Day 166

Wonderopolis.org...Amazing Website

A colleague of mine shared this website with me and I fell in love!  I started to use it with my class during the school year and have continued to use it during summer school.

Each day, there is a "wonder of the day".  There is always some sort of video to accompany the topic as well as information and other resources.  In my math class, today, I was talking about optical illusions.  While that wasn't today's wonder, I was able to search past topics and found a great video!

I highly recommend this site for children and anyone with sense of curiosity.

Day 165

McNamara's Steak House

Tonight we celebrated the birthday of Jill, Chris' mom.  We went to McNamara's Steak House in Dublin.  As always, it was a wonderful dinner...I had the best prime rib. 

It was also fun to go back to the spot where Chris and I had our Rehearsal Dinner nearly 8 years ago. 

Day 164

VERY Wet, Stubborn Dixie

DRY, "Smart"Kona

We have always made fun of Kona, the black lab, for being a little stupid BUT today proved us wrong!

I came home, after it had been pouring rain outside, to find Kona hidden in a dog house and Dixie, the basset hound, standing in the middle of the backyard, under the pouring down rain, barking!

You would think that we are mean owners who do not have proper shelter for our dogs on a rainy day!  Oh, no...they each have a luxurious house, that Dixie LOVES when it is sunny out (go figure).  Not to mention there is a large tree which provides a dry spot.  

Dixie is so stubborn that it makes HER the stupid one!

So, here they are pictured, drying off in the garage.

Day 163

Salmon Grilled on Cedar Planks

Yeah, not my photo...but you get the point?  I meant to take a photo of the salmon grilling but was busy planning for summer school.

Chris created a monster with me when he introduced me to grilling on cedar planks.  Now, I won't have fish any other way!  If you haven't tried it---YOU MUST!  Go out to Barbecues Galore or any fine food store and pick some up right away.

Day 162

More Cowbell?!

Or should I ask, "More walking?" 

On Sunday, Chris and I decided to go to the gym for about 50 minutes (hard workout), go for some snacks at TGIF, grocery shop, then walk about 1.5 miles to the fair to see Blue Oyster Cult and then walk home the 1.5 miles.  Whoa...we thought mid walk that maybe we should have gotten bikes down to ride.

Anyway, the concert at the fair was a kick and the cowbell came out in full force!  Good times!

Day 161

Our Plain Wall

We have only lived here six years and all ;) AND we still have this blank wall.  It really struck us that we needed to do something with this wall when we were on Skype with our friends Ryan and Colleen.  They asked what we were sitting in front of because it looked like we had just moved in!!!

So...I became motivated and started a project.

My Photo Project for the Wall

Now, the more embarrassing thing is that I had bought tons of frames six years ago when we had bought the house with the intention of doing a photo collage on that plain wall.  Oh my! 

Day 160

The College World Series Showdown

Here is a sample of the UVA and USC (South Carolina NOT Southern California) stuff that we have accumulated from our travels.  We have loved traveling the South.  These days, I personally feel an allegiance to USC because this will hopefully be the college for my niece and nephew, since they now reside in that area.

Well, UVA and USC were in a showdown today for college baseball.  Chris would not let us leave to eat dinner, since he was watching the game that had gone into extra innings.  Finally, we headed out but did miss seeing the win.  It will be USC and Florida in the finals.

Day 159

 

Our Nightly Entertainment

Day 158

Swim Time

I'd say it has been about 2 years since I had honestly swam laps!  I can't believe it.

Chris and I geared up and went for a swim...it felt great. 

Day 157

Cool Cat

Well, today was definitely a 100 degree day.  The poor animals are just miserable in this heat.  Harley tries and tries to find a cool spot.  He finally discovered the top of the dresser as a cool surface and, better yet, the fan is perfectly positioned for him lounging in that location.

Day 156

"Coins" for Math Class

Since I am the only one at my school teaching Summer School (my pity party moment), I cannot borrow teaching tools!  Ugh!  

I want to work with money tomorrow but did not have any coins to use.  So, I bought some coin stamps, cut the paper, and made 20 sets of multiple coins which are shown in the picture.

Now, that is how I spent 3 hour of my day!!!

Day 155

Our New Wheels

Its official...I have the BEST parents!  I knew they were always the best, but I had to publish it on my blog!

My parents SO generously offered and gave to us their Trail Blazer.  One of our cars is hitting 100,000 miles and the other one is losing its practicality...we were in need of a four door car!  With going on jet skiing trips, carting around the doggies, and shopping, we needed some more room.  

It has been AMAZING to drive around a bigger car.  Thanks Mom and Dad!!!

Day 154

My Mom and Grandpa

June 18th is a BIG day in this family...my grandparents' wedding anniversary, my mom's birthday, and my aunt's birthday (my mom's older sister) AND many times it falls on Father's Day and did happen to be my college graduation 11 years ago.

So, tonight we had a celebration with my parents, Chris' parents, and my grandpa.  We remembered my grandmother and the anniversary they would have celebrated together today, we celebrated my mom's birthday and also Father's Day for the dads.

We started off with my yummy guacamole, veggies and dip.  Then, Chris made his famous ribs, smoked a tri-tip, grilled some corn, and also some cheesy garlic bread.  Chris' mom brought a fresh, summer salad and we finished off dinner with angel food cake with berries, from my mom.  

Fun night!

Day 153

Pleasanton Concert in the Park

After SIX years of living in Pleasanton, we finally attended a concert in the park.  Each Friday, in the summer, there is a live band playing at a park, downtown.  We packed up a picnic dinner, some drinks and met up with friends.  Good food, great music, wonderful friends....great night!

Day 152

The Little Things in Life :)

The whole 4 days off between school and summer school has brought about many errands.  I already took in one car for a tire rotation and today it was the other car's turn to get some attention.

I went to Midas since we had a coupon.  I entered, no one greeted me, I waited in line, no one said a word, I waited, I waited...I left.

I don't care about a coupon if it means that I am not treated with good customer service.  So, I went over to Big O, where I had been the other day and got the oil change completed.

At check-out, I received the flower that is pictured.  A small gesture, but it went a long way!

Day 151

MY Grilling That is Making Dixie Smile

Tonight, I grilled my first dinner!  Chris taught me how to use the gas barbecue and I did well.  I grilled sausage skewers from Fresh & Easy (my new favorite store) and hot dogs for the dogs! 

Day 150

More Than a Pedicure

I finally used a gift certificate from my sister-in-law, Shawna.  This certificate was from August and I am now getting around to using it!

This "Deluxe Pedicure" not only included the usual massage chair, spa tub, cleaning up the toes, paint job but also included a salt scrub, long lotion massage, and then this amazing blue mud that is seen in the photo.  Amazing!

Day 149

Prepping for Summer School

This will be the third summer that I have taught Summer School.  I sure wish we could afford for me not to work but, then again I need to stay busy and it is only for four weeks for half a day.  

For the last two years I taught at the local middle school but this year I learned that my home school would be hosting Summer School and I could stay in my classroom.

The district does not do Academic Summer School for grades K-7, but instead teachers propose classes and the district approves some of them to be marketed.  I proposed two classes for the summer but they were not filling up.  The principal was offering a first grade class for me to teach...FIRST GRADE?!?!

Thankfully, my two classes were approved and I will be teaching incoming 4th and 5th graders!  The two classes are:

Math Fun in the Real World

I plan on doing fun activities like designing a dream house, working with maps and money to plan a vacation, some sort of sports math, and possibly some type of cooking.  We'll see...

Games Around the World

I did this class in the middle school last summer.  Each day I picked a new game...dominoes, cards, horseshoes, frisbee golf, etc.  With each game I would teach the kids about the country where this game originated and we learned all about the country, read a play from that country, learned about the game, and played the game.  It was a lot of fun last summer and I hope this summer's class will be just as fun.  The only kicker...there are only four kids signed up as of today!

Day 148

Graduation Cupcakes

Nope, I did not make these adorable cupcakes...the graduate did!  We went to a neighbor's graduation party from CSU East Bay and enjoyed good food and good friends.  I had to post these amazing dessert treats!!!

Day 147

SF Giants Game

Chris and I drove early into the city to see the Legends Game and he got the chance to see his favorite baseball player...Will Clark.  As you can see in the picture, there weren't many people at the time of the picture since it was early.  But, it was a sell out and the loud, drunk fans showed up.  

All in all, a fun day.  It was good to get out!

Day 146

Take Your Black Lab to Work Day

Today, since there were no kids but we had to work, we brought our doggies.  Another fifth grade teacher, a fourth grade teacher, and I brought our black labs...Olive, Shasta, and Kona, ages 4, 5, 6, respectively.  

Kona, my darling, was a little bit of a bully.  She had to growl at the others and steal their ball (she doesn't even play ball).  They sure were cute!

Day 145

School's Out for Summer!

It doesn't quite feel real.  I still need to go to work tomorrow to finish up the year but there will be no more teaching.  The fifth graders have moved on. 

I am teaching Summer School for just four weeks but working half days and not having to complete grades...sounds fantastic!

Day 144

Blooming Cactus

Prickly on the Outside...Beautiful When Given a Chance

The lesson for today...looks may be deceiving.  Find out what is really going on and get the full picture before judging.  Maybe there is a reason someone is acting a certain way.

Day 143

Breakfast for Dinner

Chris made a skillet with eggs, potatoes, and chicken apple sausage.  I worked on the pancakes which we topped with fresh berries and syrup.  It was a yummy dinner.

Day 142

My Housesitting Experience

Here you see Winnie, the white dog, and Carly, the fluff of black and white fur.  I housesat just for one night while my parents' housesitter wasn't able to take care of the dogs.  Winnie, the dog that is usually high maintenance, was wonderful!  She snuggled, ate all her dinner, and was so sweet.  Now, Carly...oh my!  She had to bark and growl at just about everything.  She was the guard dog! 

Day 141

My Companions

As I continued to recover, the dogs willingly joined me. 

Day 140

Little Women

While "under the weather" with lousy weather, I watched Little Women.  It was a crummy day.

Day 139

An Overview of the Classroom Set Up For Portfolio Night

Art

Hacker Trail

Poems Written By Each Student For Each Student

Fishes with Middle School Wishes

Historical Bottle Head Dolls

More Dolls

Literature Circles Display

Summaries with Pictures for a Class Novel

State Brochure with Portfolio

This was the set-up for Portfolio Night which was held on Thursday.  This is a special Open House for our 5th graders.  There is also a dinner before the kids show off their hard work.  I also prepared a slide show for all.

Day 138

One INCREDIBLE Friend!

Thank you Felicia!

Day 137

One night I dreamed a dream.
I was walking along the beach with my Lord. 

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. 

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.

When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. 

There was only one set of footprints. 

I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. 

This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.

 

"Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. 

But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. 

I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you."