....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.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
First post as Mrs. Mack
The end of June, July and August seemingly flew by with the start and finish of my reign as Arts and Crafts queen at camp. August brought wedding preparation--out-of-town guest bags, bridal party gifts, final meetings and confirmations with the event coordinator, entertainment, florist, baker, and JP. On the crafty front, I made our placecards, table numbers, menus, and favors myself and loved them all. Pictures will be posted in the next post.
The wedding was beautiful, and I am very eager to see the hundreds of pictures from our amazing photographer. T-minus 6 days until we see some of them! After vows, pictures, squeezing in a few bites of dinner and dessert, we hit the dance floor--waving to boaters down below.
After a quick change into something a bit more comfortable, we headed to the beaches of Nantasket with family from Chicago not familiar with the rushing waves and tide that is the Atlantic Ocean. After some delicious seafood, we ventured down the boardwalk to Fantastic (?) where skiball meets BINGO. The night ended back at the Cohasset Harbor Resort after a nightcap at a bar on the boardwalk.
We were off to Bermuda the next morning after a short delay due to maintenance work on the plane originally intended for our travels.
The week was spent snorkeling, kayaking, swimming in the pool, private beach or relaxing poolside and in the hot tub. We visited 2 crystal caves outside of our resort and ventured into the 2 caves in our resort--one of which we swam in!
We visited St. George's and the stocks, Hamilton and Front Street, took a ferry to Royal Naval Dockyard for the Glassblowing Company and demonstration as well as the Bermuda Rum Cake Company. We also swam at the islands top 2 ranked beaches--Horseshoe Bay and Tobacco Bay. When your toughest decision involves choosing between whether you would rather have a strawberry margarita or strawberry daiquiri delivered to you in the pool by your appeasing husband...you know you are living the life.
All in all, we ate, drank, lounged, and enjoyed an amazing honeymoon.
Our return to the states brought a few days to unpack, settle in, and begin thank you notes!
Last week, after an afternoon of lunch and discovering the Nordstrom Rack with a girlfriend, Justin and I enjoyed our first Red Sox game as a married couple--how crazy!
We also enjoyed a lovely rainy Sunday lunch downtown with two other couples at North 26 as part of Restaurant Week. My lovely husband also joined me in a Lakeshore trip after lunch for a few more book bins and classroom supplies. He's great. :)
Now it's back to the classroom--the kids start next Tuesday! Yesterday I tackled the bulletin boards which were a feat in and of itself. (It is nearly impossible to cover such large boards with not-so fadeless paper single-handedly. Glad that's over.) I have also been working on a Smart Board share/workshop I will be presenting tomorrow to interested teachers at my school. How grown up! My favorite classroom-related purchase of the week has been the cutest school-themed fabric to cover the writing table with. Its black, white and has cute clip art on it including "Pick me! Pick me!" written in "chalk."
I am attempting to return to my gym routine to burn off those honeymoon pounds and perhaps prepare for a 5K in September (?)....
The wedding was beautiful, and I am very eager to see the hundreds of pictures from our amazing photographer. T-minus 6 days until we see some of them! After vows, pictures, squeezing in a few bites of dinner and dessert, we hit the dance floor--waving to boaters down below.
After a quick change into something a bit more comfortable, we headed to the beaches of Nantasket with family from Chicago not familiar with the rushing waves and tide that is the Atlantic Ocean. After some delicious seafood, we ventured down the boardwalk to Fantastic (?) where skiball meets BINGO. The night ended back at the Cohasset Harbor Resort after a nightcap at a bar on the boardwalk.
We were off to Bermuda the next morning after a short delay due to maintenance work on the plane originally intended for our travels.
The week was spent snorkeling, kayaking, swimming in the pool, private beach or relaxing poolside and in the hot tub. We visited 2 crystal caves outside of our resort and ventured into the 2 caves in our resort--one of which we swam in!
We visited St. George's and the stocks, Hamilton and Front Street, took a ferry to Royal Naval Dockyard for the Glassblowing Company and demonstration as well as the Bermuda Rum Cake Company. We also swam at the islands top 2 ranked beaches--Horseshoe Bay and Tobacco Bay. When your toughest decision involves choosing between whether you would rather have a strawberry margarita or strawberry daiquiri delivered to you in the pool by your appeasing husband...you know you are living the life.
All in all, we ate, drank, lounged, and enjoyed an amazing honeymoon.
Our return to the states brought a few days to unpack, settle in, and begin thank you notes!
Last week, after an afternoon of lunch and discovering the Nordstrom Rack with a girlfriend, Justin and I enjoyed our first Red Sox game as a married couple--how crazy!
We also enjoyed a lovely rainy Sunday lunch downtown with two other couples at North 26 as part of Restaurant Week. My lovely husband also joined me in a Lakeshore trip after lunch for a few more book bins and classroom supplies. He's great. :)
Now it's back to the classroom--the kids start next Tuesday! Yesterday I tackled the bulletin boards which were a feat in and of itself. (It is nearly impossible to cover such large boards with not-so fadeless paper single-handedly. Glad that's over.) I have also been working on a Smart Board share/workshop I will be presenting tomorrow to interested teachers at my school. How grown up! My favorite classroom-related purchase of the week has been the cutest school-themed fabric to cover the writing table with. Its black, white and has cute clip art on it including "Pick me! Pick me!" written in "chalk."
I am attempting to return to my gym routine to burn off those honeymoon pounds and perhaps prepare for a 5K in September (?)....
Monday, June 21, 2010
Back in action
With third grade over and a week off before summer camp commences, I have finallllly found a few minutes to sit (!) and type.
Let's do a quick baking recap from April, May, and June.
Marathon Monday brought chocolate-frosted cupcakes topped with fresh strawberries. (Note to baker:: decorate and allow ample time to harden before rushing on the road to take train to Beacon Street.)
April vacation brought marshmallow daisies to Lahey Clinic.
May brought baby blue cupcakes--no particular event or theme...
June brought sunshine and sunflower cupcakes.
And Field Day brought chocolate cupcakes, vanilla frosting and fresh strawberries.
A June book sale also had "sweet" results--103 books for $51!
The end of third grade went pretty smoothly.
After April vacation, a second grade student joined my class full-time on a trial period. Her writing and reading is quite advanced and there was discussion of having her skip a grade and enter fourth grade in the fall. Unfortunately, after several parent meetings, phone calls and discussions, it was decided that given the changes in her prescribed medication, attentional and behavioral issues, the large chunk of third grade instruction she had missed as well as the changing dynamics at her two homes, it was decided that she will enter the third grade in the fall, having had a jump start with my class with the possibility for an accelerated grade 3/4 curriculum.
The dynamics of the class definitely changed when she joined us. But, all in all, I had a great bunch of students and we had a lot of fun. As always, I look back at the year as a whole and consider what I might have done differently and where I can improve for next year.
In past few weeks, I attended my very first retirement party for a colleague of mine on our third grade team. While I have been very close to her and she has helped me a tremendous amount over the past few years, I feel as though she hoisted me up and has stood alongside me the past few years and has now retired, knowing I'll be all right on my own. :)
There will be many changes in our school and in our grade next fall but I am excited for all that these changes will provide us.
In wedding news...
The bachelorette party invites should arrive today--so excited!
Found, purchased and received my bachelorette party dress....ooo la la!
I am currently working on my lengthy to-do list which includes favors, escort cards, table tents, dancing shoes bins, sweet table, programs, guest book, menu and song list....oy vey!
A few weekends ago, Justin took me to the shooting range, and it was fun! I definitely prefer the inside shooting as opposed to the outside range, with the smaller weaponry and an easier opportunity to gauge how well, or not so well, my accuracy is. I excitedly and appropriately handled a nine millimeter and a revolver in addition to a few other hefty pieces.
This past weekend was a little bit of everything all jumbled into a few days!
Friday night I ventured to beautiful town of Amherst and spent a jam-packed day with Leah and her boytoy Matt. Friday night we hit up the Taste of Amherst which was delicious....followed by Toy Story 3 in 3D--a bit scary if you ask me.
Saturday morning we hit the kitchen and baked very yummy maple chocolate chip muffins. After breakfast we did a bit of shopping, and went to Captain Candy for pink and blue jelly beans for the wedding's sweet table--quite delectable!
Lunch was held at a quaint deli in Hadley followed by a trip to the museum! We enjoyed the Dr. Seuss sculpture garden like any children would.
Then we saw the Brick Artist exhibit! The sculptures were made entirely of Legoes--how creative!
For Father's Day, Justin, Ellie, and I went to Meme's for a very nice family and fun-filled bbq. My contribution: lawnmower cupcakes.
We ventured to Randolph for dessert to finish off Father's Day.
My week off between now and camp is going to be filled with cleaning, organizing, lunch dates, shopping, dinner dates and wedding fun! :)
I promise to update much more often given the third grade hiatus. :)
Let's do a quick baking recap from April, May, and June.
Marathon Monday brought chocolate-frosted cupcakes topped with fresh strawberries. (Note to baker:: decorate and allow ample time to harden before rushing on the road to take train to Beacon Street.)
April vacation brought marshmallow daisies to Lahey Clinic.
May brought baby blue cupcakes--no particular event or theme...
June brought sunshine and sunflower cupcakes.
And Field Day brought chocolate cupcakes, vanilla frosting and fresh strawberries.
A June book sale also had "sweet" results--103 books for $51!
The end of third grade went pretty smoothly.
After April vacation, a second grade student joined my class full-time on a trial period. Her writing and reading is quite advanced and there was discussion of having her skip a grade and enter fourth grade in the fall. Unfortunately, after several parent meetings, phone calls and discussions, it was decided that given the changes in her prescribed medication, attentional and behavioral issues, the large chunk of third grade instruction she had missed as well as the changing dynamics at her two homes, it was decided that she will enter the third grade in the fall, having had a jump start with my class with the possibility for an accelerated grade 3/4 curriculum.
The dynamics of the class definitely changed when she joined us. But, all in all, I had a great bunch of students and we had a lot of fun. As always, I look back at the year as a whole and consider what I might have done differently and where I can improve for next year.
In past few weeks, I attended my very first retirement party for a colleague of mine on our third grade team. While I have been very close to her and she has helped me a tremendous amount over the past few years, I feel as though she hoisted me up and has stood alongside me the past few years and has now retired, knowing I'll be all right on my own. :)
There will be many changes in our school and in our grade next fall but I am excited for all that these changes will provide us.
In wedding news...
The bachelorette party invites should arrive today--so excited!
Found, purchased and received my bachelorette party dress....ooo la la!
I am currently working on my lengthy to-do list which includes favors, escort cards, table tents, dancing shoes bins, sweet table, programs, guest book, menu and song list....oy vey!
A few weekends ago, Justin took me to the shooting range, and it was fun! I definitely prefer the inside shooting as opposed to the outside range, with the smaller weaponry and an easier opportunity to gauge how well, or not so well, my accuracy is. I excitedly and appropriately handled a nine millimeter and a revolver in addition to a few other hefty pieces.
This past weekend was a little bit of everything all jumbled into a few days!
Friday night I ventured to beautiful town of Amherst and spent a jam-packed day with Leah and her boytoy Matt. Friday night we hit up the Taste of Amherst which was delicious....followed by Toy Story 3 in 3D--a bit scary if you ask me.
Saturday morning we hit the kitchen and baked very yummy maple chocolate chip muffins. After breakfast we did a bit of shopping, and went to Captain Candy for pink and blue jelly beans for the wedding's sweet table--quite delectable!
Lunch was held at a quaint deli in Hadley followed by a trip to the museum! We enjoyed the Dr. Seuss sculpture garden like any children would.
Then we saw the Brick Artist exhibit! The sculptures were made entirely of Legoes--how creative!
For Father's Day, Justin, Ellie, and I went to Meme's for a very nice family and fun-filled bbq. My contribution: lawnmower cupcakes.
We ventured to Randolph for dessert to finish off Father's Day.
My week off between now and camp is going to be filled with cleaning, organizing, lunch dates, shopping, dinner dates and wedding fun! :)
I promise to update much more often given the third grade hiatus. :)
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Sweet treats
Easter and this week's festivities has brought a number of reasons to bake.
Last week I baked a batch of cupcakes for the Memorial Park staff--Easter themed. I used marshmallow bunnies and Easter m&ms as decorative treats.
For Easter dinner in Freetown, I chose to adopt a cupcake decorating idea found at Disney on to a cake instead--knowing the crowd of hungry guests would not be large. The end result "carrot" cake (using the new checkerboard cake pans) as an ode to Peter Rabbit.
A late in the day request for a dessert for Erica's bbq at her new home in Northborough led me to whip up a batch of peanut butter cup brownie cupcakes. In part because they were quickly shuffled from the cupcake pan to a serving platter to the car, an opportunity for a photo was unlikely. Not to worry though, they went over veryy well--more so than some of my other brownies--so they will reappear in the near future.
As a means to garner Walk for Hunger pledges, Thursday night I whipped up a batch of peas and carrot cupcakes. Unfortunately, it was a teacher's 50th birthday and a cake was ordered for her. My timing wasn't ideal as many cupcakes remained at the end of the day given that a cake was also available to the hungry staff, yet I did earn several generous pledges.
With a jam-packed weekend and house guests arriving in the next few hours, wedding planning will take a temporary back seat until next weekend when we hope to meet with a travel agent, florist and decide on invitations.
Last week I baked a batch of cupcakes for the Memorial Park staff--Easter themed. I used marshmallow bunnies and Easter m&ms as decorative treats.
For Easter dinner in Freetown, I chose to adopt a cupcake decorating idea found at Disney on to a cake instead--knowing the crowd of hungry guests would not be large. The end result "carrot" cake (using the new checkerboard cake pans) as an ode to Peter Rabbit.
A late in the day request for a dessert for Erica's bbq at her new home in Northborough led me to whip up a batch of peanut butter cup brownie cupcakes. In part because they were quickly shuffled from the cupcake pan to a serving platter to the car, an opportunity for a photo was unlikely. Not to worry though, they went over veryy well--more so than some of my other brownies--so they will reappear in the near future.
As a means to garner Walk for Hunger pledges, Thursday night I whipped up a batch of peas and carrot cupcakes. Unfortunately, it was a teacher's 50th birthday and a cake was ordered for her. My timing wasn't ideal as many cupcakes remained at the end of the day given that a cake was also available to the hungry staff, yet I did earn several generous pledges.
With a jam-packed weekend and house guests arriving in the next few hours, wedding planning will take a temporary back seat until next weekend when we hope to meet with a travel agent, florist and decide on invitations.
Monday, March 29, 2010
weekends that zipppp on by
I always look to the weekends to catch up on work, cleaning, DVR'd episodes, wedding stuff, and...blogging! Yet somehow, Friday night naps on the couch turn in to busy Saturdays streaming into Saturday evening festivities which undoubtedly, in the wee hours, turns into Sunday and with Sunday comes correcting, grading, logging and a well-deserved mid-afternoon lunch date/ grocery trip. And there goes the weekend.
In baking news, for St Patrick's Day I experimented and created a batch of Thin Mint cupcakes. Using a very simble Devil's Food cake mix, I sprinkled in crushed Thin Mints. I tinted the Rich & Creamy cupcakes a light green, topped each cupcake with half a Thin Mint cookie and sprinkled Thin Mint cookie crumbs on top.
For Sarah's 26th birthday, Leah and I teamed up. Leah was behind ALL the inspiration and design. I merely frosted. The final product....
Last weekend, I dined with Katie--one of my best friends/former roommate at BC--in Bellingham. It is always nice to catch up over dinner and drinks. A stop at the outlets on the way home, scored some nice spring clothes.
The next morning the Yoffe girls attended Auburndale's book sale. As in the past, we arrived early, fought the crowds and landed some sweet deals. A few of my favorites were nonfiction titles about Boston's Subway system, animal defenses to go along with our unit on animal adaptations and Shel Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends."
After a most lovely birthday lunch for Sarah at Vinny Ts, I subsequently napped before attending Zachary's middle school rendition of "Beauty and the Beast." The play was in Freetown and, trying to "do it all," we had hoped to make it into the city for Sarah's birthday celebration. Regretfully, we didn't make it but I am excited to make it up to her this weekend. Sunday Justin and I tackled our wedding registry at Crate and Barrel. What am I most excited about you ask...
He got the scanner and I got to browse and point. :)
Last weekend I also invested in a number of Wilton baking supplies such as. . .
and one more I am quite excited about (courtesy of Amazon Prime and sweet speedy service--thank ya babe)....
In third grade news, MCAS: Reading is over which is a sigh of relief. Day 1 went considerably smoother than Day 2. To start out, I had two students out sick the second day of testing. On top of that, one girl wasn't feeling great and visited the nurse's office before testing began. Approximately 20 minutes in, however, she rushed over to me, lips pursed, confessing she felt as though she were to throw up. And that she did. Thinking on my feet, I sent her to the nurse immediately (making the executive decision that a nurse's pass was unnecessary in this situation) and quietly called the nurse asking her to request that Mr. Smith come down to the room and as discreetly as possible clean up the orange juice puddle by the door--all while a class of 8 year olds are busily taking their first ever standardized test. Oy.
Leading up to the test, we had prepared so much and done so many practice passages. It was nice to see questions the students could be comfortable and confident answering.
Third grade has been considerably smoother compared to last year. Not a day goes by when I do not feel incredibly grateful for the well-behaved, engaged, eager, very smart students I have this year. Activities I only dreamed of doing last year run so smoothly this year.
Friday, also Good Friday, becomes Better Friday, because it is a day off , kicking off a long weekend and I will be spending it in the city--visiting Momma in her new office! That evening, Justin and I will excitedly double-date to celebrate Sarah's birthday.
Sunday we will spend Easter in Freetown and I will politely pass the leavened rolls and merely admire the cookies, cupcakes and leavened goodies, as a good Jew should.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
February fun
The past few weeks have been jam-packed with meetings, special programs, and workshops. So vacation came at a perfect time!
With school vacation week comes [attempts at] sleeping in, maximum couch time, oodles of baking, little stress, lunch dates with other MA teachers, doctors' appointments, retail therapy and late nights [read: staying up past 9:30.]
In wedding news, the save the dates are stuffed, sealed and in the mail. I absolutely love them! Cute, clever and a little bit different.
Justin and I went to the cake tasting a few weekends ago and all the flavors we tasted were delectable! The question remains round or square....Hmm...
Sarah and I ventured to David's Bridal last week and she played lovely model trying on a bunch of potential bridesmaid dresses. In 35 minutes we narrowed it down to these three.
I asked all of the girls to check out the dresses and choose their two 2 choices. They all chose A! So, my thought is for the bridesmaids to wear Dress A in marine and my two flower girls to wear Dress B in Watermelon.
Next on the wedding checklist is invitations, followed by flowers, tuxes and centerpieces and a honeymoon!
I have collected some images of centerpieces I like...
For Valentine's Day Justin got me a real red rose dipped in gold. So cool. =) My gift to him (us) is a weekend ski getaway next weekend. So excited. =)
It's off to relaxing, baking, snuggling with the pup and cheering on USA in curling. =)
With school vacation week comes [attempts at] sleeping in, maximum couch time, oodles of baking, little stress, lunch dates with other MA teachers, doctors' appointments, retail therapy and late nights [read: staying up past 9:30.]
In wedding news, the save the dates are stuffed, sealed and in the mail. I absolutely love them! Cute, clever and a little bit different.
Justin and I went to the cake tasting a few weekends ago and all the flavors we tasted were delectable! The question remains round or square....Hmm...
Sarah and I ventured to David's Bridal last week and she played lovely model trying on a bunch of potential bridesmaid dresses. In 35 minutes we narrowed it down to these three.
Dress A
Dress B
Dress C
Dress B
Dress C
I asked all of the girls to check out the dresses and choose their two 2 choices. They all chose A! So, my thought is for the bridesmaids to wear Dress A in marine and my two flower girls to wear Dress B in Watermelon.
Next on the wedding checklist is invitations, followed by flowers, tuxes and centerpieces and a honeymoon!
I have collected some images of centerpieces I like...
For Valentine's Day Justin got me a real red rose dipped in gold. So cool. =) My gift to him (us) is a weekend ski getaway next weekend. So excited. =)
my snowboarding hubby-to-be
It's off to relaxing, baking, snuggling with the pup and cheering on USA in curling. =)
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