Classroom Explosion!

Today's post was supposed to be about Meatless Monday.  I planned on incorporating my meal, recipe, and some awesome websites. I even had it all planned out and partially written...EPIC FAIL.  But, at least I have a good reason for my short post today.

Yes, this is my classroom.  If you have ever wondered what a teacher does the last week of school (post-students) this is what it looks like.  Boxes, trash, projects, more boxes, freebies from the library….so much stuff!! Where am I supposed to store it all???? If someone has some free storage space in Juneau, hit me up!

On the bright side, I did score these awesome free books from a kindergarten teacher.  She let me go through four whole boxes that she was getting rid of (she is transferring to be the new librarian).  Needless to say, I am building a small in-class library :) Can't wait!

My teaching career is currently a little up in the air.  I know at the very least I am transferring to teach pre-k at another local school (the program at my current building lost funding).  However, there is a possibility that I may move up to teach 1st-4th grade.  I plan on doing a longer post on this in the future.  Any insight on which grades you (teacher friends) prefer to teach, please share!

Questions
How do you organize all of your seasonal junk?? 
Teacher friends: What grade do you prefer to teach?? 

Rainy Weekends in May

This weekend was a pretty relaxing one.  We spent some serious time lounging around the house, watching Dexter (our obsession), and eating tasty meals.  My meals have changed a bit over the last week thanks to a gluten issue, more on that later.  I did enjoy some tasty roasted tempeh and asparagus one night and mixed veggies with quinoa pasta another night.

There wasn't a ton of outdoorsy-ness happening this weekend for us.  It rained most of the weekend (ick) so we spent most of the days inside.  We did spend last weekend outside though so here are a couple of the "lost" pictures from that excursion to the Mendenhall Wetlands. It was only a little rainy so we managed to squeeze in about forty minutes of hiking on Sunday before the skies opened up on us.  These pictures were taken BEFORE we got soaked, ha ha.

Our lives were pretty low-key this weekend.  But, we plan on having an eventful week.  Cody and I both work for the school district, which means the last week of school is a crazy one for both of us.  Thankfully, next weekend is Memorial Day and we have three days off to spend some time and just enjoy life :)

Questions:
Did you have a busy weekend or a lazy one? 
Do you usually let a little rain dampen your outdoor excursions?  

The Hiatus & JAMM Concerts

Sorry for the long hiatus from blogging.  I have really been struggling to get into a schedule with my blogging.  Hopefully, over the summer I can get into some sort of regular routine. I have been checking out some websites that offer advice on making blogging a routine, but any suggestions are welcome.  All a girl can do is try!

ProBlogger: 14 Bloggers Share Their Daily Blog Routine
Fitting Blogging Into My Daily Routine

In the meantime, I have been swamped with year-end tasks that have to be accomplished before school ends.  Monday is a teacher work day, Tuesday and Wednesday we have students in attendance, and then Thursday and Friday we will be closing our classrooms down for the end of the school year.  This means so much cleaning, sorting, and packing.  I think I could probably get a job as a professional mover.  World Wide Movers, are you hiring??

We are wrapping up the year with concerts put on by JAMM (Juneau, Alaska Music Matters).  JAMM is the music program for Juneau School District and they do some amazing things for the students in our schools.  Check out their website here.  Below is a picture that I snapped of some of our students performing at Egan Library on the UAS campus this weekend.  Cody and I both had students in the program so we went to show our support.

This weekend has been fairly low-key other than the violin concert.  It has been raining like CRAZY in Juneau.  But, that is pretty much a constant for those of us living in SE Alaska (we are in a rainforest).  Hopefully, the sunny summer days are ahead of us and we can spend more time doing the things we love (hiking, running, biking, etc.)  Until then, we will endure the rain and make the most of our days :)

Questions: 
If you blog, how did you get into a good schedule? 
If you teach, does your school have an awesome music program? 

Blogger's Block

Friends, I have developed Blogger's Block. I can't think, I can't sit down, and I can't even imagine spending time at the computer.  I think I may pull through this difficult time with some effort.  Thankfully, I know what the catalyst behind this illness is…..NICE WEATHER!!

Here is a picture of my boys just taking a little nap on a rock in the ocean during low tide. We have had spectacular weather in Juneau (and most of Alaska) this week.  I just can't bring myself to spend more than five minutes indoors.  Don't worry, I am sure it will rain soon and I will go back to blogging more regularly.  Until then, go outside and enjoy :)

Hunting Starfish

This weekend I had one goal: find and take pictures of as many starfish as possible. Lets rewind to Tuesday.  Cody's kindergarten class took a trip to the beach and he saw a TON of starfish.  Not to mention, he saw otters, sea lions, anemones, and bunches of other awesome stuff.  So, both days this weekend we packed up the car and headed out to the beach.

We spent about two hours hiking and traversing this rough terrain on both days.  It was quite the leg workout! Totally worth it for the scenery!

Sadly, I never saw a single starfish!! I really didn't SEA much of anything (play on words-gosh I am funny).  There were literally billions of clams and mussels (and a few of them spit water at me).  I saw one cute urchin but that was about it. **Pardon the crummy picture.  I was terrified of dropping my phone in the water!

I think the rainy weather may have hindered our wildlife viewing.   Both trips were incredibly fun but I did leave feeling the teensiest bit disappointed that I didn't see anything new and exciting.  Fingers crossed that the next time we go it is a sunny day and the wildlife is on display! I can't complain toooo much though because it was lots of fun, the sights were gorgeous, and I got to spend time with this wonderful guy :)

Questions
Have you ever held a starfish?
What are your favorite sea critters?

Alaskan Awesomeness

Alaska is awesome.  Let's just all agree on that upfront.  But, here are three (of many) things that I love about the 49th state….

1.)  The local berries.  We have a blueberry bush just growing wildly by our front door.  And, there are a plethora of wild (edible) berries growing everywhere.  Free, organic food?  Sign this girl up!  Our berries aren't growing yet, but I am getting a jump on eating some store-bought goodies in preparation.

2.)  The wildlife.  Bear prints in the yard, sea otters playing in the channel, and starfish washed ashore.  We see so much unique wildlife each day.  Check out this gorgeous starfish that Cody found out at Auke Rec.

3.) The views.  We are in heart of the Tongass National Forest (a rainforest) and we are surrounded by snow-capped mountains.  This awesome view is from my house.  I stood on my front porch to take it about two months ago.  The beauty that is available in my own yard amazes me.

 Alaska is amazing.  If you haven't ever been, you need to put it on your bucket list.  Trust me :)

Questions: 
Have you even been to Alaska?  
If not, would you visit? 

Bipolar Weather

What a difference twelve hours can make.  This first picture below was taken at 8:00am on Sunday morning.

This next picture was taken just before 8:00pm.  Freak snowstorm in the morning and an even more freak occurrence...nice weather! Alaska, have you had too many drinks?

Cody and I spent most of the weekend cooped up inside relaxing.  It was seriously nasty most of the weekend so we laid low indoors.  Snow days are the perfect excuse to have a movie marathon (which we did).  Late Sunday afternoon the weather FINALLY cleared up so we took Specks out for a jaunt at the beach.

Other than that I have just been slaving away at school.  Fridays cannot come soon enough.  Don't get me wrong, I love my students.  But, it is data collection/testing time.  This means I spend more time calling kids up to my desk than actually doing anything awesome with them.  Super lame.  At least we get to enjoy these awesome views from our classroom.

That's right, my classroom sits at the bottom of one awesome mountain.  Oh, Juneau…even with all of your inconveniences and Alaska-isms you still manage to amaze me regularly.

Hope you all enjoyed your weekends!