February

I've been tagged by Kate to list 10 things I like about February. Hmm.... This could take some thought.

1. President's Day (No school)
2. 68 degree weather
3. Tax returns
4. Hot water
5. Getting Valentines from my students.
6. The day after Valentine's day when the excitement is all over.
7. Curling up and reading a book on a cold day.
8. Getting started running & learning to love it.
9. American Idol
10. The end of the writer's strike.

OK, that was easier than I thought. I tag Sarah & Katrina. But February ends soon, so hurry up!

A New Look

I finally became inspired to update the look of my blog. I've had a long weekend this weekend and I still have another day off tomorrow so I am actually feeling caught up on most things. My list of things to do has been caught up and I feel great about that. What a foreign feeling it is since I have felt so overwhelmed lately. I'm just glad to feel like I can relax and enjoy myself for a little while. I hope you like the new look. Now I need a catchy title to put on the header of my blog. Linda is fine and well but I think I need something a little more interesting. Any suggestions?

Runner in Training

I made the decision a couple of weeks ago that I am going to run the Bolder Boulder this year. It is a race in Boulder that is held on Memorial Day. A friend from work really wants me to do it with her, so I told her that I would try. So, now I'm on a training regimen that she has put me on. It is a lot of running and it is really pushing me, but it has been good. I am definitely not a natural runner. I have to add 1 more minute of hills on the treadmill every time I run, which is NO FUN! Pretty soon I'll be running on the treadmill and outside, but I'm waiting for it to get a little bit warmer before I start that. I'm sure my "trainer" is going to make me get out there soon, though. But, I am excited about it and it is giving me more energy. I'll have to run 6 miles for the race. This is something I've never done in my life, so it is quite a challenge but I hope that it is something I can do and feel accomplished in. I'll keep you all posted.

When it Rains it Pours

Well, I survived the week. I had my moments when I thought it wouldn't happen. My water heater pilot light went out, which seems like it shouldn't be a big deal, but it turned out to be a big ordeal. My dad tried to help me over the phone, but we couldn't get it figured out, so I had to wait for someone to come fix it. It took him about 24 hours, so that was kind of a pain. On Monday morning I woke up and it was freezing in my apartment. Plus it was snowing here, so that was an extra added bonus. As it turned out, the guy who came to fix the water heater turned off the fan to my heater, so it wasn't kicking on. I found that to be very helpful of him. :) You think I'm finished?? I'm just getting started. I had to go get new rear brakes on my car and the rotors rotated (whatever that means). What a pain. But it is fixed and hopefully I won't have any more car issues for awhile. Work was crazy. I gained 6 more kids in my reading class, because the teacher who was teaching them decided she didn't want to do it anymore. She didn't like the grading or dealing with the parents. She said that it wasn't what she signed up to do and she is more of a support person and doesn't want to be their reading teacher. ARG!!!! So, my class has now grown to 26. Yes, that's correct 26 little munchkins in my room that sometimes feels like a small box. We'll become very close, I'm sure. But I'm happy to take them and get them what they need and to teach them because that is my job. I'm just thankful that the week is over and I can hopefully relax a little the next few days. Sorry for the negativity, but just had to get it out. I'm also excited that I only have 4 days next week and 4 days the week after. Yea for short weeks!

From the Mouths of First Graders

OK, I've left you in suspense long enough. I thought you might enjoy some of the hilarious things my kids have said in the past few weeks. There have been some that have left me laughing out loud at them. Sometimes I can't help myself. The even funnier thing is that they aren't meaning to be funny. They just say it like they see it.

We are learning about habitats in Science and I asked the kids if they knew what a habitat was and one girl said "It is like when I tip in my chair. I have the habitat of tipping back in my chair." It took me a minute to figure out that she meant habit, not habitat.

In reading we were looking at the pictures in our story and making predictions on what was happening in the story. There was a picture of 2 kids sitting on barstools eating icecream. When I asked the kids what they thought was happening in the picture one boy said "It looks like they went to a bar and they are having a drink." I about died of laughter over that one. In fact, I'm laughing now typing it.

Yesterday was the 100th day of school so we spent the day doing things that related to the number 100. We did this writing activity about what you will look like and what you will be doing when you are 100 years old. One girl looked at me and said "Miss McKenzie, what are you going to be doing when you are 100. Obviously you'll get there before we do." Hahahaha!!

I know that there are many more, but those are the ones that come to mind at the moment.