Where is Courtney?

Tonight, I made a list for Brian that is titled: Where is Courtney? He can barely remember his own schedule, so I can't expect him to know why I'm missing.  These next two weeks are crazy busy, but full of exciting happenings.  This week after school:  KTIP workshop (finally getting the ball rolling on that!), speaking on the panel at ECTC Education kick-off (it will be so strange not being on the "student side" of that event), decorating the RES float and riding on it in the parade the next day.  Next week, we are celebrating Colby's birthday.  Also, I am hosting academic team tryouts two days after school and then Bri's school baby shower is later in the week.  Yes, my calendar is a little bit overflowing...but you know what gets me through it all with a smile?  WE ARE SAILING THE SEAS FOR THE BAHAMAS IN 12 DAYS!

Family Time!

Today, we had a family reunion at Glendale Park for my dad's side of the family.  The weather was gorgeous, the food was delicious, and the company was priceless.  

We'll always be a kid at heart.

Annie's first time on a swing set! 

 This see-saw was strange and half-broken.

 Farmer Colby popping wheelies with his tractor.

Annie's first see-saw ride!

Colby loves to operate any type of machinery.

Cousin Bethany and her fiance, Kevin.

Shopping around Glendale

Some of the ladies (my nanny is wearing light pink)

Finishing the Basement: A Picture Story

The work on finishing the basement has officially begun...

Brian and Matt installing the hardwood flooring.  This will be Brian's hunting room.

This is some of the stuff that is awaiting its new home in the hunting room.

Soon-to-be living room

This part will remain unfinished, but with shelving to organize that heap of stuff.

Other side of the living room

hallway leading to the spare bedroom

yay!  at least one room is finished :)

Goodbye August!

The first month of school has officially ended.  We had lots of fun activities, and sadly, no pictures to show for it. Most of the pictures include their cute faces!  (1) The students learned about latitude and longitude using oranges.  (And it made my room smell very good for the rest of the day!)  (2) We did a weathering and erosion lab; that was our first hands-on activity in science and they were very excited.  (3) Last week, we had a guest speaker to demonstrate soil layers.  Each student created their own layers using different puddings and cookies.  Yumm!  WE HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY 4TH GRADERS!

The AR tracking board--  Each student designed his/her own car and we're all moving toward the finish line!  I got this idea from one of my cooperating teachers during student teaching.  Thanks, Mrs. Gibson!

Outside of school...we went to Knob Creek Gun Range for what would have been Brian's Dad's 56th birthday.  It was fun spending the day there, even though it was strange not having him there as we always do!  He knew so much about guns and was a shooting instructor when he served in the Army.