WOW...IT'S BEEN BUSY!!!

It is almost the end of week two of my student teaching. I'm not even really "teaching" yet, althought I've spent every moment of the day with the class through all of their classes, kept up on every lesson planned,and even taught a couple myself. I've got homework assignments to work on from all three teachers, and an Ecology unit to plan! I'm loving it, but WOW, what a lot of work! I'm exhausted already. I can't imagine what the month of April will be like when I completely take over reading, math, science, language, and history with this great group of 6th graders!

I'm Taking Off
Saturday morning with a group of giggly, goofy, teenage girls (the girl scouts) for a Day Camp training in Spokane! Thank goodness my friend Lisa has agreed to join Laurie and I so that we can at least keep up with them a little better (and offer each other mental support). Lisa and I may hit an educational store, book store, or do some other shopping during the training, which I am looking forward to.

Went for a Nice Walk
tonight down the railroad tracks along the river. Zoe and I scoped out a couple cool spots by the packing sheds to return to in the spring for a photo shoot. I took one of her there tonight (below), and the dogs had a blast running free along the tracks with Max. No birds this time, but I bet if I walked this route early some morning I'd be quite satisfied in that department. I'll have to plan that one and head down there! Anyone want to join me?

So I know it has been awhile since I posted....let's see...

Pinewood Derby Results
Well, I'm not sure exactly what place Max got this year, but it was close to the finals. He won't be going to the district final races this year, but that is fine with all of us. He has made it the last two years, so it's time to give someone else a turn. Here's a picture of Jeff and Max with their cars (yes, Jeff has to make his own each year). I had to laugh at all the Dads and how involved they get. If you haven't seen the movie Down and Derby, you've got to see it. It's about a group of Dads who are obsessed with making their Pinewood Derby cars better than their rival (the show off, bully from their childhood). It was a great family flick, and one we could definitely relate to.

We had Ana for the weekend, and of course her and Zoe just hung out in the corner of the room with their Ipod and cellphone! Uuugh, teenagers!

And here are the big boys; Joe, Steve, and Jeff, with their own cars (and all the race contestants' cars lined up ready for the competition).

Jeff has the Wierdest New Contraption
He's been wanting one of these for a very long time, researching, reading reviews, and measuring our doorways. It is an "Inversion Rack" which not only has a removable (thank goodness) pullup bar, but it also came with boots so that you can hook yourself up and hang upsidedown. I guess this will at least cut down the "Can you walk on my back?" requests that we all get from Jeff. He's always looking for some way to stretch his spine and pop his back! I've tried turning him on to yoga, but without success. I have yet to hang...but Zoe, Jeff, and Max are all having fun with it. I don't know...all that blood rushing to your face...it just doesn't seem healthy, does it?