Sherlock

Jeremy and I just discovered a new show on Netflix.  Each show is about an hour and half.  It is witty, funny, and suspenseful.   Plus each show is like watching a movie.  We are just sad that there are only 6 episodes so far.  They will have more in 2013.

Monday, Monday

I had my first Monday off with Devin.  I put away the laundry, put dinner in the crock pot, and planned my next week at school.  Devin and I played with play dough, we made cookies, and  went swimming at the Legacy Center.  Then we came home and had lunch and Devin took a nap and I watched an episode of Arrested Development.  Then I went picked up the kids from school.  Afterward I went visiting teaching.  Then I helped Olivia with her homework and finished making dinner.  Afterward we had family home evening.  A very productive and relaxing Monday. 

Jeremy and I like this show.  We think it is pretty funny show. 

First Day of School

Tuesday, August 21 was the first day of School for Garrett and Olivia.  Garrett is going into 3rd grade and his teachers are Mrs. Hansen and Mr. Hatch.   Olivia is starting 6th grade and her teacher is Sra. Prince.  Devin starts preschool in a couple of weeks.

They were excited for school.  They were both up and ready to go when I came out of my room.  I drove them to school the first day but today they rode their bikes. 

Homemade Bread sticks

The kids love the bread sticks at the Pizza Factory so much, I thought I would try making them.  The kids loved them!  I am going to make them again soon.

Bowling

Back in June we took the kids bowling.  I just found the pictures on my camera.  This is one of the things Garrett needed to do sign off in his scout book.

Job Offer

On Tuesday, my boss called me and asked if I would take a 3rd grade teaching position from 9:15-2:15 Monday through Friday.   At first I was so excited about the  offer.  I have wanted to go back into the regular classroom and teach my own group of kids.  I love teaching, I love helping students, I enjoy writing lesson plans and searching for new ways to make it more engaging so the students will understand it.  I like working one on one with the kids.  This is what I have wanted for the past four years.

I told my principal that I need to think about it and let him know tomorrow.   Jeremy and I started to discuss it. 

We talked about how the kids would get off school/preschool at the same time I did. So they would have to walk home or get a ride and be home everyday by themselves for about 45 minutes at least.  We talked about how I had 3 days to get a my old classroom taken down and new classroom set up and ready to go.  We talked about how I would be teaching math, science, and social studies and last time I taught reading and language arts so totally different subjects.  Which I was ok to learn the core for this and write lesson plans for them.  We also talked about how this was a one year position so next year I would go back to the computer lab and did I really want to do all of this work and preparation for just 1 year.  Then we talked about my leg.  It would mean being at school for an extra five hours per week and a lot more walking.  My leg is slowly getting better but it still hurts every day some days it hurts so bad I can hardly stand on it.  

I called my sitter and she said she would be able to watch the Devin, but she would not be able to pick him up from preschool.  And that on Wednesday I could not be any later than 2:45 picking him.  I called another neighbor and we worked out a car pool so I would take her kids in the morning and she would pick up mine in the afternoon.  So far it was looking like I could do it.  But I still had  a problem with Devin.  What was I going to do about Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday?  Devin had to be picked up from preschool.  And I couldn't promise that I would never be late.  I try really hard but that is something that sometimes is out of your control.  Parents could come talk to you, the principal needs you, kids need you, kids are slow getting out the door, traffic is bad etc.

I didn't sleep at all Tuesday night.  I was stressed about making the right decision.  I really wanted to go to third grade.  I really wanted to go back in the classroom and feel that what I was doing would make a difference.  But it felt wrong for my family.  I felt like it wasn't fair to my kids to have to come home every day with no one home.  I didn't know what to do about Devin and I didn't have enough time to figure it before I had to give him an answer. 

So I called my principal and told him I couldn't take the job.  It made me sad but I feel I made the right decision.  I hope that I will be given another opportunity. 

But  now I can enjoy my last day before I return to work, I can have an enjoyable weekend and watch my daughter play soccer this weekend because I won't be at my school frantically trying to get a new classroom ready to start a new year in just a few days.

Day at the Lake

It was the last Saturday before I had to start back to work and we wanted to do something fun with the kids.  We went to Jordanelle State Park and spend the day at the lake.   It was a rocky beach and the bottom of the lake was really slimy green algae.  The water wasn't too cold.  And we enjoyed swimming and cooling off.

The kids did find some sand to make sand castles.

But we surprised the kids and rented Jet Skis for a couple of hours.  The kids, especially Garrett, really liked it.  Devin liked it if you weren't going fast.  Jenn, Olivia and I were on one at one point and it got tipped.  It was hard climbing back on in the deep water but we managed.  

Children's Discovery Garden

We went to the Children's Discovery Garden this past Tuesday.  In August they have a two for Tuesday deal that you can get in for 2 dollars instead of the normal 6 dollars per person. 

We enjoyed seeing the flower and especially laying in the cool grass in the shade.

They were fascinated by the coy pond and feeding the fish.  Plus we saw a snake.

Playing in the "River"

Playing on the Jungle Gym

But it was so hot, and what they loved most was playing on Noah's Ark.

Now we can check off another thing in Garrett's scout book: Going to a Garden.

Swim Lessons

Olivia floating and treading water.

Olivia's instructor said that Olivia was an excellent swimmer and we should have her be on swim team.  Definitely something to think about.

Garrett doing a back flip.

Devin Swimming underwater.

I put the kids in swim lessons after we got back from WV.  They love swimming so I wanted them to learn the right way to swim.  

FIre

A fire in Eagle Mountain was started by lightning on Sunday evening. The smoke is really bad.

This is a view from Smiths.

This is a view right above the school.

This is the view as your're driving to my school in Eagle Mountain.

At one point yesterday the fire looked like it was going to cross the ridge and come into our neighborhood.   The city issued a "Prepare to Evacuate Order."  I am a block captain so I had to go and knock on our neighbor's doors and tell them that we needed to prepare to leave.  The Evacuation order, thankfully, never came.  But it is good to be prepared just in case.   The mountain is still on fire and is still not contained.  It has already destroyed 2000 acres.

This is the second big fire in our town this summer.

July Sayings

Olivia: After a family home evening about the word of wisdom and eating healthy. She sighs and says, "Our treat is probably broccoli."
Olivia: We are going for our walk and the clouds are dark, we hear thunder and it starts to sprinkle. She says, "The storm seems to follow us."
Devin: Grandma Doolittle gave Devin two dimes. He said, "Can we trade them for the bigger ones."

Garrett: While at the store I bought tomatoes. He said, "Are you making ketchup?"

Devin: I am going to go lay an egg.

Devin: We are at the lake. Devin punches Garrett. I ask him why and he replies, " Garrett said we were playing Zombie Tag and I said No, We are playing WATER Zombie tag.

Devin: While in the car he says, "Mom, next time I am staying with Dad because I like him better."

Devin: While in time out he yells, "I am not going to listen to you for 13 days."

Garrett: In the car home from the lake, he says "Everyone in this car stinks except Grandpa. " Grandpa replies, "Thought I would never hear that said." (He was the only one who didn't get in the lake.)

Devin: At the 4th of July picnic he got hurt. He said,"I think a cupcake will make it feel better."

Devin: Olivia was changing from her swimsuit and Devin saw her. He asked, "Where is your penis?" She replied, "I don't have one." He exclaims," Then how do you go pee?"

Devin: There was a fly in the window and he says, "Fly, I am going to give you a knuckle sandwich." He slaps the fly with the fly swatter. Another fly lands on my leg and he swats it. I yell. He says, "But I had to kill it." (Grandma pays them a dime for every fly they kill)

Devin has an earache and he came to sleep with me. I told him I would take him to the doctor the next day. He replies, "Will they wrap it like my arm?"