Hands On, Minds On

I spent this past week in a teacher in-service offered by EdVenture. EdVenture is a children's museum located in front of the SC State Museum. EdVenture offers teacher inservices during the summer months. It was an interesting week. Here are some of the highlights:

• I learned more about brain research and how it applies to children.


• I learned what a worm likes/dislikes.


• I learned how to create a monster.


• I learned how to make a chemical reaction come out of said monster.
• I made paper.
• I learned about some great websites.


• I learned that Eddie is really huge!!


• I met some awesome new friends from Edgefield.

Not only did we have some hands on time, we also recieved some cool stuff to use in our classroom. Here is a list of my loot:

• Graduated cylinder


• Tabletop pocket chart


• funnel


• Science Encyclopedia


• Book about Science experiments


• balance scale


• Book About Jake and the migration of butterflies.


• A science kit that includes: eyedroppers, magnets, magnifying glasses, bug catchers, color pads, and more.


• A world map


• A blow up globe


• safety goggles


• shower curtains to make word walls/graphs


• velcro


• A set of books about weather


• A weather science kit

I also had the opportunity to get to know some of my new kindergarten team.

The Saxe Gotha Crew:

Tears

Okay. Anyone that knows me, knows that I cry very easily. It is a joke in my family that I cry at new store openings. (I'm really not THAT bad.) Well..I had a tearful moment on Friday.

A family in our neighborhood lost their house right before Christmas to a fire. They lost everything. They have been rebuilding on the same lot for a few months. I rode by the house on Friday night to see if they had moved in yet. There was a big banner on the front porch that said: "Welcome Home Jones Family". Well.... down came the tears for me.

I can't even begin to understand their loss. I don't even know what their house looked like before it burned. I just never drove down that road. They now have a beautiful home and can get their life back to normal.

Here's to you, Jones family!! Welcome home.

It's a Dog's Life

I am in my scrapbook/computer room watching a movie. Everyone else is in bed. When I turned around, this is the site I saw. Levi is having such a hard time relazing??!! Isn't he adorable? He loves to sleep in Rebecca's old chair. It's the prefect size for him.

Fun Survey-Stolen from CloverGirl's(Brandi) Blog

Fun Survey
I give you money and send you into the grocery store to pick up 5 items. You can only pick one thing from the following departments. What do you buy?
1. Produce: grapes
2. Bakery: italian bread
3. Meat: Steak
4. Frozen: Ice Cream
5. Dry goods: cereal

Let's say we are heading out for a warm weekend getaway. You're only allowed to bring 3 articles of clothing with you. So, what's in your bag?
1. shorts
2. T-shirt
3. Underwear

If I was to listen in on one of your conversations throughout the day, what 4 phrases or words would I be most likely to hear?
1. Excuse me.
2. Watch your smart mouth.
3. Levi, be quiet.
4. Will you please get me some diet coke?

So, what 4 things do you find yourself doing every single day, and if you didn't get to do, you probably wouldn't be in the best mood?
1. surf the net
2. take a nap
3. Shower
4. drinking diet coke

You're driving down the road, and suddenly you're hit with this sense of road rage. What 3 factors probably contributed to it?
1. Someone riding my bumper.
2. Someone that cuts me off.
3. People who drive too slow

Sweet, you just scored a whole afternoon to yourself. We're talking a 3 hour block with nobody around. What 5 activities might we find you doing?
1. Taking a nap
2. Surf the net
3. Watch a movie
4. Read a book
5. Go shopping

We're going to the zoo. But, it looks like it could start storming, so it will have to be a quick visit. What 3 exhibits do we have to get to?
1. penguins
2. Lions and Tigers
3. seals

You just scored tickets to the taping of any show that comes on t.v. of your choice. You can pick between 4, so what are you deciding between?
1. American Idol
2. Ellen
3. Jay Leno
4. Brothers and Sisters

You're hungry for ice cream. I'll give you a triple dipper ice cream cone. What 3 flavors can I pile on for ya?
1. mint
2. butter pecan
3. pralines n cream

Somebody stole your purse/wallet…in order to get it back, you have to name 5 things you know are inside to claim it. So, what's in there?
1. wallet-Vera Bradley petal pink
2. digital camera in vera bradley navy windsor wristlet
3. eye glass case-Vera Bradley cambridge
4. MP3 player in vera bradley cambridge tech case
5. Vera Bradley pink elephant coupon holder

You are at a job fair, and asked in what areas you are interested in pursuing a career. Lets pretend you have every talent and ability to be whatever you wanted, so what 4 careers would be fun for you?
1. Photographer
2. stay at home mom
3. principal
4. pharmacutical sales

Father's Day

Make a Smilebox postcard

We had a very low key father's day. We all slept until 10:45. When we finally got up, Eric opened his gifts. Rebecca got him an electric hair shaver and a Dale, Jr. shirt. Rebecca also wrote him a very sweet letter.

Daddy,

You are the greatest dad in the whole world. I would never replace you or momma for anything. We may get mad at each other or stuff like that but I will always love you.

I love the way we play and the way we laugh!!! (Especially when we play the Wii). I hope the laughter and the playing continues.

When I am down you re-boost me back up again. You are there when I need you and always caring and loving. You talk to me when there is nothing in the world to do.

When you punish me...I hate it but you do it because you love and care for me.

This day is yours so make the day fun and full of LOVE!!!!!!

Happy Father's Day!

Love,

Rebecca

We went to eat lunch at Eric's favorite place, Fatz. He enjoyed his delicious steak. After returning home, he enjoyed watching the race. Here is his reaction when it was over:

Rebecca wanted to take Eric to the movies, so we went to see Kung Fu Panda. Very cute movie!!

All in all, I think Eric enjoyed his day. He deserves it. He's an awesome dad.

Speaking of awesome dads, I have one!! He still amazes me all the time. I love you, Dad!! Happy Father's Day.

Go, Fight, Win

Rebecca attended the White Knoll Cheerleading Camp on Friday and Saturday. They were divided into age groups and learned 2 cheers and 2 dances. She (suprisingly to Rebecca) had a great time. At the end of the session on Saturday, families were invited to come watch the girls perform. It brought back so many wonderful memories for me!!


Speaking of memories...I saw two former students. One is a WKHS cheerleader and the other was a camp member that was in Rebecca's group. I always love seeing my former students.

Her group leaders

Mr. T-Wolf

Cheap Entertainment

Want some cheap entertainment on a Friday night? Visit your local Best Buy and play Rock Band. Every time we go near a BB, Rebecca wants to go in and play. Well, tonight, we weren't going in Best Buy. We were headed to Pet Smart next door. Eric decided to take a detour first to play some games. Not only did they have Rock Band, but they had Mario Kart for the Wii. I couldn't get the two of them out of the store. Atleast it didn't cost anything.

This was taken with my camera phone, so the quality isn't the best.

Happy Anniversary, Eric

We went to eat at Fatz. Rebecca wound up having to go with us because our babysitting situation didn't work out as planned.

Eric and I are celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary today. We met at an Atlanta Braves game almost 15 years ago. We were met with a lot of opposition about getting married from his side of the family. They said it wouldn't last. Not only has it lasted, but we continue to be perfect for each other.

Here are 13 things I love about being married to Eric:

1. He is a hard worker. No matter what the task is, he gives it 150% until it is complete.
2. He is a good listener. He will listen to all of my school stories and give advice about what I should do.
3. He isn't afraid to earn money. He will do odd jobs to make money to buy big ticket items that we might want. He just finished mowing a huge lawn, painting a tall set of stairs on the front of a house, and fixing a fence in exchange for an automatic pool cleaner.
4. He is an awesome cook. He can cook anything. He's definately much better at it than I am.
5. He helps clean the house. We work together to get the job done.
6. He is passionate about sports. He loves Dale Jr., the Boston Celtics, and Wrestling.
7. He is an awesome father. He helps run interference between me and Rebecca. He helps her study for tests. He is the funny, easy going parent. I love to hear them play games upstairs and laugh, shout, and go for the win.
8. He is amazing with chickens. He knows his business and has helped build two strong divisions with Columbia Farms.
9. He has a way with people. He can mingle with anyone. He can sell you dog pooop in a bag and you don't even realize it. He will give you the shirt off his back if you need it. Everyone loves Eric.
10. He lets me be me. He encourages my hobbies and time with friends.
11. He has helped make a wonderful home for us.
12. He is very giving. He wants to give rather than receive.
12. He's my hero.

I love you, Eric. I look forward to 13 and more years together.

5th Grade Luau

It is a tradition at SGES for the fifth graders to have a dance on the last day of school. The music teacher, Mr. Headrick, got them all together early in the week to teach them some line dances. They had fun dancing, running around, and eating. Thanks to all of the teachers for a fun time.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

5th Grade Graduation

Rebecc'a elementary career has sadly come to an end. The school had a very nice awards ceremony for the 5th grade. It was held at the high school on Tuesday night. We are very proud of all that Rebecca has accomplished over the past 5 years.

Rebecca~I will miss you terribly next year when you are off to middle school. Rememeber all that your daddy and I have taught you. You will be fine.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Hey, Hey, Goodbye

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR THE SUMMER!!