Canasta

Wow! My kids are really growing up. Last night I taught them how to play Canasta. They loved it - and did not want to quit. We played two hands (without keeping score, just so they would learn the concepts) and then Doug came home. We headed off to Culvers for ice cream (and Doug's dinner) and to play another hand of Canasta while we ate our treat. It was a fun evening. The kids are ready to play some more tonight. What fun! Now I have to think of another game to teach them. Not sure if I am up to teaching them spades or hearts yet (as I can't keep the rules straight in my head). If you have any suggestions please let me know. They love playing kings in the corner and now Canasta. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

School is almost here

Well - school starts on Monday so this week was the last time to finish up stuff to be ready. I had my two last "home visits" and have finished doing stuff in my classroom. I did have to fix a few things today - as I spelled a kids's name wrong :( Oh well - at least I realized it before school starts. The kids are ready to start school. They are ready to see their friends - although Emily has started seeing her friends at volleyball practice. I can't believe I have a sixth grader and a third grader. Wow! Hard to believe they are growing up so fast. I sent Emily off today with a new friend - whose parents I did not know. Seems kind of odd - but that is how I know it will be more often as she gets older.

Pray for my 16 students. I have 9 boys and 7 girls this year. Several who are from split families, whose parents do not get along very well. I also know I have some potential discipline issues/psychological issues/learning issues... so lots of needs with this class.

I praise the Lord that I had worked ahead, as I was at home sick yesterday, recooperating from a headache and the medicine that I took to get rid of it. I thank the Lord that I am not one who procrastinates. Some teachers are really working overtime this week - but I could take it easy :)

off to Lowes

This morning I am taking the kids to Lowes - in fact we should be leaving soon. They have some kids build clinics. This morning they are making a boat that is rubber band powered. Should be fun to see them race their boats when we get home. Of course, they always end up painting them with acrylic paints and designing their own decorations before using them. I will post pictures later after they get them made and painted.

Six Flags

Yesterday the kids and I went to Six Flags. We got there around 11:15 or so and we ended up leaving at 7:00. I don't know how we managed to stay longer than that when I was a kid, as I was exhausted after being there that long. Of course, they are only open from 11 - 8, so we couldn't have stayed much longer. I am also sore - and went to bed earlier with a muscle relaxer & ibuprofin. I also woke up at one point in the night and took my migraine headache medicine. I felt really old after riding on some roller coasters. My back is still sore today - got something out of allignment on the roller coasters I guess. The kids had a blast - but are also tired today. It was fun to have a fun day before school begins. Although we don't begin school until the 24th - I have lots of stuff do to before then.

Ouch update...

Well - today I was supposed to go to an Endontist to get my tooth looked at. Well - my tooth pain for 7 days ended up being a popcorn kernel that was lodged in between my tooth. I found it Thursday evening while trying to floss my teeth again. After 7 days, flossing and brushing several times per day, it is amazing that it was still inbetween my teeth. My gums were a little swollen, so I continued taking the anitbiotic, but cancelled today's appointment. No cracked tooth - :) (or at least I don't have any pain from one - so I am not investigating the crack?). So - beware of eating popcorn - especially all the popcorn fans in my family. I have not eaten popcorn since - will see how long it takes before I will want some again.

school supplies

It is crazy. We will not start school until the 24th but I have all the kids school supplies labeled and ready to go. Wow! I think it was the earliest that I have ever done so. I was able to hit sales for most of the things, but still ended up spending around $80 for school supplies. That is actually not bad for two kids. I also have two bags of extra stuff for when they run out of pencils, glue sticks, paper, notebooks, crayons ... It always happens mid year, and I sure can get things cheap now, rather than pay regular prices later in the school year.

Emily ended up with a patterned purse like lunch box while Michael has a Star Wars one. Both kids have backpacks already from last year that they will use, as I bought them good ones last year. That really helped with the school supply budget. I just need to get a few uniform tops - but will do that later in the year as they have enough to start the year.

I think all I need to get yet for back to school is shoes for Emily. Michael has two very good pairs of shoes that fit him - so I will buy them later when they run out.

I always forget how many things I need to get for back to school - until I need to go get all the things. Of course the kids are old enough now that they remind me of what they "need" to get :)

Happy August and happy back to school time!!! Good luck to all of you who need to school supply shop.



If you need a bargain - Staples has paper for 1cent until Wednesday :) I plan on going to get some tomorrow - as I just found out about it today from another teacher.

fun weekend

This weekend we were invited to go down to the lake with some friends from Church. We had a great time. They have three kids - two boys and one girl. The boys are 7 & 10 and the girl is 3. We went boating and swam in the lake. The kids also enjoyed tubing & jumping off some large rocks into the lake. It was beautiful both days - not too hot or sunny at all. We got back home around 8:00 last night - the kids were tired and sore. It was good to get away & do something out of the norm.

I will post pictures later - am having trouble sleeping & thought I would get up and be productive instead of laying in bed and tossing and turning.

home visits

I now have 7 home visits completed. I have three tomorrow, so after that I will have 10 done and only 6 to go. I still have 1 to schedule - kind of frustrating as i have called and called and left messages. Today I even talked to the dad, who said call mom. So--- I left another message with mom's cell phone and tried again two times. Oh well - I suppose I will get ahold of them sometime. They must be in denial of school starting again soon. :)