Sunday Summer Six

This weekend went by in a blur...how is it Sunday already?! 

This week, here are 6 things I am thankful for...

1. NASCAR races with good friends.  Last night, was the All-Star race.  Even though I missed the morning festivities due to camp training, I still managed to squeeze in enough fun to break my shorts, lose my keys, and prance around in the rain. Stories all for another time.

   

2. EOGs being OVER this week! In North Carolina, all students 3rd grade and up take "End of Grade" tests and ours are coming up starting tomorrow.  Seriously--this will be the best feeling ever! 

3. EOGs being over mean... only 14 school days until summer! Anyone who teaches knows how restless kids are this time of the year.  I'm not sure who is more ready for a break--them or me!

4. Lazy Sundays.There is nothing I love more than not having anything to do on Sundays but lay on my couch and watch movies.  Today's lineup includes some of my favorites: The Little Rascals, Law Abiding Citizen, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. 

5. Cute phone cases.  I bought this one on etsy a few weeks ago! Not only is it super cute, but it was very affordable.  I have seen some of them for $30-40 but these were only $13!  I love it but I am already ready to order more!  Check out some of these cute cases!

6. Family time.  I am thankful enough to only live about 15 minutes away from my family.  Today is my little brother's 4th birthday so we are celebrating tonight.  It is hard to believe that it has been four years since this little nugget joined our family! 

(one day he may kill me for this picture...)

What things are you thankful for this week?

Jumping in..

Lots of big things have happened lately. I feel like I really am, finally, "jumping in" to life.


1. I moved! I love my family and I loved living at home, but it was time to move out and on my own.  I now live alone in a 2 bedroom condo and I am loving it. What could be better than getting to walk around naked without anyone getting offended? (just kidding..kind of)   I always thought that I would hate being alone. If I can be completely honest, I'm not even sure I want a roommate anymore.  I have felt strangely independent recently, and I think it's good for me.

2.. I  got a job!  As many of you know, I absolutely love the school that I student taught in and have been working in ever since.  However, since no jobs were open there when I graduated, I decided to branch out and apply to other schools as a back up.  Well, I was offered a job after my very first interview about 12 hours after the interview.  It just so happens that this school is about 5 minutes away from my new condo.  If that isn't a work of God aligning the stars right just for me, I'm not sure what is.

3. As the school year comes to a close, camp is just beginning.  I LOVE camp season.  As much as I might complain about it being hot and exhausting, there is nothing that I would rather do with my summer days than spend it around 300 kids and counselors, planning out activities, cutting things out, organizing glitter, and calling parents.  I joke about it, but I probably will literally work at camp forever.  This is my 4th summer at the Y camp, but second summer as theme camp director.  I mean really, what could be more fun than pirate camp, animal camp, or cowboy camp?

 What big things have happened for you lately?

King Kong.

I think Thursdays are my favorite days of the week.  Why? 1. It means tomorrow is Friday. 2. It means playground day for recess.

I have two autistic children in my classroom, and they are probably the most precious students ever.  (Actually, I think I was blessed with the most adorable 3rd grade class ever. I am so thankful.)
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Anyway, while on the playground today, one of them, we can call him "J" decided that he was going to be King Kong.  He climbed up on part of the spiral thing on the playground (you know, the thing you can climb up that is in a spiral shape that no one can really figure out what they were for?), holds on with one hand, leans out, and starts beating on his chest like a monkey. 

I swear, sometimes my kids make my whole day.


I was thinking today that I get too wrapped up in my class and in school work that I forget to think about myself. Funny how teaching can do that to you.  I sat down to begin my Christmas and Birthday lists today.  Normally, with my birthday 3 weeks away, I would have been finished for a month! I honestly can't think of anything to put on these lists!  Any suggestions?