Nothing is the same....

 So many things...

Oldest 2 are married, #3 is in college and #4 graduated high school this past May. And....we moved! I now call the state of Georgia home. So many things.  

Still teaching....special needs preschool, college and community college. Hubs still coaching and boys are still doing well.

Picture of one of my new neighbors.

Here we go .....again!

 Tonight is the wedding rehearsal because tomorrow is the wedding of #2!

Yes 2 weddings in the same year. We do it big 'round here. Haha  

So these 2 met through a mutual friend while the mutual friend and Ashton were working for me. Colby's plan "to wear her down", evidently worked because she said yes! 

They adopted a fur baby, have moved, changed jobs and traveled together. I think they've passed the test           

Wedding pictures to come soon!!

                    

Another fresh start

So another school year is here. Will we remain open? Will we go virtual? Will we be mandated to wear masks or not? Do my pre-k kiddos have to wear a mask? 

While I am excited to meet and get to know my students, I am also apprehensive about so many uncertainities.

I will be starting the year with a new assistant, who I have never met. That's a balance like no other. You are practically married to this person for 8 hours a day for the next 10 months. This person can make or break you. Will they get you and your style of teaching? Will they know what to do instinctively or will you waste precious time explaining things? Will they be nice to your kids? Will they be nice to you? Will they even like you?  Will you like them? It's like a blind date, that you are stuck with for better or worse.

Here's to a bright and shiny new school year! 

 

Summer Jobs

Ok so the one in the black shorts is in college and currently working on a buffalo farm. Yes, that's a thing. More on that later.

But the littler one......

when did he suddenly get big enough to be applying for jobs and driving!

I just can't

This should be the only job they have in the summer!

and on another note

why doesn't the ice cream truck ever drive by here anymore?

I still like ice cream.

 

Boxes and Creativity

One of my favorite books to read during the school year is Not A Box by Antionette Portis. The kids love it and begin shouting out "it's not a box" as the story continues.  The best part is then letting them loose with boxes, markers, colored tape, crayons, scissors, pipe cleaners , glue and anything else they can find to create their own "Not A Boxes"!

Making masks! One of my boys this year created masks a lot in the art center. He used paper plates, construction paper, coffee filters,etc. So I wasn't surprised that he also made one out of his box.

Pipe cleaners added fun and dimension. They were strategically placed by color by some of the girls.

This robot was a collaborative project that lasted several days before he was reluctantly taken to the recycling area of our school.

This was a parking garage with a ramp. This project required lots and lots of negotiation between 3 of my most behaviorally challenged kiddos. We were all so pleased with the end result.

Some of the materials we used. You have to be prepared when beginning this project that supplies will be used. Not putting limits on what they can or cannot use or how much allows them to compromise with each other and realize that when something is used up by another that means someone else won't get any. It was nice seeing them say things like, "here you can have some of mine". 

I highly recommend reading this box and letting the children create!

 

Reincarnation?

So this is me and my first dog...Johnny

and this is me and Grizzly

Hmmmm........

 

So this happened......A wedding in the family

So once upon a time a coach met a beautiful young woman at the field and had the were withal to pursue her! (after the game of course) and she being a brave lady agreed to accompany him to more games!

So a few years, countless practices, games and moves later, he realized that this woman was not only the one he needed but also the one he wanted and he proposed. She said yes to the crazy life of a football coach's wife and ......

on a beautiful day in May, all the boys, friends and family gathered to support them as they pledged to be with each other through wins and losses, playoffs and practices, and all that life can dish out.  

It was beautiful!

And worth the wait!