountain of youth, then all the colonial kids' hard work was shown, followed by a song about the colonies. Next, Ben Franklin visited, and then the French and British battled.  After all those scenes my class' big numbers were up.  

We had a scene with boats which depicted the Boston Tea Party and the kids surprised everyone by throwing tea bags into the crowd.  Next, came a scene about the little known heroine, Sibyl Ludington (the female Paul Revere).  Lastly, a song about the Revolutionary War.  

Since I am not able to show off all the cute fifth graders through a photo, I have shown the crown as a symbol of American independence.

I am relieved the play is over.  It was lots of work choreographing my scenes, practicing the play, and stressing over it.  They always are adorable, there was no need to stress!

Day 66

Dinner Preparation

What the Good Doggie Was Doing

As I have taken a photo each day, I have opened my awareness to those small moments that I overlooked in the past.  

I was getting ready to feed the dogs some dinner, when I noticed Chris preparing dinner...with his hood on (it wasn't that cold), and a little helper by his side (look for that naughty basset hound in the photo).  

So, I grabbed the camera, shot the moment and then noticed Kona just waiting so patiently.  Ahhhh!

Day 65

Great Read!

My sister-in-law, Shawna, recommended this series by James Patterson.  I have always loved James Patterson as an author and have had read many of his books.  This particular one has been on my shelf for some time and I am glad I picked it up.  Now I will read the 2nd one of the "Women's Murder Club" series. 

Day 64

Our New Member of the Family

And the Accessories

Well, on Thursday while I was minding my own business grading my papers, the doorbell rang.  We get talked into having our carpets cleaned, not realizing the sales pitch that was about to occur.  

BUT, we loved the product and got the price talked way down (we have done our research to see the going rate).  Our previous vacuum was AWFUL and always left a dog smell behind.  Today, our house smells so clean and the carpet looks great.  The new vacuum serves as an every day tool with many accessories as well as a carpet cleaner with foam soap and all.

Day 63

All Grown Up

Ahhh...I taught these kids for fifth grade math, sixth grade homeroom/math, seventh grade math, and eighth grade homeroom/math.  They will be graduating high school in a few short months.  This is the group that went to Bishop O'Dowd High School...all grown up, wow!  They will always have a special place in my heart.

Day 62

Happy St. Patrick's Day

We had fun today in fifth grade.  The leprechaun played lots of jokes on the kids.  

He started off by leaving a note for the kids and throwing an assignment all over the room.  The assignment was a St. Patrick's Day scavenger hunt.  

Then he just would not let me change the music off of Celtic tunes.  All the kids offered me their help to try and change the Pandora station but I reminded them of the leprechaun's powers.  

During recess, he came back and REALLY messed with those kids.  He tore up green paper and threw it all over the room, rearranged the room, put chairs on top of desks and even hid one student's desk in another room!  But, he did leave some candy for each kid!

This picture just shows one of the decorations I had up in the room and my calendar too.  You may notice the white buckets...those are for Colonial Day preparations.  There is never a dull moment!

Day 61

Our Outside Room

I have been waiting to chronicle the time change BUT it has been so dark and gloomy each evening that daylight savings has not been noticeable!  Well, finally today we had sun.  This picture was taken at 6:15 p.m.  In addition to showing that it was still light out, you get to see our front porch.  When the weather is nice, this becomes an additional room of our house. 

Day 60

Half Off Tuesdays

The best pizza in town!

Located right around the corner!

Half off on Tuesdays...if you pick it up yourself!

Tonight's flavor was a BBQ Chicken Pizza that even had carrots on it, yum!

Day 59

Our Mess

Hmmm...I spy a laundry basket full of clothes, a rocking chair with our bed pillows (that should be on the bed), my make-up case, Chris' shoes, and is that, oh I think it is, dominoes!  What are dominoes doing in our room?  :)

Day 58

A Dream Came True - For Harley

A crate to hide in, a pole to cheeky rub on, holes to stick paws through to whack the doggies, a cart that can roll around...a dream for Harley.

This is the crate I use to carry a load of papers.  I was finishing up my grading today for report cards.  Of course, Harley decided to jump on in.  He normally loves the laundry basket, so this was even better!  This picture shows Harley doing his cheeky rubs on the pole of the cart.

Day 57

Spa Time

Chris worked very hard today (took Dixie to the vet, went for a run, ran errands with me, unclogged the outside drain, fixed the toilet, made sure all the fire detectors worked).  So, now it is time to relax!

Now, I know what you are thinking..."What did Kristin do today?"  GRADED!!!  I have report cards to finish but I also went to the gym, ran errands, did some laundry and will continue to do school work all night!

Day 56

My Fashion Statement

I don't know why, but I do gravitate to wearing my socks with flip flops! But don't worry...only in the privacy of my own home.  I just don't want to get my socks dirty and I don't have any slippers.  So, the logical thing is to put on some flip flops with those socks!  Chris sure loves this look!  ;)

Day 55

Mmmm, mmmm, good!

As Chris would say, "You are like a little kid!"  So, I like some chocolate milk!  And I also like it in my Mr. Potato Head mug.  This was yummy after a very long day.

Day 54

Smising?

Tyra Banks coined the term, "smising," which means, "smiling with your eyes."  Maybe I need to cut back on watching America's Next Top Model if I am quoting Tyra!

This picture was taken to show my newly shaped eyebrows.  Oh, how I hate getting them touched up but it is worth it.  Thank goodness I am blonde and can put off waxing them for many, many months!

Day 53

Papers, Grades, and Report Cards...OH MY!

It's that time of the year...report cards are due next week and conferences will begin.  This is a picture of my snazzy grading tool, papers and that great purple grading pen.  Yay!

Day 52

Heating Pad that Saved Me

Cramps!  :(

Day 51

Ashley (4 Years Old)

Katie (7 Years Old)

Today, Chris and I went over to my parents house to drop off the truck we had borrowed.  Now Derek, my brother, is "borrowing" the truck.  Well, it was his truck originally but commuted so far that it would not work for him.  But now the commute vehicle died and it is back to the truck.

Derek and Megan drove up the 4 hour trek with their daughters, Ashley and Katie.  So, we got a chance for a short visit.  My two nieces are sure adorable!!!

Day 50

Home From the Auction

Chris took this picture to show my shopping spree today!  It was a 20's theme for the school's auction, so I had to get some accessories!  I got this headband, necklace, bracelet, and top for the party. 

Day 49

Long Awaited Pedicure

My feet hurt so badly after my day.  Off I went to use the gift certificate Chris got me the other day.  Oh, how the pedicure felt good!