Waiting...

I find myself looking forward to the weekends more and more and waiting for some exciting events in our near future.

I am excited for tomorrow night's baking creations.

I am waiting for a closing date.

I am waiting for moving day.

I am waiting for a $200 check as credit for being over-charged for dental work a year ago.

I am looking forward to reunions next month with old friends.

I am waiting for the day I get to furnish our new home.

I am excited for a twenty-mile walk with a great friend.

I am looking forward to Memorial Day weekend and a reunion with my favorite bride-to-be.

I am waiting for my new {smaller} bridesmaid dress to arrive!

I am waiting for June when both of my graduate courses will be over.

I am waiting for RO's summer wedding and a weekend in Newport.



Patiently waiting. . .

Blogging as a Breather

I will be the first to admit that I work for the weekend and relish staying up late Friday night watching a movie on the couch, with a bowl of kettle corn--my new favorite snack--nestled in my lap, sleeping in Saturday, running errands, relaxing, baking--you name it.

[[ I interrupt this blog to announce that for the next 3 months, the weekends may not be nearly as relaxing as previously enjoyed.]]

Last week, I was registered for an online math coaching course through my district. The first week was essentially an orientation to get yourself acclimated with the website, discussion boards, etc. Easy enough. A breeze reallly.

And then I logged in yesterday afternoon. (The class sessions run on a Friday to Thursday basis.)

Due by 8pm tomorrow--4 readings and 2 meaningful posts in response to the readings. Three replies on the discussion board due by Wednesday, and a one page Reflection due Thursday.

Did I mention report cards are due Monday, parent teacher conferences are Thursday and Friday, and we are closing on a house!? (And to think, this was the weekend, I was supposed to go to Vegas for RO's bachelorette party!?)

My 45 minute workouts in the mornings may be my only "free time" over the course of the next few weekends...

Thank god I maximized on February break--otherwise I sure would be regretting that now!

February vacation recap:

Saturday my family and I ventured into Cambridge for Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatrical performance of "Kashmir If You Can." We dined at The Stockyard in Brighton after. I have fond memories of dinner with my mom there while I was at BC. It was so nice to have my sisters, parents, and significant others altogether. We don't have many opportunities for that.

Sunday afternoon Sarah and I drove to Amherst to spend the night with Leah. We dined at Fresh Side with Leah and Matt for dinner. It was well worth the wait.

Monday after Leah's class, we went to a workout class that kicked out butts. While Leah worked out alongside the regulars, Sarah and I worked with a trainer on air squats, bear crawls, ring rows, and the correct formation for a push up. Needless to say, I was eager when lunchtime arrived. We brought lunch back to Matt's apartment, watched the Amazing Race and did a little shopping--finally investing in an accessory organizer. I always love the company of my sisters. We're lucky, and I know it.

That night I met up with friends from a trip to Israel a few years ago. We met for dinner at The Publick House on Beacon Street to catch up.

Tuesday morning I delivered the spring-themed cupcakes (see previous post) to my dad's work at Lahey Clinic. They seemed to be a hit. Next, I was off to a lunch date with Erica at California Pizza Kitchen at Natick Collection. I am grateful to have such supportive friends who are genuinely and sincerely happy for each of our successes and accomplishments. It was great to catch up with Erica, talk house details, and her sister's upcoming wedding. After some wedding registry shopping at Macy's we each headed home. It was nice to enjoy dinner with Justin that night seeing as the rest of the week was booked! (I'm grateful that he understands and supports my hectic vacation week schedules.)

After a morning workout, (Each morning over vacation I worked on the elliptical for 15 minutes and alternated walking/sprinting for 2 miles on the treadmill.) Wednesday afternoon I headed into the city to have lunch with my mom and Sarah. It was refreshing to spend the day in the city. It's hard to get in there during the school week. After lunch at Qdoba, Mom showed me around the MFA's new Americas wing which has so much to offer. Next, I ventured into Downtown Crossing where I ran into Carmit--a Hebrew teacher I used to work with at Schechter. It's always nice to see an old face. I then went to Bertuccis to dine with Jen and Katie--two very close friends of mine from BC. We caught up on each other's lives, and I only hope that we still do this years to come. I had car trouble on the way home, but fortunately I was near my parents' house and was able to leave the car at the mechanics and borrow the Malibu for the rest of the week.

Thursday Jenn and I went to Natick to check out Nordstrom Rack and Shoppers World. I fell in love with a white, blue, and black cardigan at TJ Maxx. We drove into Beacon Street to take the T from Washington Square to meet Sarah at the Hard Rock Cafe. After a margarita and appetizers, and patiently waiting in line (as best I could), we enjoyed watching the Eli Young Band and Craig Morgan perform. I will be the first to admit that I often get bored/impatient/cranky waiting--especially at concerts. But it's amazing how once the music starts, you realize it's all worth the wait.

We stayed after for a meet and greet and got pictures with them too.

Friday Justin was scheduled to work a late shift, so it was so nice that he was able to sleep in a bit on Friday and we got to spend the rainy morning together. With the breakfast outing in my hands, I chose Persy's and it was delicious! That night I was uuber productive in terms of schoolwork and clearing out the DVR. It was awfully lonely though with Justin at work overnight and into the afternoon Saturday. It's nights and days like that when I realize just how fortunate we are to have each other in our lives and not be separated by distance as many couples are due to work or deployments. Separations--no matter the duration--make you truly appreciate the time you have together.

[[Speaking of being grateful for each other, Justin just offered to make that favorite kettle corn for me, even though he has to make it stovetop because our microwave malfunctioned last night. How sweet! ]]

Saturday night, Mom and I went to Valdina's baby shower in Braintree. I'm always interested to see other people's visions and party-planning come to life!

Sunday was spent at home, relaxing, and baking. Coming back from vacation is hard for everyone--the students included. I hoped this batch of cupcakes would ease the transition.




Third grade was busy this week. We're continuing to get ready for MCAS in reading groups, and I am fortunate enough to have an aide with me during that block so that we can break up into smaller groups to read and discuss MCAS texts--this week we read about the pangolin and good 'ol Paul Revere.

Wednesday, the students presented their long term family learning project. They were to use a table to display a family breakfast meal using multiplication. After presenting in class, we traveled to the other third grade and fourth grade classrooms to see their projects on display.

Wednesday afternoon the third and fourth grade teachers traveled to a Weymouth elementary school to watch a lesson on Hands-On Equations--a program I remember using in elementary school!


Thursday was an early-release. At our professional development workshop we worked on math curriculum mapping with other third grade teachers in the district. And then it was back to our school for three hours of the writing course. While it sure makes for a long day, I leave armed with so many new ideas I can't wait to jot them down for fear I will forget them before I have a chance to implement them. Thankfully, thoughts of dinner and drinks with Justin held me over until class was over.

Today Justin and I enjoyed refrigerator shopping and lunch with Meme. Talk about grown-up shopping!

our top contender--a black side-by-side Kenmore Elite
with a water and ice dispenser

ps I have lost 8 pounds! yay!



Back to work I go...kettle corn in my lap!

work hard, study hard, play hard

February seemed to rush out in a tizzy, and March blew right in!

I have truly embodied the mantra "Work hard. Study hard. Play hard." the past few weeks.

Third grade has been fabulously productive, and fun!

Two graduate level classes (Teaching Writing Through Nonfiction and Math Coaching) sure are keeping me busy.

And the greater part of my February break sure was spent playing hard--cupcake deliveries, lunch dates, dinner dates, city shopping, BC reunions, country concerts, breakfast with the hubby--a rare occasion, and simply relaxing.

Blog, I apologize for not providing you with more of the love you so deserve. Please forgive me. I shall come again very soon--this weekend in fact. With lots of juicy details and pictures.

I shall close on the sweetest note of all.

spring cuppycakes for Dad's Lahey Clinic allergy lab

still smiling for the camera

Devil's food cupcakes, whipped white frosting topped with
Hershey bar shavings and a raspberry

a batch of "Vacation-May-Be-Over-But-

Cupcakes-Await-You-on-Monday"

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! :)

2010 wrap-up

It seems as though each entry begins with a realization that I don't take the time to sit and write often enough.

If I can finish grading, prepping, and getting ready for the next day (lunch, clothes, breakfast...) all before 8 o'clock-- I chalk that up as a win.

The Quick List:

November:

+ the Trovatos' housewarming

+ our Third annual potluck Thanksgiving

just a bit of the delicious spread

+ family Thanksgiving at Skyview

+ handbag designing with my fashionable sisters

December:

+ birthday dinner and drinks with the girls and guys at John Harvard's

+ birthday weekend getaway with the husband to the Omni Parker House hotel and dinner with Sarah and Dan in Fanueil Hall


+ a holiday lunch in Auburn with Mom, Dad, Justin, Leah, and Dan to exchange a few holiday goodies

+ a work holiday party at Bella's that brought many laughs

+ two more holiday parties and Yankee swaps resulting in a Snuggle Plus and a bottle of tequila (that later fell, broke, and covered our kitchen floor)

+vacation

Vacation was great. In the days leading up to those sacred days off I have valiant plans to be uuber productive, tackle long term projects and get ahead on tasks. However, come vacation, the couch, DVR, and fun with friends draws me in, and far far away from my work bag--as it should.

Vacation kicked off with The Rockettes show downtown with Momma, Sarah, and Leah--followed by a gift exchange before they departed for Chicago. Justin and I spent Christmas Eve (Chinese take-out) and Christmas Day (fried turkey) with Justin's family. The holidays were nice--a festive home, stockings hung, time to relax, Christmas Vacation--in its entirety, and time with family. It doesn't get much better.

fried turkey in Freetown

Santa brought me/us baking tools (such that my Wilton tool box is officially stuffed), cute "party book" to keep notes about parties we host, cupcake liners, a red festive cupcake tower, socks (of course), a paw print Pandora charm, cupcake pajamas, ski passes, fancy teaspoons with cupcakes imprinted on them, vouchers for horseback riding, books I am eager to delve into, and cake and cupcake traveling carriers.

Wilton caddy birthday gift

Throughout the week I enjoyed brunch with the Flower Girls, lunch with the husband and the mother-in-law, and stay out late (!) at dinner with friends--The Yard House. I got to spend quality time with a sister (who I believe secretly dons a superhero cape imprinted with a C for her creativity, cleverness, and culinary cuisine) who is steps away from "the real world" and may not always be so physically close.

New Years was spent with BOTH sisters in Brookline and it was even nicer to have us together with Momma New Years Day for a most delicious meal.

New Years sweets

A new duvet cover, freshly-clean sheets, and a $300 mattress pad made it awfully difficult to rise from our slumber Sunday morning.

amazing duvet cover

However, we managed to (begrudgingly) get out of bed for a breakfast date at Persy's Place down the road in Middleboro.

Persy's Place

As my kids returned to school on Monday, I heard many eagerly share the gifts they received (and didn't receive.) I hope when we possibly have children of our own, they understand the importance of family over gifts--in a world where young and old peruse over circulars for the newest, coolest, trendiest must-have of the season.

This year has been interesting. I've been working my tail off, yet am rarely confident that my students are solidly understanding the material. Our schedule is quite different and I feel like I am just getting the hang of a routine. The students are somewhat low--for the most part. I have the usual Early Finishers Who Rush and Make Careless Mistakes, the Top Students, and the Ones Who Often Miss the Boat. I find myself constantly second-guessing myself, perhaps becoming too hard on myself, and working terribly hard to try to do it all while making sure they all get it--and it's exhausting! In turn, I'm not excited like I used to be about teaching and going in every morning--and that's the worst of it.

In addition to School Council, I signed up for a Writing course offered through our district. So, beginning January 27th--I will be in class from 4-7 nearly every Thursday though May. Oy vey.


On a happier note, we have begun our house-hunting and have found a few great houses. I'm trying not to fall in love with one and then feel discouraged if we don't get it so I am keeping my options open and thinking positively. We are meeting with a mortgage loan officer Thursday. I'm so excited to get the ball rolling.

I am quite optimistic about what 2011 has in store....

Time flies and nearly two months pass when...

....you're a married lady.

....you are asked to host a SmartBoard Share for teachers.

....much of your time in and out of the classroom is spent establishing precious relationships and essential routines within the first few weeks of teaching a new group of bright, and eager students.

....you have set a goal to write your first grant for your school--and do it.

....you become a nurse/therapist/psychologist/role model to 17 inspiring minds.

....you establish a pen pal exchange for your students that has them truly engaged and writing for an authentic purpose.

....you are asked to become the newest member of your school council.

....your school adopts a new math program.

...you venture out west for some quality sister time in the apple orchards of New Salem.

...you have good company, good food, and football.

....you visit a best friend across the miles over a long weekend.

....you begin a married tradition of Friday night dinners of oven-roasted chicken.

....you spend weekend afternoons at DSW, TJ Maxx and Macys with Mom.

...you spend endless hours searching for SmartBoard notebooks to use with your brand new Smartboard.

....you re-orient your entire classroom and student desk arrangement to maximize on SmartBoard usage.

....you spend 13 hours in school one day for data meetings, parent-teacher conferences and tackling long-term projects and feel so accomplished after.

....you challenge yourself every day to create a home-away-from-home for students whose alternate is at times unstable and meek.

....you bake as therapy.