Classroom Tour

This week has been TOUGH.  The change in routine has been hard on all of us.  I guess that's what happens when you have a really fun summer. 

My room is mostly finished so I thought I'd post some pictures!  This is really the only time I post something that's not related to our boys.  I enjoy looking back at previous year's pictures to see how I set things up.

 Listening center and empty shelves!  I doubt they'll be empty for long.

 I love my new fabric.  And I don't know how I ever taught without a Smartboard.

All three teachers in second grade, myself included, are up to 28 students!!!  That's just insane.  It would be great if they would hire another second grade teacher, but our numbers fluctuate so much that we could be down to 24 by the end of the month.  I also learned this week that we are the 11th poorest school district in the state. 

 I love that our students don't need to bring any school supplies except a backpack.  We are fortunate to have everything they need.

 The neon bags on top of my cubbies are birthday bags.  They are already stuffed with goodies so when a student has a birthday I just take one down and put it on his/her desk.  I went with a chevron theme this year.  The tissue paper inside the bags is rainbow chevron. I really like it!

 I still need to organize my library.

 My mom helped me make my curtains.  I really like them!

That's it!  Monday morning it will be filled with 28 second graders!

Soaking it up

We are enjoying every last minute of our summer vacation before work starts for Mike and I tomorrow :(  Owen doesn't start school for another week. 

We had plans to go to Knoebels today, but decided not to because of the rain.  As bummed as we were not to go, it was probably best to lay low and mentally and physically unwind since tomorrow begins a new routine. 

Last Thursday I got to watch Ella and Sam for the day.  I love any chance to spend time with them.

 

We went bowling and afterwards went into my classroom so my mom could see what I've done.  Then we came home and made Flubber!

I offered to take them for ice cream, but everyone (except Adam of course) wanted to stay home and play.  Ella and Owen spent hours playing outside by themselves.  They were looking for locust shells and probably found at least 50.  At one point I noticed a long jump rope tied to a branch and when I asked what they were doing they said they were "inventing stuff".  No one looked to be in any danger so I let them go. 

Yesterday Mike took Owen to the Little League World Series in Williamsport. 

I wasn't sure Owen would completely appreciate the museum and how cool it was to be at the game, but I was wrong.  He had a blast and said it was even better than winning 1,000 tickets!  Phew!!!

 

Yesterday afternoon we had one last picnic with friends from Linda's House.

ARRRRRRRR

Last night we made the trip to Baltimore to visit Aunt Beth and Eric.  We were excited to see them and finally get to see their new apartment.  They overlook the harbor- it's really neat.  The boys were in heaven! We got take out and I think I had the best crab cakes ever!!!  Then we walked around trying to get the boys to burn off some of their energy and excitement.

We stumbled upon a band playing outside and Adam insisted on dancing with Aunt Beth.  It was pretty funny.  I love his free spirit!

We woke up bright and early and went to eat at the famous Jimmy's diner for breakfast before embarking on our Pirate Ship cruise around the harbor.  If you ever get the chance to visit Baltimore with kids, I highly recommend doing the Urban Pirate Cruise.  It was awesome.

We really need to remember to put sunglasses on Owen.  His eyes are so sensitive!

 

During breakfast, Adam drew a treasure map.  He couldn't wait to show the pirate where the treasure was buried! 

First, they give you pirate gear to wear.

You are given a pirate name and then you get to pick out a tattoo.

Aunt Beth did not get to pick her name

The actors and actress on the ship were really funny and made the entire experience magical.  They teach you pirate words and you take a pirate oath and become a real pirate!

They tell stories, play games, sing, and dance.  Owen was a little out of his comfort zone with the singing and dancing part, but the finding of the treasure part was totally up his alley.

They had a treasure chest full of treasures and when they go to open it they realize it's been taken and there's a note inside that gives a clue as to who took it.

Then, out of nowhere, a bad pirate appears in the harbor and the kids have to shoot him with water from the cannons.  They play all sorts of pirate-y music throughout the ride along with other fun songs.

The pirate said he wanted Eric's Raven's t-shirt in exchange for the treasure.  haha!  So we devised a plan to trick the pirate into giving us the treasures without Eric having to give him the shirt.

And our plan worked!!

What a fun morning.  We had high hopes of heading over to the aquarium after lunch, but Adam was tired, cranky, and in desperate need of a nap after his late night the night before.

Who needs a stroller when you have Daddy's shoulders?

So we headed home with our two sleepy pirates.

Tonight, after baths, Owen said it was a lot of fun, but probably not the MOST fun thing that ever happened to him.  He said winning 1,000 tickets at that darn arcade was probably the best.  But he agreed, the Pirate cruise was a close second.

** Mike and I were laughing so hard about this last night.  We tried hard to make sure our boys had a great summer and did a lot of fun things, however, we are almost positive that when his teacher asks him to write or tell about his favorite summer memory he's going say, "Winning 1,000 tickets at the arcade."  Go figure!  And I'm certain he won't elaborate and say that he was at the beach with friends.  I guess it's all about perspective :)  She'll probably think all we did all summer was take our kid to mall arcades.

iPhone rewind

I realized I have a lot of pictures on my phone that I haven't put on my blog so I picked a few that show some things we've been doing this summer that I haven't blogged about...

Two weeks ago was the area 4H fair.  The boys enjoy going there to see all the animals, sit on the tractors, and check out the Lego contest winners, but most of all, they like playing the games and riding the rides.  This year they got to ride a camel!

 

I signed the boys up for the free summer bowling program.  They get to bowl two free games a day.  We only went once, but it was fun and maybe we'll make it back once more before school starts?!  Adam likes the music they play and dances while he bowls.

On this particular morning the boys were up early and we were already playing Candyland by 7:30am.  Fun times!

Our 4th blog book arrived today.  I am a little late ordering my 2012 book.  It's been on my To Do list for a loooong time and I finally did it.  It's a little shorter than last year- 243 pages.  I love it.

I love these cuties too!

Adam is holding our marble jar.  The boys can earn marbles by using good manners or doing kind things for others (without me reminding or asking them).  Last week Owen earned a marble helping his brother at the Kidmazium.  Adam was a little scared and had trouble reaching and climbing in some areas and Owen really looked after him and helped give him a lift when he needed it and I didn't even have to ask.  That same day, Adam earned a marble because he held the door for a few people as they walked into CC's restaurant.  I didn't ask him to do that, he did it on his own which earned him a marble!

Adam earned two marbles today- he's on a roll.  An older lady at the Dollar Store dropped something and he noticed and walked over and picked it up for her.  Then when we got home from the grocery store I was going to the bathroom and came out and he had already started putting away the groceries.  I don't usually give out marbles if I feel like they are doing things just to earn a marble.  Adam didn't do any of those things expecting a marble which is the best part.

Once the jar is full, the boys get to pick out a special treat or little toy.