Kayla at BYUI

More reasons why I love my job!

We finally got to go out and celebrate Tyler’s 16th birthday.  He got his full drivers license (look out world!) and then we went to Carlos O Kelleys for lunch and went to see Maze Runnur which was super awesome and did NOT disappoint!!!

Bob has been working really hard on the home projects.  Here is the upstairs mantle.  Isn’t it gorgeous?!

It’s been a huge week for me once again…Both book fairs arrived and it was Red Ribbon Week.  The cool part about that is that we get to dress up each day.  Very few adults dress up- maybe they are too cool, BUT the kids LOVE that I go all out and that makes me cool!  One teacher said, “Is this just cape week for you?” Yes. Yes it is!

On Tuesday, it was superheroes day.  I couldn’t find a cape or mask, but I did get a picture with Catwoman!  I was Batgirl- she was a librarian, you know…

For pajama day I was Superman and Super comfortable!!

On Friday, for Halloween, I was Little Red Riding Hood with a basket of bookmarks.  The wind was super strong so coming into school I truly looked like Flying red riding hood!

I took pics of all the students on Book Character Dress Up day and made a bulletin board that says, “Reading allows us to become…” and then has pictures of all the book characters.  Cool, right?

Happy 16th to Tyler!!!

Happy Sweet Sixteen to Tyler!!  Can he really be that old?? He finally got the smart phone and headphones he’s been waiting for! Plus we had crepes with Nutella and watched Jurassic Park (Alayna has never seen it!)

Tyler also had his last game and final marching Extravaganza!

Alayna got a 100% on the assignment where she brought the Real Care baby home!  We are so proud of her!  PLUS, we got her testing scores.  She is reading at the 94th percentile and at a 12-college age reading level!

She also had her 1st temple trip to Nauvoo and said it was “AWESOME!!!”

So, I was able to attend the ILA (Iowa Library Conference) on Wednesday afternoon.  I only went to the exhibits, but it was worth it.  The whole thing was catered and had free alcohol all night.  You should have seen their face when I asked for root beer!  I was able to do so much networking and found 2 places I could order books from with lifetime guarantess and free processing- that’s HUGE!  I found some ways to get grant money possibly, and even got some free books.  I also got free bookmarks and posters.  It was a neat experience and I am so glad I went! I also found my new  favorite quote!

Then this weekend I heard there was a friends of the Cedar Rapids library sale and its something you don’t want to miss.  A friend said it was crazy crowded but basically new books for $1-2 bucks.  So I went and scored!! I should have gotten more!

Kayla’s Costume Party

I think she is having too much fun without us!

How much can we cram in 1 week?

On Monday, I went and did a 20 minute presentation to the school foundation board.  It was pouring down rain, I was exhausted, and it was hard to drive back to the school.  I had written a grant proposal since all of my funding for the high school was cut.  I felt I did a great job explaining all the wonderful things I have been doing for both schools.  I didn’t hear back until Thursday.  They said they were all impressed with what I have been doing, but only granted $1000 out of the $5000 I asked for.  I was devastated.  They even took away some extra grant funding from 2 years ago.  They said they are going to the superintendent to see if more funding can be available, but I am majorly discouraged.  Why would you cut the book funding??? Then this week the middle school principal cut the all school weekly reading time called “Turn the page Tuesday”.  What is wrong with these people???
Ok on to better things…Alayna brought the baby home this week.  She did such a great job.  She had a rough night, like they all do, and then she was home sick the next 2 days due to a massive head cold.

She is also doing a great job of taking care of all 3 guineas!  This is how they sit on her lap when she is on the computer.

Wish her luck- she gives her very 1st talk in sacrament meeting today!!

On Tuesday, I drove over an hour away to Earlville, Iowa to be the keynote speaker for the Eastern Iowa Reading Council Conference.  Talk about nerve-racking!  There were over 120 people there and I was nervous sick.  Thank goodness I had been preparing for months and practicing forever so I was at ease once it began.  It went great and I was even funny.  I am including the wonderful comments I received so I can look back on them when I have those rough days…
*To sum it up one lady came up and said, "I was tired and exhausted and didn't want to travel and come to this stupid meeting but you made every minute worth it!"
*"Hi Kris, I first want to thank you for the great night, I so wish my children would of had you for a teacher or librarian! My kids are 18, 20 and 21 and all of them were told not to read their favorite books or magazines which contained of hunting and sports. It makes me sad as an educator that teachers tell students that. I would love the websites you talked about last night, I think the students would really enjoy them. Thanks again for a great night!"
*Thank You, Kris!!! I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed your presentation last night - I felt completely rejuvenated when I left! You really should add writing a book to your very busy schedule as what you shared is so important and you have such an enthusiasm for literature - it would be a good read for sure!
Thursday was Book Character Dress Up day at the middle school.  It was a huge success and I am always so grateful to the adults who support me.  I was Maleficent when she was a little girl (hence the small horns and wings).  I was covered in a can of silver glitter (at one point my eyelashes stuck together).  I ran around with my electric swoosh wand being goofy and the kids just loved it!

See the glitter?


Friday was edible book day at the high school and even that was a success!!  We had 10 entries!  I didn’t compete since I didn’t think it would be fair, and really a student should win, but everyone kept telling me mine would win and voted for mine anyway.  We had over 100 kids vote and after school we had hundreds come in to taste test!  Here is my entry…



Here is our snowman- I call him Bart- made out of reams of paper.  AND one of our kids on the robotics team made him robotic arms!

Tyler’s play “Love on the Rails” was this weekend.  He did a fantastic job and I am surprised he was able to memorize all those lines!  We are super proud of him!


After the fight scene, being dragged to get tied to the tracks!

Kayla at BYU-I

Campfire and s'mores at the sand dunes!