Teacher Week '13 and a Mustache Monday Made It

Linky parties with topics, themes, or questions designated on specific days encourages me to take a few me minutes and blog. And I love it!

I realize I am already a day late in posting this but I have a good excuse! In between taking care of my sweet sick babe, a doctor's appointment, and setting up Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts for my up-and-coming bakery business Sweet Mack Bakery, I had to tackle 2 presentations for two iPad classes I am teaching next Monday. Once Mr. Lovie and I both returned home last night, I had two free hands to tackle the bakery accounts and finish the presentations. (I hope to devote a later post about those presentations, the apps I've come to discover, and technology in the classroom...) Voila!

 

 Without further ado....

Sisters

I have been blessed with two amazing sisters I call my best friends. I can call them whenever and I know they would rush to my side at a moment's notice. As the middle child, I have the best of both worlds and have fostered strong, unique relationships with each of them that stems from our early childhood. We didn't have the luxury of dance class, gymnastics teams, or organized sports, but we had each other. That was our normal. Saturday morning trips to the library and playing "house" and "school" day after day. (Yup, I was the teacher--grade book and hall passes to boot.) Our mom did not tolerate fighting or bickering. at. all. I think  know our upbringing and the values instilled in us at that pivotal age has been what has defined us to this day. I have a difficult time relating to friends who have lost touch with their siblings or have had tumultuous history. Were we lucky? No. Blessed by the values of our upbringing? You bet.

 

 

 

Four Paws and a Big Smile

From Bentley to Spencer, Nana's Heidi, Harry, Sandy, and our own Ellie. Dogs have always been in my house. I imagine life simply wouldn't be the same without one.

meeting Ellie for the first time: October, 2009

Splash!

Junior year of high school I joined a few girlfriends who had been on our school"s swim team for many years. I loved my time on the diving team, and while I was hardly qualified for conferences, I learned a lot from my teammates. (We didn't officially have a diving coach, so what I learned I learned from the other girls.) Whether it was swimming in my grandparents' neighbor's pool or (reluctantly and nervously) swimming in relays in high school, I've always loved the pool. Will Miss K? I sure hope so.

Tokens, Tickets, Toys and a Husband 

Many of my high school years and countless memories are at LazerZone--alas ear tag party facility in my hometown. I began working there as soon as I was eligible to work. I made a lot of great friends and built some strong relationships there. Spending many afternoons, evenings, and countless weekends--from open to close--together, those friends became a second family. Hey, I met my husband there! (I found out years later that he got the job there to spend more time with me!)

 

 LZ's "Flower Girls" and the "flower girls" at my wedding

From Boston to Bourbon Street

I've been fortunate to have traveled to many places in my short 27 and a half years. In college I traveled to London and Paris with a few college friends--one of whom I am still very close to today, Israel on a Birthright trip with a childhood best friend. Boston College (where I attended undergrad and grad school) strongly promoted social justice and serving others. Service trips were the norm on spring break. It was rare that students traveled to remote tropical islands on their spring break. While at BC, I traveled to Tarboro, North Carolina and Huntington, West Virginia for two Habitat for Humanity trips. I traveled to the Dominican Republic through the School of Education and visited and volunteered at a school and orphanage. Twice I traveled to Natchez, Mississippi on School of Education-sponsored service trips. The first year I went as a student participant and the second time I went as a trip leader with two of my roommates. We had a chance to work both in and out of the classroom, and had an incredible time. While there, we took a detour on our return home through New Orleans. What a city!

 

 London and Paris with Jen, 2004

DR service trip March, 2005

 

 

 

 Israel, January 2006

 

 

Huntingon, WV March, 2006

 

 

Natchez, MS March, 2007 

 

Alligator! Tastes Like Chicken

While in New Orleans, albeit a few hours, we dined on Bourbon Street--at Pat O'Brien's I believe. Easy to please, I often choose a burger, sandwich, or salad, but when in New Orleans alligator it is! It was delicious, 

and it sure did taste like chicken!

Teaching 

 Public and private. City and suburban. Rich and poor. I've taught in it all. Each classroom experience has shaped the teacher I am today. From student teaching in Boston Public Schools like the Winship to the more affluent neighborhood of Brookline, I've grown so much. I worked with some amazing, talented veteran teachers and learned so much from them. I also had experience with some not-so-organized teachers and learned a tremendous amount from them as well. Teaching is my passion and I love what I do. (I forgot it was actually a job my first week teaching in my own classroom. I was pleasantly reminded when I found a paycheck in my mailbox.)

 

Mr. Lovie as "Secret Reader" in the first grade class where I student taught in Brookline in 2006 and 2007

 

Four Eyes

For as long as I can remember, I have worn glasses or contacts. The last pair of glasses I owned and would dare to wear outside was in college--at least 6 years ago. My husband has said he likes me in glasses but me, no thank you!  Yesterday, I got a new prescription for both my contact lenses and eye glasses. Perhaps I'll finally find a pair I like and dare to wear them out--in daylight!

 

My Dear Friends, the Real Housewives

 

I will be the first to admit that the Real Housewives series is in a league of its own and a fine example of scripted reality. But I love it. It's mindless, hysterical, at times, awkwardly uncomfortable, and downright over-the-top. Before Miss K, it was my after-school companion while grading, planning, and prepping. When Miss K would up in the middle of the night for feedings, it became by 2 am companion. Though I don't dare watch it when it initially airs (too late and too long with commercials), I love seeing a new episode or two waiting for me in my DVR. (RHOM started lasted night--yayy!)

 

 

 

 Little Red Riding Hood and a Baby Announcement

Shortly after my husband and I received news that we were expecting a baby, we were eager to share the news with family and friends. After announcing it to family, we chose to tell my best girlfriends all together. The perfect opportunity came at a friend's Halloween costume party. I nervously and excitedly carried the ultrasound in Little Red Riding Hood's basket. The girls were all so thrilled when we shared our wonderful news.

  

Today's actual topic is Classroom Digs. My classroom is in the earliest stages of set up. As in, we don't start again for a few weeks so my tables, bins, and crates have only recently been placed back into my classroom after the floors had been waxed. And boy, are those walls bare! So while I may not have pictures of what this year's classroom will look like, I'll lead ya'll on a tour of my class in 2010--my what a difference a few years can make! (I credit my southern bloggers for the use of ya'll--that's you Hope, Dana, and Erin!)

 

Also a day late to the party...but better late than never...

A couple Mr. Lovie and I have been friends with for awhile (The Mr. was my first good friend at LazerZone.) are expecting their first baby in October. I was asked to bake for her mustache and bow tie themed shower on Sunday. What a pin-spired shower it was! Down to the last detail! (You can find more pictures from the shower on my Instagram account.)

And, as a Monday Made It throwback, I am sharing a pretty-in-pink batch of cupcakes I baked in honor of a good teacher friend Erin's 60 mile Breast Cancer walk in September, 2011. This past weekend she participated in another in Chicago. Yay Erin! Be sure to stop on by her fabulous blog-- First Grade Fitness Foodie.

The one with a view of the classroom

Take a peek at Room 16--my second home for the next nine months.

main door to the classroom

bulletin board by the entrance

view from the door

classroom library

another shot of the classroom library

reading library and two book nooks

writing center

desks and SmartBoard from the classroom library

a lot to love about February

February granted us another snow day on the 2nd, but Punxsutawney Phil promised us spring right around the corner.

Last Friday, I baked for a friend's Lia Sophia party. It was Valentine's Day themed, and while the jewelery was quite nice, I had to refrain.






The next morning, Justin, my mom and dad, and I met for a few more house showings. We started in Hanson, made our way to Whitman, back to Bridgewater and ended in Middleboro. The listing for the second house was one that Mom happened to notice late Friday night. Justin and I loved it.

• great location
• nice town
• good-size front lawn
• fenced-in backyard
  
• attached garage
• redone mudroom
• laminate floors in the kitchen
• updated appliances
• 3 bedrooms
• living room, office area and...
• fireplaced den with cathedral ceilings, skylights and a bay window

The realtor said we had to be aggressive if we were truly interested in the property. And aggressive we were. Saturday night we drew up an offer and eagerly waited Saturday night, Sunday, Sunday night, Monday morning...until at 1:00 on Monday we received a call that our offer had been accepted! We signed a few papers with the realtor that night, Justin scheduled an inspection and has spent many patients minutes and hours on the phone with the bank's mortgage officer, potential home insurance providers, and potential movers.

Thursday I left school a bit early to accompany Justin and the realtor at the home inspection--and it passed!

Throughout all this excitement, I have called family and friends to share the news. Lately, I've been thinking about calling Nana, knowing how absolutely thrilled she would be to hear our news. I hope she hears from above.

Given that this week was our first five-day week at school since before Christmas break, it was one heck of a week!!

Third grade went very well this week. I'm working on a bulletin board in the classroom entitled Reading and Writing Around the World. I have printed out small images of the covers of our Reading Street stories and laminated them. I will map the stories' settings on our US and world maps. I put a spin on a compare/contrast essay about the Oreo cookie and the Ritz Crackers using an idea I got from a writing lesson I observed a few weeks ago. Yesterday we celebrated the 100th day of school with a few fun activities and 100 calorie snacks! :) The kids also decorated bags for their Valentines for Monday's party. It's comforting to see that although some think/act like cool adolescents, they are still kids.

I was approached this week to take an online course through the DOE to become a math coach. I'm curious to find out what comes of it--the responsibility? new title? pay raise? A girl can dream right?

Given all of the exciting house news this week, I did have to call RO and explain to her that given our current financials and the house closing timeline, I would no longer be able to join her and the other girls in Vegas for the bachelorette party in March. She was so understanding, as always, and I have promised to make it up to her in May when she is back east again.

Got a call from Dad Thursday morning that Mom had passed out Wednesday night at dinner and had been unresponsive. She stayed home from work Thursday and went to the doctor and got a good report, but boy, those types of things really put life into perspective. She does so much for everyone else, and carries a burden for so many that I think there are times she forgets to take care of herself.

We're headed to my parents this morning for taxes/brunch. Amid a pile of correcting, I do intend on doing some Valentine's Day baking--perhaps two batches--one for the kids, and one for the staff? I also have an arts &crafts project in the works for Becca--whose birthday is today. I'll be sure to post pictures if it comes out half as nice as what I have envisioned.

a snowy, snowy month

Having received over 50 inches of snow in the last two months, the Boston area sure has seen its sharing of snow! My school has had 3 snow days already, and today was an early-release. Oy!




All the snow has given me opportunities to tackle some long term projects, (book labels, center activities, reading comprehension games) baking, (see below) blogging (on a sister --literally--site at www.whiskandreward.com ) and catching up on DVR.

Early in January, the girls and I went out for dinner at Jacob Wirth's before a drag burlesque in Boston called Jacques--quite entertaining.

one of the "ladies"

The following weekend, I met Sarah in Harvard Square to catch up over dinner. Cambridge 1 was delicious. The next day, after tutoring a girl for the MTELs, Mom and I ventured over to David's Bridal to choose a bridesmaid dress for RO's July wedding. Here's what I chose!



Justin and I began looking at houses and we have seen a few we are interested in. They seem to be going quite quickly. As soon as we see a property we like, we find out from the realtor that it is already "under agreement." So the search continues this weekend.

We also celebrated a good friend's birthday at The Half Door in Quincy in late January. (The birthday girl was also a flower girl of mine at our wedding.)

As an ode to the very snowy month we have endured, I whipped up these for the staff at school.

Last week, the other bridesmaids and I were chatting about bachelorette party plans for RO and a few cities were thrown around--as her bridal party spans the country. Final decision: Vegas in March at the Venetian. It will surely be a pricey weekend but a blast I'm sure.

For Soup Day at school, I experimented with a cupcake idea from Hello Cupcake! --spaghetti and meatballs. I was really impressed with how they came out and am eager to try a new design next time!

ingredients

"meatballs"

finished products

This past weekend, in addition to Justin's work holiday party where I had the opportunity to meet many of his coworkers at a Roaring 20s themed party, we also ventured up to Woburn where he purchased another firearm. Gosh, it makes him so happy. He could talk about them for hours. And I could listen on intently, for hours, wishing I understood, even remotely. :)

Also this month, Leah was offered a position through Teach for America in Memphis--and she accepted! I know it's going to be an incredible opportunity for her, and I look forward to helping her any way I can!

Speaking of teaching, life in the classroom has been going well and we've been having some fun! I have a few great Groundhog Day activities I hope to do with the class this week. The potential for a snow day tomorrow and an early release for professional development scheduled for Thursday don't bode well for all that I hope to do with them. My observed lesson last week went very well I thought. I was able to incorporate the Smartboard in the lesson to add an interactive element to our lesson on animals and their "sixth sense" before a natural disaster occurs.

I have found some other great blogs--mostly written by moms--and some by teachers, and others avid bakers--just like me! I've also been hitting the gym 5x a week switching up workouts between the elliptical and treadmill. Last week paid off on the scale--down 2 (holiday binging--eat whatever is in sight) pounds. Here's to hoping this week is equally successful!

We ordered photo Valentine's Day cards last night and I can't wait to pop them in the mail this week! :)