A Walk in the Park

I just got back from walking around the city-owned park at our apartment complex.  Each loop is a quarter mile, which makes it easy to calculate, and much nicer than walking a school track.  The best part is being able to watch all the doggies run and play.  

I hope everyone enjoys their day off.  Although it is a day off from work, take a moment to remember the reason we have the day off: for all those who have given their lives and for those that are fighting for us today.  B is working (boo) and I have seriously procrastinated all weekend on doing report cards.  So with that being said, I got my outdoor time in this morning, now it's time to buckle down and get to work.    

A Refreshing Treat

I first discovered Ciao Bella at their shop in San Francisco's Ferry Building.  It's also available in the grocery stores, so when I was at Whole Foods this weekend and saw it was on sale I had to buy some!  (I usually pass it up due to the $4.69 price tag, but this girl can never pass up a sale.)  I also found individual serving size cups at Costco (although I didn't care for the mango or blood orange flavors included in the assortment package).  My favorites are the raspberry and lemon zest.  If you haven't already tried Ciao Bella gelato and sorbet, go buy yourself some and enjoy it in the wonderful, warm weather we're finally having!

Babies, Babies Everywhere

It seems like everyone is having babies or pregnant.  One of our friends just had a darling baby girl, my coworker had twins, one couple is expecting in July, another expecting in November, and one friend who plans on trying to get pregnant in a few months.
This being said, B and I definitely have baby fever.  Unfortunately it is not as easy for me to just go off birth control and get pregnant.  My pregnancy is going to take very thoughtful planning due to my diabetes (and it doesn't help that I have cysts on my ovaries too).  Currently my blood sugars are too high to have a safe pregnancy, so we need to wait for my diabetes to be in better control.  That's my goal for this summer: work on checking my blood sugars more often (up to 10-12 times per day they say) and exercise on a more regular basis.  I will then get my A1C checked (a blood test to determine the past 3 month average of my blood sugars).  If that's down to a safe percentage, we'll be closer to our goal.  Once there though, we'll then need to meet with doctors for pre-pregnancy counseling and find a high risk OBGYN to care for me.  We've only been married for a year and I know we have plenty of time, but a lot of planning is needed.  I know all this work coming up though will be worth it in the end.

Your Tail's on Fire!

What a scare we had tonight with this dear one.  Not just us, but my mom too, seeing 9 missed calls on her cell phone.  The scare:  Oliver caught his tail on fire.  B was cooking dinner, picked up the pan to dump the meat grease into the sink, turns back around and smells burning.  We walk all over the house, looking for something that might be on fire.  We narrow it down to the hallway, but don't see anything that could be burning.  I turn around and see Oliver flipping his tail around and frantically licking it.  My poor baby.  His tail is singed, but we think he's okay.  I called my cousin, who's a vet, and she said to just monitor any pussy burn sores.  I think it just got his fur and that the flame didn't actually make it down to his tail skin (I hope).  I'll be calling the vet as soon as they open tomorrow.  Never a dull moment I tell you...

And while we're on the topic of our darling one, here's what he has recently discovered:

Seriously?!  After 3 months of living with us, he now starts this?  

4 Years Ago Today...

...I met my husband.  Although we had been talking almost everyday for 3 months, we lived in different states.  It wasn't until I came down to California on May 25, 2006 that we met in person.  We hit it off right away and are just about to celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary next month.  They always say, "time flies when you're having fun" and boy does it.  It's been a wonderful 4 years and I look forward to many, many more.  Happy 4 year "meeting anniversary" honey!

My cousin, Heather, and I the day after B and I first met.

She's the one who introduced the two of us.

Our first picture together.  June 2006

 

Zumba

My cousin, Heather, came down this afternoon to do Zumba with me.  Have you ever done it?  I have zero rhythm (as she later informed me, as well as telling me that she was trying so hard not to laugh behind me).  I had warned her prior to beginning that I can't do a lot of the moves, so I just "prance".  As long as you keep moving, right??  I know with more practice, I'll get the hang of all the footwork.
We then grabbed some dinner and laughed so hard we couldn't breathe.  The kind of laugh that hurts so bad.  Eyes watering laugh.  LOVE that!  A great end to the weekend!

Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere

+

=

B thought it'd be a good idea to put some Dawn dish soap on a tray that had a lot of residue, prior to putting it into the dishwasher "because it'd clean it better".  He then said, "Oh just let it keep running it's cycle...I have to head on out to work."  HA!  Nice attempt at the escape sweetheart, but it'll be waiting for you to continue it's cycle when you return home from work in the morning  :)  Fortunately we had a good "Ohmigod what do we do?!?!" laugh out of it.    

Safety/Career Day

We had Safety/Career Day at my school today.  Everyone had a great time, especially the kiddos - they were so excited!  We had a total of 21 presenters: police officers (K-9, traffic, horses, and motorcycles), firefighters, city busses, AT&T, The Humane Society, etc., etc.  We were able to visit the K-9, CHP, police motorcycles, firefighters, and AT & T.

Sleepover

B is STILL sick - it's been over a week.  He's now on cough syrup with codeine and an inhaler, much to no avail so far.  With him incessantly coughing out a lung, and me getting little sleep, he has moved into the guest bedroom for the past few nights.
Last night we went into our separate rooms and I felt like I was at camp.  I'd yell things to him, but since he can't talk, he'd respond back via text.  After lying in bed feeling lonely, I decided to "sleep over" in the guest room with him.  I lasted a few cough-free hours until I sleepily dragged myself and pillow back to our room.  It was still fun to mix up the sleeping arrangements; I just wish it were under different circumstances.  Feel better soon sweetheart - I want you back to your funny self!

Play Date

I spent the afternoon with my cousin and her nephew, who she was babysitting for the day.  We had a great time together!  We had a picnic at the park, followed by play time on the slides, swings, and teeter totter.  He was so much fun and is just darling!

Lots of playing, time for a break

A darling goose family B and I saw on the side of the road this evening

I hope everyone enjoyed their Saturday!

Rhyme Time

Only 19 school days left!  This year has FLOWN by and I'm so, so proud of all the progress my students have made.  Yesterday new kids lined up for their pre-kinder assessment.  It brought me right back to remembering where my students started (crying, unable to write their name, unable to tell me any numbers or letters, etc.)  Now look what they're doing this week (I got this darling book idea from a seminar by Linda Klotz)

This is the teacher sample, but the students cut out all the pieces themselves.  Some of them turned out so picasso-like, but cute.
This afternoon at 3pm I'm able to go pick up my BTSA portfolio that I've been stressing over for the past 2 years *fingers crossed* that I passed!

UPDATE:  I passed the portfolio review!  Next up is my 45 minute BTSA interview on Tuesday

Sick Bunny

Poor husband is sick.  He woke up at 5:15 this morning and I heard him breathing rather loudly.  I assumed he had a cold again.  (Side note: 2 weeks ago he had a COLD and was so whiny about it and said he needed a "Get Well Soon" card.  Oh puh-lease.)  So back to the story, our conversation this morning went like this:

me : Are you ok?
B : I don't feel well.
me : Well don't talk to me, I have to get up in 15 minutes
B (30 seconds later) : BARF!

I felt AWFUL!  I took his temperature and it's 101.  He has the chills, the weird dreams, and of course the vomit.  I immediately have jumped into  "mommy mode" with taking care of him.  This is the first time he's had the flu in our 4 years of knowing each other.  I have to go to work but I've set him up in bed with bottled water, pepto, phone, remote, and big barf bowls.  I hate seeing him like this and knowing there's nothing I can really do.  Get well soon babe (and this time I might buy a card for you!) ;)

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day (AND birthday!) to my amazing mom!  I'm so lucky to have her in my life.  She drove down for the weekend, so I'm staying up in Napa with her and my grandma for the weekend.  Tomorrow we're having a big family BBQ to celebrate with all my aunts and cousins.  I hope everyone has an enjoyable day!

Mom and I in Anchorage, Alaska

Mom and I in Capetown, South Africa

Mom and I in France

Mom and I at my wedding!

Mom and I at Jaclyn's wedding

Amazed

We've been spending a lot of time in my classroom studying butterflies.  Our caterpillars arrived about 10 days ago.  We observe them each day, because they grow so quickly.  I walked in this morning to see them hanging from the top of their cup, most of them already forming into the chrysalis stage.  I'm just so amazed of the whole caterpillar to butterfly process.  

Here's the kit I received for Christmas:

beginning to hang from the lid of the cup they arrived in

SIL Visit

My sister-in-law, Lauren, came to visit my classroom yesterday and then spent the day with me today.  I took her back this afternoon, where we met my MIL for lunch.  Here are some of the stops we made today:

Santana Row shops

Great way to spend a Saturday.  Thanks Lauren for coming to visit!  I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. 

P.S. I also got to meet a principal from another school tonight and we had a good chat.  Think good thoughts!  I need a job for next year :)