Update!

Evidently, it's been way too long since I last updated... I've been BOOTED from Kari's Friends and Fam page. :-( Here's hoping this works me back onto the page....

My lack of blogging isn't without good reason! This semester of grad school has been really challenging, but I've gotten aLOT out of it. My Poetry class was definitely my favorite course. I got to design and implement a 3 week unit on a poetry technique called Heart Mapping in my classroom. I turned in a HUGE project on Monday (May 1st) which marked the END OF THE SEMESTER - woohooooo! I now have a month long break before the summer classes start up. With gas prices rising, I'm really glad I made the decision to take on-line classes this summer. I don't think I could afford $3.00 a gallon every weekday this summer!!

My kids showin' some love for heart mapping!

Speaking of work, I will take the opportunity to pat myself on the back a little. :) I was nominated again for Teacher of the Year, which is an awesome compliment from my co-workers all by itself. It got even more interesting when we had to have a run-off and I was one of the two teachers on the final ballot! While the other teacher won (and rightly so - she is an incredible Special Ed teacher who has been at my school for years), it still looks pretty kick-ass to have "Teacher of the Year, Runner-Up" on my resume! :) I also got confirmation that I will be going up to 4th grade with my kids next year. I'm ready to try something new (this is my 4th year in 3rd grade) and this is definitely the class to "loop up" with. They are incredibly smart, kind to each other, funny and hard-working. What more could I ask for?

Easter weekend brought Kadee and Jennie to town since Mama, Daddy and Nat were in Baltimore for a volleyball tournament. We had so much fun being together - I wish I had taken more pictures!

Kadee and Jennie playing beauty parlor before we go shopping for wedding dresses!

We spent Saturday looking for a wedding dress for Kadee, who would look gorgeous in a white mumu. She even found a couple of dresses she really liked - unfortunately, the shop we were in wouldn't let anyone take pictures! :-(

On Easter Sunday, we cooked a big lunch together - pork loin, potato casserole, "Jennie beans", yeast rolls, creamed corn, and a really strange chocolate cake experiment. Everything except the cake turned out really well - which was edible and pretty tasty, just a little weird. Kadee had tasted a German chocolate cake that we tried to recreate by adding the icing to the batter. The end result was just a little off.

Boonie Bunnies - Jennie, Kadee and Abby

Last but not least, Charlie and Herbie have begun stalking the window in my living room. Evidently there is a stray black cat (don't worry - I'm not trying to take it in) who likes the area right outside my windows. I've gotten a few really good laughs watching the two of them lunge and bounce off the window screen trying to pounce on the poor kitty. It also gives me a good excuse to keep the windows open and let in the awesome spring air!!

Charlie and Herbie getting clean and waiting for their next victim...