Do I LOOK that old?

September 28, 2008

This week, one of my students asked me if I had lived during the Revolutionary War and if so, what was it like for me? Boy did I laugh hard at that one! I would hate to think I look about 240 years old- yikes!! I also had another student this week- when asked what country he lives in, his reply was Iowa. A little hard to dispute that as I can see the logic in his answer! Needless to say, my job is very entertaining and I do enjoy it very much!

Kayla had a good game in volleyball. It was the last minute of the game, her team was losing and it was her turn to serve. She scored 6 points and won the game for her team! It was so exciting!

Tyler was accepted into Lego league. He can tell you more about it, but basically they work with some engineers from Rockwell and build robots. He has done well in his football games too. He is home sick today. I swear we have had every kind of yucky thing come here. I have been sick several times and I guarantee it has to do with my students. I need to walk around with a Lysol bubble around me! Alayna is home sick too. Sheesh!

We had an Open House at Linn Grove this week. We went for the family spaghetti dinner and to see the kids classrooms and what they have been working on. I took some pics of Alayna in her classroom and with her teacher. Tyler’s teacher wasn’t there because her daughter was in the hospital.

We have had several new families with teenagers move into the ward. Marisa has become friends with them and they have been hanging out. Marisa even went to the football game with them. This week we also had our annual Survivor kick-off party!

Well, I think that’s it for now...

YW in Excellence

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present. (Kung Fu Panda)

September 14, 2008

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present. (Kung Fu Panda)

Another week has gone swooshing by. It has been a flurry of activity. Yesterday, we spent several hours making all of our garden produce into 11 jars of homemade salsa and it tastes awesome!! I smelt like garlic all day and my wedding ring was covered in tomato junk, but it was worth it. Marisa was at a Stake Youth Activity from 2:30-9:00, which included a stake dance. She said she had a great time and she came home exhausted. Maybe I can talk her into writing about it?

Marisa: Marisa auditioned for all-state. Our school can only send 28 kids to audition for All-state and there are over 100 in orchestra. So they hold a special audition to see who will go. Rarely do freshmen make it and she is an alternate!!!! She is thrilled. So, she gets to participate in all the rehearsals and she is absolutely thrilled!
She also auditioned and actually made the chamber orchestra!!! VERY few freshmen ever make it. This year only six did and I am so excited for her. The chamber orchestra does all the music for the HS musicals. So, Marisa will be playing in the pit orchestra for Les Miserable’s! Isn’t that so awesome?
She is also LOVING seminary (but I think the seminary is killing me. Oh so early!) She is enjoying the school clubs, but has a heavy homework load.

Kayla: She had her first game this week. Her team won every game but one, but she wasn’t in the actual game for very long. She has another home game tomorrow.
On Wednesday, the girls had their YW in Excellence program. Marisa and Kayla did their display on France. They made a cute poster and we made French crepes that we stuffed in chocolate and vanilla pudding. During the program, we learned to salsa dance, and the girls were able to hit a giant piñata that they had made. It was a very fun and enjoyable evening.

Tyler: Tyler is one very busy guy this year! His vocal teacher called and asked for him to try out for OPUS (kind of like all-state for HS). So, he has been practicing for that every day after school. He sends his audition tape in on Friday.
His football practice and first football game were cancelled this week because of the constant rain. He has also been working very hard on his Bear book so he can complete it before he moves to WEBELOS next month.
He also got the exciting news that he got accepted into the Lego League! He is so excited. He told me that someday he will build me a robot that will cook all the family meals (not sure what that means: that he knows I stress about it? Or that I am such a bad cook that a robot would be a good alternative!) Anyway, he starts this week.

Alayna: Nothing new happened for Alayna this week. She is learning to deal with homework and trying to be responsible, which at 6 is a bit of a challenge. But we have noticed her trying to make a better effort in good eating habits!

I made it through another great week of teaching. I also had my first meeting with the principal and I think he went really well. Some days I feel overwhelmed, but I am doing my best and that’s what counts. I have to take Thursday off and attend a training conference in Tipton (an hour from here). I am not looking forward to that, but always happy to mark off the training I am required to do.
Enjoy your week!

Opening presents

New car?

Blowing out candles

Alayna- Kung Fu Panda cake

Bowling party

Happiness is good health and a bad memory

September 7, 2008

Happiness is good health and a bad memory. -- Ingrid Bergman

Well, at least I had one of those this week. I guess with being around all those middle school students I was bound to catch something. I thought I had strep, but when I went to the walk-in clinic they said I had a severe sinus infection. I am on anti-biotics now and will hopefully be feeling better by the time I head back to work tomorrow.

Marisa: Marisa started seminary and actually really enjoys it. She has a fantastic teacher that makes every day quite interesting. I think there are about 30 kids that attend. She is playing in the HS orchestra and is taking private violin lessons. On Friday she tried out for all-state. It was some VERY difficult music. She also joined the FCS club (Family and community service club), SODA (students opposing drugs and alcohol), Key club, and French club. So, as you can imagine, she is staying very busy!

Kayla: Kayla is really enjoying 7th grade. She has some great teachers this year. She is also on the school volleyball team and she really enjoys playing, except for the very mean coaches. She still plays the clarinet in the school band. She loves being in the YW program and this will be her first YW in Excellence on Wednesday. She and Marisa are doing a display and presentation on France. (Will post pictures next week.)

Tyler- AKA- Mr. Busybody: Tyler loves his teachers for fifth grade. He has joined the track team which goes for 3 weeks. He is playing the trombone in the 5th grade band. He starts the school choir next week. (He is looking forward to show choir in middle school) He also just sent in his application for the Lego League team. They work with engineers to built robots. It will be so cool. We will let you know if he gets in. He is also on a football team and is first game is this coming Saturday.

Alayna: Alayna is now in the full swing of 1st grade and loving it. I see her becoming more responsible and mature (just a little bit) She started taking gymnastics and is enjoying that so far. We FINALLY celebrated her birthday yesterday! She wanted a fun bowling party. I let her pick out the decorations, cake, and even her present. She loved it! She called it the “Pink, Kung Fu Panda, Bowling Party”. And it was! It looked like our table threw up Pepto-Bismol! She invited some friends and we had a great time bowling. We will not mention scores here! I will post some pics.

Bob: The lease on our van ran out, so Bob and I went to the dodge dealership intending to buy the one we had. However, the guy there gave us an incredible deal (which was better than buying the old one) so we bought (no more leasing) a brand new 2008 Town and Country mini-van with dual DVD player, seat warmers (front and back), keystart engine, even the side windows roll down and when I go in reverse, a camera shows me what is behind me. It’s so awesome! It took almost 5 hours to decide on it and do the paperwork, but we are thrilled to have it.

Kris: I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my job! I have great students this year, a great schedule, and I LOVE teaching social studies. I have a new laptop with a projector and have some amazing resources at my fingertips so I am able to show my students some really cool stuff! It is tough being a working mom, and I am trying to get a good schedule established. I am the official seminary pickup and the after school chauffer. We will be putting some miles on this new car.

Ok, I think that sums up what is been going on around here. The temperature is cooling off just as our school got air conditioning. We would love to hear back from everyone to know if you get our newsletters, if you liked our pics, and what is going on in your lives?