1.5 days and counting

School is out in 1.5 days (yes, I am worse than the kids). This is sad to admit, but this hasn't been my best year teaching, so consequently I am ready for it to be over. I always miss the kids when it is really over, but for now I am pretty sure I would be okay not seeing them for a while. The weather here in Utah hasn't helped much. It has been so dreary and caused lots of inside recess days. We were supposed to take a field trip last Thursday, but it was rained out so we had an "indoor field trip" It actually turned out surprisingly well. I was exhausted at the end of the day, which is normal for a field trip day. We just rotated the kids through all of the first grade classrooms doing activities like play-dough, read-a-thons, movies, PE and bubbles. I was appointed bubble task master. For anyone who wants to make homemade bubbles here is the recipe: (Don't eat it)

glycerin (found at your local pharamacy)
dawn soap
water

Notice, that I didn't put any amounts. . . that is because I guessed every time. The more glycerin you put in the more "plastic" the bubbles are. It ended up being a fun day. The kids made wands out of pipe cleaners, and went to town with the bubble solution, pipe cleaners and straws.

Memorial Day and Flowers

I love flowers! So, this Memorial Day weekend I had some time on Monday to go and buy some plants. I had been putting it off because it has been so cold. Then, last week when it was warm everyone had the same idea I did and went to buy flowers at the Nursery. I didn't want to wait in hour long lines, so my task was postponed yet another week. When it was drizzly outside on Monday I decided it would be the perfect time to go and buy flowers. It ended up being a perfect day to plant also . I decided to venture out and even plant some herbs and tomato plants. Jeff isn't really excited about the tomato plants, but I even planted them in a different planter box than the basil. I bought some plant food in hopes that maybe my flowers will bloom just a little bit longer this year. I do what I can to bring beauty to this somewhat dreary little subdivision I live in. Maybe they will want to hire me out to do the rest of their landscaping. Jeff thinks that it is odd that I know and "notice" flowers everywhere we go. I don't think that it is that out of the normal, but then again I did grow up in a home where it was not abnormal to be up "before the bees" (that is around 5:30 am) to pick raspberries, weed the strawberries and do any other gardening that my mom could find for us to work on. So, with that. . . I LOVE FLOWERS!

Let the Summer Projects Begin

This is my new sewing machine, well there is one small difference and that is that the buttons on mine are blue, which is sad since I love the color red, but I figured I could sacrifice. I have been wanting a sewing machine for who knows how long. My mom will probably die reading this, since 15 years ago when she tried to get me to take sewing lessons it was like I was going to go into cardiac arrest before each "lesson". Then, in high school I took one semester or the sewing/home economics class. Pretty sure I made a great looking pair of pajama pants and my creativity and desire ended right there. Not until recently have I fallen back in love with sewing. I guess that now I have things that I actually want to make -- headbands, scripture bags, quilts (I have like 15 started), Halloween costumes, summer skirts, pillows and curtains.... the list could go on and on.

So, Nebo School District was selling all of their used machines that other teenagers, not unlike myself 15 years ago, have used and abused and I bought one. Well, I bought two -- one for me and one for my sister. I can hardly wait to go pick them up tomorrow, and then I can sew my little heart away. Thanks mom for teaching me to love sewing. Mostly, I just love the memory of those little dresses you made me. I still can't figure out how you ever had time for that with 5 children under the age of 7!

Rainy Days and Mondays

I grew up with a dad who loves music, and a mom who dislikes any music with a beat. . . Yes, you heard me right - any music with a beat. Our conversations would usually go like this:

Child: Why can't I listen to this?

Mom: I just don't like the beat!

Child: Mom, it is not even bad music.

Mom: You know that I don't like music with a beat.

Child: Mom, all music has a beat

Mom: Not all music has a beat like this.

Child: Whatever!

Yes, this was a common occurence in the Ostler household. My dad, loves music and my mom doesn't like music with a beat. There is no way to have music without a beat, but my music impaired mother doesn't quite understand that.

However, my mother would listen to The Carpenters, the Tabernacle Choir, and the family favorite James Gallaway (he plays the flute. . it is horrible). So on days like today I always think of the song "Rainy Days and Mondays" by the Carpenters! thanks mom :)

Orchestra

This year I have been the orchestra teacher for the 6th graders here at Art City Elementary. It has been really fun to be able to work with students who can actually hold a conversations. However, I am glad that the 7:30 AM mornings are over. We had our concert for the school yesterday, and the students did a great job! I always feel a little bit stupid standing up in front of the school waving my arms around, but it was worth it. It is amazing how much they have learned in such a short time. I don't have any video footage right now. . . just still shots!

Weekend in Phoenix

Here are a few more pictures of my weekend in Phoneix with my old roommies from "The Chicken Coop" When I went to BYU I lived in a house south of campus and met these great girls. We then moved away and couldn't stand being away from each other so we ended up together again at Alta Apartments. Since then there have been marriages, babies, job changes, moves, boyfriends, lots of craft projects and a few reunions. We decided that we need to make this get away a tradition. . . maybe Hawaii or a cruise next time.

Olivia and Amber at dinner

A couple of weekends ago I went to Phoenix with a bunch of my old college roomates. While we were there we dropped in on Olivia, who lives in the Phoenix area. It was fun to see her!

I promise. . . .

Amber, Amy, Merny, Suzi and Mindy

So, here is my promise. . . . I will be better about keeping my blog up to date. I figure that if I am going to read all of yours I should do my part too! :)

My class

Here are some cute pictures of my class celebrating random things like the 100th day of school, Dr. Seuss Day, and having a "Penguin Party" Why would you teach anything but first grade!