Ahhhh Summer...

Take the aforementioned "Ahhhh" in a variety of ways to interpret my feelings on summer:

• "Ahhhh", as in the refreshing moment of realizing I have no school chores to get done before the sun comes up.
• "Ahhhh", as in the terrifying scream knowing it's just going to get hot.
• "Ahhhh", as in the questionable shrug I give as response when people ask what I'm going to do to fill the time.
• "Ahhhh", preceeding a giant "Yes!" because the freedom has come.

If you were trying to guess which one of these isn't true, unfortunately it is the last. I'm not good at summer. I hate to say it, because it seems so wrong, but I just can't stand not being busy! Usually I am fine during the summer because I have a lot of projects to keep me going (painting, building, flower beds, trimwork, you know - projects!). Last year I was finishing my Dance Endorsement so I took classes all summer. I've even looked into getting a job - but in this market, and I do have some classes and vacations that screw up the schedule. So what to do this summer...house is pretty much done, except for big expensive projects; classes got expensive this year, and the district doesn't have money to help fund, so I am now dreading filling the long days. I have some plans...walking the dogs a lot, hiking with my friends once a week, finishing my drama endorsement, writing, reading, keeping the house and yard nice, learning to bake delicious bread and well, that's all I got.

So here I sit, the first day of summer, got up at 5:30 (my four-legged alarm clock apparently didn't get the memo about sleeping in during the summer). And already, I'm bored. So I guess I'll put on my grubbies and go getting the weeding done, so I can mow at 8 and then come in and clean the house...(I considered putting it off until Monday so I would have "plans" but then what would I do today...) What a glorious start to summer...I guess I'll have cake for breakfast, that will have to suffice.

Our 5th Grade Play...

Well, another play is done, and thus I know the year is almost over. It has become a tradition to do a 5th grade play at the end of each year that puts together all that we have learned in some creative culminating way. This year I was dissuaded from doing "another one" - not by my team, but by those who didn't want me to work hard, and others who didn't want toes stepped on - but I couldn't resist. Even with our goofy bunch of kids, I knew they needed the chance to shine. So I looked at the dances they've learned and songs they love to sing and put together a show called "eMTV". It was basically the story of the kids breaking into the Faculty Room and discovering the teachers have a TV. They question what the teachers would possible watch, and then bravely turn in on. They then watch a series of videos that miraculously make them smarter. Some of the 'videos' were live, and consisted of kids dancing and narrating their learning experience. Other videos were actual music videos created and performed by the students themselves (I did the video editting - they're not that patient). At the end they realize they are watching "eMTV", what's that 'e' stand for? Educational, of course!!!

The show came together beautifully and the kids were quite adorable. One of the reasons I always push to do these plays is because of they change I see in kids as they perform. Our naughtiest boys volunteered to be in an extra dance because they saw the joy in being on stage. They were all so proud of themselves and excited to shine.

The show was very well recieved and we may even do an encore show in a couple of weeks so the rest of the school, and a few more visitors can come.

(Uneditted, and it cuts off the wonderful ending!!)

When I watch faces light up, wiggly bodies hold still, shy voices bellow out, timid dancers explode, and kids shine proudly - it's worth all the effort.

Lucky Lilac's Day

It's a little shaky - but that's because I had to use Highspeed to get all the fun in!

Lucky Lilacs truly is my favorite holiday, and when I tell people that, they look at me really funny!!!

In need of an update...

I need to update, but frankly life is pretty boring these days...I'll try a bulleted list to add excitement!

• We got a new computer! We've been struggling to share the laptop, so we decided to use part of the tax return for a nice desktop, it's pretty sweet - sitting over there on the desk - all shiny and new - while I sit here using the old laptop, I''ll get my turn!
• The house is still for sale...know anyone that is looking? Send them our way!
• Our fifth grade informance (it''s a fancy made up word that means a performance that shows we're learning something!) Anyhow, our informance is coming up in 2 weeks and most grades just dance a dance and call it good. Somehow I always seem to end of writing a play for ours, (how does that happen?) I always have fun coming up with lines and connections between curriculum, dance and song. This year our group is a little 'different' so I wasn't sure we could handle a full live performance so I wrote a script that involved making music videos with each of the classes. This week each class made their first video, have to say, they turned out so cute! I got to take each class and spend an hour taking their ideas and a favorite song and making eMTV (that's educational Music TeleVision). This week we are filming the second videos so we'll be ready for our show next week. I'm feeling hopeful and excited because not only are our videos cute but my class gets to dance my two favorite choreographers and they do it so well!
• Tomorrow is a big event, Rudy will be turning 1!!! I only know this because a year ago today I tried to take a very pregnant Lulu to the park for a walk, she got half way around and just couldn't go any farther. We came home and I knew puppies were pending. I spent the night with her as she labored, (Even dogs need a Dula) She was pretty miserable all night and so neither of us slept too well as she stirred and nested and fussed. By 9 when Art was headed off to teach primary she was in the heat of labor. About 9:30 she got up and started turning around, I sat by her and gave her pets, the next time she turned around out popped puppy #1. I helped her clean off the first puppy, she and I were both a little nervous, and about 10 minutes later she had puppy #2. I had Heidi come up after #2 to assist in birthing because I was nervous without Art home yet, Roxy got to watch a puppy be born which was pretty cool. It took until about 4 in the afternoon for all 9 babies to be born. (5 girls and 4 boys)... The cutest one of all was our Rudy, who is now a big loving loud-mouthed goof!
• 
• It's bed time - I think that's enough excitement.... (I'll be sure to post pictures from his One-Year-Old party with all his doggie friends - ok, I'm kidding, I'm not that nuts...I think I'll just steal him a tennis ball from school...)
  

Life in a Nutshell

So the play is over...WAHOOOOO! It went really well, the kids were adorable, and the superintendent started our standing ovation...can't complain about that! I don't have ANY pictures because we have a Mom who is a professional photographer who took our pictures and I didn't have to! I've seen some, but the rest will be proofed on her website (www.amandalewisphotography.com) starting tomorrow. The only bad part about the play being over (I really do love the chaos) is the clean-up! I never realize how much crap I've hauled to school until I begin loading my car and it fills completely to the top! Thank heavens my Mom has such a lovely costume/prop room, but I'm afraid we're going to need more space!

Other news in life..yes there is life outside of the play...
The house is STILL on the market. Things are slow, which is expected, but not enjoyed. So if you know anyone who wants a great house in a wonderful neighborhood.... Check out the house blog: http://perfectsandyhome.blogspot.com/

Art and I went camping this weekend, sort-of, it's a long story. We took some beautiful pictures and saw some amazing things. The dogs had the time of their lives and wonder if we can go camping every day?? I am working on the video and then I'll upload.

CRT's approach, summer vacations are being planned, we are trying to live "Penny-clean" (just in case we need to show the house), I'm thinking of taking up gardening, and I'm off to make a sugar-cookie cake (you've got to do something fun and creative on the last day of spring break!) -and that is Life... in a Nutshell.

Play Week...

Need I say more???

It's very crazy to think that all this chaos is finally coming to an end. We've rehearsed for months. Danced our hearts out. Sang til' we all lost our voice, and this week we prove it was all worth it.

I started my morning with an apology to my class for the potential irritability and lack of patience. I told them I still loved them, but that I wouldn't be able to successfully show it this week.
I reminded them that I would return to a loving, kind, well-planned, over-achieving teacher...next Monday. And then I proceeded to burn my finger with a glue gun (dog costume made entirely of velcro and hot glue - i have skills...) and yell in a very loud voice..."sh.....HOT!" Yes, I editted the word that was coming out of my mouth - there are certain things you can't yell across the classroom.

I could have yelled far worse things when my less-than-muscular stage crew attempted to pick up the scenery and popped the hinges off and I realized I was going to have to rebuild in 2 days. I didn't cuss at all ...... I just pondered the strength of hot glue...

But alas, I did not settle on hot glue as the solution to my scenery, I have an alternate plan that I really hope is going to work. I am taking a drill, rope, and washers to school in hopes of creating a free spinning orphanage and mansion. (You may need to pray for me)

And so play week goes on, my room is constantly full of kids running lines, I put together scenery finishing touches during spelling tests, we dance "Hobo Man" one more time, and I have a constant barrage of kids at my door wondering, "What time is dress rehearsal?" "What if I fall down on stage?" "Where am I supposed to be in Scene 10?" "Can I save seats?" "What if my microphone breaks?" "Do you think we're ready?"
(deep breath) "Of course we're ready!!! We've been practicing so hard, it will be great!"
Oh the joys of Play Week....