MN State Fair 2014

This year I made peace with the idea that I would not be able to do all the things I wanted to do. If that was going to happen, I'd need to leave the little ones at home. So we did the things they wanted to do and the things I wanted them to do.

First stop was the giant slide
Relia by herself- loved it
Leo with me- loved it
Felix changed his mind at the top and wound up going down with a kind Giant Slide worker- hated it. "it's too fast."

Then animal barns and shave ice
We have to be fair when it comes to Fair fare:
Two cups of shave ice and a solo cup of blueberry/rootbeer for Leo

Relia looks like a flapper.

Checking out the baby pigs

Felix remembered this exhibit from last year and insisted that we go again. He and Leo were matching the bones they unearthed, with the picture. Leo can correctly name and place a horse scapula! 


Lunch break!


The guy at the fish & chips booth handed me my coke and I said, "cool, that's my name!" then he gave it to me for free. These are the kind of perks you get when your name is near the top of the list of popular names.


We rode the space tower and the open sky glider and several rides in the Kid-way
Then we were done. The line for Sweet Martha's was about an hour long. (Maybe I will just have to make some toll house tonight) so we settled for cotton candy on the way out

This year's photo turned out good. The second frame is just about perfect. Before we left for tie Fair, FP showed the boys our slew of photos to give them an idea of what the purpose of this was. Felix did great. Leo got into it too.

And the whole history. Click on the image to see it bigger

It's raining out there

homesick, and yet...not

I walked into work feeling a little homesick for Andersen. I miss knowing my place and having my friends to lean on.

But then, this afternoon, I got to teach! That is what I have been missing. That is what is draggin me down. I had all these kids around me but I wasn't getting to teach. I went into a 3rd grade room and taught a game. Nothing major. It felt kida awkward bing in another teacher's class, and she was nervous about me being there, but it went okay. I think she felt pretty good about it. I know I did.

I am scheduled to work in another classroom tomorrow! I just need to prove to them that I am not a horrible teacher who will be more trouble than help. (I completely understand the fear).

Anyway. My goal for the rest of the week is to be there whether they want me there or not :)

The short of it is that I left without that homesick feeling.

On top of that, this school has a very strong culture of using nonverbals to direct students. It is a strategy I learned about and used years ago. But it does not work when you teach with another person who doesn't use it. Now I am immersed and it is awesome. I think it is doing good things not only for my teaching, but also for my parenting.

Second Grade!

When I asked her how her first day was, she replied, "Awesome!"

Oh my girl.
I always think you look so grown up, until the next year's picture. Then it turns out, you were my tiny baby. (kindergarten, just 2 short years ago)
 

Easily bakin'

Happy Birthday Relia!

Relia is now officially 7! She is so amazing. I can't imagine where she is headed. The three things she definitely wanted were an angel food cake made by Nana (with marshmallows on top), an Easy Bake Oven, and a treasure hunt at her party.

Grandparents and friends arrived and we started the treasure hunt. It got off to a confusing start when Leo wound up with the first clue

That one took us to the Sandbox where they dug for treasure and another clue.

Next stop had them popping balloons filled with candy & glitter. I was SUPER glad it didn't rain. I was NOT going to do this one indoors.

Felix used the "popping stick" I made in case someone was nervous about popping a balloon in their face.

Next stop -pulling down ribbons. I was worried they'd pull the first one and the fun would be over, but they pulled them all down thinking something would come falling down. Then someone realized that the clue was on one of the ribbons.

then there was fishing:


It is a little weird when you work so hard on something and they tear through it in 15 minutes, but I know they had fun, so it was totally worth it. 

Then it was cake and playing and presents and more playing.



She couldn't believe she got the oven AND rollerblades.

Really a successful birthday party. I was proud of what a good host she was. This week had talked a few times about her making sure everyone was having fun and felt included and she really did her job.
The rest of the evening was spent easily baking (not!) and playing with the amazing doll she got.

A big shout out to Grandma D, who always thinks of the "other" grandchildren at every birthday party. Thank you for that, Donna.

Como Town

Felix has been saving his money to ride the rides at Como Town. We decided to help him out a little. I got another Strib 2 for 1 deal on wristbands. They were in awe at the idea that they could ride as many rides as they wanted (even though we got the same deal last year?).
The big ones got to spend the whole day there. their favorite ride was the swings (impossible to get a photo of though)

Felix drove these cars about 18 times.
and Relia enjoyed the tilt-a-whirl for the first time this year. Yay! I LOVE the tilt-a-whirl, but it's no fun by yourself.

Day one down

First day done! And it was good.
I got to see a few old colleagues. EVERYONE I passed in the hall smiled an said "hello".

I did have to kind of twiddle my thumbs for the first few hours while I waited for a meeting that will tell me just what they want me to do (answer: What I know is right for kids and will help teachers improve math instruction!). Now I have meeting scheduled for tomorrow with my second grade teachers. I have a desk, and keys and I like my fellow math gurus, though one was really having a hard time getting her head around her new job. I know she is a great math teacher, but she just needs to get comfy.

The weirdest part is that I appear to be the Pollyanna of the the math leadership team. THAT is weird. I'm just so darn excited to be there.

'Twas the night before

I start my new school tomorrow. I think it really upped my confidence teaching Rational Numbers Institute this week. But I'm still a little but nervous. Reminding myself to keep a growth mindset and just not be afraid to ask a lot if questions and ask for what I need.

Almost done