01.29.13

Addie's collection of garage sale barbie stuff (on my bedroom floor!)

We could get used to these Tuesday snow days.

01.28.13

My first eBay sale!  

01.27.13

Skiing with my baby and my sister (nice picture Ivy!) on the Tech Trails.

Project 52, week 4/52

"Frame it"

Frame it- That's the theme for this week's Project 52 post.  I spent Saturday with Addie, enjoying a local festival.  

My community gets so much snow (3rd in the nation for accumulation, by some standards) that they adopt a "can't beat 'em, join 'em" attitude.  This week was the Finnish Heikinpaiva around here, a midwinter celebration of the snow.  Sleigh rides, craft fair, parade, bonfire by the sledding hill, polar bear dive- every thing you need for a good time.  

Here's Addie in the door frame of an old Finnish log cabin, and then here she is again, because she's cute, sitting in the passenger seat and framed by the handles of this giant kicksled type of thing that they used in the days of yore.  Well not this one, because this one is a super sized pretend one.  But a smaller one.  Much smaller.  You get the idea.  

Check here to see what Theresa framed this week.

01.26.12

Sledding.  And snow mountain climbing.

01.25.13

I'm not sure quite how to respond to this.

01.24.13

Math workshop at the ISD.  Because teachers who know more math teach better math.  8 hours, once a month.  I would say it's because I love math, because I do, but it might be because they're giving me an iPad at the end.

01.24.13

In first grade, it's all about the special treats.

01.23.13

Today would have been a good day to have a garage.

01.22.13

When it's too cold to leave the house, we get out the sprinkles.  And yes, she's still in her pajamas at 3 in the afternoon.

01.21.13

Mondays are better with a crown.

01.20.13

I love this picture because I didn't have to lift a shovel to clear this driveway- the landlord does it!

01.19.13

Countdown to Disneyworld!

Project 52, week 3/52

The theme for this week's Project 52 photo was "round."  We had a Snow Day in 1st grade.  Not really, but we call it that.  It's an excuse to wear pajamas to school and do crafts.  As a part of a writing project, of course, because the curriculum expectations do not provide enough time in the day for fun that doesn't meet an educational standard of some sort. 

So anyways, after we read snowman stories and wrote about How to Build a Snowman, I got out the paint.  Even though almost every writing sample involved 3 round balls, and that's the way they've always drawn them too, I wanted them to try a different perspective.  This guy looks round, with no circles involved.   Except for the snowflakes I guess.  They're looking pretty round.  And big.  Must be a U.P. snowman.  Yay for 1st grade!  And yay for Pinterest, where I saw these guys!

Please visit Theresa to see what she found that was round this week.

01.18.13

Friday night college hockey.  Best enjoyed with a dish of Zanzibar ice cream.

01.17.13

Back walkover.  If you can't do one yet on the ground, trying one on the beam is the logical next step.

01.16.13

Crazy socks night at Sparks.  Anything for a piece of candy.

01.15.13

I guess I did tell her she could get herself some juice.

01.14.13

Love notes from a 1st grade friend.

01.13.13

Sunday night at the bowling alley.  Who can resist a buck a game?  Thanks for the picture Sarah :)

01.12.13

Skating friends with a regular Saturday morning date. 

Project 52, week 2/52

The theme this week was "new."  Friday, school got canceled due to dangerous road conditions- black ice. Yay!  I mean, Oh shoot I had so much to teach those kiddos.  We used the unexpected day off to Get Stuff Done, and then we went to the library.  My favorite mocha, my favorite chair by the fireplace, and two new books.  OK not new, but new to me.

To see what's "new" with my friend Theresa, visit her here. 

01.11.13

Friday night friends.  Bible study for the grown ups, Rocky and Bullwinkle for the kids, and black beans and rice for all.

01.10.13

Some kids might think they're too old to ride in the cart.  Not this one.

01.09.13

We like to get homework done before we leave school.  Sometimes.

01.08.13

It's silly how much I looked forward to transferring all the important stuff over to my new planner.  I can't believe I lived without it for 8 days.

01.07.13

Yes, that is a penguin on Pennsylvania Avenue.  He just purchased it.

01/06/13

My sister and I, half way to the top of Mt. Baldy by Eagle Harbor.  Six miles round trip.  I think it was a lot more straight up than it looks in this picture.  The view was AMAZING.

Project 52, Week 1/52

My Self-portrait, alternately titled, My 2:00 Shadow.  

I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and trying this new thing.  It's a thing where you have a group of girls who decide to post a picture of a week based on a given theme.  The theme for this first week of Project 52 was "Self-Portrait."  

For me, it was either this shot or a picture of me taking a picture of myself in the mirror.  Or a funny looking missing arm girl picture that I take by pointing the camera at myself.  Both of which I tried.  But I like this better, even if it kind of looks like I have a pin head. I was on the Churning Rapids Trails with my sister on a lovely sunny Saturday with my new skis, my Christmas present to myself.  I got a couple of good years out of my old ones, hand me downs circa 1985, but it was definitely time for an upgrade.

This picture defines me because- I'm enjoying the weekend.  I'm enjoying the sun.  I'm enjoying winter (OK technically I prefer summer but I am a glass half full kind of girl).  I'm enjoying the woods.  Also, I'm showing my expert use of my camera  (Push the green power button.  Twist the twisty knob  to Scene: Snow.  Take the picture.)  

Now, if you're still reading, please check out Theresa's self-portrait at http://www.hpartyoffour.blogspot.com/.

01.05.13

Good bye for now, little snowmen.  See you next December.

01.04.13

After a lengthy conversation about practical resolutions with 6 year olds:
"This year I will learn to do flips on my snowmobile."
"This year I will keep my room kind of clean and be kind to my brother.  Sometimes."
"This year I will not tolerate bullies.  I will tell a teacher and practice Tai Kwan Do."

01.03.13

And we're off to a good start this morning.

01.02.13

Vacation is over, starting tomorrow.  I think I'm ready.

01.01.13

Skiing off Cliff Drive north of Calumet near some old mines.  We definitely started off on a trail.  Before too long, it was "I think this is a trail."  Then, "I think this should lead us to a trail."  Ivy is skijoring.  It's a real sport.