Our New Chalkboard

We are getting ready to start a co-op pre- school at our house for Ben. I was so excited when I found this easel for it. The boys love it!!!!

Color Week

This week at Tot Lot was color week. I tried to reinforce the color of the day at home as well as at school. It was fun dressing all three of us in the color of the day.

Here are a few simple things we did at home this week. For the color red I only put toys in the tub that were red during bath time.

 

It was our turn to bring snack to school on yellow day. So we made star rice crispy treats with yellow frosting and a yellow M&M. Ben got to look through the bag of M&M's and pull out all the yellow ones. He also got to mix the frosting.

On blue day I made them blue pancakes and we ate on blue plates with blue sippies.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!!!!

We didn't do too much for his birthday this year but I couldn't let you think that I just forgot about it. I did my last storytime at the library for his birthday. The kids made these really cute hats. Ben wore his for at least a week. That is why it looks the way it does. I will eventually put my lesson plan on my craft blog. If you think I'm behind with this blog you should see that one. :0)

365 Days Week 3

Monday Pic #15 I Taught Story Time at the Library

Every week I take Benjamin to story time at our library. He usually loves going. One week they forgot to tell us they weren't having story time so about 30 people showed up with no one to read to them. We all sat around reading to our own kids wishing it was more structured. So I stepped up and asked all the parents if they wanted me to read a few stories. I had SO MUCH FUN doing it that I asked the librarian if I could fill in next time they didn't have a story time lady. This was my second time filling in. I taught about cats. Not a normal topic for me but it turned out really cute and was a lot of fun getting ready. Someday I will post my lesson plan on my other blog. I'll let you know when I do.

Tue. Pic #16 Why I don't turn on the computer when B is awake

I needed to check my email really quick. The next thing I new I heard a big thump and a little whine from Benjamin. I found him in his bathroom completely soaked, playing with cups that he got from a cupboard that had a childproof lock on it. Yep he has figured out how to open them now. No more computer for me during playtime.

Wed. Pic #17 My "Just Because" cupcakes

For some reason I was really in the mood for cupcakes and because I'm prego I figure I can splurg every now and then (I really try not to do this very often) But they were really fun and easy to make.

Thu. Pic. #18 Play area in the mall

I took Benjamin to the mall to get his 18 month pictures taken. A trip to the mall is never complete without stopping at the play area inside. He finally figured out how to climb on top of the animals.

Fri. Pic # 19 My belly

I took this while I was waiting for the doctor to come in for my ultrasound of Sam. It turns out that this is a really odd angle to take a picture. I will try harder to get a better one next time.

Sat. Pic #20 Our New Tent

We are getting ready for a big camping trip in a few weeks. Yes I really am going camping while I am 7 months prego. We are really excited about it!!!! We set up our new tent so Tom could seal all of the seems. Benjamin loved looking at it but I'm not sure he loved being in it. Two weeks later he still looks out onto the grass and says "tent?"

Sun. Pic. #21 Tom's Brownies

I know I just finished saying that I try not to eat a lot of sweets but how awesome is it that my husband made brownies. He is actually the one who usually bakes in our house. I'm really not a fan of baking. Thanks Tom! They were great.

The Last Day of School

On our last day of school we had a party with amazing cupcakes and a piñata thanks to our great parents.

We then performed the book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle. It is my favorite book by one of my favorite authors and illustrators. The kids made paintings that really looked like Eric Carle's. They did an amazing job!!!!






I gave the students a memory book of some special art projects they made this year and their report cards and sent them on their way.

It was a lot harder on me than I expected. I still don't think it has totally hit me yet, that I'm not going to be teaching again. It really has become part of who I am and without it I am going through a little bit of an identity crisis. I am hoping that when Benjamin comes it will help fill that void but I have four months before that happens. I am just keeping myself insanely busy until then.

Last Week of School

We had a great last week.

Lifeguard Jordan came and talked the kids about water safety.

Little Red Riding Hood came and read her story to them.

And Officer Snow came with his police dog and talked to them about his job.

The kids all loved it so much. I am so sad I didn't get pictures with all of our guest speakers. I am so lucky to have such amazing friends through church. Thanks for being there for me guys.

Visit to the Fire Station

We took a walking field trip this week to the fire station.

The firemen were so good with the children and really did a good job showing them around the station. They put on all of the gear as the students are watching so that they won't be afraid. I still had one girl that cried almost the whole time they were dressing up. From what the firemen said this happens a lot and some small children are afraid of them when they enter a burning house to get them out. They have even had some run and hide from them. So scary!!!! The fire hose and the ladder where the students' favorite things about the day. They loved going!!!! It was a great trip.

Hooray!!!!

It is official!!!!!!!!! I am finished with my Masters!!!!!!!!! I turned in my thesis on Saturday and I am so glad to have it out of my hands! The feeling of accomplishment is great. Even though I will never really use it as a mommy I know it was worth it. Now if my kids ever question my intelligence when they are teenagers, I can point to my diploma on the wall. And that opportunity will be priceless :)

Sorry about the ugly picture. It was early in the morning, I am pregnant, and it was a really bad week. I ended up loosing 4 pounds by the end of the week. I am feeling much better now. I think the nausea is finally gone.

Top Ten Reasons why I have been too busy to Post

1. We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day. A leprechaun came to our class and played tricks on us. He messed up the room and then left a clue of where to find his gold. After going all over the school dressed in a leprechaun disguises, we finally found some of his gold coins in our classroom along with a magical green shamrock we could eat. (Jell-O Jigglers.)



2. I received a RIF notice laying me off for next year. The district is still working on keeping all of us. But really all that means for me is doing a whole lot of paperwork. And lots of trips to the District Office
   
3. I was in a class for my masters. It was on Multi Cultural Children’s Literature. For the final project I had to do a 25 minute DVD in the format of the show Reading Rainbow. I had no idea how to make a DVD so I recruited a 12 year old boy from my ward to help me and my group. He and I ended up doing the whole thing and spent over 20 hours doing it. It turned out to be the best in the class by far!!!! Jared did a great job. We all owe him our A for the class. In return I am planning to teach him how to swim in May.


4. I took my kindergartners on a field trip to the farm. Everything went well. No one was lost or injured. They got to feed pigs and baby cows. They also got to pet the goats who really enjoyed eating their nametags, cloths, and even their hair.





5. I directed a musical for the GATE program at our school. This took so much time. I started out co-directing and the next thing I knew I was the only director because the other teacher got sick and then went off track. Then I found out that she was planning to put it on in two weeks. At the point the other director left we didn’t have props, a back drop, costumes, or any of the dances. The kids knew their lines and the word to the songs and that was about it. Somehow I pulled it all together and the students ended up doing a great job. I think they all really enjoyed it. And when it was all over I could even say that I enjoyed it too. I don’t think I will be getting myself into a situation like that again soon.




6. My school had open house. I only had two days to get it ready because I was so busy with the play. Other teachers take a month and they have another teacher to help. If Tom hadn’t come in to help me get my room ready there is no way I would have made it.




7. Tom and I have learned a very intricate waltz that we will have to teach to the Priests and Laurels for our whole Stake for the Dance Festival. It started with just our ward and now it has moved on to us being the teachers for everyone. Looks like I got myself into the same kind of mess as the play again. My plan didn’t last long. The scary thing is, we don’t even know the dance that well ourselves. It is going to be an amazing event. There are 12-14 Stakes participating. If you would like details about going let me know. Or just go to their web site http://www.mydancefestival.info/



8. I started my final class for my Masters. I only have one month to write my Thesis. I am doing it on the perceptions that children have on childhood obesity.
   
9. Tom had an interview in Oxnard, CA. I went with him and spent some of the time working on my thesis. But the other part of the day I spent laying out on the beach. I ended up getting really burned. Being on the beach felt soooo good that I would have done it all over again. Next time we come here though I will make sure to bring sun screen, a bathing suit, and a towel. Tom really liked the company but we are still deciding if we want to relocate and if it is right for us.



10. And reason number 10 is that I am 11 weeks pregnant!!!!!!!!!! We are so excited. I have been sick but not as bad as some have it. I am just constantly tired which is not very helpful when I am trying to teach kindergartners and write a thesis. Not to mention all of the doctors apt. that I have already had to have. I will be going off track in 2 weeks though so that should help. It will be a much needed break. I don’t know how much more I can take of coming home from work, kissing my husband hello, and then sleeping for 2 hours before I have to get up and go to night school. It will be nice to be done with all of it so I can focus of being pregnant and becoming a mommy!!!!!
    Isn't our blob cute!!!!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

This week we celebrated Dr. Seuss' Birthday. Each day we did different activities and ended the week with Friday Fun Day. We made hats, Grinch masks, took pictures and ate green eggs and ham. My BTSA coach (who happens to be the coolest person ever) came in dressed up in my Cat in the Hat costume. She did a great job. The kids loved her. This is one of my favorite weeks of the whole year! If any of you need ideas of what to do for your pre school or kinder kids just let me know and I will hook you up.

Here are some pictures of the big day.