rAnDOm EveNtS

There is no way that Steve was going to let us leave southern California without seeing the Pacific Ocean. We made out way to the Beach and spent an hour or so looking for sea shells. The water was way to cold to swim but the boys loved the possibilities of finding sand dollars and cooler than your brothers sea shells.


These are our rose bushes in the front yard. My favorites are the lavender ones. We get so many compliments about these flowers. So many questions on what we do to have them bloom so beautifully. Honestly we do nothing to them. We cut them way back each winter and that's it!

On May 17th Austin celebrated his 10th Birthday. He chose to go to the Olive Garden for dinner. He has never been there before and I couldn't even figure out why he chose it. But then I was reminded that he gave his teacher an Olive Garden gift card for teacher appreciation and he told him that the Olive Garden was his favorite place to eat. Austin's teacher, Mr. Porter, is next to God in Austin's eyes. He looks up to him. He thinks he is the smartest man on this earth. So, why wouldn't he want to eat at the Olive Garden? Any way I was kinda chucking to myself when Austin asked, "We don't have to pay before we eat?" and "really, they will give us all the bread sticks we want without paying?" I guess we don't get out much.

Nate finished up Kindergarten. He sang in a patriotic program with all of the kindergartners from Three Falls. I love this program and get teary each time I see it. This time was a bit emotional for me because it was the last time I will see MY kindergartner perform in it. He is growing up to fast. I try to savor each of these "last moments" with him. He will be a first grader soon! The little hand that I reach over to hold during a movie or a walk across the parking lot will soon be a big hand that does not want to be embarrassed by holding his mom's hand. He says that he will always be my baby!

My first grade class performed a musical rendition of The Little Red Hen. We practiced the songs and learned the lines for about 3 months. It is a hard thing to do! But, I would not ever dream of not doing a it. The kids Love it! They learn so much about themselves and how to support one another. I had an especially difficult class this year and I was not sure I would be able to pull it off. I had one of my toughest student play one of the lead singing role and it was exactly what he needed to have a positive experience in first grade. Without it I am sure he would have had horrible memories of me!

With this especially difficult class I came to the decision that I was ready for a change. I will be teaching Second Grade next year. Call me crazy because the whole first grade was especially difficult. Now I will be teaching 24 of them. But, I am super excited! I am ready for a challenge and ready to get out of the rut I was falling in. I met my class on the last day of school--I love them already!!! The only down side is that I have to move out into a portable.

I had the BEST room mom this year. I know that she and a few others made it possible for me to willingly come to school this past year. I know that I have said it before but Just once in a teachers life she deserves having a room mom like I had. For teacher appreciation week she had each child make me a dish towel decorated anyway the students liked. I got lots of flowers, hearts, Tinkerbells, treasure maps and cute little drawings. I love them. I love to see them when I am cleaning some not so favorite things.

Aren't these beautiful? just another gift from my class that made me smile!

Last but not least, just a few of the women that I love! Aunt Lynne took my Grandma, Mom and I to the the Carried Underwood concert. It was a fun night filled with good food, good music and good company.