2015 Thanksgiving

Our thanksgiving festivities started with Luke inviting us to his classroom to share their friendship stew.  He had a place mat made and the cutest little turkey hat you did ever see. We had a great time in his classroom with his friends. 

 The next morning was the annual ward turkey trot. The cousins came to participate and to cheer us on. Lilly, Max and Kevin all ran the mile. Kevin surprisingly finished first in the mile. He was pretty happy about that since he hasn't done any type of exercise in forever. Max and Lilly were consistent and finished the race.  I'm very pleased with what they accomplished.  Luke was pretty bummed that we didn't let him run in the mile, because I wanted to run the 5k and Kevin wanted to try to do well in the mile. So that left Lilly and Max to run with Luke and I'm not so sure that would have been a good idea. So I promised him that next year he could do it.

 Luke however did run in the kids races and had a great time.

I planed to run slow and really just get my workout in to make room for all the great food I was planing on eating over the next couple days. Then they said go and I was toward the front and I kinda took off. I found my friend Amy, she was using her son as a pacer and we went for it. 9 min mile a P.R. for me so I was pretty happy.

Thanksgiving was nontraditional this year. We had a waffle breakfast after the turkey trot and the turkey bowl. Amber and the girls got in line for some Black Friday shopping and we spent the day just chill'n and having a hamburger dinner. Really it was kinda great. 

On Friday I made dishes for our thanksgiving feast that we were having that afternoon. After I got all the food ready, I got to go to the temple and witness a family sealing of my friend Amy to her their adopted son. I loved being there and it was an especially sweet occasion.

Shortly after getting home we hopped in the car with stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls and pie in hand and made our way to Amber's to have Thanksgiving. a wonderful meal, excellent company and we didn't even mind that it was on Friday. All things are good when you are giving thanks.

Thoughts on Subbing

On Friday I took a step back into the public school system as a substitute teacher.  I was a nervous and excited all at the same time. Mostly I was peaceful and confident. I'm not really sure how you can feel all those things but I diffidently did.  Nervous because off all the unknown, excited because it was something new and familiar at the same time. Peaceful because I know that this is what I am supposed to be doing right now, and confident because I have done this before, I got this, I know my strengths and weaknesses I know how to teach.

(shameless selfie)

First grade, 28 kids. This what scares me most about school and teaching 28 kids in first grade that is a whole lot of kids.  More then there should be in my option. I tend to forget that is what I send my kids into every day but I know that 28 kids in primary grades is not the best teaching model. 

The day went well.  But hey I'm the sub, I remember thinking lets see what we could get away with when I was in school. So there was a lot of "can I go to the bathroom" and some of  "Mrs. so and so let's us do that"  But I saw through their tricks. The class was not easy. There were a few that were notorious for disturbing the peace with their teacher there. So I didn't feel too bad when they did they same for me.

At the end of the day I was wiped out!!! Exhausted! I could chase my preschool class around for days and wouldn't be as tired. But that is the difference.  My preschool class is mine. I love them. We are a team.  When you go into someone else's classroom you are guest and you do your best.

Being a sub is what I expected. I would give directions, keep the peace, be caring, have a warm smile, make them laugh, help when needed, entertain for a bit  and wait for the bell to ring. All in all I'm chalking it up for a good experience and ready for some more.

November 12

1. It is cold enough for hot chocolate in the morning. 

2. Taking a sip

3.  I really love my red pants.

4.  Do you see how much I paid for gas today. Calls for a Happy Dance.

5.  Since it was sooo cold this morning Luke put on his favorite hat.

6.  In Preschool we played a rousing game of Roll the Turkey

7.  One of my preschooler is sharing her pomegranates with me.

8.  Kevin planted winter grass yesterday. Crossing my fingers that it grows.

9.  This water bottle my new demise.  I'm in this healthy eating contest/group and you are supposed to drink 64 oz of water a day. It's killing me. I never drink that much water.

10 and 11 Some sit down homework time.

12.  I accepted my first subbing job for Friday. Just checking out the dress code.

October little things

Here are some snap shots from our October. On conference weekend. It was wonderful to hear the talks. I took note and some of the kids took notes. Luke's notes but I'm not really sure that it is about anything he heard in conference.

Primary program was this month.  They are happier about it than they look. It was Lilly's last one *sniff, sniff 

 

 Preschool pumpkin patch field trip always a good time. I love my  job and I love my class.

 Since we were headed to the pumpkin patch we had to learn all out the farm. Cute little piggies.

My smarty girl came home with this 100% on her math test very pleased because she was the only one to get a perfect score.

 Max had a pumpkin project this month. They had to make a pumpkin resemble a famous Arizona native. Cesar Chavez was his assigned person.

Max got to go to a fun morning of cub scout day camp.

I'm all caught up with Downton Abbey. I'm a little embarrassed to admit how few days it took me to watch all the episodes. It was a great escape.

The kids made it over to the cousins fall festival.  I couldn't resist getting a picture of this cute pineapple.

Halloween 2015

Will pumpkin carving every get any easier?  Max carved his himself (the one on the right) he did a great job. Luke drew his (on the left) and then I carved it. Lilly got her pumpkin all scooped out and then was too tired to carve it, that is why we only had two. If she was cool with that I am too.

 Oh they are getting so grown up. As I was taking their pictures I realized that we might have just one or two more years where they will all want to trick-or-treat.  Even this year we split up. Max wanted to go with his friends and Lilly with hers. Luke tagged along with the girls and was tired after we rounded the block. After everyone got home they were very happy with their loot. Our neighborhood is full of kids every year and I always run out of candy in an hour or two. I had 200 pieces. Goodness but I love it, to have a neighborhood busting with kids is pretty fun.
And now I present to you the Pineapple, the Nerd and Maverick.

 Finally our Maverick is dressed as Maverick.

 Lilly had been planing this costume for a year now so she was pretty happy to wear it. I borrowed it for my preschool party and I was pretty happy too.

 Max really didn't want to dress up this year.  Early in the month we talked about him being Greg from Diary of the Wimpy kid.  When it came time to get ready to go out on Halloween night he had a melt down and didn't want to go. I was soooo thankful that Kevin was here to talk him off the ledge and come up with a costume that he was happy with. Really the cutest nerd ever!!