Tea Party Express and other thoughts

I am appalled by the term "tea baggers" and wish that people who have no other argument would stop the name calling. I'm actually looking forward to what happens through peaceful protest in a country where that freedom is still guaranteed!

I'm also concerned that many people are no longer supporting the war on terrorism now, though they supported it September 11, 2001 and will cry for it if anything like 9/11 ever happens again! I remember exactly what I was doing the moment I heard about it. I was a first year teacher involved in a phonics lesson. What support our brave men and women had! I love my country, the constitution, and the troops who willingly give their everything for us!

I can see the change rippling through our wonderful country. I hope that Brown and other politicians remember that they are elected by the people in a country where their choices directly affect the people who elect them!

A Good Week!

It's been a good week-not just good days! It was the first full week of school and we made the most of it! Everyday showed progress at school and we are now in WBT mode! The Smart board is working properly and my student-teacher seems WONDERFUL! I've been giving everything to God in prayer which has been difficult for me! I don't know why it's so hard to do that, but I'm a big, fat worrywart!!! It's almost like a Scarlett O'Hara kind of attitude.

I think 2010 has had a wonderful start for me! I know that it will continue! Inside, I'm humming a little old time Baptist hymn. I'd be singing it, except I don't know all the words:)

Whole Brain Teaching

Before getting into what it is, I must write that I forgot that I even owned a camera. I was focused on portion control and exercise! A colleague and I ventured 3 states away to attend this conference. What great fun we had!!!

WBT is a method of teaching to increase student engagement and decrease student disruptions! It also takes learning to the next level for students!

I took my 2 teacher furlough days and turned them into professional learning! Yes, I am someone who loves to improve and find great methods to keep students learning!!! So instead of a mini vacay after the Christmas break, I went to school and it was AWESOME--oh yeah!!

I was using a small component of it before, but now I'm incorporating it into my classroom and teaching!!! I am very excited by it and it seems to have started a fire of engagement in my room!

****Oh, I got a very splendid gift from one of my families...a smart board! It's dual user and 2 students can use it at the same time--a mighty "Oh Yeah!" I am over-whelmed by the generosity!!!! I think (wink, wink) it's because they have 2 more little ones coming up! It's going up this week and I cannot wait until the students can get their hands on that thing!!!!****

New Years Eve

A friend of mine invited us to a NYE party, but we had sitter issues and I decided to go for a couple hours. Here we are momentarily pausing giggles and laughter to pose!


I spent a couple of hours with great friends before venturing home to be with my favorite people!

After Christmas!

After the boys came back from the Bass Pro Shop, the younger boys stayed in their fort! We're traveling to see it!
Can you find Waldo? They spent so much time here that we rarely saw them!!!


Little guy enjoyed his time outside! He loves the outdoors!


Here's little guy and grampa. I think one day they'll be best buds!

Holidays

Our Christmas was very special this year! Both of our extended families came to celebrate with us! Great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters came to our home. I feel bad because I have no pictures of much of my family and only video of Christmas morning.

However here are a few pics that I did snap!

This was Christmas Eve night after the kiddos went to bed!


This was my official spot for the holidays! I rarely made it out of the kitchen and it was wonderful!

We're watching The Polar Express while enjoying eggnog and hot cocoa.




Erik's uncle and grandfather joined us Christmas Eve for dinner. Erik's dad, mom, and younger brother joined us for the week:)

Little guy loves his great uncle!

Hopefully, this will begin a new tradition! Where we get together around the holidays to spend time together!
We visited a local park to walk through the lighted displays.