Spring Break 2015

I can't believe we are already halfway through March and finishing up Spring Break.  Time is flying way too fast.  It has been a nice week.  Is our time off ever long enough?

Saturday, March 7th
I spent the morning with three Writing teachers working with a group of students on their writing skills.  I can't wait to read their final papers that they are to bring back after Spring Break.  It was truly a great morning of working with students and perfecting writing. I even took some time to write a draft using their prompt and their strategies.  Now, for me to finish my paper.

My mom got home with my niece and nephew.  I'm so excited to spend some time with them in our neck of the woods.

Sunday, March 8th--Girl Scout Sunday
Check out this Cadette Girl Scout who got to join me at church this morning.

With the kids home, they get to pick what we do and where we eat.  I give them the planning power.  Since they were infants, we have made them a part of our daily planning and events.  Now, as a teen and preteen, they know how to plan a day.

Monday, March 9th
Today, we got tickets to the Perot Museum.  We had to figure out which day still had tickets available, so it went into the plans for today.  They have a traveling exhibit on Sir Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes, so we checked it out.  It was very interesting, and we enjoyed solving the crime.

My nephew has read The Outsiders for school, so I introduced him to the movie.  You know the one.  The one with all the cute guys from the 80s.  :-) My niece said she didn't want to see it until she read it.  Of course, my copies of the book are at work, so it will be a little longer before she reads it.  We didn't actually see the end of the movie b/c he wanted to keep the book's ending in his mind rather than the movie's.  I loved discussing the book and movie with them.

Tuesday, March 10th
Today, they wanted to go to the Dallas Zoo.  When deciding on the zoo to attend, my adorable niece wanted to go to the zoo with the most animals.  Well, I compared the Ft. Worth and Dallas Zoos.  I'm not sure about the number of animals, but the Dallas Zoo is older and larger by acreage.

We have gotten their picture taken on this tortoise every time we have gone to the zoo.  

I wish I could find the first one to do a comparison.

Wednesday, March 11th
Because my nephew had so much homework to complete over Spring Break, he requested to go back by tonight.  We asked all the way back if they wanted to visit anywhere--Cameron Zoo (Waco), Dr. Pepper Museum, anything in Austin, etc.  They just wanted McDonald's for lunch and to spend time together.  When we got them back, we had dinner and then had them finish all their homework.  With it done, we can do something fun on Thursday.

Thursday, March 12th--Girl Scout's 103rd Birthday
Before Mom and I left to head home, we wanted to do one last fun thing, so we went to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch.  I have never seen so many people there.

When we finished, we went to have a burger/hot dog and fries and finished with custard to celebrate Girl Scout Birthday.

Friday, March 13th
Mom has a serious cold, so she has rested.  After going to Curves, my 200th visit (Woohoo!!), I did chores around the house.

Saturday, March 14th--Pi Day
Happy Pi Day!  Will you be eating pie today? What were you doing on 3.1415 at 9:26?  I was walking into Curves for my 201st workout.

Spring Break--Weekend #2

I can't believe today is the last day of Spring Break and everything goes back to normal tomorrow (with a very busy, not-so-normal day).  I could use a little more time off.  Isn't that what everyone always says?

Many non-educators gripe and complain because educators and students get a week off.  I read a blog (wish I could find the link) explaining how this is a week to rejuvenate to get ready to give more of ourselves to our students and jobs.  Teachers who got into the profession for the right reasons (not just for the time off and tiny paychecks, ha ha!), they give every ounce of themselves all day everyday.  They eat, sleep, and breathe teaching, their students, problem-solving, worrying, planning, and so much more.  They don't take "mental health" days or time for themselves.  They start in August and work their rears off until June and then take classes and prepare/plan all summer.  There really is no time off.  Maybe a vacation thrown in there somewhere, but great teachers work all the time. (I could go on and on about this.  Maybe another post one day.)

This week, while doing all I have done, I have still stressed about work, but I have been too tired to truly think and do the work needed.  We have a huge event scheduled for March 28th, and I have a ton of planning and preparation to do. 75% of it needs to be ready to go by Friday, so that means long days this week.  I have tons to do during normal school hours, so this planning will probably take place outside of the normal day.  Just thinking about it stresses me out.  Oh, well!  It will be great for the students. Today, my last day of Spring Break, will be spent thinking through the event, making a plan to get started, thinking of what resources I need, and more.  My work never ends b/c the education of children never ends.

Yesterday, Mom and I traveled to see my nephew graduate from Young Marines Boot Camp.  I am so proud of him.  He endured everything they threw at him, and he even said it wasn't as bad as he thought it was going to be.  He worked hard, lost 10 lbs, and came home exhausted.

 At the end of the graduation ceremony, all the children ran over to their families.  It was so emotional.

After we finally got back to their place, he showered, got on the love seat, and was out.  He was exhausted.

How did I do with a crazy day and watching what I ate?  Not good.  Not good at all.  I am afraid to put everything into myfitnesspal.  I tried making good choices at lunch and dinner, but going to fast food places (through the drive-thrus) and eating at 10:00 at night makes it even harder.  We went to a huge grocery store in the middle of the afternoon, and they were giving samples of all kinds of things.  I can't think of the last time I walked and sampled, but I did yesterday.  There was some good stuff too.

fried rice, peanut butter cup ice cream, turkey and cranberry salad on tomato and rosemary (?) bread, almond cookie, cauliflower something or other, couscous or quinoa, and another type of sandwich (Italian meat of some sort, I think)

My niece baked red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for my nephew's homecoming.  Yes, I had one, and they were delicious! (I wish I had taken a picture.)

Today, I will need to plan out my week of healthy meals.  My BFF started Dr. Oz's 2 Week Rapid Weight Loss plan yesterday.  I could do it the next few weeks, but I think I will hold off until April.  I will make good choices and plan out my weeks, but I need a little time off, I think.  I have got to focus more on my walking/jogging b/c we are doing a Color Run on April 12th.

Enjoy our Sunday!  I'm off to get ready for church.

Spring Break--Friday

I am so sad that today is the last day of Spring Break.  I am certain I could come up with much more to do around my house and Granny's.

Today, we focused on our house.  We swept, mopped, washed sheets/comforters, hung pictures/paintings, and moved a desk.  I wish a nap had been added to that, but I haven't napped all week--not that I haven't been tired enough.

We are planning a "bad" dinner for our last night.  We will be enjoying cheeseburgers, fried mushrooms, and ranch dressing.  Can't wait!  (I'll get back to being healthy next week.)

What did you do for Spring Break?  Do you think schools should have Spring Break?

Spring Break--Tuesday

Today, we got up and moving early again despite our sore muscles.  We finished Granny's little shed and worked on the bottom part of her big shed.  My Great Aunt helped us during the afternoon.  We filled up her parkway across the majority of the front of her house.  People came all day to rummage through it.

I don't mind people going through the trash.  We have done it ourselves, but people should clean-up their mess and reorganize the stuff when they finish.  I am too tired from taking it to the curb the first time to keep cleaning up all day long b/c people are making a mess.

We finally quit working about 4:00 PM.  Because we were too tired to cook, we went to Souper! Salad for dinner to make good choices, and we did.

When we finished, we went back to Granny's to load up all the donation stuff.  Our plan is to take stuff to the donations place first thing tomorrow morning.

One of my BFFs told me about My Fitness Pal App.  I documented my food and exercise for Monday and Tuesday.  It is very neat!  I'm not really sure about the calories part.  I gained so many calories from all the work I have been doing, but I still haven't eaten anywhere near all my calories.  Am I supposed to eat them all?  Eat most of them?  Leave a bunch each day?

Spring Break--Monday

Today, despite getting in at 1 AM, Mom and I got up early and got busy.  We went to Granny's and cleaned off the patio and cleaned out a small shed.  We worked some in the garage too.  Everything went to the curb that wasn't going to our house.  I got tons of exercise loading, moving, hauling, carrying, dragging, and pushing all kinds of things--most were heavy.  We worked and worked moving things from the backyard to the front curb. We barely ate lunch and snacks for all the work.

We then worked on the two sheds at our house.  We needed to make room for things to come from Granny's to our house.  Again, I loaded, moved, hauled, carried, drug, and pushed all kinds of things--most were heavy.  I moved things from the back acre (we have 2) to the front curb. Granny kept all kinds of craft magazines.  For years, we had tried to get rid of those she had in our back shed b/c they were just ruining.  She wouldn't let us.  Well, those magazines dating from 1964-1991 are now on our curb waiting for the recycling truck.  There were boxes and boxes of them.  She had reused Girl Scout cookie boxes (those holding a case) to store her magazines.  Our front shed is organized, now contains 4 cabinets and 2 tool organizers from her garage.

We finally quit around 3:00 PM.  We rested for a bit and then went to my cousins' for dinner with my Great Aunt.  We had a nice dinner and visit.

I wish I was able to spend more time with my niece and nephew, but we have to get all this work done while I am off work.

Spring Break--Weekend #1

Spring Break began on 3:25 on Friday.  Woohoo!

Mom and I left my work and headed south to see my niece and nephew.  We arrived, despite horrible traffic and adding 30 minutes to an hour to our time, to go enjoy a delicious dinner.  I actually ordered a salad.  For people who know me, they know what a big deal that is.  I don't eat salads out much, but I chose a yummy one.  It was probably high in calories, but I had them to spare today.

On Saturday morning, my niece and sister-in-law got up early to go watch her friends during the morning dance competition.  A dance friend's brother came to hangout with my nephew.  Mom, my nephew, his friend, and I went to breakfast, bought some homemade tamales to bring home to my cousin, and went back to their place to wait for my brother.  We got a call that we were needed at the dance competition, so we got ready quickly and left.  (My brother is a Stage Dad, so they needed his help.)

We arrived at the dance competition by 11:20 and were there until 8:30.  My niece was in 5 dances, one was her solo.  She was in group Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, and Acro dances.  Her Jazz got 1st Overall in Jr. Large Groups and her Tap got 2nd Overall in Jr. Large Groups.  Her Acro group got the coveted Most Entertaining Award and an invite to Las Vegas this summer.  Overall, they did well for the first competition of the season.

We were starving when we finally left, so we went to dinner.  Again, I made good choices.  We got back to their place and pretty much passed out.  We were tired.

Sunday morning came early.  Besides the time change, my nephew had to be at his Young Marines Boot Camp by 7:45.  He decided he wanted to join this group/organization to see if the Military is what he might want to do when he is older.  He had already had a day of drills and to get to know people.  This week puts the kids through a real boot camp simulation.  They will be treated just like the Military personnel.  I am so worried about him.  He doesn't have a lot of upper body strength, and he (and I) does/do not like to be yelled at.  The Military guys yell at them even if they do something right.  I can't stand that yelling and meanness.  We have been able to see some pics via Facebook daily.  I am sure he is worn out, but he seems OK in the pics. I had a very hard time leaving him.  I was teary, but I didn't show him.

We ended the day with my niece's dance pics.  They were to be the weekend before, but the dance owner's grandmother passed away, so things were changed.  We were at the dance studio from 3:00-7:00 for pics.  When we finally finished, we went to eat.  I made bad choices. Again, I was teary leaving my niece.

Mom and I then headed home and got home at 1:00 AM.  Man, I miss those two, but I am so glad we had a great weekend.

My adorably handsome, intelligent nephew before Booth Camp.

My adorably beautiful, intelligent niece at her dance pics.

Spring Break 2013

Spring Break is coming to an end.  I have had so much fun this year.  My niece and nephew arrived Friday evening to kick-off our week of fun.
 
Friday Evening:  Dinner and conversation with Gram
My mom is still in rehab recovering from her broken leg.  It was great to get her out for the evening to eat a "sit down" meal with the family.  We talked and talked until it was late and time to take her back.  (She can only be gone from rehab for 4 hours at a time.)

Saturday:  Booth Sale and Errands
We held our last Girl Scout Cookie Booth Sale of the year on Saturday morning form 10-12.  It was in the upper 60s, but the wind was gusting 20-40 miles an hour, so it felt cooler.  We couldn't even get the cookies out and set-up our table because everything kept blowing away.  It was funny because the girls' hair was blowing and standing on end.  It wasn't our best sale of the season, but we did OK.

Once we finished, we ran a few errands, grabbed lunch, and went to eat with Gram.  Actually, my nephew stayed with Gram while my niece and I were at the Booth Sale.  I think that was a smart decision.  :-)

We ran a few more errands after lunch before going home to rest.  We had dinner with Gram.

Sunday:  Girl Scout Sunday and Bronze Service Project
Check out the Girl Scout Sunday blog post.

Monday: Aquarium and Legos
After getting off to a slow start, we made our way to Sea Life Aquarium for the morning.  We enjoyed seeing all the fish and turtles.  After lunch, we checked out Legoland.

On the way home, we stopped to visit a cousin who had surgery a few days before. We decided to get Sweet Frog and take it to enjoy with Gram.  We played Apples to Apples and watched RAW.  We had a light dinner after our sweet treat.

Tuesday:  Girl Scout Birthday, Service Project, and Fun with Friends
Check out the Girl Scout Birthday blog post.

Wednesday: Ripley's, Louis Tussaud's, and Ice Skating
We had discussed going to a local zoo, but Wednesdays tend to be half price or $1 day, and we just didn't want to be in those crowds on top of the Spring Break crowds, so we voted for something different.  We went to Ripley's Believe It or Not and chose to also visit Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax and the Mirror Maze.  We really enjoyed our visit and made it through before the big crowds started.

  

 

 

Standing on pretend hot coals.

                                                            
                                                            Being interviewed by Oprah

The Wizard of Oz

History through the decades

 

All the Presidents made of wax

  

We enjoyed CiCi's pizza for lunch, one of their favorite places, before trying something new.  My niece and nephew went ice skating!  We normally don't do anything this crazy because we don't want anything to hinder my niece's dancing or my nephew's soccer playing.  We just don't want them to break anything.  Well, I threw caution to the wind and did it anyway.  :-)  My niece went around a few times.  She liked it, but she was OK with stopping.  My nephew loved it!  He was a natural.

It tired them out, and they slept all the way back home.  We finally got that needed hair cut for my nephew before going to tell Gram all about our day. After a short rest, we headed off to see Escape from Planet Earth, and Gram got to join us! Thursday: Zoo and Caverns Today was the day to head back toward my brother and sister-in-law's.  We decided we couldn't just get in the car and drive.  We had to find something fun to do along the way.  My niece loves visiting zoos, so we stopped at the Cameron Park Zoo.  When we arrived, we missed parking in the zoo lot by one car.  They sent us to park at a middle school to ride the shuttle.  That was great!  It picked us up right at our car, dropped us off at the front gate, and dropped us back off right at our car.  It couldn't have been better if we had parked on site.  It isn't a huge zoo, but it was just right.  The weather was perfect, and all the animals were out to see. There were a lot of people, but it wasn't so crowded you couldn't see the animals.

We put off lunch until after we left the zoo, so we were starved.  While eating, we decided that we needed to do something else fun as we continued heading south. We stopped at Inner Space Caverns. We walked a half mile in and a half mile back out.  It was a lot of fun and exercise. :-) They had a few animals outside and a mining area. Oh, we got to see an actual bat hanging just above our heads inside the cave.

We drove through a little traffic before getting to our destination.  

Friday: Good-bye After visiting and looking at our Spring Break pictures on the computer, I got in my lovin' and headed north again. I had so much fun with my niece and nephew and miss them terribly!

Now to plan our next adventure . . .