Snow day

I know I should take pictures and put it up, but I bought a new computer and I haven't loaded my picture software. 2 weeks ago I was complaining because it was 82 and muggy in Hawaii. Now I'm complaining because it's been 18-20 when I leave for work and we had some snow this weekend. Monday school started 2 hours late due to snow/ice and today I've experienced my first snow day ever at school. Since I went to school and taught most of my career in Calfornia I've never had a snow day. I had a couple of days off last year due to a fire, but never snow. I may not even make it to work tomorrow. A second round of snow is due to fall in my district tonight. The ironic thing is this is the warmest day we've had in a week and there is no snow falling at my house and very little rain. The district I work in has 100 square miles and at a higher elevation that where I live - so I'm sure that there is plenty of snow there!

Tropical Paradise

We fly back from Hawaii today. Yep, I finally left the mainland and ventured out over the ocean to the great state of Hawaii. I thought I'd share a few things that I loved while I was here.

The above picture is of Hanauma Bay, where I went snorkling. The water is blue and clear and full of sea life. It was great!

One of the best days was the day we spent at Pearl Harbor. I cried through the whole day. This is a picture of the oil that still leaks to the surface from the USS Arizona. You can watch the black bubbles of oil make their way to the surface and then explode, making the black design in the center. I was so moved by the stories and experiences I learned about while there. We do live in the greatest land.

Mel and I went to the Dole Plantation and rode the Pineapple Express! The little train, similar to the Casey Jr train from Disneyland, takes you on a tour of the pineapple plantation and gives you a great history of farming on the island. We bought a freshly picked pineapple, the greatest pineapple I've ever had, and had pineapple ice cream! YUMMY!

The Polynesian Cultural Center was amazing! I dragged Melody there early so we could spend every minute there that we could and it was completely worth it. We had a great time and learned a lot. We went to our first Luau and ate fresh coconut bread. It was great!

We had a great time but are definitely glad to be going home. It just doesn't seem like Christmas in the warm tropic weather here. Plus I want to set up my Christmas tree!!

Thanksgiving

I think this Thanksgiving will go down in the history books for me. Not just because I cooked the whole thing from scratch, pie crust and all, but because of how much fun I had with my parents and sisters. It was so great to have my mom and dad in town. We drove around Seattle, spent some time watching Jeremy fly his amazing kites, and went out to Bainbridge island on a ferry and sat around and played Rock Band. Dad slept a good portion of the time, but even that was fun and nostalgic. I'm really grateful for my family. I'm grateful for everything they have given me and everything they have made me. You know, we are all really blessed when it comes to our family. Thank you all.

Gotta have turkey apples!

My apple pie made from SCRATCH!

Pirates. . . Argggg

In the beginning of November one of my students asked me if they were ever going to study Pirates in a history class. I told them no, but as I thought about it and in trying to come up with an activity to happen after they reported on current events, I decided that we'd learn about the modern day pirates. The best part was that the Pirates helped me by making news a few days later capturing an oil tanker. The Indian navy helped me tie it to my current unit South Asia. So now they are excited about the Pirates and I want to create a Pirate Central area where they can learn about the Pirates latest adventures. I need a catchy name for the pirate bulletin board. Anyone have any ideas? How about your pirate crazy kids?