some days are just like that . . . .

A new bike for every 3rd grader in our school!

I wish I could post pictures of their faces . . . and those of the adults with tears in their eyes!

Love our school!  Love our kids!

Some days are just GREAT!

February hearts . . .

I love my job!

photo challenge 1/20/16 . . . old

This bell sits in front of the school where I work.  The land has been a school site since 1884.  If I remember correctly this bell used to ring from the top of a wood school house that once stood on our site.  We have photos that show that being as early as 1905.  Of course that school house no longer remains.  Most of our building now were built in the 50's and 60's with a few newer building built in the last 10-20 years.  

This old bell has called children to school for well over 100 years and still rings once a year on the first day of school . . . a tradition that has gone on for decades before I worked here and will probably continue for years after I am gone.  I love being a part of not only this school, but a wonderful school district built on tradition and excellence.  

a priceless gift . . .

I received this wonderful origami dress today.  It was a gift from one of our students.

She has been stopping by my desk for a few years . . .  for a hug or a piece of candy.   She has no idea how much she touched my heart today. 

LIVE FOR FUN!

 I've been back to work for a couple of weeks, but tomorrow is actually the first day of school.  

 It has been a busy couple of weeks . . . so a fun weekend was in order.  Homemade salsa . . . time with Charlotte . . . a baseball game . . . a Totoro puzzle . . . watching The Wizard of OZ (more than one time).  Charlotte is very much into playing dress up these days.  She told me that she needs a Dorothy dress and a scarecrow outfit . . . and the tin man, and the witch.  I will be making a trip to the fabric store this week.  I think I will start with Dorothy . . . 

Fun is easy when you are with the people you love.

I am looking forward to tomorrow.

I love the first day of school!

Kiss another year goodbye!

The last day of school is always a fun day, a busy day, a day where 6th graders cry . . . and our staff  lets out a big sigh of relief.  It is always a little bittersweet going into Summer Break.  It is exciting to look forward to a few weeks off, but I will miss seeing the wonderful people I work with and all those fabulous kids . . . I guess that is why going back to work in the Fall is also fun and exciting.

I love my job!

Ridiculous Day

This week is Red Ribbon Week at school . . . today's theme is "Drugs Are Ridiculous" - so we are supposed to dress mismatched and ridiculous.  This is my kind of day. :)

 

“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain."  ~ Vivian Greene

General Session

Every year our school district holds their General Session.  They bring all the employees together right before school starts . . . music, marching bands, cheerleaders, pompoms, cow bells, glow tubes . . . motivational speakers, funny skits, and a reminder why we do what we do each and every day . . . and that it takes all of us to do it.  You cannot help but leave excited about the kids showing up next week.  Our theme this year . . .

STAND TOGETHER!  I love the start of school . . . looking forward to a great year.

Ready or Not

The school where I work has undergone some major modernization and construction this summer.  It actually started before school was out last Spring.  I started back to work last week . . . our teachers report back this week . . . and school starts in five days.  Some of the student bathrooms are still tore up, our cafeteria is not complete, and the water was off most of the summer, so the plants and grass have suffered.

The good news is that the insides of the classrooms are pretty much finished and teachers are able to start moving everything back in.  From a distance it looks so much better, but up close - we still have a ways to go.

Each day it looks a little better.  You can't walk anywhere without seeing people working to get it all put back together before Monday . . . and there is not doubt in my mind it will be.  That's the way we do things.

It already looks better than it did this morning.  I love this time of year . . . and I love the first day of school.  The kids will be here Monday morning ready or not . . . 

so we have no other choice than to be ready.

Last Day of School . . .

Our wonderful crossing guards on the last day of school.  Horns were honking, children were crossing . . . safety first, but a little fun never hurts.  Love these amazing ladies.

They even decorated the bushes.

Here's to another great school year!  This one went by so fast, I guess what they say is true . . . Time flies when you are having fun!

The last day of school is always a little combination of relief, excitement,  and sadness.  Some of our kids and staff will not be returning . . . The youngest of our students are absolutely priceless performing at their end of the year assemblies . . . there are field trips, read & feeds, parties, and sprinkler runs . . . summer vacation is finally here!

 

"Hey! It's summer! Be free and happy and danceful and uninhibited and now-y!"

                                              ~Terri Guillemets

Peace - Love - Bluejays

This has to be the best preschool t-shirt ever.  I've seen apples, pumpkins, stars . . . and now peace signs!!!!!

Our preschoolers are going on a field trip later this week.  I was down that way this morning and couldn't help but notice the t-shirts they are making to wear that day.  Peace - Love - Blue jays . . . (our school mascot)

The teacher told me that if I brought in a white t-shirt they would make me one . . . what a great shirt!  Lily happens to be in this class, which means we will have matching peace sign t-shirts . . . that is sure to make her smile. 

just a few more . . .

This teacher is dressed as Mr. Welter when he was 29 . . . who??????

This is Mr Welter.

Just can't get enough of this cute bug!

I work with the most wonderful people! I am truly blessed to work with a group of people that do amazing things everyday with the kids at our school.

just a few more things . . .

It all started with Thing 1 and Thing 2 . . .

. . . and a pirate.
No not a pirate . . . it was a Cat in a Hat.

I can't leave out Thing 4 - she is one of my favorite Things!

Happy Halloween!

Tinkerbell and Bat Girl. "Exactly how do you pose like that Tink?"
Tickle me Elmo with Mom.

Peace Out Sophia! What an adorable bug!

"I get by with a little help from my friends."

Fun Day at Work

Where's Waldo
Girls just want to have fun!

"These things will not bite you - They want to have fun. Then out of the box - come Thing 2 and Thing 1." (. . . and Thing 3, Thing 4, Thing 5, Thing 6, Thing 7, and Thing 8). We had 8 Things on campus yesterday.


Of course one of my favorites - What's Halloween without Raggedy Ann?

Clyda is always so cute. She is an amazing woman. She retired some years ago - but I think she works more now than she ever did. I love this lady!!! -