ball python

One of the cool kids from my class has a Mom who pretty incredible.  She brought her Ball Python and Leopard Gecko in for a class presentation this morning.  It was a lovely morning of investigation and wonder.  LOVED LOVED LOVED how engaged the kids were and it was pretty cool to see as well. 

17

Happy birthday dear Thomas Matthew Blomgren.  I remember going to the hospital to meet a really great kid with his beaming parents bursting with pride.  I was handed a big fat cigar by my brother Cory and got a great hug from sister in law Joan.

Keep growing the way you have been growing TMB.

great workout

I got to head to the gym early on Wednesday night.  I was able to leave the house at 9:30 and was in bed by 11:00pm.  I got my five miles in and a round of weights.  Then I got a great night's sleep!  YES!

training day

All day Tuesday was training, school and more training.  I went to a training at Westside Elementary from 7:30-8:30, taught from 8:45-3:20 and then went to more training from 4:00-5:30.  I was one tired lady at the end of the day and so thankful for a really amazing family that is taking up the slack of my absence. 

where did the last five days go

I can't even believe it is Friday already.  About mid-week, I was thinking the week would never end and now I don't know why I thought that. 

marine art fair

Sunday dawned and it was a beautiful day!  I taught Sunday School after attending the early church service where O received his new Spark bible.  After a lovely lunch, O and I went to Marine for the Marine Art Fair and to hang out with the Thibodeau trio.  A really beautiful yard sale later, we came home with some nice treasures. 

1-1-1

A's team played today on a fall like Saturday morning.  They played a truly gifted team and lost 18-0, but A didn't seem to be too down in the mouth which is good.

good night's sleep

On Friday, I had a wonderful night's sleep.  Our family started watching the Sandlot at about 7:30pm and I think I was fast asleep at about 8:30.  I awoke and went upstairs to fall deeply asleep  until about 7:00am this morning...ahhhhhh.  

happy happy birthday birthday Kent and Kurt

My twin brothers, Kent and Kurt were the first children of my wonderful parents.  Thanks for breaking in Mom & Dad and much love to you.  You took care of me when I was little and protected me from harm and danger.

Love you much!

picture day

Our class took school pictures on Wednesday.  Everything was going pretty well until they received combs from the photographer...the combs turned into playthings that were encouraged to be brought home and kept there.

darling Miss Haley

On Tuesday, September 10, the dear and beloved Haley Hendrickson from USVI stopped by our home to visit.  It was really incredible to catch up with her and hear about her adventures since we last parted.  She is spending some time in the US during hurricane season, but will be heading back to the Caribbean in November.

monday morning

It was nice to be missed when you have a sub on Friday.  Several kids were asking where I was and said they were happy to have me back.  I think they really did enjoy the teachings of Nate, but it was nice to be missed.

more school on Sunday

Day two of Sunday school also went well.  I had a total of 3 volunteers in the room to introduce the lesson about Jesus and the lost sheep and the lost coin.  I think they absorbed some of the message and before we knew it, it was time to leave.  Just flew past!

1-0-1

The Grey Wolves, A's football team this year won their first game on September 7 and they tied a team on September 14.  A had caught a pass for the win on September 7--a two point conversion.  This weekend he will be quarterback for the second half of the game.  I have a class that I'm taking on Saturday, so I won't be able to watch the game, but I will sure be thinking of him!

sub

I represented our school at a training for a new test we will start administering to our first graders in a few weeks.  It was on a school day, so I had to request a sub.  Unfortunately, I didn't go through all the steps required and it didn't enter the system until after the fact.  I told my principal about it so he took care of it by being the sub.

It was an unusual experience to have your boss teaching your class but he said that it went surprisingly well.  WHEW!

picnic

On Thursday, September 12, the school hosted a family get together night.  I was able to visit with many parents of students and also was able to introduce Brad, K and O to everyone.  A was at football practice so he wasn't able to meet everyone, but hopefully he will get a chance to do so in the future.

every other day

So it turns out that every other day in the classroom seems to be really smooth.  I know it's a little early to tell if that will be a trend that continues, but we had a nice day today.  Here is a photo of a dear boy that makes me smile every day.

having snack at the snack table with echineca from our garden

happy birthday Ibby Gina

I was so distracted by the start of the school year that I neglected to wish my lovely sister in law Ibby Gina a wonderful 39th birthday.

vader voice

Tuesday was another really warm day in River Falls.  I know the days are numbered, but I am looking forward to taking the fans out of the classroom--less distraction with kids trying to sound like Darth Vader.

monday morning

All the preparation for the week was rewarded on Monday.  The class was assessed by an outside group for reading and math.  It will be nice to have a baseline to know where to start instruction.  Based on me walking around and watching them answer, I think math facts will a focus of instruction.  The rest of the day went really well.

school on Sunday

On Sunday, September 8, my great assistant, Carsten and I led sixteen Kindergarten cherubs through rally Sunday.  Just a few tears were shed by a young girl who was sad to say goodbye to her Mom, but otherwise it went really well.

I spent the rest of the day getting ready for the week in the classroom.  It was really great to be prepped for a new week.

merry go round

It has been quite a merry go round the past two weeks.  I will try to update day by day, but may be a bit delinquent.  On Saturday the 7th, I spent the day at school preparing for the coming week at school.  My incredible team--Ying, Maggie and Markell were there with me and leading me in a great direction.  I am incredibly blessed to have such amazing collaborators.

ice cream Friday

We are going to be enjoying a celebratory batch of ice cream tonight.  My classroom was sooooo hot today (84 degrees when I left at 5pm) and I think everyone was definitely ready for the weekend.  It was pretty cute though because the kids said "oh tomorrow we can do this....and tomorrow we can do that..."  I think they are having a good time.  I just hope I can teach them some valuable lessons over the coming year.

sweaty

A came home from football practice tonight just dripping with sweat--it's almost like it's the middle of the summer instead of heading into fall.  I wonder if it will be a late winter...it sure was a late spring/summer, so maybe our tomato plants will just keep producing!

meeting the class

I had a fun filled day working with 19 lower elementary students today!  I think we are going to have an interesting year and hopefully can gel into a super fun group.  There are several different personalities in our group and I am looking forward to seeing how we learn and grow--I have a feeling I will be the one with the most learning.

first day of school

A, K and I had our first day of school on Wednesday--full day of middle school and parent orientation for both K and I.  Lots of preparation and I think it went really well.

78

My beautiful, gracious and wonderful Mother is celebrating her 78 th birthday today.  I love you so much.