Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Yes, I know.



A few weekends ago, I was called out.  It's true.  It's been MONTHS since my last post.   Ok, fair enough.

Truthfully, I have been busy as can BE this fall.  Among many things, I've been:

  1. In a new grade level and hard at work with my teammates building a new curriculum for our students.  From scratch.  It's a lot of work but I've seen some amazing learning going on.
  2. I've been teaching a wonderful group of teachers the Responsive Classroom approach to classroom community on Tuesday nights from 4:30-7:30.  Since it's the first time I've ever taught this ten-week course, there has been an extraordinary amount of prep work.  But for the next time I teach this course, the prep is 70% done so it should be a lot easier.
  3. I joined CrossFit. Web definition:  CrossFit is a strength and conditioning brand that combines weightliftingsprintinggymnasticspowerliftingkettlebell training,plyometricsrowing, and medicine ball training. CrossFit contends that a healthy, fit person requires proficiency in each of ten general physical skills: cardiovascular/respiratory endurancestaminastrengthflexibilitypowerspeedagilitybalance,coordination, and accuracy.  We'll see.   I really like it so far!  I am trying to go 3x/week.  
  4. I've gone back to the chiropractor.  I had a groupon for some free x-rays and a massage.  When they checked my x-rays, I learned that one of my hips is 12mm higher than the other.  Everyone is a little off, but 12mm is a LOT!  It's a centimeter and then some!  So, we are working to realign me with some pretty cool techniques.  For 3 weeks in October, I was at the Essential Health Center THREE DAYS A WEEK.  
  5. Going to Chiro 3 days/week AND CrossFit 3 days/week plus teaching until 7:30 one night... see? Busy Bee...
But I've certainly had a lot of fun along the way... 


Here's a phone photo dump of all things I've been doing since the last time I posted.  Then I'll do subsequent posts with different updates.


Found this awesome ring at a Vintage store in Old Town.  Didn't buy it.  Kind of regret it.

Said goodbye-for-now to one of my favorite laughing-buddies.  We made Kristin a scrapbook of memories to take with her to San Diego.  :)

Dogs love wearing Halloween costumes.  And living in sewers following the advice of rats.

Watching the best show on tv every Wednesday night.

Finding presents in my shoes from a black fluff.

Love this picture because I am loving taking pictures of funny Owen.

Wouldn't you laugh if you were looking at this funny sweet face?

 Everyone loved the slide!  Phebe did not like being ignored but she didn't do as well on the slide.

Spending time with my Joy, the man.

My favorite picture that I've taken.  Ever.

You have no idea how much this baby loves his Mom.  And vice versa. It is AMAZING to be around. 

It snowed Halloween weekend.

I was a black-eyed P.   Also, that black eye was REALLY fun to make!!

Been enjoying the fireworks of fall.  More on this in another post.

I let my students give me input on their Work Habits grade.  I love this honesty about her courteous behavior.  She gave herself a "G" for Good instead of an "O" for Outstanding for the best reason ever.

I introduced them to the magical world of Where's Waldo?

My friend Laura, the art teacher at my school, has the BEST sense of humor.  And it showed in her Halloween shirt.  (Complementary colors)

I found surprise notes (with greeting options depending on when I found the note).

I got to see two wonderful friends show what wonderful parents they are...

As their sweet baby boy turned 1. 

 Creativity ran RAMPANT by the loving mama of a 1-year-old...  (these acorns were delicious!)

His Aunt Cait loves him so much.

Early November brought a PTA bake sale on Election Day that would help support our 4th grade trip to Jamestown.  The kids had high hopes for the amount we would raise...

I got to see a fourth grade boy expand his creative mind by making crafts with duct tape.  He made this white rose (and a purse for me) with duct tape!!


: )

Chased a gorgeous mountain sunset in a car behind my gorgeous friend Joy.


Attempted a front braid.  EPIC fail. 

 Had a day of culture at the Hirschhorn Museum in DC.  Found some beautiful gardens behind it.  This garden was haunted... how do I know?
 Because I caught the ghost...

Then I rode a carousel!

I wish this picture was staged, but it wasn't.  She nestled. 

Made some leaf fun memories with my 4th graders...


 And had a little fun myself...

More to come.