Updates...

Why hello there! I know, I know, I am horrible at keeping this thing updated. I seriously do not know where the time goes...

I cannot believe it is already 2010. Less than 6 months until the big day!!! WOOHOO!!! My mom says that reaching the 6 month mark makes it real now so she is getting more emotional about the whole wedding thing. It is not that they don't love Greg, because they definitely do. She gets sad that she will have an empty nest again. Both of my parents have LOVED having me live at home this year in attempt to save money for a house. Anyways, Christmas was weird knowing it would be my last Christmas at home with gifts from "Santa." I had a blast after Christmas though hitting all the big sales getting lots of things for my house next year :)

I also cannot believe I am almost half way through my first year teaching. I still absolutely love it! My kids are great (most of the time...) and I love my co-workers. When I talk to my other first year teacher friends I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am because the support that has been provided to me at my school has been unbelievable. It is quite exciting to now have co-workers that I can consider my friends!

Wedding plans are coming right along...we ordered our invitations and the bags for the candy station, registered (check us out at Crate and Barrel and Bed, Bath & Beyond), checked out wedding bands, booked the limo and music, and more! Greg was wonderful in helping plan all he could while he was home. He did however hog the register gun, but I guess that is ok.

Now on to the little details...I am currently shopping for two things which I am really struggling with. One...a wedding band. I had no idea how difficult it would be to find a ring I loved that goes well with my engagement ring. Any suggestions? My engagement ring is a princess cut with a platinum band so please...send any pictures my way.

Second problem, wedding shoes. I am going Saturday to try on my dress but I cannot begin the alterations process until I find shoes. Normally shoes would not be difficult to find but I am having my shoes be my "something blue." I am not talking electric blue so do not freak out. I want something soft and elegant, but blue. I finally found the PERFECT shoe (pictured below). I am absolutely in LOVE with this shoe...but I cannot find it for sale anywhere. HELP!

xoxo
Casey

Wedding things...

So this blog is supposed to also be about wedding planning as well as first year teaching....considering first year teaching consumes much more of my time than wedding planning I have not written much about the wedding plans. Well...here is an update on the progress being made!

We have finalized bridesmaid dresses and are ordering them this month! They will be baltic blue to match the blue of Greg's dress uniform. I love the color and can't wait to see it all together. I have yet to find a baker??? Anyone in the area have any thoughts? Ana and I stopped by Party City this weekend to check out invitations/beverage napkins and I found the perfect invitations. Greg even approved them :)

Now, on to the the VERY exciting parts! Greg completely surprised me by cancelling our honeymoon to Hawaii and booking a getaway at the Jamaica Sandals Resort! If you know me at all, you know I have been dying to go to an all inclusive resort. We will have an oceanview villa with private pool and a butler! Holy cow!!!! With that being said, we might not get to go. With Greg's schedule so up in the air with flight school we are not positive he will have the time off. Even if we don't get to go right away, we will make it there eventually and I absolutely cannot wait :)

Also, I am thrilled about the plans being made for the final fling with my ladies!!! The ladies and I will be spending a weekend at a GORGEOUS oceanfront home in Sandbridge, VA (see pictures below). I am very lucky to have worked for Siebert Realty the past two summers and the ladies there are wonderful! They were a tremendous help in getting things together...shameless plug...I know...but check them out at www.siebert-realty.com I promise they are great :)

Also, I want to give a shout out to two of my coworkers who were recently engaged! Congratulations Bethany and Lee!!!!!!!!

Enjoy the pictures of the gorgeous home. I must get to work desanitizing my room as today was the much anticipated H1N1 vaccination...eeeeeek!

xoxox
Casey


The outdoor pool


The indoor pool


The library


The kitchen


The movie theatre


The living area


"Four Seasons"

Why I chose teaching Elementary students....

So my story for the day is not actually something that has happened to me, it is currently happening to my sister. My sister teaches high school (10th and 11th grade English). Students are nearing college so the pressure from parents is quite high...even though the kids do not care at all.

Anyways, my sister has a student who is ADHD (along with 80% of the population). She had this student last year and has him again this year. We will call him John. Two weeks ago my sister assigned a paper to the students. All they had to do was take a paper they had previously written and edit/revise and turn it back in. Easy enough, right? It does not require any thought really....just revise and rewrite.

John decided he did not like this assignment I guess. Instead he wrote a research paper about ADHD. A research paper as in a lengthy typed paper with citations, quotes, research, etc. Jill decided to be nice and accept the paper (even though this was NOT the assignment given). Well in high school when a research paper is completed what does any good teacher do? Google the paper to see if it is found online anywhere. Well guess what? Little Johny copied an ENTIRE paragraph, word for word, sentence for sentence, from a paper online. My sister gave him a 0 and wrote up the form for plagiarism (simply following school protocol). In doing so, John's class average significantly decrease and he is unable to be a member of National Honor Society (which wasn't going to happen anyway).

Well, John's mother is livid. How dare my sister hold her son back from being successful?! The mother wrote my sister an email attacking my sister as a horrible person who knows nothing about teaching and how to help children with ADHD. In fact, that is why John wrote the paper in the first place, in hopes of educating my sister on ADHD. The mother continues on to say that she knows for a fact that her son did not cheat while writing his paper because SHE HELPED HIM WRITE IT!

Ok, so let's wrap our heads around this. She is attacking my sister for accusing her son of cheating when she is openly admitting to cheating in her email. Helping your son complete an assignment is cheating lady! Also, how do you help your son write a paper...did you copy and paste from the online source for him?

Needless to say my sister is laughing at this point...but it gets better. My sister is being sued by this mother for "defaming her son's character."

Oh the joys of teaching...

So

I thought I would share my little laugh of the day with you all. My students think I have eyes in the back of my head...for real.

Today, while teaching math I was standing in the front of the room with my back to the front window. Out of the corner of my eye I could see outside the back window. I noticed something moving and realized there was a truck driving outside the window. The A/C people were at our school today trying to fix my stupid thing that has been leaking and therefore broken for 2 months now (thank god it is finally cooler outside). Anyways...I see the truck outside the back window. Well the students all have their backs to the back window so they do not see the truck.

As I am teaching about decimals and their relationship to fractions I notice everyone look past me to the front window that I have my back to. Without skipping a beat (or turning my head at all) I ask the class if they would like to go catch a ride in the back of the truck or would they like to continue to learn about fractions?

A gasp spread across the room with a chorus of whispers asking how did I do that? I let the students know that this was yet again proof that I have eyes in the back of my head. Luckily, the reading specialist happen to visit my room that day as well and she explained to the class that having eyes in the back of your head is a gift given to all parents. While I am not a parent, she did explain that all teachers are given a trial membership until they are parents.

My students bought it and now believe I have eyes in the back of my head. That's right...I am ALWAYS watching.

hahaha

i love my job

Long time no write....

Hello again!

I cannot believe I am so horrible at updating this regulary. It is my new vow to write atleast 3 new blog posts each week. It might do me some good to take a little down time after school and relax before my afternoon to-do list begins.

I do not even know where to begin, since it has been so long since my last post. Let's see...teaching is everything I thought it would be and more. Since we last spoke I have lost 3 students (2 moved to another school and 1 moved to another classroom within the same school) and I have gained 2 new students. That brings my total class size to 21...it annoys me that it is an odd number but I deal with it (weird I know).

We are moving right along with the school year...it is report card time! Ahh! That means that all this week I am holding parent/teacher conferences and grading in preparation. This has been one of my biggest fears about teaching. Let's talk about how excited parents in their late 30s/early 40s are going to be to hear about how their child's 20 something year old teacher is failing their child. So sad for them...maybe if they didn't send in notes that said "Sorry Johnny didn't do his homework last night, his sister was cheering all night" their child might not be failing. Seriously...I got that note.

Tomorrow is my very first teacher work day AND my very first election day (where I can vote in person instead of absentee ballot). How exciting! Better get lots of rest :)

xoxox
Casey

I'm still alive...

Hello again friends! I cannot believe it has been so long since I last wrote, but I can honestly say I have not had time. Ever since I got home from Alabama I have been running full speed ahead all day everyday. I guess I'll start at the beginning...

The week I got home from Alabama I immediately got to work in my classroom. The teacher before me was very disorganized and I believe was asked to leave the school so she left with EVERYTHING. All that remained in my room when I arrived was furniture and the required textbooks and teacher manuals. All of these things were shoved in one corner of the room [before and after pictures to come]. While setting up my room, I also decided it was time to say goodbye to my beloved 95 Honda Civic. After putting my car on Craigs List, it sold in 48 hours for full asking price! WOW! So I am now the proud owner of a 2010 Toyota Camry and I could not be happer [again...pictures to come].

The following week was the official New Teacher Orientation for Virginia Beach Public Schools. All week I learned about the curriculum I would be teaching, finishing setting up my classroom, buying endless items for the classroom [thanks mom and dad!!!!], and meeting coworkers. It was a very exciting yet exhausting week. After such I long week I was ready to kick back and have a good time....thank god for weddings :)

The weekend had finally arrived for Amberly and Jason's wedding!!!! I had a fabulous time being reunited with all my girls and being a part of Amberly and Jason's big day. Amberly was absolutely stunning! I am so very happy for the two of them!!! The weekend made me even more excited for my own [less than 10 months now!!!!

After a fun filled weekend real world started on Monday [perfect timing...huh?] All week I had meetings all morning and worked in my classroom all afternoon. Thursday I had the opportunity to meet my students and parents at my schools Meet and Greet. Out of 20 students [which has now become 22 students] I had 16 parents and children turn up...pretty good considering the Meet and Greet was held at 2:00 in the afternoon in the middle of the week. I put in alot of hours this week making sure everything was perfect for the first day of school.

Labor Day weekend arrives and I am able to stay distracted between Lindsey's Bridal Shower I hosted in Williamsburg and Kelly's visit to Virginia Beach [finally!] We had a wonderful weekend, finally relaxing and enjoying the gorgeous weather for the last weekend of summer. Finally, Tuesday morning arrived! I felt like a 5 year old all over again....what to wear? what to pack for lunch? will they like me? The lack of sleep Monday night was just ridiculous.

Tuesday morning I put on my big girl panties and show up a whole hour early! The kids finally arrived and it was very comforting to see their terrified faces coming down the hall [is it ok that the teacher is more nervous than the students?] I make it through the day without a single problem! We play ice breaker games, listen to Kidz Bop during group work [that's right....Kidz Bop], make it to all our resources on time, and learn a little about math and social studies somewhere in there! The day flew by! It is time to dismiss the students to the busses when the loud speaker comes on to say "Attention All Teachers! Do not dismiss your students. There are no buses here to take them home!" SERIOUSLY?! DID THEY JUST DISAPPEAR?! HOW DO THEY NOT SHOW UP?!

So I have to think quick...what do I do? Well...I have already dismissed the students who walk home and get picked up by parents so I can't cover more material. What now? I decide to let the students to talk amongst themselves because I have no idea how long we will be waiting for these buses. I pretend to be busy with paperwork at my desk while I listen in to their conversations. Oh boy! I overhear one girl Alissa [names have been changed :)] telling another girl, "Hey! Feel my legs....I shaved last night and they are still smooth!" OMG! 4th grade here people! We don't need smooth legs! I ask Alissa to pull her pant leg back down because we do not need to know this information about her.

Then there is Andy. Andy is my little buff, redneck football player. Andy is talking to Lucas, my innocent, sweet boy and Jackson, my big black football player. While they are chatting about football, someone makes a comment about Jackson's lips and little Andy says, "Well yeah, people like him are supposed to have big lips." WHAT?! People like him? Jesus...WHERE ARE THE BUSES?!?!?!?!?! I ask Andy to keep the conversations appropriate and let's get back to football. Two minutes later I overhear Andy saying to Jackson in complete astonishment, "You've been through puberty?!" Ok really?! WHERE IN THE HELL ARE THE BUSES?!

The buses finally arrive and I survive the first day. Second day was not as great. For whatever reason I felt lke I was already failing them as their teacher. I am overwhelmed. Tired. And on top of everything, really missing Greg because he is in school in Alabama on solitary confinement for 21 days. This solitary confinement just so happens to coincide with the first 21 days of school. UGH. So I am down in the dumps and exhausted. I finally get home after being at school for 12 hours. I feel like crying when I walk in the door and have a beautiful bouquet of flowers waiting for me from Greg :) How lucky am I?

Today was a much better day not only because I had a better day at work, but also because today is Ms. Whitney Lemke's birthday!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY WHIT! I will be headed to DC first thing Saturday to celebrate her birthday as well as attend the JMU v. MD football game!!!! GO DUKES! I cannot wait for a wonderful weekend and hopefully, what will become a wonderful school year.

Sorry for such a long post, but there was much to be caught up on....and who knows when I will be back again?! Hope you enjoyed! Have a wonderful evening!

Homeworkopoly???

Hello friends! In my attempt to get ready for the school year to begin I have been doing random research trying to find new and creative ideas for anything and everything in my classroom. It is amazing the ideas you discover while reading through online discussion boards...I will have to remember that! Anyways, while on my search for new and exciting ideas I came across "Homeworkopoly." Personally, I have never heard of the game, and therefore never played. It seems to be a pretty common thing from what I have seen online. Anyone ever played? The general idea is to provide motivation for students to complete their homework. I can set up a large monopoly board on one of my five bulletin boards (like the one pictured below). Each student will have their own figure or magnet to move. Whenever a child turns in their homework, they get a chance to roll the die and move that many spaces. This game continues throughout the whole school year for every student. Of course, there are special spaces you can land on where you win things (hence the motivation to do homework!) Kids can win free candy, small prizes, lunch with the teacher, volunteer in the kindergarten classroom, etc. I can pretty much make it however I want it really, but I am just not sure if it will work. Will this board game really encourage students to do their homework for a whole school year??? Thoughts anyone?

Weekend full of surprises...

Hello again! Today was quite an uneventful day here in Enterprise, Alabama (big surprise, huh?) so I thought I would share my wonderful weekend with you all. Greg decided to take us down to Panama City for the weekend just to get away. We stayed at the Marriott on the Bay Point resort. Greg and I thought this would be just another hotel with close access to the beach, boy we were wrong! This hotel is a part of it's own little community. There were 3 different pools to choose from, multiple bars and restaurants, and a private island on the Gulf of Mexico! Just by staying at this hotel we gained access to this island and were taken there by boat for free. We couldn't help but sing "I'm on a boat..." the whole way over the first trip. We were a little excited :) The water was unbelievably clear and the sand sparkling white! It was gorgeous! Greg and I had a wonderful, relaxing time just playing in the water and soaking in the sun. I probably should not have watched so much Shark Week last week though....I was a little jumpy in the water. I swear I saw large shadows moving quickly multiple times!!! On top of this little island getaway, we were also close to Pier Park in Panama City which is a cute little outdoor strip of beachy shops, restauraunts, bars, beach, etc. Our evenings here were just as wonderful with dinners on outdoor patios (plenty of people watching opportunities...YES!) and cool ocean breezes. We enjoyed our time so much we are considering going back again this weekend with some of the boys (Greg's friends from flight school)! So if you ever get a chance, I highly recommend this place. I even had room service for the first time! The pictures just do not do it justice.

While I am eager to get home and start preparing for the school year, I am not looking forward to leaving Greg (and our weekend getaways) as I will not get to see him again until his sister's wedding in late October. Oh the joys of long distance relationships...

Have a wonderful evening and enjoy the pictures!

The view from our room :)

Greg and I on the beach under the gorgeous moon :)

Beautiful beaches with a storm rolling in...

Greg's awesome photography skills

Sunset after dinner :)

Bring it on real world...

Hello all! Thanks for visiting my blog! I am new to this whole blogging idea. I have a few friends that have blogs of their own and I greatly enjoy following along in their journey. While I do not consider myself the greatest writer (the sister definitely got that gene) I figured I would branch out and try something new. Therefore, I decided to give this whole blogging thing a try as I begin my first year teaching. I am thrilled to finally have my own classroom and begin this next phase of my life. While taking on my first year teaching I am also planning my wedding so this next year will definitely be very eventful! I look forward to sharing this journey with you all! In about 2 weeks I will begin working for Virginia Beach Public Schools as a 4th grade teacher. This was my top choice (for school district and grade)! I consider myself very lucky to have this opportunity and cannot wait to get started. I have spent the summer planning out my classroom and how I hope to run things. Call me a nerd all you want, but I have loved every minute of it! I don't know what it is, but I get great pleasure out of planning every little detail of every little thing (just ask Greg! haha!) I am currently visiting with Greg in Alabama before the school year starts and today he took me to the local teacher supply store. I could seriously spend hours in there! I walked out with a few small purchases (still waiting on those paychecks to start rolling in....ahhh!) On top of these small purchases, my parents were wonderful enough to pick up a few things for me this weekend during the tax free shopping at home! WOOHOO! Even though I have put a lot of planning into my classroom and have shopped around plenty, I am still feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to purchase. Any thoughts/suggestions??? I have 5 bulletin boards in my classroom! FIVE! I need ideas here people! As soon as I return from Alabama I will begin work in the classroom and getting everything set up so any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated!

Hope you all are enjoying your summer as much as I am! Spending this quality time with Greg before the school year starts has been absolutely wonderful. Only 11 more months until we are married :)

Well, time to get some dinner cooking :) Thanks again for visiting! Can't wait to share my journeys with you all!

xoxo