Reasons I love the Winter Olympic Games.

Victory. Cowbell. Celebrate athletics and culture. Short track. Heroes. Underdogs. It is so nice to see people try their best, even if they don't win, and especially when they do. Figure skating (especially pairs, not dance). The news spotlights on the country and athletes. Pins. Memories. History. Human spirit. Heart. The world's BEST!

What a week

This last past weekend was something special. Friday night was the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. I went to mom's to watch it. We just LOVE the winter games. I pulled out my red velvet box of all my memorabilia from when Mom and I went to the Salt Lake City games in 2002. the pins, the scarf, the newspaper clippings, the cowbell and my ticket stub. I love that Mom and I got to see the figure skating exhibitions. If you can only see on figure skating event I think that is the one to see. Sure the pressure of the competition is over, but you get to see all the best of every event, pairs, dance, men's and women's. The Olympics are just magical.

Valentine's day, Chinese New Year, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, and such beautiful weather... this weekend was super.

It was President's day Monday, so no school. Wednesday I heard that Tobler was having a CRT test prep boot camp for the kiddos on Thursday. What to do? I won't have kids. I could visit 2nd grade classrooms, I could write report cards, or I could take a personal day and finish the 10 chapters I still have left of the book for book buddies (meeting that night). Guess what won. Friday is staff development day, so no school for the kids. I will attend the meetings at Tobler.

In the end is was a fun week, but not the most productive week as a teacher. Seemed like a one day week.

How to have a sick day

Wake up and notice, "I don't feel so good."
Ask yourself, "Do I think I could miss work today?"
If so, a bit of simple planning could make for a very good sick day.
The most important thing is to prepare your bed, the place where you will be spending much of your day.
Make sure you have a full box of tissues, full bottle of water, Nightquil, Suddafed, and the phone all within easy reach of your bed.
Also place a choice DVD in the player. Something long or maybe something with variety (I chose a disc from the Big Bang Theory session one). Remember, once you are in the throws of your sick day, you are not going to feel like changing the DVD, so choose wisely.

Next, there are a few practical things to prepare. Call work. Hopefully your will get some sweet words wishing you a quick recovery. Check your email and email those who will be affected by your absence. 
You are now ready to heal. Nestle into bed. Dose yourself with the chosen drugs. Close your eyes and remember the more time you spend sleeping the more time your body can do its magic. 

If you are very lucky you will have a loved one that can bring you chicken soup. Now, roll over and go back to sleep. 

Other appropriate activities you may choose to do on your sick day:

• soak in a bubble bath
• read a good book
• drink a smoothie with extra vitamins

Get well soon!

Reasons I love the Children's Class

I have fun planning fun ideas. This time it was the Olympics. I had LOTS planned, including 2-litter bottle bowling, newspaper basketball, golfing with plastic cups, gymnastic on yoga mats and a balance beam (2x4).

I also brought things in to make these cute Olympic crafts.  

The thing is, I didn't know what to expect when it comes to attendance. I could have lots of kids, or hardly any. I could have all ages, from the babes to the pre-teens. I came armed with bags of materials, apple juice, and Olympic rings (doughnuts) to snack on. 

In the end I had two kids. The oldest was 3. So... plans were adjusted. They both had a good time and didn't want to leave at the end.

Killer

I have a bit of a reputation for killing the class pets at school. I killed the fishes, the crayfish, the plants and even the snail that the guy at the pet store said that you couldn't kill. He said they would reproduce and over run my tank and I would wish I had never bought them. Guess what? I killed them. 
Well, last week I learned that my killing abilities are not limited to the living. I killed a robot! One of the  G.A.T.E. department's Lego Mindstorms robots. Potential big trouble. One of the groups noticed that they didn't have a certain command in their bot, so I tries to reset it... turns out I put it into a sort of robo-coma. The screen went blank, the power wouldn't come on. It was dead.
I tried everything I could think of, but all the poor thing would to was softly beep. It was more like the soft whimper of a wounded animal. I plugged it in to the AC adapter. I plugged it into the computer. I tried the reset button over and over. Nothing. We said a little prayer to the robot gods. 
As a last resort I called the 1-800 number and the miracle worker helped me revive the bot. I was so relieved. 
My students said I was the ultimate weapon. The army could just send me into the enemy territory and I could wipe them all out. They had a good laugh about that.

 In other news...

• The formal is a big deal. 
• This week I have to make and print the labels for an activity this Friday.
• Tomorrow is my first day as the Relief Society children's class leader. I have planned an Olympics party.
• Gather supplies and snacks for the Olympics party.
• Call the Welsh girls to see if they can help.
• G.A.T.E. meeting Wednesday.
• Olympics start Friday... If I don't have to be at the Meet and Greet (and miss the tacos and enchiladas) then I will be at mom's watching the opening ceremonies.
• There is a long weekend this week and I REALLY want to run away to the beach and take some pictures ala Tara Whitney
• But, deep down I know I won't. I have much to do, a delicious book to read, and a bedroom to clean (YIKES).

Notes to self: eat right, exercise, don't forget yoga Thursday this week, record it all on Sparkpeople. 

Looming: next month's trip to Europe... haven't even started to get ready.

Reasons I love teaching G.A.T.E.

Freedom. Interest level.  Great resources and support from the other specialist. Different environment for kids. Creativity. Art extensions. Quotes like: brain tweezers and sub trash can. Getting deep. Quick kids. Synergy. Connections. At your pace learning. Experiments. Problem solving.

not the best day...

I was hungry all day. Saved up my calories. Thought I had SO enough for a delicious Capistrami sandwich, but guess what? I went over. Big bummer. Guess the good news is that I burned lots more calories working out today then was on my Sparkpeople plan.
I got a trouble maker student and had to make a phone call home. Bummer. I didn't stretch well in yoga. I had to reset the wireless router and I don't remember how to set it up with a password, so now I am giving free internet to the neighbors. Wonderful. Missed the first half hour of the new Pysch, plus Shawn said Nevada the wrong way. Hate that.
I was emailed by the folks doing the yearbook at Tobler. They want some photos of G.A.T.E. Since dad had his computer wiped I lost the photos I had so now I need to snap a bunch tomorrow and send them ASAP. Bummer. Bedroom is a mess and other normal, everyday bummers.
Looming: the TWO oscar statues I might have to sculpt (6 feet+) for the formal dance in April.
This is one photo I do have, but I took it with my Diana Lens, so I don't thing I will send it.