I didn’t blog last weekend. OOPS.
Here’s why:
I snuck off to Texas for a longish (but not nearly long enough AT ALL) weekend!
I had the BEST time!! Seriously. THE BEST.
Kerry is the one who convinced me not to blog. We can all blame her. 😉 When I mentioned that I didn’t even know what to blog about, and how I asked people on Instagram to ask me questions so that I could possibly, maybe, sort of do a Frequently Asked Questions type post or something — I mean, I’ve seen other Instagrammers doing this and it seemed like lots of fun — and how, after asking for questions, I only got COMMENTS from a couple of well meaning people and THAT’S ALL – well, Kerry said SKIP YOUR BLOG THIS WEEK.
So I shrugged my shoulders and said okay, sounds good, whatever!
Any, anyway, we were SUPER busy. Holy activities, Kerry and her husband, and their three kids are CRAZY BUSY.
I practically got whiplash watching them all keep up with one another and get from here to there, and back around, and when it’s 9pm there, they’re all still wide awake and running out to get ice cream, or dashing to Target, and I’m just sitting there like . . . um, hello? 9:00 means go upstairs, brush your teeth, and GET IN BED to read a chapter in the novel you’re reading which you don’t actually remember reading at all the next day because you were so exhausted in the first place.
Here’s what you need to know about my weekend:
** I ate at the following places: Taco Bueno, Cotton Patch, Del Pietro’s, Andy’s Custard, Firehouse Subs, and Braums.
** Madison, my 16 year old niece, is on the dance team for her high school. They just so happened to have their football game at the Star, which is the Dallas Cowboys Headquarters. The game was indoors, the stadium is state of the art, shiny, and beautiful. I absolutely loved watching her dance at halftime. She is seriously living the life I wished and daydreamed about when I was in high school. The best thing about Madison is that she is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside! I don’t know if you can tell from the picture, but she is a Rangerette. Which is why she looks like a dancing cowgirl in a super sparkly glittery hat. Plus, they dance in white cowboy boots.
** Collin, my 14 year old nephew, played in a basketball game and, I swear, it was CRAZY because of the coach on the other team. HOLY EXTRA. I mean, this guy was a BARKER. He was absolutely NEVER quiet, he was actually quite rude and, at one point, was using foul language in front of all the players, and, at another point, told Collin’s coach that he was from Chicago and was prepared to fight. I was pretty darn sure we were going to be on the news!!! The amazing thing was how calm and cool and collected Collin’s coach was. SUPER IMPRESSIVE. I, on the other hand, was OUT OF CONTROL. Kerry had to hold me back. Apparently, I embarrassed her.
OH, I KID, I KID!!!!
** It rained every single day. EVERY SINGLE DAY. The temps also got down into the 40s, and with the WIND CHILL, it felt like it was in the 30s. OH MY MY. We even had a fire in the fireplace!! Texans everywhere near Dallas are sick and tired of it, SICK TO DEATH OF IT, they have had rain for SIX weekends IN A ROW, but let me tell you . . . this Southern California girl was LOVING EVERY SECOND OF IT.
Well, okay, not the part where Kerry forgot to tell me to bring my rain boots, and not the part where I forgot to tell myself to bring my rain boots, but all the other parts were totally worth it.
** Caden, my 12 year old nephew, played in a football game in the FREEZING COLD RAIN and we stayed for the ENTIRE GAME. The weather was so bad that they shortened the quarters to six minutes each.
And look.
Seriously.
I’m more of a baseball girl (GO DODGERS! We are in game 7 tonight against the Brewers and whoever wins goes on to the World Series to play the Red Sox), than a football girl, so call me crazy and stupid, but 6 minutes x 4 quarters = 24 minutes. And we were out there for AT LEAST AN HOUR.
What’s with all the time-outs? Do you not know that it’s RAINING? And that I’m shivering? And that even though we had a big ole golf umbrella, and I was wearing Kerry’s snow boots, and Madison’s North Face jacket, and Madison’s winter coat on top of the North Face jacket, and Caden’s snow gloves, and Kerry’s winter beanie on my head, the rain was coming in SIDEWAYS?
HELLO? ANYONE? Do you not know that recess gets cancelled in Southern California for a light mist? For a mist that we can’t even feel? That when it’s sprinkling in Southern California, our parents send their kids to school with umbrellas and boots and hats and winter coats and call the office to make sure recess will be cancelled?
It was a tad bit hard to handle on my part, but hey! Caden’s team won!!! And then we went out for ice-cream because THAT MAKES TOTAL SENSE.
Obvi.
** Kerry, Madison, and I went to the movies and saw Crazy Rich Asians, which we ALL loved. It was super good! I tried to read the book, but I couldn’t get into it. I know, I know. I’m sorry. I just couldn’t. But I really loved the movie!!
** The whole family (Kerry, Robert, all three kids, and me) went to Del Pietro’s which is a small family Italian restaurant in their town. It was such a fun dinner with lots of conversation. I had the Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce (I added chicken to be healthy because you know me – I’m so health conscious and all) and it was TO DIE FOR. Their portions are HUGE so we had left overs the next day.
** I got to sleep in.
** We walked Kerry’s dog, Baxter.
** I walked on Kerry’s treadmill where I am currently binge watching old episodes of 90210 on Amazon Prime. It is so bad, it’s good!!
** Kerry made soup and we ate it.
I think that’s it.
I think I covered the whole long-ish weekend.
It was fast, it was a whirlwind, it was absolutely necessary. I can’t believe how OLD my niece and nephews are getting, and how I feel like I’m running out of time to see them do all their fun sports stuff.
Once, Kerry said, okay, we’ve lived apart for long enough, which one of us is going to do something about it?
And I just really wanted to cry.
I can’t do anything about it right now because I’m teaching here, and I guess I need to teach longer for retirement purposes or something all grown up and adult sounding like that . . . and you know, Steve and Murphie are here, too, so there’s that . . .
But Kerry has kids! And Caden is only 12. Or already 12. It depends on how you look at it. And Madison wants to go to college somewhere nearby in Texas or Oklahoma so Kerry doesn’t want to be here in California . . .
UGH.
I literally have my heart in two places.
Which means I have a broken heart because half my heart is here in California and the other half is in Texas.
WAAAAAHHHHHHH.
🙁
On that sad turn of events . . .
You’re all caught up!!!!
But . . . here’s a serious question.
Do you NOT have questions for me? Like, really? Is there anything you want to know about me or school or Steve or Murphie or Texas or how I’m addicted to Blistek?
Hmmmmm . . .
Your cancelled recesses crack me up! I teach kindergarten in Michigan and I tell parents “if it’s above 0 degrees, we’re going out!” 15 degrees? No problem! Kids, grab the extra snow pants and boots I keep in my locker and let’s go!
I’m sorry, but I have no questions! I do, however, enjoy reading your posts. I’m in Connecticut, so rain is fairly frequent. We DO cancel recess if it gets into the 20s, though. I’m sure in Minnesota and other northern states they would probably find that silly. Our kids bring their snow gear in winterto they can play in the snow during recess.
Jan
Laughter and Consistency
I LOVE reading your blog and I think I’ve told you before that you make me laugh out loud while reading it! I teach in Southern California and everything you said about recess here is so true. Glad you had such a good time with family!
Hey Kristin! I’m in my 24th year of teaching, so I love reading about your perspective because we’ve been teaching close to the same amount of time! I totally echoed your sentiments about reading and the Fountas and Pinnell kit a few weeks back. I taught first grade for several years and now teach kindergarten. For school-related questions, I’m wondering, how do you all teach writing? And just for fun questions, what kind of products are you into right now for skincare/makeup/hair stuff? You always look so great! Thanks for always sharing your thoughts with us, and making me laugh every week! Sending prayers that you are having a great year!
I would love you to blog about your daily schedule. Even in my 33rd year I am having more trouble than ever fitting it all in to my day!
I teach in MN, and while we rarely cancel for cold (it has to be below zero before windchill, and even then we sometimes go out) we do have indoor recess if it rains. Which is good because middle school kids tend to smell like wet dog after the rain
Checking in from MN here, and we (kindergarten), go outside unless the temp (with windchill) is -10 or lower. But we are usually big babies about rain. Except for several weeks ago, when it rained every school day for two weeks straight. We actually took the kids outside on two days where it was just sprinkling so that they could get their wiggles out. WE were miserable under our big umbrellas, but the kids loved it.
How old is Murphie? Do you walk or run on the treadmill? Do you have one at your home? I am a huge binge watcher of shows, and think this could be a way to get in some exercise when it’s too cold, wet, hot, etc to be outdoors. I am completely a fair-weather exerciser!
I love reading your blog but some questions I wonder is…
Do you struggle with not being able to have kids- can you share your heart on this?
Do you ever feel lack of motivation for teaching and what do you do?
What do you do when your school is forcing too many demands on you (32 kids, etc.) do you just suck it up and deal with it or how do you have a voice?
How do you build close relationships with kids when you have such a large class? (I know your class is smaller this year.)
Are you and introvert or extrovert?
These are things I wonder but of course, I know you deserve privacy and to only share what you want to share. Just asking some questions since you asked! Thanks for blogging- we enjoy reading!
I teach kindergarten in a Michigan. We go out for recess if it’s 0 or above with wind chill. I have snow pants and a long, puffy coat. It’s a lovely look! We have been known to be outside when it’s sleeting, but we come in for rain. In the winter if it’s sunny and 40 degrees, we have to tell the kids to put their coats back on!
I’ll ask you some questions: What do you do for indoor recess? Do you have to do recess duty? Do you play any instruments? What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Have you ever wanted to teach another grade level? What do you think you’ll do when you retire someday? Do you ever think about writing a book? (I’d definitely buy it!) That’s all of the random questions I can think of right now.
Thank you for being so real about teaching. You can come teach in Michigan with me anytime you want. Kindergarten is fun! And having the heat on on 9 months out of the year isn’t that bad!
I’d love to hear about any English Language Learners you have and how you teach them.
I wonder how you do your math. I think we use the same curriculum and it is not always kid friendly, very wordy. We have to give benchmarks so I have to teach it well enough so all those word problems make sense. I have gotten better at teaching the lesson andnleaving time for math games…but, still wondering.
Also, I would love to see your wedding picture, just for fun!
Ps. I went to same F NP training, trying to figure out where to start my kids, we were not trained for assessments!
Recess, yes, I teach in CA also, recess canceled for mist, lol. Thought they were going to call recess off because of wind this week. Those Santa Ana’s were blowing.
Hello from Australia here! I love reading your posts and look forward to your witty and thoughtful stories!
How are the floaters in your eye? Have they gone now?
Love reading about your daily schedules at school as it is so different to our school days.
Have you traveled outside of America? Where would you like to visit?
Do most teachers stick to teaching the same year level every year? I have taught most year levels in less than 10 years in primary school!
Do you sell much on TPT?
Thanks 😊
Sorry I have no questions but I just so love reading your blog every week. We have a lot in common and sometimes I feel as if I could have written so much you write (I have heart issues, I can relate to your dentist stories, and your classroom stories sound so much like mine). Every week your blog is a little bit of sunshine in my life and your writing style no matter what you are writing about puts a smile on my face. It is crazy how I feel as if someone I have never met face to face could be one of my best friends. And I promise I am not a crazy stalker. LOL! I just enjoy your writing style and knowing there are others in this crazy world in which we live (even across the country from me) who have found a way to find joy even in all the mess of life!
I too could not get into the Crazy Rich Asians book, but I forced myself to plow through it to finish it. I’m just that way- ha! Way too much description and lineage info. Everyone says the movie is great but I haven’t had time to see it. Teaching gets in the way!
HI! I’ve been a fan of yours for years. First time posting though! I love hearing about your family, your husband, Murphie, and your trips! I’d love to know more about the books you read for pleasure as well as the shows you like to binge. 🙂 I’d also like to hear how you deal with all the demands of teaching. I”ve been teaching 25 years and the job gets harder and harder. Are there times when you just say ” you know, I’m just not doing that”? Teaching is a job that can take over your life if you let it. I’d like to hear how you find balance or your struggle to do so. For me, its a struggle because I tend to be a perfectionist. I always like to hear how others deal with this.
Thanks for sharing your life with us! You are my favorite blogger!
I love reading your posts!! You make me laugh every single time! Unless it’s about your sweet boy who passed a couple years ago.
Anyway, I live in the Dallas area and definitely understand your pain last weekend! My 14 year old son is in the marching band and I feel so bad I haven’t seen him march but maybe twice this whole season because of the rain. I love my son and I love football. But I don’t love sitting in the rain watching sports…we get too much of that watching my other two kids play soccer year-round.
I had a question, but can’t remember it now. I’ll comment again if I ever remember it!
JoAnna
Hi! Long time listener, first time caller. Questions:
-What books do you recommend reading for pleasure? Top 10 of 2018 ?
-Thoughts on audio books vs. actual books?
-Favorite and least favorite lesson to teach?
-Do your students and parents know about TPT and your blog? If so, how do you approach it?
-When do you retire? Do you have any plans of doing TPT/anything else full-time instead of teach?
-Would you/have you ever job-shared to do a part-time position? Likes/dislikes?
I hope that’s enough to get started 😉 I don’t follow any other teaching blogs, but have kept yours in my feed because you are so darn relatable and entertaining. Thanks for that!
I love reading your blog. I always enjoy hearing your funny stories. Your bachelor posts always cracked me up. I started using your idea for book tubs and putting activities for our kids in them. Do you have any other new ideas on what to put inside?
More questions: I went overboard at target and bought a ton of Halloween erasers. Can you recommend a good ten frame game, or activity from tpt?
We have a color printer at school, but we can only print so many things in color. What’s a good printer I can get for home?
My class loves your listen and learn activities. Any new ones coming?
What are your most recent favorite purchases on tpt?
I teach in the OC and totally relate to losing recess for “weather.” It was windy last week- sigh
Thanks for making me smile:)