Well, since school's been out for... oh... about a month now, I thought it was time for our last day of school and start to summer update, now that we're in full summer swing around here!
I always like to get a few little things for the kids (mainly Andrew, because his birthday is in January and he usually needs a few items for summer by this time!)
But we couldn't forget about the little miss. She now is fully aware if Andrew is getting things and she's not. I knew the day would come!
She was perfectly content with her mini super soaker, Minnie Mouse goggles and Dora bubbles!
This girl just cracks me up!
Andrew loved this "rocket" you step on and they fly really high! Hours of entertainment the other night when we had a bonfire.
We've decided that this is the summer of rain. If it's not raining, then it's almost too hot to be outside. But this day we just put on our suits and had a sprinkler party in the backyard! Andrew had to try out his new super soaker!
But watch out! Daddy got ahold of it! The kids had a blast with him chasing them around the yard and squirting them!
We had a nice picnic on the deck, which I love doing! No mess inside!
Andrew loves the new Ninja Turtle skateboard he got too! The neighbor boys all have skateboards and ride them down the driveways like this and Andrew always loves to join in with them.
Daddy teaching him how to ride the "real" way! Ha!
Don't you love his shirt? It's one of my favorites!
And Kerigan was very surprised Minnie and Daisy showed up on her new ball! Ha!
This is not great quality because it was taken with my iPad, but I had to share this sweet story. Last year I moved to a new school and I'd only been there for a year. I didn't know Craig was going to get a new job and we'd be moving, so I took this job thinking I'd be there for a while. Anyway, a few of my old students sometimes find me on Facebook and ask to be my friend. I have a rule that I don't accept current students (not because my facebook page is inappropriate in any way! Ha! I just don't think it's right to have a current student on there, maybe I'm weird!) Anyway, this young man found me and requested me. I had taught him in fourth grade at my previous building 4 years ago. He was one of those kids you just couldn't help but love, even though he was a stinker! Ha! He had the best sense of humor and was too cute for words. He was always very smart and respectful and he knew more than anyone I've ever met about computers and technology. I always asked him to help me with stuff, and he knew how to fix things every time! Even when he was in 5th grade I would call him back to my class to help me with computer issues! Ha!
Anyway, he wrote me the sweetest facebook message about how much I had encouraged him and that I was his favorite teacher he's ever had (I think he got "in trouble" with a lot of teachers, but I somehow am able to get along really well with kids like that! Most of the time!) As a teacher I always enjoy being able to joke around and have fun while still learning. Anyway, he asked to come visit me so he could tell me in person how grateful he is to me. Isn't that the sweetest thing? He is in 8th grade now and is so successful. He's in a special basketball league and is an amazing player. He is also in a science and technology club where he does all the engineering, and they just sent a rocket up into space! I told him I was so proud of him and what a positive role model he is for young kids. I'm so happy that I was able to have an impact on him and that he remembers the things I did to encourage him. As I was packing up my classroom, extremely happy to be taking the next year off to sub, I couldn't help but be grateful for the 13 years of teaching and all the students I've had the privilege to work with. These are the reasons we teach. It certainly isn't for the money.
The end of school always brings the time to put the boat in the lake for the summer. We headed up to the lake one weekend and it happened to be a beautiful day.
And just for fun, because I've been going through old pictures... this was them last year when we put the boat in. Amazing what a difference a year makes!
And this was Andrew in 2008 the day we put the boat in! Isn't he so little and sweet?? He was about 18 months old. Such a peanut.
The kids always love to throw rocks in the water!
Getting ready to launch!
Hi Ga Ga! Woo hoo! Lake season is upon us!
Enjoying the first boat ride of the season!
More to come soon! I have so much to catch up on!
