Reptile Show

We had a reptile show in class. If you're wondering, this snake is NOT the same snake, although it is the same kind, that Britney Spears used in her show. I asked, and was disappointed by the answer.

Giant snake that seemed to find me wherever I was in the room and wrapped herself around my leg. That snake is strong.

Lizard that is apparently a "good pet." Pssh.

Tortoise.

Tarantula. I stayed far far away from it.

Just for you, Mom!

Holiday Hoopla

Eating Thanksgiving cupcakes that Paige and I made for our classrooms. They were incredibly intense but also incredibly cute.

While at home for Thanksgiving we went to Omsi and built a block castle in the toddler room.

Kids toys are fun for everyone.

Thomas loves me. (Duh.)

This is Lucy's way of telling me I hurt her feelings. Whoops.

We also went to an embarrassing Blazers game.

Freshman friends, or rather, some of the freshman friends right before Thanksgiving.

Harry Potter numero 7. This was like a holiday. It was real cold that night.

Christmas crafts create chaos in the classroom. Alliteration intended.

Christmas lights at Temple Square. Due to crowds we did not stay long.

Is that the only costume you could fit in?

Halloween party at school. I was a lovely strawberry. Although half the school thought I was tomato.

One of the games at the party. Notice Rita Skeeter front and center.

Vampire and, to the right, a scientist. He carried around a flashlight and a microscope.

Cookie decorating.

Best strawberry costume ever. Thanks mom!

Witches Night Out

Witches Night Out. All girls. All dressed as witches. In a craft village. In other words, the perfect event for Mare, Jenna, Paige, and me. Why wouldn't our witch costumes include rhinestones, sequins, and giant tulle bows?

I now know what Disney characters feel like at Disney World. Little children at Paradise wanted both to come up and say hi to us but were too scared to be too close at the same time. Things I didn't mind: the constant winks coming from the employees.

Photo ops galore.

Scones are always a good choice. As are corn dogs at 10 pm.

Sassiest witches at Gardner Village.

September

She & Him. Zooey is adorable, I may want to be her.

My first rodeo in Bluffdale. Bluffdale=best place ever.

Utah State Fair...

...was "bushels o' fun."

"Queen of the School" with her subjects. (Eden made me a crown.)

Somehow it's become popular to read their written work to the class whilst crossing their legs. I love it.

Six year olds like to clean. I like to take advantage of this in the form of them washing the walls in my classroom. And the counters, and the desks, and the tables...

We made artwork ala Eric Carle. Each paper says "I see a _______ looking at me."

Happenings

Amelia and I at the Twilight Concert Series. New Pornographers.

Step Up 3D. All I expected and more. I'm pretty sure I could make it as a street hip hop dancer.

Student: Miss Hansen, somehow I didn't notice before, and I forgot to tell you, but I have this in my shirt (gestures to giant gaping slit in front of shirt).

Me: That's a real big hole, how did that happen?

Student: I don't know. Well maybe I was poking my pencil in my shirt and it ripped.

My students like to break out into song. This week's favorites: Down By the Bay and This Old Man. It's convenient because I, too, like to sing whilst working.

Year 2

Things I've learned about 1st graders so far:
-Neediest age group ever.
-In order to get anything done, I have to explain EVERY minute detail, including how to number a spelling test.
-They have to go to the bathroom literally every 5 min.
-Raising their hands is an impossibility at this point.
-They're real cute and I'm already in love with them.

Here's to year 2.

Project Dresser

Our garage workshop for the project.

Before shot of Paige's dresser.

Before shot of one of my drawers. Sadly I did not get a shot of the entire dresser before painting. Trust me, it was atrocious and purple/pink. And yes, those are stenciled butterflies and dragonflies on the knobs.

After shot of my dresser. It's a lovely sky blue, no?

Close up of my knob.

After shot of Paige's dresser. Moral of the story: we are crafty to the extreme.

Caryn and Lee finally tied the knot

Manti=windiest place on earth. Step aside, Riverton.

No picture is complete without Geraldine.

the reception was beautiful.

Fourth of July

Patriotic