Summer is officially over!

Well, since today was "Meet and Greet" with my new students I do feel that the new school year has begun.  It's hard to believe sometimes that I am going into my fifth year in the teaching profession.  However, I must say I love second grade so much more than teaching sixth grade.  But I did truly learn a lot teaching the older ones. 

With this new school year starting I have decided this year to begin work on my National Boards.  I am extremely nervous about this process.  However, I have a WONDERFUL AND SUPPORTIVE husband that encourages me to go through this.  We do not have children at the time and there is nothing but fear stopping me.  So as this school year begins so does my preparation for working on my NB's.

Please say your prayers for us as I work on this.  Not only will it be time consuming it will also be overwhelming.  It will take patience and lots of understanding from family and friends. 

So, with that said, I am ready for my second grade friends on Wednesday.  I am looking forward to a great year!

Outing #1: Helen Keller's Home

Well, if you keep up with my blog you would know that originally I had planned to take weekly outings with my grandmother.  However, a few things came up this summer and we were not able to go anywhere until Friday.  So the first and most likely final outing for the summer was Helen Keller's home in Tuscumbia, AL.

Tuscumbia is located in the northwest corner of the state.  It is approximately an hour and a half from Birmingham.  We left Friday morning around 7:30 and were home by 1:30.  We even stopped and had lunch in downtown Tuscumbia at a quaint little Italian bistro!

Me in front of Ivy Green (the name of the home)!

Katie and I at the well where Anne Sullivan taught Helen to spell out  water in her hand. 

My grandmother and I do plan on taking more trips, however it will have to be on the weekends or my off days during the school year! 

Camping: Lindsay Style

Spencer and I went camping last weekend.  I say "Lindsay" style because it wasn't tent camping.  We went in our travel trailer which has a slide out (makes for more room), an air conditioner,  and a bathroom.  I do not want to use a bath house.  So we use our own bathroom.  Which I must say is very nice! We went to the campground where my parents have their camper permanently set up.  We had a lot of fun.  We were able to hangout with my parents for the weekend and cook out.  On Friday night we enjoyed sitting around the campfire just chit chatting.  On Saturday we just hung out, went for a boat ride, and my sister and mom rode Katie's waverunner.  It was very relaxing and also very nice to have our own place.  We can't wait for fall, when it is cooler to go camping again!

I attempted to take pictures, but they did not turn out like I wanted.  I was practicing with my camera on manual.  Let's just say, I need more practice!

Happy Birthday Spencer!!!

Spencer's birthday is tomorrow, July 29th.  He will be 28 years old. It is so hard for me to believe I was there to celebrate his 16th birthday with him.  This will be the first birthday in 12 years Buddy has not been here to celebrate with him.  Spencer got Buddy on his 16th birthday.  Which I would say was the best birthday present ever!!!! If we could we would go out and adopt another chocolate male right now, but the timing just isn't right.  When it is we will be getting another dog.  I just wanted to wish Spencer a Happy Birthday and also remember Buddy!  There isn't a day that goes by that we don't miss him!

Recent Craft Project

For some reason I decided to get crafty or artsy as some may say.  I wanted a sign that I could put outside my classroom door.  When we were at the beach I noticed some cool signs with a lot of color.  I decided  I could just create my own.  So......this is what I came up with:

I have black ribbon to put on it so it can be hung.  I'll post a picture once I put it outside my classroom door. 

Grayton Beach

Spencer and I just returned from a week stay in Grayton Beach.  Our friends, Lauren and Russell, joined us in the middle of the week.  We had a blast!  It rained a couple of days, but as you know, beach weather comes and goes.  We were able to get to the beach every day.  We enjoyed just sitting on the beach under the umbrella and in the sunshine watching people. 

This is the night we went to the Red Bar.  It is one of our all time favorite restaurants. 

At the Red Bar!

Then on the last night we decided to take some beach photos.  Thanks to Lauren and Russell actually have couple ones!

   It was a very relaxing and much deserved vacation.  We were not ready to come back to the real world. 

The Fruits of Our Labor

Our yummy tomatoes!!!  We are so proud of ourselves.  We are not very good about growing anything, so therefore I must post about this.

Spencer using his new Cutco spreading knife to cut our first tomato of the season.

The yummy tomato sandwich!