Colfax

This past week, I took a trip over to Tif's to help out and just enjoy some auntie and sister time. I had a great time filled with sweet memories. There is nothing sweeter than hearing Sydney ask where I am so early in the morning, it is hard not to get out of bed when I hear, "I want to see her". It was fun to have snuggle and play time with Sydney, snuggle time with Elias, great talks with Tiffany and movie watching time with Tiffany and Nick. It was a great few days and I hope to go back again soon!

I have some great videos that I took of Sydney's dance moves that Daddy was teaching her. Whenever I figure out how to upload those, I will! :)

I think this is my favorite picture of Sydney!

Sweet Elias

End of the School Year

With a field trip to Pioneer Farms and Field Day on the last week of school...things were a bit crazy but I loved every minute of it! Here are some pictures of my cute students on these days.

Andrew, Elliott and Amy enjoying a break. Notice Nicholas and Connor in the background, in trouble and sitting on the bleachers...good times!

Nathan being his silly self.

A wagon ride at Pioneer Farms

My sweet students listening attentively!

Joe practicing his shaving skills on Connor!

The end of the school year is always such a hard transition time for me, I cry every year on this day! It definitely is bittersweet though, I am looking forward to some time off but not liking the idea of letting go of these 17 precious lives that I invested in for ten months. I don't do well with change and this always seems to send me over the edge! My kids were super sweet the last day of school and I had so many encouraging words from parents that day. Wow!

It took me a while to get used to this time that I now have. I would find myself sitting on the couch, not knowing what to do with myself because I am so used to being on the go and constantly having something to do. I have had a great first two weeks of summer, relaxing and going on many coffee dates with dear friends. The sad part is that I start summer school tomorrow and that lasts for the next four weeks, so goodbye to my time off. I will survive though! :) After this four weeks is up, I have Disneyworld and Kirsti's wedding to look forward to.

Elias Waldon

A week ago tomorrow, June 2nd, my sweet sister gave birth to Elias Waldon. It killed me not to be there right when he was born but this weekend was a great time of loving on Elias, trying to help my sister and trying to help with Miss Sydney. :)

I don't have a lot of pictures so I thought I would share some highlights from the weekend with my fam:

1. Sydney calling for "Auntie" every few minutes and following me around...even wanting to go into the bathroom with me.

2. Sydney saying "I have a question for you" as she was in her play store.

3. Seeing Tiffany loving on Elias while also loving on Sydney and having more patience than I can understand for a 2.5 year old!

4. Walking to Taco Time (the food was nasty but the memory is great) with Sydney and Dad.

5. Snuggling with a sleepy Sydney while Tif was at the doctors.

6. Having Sydney look at me and everyone else at the dinner table wide-eyed and saying, "Ha! Her all done" after Tiffany said that I would play with her when I was done eating my dinner.

7. Snuggling with tiny Elias.

8. This should be #1 probably....walking in and seeing Elias for the first time. He was on the couch all snuggled up, I almost didn't even see him!

9. Talking with Tif right before I left.

10. Hearing Sydney say, "Here is my baby brother."

The weekend was great and I am looking forward to going back to help Tif out. Having a newborn and a 2.5 year old can wear you out! Tif, you have my respect and admiration! Love you!

Walkathon

Today was a gorgeous day for our annual walkathon! What a great time of walking around with the kids and my teacher friends. The only silly mistake I made was to have an appointment with my personal trainer the day before the walkathon!!! I was and still am in pain everytime I have to move my arms and legs! Walking did help the pain though, so I guess it was good! Here are some pictures of the day.

Some of my girls followed by my teacher friends!

Two of my boys showing their running ability.

Tori outrunning the boys! :) Tif, she reminds me so much of you!

My kiddos walking back from the park.

My silly class....gotta love them!

My kids were beat once we got back to the class (it was about 11am) so I decided to show parts of Anne of Green Gables (this goes with our Pioneer unit). It was a great way for them to relax and for me to get some work done! :0)

10 and a half more days, but really who is counting?

Picnic Lunch

The weather has been so nice the last couple of days...it is unbelievable! My students earned a marble party and voted on having a picnic lunch which I thought was a grand idea! We headed out the classroom door and sat on the grass right outside our classroom and enjoyed a fun time together.

Day with the teacher

For the auction this year and last, I have offered a day with the teacher for a family to purchase. Two of my teacher friends joined me with students from their classes as well. Four out of the six kids that went with Suzie and Angela were in my class last year, so it was fun hanging out with them!
We had a blast. Our day included lunch at Red Robin, a day of fun at Family Fun Center (mini golf, laser tag, video games and bumper boats) and a stop at 7eleven for slurpees. The two boys that went with me are full of energy and so needless to say, I was exhausted by the end of the day! Good thing I ended it by seeing one of my best friends from college and meeting her fiance. Good times!

Mission Healthcare

Every other month, my students and I take a field trip to Mission Healthcare, a retirement community. Sometimes we will play bingo with the residents and other times we may do a craft with them. This month, we went with questions about history and their lifetimes and it was fascinating! The students asked questions like: how much did bread cost when you were my age? Where were you when MLK Jr. was shot? Who was president when you were born? The answers were very interesting. This would have to be my favorite trip there. We heard from a women who lived in France and escaped WWII by going to Italy. I just wanted to sit down with her and hear more of her story!

After all of my students asked their questions, we enjoyed some rootbeer floats together and then spent a few minutes chatting with the residents. Here are some pictures that capture the sweetness of this event.

Some of my boys greeting the residents.

Nicholas posing for the camera.

My students waiting anxiously to ask their questions.

So sweet.