Gingerbread Houses

On the Friday before break, my kindergartners and their 8th grade buddies made gingerbread houses. We had so many supplies! The kids loved it! My favorite decoration, using ice cream cones for chimneys, pine trees, and church steeples.

Angel Ornaments

One thing I've learned about teaching kindergarten, is that as a teacher you must turn a bit crafty. On Wednesday night, I put together 34 wooden frames with a hot glue gun in my living room. On Thursday, all of us kindergarten teachers stayed at school until 7:50pm finishing up the kids' presents for their parents and their 8th grade buddies. Yes, the kids do the projects, but we do the finishing touches and the preparation. Sometimes it feels like we put my time into the projects. Oh well.

I really liked Thursday night's 10pm project though. I gave my kids angel ornaments for their Christmas present. It is super easy, really cheap, and they look cute.

All you need is some red ribbon, a silver bead, and an "ideal clamp", basically a fancy paper clip. I used the small size and bought them from Office Max.

You string it through the middle piece of the ideal clamp. Then add the bead, then tie off the top. Such an easy ornament!

Happy Christmas crafting!

Blizzard of 2010

It's been a while since I've blogged. I blame working a full time job. But this weekend I need to start again.  There was a big snow blizzard in the Twin Cities. The biggest blizzard since the Halloween blizzard of 1991.  So last time it snowed this much, I was 6 years old. This is the most snow I can actually fully remember. We've gotten about 20 inches. Along with the snow came drifts. The blizzard started Friday night, and went all day Saturday into the evening. I was stuck in St. Paul at Erik's house. But we had 6 of us, and a seventh person joined us Saturday night.

Saturday we hung out, lounged around, and played some board games.

This is us getting ready to venture out. I wore snowpants and Davey wore ski goggles to walk less than a block to Super America and the liquor store. That's right, I wore snowpants to the liquor store.  Cool points for me.

Jenny taught Dan and Davey how to shuffle a deck or cards. This is after Jenny walked two miles from her apartment to come join us.

 The whole snowed in group.

We all got up at 7am to dig out the cars.  St. Paul wanted them moved by 8am.  

Waiting for "Superman"

Last night I went to see the movie "Waiting for Superman." This movie discusses the inequalities of America's education system. As an educator this is an issue dear to my heart. At the same time, I thought I'd be mad the movie. Often teachers are blamed as the reason some of America's children are failing in school. Though this is sometimes true, I know too many teachers that are working SO hard, so I struggle believe this is the only reason. The good news is I wasn't mad at the end of the movie. I didn't agree with everything that was said. There's a lot more that could have been said. But, they only had two hours, and this issue is bigger than a two hour documentary.

I wondered how many people in the theatre were educators. Ideally this message would move beyond those directly involved in education. Some people don't care because they're not a teacher, or they don't have kids, or their kids are no longer in school. I disagree. We all have a role in educating the children of our society. I hope this movie gets people talking.

In the movie I didn't like that they made charter school out to be the saving grace. I didn't like that they made teacher unions look so terrible. I don't agree with everything the unions do, but there's a reason they exist. I also think they failed to mention a few factors that attribute to failing schools, bad behavior and poor parenting. Students are in school for about 7 hours a day. The days I have felt I was not effective as a teacher is often due to poor student behavior. Yes, I am in charge of behavior management. But sometimes it is just so bad, you want to cry and quit. But, at the same time, we can't use that as an excuse. As a society we owe it to our country's children to ensure that everyone gets a quality education.

Go see the movie. Let's start discussing a solution. At the end of the movie, the credits encouraged each of us that we can make a difference. I want to believe this is true.

http://www.waitingforsuperman.com/action/

New beginnings

Tomorrow I start teaching kindergarten. This will be a three month position for another teacher's maternity leave. I'm excited, that nervous excitement when something new is beginning. I'm ready, but there will be surprises. They are so little.  Seventeen little five year olds in my care. This is exciting, but also a bit overwhelming.

I've gotten use to having time on my hands. I haven't worked 40 hours a week since June. This will all change tomorrow. I keep thinking about how much will change for the teacher having the baby. Her life will never be the same. I don't have as big of changes coming, but big for me. I'm not always great with change. But I want to embrace this change. This is change that I want.

So here's to new beginnings. At the St. Olaf Young Alumni event on Friday I was having a conversation with someone I had worked with on student government. We were doing that "So, what are you up to?" conversation. I told him I was starting this new job on Wednesday. He said, "Wow, you're a legit person." That felt good. I don't know if he's completely right. But, I'll take it as a compliment.

Search for a tablecloth

I want a tablecloth for our dining room table. Simple purchase, right? Wrong. I cannot find a decent tablecloth.

I have been to Target twice. Today I also went to two Marshalls, JcPennys and Macy's. Nothing. There wasn't even one that I sort of considered. The department stores had about 5, all boring solid colors.  I just want a simple pattern. Any suggestions on where I should go?

Norway Book

I made a book on http://www.mypublisher.com/ for my Norway trip that I took this summer. I debated about what company to use. There are so many out there, and they have similar prices. I decided on this one because I had seen finished books by this company, and I really liked the books. I wish I could have seen all of the books in person to have a really good comparison. This site had an instant chat that was very helpful for those little questions that come up while making your project.  Also, they have great coupons! I got $20 off.

Here's my project if you'd like to look at it. I had to convince myself to just hit "purchase" because it seems there is always more you could do.

http://bookshelf.mypublisher.com/?e=OHm3Q8zJl3TDwYWXkJrB-8oI083zL--0&s=fb


*I just noticed the date is wrong on the front.  That is annoying.  But, I guess it can't be perfect!

I'm official!

I have good news!  I have officially been hired by the local Catholic school for two maternity leaves!  It is the same school where I worked last spring.  I will be teaching kindergarten from October through January.  Then I will teach second grade from March until the end of the year.  In between I will just do some day to day subbing.  This is huge for me!  While it's not the every day for an entire year with benefits job, it's much more than day to day subbing.  What is even better is I love this school!  It is about 2 miles from my house, my commute is around the lake, it has a late start time, and I like the staff and students a lot!

Yesterday I was there subbing in a fourth grade classroom.  They were passing out t-shirts to kids that had raised money for a fundraiser.  Each staff member also gets a shirt.  The mom in charge saw me in the hallway and told me to come get a shirt.  She said that I basically work there and should get a shirt.  I feel like a shirt means you're official, it means you're apart of something.  I like this.

I will wear my tye dye shirt proudly!

Chili Season is Beginning

Last year Linnea (my old roommate) and I developed our own ever-changing recipe for chili. We always kept all of the ingredients on hand. It's been a while since I've made it. Chili isn't quite as appealing in the summer. But, now it is fall. Tonight I decided to make a big pot. That way Katie and I will have lunches for the week. I have a recipe. but I never measure! I usually do vegetarian, it's easier, and cheaper. Have fun, play with what's in your cupboard.

-2 cans of black beans

-1 can of white beans, like Great Northern or Garbanzo

-1 can of kidney beans

-1 large can of diced tomatoes

-1 small can of tomato paste

-1 onion

-1 green pepper

Seasonings:

-sugar, a couple of tablespoons

-white wine vinegar, about a tablespoon

-red pepper flakes

-chili powder

-garlic powder, or use minced garlic

-salt and pepper

Mix it all together and let it simmer!  There is no need to precook the onions and peppers.  They will just cook while you simmer everything. 

This recipe definitely takes a lot of cans. But that's the only major clean up.

Enjoy! Hope everyone had a good weekend! 

Ikea assembling

I think when you are in your 20s, you are suppose to struggle through putting together a piece of Ikea furniture. It's a right of passage to becoming an adult. Do you know basic tools? Can you follow directions?

By no means did I put together the most complicated Ikea furniture. I have friends that have recently put together numerous pieces. I just had one piece of Ikea furniture... well one for now. Let's be honest, I get tempted easily by Ikea. I bought a kitchen cart for out kitchen. This is what the area of the kitchen looked like with nothing there.

It needed something. I don't love the coloring in the kitchen, but we're working with what we have.  My parents bought me some things from Ikea for my birthday. One thing I chose was this kitchen cart.  My brother Andy was here to hang pictures, but somehow I convinced him to stay and help assemble.  I asked for 15 minutes.  An hour and a later we were done, and I made him lunch.

Here's the finished project. I added some bottles of wine to one of the shelves. I want to add a small plant, maybe basil.  Any suggestions?  

Thanks for reading! I have been so excited when people tell me they read my blog. Also, I will continue to take suggestions for this project. For example, I had one friend tell me that in the blogging world you only use one space between sentences. Though this goes against everything I've ever been taught, and what my fingers want to do, I do agree it looks better. It just means hitting delete a lot!  Happy weekend!

Decorating the new apartment

I've discovered over the past few years that I really like decorating.  One of my guilty pleasures is watching House Hunters on HGTV.  I don't have cable at my own place.  I watch it on Friday nights when I babysit, after the kids have gone to bed.  

Now with a new place, this gives a new excuse to decorate.  We are in no way done.  It's always a work in progress.  I just returned from Ikea, so in an upcoming post you will see the new kitchen piece.  First we have to put it together...uh oh.

For my birthday Kara gave me these really cute flower pictures.  I love the color they add to the walls.  Yesterday I interrupted Katie and Andrew, her boyfriend, from their work they were doing at the dining room table.  Thank guys for helping!  

We needed certain screws.  But that was fine because we have a hardware store right across the street!  This is why I love living in the city.  Here's the finished project.

Also, here's what our living room looks like right now.  The only major thing missing is pictures for the walls, they're coming.  Those flowers on the table are from Erik. :)

Birthday Weekend

On Saturday I turned 25 years old.  Wow, that's half a century.  I renewed my driver's license.  Apparently I can now rent a car at the regular rate.  Exciting.

Friday night I went to Brasa with my family.  It was raining and the restaurant was busy.  But, once we got seated, it was great.  I love that my 92 year old grandma was there eating ribs.  I want to be like her.

Saturday the sun came out!  I woke up to hearing a marching band outside.  Maybe a high school band practicing for the upcoming fall season?  Then I had Chipotle for lunch.  Soft shell tacos, with rice and beans, tomatoes, sour cream, guac and lettuce.  It's my favorite.

On Saturday night I thought just Erik and I were going out to dinner and then we'd meet up with friends later for drinks.  We walked into Loring Kitchen and Bar.  He told me previously that he had a 6:45 reservation.  We walked in and he walked right by the hostess station.  I started asking questions, confused to what he was doing.  All of a sudden I hear a chorus of "Happy Birthday!"  Six of my friends were seated at the restaurant there to surprise me.  I was shocked!  It took me a few minutes to stop shaking.  Nice work Erik.  The best part was that it was also the restaurant's birthday, so we got free cake and a drink.

Sunday the sun was out again!  I visited the Kingfield Farmer's Market, walked to Lake Harriet, sat outside and read a book, and finished the evening with Ticket to Ride, which  I won!  All in all a good weekend!  I love MN fall sunshine.

Meredith's Wedding Shower

I've already admitted my blog stalking to you.  One of the things I like reading about is party design.  I love when party favors match the linens, which match the flowers, which match the vases.  So I got really excited when we had an excuse for a party with some design elements.  My roommate from college, Meredith, is getting married in October.  Linnea, Kara and I hosted a wedding shower for her.

We started out at Flirt, a lingerie boutique in St. Paul.  This was a great place to begin our party.  We all would recommend it to anyone who wants to host a girls party.  We got to bring in our own food and drink, so it's no more expensive than hosting a party at your own house.  Kara and Linnea did a great job organizing the food, as I was out of town until 2:00 the day of the party.  My favorite was the heart shaped fruit pizza they made.  Such a nice "love" touch to the shower.

After the boutique we headed to our house on Girard for its last major social gathering before we moved.  I had a lot of fun making vases with ribbon in Meredith's wedding colors.  Each girl got to take a vase home with flowers from the Minneapolis Farmer's Market.  I got the candles from my mom's collection.  We also had pictures of Meredith and Karl situated around the living room.

 

The future bride, Meredith, in pink

We had a wonderful Saturday night.  I'm excited for the wedding in October and the opportunity to be a bridesmaid.

New Blog!

Welcome to my blog!

A lot of people wonder why this didn't happen earlier.  I read a lot of blogs.  I read a lot of personal blogs.  I love reading about what is going on in other people's lives.  I like when they wonder about something I've also wondered about.  I like when they post pictures to show what's new in their lives.  I have one particular example.  Somehow I found my now previous landlord's blog.  I fell in love with her blog.  She writes about stories from her life, musings she's had, questions about faith.  I found myself checking every day to see if she had a new post.  Finally, this summer I admitted to her that I read her blog.  I was embarrassed to admit it, but she didn't seem too creeped out.  She told me to start my own.  Thank you Becca!  Amazing that a landlord can encourage a new project like this.

People kept asking why I didn't have a blog, even though I read lots of blogs.  I never really had a good answer.  Now, with no permanent job yet in education, I decided I need a project.  I need something that makes me think, challenges me, makes me learn something new.  I've decided this blog is my project.  I'm not an expert when it come to technology, but I'm hoping I can learn.  I don't have anything specific to write about, but I have thoughts, recipes, ideas, questions.

Where am I at in life?  Two years ago I graduated from St. Olaf with a degree in English and my teaching license for K-8.  I student taught in first grade, loved it, and now want a teaching job.  Since March of 2009 I have been a substitute teacher.  I want a "real" job that works with the same group of people everyday and allows me to build relationships.  However, until then at least I'm in the classroom with students.  I just I moved into a new place with my junior year roommate, Katie.  I now have my own bedroom and a new place to decorate!  We live in southwest Minneapolis right by the lake and Java Jack's coffee shop.

I'm excited for this project to begin!  Please send comments or thoughts.  I want this to be a project that involves others.  And, don't ever be embarrassed to tell me that you read.  I've been in your shoes.