All I Want For Christmas Is an Okapi, a Dinosaur, a Herd of Elephants and ...

[CreightonsMomma]

Good luck on your observation, even though you certainly don't need the luck. I know you will pass it with flying colors.

 

[Megablocks]

Good luck on the observation!

 

[Poolrat]

Good luck with your observation. I also hope it comes sooner rather than later so you and just be done.

 

[MHTeacher]

Good Luck on the (un)announced observation! I had mine a few months ago, and it's such a good feeling when it's over!

I'm sure you'll be great!

 

[daisylove]

Just wanted to drop in and say good luck this week!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

I hope your observation goes smoothly and they get a great snapshot of what a fantastic teacher you are...hopefully your students act like perfect angels.

I won't be purchasing any of the Village pieces right now, it will be a little pricey to buy all the main pieces and I just splurged at the Disney Store.
The light up ones go for between $60-70 each.

I finalized our ADR list today...so I will be all ready come Thurs. morning when our window opens up.

My DMom came into my room this morning and told me about Live! with Kelly airing from Aulani this week. I just had to watch and dream...it's so pretty!
I spent a little time researching and we made a tentative plan to go May 2014!!!
Even though it is a way off, it's nice to have a target to work for. It truly would be a dream come true.

 

[LookinUp]

So much busy going around! Same here, but at least I don't have to battle snow to get to church, spelling bee, vocal recital, fencing lesson (please don't let her like it! Yikes!), extra-early band practice, anniversary dinner, girls' night, three mommy-daughter theater evenings (including a middle-school production of Beauty & the Beast ), packing party, and deadline work for the FSA's annual fundraiser. It's all good, just tiring. Oh, and DH has a hearing this week.
We just need to make it to Friday, folks. MeMom's "surprise" observation will be done & we can all celebrate another week well played! ... Now where's that margarita smiley?

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Our Chef Mickey Dinner is the evening of the 1st. I know that's when Jill is leaving. You might not be interested in going then.

 

[MeMom]

Good luck on your (un)announced observation!! And enjoy your day off!

Although schools were out for kids here, and schools were out in many places for teachers, as well, this system decided teachers would have an in-service day. Not the greatest thing, but I will say it was not a horrible day. Of the five sessions I went to, three of them were taught by teachers who had once been at our school, so it was good to see them again, and their classes were very good.

I have not been here much lately and I have missed all of you! We have been so busy. Ethan is on the Academic Bowl team and both boys play basketball. Between practices, games, meets, and everyday life, there is not much time in my day for DISing. School is out this week so I should have a lot of time to catch up. I told myself that I was not going to leave the house this week unless it was absolutely necessary. I have big plans to clean but you can see how that is going.

First of all, Good Luck on your observation.

Second, we leave in 99 days!!!!! Only I cancelled our reservation for Pop Century. Boo!!!! I had planned on taking my 2 boys down 5 days early before the rest of the family can come. We were going to try and do Disney before Universal ,depending on money, or just have non-theme park days. Well, my dryer decided to give up the ghost the other day and the money I had saved towards tickets in now gone. The hotel portion was already budgeted for. Since we are getting AP's to Universal, I decided to look at staying onsite at Universal for our 5 extra days. With an AP, you can get a good discount. Staying onsite gives you Early Entry to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter( 1 hour before opening) and gives you unlimited Front of the Line passes for most of the rides. You just have to show your room key. So, to make a short story long, we are now staying at the Royal Pacific hotel and will just take our time everyday. We will walk to the parks, ride without too much wait, and go back to swim during the afternoon at their awesome pool. It has a little beach area and they encourage you to pool hop at their 3 hotels. I am afraid that my kids are going to get spoiled and will not want to go back to Disney.

Don't worry about the cleaning. It'll just get dirty again. Enjoy your time off!

Congratulations to Ethan for being such a smart guy!

I truly do know about being busy with kids and activities. There was a time when my neighbor said she was wondering if we had gone on vacation in the middle of the school year, because the car was gone when they left and still gone when they got home. It was still gone when they went to bed. This was when we were running from one ballgame to another all week long. Busy, busy times.

I hope you have fun on your trip, and I hope that Universal does not end up trumping Disney World!

When Marc gets home from his walk through at the High School, I'll ask him about the Chef Mickey date. I have no idea?!?

Knock em dead on your lesson! I hope it happens sooner than later so you can get it over with and just relax! I despise the drop-in hanging over my head.

Oh and I haven't purchased a single Mickey Village piece yet.

Me, too - just come on and let's get it over with.

You will have the Christmas Village. If anybody has it, it should be you.

How did I guess Team Catch would win the trivia game? Because they are awesome!!

I hope your observation goes well MeMom!

Good luck this week!

Good luck on your observation this week.

Good luck on your observation, even though you certainly don't need the luck. I know you will pass it with flying colors.

Good luck on the observation!

Good luck with your observation. I also hope it comes sooner rather than later so you and just be done.

Good Luck on the (un)announced observation! I had mine a few months ago, and it's such a good feeling when it's over!

Just wanted to drop in and say good luck this week!

Good luck on your observation this week. I had mine a couple of weeks ago -- it is so nice when it is finished and out of the way.

Thanks, everyone. If we were working off of the old observation format, I wouldn't be thinking too much about it. The principal pretty much came in and took notes, then we conferenced later and signed off on it. This thing we have now has a long check list of things that must be observed to get a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. 5 is pretty much unattainable. As my assistant principal said, "Only God and Jesus get 5's." My mind is more focused on being sure I have covered three types of assessment or asked x number of higher order thinking questions, etc. than just presenting a good lesson. I'll do my best, take what comes, and move on with life. I'd be happy if it happens today, so it's not hanging over the rest of my week.

I hope your observation goes smoothly ...hopefully your students act like perfect angels.

I won't be purchasing any of the Village pieces right now, it will be a little pricey to buy all the main pieces and I just splurged at the Disney Store.
The light up ones go for between $60-70 each.

I finalized our ADR list today...so I will be all ready come Thurs. morning when our window opens up.

My DMom came into my room this morning and told me about Live! with Kelly airing from Aulani this week. I just had to watch and dream...it's so pretty!
I spent a little time researching and we made a tentative plan to go May 2014!!!
Even though it is a way off, it's nice to have a target to work for. It truly would be a dream come true.

I hope my kids are angels, too. I will reward them with a popsicle party on Friday if they behave. They know full well that if they are one of the ones that act up, they will be one of the ones that goes without a popsicle. I don't play games with things like this. If they act crazy, I don't feel sorry for them, and I don't reward them. I figure the possibility of a popsicle will help keep them a little more focused.

Enjoy seeing Aulani on TV this week. As much as I would love to go there, the flight would not be a good one for me. I am ready to bust out of the plane at MCO, so that's about my limit.

Good luck on getting everything on your ADR list!

So much busy going around! Same here, but at least I don't have to battle snow to get to church, spelling bee, vocal recital, fencing lesson (please don't let her like it! Yikes!), extra-early band practice, anniversary dinner, girls' night, three mommy-daughter theater evenings (including a middle-school production of Beauty & the Beast ), packing party, and deadline work for the FSA's annual fundraiser. It's all good, just tiring. Oh, and DH has a hearing this week.
We just need to make it to Friday, folks. MeMom's "surprise" observation will be done & we can all celebrate another week well played! ... Now where's that margarita smiley?

Busy, busy, busy, busy!

Jill said Brooklynn's school was doing High School Musical, but she said tickets are too much - $20 for adults and $10 for kids. I don't know if they'll go or not at that price.

I don't drink, but I'm betting I'll reward myself with a chocolate milkshake at the end of the week.

Our Chef Mickey Dinner is the evening of the 1st. I know that's when Jill is leaving. You might not be interested in going then.

Yeah, we'll try to get the most we can out of the parks on the 1st and 2nd, then do our non-park things the 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Brooklynn likes breakfast better, so I was thinking of a Chef Mickey's or Cape May breakfast. I'll just continue to think about it. We'll probably just stick to resort hopping, going to DTD, maybe a round of mini-golf or a movie, etc. and just eat wherever and whenever it works out.

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

I go in for 1pm today so I am watching Live! from Aulani right now...ahhh the swaying palms are calling to me. Gorgeous flowers.

The flight to Hawaii will be longer than I'm used to but the pay off is so worth it.
I have no fears of flying so I think that helps too.

Popsicles are a fun reward for you students. Good luck if it happens this afternoon.

I hope you decide to do the Mini golf with Brooklynn...I'd love to see the pics.
It is something we have wanted to do but never made the time.
We are going back and forth trying to decide if we want to add in Water park days this trip.
I'd love to see them but we aren't sure how much we would do to make it worth it.
I love that there is still plenty of new things to explore on our trips...makes each trip special.

 

[Marl]

Hi,

Your girls looked like they had some great pool time! I love all of the extra activities they are putting on now at the hotels, my 11 year old DD managed to win a really cute mini beach ball, at a limbo competition, at POFQ one afternoon.
We went to a movie unders the stars one evening too - Princess and the Frog at POFQ, it felt really magical.

I don't know how you feel about heights, but there's the 'Characters in Flight' balloon at DTD, you could take some fantastic photos from up there on your non park days.

CanadianWDWfan - I have some pictures of WinterSummerland mini golf (the summer course), I could post them on here if you like, if that's OK with MeMom

 

[MeMom]

I go in for 1pm today so I am watching Live! from Aulani right now...ahhh the swaying palms are calling to me. Gorgeous flowers.

The flight to Hawaii will be longer than I'm used to but the pay off is so worth it.
I have no fears of flying so I think that helps too.

Popsicles are a fun reward for you students. Good luck if it happens this afternoon.

I hope you decide to do the Mini golf with Brooklynn...I'd love to see the pics.
It is something we have wanted to do but never made the time.
We are going back and forth trying to decide if we want to add in Water park days this trip.
I'd love to see them but we aren't sure how much we would do to make it worth it.
I love that there is still plenty of new things to explore on our trips...makes each trip special.

Oooooh, maybe I should take a day off this week so I can watch. Swaying palms and beautiful flowers -

Popsicles shall be bought. My assistant principal came today, and the kids did a good job. I am very glad to have it over!

I doubt we will do a waterpark, but we might get to the golfing. Brooklynn would enjoy that, and I have never been to either golf course.

Hi,

Your girls looked like they had some great pool time! I love all of the extra activities they are putting on now at the hotels, my 11 year old DD managed to win a really cute mini beach ball, at a limbo competition, at POFQ one afternoon.
We went to a movie unders the stars one evening too - Princess and the Frog at POFQ, it felt really magical.

I don't know how you feel about heights, but there's the 'Characters in Flight' balloon at DTD, you could take some fantastic photos from up there on your non park days.

CanadianWDWfan - I have some pictures of WinterSummerland mini golf (the summer course), I could post them on here if you like, if that's OK with MeMom

Princess and the Frog at French Quarter - that's perfect! Our teachers' luncheon today had a Mardi Gras theme. I saw street signs at Party City, so I got them. I put the one that said French Quarter right at the entrance to the lounge. We hung up enough things to make the room look a bit like the POFQ food court. I forgot my camera, though.

I hadn't thought about the balloon. Is Brooklynn old enough to go up in it?

Of course, you can put your pictures here! Please do!

 

[MeMom]

So, I got my observation over with today! I was in the workroom this morning, and the assistant principal came in and asked if I would like to be surprised today or tomorrow. I told her I was fine with today. I told my kids there would be popsicles for those who acted like they had some sense, and there would be nothing for those who acted crazy. That was each person's decision.

They did a good job, for the most part. They did very well in the centers working cooperatively. I strategically placed my more difficult students back at the grocery store with me so that I could keep them in check. With my help, they bought a box of Mickeyroni and Cheese, a can of carrots, and assorted other dinner items. Who knew the empty box of Mickeyroni would a few years later be so educational?

Anyway, I am happy to report that all of my 'stuff' is now over with. We have some paperwork to turn in at the end of the year about things we have worked on, but all of the being critiqued part is now over with. I'll have my post-conference on Friday. It will be interesting to see what she saw in comparison to what I saw. I think I covered everything, but I was going by my mind, and she had a checklist, so we'll see.


I can't think of a better way to celebrate than to pop back into Disney World.

After swimming and a nap, we were back on a motor coach.

We were given some good advice,

and if someone is giving to me, I want DVC, not D23.

Jill was wanting to see the Jingle Jungle Parade, so we went to Animal Kingdom.

We were too late to get a good spot, so we just saw what we could.

We then headed toward Africa.

We got on the train to Rafiki's.

It was on that ride that I got a text from one of our cousins about Joan. The doctor had come in and said the outlook was not good, and they were talking months, not years, with this cancer. I tried to tell Jill, but felt the tears welling up and I just got choked up. When I got it out, her tears welled up, too. The ride to Rafiki's was just noise on a track as I processed this news. I didn't want to cry in front of Brooklynn and Bella. My head was swirling for the rest of this day. No matter what we were doing, my thoughts kept going back to this news. Little did any of us know that there weren't even months involved. Just a few days after we returned home, we lost Joan. Of course, I am teary as I type this. It is still so unreal.

We got the girls' picture, as we always do, but I remember being in such a fog as we stood there.

There was not the usual joy we felt as we came to this place. Jill and I sniffled our way down the trail. I wanted to stop and hug her and cry a big cry, but I knew this was not the place. We went on through as usual, but there was nothing usual about how we felt. We were just trying to keep our composure as we walked around.

As I look at these pictures, I do not even remember taking them.

I do remember taking these tree ornament pictures.

 

[MeMom]

We browsed the shop before making our way back to the train.

I don't remember if we bought anything here. I think Jill might have.

Sorry this wasn't a more upbeat update. Maybe you still enjoyed the pictures. I hope so, anyway.

 

[Poolrat]

I am glad you had some control over your surprise. I am also glad the observation is over.


I am so sorry that this update did not bring back happy memories. I know all this weighed heavy on your heart and if I knew how heavy this was weighing on you I would have given you a great big when I saw you.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Oh no, a new obsession....

Memom - HUGS to you for the sadness of the last post. I hope you thought of some wonderful memories of Joan.

Congratulations for the last observation being over! I hate the weight of that....

Someone should have warned the other contestants who they were going up against...the Mayor of Distown!

Well, I won't be able to do the meet in progress this summer--We arrive July 8. I am very happy about the date. The only negative is missing the meet, but many more trips are in our future...

 

[disneyfan61]

Yay that your observation is over!!

So sad about the news that was delivered to your during that time.

 

[marDgreen88]

I loved the Jingle Jungle Parade!
I'm so sorry yall got such sad news at such a happy place. I know this must be tough to talk about. I'm glad yall got to spend some good time with her after you got home, though.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I hate to hear that you got such bad news while in your favorite place. I know it had to be hard to keep going that day with such a dark cloud looming.

 

[CreightonsMomma]

I'm sorry you received the news about Joan. I can tell how much she means to you. She is always with you now.

It was very brave of you to continue and push your way through for the girls. You are such a strong person, and Jill too.

Is there any news on Jill? How is she feeling with the pregnancy? I hope she is feeling well and if you are reading this Jill we are all thinking about you!!