Birthday Wishes

Well, this entry is a little "belated", but I wanted to post pictures from Janis' birthday celebration we had at Mark and Ashlie's house. We had a wonderful dinner with everyone and got to celebrate "Grammy's" birthday. It was so fun watching Audrey and Lilly during the gift opening and posing "in the flowers". Precious! Happy Belated Birthday Janis!!!!! We love you!!

My, my what a beautiful card! I wonder who made it? :)


Audrey's flower shot
Lilly's flower shot

What little helpers!

Well, I don't have any pictures because I forgot my camera, but I had to tell you about my little helpers today. I had mentioned on Friday in school that I was going to be there on Saturday because I wanted to get our Accelerated Reader library organized and ready to use. At the end of the day, two of my little girls (the two that just love to help me out) came up to me and asked if they could come in and help. Then, they wanted me to write a note to their mom to tell her I was going to be there and I could really use their help, which was true. I do know both of these moms well, so I decided to write a note and see what happens. Sure enough, today at 10:00am my little helpers, Morgan and Olivia, showed up ready to help set up our library. They looked up book titles on the computer, put stickers on books, and wrote the AR level on each book. We took a break at noon so they could go to the Family Fun Day at the Public Park and I went and had lunch with Ashlie. After lunch, they wanted to come back, so we met back up at 2:00pm and didn't finish until 5:00pm. Wow! What a day! Not only did I have great help, but we finished the WHOLE library and we have more AR books than we could have imagined! I let them each pick a couple books from our library (special books :) ) to take home for their hard work! I am so blessed to have a wonderful class. I couldn't have gotten it done without them!

Parks And Rec. Reunion

Last night, I drove to Saginaw Valley State to watch

my friend Dana play volleyball. I worked with her

this summer at Parks and Rec. and she plays

vollyball for Tiffin in Ohio. When I found out she

was playing at SVSU, I had to go. A few other people

I worked with this summer ended up going as well,

so it really turned into a Parks and Rec. reunion.

It was a blast seeing everyone!!! Can't wait

to see them when they come home again to BA!

My friend, Dana

Mike Humphrey, Me, Anna English and Stephanie Byrne
Finally together with Dana!

What a couple of days!

My first three days as a 2nd grade teacher have been INCREDIBLE! I seem to have an excellent class. Actually, I KNOW I have a wonderful class. We have already gotten some procedures down pat and they have been wonderful listeners and have really transitioned well with all of the changes. All of the staff has been incredibly supportive (especially, Mrs. Brining #1 :) ) I have just been at such ease the past few days, it is scary. It feels great to be back in my "niche" again and I hope this stability can last for awhile! Below are some pictures of "Meet the Teacher" night. I only had 10 out of my 20 parents show up, but I look forward to getting to know them all and welcoming them in our classroom! You will see the paper people we made for the parents! I found this idea on the Internet and just had to do it! I got so many compliments and the kids loved taking them home after their parents saw them!

This is what I saw walking into my classroom on my very first

day as a 2nd grade teacher. I knew it was going to be a great

morning!

Meet the Teacher (and our class!!!)

A 2nd Grade Teacher! Finally!!!! :)

Well, for those that have not heard I am now a 2nd grade teacher. This past week has been a whirlwind. I was a parapro last year, and then got hired as the Title 1 teacher the week before school started. So, I spent my first week of school trying to get together a Title 1 schedule. Then, come to find out, there were many more students that enrolled than were expected, so they had to add a couple teachers. I was one of those lucky people to get hired! I was originally told I was going to be teaching 3rd grade, which I was thrilled about because I previously taught 4th grade in Indiana. Well, there was a teacher that was involuntarily transferred to 2nd grade from 3rd grade and he really wanted to go back to 3rd grade, so that is exactly what he did, leaving me with his 2nd grade classroom. Here are a few pictures from my long weekend trying to get things set up. It is still a work in progress, but I am fortunate to know most of MY students (I love saying that!) because I worked with them last year as a parapro. This should be a pretty smooth and exciting transition. I will keep you updated on school happenings throughout the year! As for now, I am in for a crazy year!

My wonderful room with only twenty students!
I haven't gotten my rug yet! Hopefully Monday!
Notice the lovely mailboxes my wonderful husband

put together for me!
My proud hubby!

Drew's New Pride and Joy (and it isn't a golf club!)

After many trials and tribulations with other lawn

mowers, we decided to just purchase a new

one. Drew insisted on getting a "Deere"! He

uses it at least three times a week now! Oh,

the small things in life!

Of course I had to give it a test drive!!!!