Pencil Sharpener Opportunity

http://classroomfriendlysupplies.com/pages/free-sharpeners

This is a wonderful site with a great pencil sharpener!  All teachers need to have this in their classroom!

Merry Christmas

Well it is that time of year. Tis the season and Jesus is the reason for my season. How about you? Do you get wrapped up with shopping and decorating and forget to think about the true meaning of Christmas. I am blessed because my family understands how the baby Jesus came to be. Mommy rode a donkey, daddy stood by her, all the rooms were taken at the inn, but a little stable offered some shelter. Jesus was born and the wise men came...gifts were given and in remembrance we give gifts. Twinkling lights remind me of the great star that let the wise men to Bethlehem. Angels on Christmas trees remind me there are ones watching and helping us all the time. Where is your miracle this holiday season?

Pictures from janet

Click here to view these pictures larger

Another School Year Coming to a Close

As the boys turn 7 and 10 this year in 1st and 4th grade, I feel grateful for the love they provide me everyday. My beautiful husband is always supportive in whatever opportunities come my way. This school year has had many challenges, happy memories, but a definite need for a new chapter to open in my teaching career. I'm faced with moving classrooms again, but the change is a much needed breath of fresh air.

Opening a new school 4 years ago is an amazing feat. Next year will mark our 5th year as group of individuals that need cohesiveness between staff members. We're embarking on some leadership training and my prayer is that people will take heart to the need to become genuine, gentle, and loving souls able to provide positive edifying comments to parents, colleagues, and of course all the children.

Again, this entry is just a need for my soul to speak what is on my heart. For those that like to read in...many thanks in taking joy and part in our lives.

Today is my Connor's 7th Birthday. I can't believe my baby is 7 years old. I look in the mirror and I still see the little girl that grew up in Burnham, IL just south of Chicago. I see the blue eyes and the freckles and few wrinkles on my face, and I smile..."my baby is 7!" and tears fall down my face as I picture him growing up and becoming the beautiful person he is meant to be, but a sadness overwhelms me because..."my baby's 7!" Bittersweet. How blessed we are to be given such treasures from heaven. Deuteronomy 6: 4-9...read this...train your children and love them with your heart, mind, and soul....until we meet again...and the moment moves me...

Pictures from janet

Click here to view these pictures larger

Snow Snow Snow

Our Thanksgiving trip to Breckenridge, CO 2009. We are very blessed to take these trips and begin the boys training to skiing. They are slowly picking it up, but with a heart full of passion to speed down the mountain. Over Spring Break we plan on putting the kids in ski school, just to make it easier for Jason as he's the one that takes the time to make runs with the boys between his legs. How he does it, I'll never know. Happy snowfall to all!

Moments with Dad in Breckenridge Colorado

By the grace of God we are given the opportunity to travel together as a family. We went to Breckenridge, Colorado over the holiday. Both boys had the chance to ski with their father. Time is so precious and watching Jason share a love for something he enjoys is very rewards to me. The boys were so excited to ski with dad. Collin went first for about an hour and half. Connor went for about an hour. They both did terrific. Jason on the other hand, had a harder time physically getting the kids down the hill. I think they did about 2 or 3 runs a piece. Smiles - Smiles - Smiles!

The Infamous Monkey Squirrel

Okay, visiting my dad is something the boys love to do beccause of the golf cart, putting green, driving range, pool, jacuzzi, and Guidos pizza!!! Golfcart Papa is lots of fun. He has wonderful tomato plants and lots of beautiful trees around his house. Southern Magnolia, Gardenia, Holly, and even some wonderul Live Oaks shade his house!!!

One day, a couple sand cranes were in the backyard eating the seeds and dad said, "Oh, there's Mr. Monkey Squirrel. Watch this...I can get him to eat nuts right off my hand." I said, "Dad, be careful! You don't know what that thing is going to do!!" If you know my father, he's quite the animal tamer...and I was amazed to see the squirrel. Watch and see and let me know if you are as amazed as I am...

Back to School

This is the time of year I always get butterflies in my tummy. It's the smell of school supplies in the stores, neatly pressed clothes hanging on the racks and rain falling in the mid-afternoon. Time to head out for new lunch boxes and backpacks! School...oh how I love it...I must be a teacher.

Teaching to me is a way of life. It's something that has always been deep inside my heart...even when I was a little girl. I used to line up all my dolls and stuffed animals and pretend to play school. It didn't matter if I was teaching, spelling, writing, or just reading out loud...I was gaining confidence and developing my style of teaching that I still use to this day.

Learning should be fun. Parents and teachers should be in comfortable communication and the child's needs should the forefront of everything. I believe parents should have accountability to their child's learning...afterall, they are the ones that child has been blessed to live with! The child should be held accountable for doing their best and giving quality work and the teacher should be held accountable for teaching the curriculum and differentiating the needs to each child.

So much is placed in the lives of teachers. WE are blessed to be in a profession where we have the ability to put a smile on a child's face. Everyday day is a gift, that's why it's called the "present."

Boys with Backpacks

I'm not sure how you feel about backpacks, but when it comes to a 7 year old and a 4 year old boy...picking out the coolest backpack is super important. This year we decided to go with Ironman and Cars! Check out the boys with their special backpacks!

Sweet Summertime

Summertime in Naples can be quite the extreme. Jason and I enjoy getting out of town and heading to the mountains. Our favorite place is Breckenridge, Colorado. This year we added Wyoming to our special places. Visiting Fort Collins, CO, Laramie, and Chenneye Wyoming were just a few places our lives meet the majestic mountains handcrafted by God himself. We are so blessed to witness such beauty. Here are a few pictures of our trip out west.