2nd Grade

So I teach 2nd grade. I am really starting to enjoy it. I was really hesitant there for awhile about whether I even wanted to come back and teach next year. The following are a few reasons why I am loving teaching right now (for the most part anyway).
Exhibit A:
We just started out "Mighty Mini Mealworm" science unit. Pretty gross, but cool too. The kids absolutely LOVE being scientists and most of them aren't freaked out by the worms at all. They have been asking everyday if they can play with their worms and are having a great time with them. They are kind of like caterpillars in that they form a kind of chrysalis and then turn into a beetle. The kids are really excited about it.
Exhibit B:

Field Day. We had Field Day "Fun Day" on Wednesday and we had so much fun. We did all kinds of relay races and climbed the rock wall in our gym and did DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) in our "Active and Healthy" room. Our school got a huge grant to help promote active and healthy lifestyles, so we have a whole room devoted to the DDR game that was purchased with part of the grant. The woman on the left is one of my student's mom, not a very tall 2nd grader. This is a picture of them presenting the grant check to our school. Yes, it says $97,488.Exhibit C:

Skateland Parties! Our school had a Skateland Party Thursday night and Jake came along with me. He is so supportive and my class absolutely LOVES him! He comes in to the class all the time and the kiddos get so excited. Me too! They always ask why he doesn't kiss me when he leaves- I guess they don't understand the inappropriate aspect of PDA in the workplace (which the DJ and one of the workers at Skateland didn't understand either, apparently!). Which brings me back to Skateland. We had a lot of fun and I felt like I was in 6th grade again, only this time Raylene didn't have to drag me over to skate with my crush during the "couples skate"- which by the way, they don't even do anymore! We had to make up our own couple skate. The best part about the Skateland extravaganza came after the Guerrero Elementary party was over. As we were waiting for all of the kids to get picked up, all of a sudden these scary women started pouring into the skating rink. They were covered in tattoos and piercings and were wearing short skirts and fishnet tights. It took me a few minutes, and then I realized, "Oh my! It's a roller derby night!" I didn't even think those things actually existed- especially in lil' ol' Mesa! I guess they were having tryouts or something because they all had numbers on there backs and were videotaping them and having them show how fast they could skate. We didn't stay too long- Jake was getting a little scared. But it was amazing! We were laughing so hard (but tried not to show it- those ladies could have beat me AND Jake up!). This picture is a little blurry and don't do their scariness justice, but you might be able to see the roller derby chicas. Exhibit D:
I have one student who is a total "brown noser." She is very bright and a cute little girl. The other day she had a little free time on her hands, so she decided to draw a picture. This is what she made. Isn't it lovely? I'm sure a quote from Napoleon Dynamite is coming to your mind at this very moment. I suddenly became frightfully aware of my mustache that could probably use a good waxing. But then the next day she presented me with this masterpiece, putting my worries a little at ease.
She told me that this was a picture of me (I don't know who the last picture was supposed to be, but I am sure that they are beautiful). This picture does actually have hair, but my scanner just didn't pick it up very well. I think my favorite parts about the picture are my teeth, my nose, my fingernails (on my right hand only?!?), the off the shoulder straps, and the lack of a mustache. Yes- I am one good looking teacher!

So I like 2nd grade. However, my principal told me on Friday that he is going to move me to 3rd grade next year. Which just means that I'll get to have a few of my "angels" next year!

Night on Broadway

Last night our ward had a "Night on Broadway" social for all of the adults. Jake and I were asked to be a part of the performance, along with 3 other newly wed couples. We did a little dance to "Why Do I Love You?" from the musical Showboat. The lady in charge of everything is kind of funny and has made this social her life for the past month. She would hold practices at her house and helped us make up our dance and found these crazy costumes for us. It was all kind of silly, but we actually ended up having a really good time. The whole dance was pretty much just all of us couples swooning over each other and showing a little too much PDA in front of the whole ward. I think we made the audience blush more than we did ourselves! But we made some new friends out of the experience. They had lots of fun performances complete with 7 Brides for 7 Brothers "Bless Her Beautiful Hide" and Oklahoma's "I'm Just a Girl Who Can't Say No".

After the social we had a "cast party" at one of the couple's house with just the couples from our dance. We played games and got to know each other a little better. We discovered that one of the husbands (who lives just two doors down from us) is pretty much an experienced spy. He keeps a (mental) log of all of the cars coming in and out of our complex and what "loot" they've got in the back of their trucks. I can't blame him- we've had some pretty strange things happen around here. Like washers and dryers being stolen out of carports in broad day light (they even stole laundry detergent- they must have been desperate to get some laundry done!) and cops arresting a guy right in front of our mailbox. Don't worry Mom- we're safe. We've only had our laundry detergent stolen. Other than that we love it here!

Baby Brooklyn Rae

I am an aunt again (sort of)! Raylene and Brad finally had their baby on Wednesday, February 13, 2008. She is such a beautiful baby with lots of blonde hair. If you know me, you probably know Raylene, and have probably already seen and heard about their sweet little thing, but I just had to put in my two cents. Raylene is such a trooper and has been so positive about her entire pregnancy experience. I only hope I can be as positive as her someday when it's my turn.
I had to throw in these pictures in honor of Jake. He is such an awesome guy. If any of you know Jake, you know he is way into football- especially college football. Well, he's also into sweet little babies. I got the funniest picture of him watching the Orange Bowl, while helping to crochet a blanket for baby Brooklyn. I have to say I think he was a little more interested in the crocheting than he was in the game! I thought it was so cute! You can't see the t.v., but there was definitely a football game on. Is he looking at the t.v.? Nope!

Slacker

Ok, ok, I know it's been awhile. What can I say- I'm a teacher and a wife and, well, that's about it. Ok, you're right- I have no excuse. Well, not a whole lot has happened these last couple of months, but I'll give a quick update. Christmas was a blast. I just love Christmas time. I started asking Jake what he wanted for Christmas back in August
(he had no idea I was such a Christmas maniac). I've surprised him by already asking him what he wants for Christmas this year. He just gave me an "Are you crazy?" look as I'm sure you are right now. But what can I say- I think Christmas should be celebrated all year long! For Christmas I got Jake a nice softball bat and a new glove. He's excited to put them to use on the co-ed softball team we've joined that will be starting in March. Jake got me a pedicure kit that he so sweetly volunteers to use on my feet. He also got me TheFirm workout that I had been asking for. I've enjoyed that a lot but have a hard time motivating myself to get up at 5:45 to actually do the workouts. We had fun re-enacting the nativity with the Merrell family and hangin' with both of our families.
Valentine's Day was also a lot of fun. I just love holidays. My class of 2nd graders had a fun little Valentine's party. Several of my students even brought Valentine's for our pet frog, Max. I thought that was funny. My students were so sweet and brought stuffed animals and chocolates and all kinds of goodies for me (many of which went straight to the trash- used stuffed animals just don't appeal to me. Neither do questionable chocolates labeled in Spanish). Jake and I spent Valentine's chaperoning a bunch of 5th grade students from my school to the Coyotes hockey game. It was my first hockey experience and I actually enjoyed it quite a lot! Jake treated me to a dinner at Macaroni Grill and a date to As You Wish (pottery painting). He's such a sweetheart!

Christmas Tag

I got tagged by my sister. I'm new to this whole blogging thing, but apparently you "tag" people, and then they have to answer the questions. Kind of fun!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bag? wrapping paper
2. Real tree or artificial? Fake for now, I'll talk Jake into getting us a real one some day when we have money.
3. When do you put up your tree? First day of December
4. When do you take down your tree? after New Years
5. Do you like eggnog? Mmm! Yes! I used to hate it, but now I really like it- only certain kinds though.
6. Favorite gift received as a child- a Stacy doll (Barbie's sister). I also got a doll that wore a crown, and when you pushed a button, she sang a song and lit up and projected pretty flowers from her crown onto the ceiling- that was pretty cool.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? no, I should ask for one for Christmas.
8. Hardest person to buy for? For some reason it was really hard to shop for our parents. I've been shopping for my parents for years, and this year was just hard!
9. Easiest person to buy for? Nieces and nephews- a dollar at Wal-Mart can buy amazing things!
10. Worst Christmas gift you've ever received? Amen to Cindy- that's exactly what I thought too- even before I read your response! no offense Mom, but kitty cat calendars aren't cool when you're in junior high (or college for that matter). teddy bears aren't as bad, but still aren't cool. And the flower calendars- those were even a little better than the teddy bears, but luckily Mom says she not buying calendars this year. (Just teasin ya Mom)
11. US Mail or email Christmas cards? US Mail- if I was going to send Christmas cards out, that is. I'm having a hard enough time getting our thank you cards from our wedding in June out!
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Mickey's Christmas Carol, Scrooge, A Cabbage Patch Christmas, Home Alone I and II.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Man- this year I was taling about Christmas in August- I've been so excited for Jake and my first Christmas! But I think I held off and bought the first Christmas present like the day after Thanksgiving.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No. Wedding gifts... that might be another story. :)
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Man- Cindy and I are so alike when it comes to Christmas. I have to agree with you again: Any Christmas candy; green and red m&m's, pb cups, hershey kisses. I also LOVE Raylene's caramel/white chocolate dipped apples. Mmmm!
16. White or colored lights? White. I don't know about those blue lights at the temple- they kind of send my eyes for a loop!
17. Favorite Christmas songs? "All I Want for Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey. It brings back good memories from my freshman year of college. Yes Jake and Brad- freshman year! I laughed when you said the Carpenters, Cindy. I always get so excited when I hear "Merry Christmas Darling" by Carol Carpenter- it's a good one.
18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? Home! I can't imagine traveling (unless we were away from family, then we would definitely travel there).
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Happy, Doc, Grumpy... oh wait. Cupid, Dawnder, Blitzen. But do you recall... Rudoloph.
20. Angel or Star on top of tree? Right now we have a cute bow that Mom Merrell helped me make. She is such a good bow maker!
21. Open presents Christmas Eve or Morning? One on Christmas eve (the name we drew) and the rest on Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Grumpy, crowded stores- it's Christmas! Cheer up!
23. What I love most about Christmas? Being with family! Buying presents for Jake. Decorating.

Tag: Raylene, Lisa

Turkey Trot and Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving time! I enjoyed our first Thanksgiving together. We kicked off the Thanksgiving holiday by running the 10K Turkey Trot Thursday morning. Wow! I've never ran more than 3.5 miles at a time in my life, so 6.2 miles was pushing it for me. It actually ended up being really fun. A bunch of us Richardson's got together to run together. Jake and Jason took off and ran like mad men to the finish line. Sarah took off ahead of us slow pokes and ran the whole time! Becc and I had fun running together and taking little walking breaks along the way. I wasn't so much interested in my time as I was in just completing the race. Jake finished in 54 minutes and I finished in a whopping 79 minutes. The guy who won the race ran it in 28 minutes! Isn't that insane!?!?!?! He was like 4 minutes ahead of the next guy. What an animal! It was a lot of fun and we plan to do it again next year. I think it's funny that my sister, Cindy, was running her 10K in Idaho in 12 degree weather wearing layers and layers of clothes. Meanwhile we ran in short sleeves and sun glasses. Sorry Cindy.

We spent Thanksgiving with the Richardson side. We had some good eats and had a lot of fun with Jake's sister's and their families. All of Jake's brothers live out of state, so we missed them a lot. I made pies with my mom the night before to take to the Richardson's and had a blast with her. We made some mean banana cream pies- homemade crust and all. Mmmm! After Thanksgiving dinner we all just sort of hung around and relaxed from the Thanksgiving feast. Jake's nephews were being so funny. He has 3 nephews that are in kindergarten. I asked them if they could count to 10, and they did so without a flaw. I acted all astonished and told them how smart they were (positive reinforcement ;) ). I asked one of his nephews, Cameron, if he could count higher. He kind of gave an annoyed sigh and started yelling numbers all the way to 10. Between spurts of laughter I said, "No Cameron, higher." He gave an even more annoyed sigh like "I just did that." He then started screaming numbers all the way to 10. It was so funny! I love all of my "inherited" nieces and nephews. And I of course love all of my nieces on the Merrell side. If you want to see some dang cute girls, check our Ben and Cindy's blog and Joel and Lisa's (on my side panel).

Well, sorry for the great famine in blogging material here. I'll try and do a little better, but no promises. :)

Saturday Morning Wake-up Wonders...

This past Saturday morning as we arose after a good nights rest... this is Jake by the way. I have joined our little blog spot in order to see what is going on in our lives. Anyways, as we were coming into semi-consciousness, I happened to peek out the window into the back yard of our neighbors. They had this huge fire going. Theys was getting fixed up to roast some swine. There were eight dead pigs on the table getting fixed up to be porkified. Theys weren't red-neck at all, theys was polynesian. Well that is about all. It is good to be on here finally.