A Current Affair

Although I've steadily neglected my blog up until this past Sunday, I've been cheating on blogger with My Space. Yes people, I am aware that it's more "kiddy-like" compared to blogger, but people actual visit my page and comment. So, until I get back into the blogger swing of things, I'll continue to comment on your entries, but I invite you all to check out my My Space page. If you're having a hard time clicking on the link, just type it in the URL address. In the meantime and between time, I'm out like a fat kid in dodge ball. ;) Have a wonderful rest of the week.

S-L-A-C-K-E-R!!

Yes it's true. I am true slacker when it comes to blogging. Although I do enjoy sharing my thoughts and life snippets with the internet, I am nowhere near as dedicated to posting as my amazing sister Frema. Maybe it's because I don't really know my limits as to what I'm comfortable sharing with the internet. I love to write, but it's different when you're keeping an on-line journal, rather than a private one. I get a little apprehensive about getting possible negative feedback from strangers, and loved ones publicly. In the mean time, I hope those of you who have continued to read my blog enjoy my entries. I sincerely appreciate my readers and their comments.

Since the last time I posted, I've been to a few family parties, Dan's brother's wedding and welcomed my beautiful Brooke's new baby boy Michael into the world! ;)

Michael Alan and me on June 9, 2006, his birthday! ;)

Dan and I at his brother Mikey's wedding.

This past week I also had my training for my summer job, which I have done for the past eight summers. The training was soooooooo boring and redundant, but I had to go. I work as a seasonal recreation leader for the park district day camp, which begins tomorrow. It's an easy job that requires no planning on my behalf, so it's a nice change from teaching. :) Besides working over the summer, I hope to be motivated enough to update my teaching portfolio so I can market myself better when I decide to apply at other schools. Near the end of the summer, Dan and I will be going camping with Frema and Luke at Indiana Dunes. Other than that, I've been spending a lot of time with my siblings and family, which has been a lot of fun. ;) Well, to those of you who actually still read my blog, mad props to you all! Have a GREAT week and be on the look out for the next post. ;)

The Last Day Of School

Tomorrow is the last day of school and Kindergarten graduation! These past few weeks have been pure madness with all the planning and practicing that goes into Kindergarten graduation. From creating a program, memory books, to practicing graduation songs and procedures, I'm ready to hear that graduation march tomorrow!

Although I'm ready to be off for a few weeks in the summer, I'll sincerely miss my students this year. As a gift to them this year, I put together Kindergarten Memory book for them. Each child completed a writing page in which he/she wrote their favorite color, food, book and what they like the best about Kindergarten. On the top of the page there was a space for their first and last name, along with a picture of that student. On the back of the paper the students drew pictures of their favorite Kindergarten memories. Then, each of the 22 student's pages were xeroxed and bound together using yarn and a three hole punch. The students traced and painted hands were the covers of the books. Today after I gave the students their memory books, they were able to walk around the classroom and have their fellow classmates sign their books. The students absolutely loved it! ;) I talked to the children about the importance of saving and taking care of their memory books so when they grew up they could look back and remember all the wonderful times they had in Kindergarten. Yesterday the parents received a laminated poem about the end of the school year, with a picture of me and their child on it. Is it weird that I enjoy laminating things?? ;) Today I received several kind and thoughtful notes from parents saying what a great teacher I am. I even got a one hundred dollar gift certificate to a day spa downtown from one parent/student! ;) In no way am I trying to toot my own horn or anything, it just felt really good to hear so many nice words from the parents. A thank you or a compliment can really go a long way. ;)

Anyway, I won't miss the break from all the paper work, planning and much needed tedious organization that goes into running a smooth and successful classroom. My vacation officially starts once my classroom is completely cleaned and emptied of all its' contents. Let me tell you, end of the year classroom clean up is anything but a good time. I didn't realize how much I had on the walls or stuffed into the shelving space until I started taking everything down.

Well, just in case you've been wondering what I've been up to, now you know! I hope all is well with my groovy internet friends and thank you to those of you who continue to read. I'll be sure to let you know how graduation went! ;)