field trip and other stuff

Last Thursday our team took 64 kindergartners on a field trip to a local farm. Here's what we did:

10-11:45: Went on hay ride and picked lots and lots and lots and LOTS of vegetables. Seriously, lots.

11:45-12:30: Ate lunch. Keep in mind, I didn't eat, the kids did. I made sure all groups were accounted for and that took forever. Child #1 barfs.

12:30-12:45ish: Hunted for lost child.

12:45-1:00: Found lost child. Dust storm and rain hit. We couldn't see beyond a 10 foot radius. NUTS!

1:00: Run for our lives (jk.. we really just ran for the bus). Leave for school.

1:15: (All at the same time) The back door's emergency buzzer on the bus went off. Bus driver pulls over on the highway to check it out. All of our parent chaperones freak out and pull over too. Child #2 barfs.

1:45: Return to school... Hallelujah!

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The Red Sox just won the ALDS and are on their way to winning the AL pennant. GO SOX!

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I've decided to make a poodle skirt for Halloween. Wish me luck! Pics and more info to come later.

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Today is my stepdad's birthday. We went to Famous Dave's for dinner and I'm STUFFED! Happy birthday, L!

scary

Today as I was getting ready to leave school I learned that one of our students was missing. He's a first grader, and was supposed to be picked up in a car this afternoon. The police were called and teachers were walking all around our campus looking for him... two teachers went in a car to search a bus route to see if the little guy got on a bus. My teaching partner and I went around a large circle around the area nearest our school in my car to see if he was walking around.

We went back to school to see if we could do anything else and found out he got on a bus after school. No word on why the bus driver let him on or why he even got on in the first place. His mom was there, crying, as were several of his family members. Mom was so relieved to hear that her son was okay. I can't even begin to know what she was feeling but I do know there was a lot of fear and confusion, and then, relief. I'm glad he was found safe and sound.

On a happier note, I'm making good progress on my messenger bag and will hopefully be able to post a decent picture in the near future. :)

bad, bad blogger!

I am a bad, bad, blogger. I have not posted in almost a month! To be fair, I have spent most of my time at school. It's been nuts... I forgot all of the beginning-of-the-year stresses that come out of the woodwork. Actually, there is always stress, no matter what time of year it is. Such is life.

Right now I should be cleaning for guests that will be arriving in a few hours. Instead, I wanted to post about my latest project. I am crocheting a messenger bag that will be felted. It's taking FOREVER, but I knew it would.

This is what I have so far:

Sorry it's sideways. I'm having photo issues today. I'll try to fix it later!

my classroom

I finally finished my room a few days ago and have already had two days of school. Click on the link to see more photos!

http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk23/seaschell/Classroom%2008-09/?albumview=slideshow

getting into the groove

I've spent several days now in my classroom, setting up for the new school year. I haven't accomplished much as far as moving things around and putting things on walls. I've spent most of my time in front of the computer, designing new literacy work stations and creating lessons. I'm very excited that new cubbies will be installed in my room (hopefully) this week! I'll post pics of my finished room in a few days.

Summer has been surreal. I still can't believe I didn't go to work every day for over two months, and now I'm getting ready to go back. Strange, but so nice. I should have ditched preschool for elementary a LONG time ago. :)

wedding fun!

What a crazy weekend! We flew to Boston late on Thursday night, arriving at 6 AM Friday morning. Hubby's dad picked us up and we went back to the house and had breakfast and a nice nap. Went for mani's and pedi's with MIL (Hub had a couple of beers at the pub next door). After that did a little shopping and stayed in that night. Saturday was BUSY!! We went to Boston for Hub's cousin's wedding and reception, stayed in the hotel Sat night, then went to see Nana Sunday morning. Flew back late Monday night and got home at 2 AM on Tuesday morning. SO TIRED!!

J and I had a meeting with a couple of local business owners this morning to see if our bibs are retail-worthy... got very good news that they are, and J went on a fabric frenzy at Jo-Ann's today. :)

I went back to school today and got my keys (hooray!). We also interviewed for a new Kinder teacher (they went well, so we shall see). Tomorrow I have another meeting and I'll spend the rest of the week setting up my room. Fun fun!

packing...

is not one of my favorite activities. I'm always paranoid: "Am I packing the right clothing? Will I need this? Or this? Or this?" Plus with the new baggage charges, I can only take one bag or Hubby might pop a vein. Luckily, this is only a one bag trip, but inevitably I have to smash everything down to make it fit and I ALWAYS come back with more than I go with, even if I don't buy anything or get any gifts. That math puzzles my brain.

a crafty extravaganza!

I have been crocheting up a storm! This hat and booties set (plus a couple of bibs that J made) are going to a friend who just had her second child, a little girl.

I made this business card holder for J, for her brand new business cards! She loved it and has already stuffed it full.

And finally, I made this... it started out for someone else, but I may keep him for myself! He's supposed to be an amigurumi lion, but the colors aren't right for lions. That's okay, I love him anyway!

booties

I finished these booties this morning. They are for a friend's brother who is having his third child and first girl. They are done in Bernat pink and green camo yarn. I modified the pattern from Simple Crochet for Cherished Babies.

home sweet home

We went to Maryland for a friend's wedding last weekend. Hubby was Best Man, and he did a great job! We went into DC for a bit and I took some fun pictures. It was my first time in our nation's Capital. I didn't get to see nearly as much as I'd like, but hopefully we can go back in the next couple of years.

A friend and I have begun making handcrafted baby bibs and other accessories. We've posted them on Ebay... go take a look! Our name for right now is rhoanscloset. It's been fun... she does the sewing and I do the embellishing with crochet. This is the newest bib we've created and posted for sale:

My brain has turned to mush since school ended. I'm scattered and disorganized. But, oh boy do I love summer vacation! I just hope my brain will firm back up before school starts...