New Additions to make our house a farm....

Spring Break is here.....which means we have had a few visitors. Matt's younger brother brought his GF and her daughter to visit last weekend. While we were at our neighbors house riding the horses (the ones who rent our back pasture for the horses to eat in) we got to talking to the older man about chickens....how difficult they were, how quick they grow, how good the eggs are, etc....

Thus led to our recent purchase and new additions to our home...

Monday after we played golf Matt and I ventured to the Farm Store in Logansport to check out the cost of starting up our mini chicken farm....We already have a pretty large barn area that at the time was only being used for storage of our pool equipment during the winter and was pretty much empty, so all we needed was chicken wire so Matt could secure the chickens from intruders, and also separate the barn in 1/2 so we could still use 1/2 of it for storage.

We found the chicken wire, the pine shavings, the chicken starter and all the necessary buckets and holders......along with our new additions....no not 8-10 chickens like we wanted....

But the state minimum to purchase not a hatchery....25 CHICKENS (10 meat chickens that will be full grown in about 8 weeks and 15 egg laying chickens that we will have around for a while)!!

So far they have settled in nicely....they eat ALOT and the meat chickens have doubled in size already in the past 2 days...

So I guess we now officially have started our farm :)

Here are some pictures:

Long Past Due Update

So I'm not as good at this blog thing as I thought, but after reading my cousin's comment on the last blog entry I figured it was time for an update....a few things have happened since :)

First of all we are still in school...the kids miss having Spring Break at this time of the year...whereas this year ours isn't until the 23rd....they are antzy....11 weeks in a row is a long time!!

Lots of projects right now. We are in the middle of our Solar System unit, we just finished up ISTEP (more on that later), just finished the book Chocolate Fever, and are working on a set of directions in writing!

ISTEP last week was a struggle for not just the kids but me too!! It was very frustrating as a teacher watching some of my top students literally break down crying, punch their test book, and just get so angry because they didn't even understand what the question as asking!! The ISTEP this year was definitely NOTHING like the ones that the 5th graders even took in the fall...it was a mess!! The questions were often worded so the text was not even at a 4th grade level, if the kids couldn't understand the question then was it really testing their math skills?? Many of the questions were cumulative so if they got one part wrong they were pretty much screwed for the rest, and several of the problems were not based on one standard but several rolled into one...so it really wasn't testing their math standards....beacuase if they got it wrong we can't distingush between whether it was the area they didn't understand, the multiplication, the story problem and whether to add it subtract, or reading a chart. All in one question....Anyways enough about that!

On the coaching front, I went into interview with the AD Mr. Miller and the Varsity Coach Chad Thomas....after erading my golf experience and resume with wins and such they were excited I wanted to do it! So we had the call out meeting after school today (23 middle schoolers) and our first practice is after school the day we get back from Spring Break! I'm excited!

Matt is almost done with wrestling....next Tuesday is their last meet. I think he is very excited!!

I'm fighting a cold that is going around.....more of a pain then anything. Hopefully it will be gone soon!!

Our furbabies are still doing great....Allie and Lizzie are my lovers...Tyson is a pain in the neck but I guess I'll have to get use to it...I hear children are the same way....You treat them all the same, but 1 likes to me the troublemaker.....thats Tyson for sure!!

I guess that is it for now!! Hope everyone is enjoying the springlike weather!!

So last weekend I made some of the cutest conversation heart sugar cookies. I took a picture and wanted all week to get it up here and everytime I would sit down something would distract me! Maybe eventually you will get to see them along with my chocolate cupcakes decorated like Turkeys for Thanksgiving! I tell you when I have kids that will be my favorite thing, to make surprises for them for holidays and for parties!!

An update on my Civil War unit. The kids took their test today. Only 2 kids didn't pass it, and they told me straight up they didn't study. Well obviously that would be a problem. Kind of aggravating...but what can you do?

1 of the boys made it to Semi-State so that means I'm husbandless for tomorrow night and most if not all of Saturday. Depending on how tomorrow goes and how Meesh feels I may go up for dinner with her in South Bend tomorrow, if not I may just reclean my house for the 2nd time this week :) and try to create so sweet reading lessons!

I applied for a coaching position today...don't know what will come of it...its something I think I would enjoy, and maybe make me like golf again :)

That's about it...Have a great weekend everyone!

Acting like a Civil War Soldier

The past two weeks at school have been by far the best Social Studies unit all year, The Civil War! When I was in high school I was absolutely positive that I would be a high school history teacher. After a few college general history courses, and some work with elementary school students I realized I wasn't meant to spend my days with teenagers, but instead 10 year olds :).

Anyways we started the Civil War (literally in my classroom) we have the Union soldiers and the Confederate soldiers who each earn points for there side by doing homework, having good behavior, and extra challenges. Last Wednesday we invited two other 4th grade classes over to experience being soldiers by making "hard tack" a type of biscuit the soldiers made and ate on the battlefield, and to experience music played and sang throughout the times.

As a teacher I love when my students get so excited! We have done nonstop Civil War incorporating it into our guided reading time, our spelling activities, and computer lab along with our normal social studies time. I feel like they actually have a grasp of the concepts and they really are getting into the culminating projects. I can't wait to see the final results.

Yesterday was also our Valentine's Day party. In the past I have always been the lame teacher. We eat our treats, maybe listen to some music, and talk with friends. No games, fun activities...yeah I know...

Anyways, my next door neighbor teacher decided to pull me kicking and screaming (atleast that is waht she claims :)) into a weeklong "secret valentine" activity. Kind of like a secret santa. It actually went really well. The kids enjoyed sneaking presents and notes to each other and trying to keep secrets. So yesterday we finished our day with our V-day party which included games such a converstation heart stacking contest, a contest to see which group could line up a row of conversation hearts to be the closest to a foot, and then pin the lips on the heart lady.

My first successful class party where the kids left satisfied ;).

Now finally to a restful weekend. Matt is at semi-state with 3 of his wrestlers last night and today. He will be back later tonight and then nothing on the agenda for tomorrow...THANK GOODNESS!!

Well time to shower and enjoy my super clean house! Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

School Cancellations and Sick Days...

Indiana has the weirdest weather! Up until the first week in January we have had an on again off again winter. One day it will be snowing, the next 50 degrees and all the snow melts. We had an ice storm that caused some bad weather for 2-3 days then it was warm again. Well this week old man winter is up to it again. Monday started with snow...lots of it!! Tuesday again it was cold and snowy and we thought for sure we would have a delay, but no such luck. Wednesday brought MORE snow and cold temperatures....still no delay, but with it coming down hard they sent us home from school at 1 pm (2 hours early). Yesterday we got the call...first a delay, then a few hours later a cancellation due to -20 degree temperatures with windchill!!! Last night we got the call again...no school today (mainly I think because it was suppose to be a 1/2 day). So we have an unexpected 4 day weekend!! THANK GOODNESS!! First of all starting on Monday...moving through Tuesday...and then even on Wednesday my students were getting to me....believe me they are 100% better than last year, but there are still some things that just make me extremely frustrated (3 boys who think they can do whatever they want...especially when it comes to not doing there homework, several girls who are so gossipy and always have someone mad at them but then according to them it's not their fault, and then a few you just try to push my buttons everyday). By Wednesday morning I was about to plan to take a personal day. Just a mental health day so I could start fresh with them and have a day away from them! I decided against it, but Wednesday afternoon came home sick. Flu like symptons, headache, vomiting. fever, all the worst. I took a nap, then watched a movie with Matt and went to bed at 7. Woke up at 9:#) On Thursday thanks to the cancellations and still felt icky. Today I'm much better, but I'm thinking God was looking out for me. In the year and a half I've been at Riddle I have taken 4 days off (2 sick days last winter, and 4 1/2 days for doctor's appt. and such). I probably would have been stubborn and gone in even though I didn't feel well and needed a break. Looks like sometimes things work out!

Tomorrow is an all day wrestling tournament at the high school. I'm scheduled to run the clock on one of the main mats. Should be a very long day. I do enjoy seeing the boys wrestle though...weird I know :) Never before would I, but hanging out around wrestlers the last few years has made the sport atleast a little interesting, and its nice to have someone to root for!!

Report cards go home Wednesday. I'm about ready to start recording on the cards (all my grades have been entered). I feel ahead of the game, although I was kind of hoping for this whole afternoon at school to work. Maybe I will stop by before the tournament tomorrow and pick up the cards so I can atleast do some of it at home.

Other than that things have been pretty normal. Hope everyone is staying warm!! I can't believe we are 1/2 way through January already!!

Finishing Out the Week

This week was a bit intense. My new student is going to take some getting use to not only by me, but my students. The good news is that most of my boys are very clueless and so they don't always notice some of the akward situations that occur. Atleast he is into legos so he fits right in with my boys. I really have been lucky this year. I have some major stinkers, but all in all they atleast get along. We have a great classroom community built so far and it is nice to know that an additional student didn't change any of that.

Friday was suppose to be our Pioneer makeup day. It went alright although we have LOTS of changes we need to make before we do it again. The afternoon of movies was a different story....all I will say is thanks to some amazing lack of planning it wasn't the best experience for me to have 57 4th graders in my room.

This is week 1 back to working out with the ladies after school. I love love love having Wynne and Rebecca there everyday! Not to mention that it seems we have sucked in quite a few more people! Enough to where we have discussed running 2 rooms on some days!! We have about 7 regulars and have had up to 11!!!! I love the fellowship of being able to just chat about grown up things after being with 10 year olds all day!! Today I got up motivated to do something and loaded from our Netflix Jillian Michaels Cardio Max....in short....IT KICKED MY BUTT :) I felt like my stamina was getting better because of the December workouts and such, but this one was tough! I think I like it enough to do it the next few Sat/Sundays!!

Colts lost last weekend so now watching football isn't as enjoyable :) I guess I will have to try to find something else to distract me from lesson planning tomorrow :)

Recent News: Nana may be coming from Florida for all of the grandkids birthdays (my cousins and I's are about 4 days apart the end of Jan/beg of Feb. Could be interesting :) Always is when Nana visits :)

Alright time to go watch a movie with Matt. If I can get my lazy cat off of my lap :) Stay Warm Everyone!

New Year....a New Student

Break went by WAY to fast but definitely was a nice break from the normal routine. I am happy to be back at school and back in a routine though.

Yesterday was pretty uneventful with the kids. Minus me sending a froup of 21 10 year olds outside to no supervision and -5 degree weather oops! I didn't realize it was a stop sign (meaning indoor recess) I went an recovered them though and they were only out there for about 5 minutes so no damage done!

Has a Doctor's appointment last night. So far no new news, just another few rounds of medication and hopefully a solution. Otherwise our next step could make some changes in our life earlier than we were planning :)

Today I got a new student. He has Asberger's Syndrome. He's very intelligent from what I can gather so far, but there are some social concerns (as is normal with this syndrome) and I'm just glad my class is very accepting and looks past those things. I already had several boys today making sure he felt welcome. I was very proud!

Also started working out with the girls again after school. Since the beginning of December we have been doing the Slim in 6 video tapes. I love love love them! Also feel like a good workout and it is focused on all of the muscles I want to work on.

Random sidenote I bought a can of black beans today (frijoles negroes) to try out a Mexican style chicken tomorrow night for dinner thanks to a recipe from an online message board buddy. I can't wait!

Hopefully this freezing rain we have been getting all day and supposebly will continue all night won't cause a cancellation tomorrow!!