New Technology

Today I was able to go with my first grade team to a school that has been equipped with Smart Boards. I have heard great things about them for a long time,and never....EVER thought that our school site might be eligible to get one in each classroom. Now I know what you are all thinking. "How the heck does your school have the money for this?" Yea, I wonder the same thing sometimes too! But since we are a Title I school, we have a little more funding than other higher performing schools in the district. Our principal thinks that having these boards in each classroom will increase student engagement, which will in turn increase student performance, which will in turn increase academic performance in class and on tests. I just think they are plain COOL!!!

I saw how these high tech tools were used in first grade. Let me tell you, it will be QUITE the task to get myself educated and informed on how to use and create programs for the SmartBoards. But they are amazing! In each room we walked in to, almost all the students were paying attention because they wanted to participate in using the SmartBoard! It's awesome how you can go directly up to this thing, touch something, and drag it over or flip it up or move it around. My colleague said it best when she described it as a HUGE iPhone. :) I really hope that we get them at our school. I can see myself falling in love with this new technology! I'm already quite smitten with it.

What to do....what to do...

While being on vacation, I've discovered something quite important about myself. The MORE time I have on my hands, the LESS I get done! Isn't this crazy? When did I become like this? Now don't get me wrong...I find nothing the matter with a lazy day on the couch. But I think I've come to love those days more than days when I am able to cross things off my to do list! Hopefully, I can find a nice balance between the two. :)

Today is my LAST Monday off before school begins. I am pretty much ready for the start of the year; since we don't have to move classrooms this year, I've had the luxury of going in a setting my room up the last few days. Hmmm...I suppose that's one thing I can cross off my list! I'll have to post pics of my room when I get back in there. I heart my classroom.

So today, I am hoping to run a few errands, do a little grocery shopping, and maybe even get some work done at home for school. I tend to get sidetracked when I am out and about, so I'm drinking my coffee today to try and keep myself focused!! Maybe some cookie baking today? Then to the gym to get a few miles of walking in.

But man, I would love nothing more than to sit on my comfy couch and watch t.v. all day.

is it that time already?

Summer has pretty much rocked...and I'm quite sad to see it go. Well, it isn't gone yet; but I do have to go back to work soon, which means bye-bye vacay. I've actually been quite busy this summer, and I've had LOTS of good times. :)

I kicked off the summer with a bbq at the house. Timmy finally got his new (and very expensive) bbq and he was really excited to start the grilling! Here's a pic of those of us left at the end of the night! Happy-ness all around! Since then, we've had several bbq's. Tim and I are loving being hosts for things like this, and most of all I just love having people over!

Let's see....then Pea came from the east to visit. It was SO good to see her. I cannot believe I didn't take any pics from our mini-trip to L.A. with ALL my girls together. Ugh. BUT, bff's buddy, L, took an amazing pic of me being a drunken pirate. Oh, the shenanigans in Venice!

not the most attractive pic..but entertaining to say the least.

We went camping up at Donner earlier this summer also. My girlie girls came up for the trip, and most of the boys came too. It was quite the lazy weekend, which was completely ok in my book. The boys attempted to go fishing; but there were no fishies biting that day. K's doggie, Ducky, was cracking us up trying to dig holes EVERYWHERE!

how cute is she?!?
and here is the super deep hole the cutie dug!

Tim and I took a weekend and went to SLO and Monterey with my parentals. It was a very quick, but fun trip! We went to Hearst Castle (second time for me, first time for the familia). I love going there and seeing all the intricate details. So beautiful!

Mister and me taking a break from the heat.

beautiful view!

my bro-dude, being amazing silly, as usual!

I got to visit bff again for her birthday!! A weekend in Catalina was exactly the way to kick off the big 2-7. The sand, sea, and sun....and too many umbrella drinks to count!! So fun!!

bestie and me

Last night I went out with the Mack ladies to 58 Degrees and Counting. Such a cute place! I valet parked for the first time ever...made me feel super important. :)

I also began my training for the half marathon, and I've stuck with it! I'm currently on week 7...I seriously didn't think I'd make it this far. In the past 6 weeks, I have walked over 100 miles! I'm pretty shocked...let's hope I can keep motivated when work begins again!

Tim and I will be going up to Tahoe for a much needed break before my school year starts next Monday. Fishing and resting will be on the agenda...and maybe some sun? All in all it's been a great time off, and I'm pretty sad to see it go. But lots to look forward to in the coming months!

it's the most wonderful time.....

ok, so maybe not the MOST wonderful time...after all, that would be christmas! but it's that time when the new school year begins. :::sigh::: reality will be kicking in for me in just a few short days; i MUST go back to work. sad, i know. but here's the wonderful thing about that...

I GET TO BUY NEW SCHOOL SUPPLIES!!

i am so obsessed with new boxes of crayons. it's crazy! have you ever seen the movie you've got mail? do you remember the part when tom hanks emails meg ryan and says, "i would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils..." that's how i feel about fall and the new year. it makes me want to buy an abundance of crayons, pencils, gluesticks and paper!! sometimes i think i became a teacher just so i could fulfill by school supply obsession. :)