FairTime

It has been a tradition since Logan was a baby to take him to my county fair. It is always a fun time and guranteed to be super hot!  Logan was really into the fair this year. He loves visiting all the animals and riding the ponies. Of course we spent about 30 minutes in the tractor section naming all the tractors and testing out each one. I enjoy catching up with every that I don't usually see over the summer (that is code for getting all the juicy gossip)! I also love seeing former students and how much they have grown and matured(some more than others) since I had them in first or second grade. I am still amazed that my first class of students just entered high school!!!

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and are ready to start another work week. I have a crazy week ahead with lots of after school meetings, so I took some time today to put some casseroles in the freezer. They are some new recipes so if they turn out well I will share.

A little Alpaca Love

So you will pose with the Alpaca but not your sister????

Sitting in the tractor tire

One of many tractor shots

Riding The Ponies

He kept saying "these sheep are like mine!"

Getting kissed by a goat

He was amazed by this cow. As you can see he has no fear.

AHA Discovery Center

In mid July, I took Logan to a Discovery Center about an hour away. It was something I had just heard of and they were having teacher appreciation week so I got in free, so I thought we would give it a try.  It was okay but not something I would recommend especially since it meant 2 hours on the road with a toddler. I was also disappointed that most of the stuff they had were things that Logan has a had home. The important thing was Logan had a good time and we got to spend the day together.

On the school front, I have been super busy. The first part of the year is always so busy and hectic. I come home every night more than ready for bed, but it is all good. Not sure what the weekend holds in store, but if nothing else I have lots of scrapbooking to catch up on. I hope everyone has had a great week.

Resting Up For A Fun Day

Sand Table Fun

Building A House

Water Table Fun

Fishing

This fish story gets a little bigger everytime he tells it

Driving The Fire Truck

Craft Time

Finishing Out With Some Water Fun

Happy 11 Months Madison

It is hard to believe in one month we will be celebrating Madison's 1st Birthday. The party planning has begun and my Cricket machine has been getting a workout designing the decorations.  Madison is on the go and moving all the time. She is eating table food and will not turn down anything. if you don't give her food, she will give you the stare down. Yesterday she took her first step on her own and has been cruising behind her push toys. Logan is not happy that she is now getting revenge and pulling his hair. I don't know why he is surprised, he has been harrassing her for months now! She says hi and will get on the phone and "talk". We will have a busy month getting things ready to celebrate birthday.

Staying Cool In The Pool

Since it has been so hot this summer, we have been trying to find activities that are fun and keep us cool. There is a great pool not to far away in the town I used to teach in (we used to have community schools instead of the one large school we have now). It is great because I know a lot of the people and they love to see Logan and Madison. We went there twice this summer and had a great time. They have a kiddie pool and a large pool and Logan likes both, so it is always a fun day.

I had a great first week of school, but it really kicked my butt. Hopefully I will settle into the school routine soon. I am going to spend a lot of time today catching up on things at home that I didn't get done this week because I was wiped out. I have an interesting class this year with a few challenges but nothing that I can't handle. I love being back with all of my wonderful co-workers. On our first day back it was like a family reunion, with everyone catching up on what went on over the summer. We always got great news yesterday that our school district was rated EXCELLENT. In Ohio we have a school rating system and based on student achievement and other factors, so this was wonderful news for our district. We all work very hard each year to reach this status. I can't wait to see what this school year has in store.

NOTE- The first two pictures were taken when Logan I went on our first visit and it was a beautiful sunny day. The second two pictures were taken on out second visit with Madison, it was cloudy and ended up storming.

A New Year Has Begun

Today is my first day back to school and just like the kids I am excited and nervous. Last night we had open house so I got to meet some of my students. It looks like this class may keep me on my toes and right now I am excited about that. I love how the kids personalities start to come out over the first few days and I love seeing them interact in a new setting. I have a feeling I am going to be a busy bee.

I hope all of you that are teachers have a great start to your school year. All of you with children, who are going to school this year, I hope they have a wonderful year full of exciting challenges and new opportunities and learning experiences.

Of course I had to leave you with a picture of my two favorite little ones.

Back To School

Today is my official first day back to school, kids will be in on Wednesday. This time of year is always met with joy and sadness. I am always excited to get my room ready and meet my new students but I am going to miss my summer schedule. I think Logan is going to miss it to because tonight he said "Court not go back to school, you stay home and play with me." I will miss our summer playtime and outings but already have fall activities that I am planning for Saturdays.

I love getting my room ready every year and decorating it a different way. This year I did polka dots and it has been so much fun and very inexpensive thanks to my trusty Cricket. I hope you enjoy the glimpse into my world for about 9 months out of the year.

Welcome to my room

The kids cubbies and birthday wall

Art and Recess cabinets

Computer Station

Part of my desk

The full view

Beach Day

Last Friday my brother and I took Logan and Madison to a nearby lake to play on the beach. It couldn't have been a better day weather wise with blue skies and low humidity. We set up everything and Logan was ready to go in the water. He had so much fun playing in the water and the sand, Madison not so much. We set her in the water and then in the sand but she was not very impressed, maybe next year. We had to drag Logan off the beach because he was having so much fun and did not want to leave.  The bonus was that by the time we got home and fed them they were ready for a nice long nap (Aunt Court was too)! We will definetly be visiting the beach more next year since Logan likes it so much and I am sure Madison will too.

I am back to work this week, with meetings and getting my room ready. I was just thinking this morning that this time next week I will be meeting all my new students and we will be starting the adventure of a new school year. I am excited to start back to school but I am going to miss my summer schedule. As soon as my room is finished, I will post pictures. I love the polka dot theme I went with this year.

Ready for the beach

Checking out the view

Logan made some new friends

Madison is not thrilled with the water

Swimming like a fish

Madison checking out the sand

Running down the beach