Vote For David

We are officially fans! Vote for this boy...David Archuleta!

He rocks!

(We don't care about the Presidential elections since our man left the race. We find it necessary to campaign for American Idol.)

Even Beauty Queens Read

So it's Nevada Reading Week and we have had all sorts of visitors reading to classes at our school. One particularly hyped visitor was Mrs. Nevada. I, of course, told the person bringing her in that I went to Jr. High and High School with her. She, of course, brought her by my room today, though she didn't have time to read to my class. (She has an extremely busy schedule this whole week.) She came in full beauty queen regalia--crowns, sashes, heels, the whole nine. She looked fabulous and was the picture perfect pagaent queen. So in my classroom, in jeans and a t-shirt (it's "Read My Shirt Day"), I had the following conversation with a person I haven't seen in 15 years:

Her: I didn't know you were a teacher.

Me: Yes. I stayed home with my kids for ten years. I've only been full-time for a few years.

Her: Oh, I did the opposite. I taught first grade, too. Now I stay home with my kids.

(She's always been very smart. She is so much more than just "a beauty queen.")

After more small talk:

Her: I better get going. Boys and Girls, it's Nevada Reading Week and I see your books on your desks. I just want to tell you how important reading is. I hope you will keep reading all the time!

Me: You mean even beauty queens think it is important to read???

Her: Oh absolutely!

Soooo not what I was going for!!! There was no time to explain. We have been asking all of our readers how reading helps them in their careers. Knowing that her time was limited, I sent her off with this seemingly rude comment. OOOOOOOOOOOOOPS! Maybe she didn't notice.

Gretchen, you're always doing these things.

We're Having a Baby!

Ok, so we might be too many people! What I meant to say is that my sister, Michelle, and her wonderful husband, Dave, are having a baby!!! We're just calling dibs on it! The baby will be the youngest of FIVE boys by ELEVEN years! We are so excited for them. We can hardly wait for October 2nd!

Congratulations guys!

These are the parents-to-be five years ago on their wedding day! This baby is their 1st together. I can't wait to see how beautiful their baby will be. :)

Fortunately and Unfortunately

So I've been a little lazy with this lately! It's always crazy-busy around here, so I shall attempt to sum up the week without boring the heck out of you!

Last Saturday we had a great family get-together with my mom's family. My dear grandpa and his beautiful wife were in town, so my mom's brother and one of her sisters came with all of their kids and grandkids. All of my sisters and families were there, too. It was great to see everyone. (Stephanie kept getting mad at me because I kept saying how great she looked, so now I will annoy her by telling the internet how great she looked!) Fortunately, I remembered my funeral potatoes for the event. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera!

Last Sunday it was my sweet Ashley's 10th birthday. Earlier in the month we took her and Morgan to the JONAS BROTHERS concert in lieu of a party. We celebrated some on Saturday with my mom's family, and had fun opening presents on Sunday. Thanks everyone for your generous gifts! It has been such a joy to have Ashley in our lives! She is so SNOOKYLICIOUS! Nobody does life quite like Ashley! Fortunately, my mom gave her this HUMONGOUS FROG for her birthday. Unfortunately, it shed all over my house!

Last Wednesday Morgan and Ashley auditioned for the play, Annie Jr. They have joined a new children's theater and this will be the first production. Both of them had to perform a short dance in a group of six kids and sing a solo. Morgan did a small snippet of The Legend of Ms. Baltimore Crabs from Hairspray. (She's hoping for Ms. Hannigan's role.) Ashley did a spunky song called Just the Way I Am by Skye Sweetnam. (No Dad, she is not Hannah Montana.) Ashley is hoping to be the orphan, Pepper. Next week they will read lines, and hopefully find out soon after which parts they will play. Fortunately, I got to watch my kids audition. Unfortunately, I got to watch all 30 kids audition!! (It was a long night!)

On Friday, I spent my lunchbreak with a young man who needed my attention. He worked veryhard to earn 250 behavior points so that he could eat with me. It was nice to have time to give him the attention he needed, but I was so looking forward to 1:25 for my prep so I could GO TO THE BATHROOM and HAVE A BREAK FROM KIDS! (Not to mention get a jump on next week.) Fortunately, 1:25 came around quickly! Unfortunately, we went on LOCK DOWN at 12:45 and did not get loosed until 2:00! (Thanks to a middle schooler running around with a gun outside.) Fortunately, no one peed their pants...especially me!

After school on Friday, my family went crazy. Here is the proof:

Fortunately, they had a great time! (Doing whatever it is they were doing?!?)

Unfortunately, I was not amused after my long day!

It is now Saturday again. We just returned from the movies. Dave took the girls and their cousin, Brett, to see The Spiderwick Chronicles. My mom and I saw Step Up 2: The Streets. Not a very deep movie, but I enjoyed every second of it! Fortunately, we snuck our own candy in. Unfortanately, we still need a second mortgage to pay for the popcorn and drinks!

I didn't do a very good job of keeping this short. Oops! Fortunately, this post is over! Unfortunately, I just thought of more things to say. Stay Tuned!!!

Another Top 5 List

I'm really sorry that I am on a big "Top 5" kick and am already posting another one, but for all one of my readers, please excuse and humor me one more. :)

Top 5 Things I Didn't Want to Do Today...But Did Anyways!:

5. Help someone dispose of a handful of barf.

4. Eat an entire box of frosted pretzels by myself. (And lick the sprinkles out of the box.)

3. Sprout a mountainous growth on my arm thanks to fire ants!

2. Force my way through a public make-out session to get into my car at the store. (Hope it was good for them!)

1. Stay at work until 8:00 on a Friday night!

How was your day?

Happy Valentine's Day

Today was a fun/CRAZY day! Here are the highlights:

Morgan woke up early for school and went downstairs to find this on the table. She loves all of those quizzes in the Bop-type magazines. The little "All About Me" book is non-stop quiz fun!

A little while later, Ashley got up and found her Valentines. She loves all of the Littlest Pet Shop stuff!

We made this shirt last night for Ashley to wear to school for V-Day, but it was very big, so she opted out! (Might make good pajamas!) We also made Morgan one, but she never seems to be home anymore, so if I catch her in it I will snap a picture.)

When I got to school, it was cold as heck and windy windy WINDY! The kids were trying to unpack their backpacks outside to give me all of this!

Is this me??? ......Cool, eh?........... Cute! (Ideas for after V-Day uses? It sings, too!)

The school party was fun, but I was not sad to release 18 first-graders hopped up on sugar! Thank goodness I had the best mom helper today or I might be dead by now!

Why I like being a teacher:

Why I love being a mom:

Ashley's Creation

Dave, Ashley, and I met at Cook On Wok for some yummy Chinese food after work. (Morgan was--and still is--out babysitting.) Of course Stephanie and I sang our favorite love song from "The Wedding Singer..." Love Stinks! (By the way, congrats girl, on your "dood" day!) Dave says he bought me a nice card that is unsigned in his planner. That's okay, because I bought him a funny card that is unsigned in my trunk. (Along with a cheap box of candy?!?) So much for romantic Valentines! We're both too tired to go downstairs, so maybe we'll have a "do over" tomorrow. (Or the next day!)

Hope everyone had fun with their loved ones today. (Or at least loved the ones they were with!)

Top 5 List

Top 5 Dad Quotes:

5: "Take out the trash when you leave!"

4: "You don't have enough money."

3: "You're a kid!"

2: (My old favorite):"Mental midget!"

1: (My new favorite): "Be a man!"

Let's hear it for REAL men!