Day 376

Ready for Baseball

Best Description of Dixie...BAD TO THE BONE

Chris picked up these new collars for the girls since they still had on their Christmas ones.  The store conveniently only had a Giants collar that would fit Kona, so Dixie had to get the Bad to the Bone one.  ;)

Day 375

The Year of the Dragon

It was a wild week at school!  In addition to the visiting team to observe us, many teachers had visiting Chinese students.  

Six students around the age of 10 came to stay with host families from our school.  Teachers and a principal also joined the group.  Since one of my students was a host family member, I had a Chinese student who chose the American name of Alice.  She became a part of the class for a few days and then spent some time touring the Bay Area.  

The Chinese students and teachers put on an assembly to teach our school about their lives back in China.  One thing they taught was how to write, "The Year of the Dragon", in Chinese. 

Day 374

Our District's Adopted Math Text

Singapore Math...A Supplement

To Add More Problem Solving

All teachers know that just one program alone does not work when teaching.  It takes supplemental materials and a good amount of work, from the teacher, to make a program that works for his/her particular students.

Our district had adopted the EnVision math program but our principal had also found the Singapore math program.  So, we weaved in the Singapore with the EnVision.  Then, I joined some other teachers, in the SVMI program which taught us about many strategies including the Problem of the Month.

Well, on Wednesday, about 9 teachers were observed by a group of visiting principals, teachers, and district employees to see our math program.  Boy, were we nervous!  But the kids were wonderful and our program shined.  The visitors were so complimentary. 

Day 373

"Uncle Chrissy"...HA HA HA!

We received this thank you note from our almost twelve year old niece, Alexandria.  I had to capture this memory because it made me laugh that she wrote, "Uncle Chrissy".

This goes back to the time when Alex was about five and had a sleepover at our house.  We had Alex in the back seat with her fairy wand and I had to step out of the car for a moment.  When I got back in the car, Chris had teased Alexandria that her name was Alexander.  Well, Alex did not take that for a second...she used her wand to turn Chris into "Uncle Chrissy".  And since then, that has been his name.

Day 372

Thanksgiving Again

Chris bought a pre-cooked turkey breast at Costco the other day and I thought it would be a good idea to make some yummy stuffing.  It is cooking away as I blog.  

Here is the recipe from Chris' grandma:

Ingredients:
3 cups of unsalted or low sodium chicken broth
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup celery-chopped
1 cup carrots-chopped
1 onion-chopped
1/2 stick butter
1 package of Jimmy Dean hot/spicy sausage
1 egg
1 large box cornbread stuffing mix
1 can water chestnuts-drain & chop
salt & pepper

Directions: 

Warm chicken stock, remove from heat and add cranberries, set aside.

Brown sausage in fry pan and drain, set aside. 

Melt butter in fry pan and then add celery, carrots, onion and brown then drain. 

Add vegetables to sausage bowl and mix. 

In another large bowl beat egg and add chicken stock/cranberry mixture. 

Next add cornbread and stir. 

Finally, add sausage mixture, water chestnuts and seasoning. 

Transfer to baking pan and bake approximately 45 minutes at 350.

Day 371

The Victim

The Perpetrator

It all started last night when Chris and I were watching a movie.  Kona was sleeping on the floor and Dixie was sound asleep on the chair.  All of a sudden, Dixie leaped up and yelped.  I didn't see it but Chris witness Harley running away after he had jumped on top of the sleeping doggie...what nerve!  

So, middle of the night we heard the yelp again.  I thought, "Oh, Harley not again."  But, Harley was no where near Dixie.  I think she just had a nightmare of the furry little devil jumping on her.  Poor thing!

Day 370

May Be Empty But It is Clean

Our fish all died a few months ago and the tank needed to be cleaned.  Now it is clean, thanks to Chris' hard work and we are now prepping it for some scaley friends.

Day 369

My Latest Art Piece

Since I cannot show loud students that are cooped up from the rainy day...I thought I would instead show my latest art piece.  It was an abstract piece using bells. 

Day 368

Serious Coldness...Inside

It has been one cold week.  I thought that the rain coming in today would warm things up a little bit but, nope still frigid. 

So, this coldness had sparked a conversation between my friend Kim and I regarding house temperatures.  I don't know why it came as a surprise that my friend, who keeps her classroom like a sauna, has a house temperature of 73 in the winter!  Oh my!  It is rare to see our thermostat above 63!

Day 367

Evel Knievel Action...at School

So, I arrive at school on a Wednesday morning to hear some serious cheering going on.  I looked around...no, not at a sporting event.  I thought, "What are they up to?"  

I walk over to see that a group of 5th graders have lined up their backpacks in a long line and a stunt student was revving up to run and leap over the line.  I yelled at him, mid-stride and put and end to the stunt...or so I thought.  The little stinkers decided to try the stunt again when I left to go inside. 

Oh, they still got busted!

Day 366

A Favorite Charm

Reversed

I found this charm some time ago at the store "American Harvest" on Main Street in Pleasanton.  So many people comment on it and I convinced my mom to get one for herself, which she wears all the time.

Day 365

Accomplished!

I did it...I posted a photo a day for the entire year!

This project has proved to be quite rewarding and fun too.  Each day I had to think up some way to represent something that had happened.  On eventful days, it was easy but on those boring days it was more challenging.  

One other challenge that I overcame was getting over the need to post my photo that day.  I would instead just take a photo each day but if it didn't get posted I knew I could catch up later.  This made the project less daunting.  

Now I have a year long scrapbook that I plan on printing out.  I know that I have also inspired my sister-in-law to begin a blog and a friend to start taking a photo a day.  

I have finished this project and now I know...I must continue.  There is no way I can stop this project. 

Day 364

The Weekend of Football

On Saturday, Chris helped out my parents with cutting down some trees and I, uh...relaxed.  :)

But, we did enjoy the 49er vs. Saints game.  What a game!  That night we went out to dinner and tried to watch the dull Broncos vs. Patriots game but that was a snooze fest.  Then on Sunday, more football.  We watched some of the Ravens vs. Texans at the gym and that proved to have a good ending.  The football games finished out with the biggest surprise of all, the Packers vs. Giants game.  We were over at Chris' parents' house while Chris was put to work and I relaxed again.  :)  But, we also enjoyed watching the last game of the weekend.  I don't know if anyone predicted that Giants' win.  Oh my!

While I am not a huge pro football fan, I do like Coach Harbaugh and therefore will be rooting for those 49ers. 

Day 363

New Favorite Blanket

This blanket was given to me by a school family for Christmas and it is WONDERFUL!  It has become the blanket Chris and I fight for each night when snuggling up to watch some TV.  But, today Chris not only let me have the blanket, he put it on top of me!  So nice!

Day 362

Fresh Eggs from the Trinta Farm

My friend, Kim, has been telling me about her chickens and all about how they lay daily eggs.  Well, I took it upon myself to bring in a carton for her to fill with fresh eggs.  She came back with a dozen of beautiful brown eggs.  Chris and I are so excited to make some yummy meals with these eggs.  

Thanks Trinta Family!

Day 361

My New Slipper/Shoes

My mom gave me these "slippers" for Christmas but they seem to be having a life as shoes, too.  :) 

Day 360

Sleepover Time

As you can see, the kitty isn't so sure about the big, black lab sleeping on his terrain.  It has been sleepover time while Dixie recovered and while it has been too cold for the dogs to sleep in the garage.  Kona LOVES her bed in our bedroom. 

Day 359

Ashley and Katie's Ant Farm

As I came out of the gym I got a message with this picture.  We had given our nieces an ant farm for Christmas and they are working away.  So cool.

Day 358

Kindle Fire

Well, obviously this isn't a picture of our new Kindle Fire but it is to represent our new toy.  This was the gift that Chris and I gave to each other for Christmas.  But, we got an incredible deal.  Thankfully, our neighbor loves to buy things, gets bored, and sells them to us!  So, we did great!

Day 357

New Range

Oh, it is so nice to be able to cook again!  Our new range was delivered and we are so thankful for Chris' parents help for us to get this new piece for our kitchen.  With the breaking of our range after a very expensive surgery for Dixie girl, it wasn't looking good.  But, we are loved!  

Now, if you have ever done the first clean with a new oven...it is awful!  The smell of burning plastic filled our house.  So, on a 40 something degree night, we opened all the doors and windows of the house to air it out.

Day 356

The CogAT

I woke up bright and early on this Saturday morning to proctor the CogAT test from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Ugh, it hurt to wake up early on a cold morning but it is difficult for this teacher to turn down money for an easy job.  

The CogAT is a cognitive test given to all 2nd graders in our district.  If students perform well enough, they are invited into the GATE (gifted children) program.  When a student doesn't score high enough or is new to the district, he/she may take the test again in the grades 3-7 but only two more times.  So, today I was in charge of 25 3rd graders.  These kids were sure squirmy compared to my 5th graders. 

Day 355

My Tea Cup Collection

I took down my tea cups for a wash and I decided to show you all my collection.  These valued tea cups come from my dear friends.  I was surprised in 2003 with a shower at a girlfriend's house.  They followed an old fashioned tradition of giving tea cups to the bride-to-be.  Each friend wrapped the tea cup and I had to guess which one gave me that particular one.  

I think my mom had found this tea cup holder, which was a perfect way to display my gifts.  These tea cups make me smile each time I am in the kitchen.

Day 354

The Fat Cat and the TV

Harley has usually just noticed the TV but now he just LOVES watching the new TV...so do we!

Day 353

WVU vs. Clemson

It was a game between the Walkers, WVU fans, and my brother's family, Clemson fans.  So, a call took place between California and South Carolina to talk some smack before the game.

WVU won, big time and the young team looks hopeful for the next season.

Day 352

She Has Broken the Cone

My Repair Work...Love Duct Tape

We knew it would be sooner or later when Dixie would destruct her cone.  She has been banging into everything with it!  The past few days I have noticed it had a deformed shape and today I came home to TWO tears in the plastic.  So, I went to work with the duct tape.  It just needs to hold up until Saturday...it will sure be embarrassing walking in with this cone!  But, what else would anyone expect from Dixie?!

Day 351

Our Bowl Pool

For the college bowl season, the Walker family has an annual pool.  I had a slow start but after the day of football on 1/2/12, I am tied for the lead!  There are still many games to be played but I am sure hoping for a WIN!

Day 350

Happy 2012 From the Raiders' Game

For New Year's Day we left the house at 8:45 a.m. to head on over to Oakland for a great tailgate.  We had a great group of friends and great food.  Chris manned the BBQ (as usual) and did a fabulous job at grilling some tri-tip and wings.  

The game was a disappointment and the crowd was slightly intimidating but we still had fun.