New Hats and Clean Desks!

Well, I went back to work today, and it was painless. The hardest part was getting out of bed. The morning was spent going over our STAR scores as a staff, and seeing mandated slideshows about sexual harassment and child abuse. Juicy stuff. After lunch, I worked in my classroom. It's finished. All I have left to do are the jobs that I don't want to do.

Arden got some mail today. She got some new crocheted hats. I love this purple one.

This multicolored one is great too. She also got a red one with a flower on it. It's pretty cute too, but I didn't like the picture I took of it.

Here's a peek at my classroom. It's just missing the students!

Word of the Day: Chilly. After several days of really hot weather, I had to wear a sweatshirt to school this morning. Really strange. I am not complaining. I would much rather be cold, then hot.

If you want to see more RV trip pictures go HERE and HERE.

Finishing Stuff

Well, today was my last official day of summer. Tomorrow I HAVE to be at work, but only half of the day. I'll be there the whole day though. School starts Wednesday. I am actually looking forward to it. I think the boys are too. Today was spent running errands, finishing up projects, attending a staff BBQ, and we finished the night with Big Brother.

So girlie has a name! It's Arden Daisy. Arden was the name with the most votes, and Daisy was the runner up. Isn't she cute? Doesn't she have a cute name? Thanks to all who voted!

I went to Target today and purchased this coconut air freshener tree. I got some other stuff too, but I think these were the highlight of the trip-well except for the part that involved being in Target! They smell SOOOOOO good! The only problem is it makes me thirsty for a pina colada.

I finished my necklace for the first day of school. I am happy with it.

Word of the Day: Pictures. If you want to see some pictures from our RV trip this summer, go HERE. I got the beginning up at Flickr. I have all of the other stops to still upload though. Oh, and if you want to see the pictures from geocaching last Wednesday, go HERE.

A Plate, A Dinner, and A Necklace in the Making

It's my last Saturday before school starts. Busy day. I met my BFF for lunch. We had Indian food, at this restaurant that has an awesome lunch buffet. We were stuffed. After lunch, we both had hair appointments-same hairdresser. She was first, so I went to Kohl's. Hair done. A cut and a slightly new color. Love it! Oh, and in the morning, I went into Niles, to the bead store there, and to a couple of antique stores. Tomorrow is the annual Niles Flea Market. It would be great to go, but you have to go so early, because it's so crowded, and the best values are first thing in the morning. We'll see. I was up early today, so I am hoping to sleep in tomorrow, flea market or not.

I scored this little plate at one of the Niles antique shops. Isn't is so cute? I love it!

Kevin, the boys and I went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. We had to wait 30 minutes, so we wandered around Borders until it was time to eat. Quinn enjoyed riding the saddle while we finished out our wait. He has to stage every picture he's in. Funny boy.

This is the project I am working on. I am wearing a red short jacket thing, a white shirt, and black pants, on my first day of school. I am using the above beads to make myself a coordinating necklace. I have an idea for the necklace, in my head.

Word of the Day: Heat. It was another scorcher today. It has cooled down by twenty degrees. We turned our AC off, and are quite enjoying the breeze from outside.

22 hours to vote! Girlie needs a name!

Jukebox Hero

I dragged the boys along today to the teacher supply store. I needed a lesson plan book-as you can recall from yesterday's post. I also got a book on Science since that is now a subject I will have to teach. I picked up a really cool writing box, that I can use for a writing center. It was very productive, and the boys like it as well. There's all kinds of interesting things to look at-for them it was the bug vacuum and science materials. We stopped for lunch, and then I took them home. I returned to school for awhile, to finish up in my classroom. I am ready to go, except for the furniture. I need to arrange that.

I had to explain to the boys, what a jukebox does. They had never seen one. This one was in the Burger King-go figure-where we had lunch. Riley didn't recognize any of the songs-way before No Doubt I guess. As we sat down to eat, the song "Harper Valley PTA" was playing.

It has been hot here the last two days. Not Texas hot, but hot. Hot enough to run the AC. It may actually run all night tonight as it's still hot outside. The one benefit of a hot day, is an amazing sunset. Look at that sky! This picture really doesn't do it justice. It was so pretty though. All pink and purple and orange.

Word of the Day: List. I got my class list today. I am very happy. I have some very sweet kids. I look forward to school starting next week.

One more day to vote people! Girlie needs a name!

It's a Super Boring Day, and I am Sorry

This is all I got for you today. My prettied toes. I am almost ready to meet my new class. I have a hair appointment Saturday afternoon. That should complete the process. I went for red toes. The flowers turn out better. My toes were green last time, and the white flowers turned yellow. Nice.

It was sort of back to work for me. I went to a math training this morning. We got a new math series. I piloted the series last school year, so now I am feeling like I have a really good handle on the program. I think it will be ok. I had my worries and concerns, but you know, after today, I feel like we could be really successful with this program. It's different, but change is good, right? I liked the presenter. She did a great job. I was pretty frustrated with the whining teachers that came, seemingly only so that they could complain. This school year will have many challenges, but what choice do we have? We can complain about it all year and feel sorry for ourselves, or we can put on our big girl panties and deal with it. We need to do what's best for the students who need us. That is afterall, why I became a teacher, not for the prep time, but for the students. So I am going to give it the old college try. I will do my best.

After the training I went to my school, to work in my classroom. I am mostly done! There wasn't anybody in my wing to socialize with, so I got a lot done. I'll go again tomorrow and maybe get it all done. First I think I need to take a drive into San Jose, to get a new lesson plan book. You all must be so impressed with the quality of events around here lately. A lesson plan book. Woooohooo!

Word of the Day: Amazing. The news today had a story about a girl, Jaycee Lee Dugard, who was kidnapped 18 years ago, at the age of 11. She walked into a police station yesterday, in Concord and told them who she was. She was reunited with her mother today. Amazing story, full of horrible events, but she's alive, and for one family with a missing child, closure in the best possible way. It's awesome.

Oh yeah, two more days to vote for a name for my girlie!

My Last Day of Summer

It's my last official day of summer. Boo hoo. I need more summer. Tomorrow I am headed to math training for our new math book. I am only going for half of the day. The rest of the day I'll work in my classroom. Anyway, the boys and I headed to Palo Alto this morning. My mother in law and I went to lunch, and then to see Julie and Julia. The boys went geocaching with my father in law. They walked three miles, near and under the Dumbarton Bridge, finding six caches. After that, the boys and I went to the Stanford Shopping Center, for cupcakes. Sprinkles cupcakes.
We had to pick Kevin up from the dealership, where his car is being fixed. Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, some pomegranate yogurt from Red Mango, a trip to Borders, and then home. What a way to end my summer! I still want more!



Quinn just hanging around.



Riley and the box of Sprinkles.



Coconut and chocolate, peanut butter and chocolate, marshmallow and chocolate, and Ginger and lemon. Yum.



Two boys at the frog fountain.

Word of the Day: Summer. I. Need. More. Summer. The end.

Dirty Car, Clean Car

So don't be grossed out by the following picture. You have to keep in mind that I was gone for three and a half weeks, and my car sat in the driveway, all by its lonely self. It was already semi dirty, before we left, but after sitting that long, it was just disgusting. I even had a spider web on my side mirror. I should have charged that spider rent!

Isn't that horrible? I am a bad car owner. Look at the filth. So embarassing. The boys and I went to our local car wash today. The boys love this car wash because they have koi and turtles, a few birds, and they can squirt or "wash" cars as they go by on the car wash line. They do a pretty good job too. In fact, the guy detailing it, really scrubbed all of the caked-on bugs off of the front of my car.

Much, much better! Look at how shiny and happy it looks! So pretty. It smells good too-pina colada air freshener. Even the tires are clean!

This is one of the other serving pieces I made. The plate is jadite, and the base is some sort of dessert cup.

What do you think of this one as a two tiered serving piece? It's not glued together, just in case. I quite like it like this, but I don't think I'll sell it this way. Too expensive to ship, and too much to worry about breaking. These plates are blue bubble. You can just see a hint of blue.

Word of the Day: Clean. My car is clean, and my house is clean, and my last batch of buttons is clean. I got the rest of my piles sorted. I love a clean house, but don't look at the boys' rooms. I am not in charge of those. Next on my list, a housekeeper. I am feeling like I could use one, especially with school starting. I hate to clean the floors and the bathrooms.

Don't forget to vote in my poll. Girlie needs a name.

Something a Little Crafty

I am still putting things away. As usual, I can't just put things away. I have to have a few things going. For instance, after washing the antiques I bought, I decided that the old buttons I bought had to be washed as well. I stood at the kitchen sink, with a toothbrush, scrubbing buttons. Then I decided that instead of putting my clothes away, I would reorganize my closet, taking my winter stuff out, and placing it in the big box I bought at Target today. So now I am making a bigger mess. The living room is clean though. Here are some pictures of some of my favorite antiques/vintage items.

Just look at how cute that jar is with the blue bird on it! I also love the little milk glass bowl with the red flowers on it.

Hobnail. I love this stuff. Isn't that little container with the wooden lid, adorable?

I also did some crafting, in between my jobs. This is the first one I made. It's a vintage plate, and a vintage glass. Doesn't it make a cute serving piece? I made three others as well. One of them I am hoping to make into two tiers. I plan on putting them in my Etsy shop.

Word for the Day: Vote. Don't forget to vote in my poll. My girlie needs a name! It's on the sidebar, to your right. Please vote and help me!!!

Cleaning Up From Vacation, Sort Of

We all spent the day at home today. The boys played a little Wii, but mostly were in Quinn's room playing with the handed down computer. Kevin got a new one, giving the old one to Quinn. I unpacked, did some laundry, and played on my computer-I have been glued to Etsy today, just surfing around at all of the fun stuff. I did order a fabric bracelet kit. It looked really interesting. It's really nice to be home. I think I will venture out tomorrow. Any guesses where I will be going? Go on, you know you know!

I got my pile cleaned up, well mostly. It's dispersed at least, to correct rooms and correct places, for the correct people to put away.

Even though the boys were always together during the trip, they still were hanging out together today, and quite peacefully as well. The last two days of the trip were rough-they argued non-stop. Too much togetherness, cooped up inside an RV. It was back to normal today. No arguing, just happily playing together. It's a mother's heaven. Riley is reading his Highlights magazine in this picture, while Quinn takes his turn at the computer. Oh, and both boys are listening to No Doubt on the iPod. I guess the concert we went to in July left a lasting impression. Hysterical to me, that they are so interested in music, but only the music we listen to. Funny.

Quinn, playing with his new Webkinz. It's a Boston Terrier that he named, "Dan." Don't ask me about the Pringles can. He picked it up for the picture. He always has a vision for his picture taking.

Word of the Day: Unpack. I am mostly done. I just have to unpack all of the antiques I bought, and wash them. I have some projects in mind. Don't worry, I will share pictures.

By the way, please take my poll on the sidebar. My Blythe doll needs a name. What should I call her? Here's a picture for inspiration.

I am HOME!

We arrived at my parents' tonight, at 5:07 pm. I think we were all happy to be home. We had a really good time, but it's always great to get back home.

Here's the pile that I need to unpack. Looks like a job for tomorrow.

Look what was waiting for me when I got home! The new Ikea catalog! Yay!

Word for the Day: Beat. I am really tired. Tomorrow I will unpack, do laundry, and hopefully get my pictures organized on Flickr.

Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada

We woke up in Nebraska, drove through Wyoming and Utah, and stopped for the night just inside the Nevada border, at West Wendover. Looooong sentence, and loooooooong travel day. Our nightlight tonight are the lit up casinos.



Somewhere in Wyoming.



Utah!



A sea of salt, at sunset. Utah.

Word of the Day: Crazy. The boys are going nuts. Two full days in the RV. They got some exercise yesterday, when we walked to Fort Cody. It's too hot to be outside, here in Nevada. Home tomorrow and they can run the neighborhood.

Nebraska!

We left MOA this morning, before 6 am, heading toward home. We crossed through Iowa, and into Nebraska. We are staying the night in North Platte, Nebraska. As we were approaching our exit, we spied the following...

Look at that! It was a free museum, plus gift shop! Once we checked into the RV park, the boys and I walked over to visit it.

Is that just too much fun, or what? I LOVE places like this! That big cowboy is Buffalo Bill. There was also a sign on the front of the door that read, "Unattended Children will be given Espresso and a Puppy." Made Riley and I laugh.

Quinn is taming a bear. He has mad bear taming talents! He also left the gift shop with a bear claw necklace, genuinely made in China. No bears were harmed in the making of his necklace.

Oh give me a home, where the buffalo roam...

This Indian is standing in the middle of the free museum. Have you noticed his shoe ornaments?

Word of the Day: Almost! We are going to be home on Saturday. We are all so very excited. Three and a half weeks is a long time to be away from home, and my husband.

Mall Of America, Day 2

The day started with a splash, and ended with a sleep. We spent our last day of vacation, at the Mall of America. We got there when they opened, at 10:00 am, and we left a little after 9:00 pm. My dad took the boys back to the RV for a break, in the middle of the day. It was a lot of fun. It's really a great place!

The splash! It's blurry, but you can just make out my dad and Riley on the log ride. Quinn was there too, but you can't see him because he's smart. He ducked! He's between Riley and my dad.

Waiting for the swing ride to start. It took longer to load then the actual ride! Hey, check out Quinn! He's sporting his "How you doin'?" look!

The site of the Mall of America used to be a baseball field! They kept home plate. Cool!

I thought this was very clever. See the cookie at the top, sticking out of the milk? It's adhered to the back of the elevator. The milk is adhered to the back of the glass, which encloses the elevator, so when the elevator goes up, so does the cookie-and can you see where I am going with this? When it comes back down, it looks like the cookie is being dunked into the milk! Clever!

This is how our day ended. One sleepy boy who went right to sleep, his new Build a Bear-or Build a snow leopard, with him. He named that snow leopard, Kevin. I guess he misses his dad.

Word of the Day: Going. We leave tomorrow for home! We are all very excited to be heading home. We've had a great time, but it will be great to be home.

Mall of America

We left Illinois this morning at 5 after 6. We drove through Wisconsin, and into Minnesota. The next two nights, we will be in Savage, MN. Our destination is the Mall of America. This is my third visit. I celebrated my 40th birthday here, a few months late (January just isn't a good month to travel to Minnesota-but there was still snow in April). The boys have been here too, on our last RV trip in 2007. They love it.



Our entrance.



There's an amusement park in the middle! And an aquarium, mini golf, movie theater, and a full size Best Buy, plus lots more.



I am going back for this shirt tomorrow!



The boys liked this ground.

Word of the Day: Shop!

Chicago Times Three!

There was a huge thunder storm overnight. It poured, and woke us all up at dark o'clock. It also left a huge "lake" in front of the RV steps. That was fun to get through when we left for Chicago this morning. We went to the Museum of Science and Industry, then to Millenium Park.



The boys in the Toymaker exhibit. They are sporting their chalkboard tees, but I forgot to pack the chalk, so they are plain.



Quinn is comfy in his airplane seat. They have a United 727 plane inside the museum! Ok, not the whole plane-it was missing a wing. They also had a whole submarine inside the museum! Oh, and for you Harry Potter fans, there's a special exhibit. It's a great place.



Does this look familiar? I have only been to this spot the last three summers! I am not complaining though. Chicago is a great city!



Cool or what?

Word of the Day: tired.