soo pretty!

Isn't this gorgeous!!! I'm dying over it!!

Dick's Birthday

Friday night, we had our parents over for a cookout. I wanted to share 3 recipes that are yummy! I made an asparaus casserole and potatoes au gratin casserole. My mom made a homemade oreo cookie pie. It was sinful!

Here are the recipes:

Asparagus Casserole
1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
2 cans cut green asparagus drained (or use fresh asparagus)
1 cup grated sharp cheese
1/4 cup butter, diced
1 cup almonds
1 cup milk

Line casserole with a few cracker crumbs. Alternate layers of asparagus, cheese, cracker crumbs, butter and almonds. Pour milk into one side of the dish. Prepare dish the night before or at least 2 hours in advance. Bake at 350degrees for 1 hour. Serves 6



Shredded Potato au Gratin
6 medium potatoes 1/3 cup chopped onion
2 cups, shredded Cheddar cheese 1 tsp salt
6 tbsp butter, divided 1/4 tsp pepper
2 cups sour cream

Boil Potatoes in skins. Chill, peel and shred. Stir in cheese and 4 tbsp melted butter. Fold in sour cream, onion, salt and pepper. Place in greased casserole. Bake at 350 for 30 min. Serves 6-8


Oreo cookie dessert
1 package of oreo cookies, divided, crushed (save 3/4 c)
1/2-1 cup butter or margarine, melted
16 ou of cool whip, divided
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 box instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups milk
1 can Eagle Brand Condensed Milk

Pour crushed cookies in glass dish (9 x 13)
melt butter, pour over cookies
mix 1/2 of the cool whip, cream cheese and powdered sugar, spread on top
mix pudding with milk and eagle brand, beat until thick, spread on top
spread on other 8 oz
cool whip
sprinkle with left over cookies- refrigerate over night
ENJOY!

RIP Cute Platter and Blinds

Whew! What a week. Yesterday, I came home to greet my dog and notice that my curtains were sideweays. I walked over to pull the string to adjust and the string was broken. Lizzie chewed it up!! BAD DOG! We had to take the blinds down. No blinds in the kitchen now!

Remember the post I made about the "Tuesday Morning" find?? Well it shattered. It was on top of the refrigerator and I insisted it go there and Dick insisted it was going to fall. Well, Dick opened the freeze and I hear "CRASH!!!!!" My beautiful platter was shattered in a million pieces. Dick was right and I am out a cute platter. Bummer!

Life's Daily Lessons

Susan Boyle & Spin Class

I bet you are wondering what they have in common. Well they actually have nothing in common except for the lessons I learned today. For those of you living under a rock (and that was me until today) Susan Boyle was on America's Got Talent. If you haven't heard her amazing voice yet, please stop reading this and go to youtube.com or google her name. Instantly you'll find a clip of her singing. I, like many people, were skeptic of her. She was awkward and goofy. I even felt sorry for her because you can hear the crowd laughing at her. Once she began singing, she put everyone in their place. It was awesome. It serves as a constant reminder to us all that we should not be so quick to judge others at first glance.

Now there's my spin class story. As I had promised myself, I committed to spin 3days a week. Today (Sunday) was my 3rd class. I was so proud of myself for dragging (I'm still in the dragging phase, because as much as I've tried to convince the hubby or others to attend, they've all passed!) to the class. It would serve as a great motivation if I had a partner but for now I'm self- motivating :). Let me preface my story with this quick one. I love my class during the week. The regulars all know each other and the instructor is awesome. They all know my name and there's one Indian guy who will randomly yell "YOU CAN DO IT SUSAAANNN!!!" I love it. So that's the other part of my motivation--if I'm not there, it's noted by someone!
So today I walk in and there's a new instructor. Taking the lesson I remembered a few hours earlier about Susan Boyle I didn't judge him because he didn't greet me or even when he ripped the clock off the wall and said, "This class is usually 45 minutes but today we may go an hour or over." He started out kicking our butts and when a girl next to me fixed her ponytail he let her know that "it wasn't time for fixing pony tails or resting" and "This is not a Sunday stroll, get movin!" I was moving alright. After 25 minutes of this, I walked out. I acutally learned several lessons here: not to take spin class on Sundays or anyday with Eric...but MOST importantly, I learned that I often do this with my students. As teachers we tend to get caught up in what a child cannot do rather than focus on what they can do and praise it. They need to know that the effort they are giving may be all they have and it should be good enough for now. Tomorrow's another day. Progress will be made. In the classroom, it cannot be made without the teacher who fails to recognize something positive in ALL students. If you are always expecting certain results and they fall short, the student will eventually give up because they will be tired of constantly trying to please you and earn your praise. They will feel like it's a battle they'll never win. So the other lesson for today is find something positive and praise them for it. It will make for happy students and teachers.

Yardwork

Dick and I mulched the front yard this weekend. It looks pretty good if I do say so myself. I spruced up the back porch and our rose bush is blooming finally. Our next project is adding gutters to our home. We've decided to save several thousands dollars and do this ourselves. It can't be that hard, right?? We shall see!

Dick's Birthday

Dick turns the big 29 on Saturday, April 25th. In honor of that, I've rented a pontoon boat for us and 12 of his closest friends next Saturday. We are super excited! More pics to follow!!!

Spring is Here (or near)..

I don't think it's officially spring yet. However, Spring Break and warmer weather are all I need to kick off the season. I decorated my bulletin board (hopefully for the last time!!!) and decided it was too cute not to photograph. It may be hard to see but it says "Blooming in the fourth grade" and I took individual pictures of all my students and made them flowers. I thought for sure I'd have at least one boy moan and groan about being a flower but I was wrong. They love it!!! Only 5 weeks left to go!

Go Rebs!!

Tuesday night Jenny, Dick, and I went to Trustmark Park to watch Ole Miss and MSU play baseball. We had a great time! Especially since the Rebels pulled off a huge win 8-1 !!! HOTTY TODDY!!!!!I was so glad to see Jenny. We were great friends in high school and have remained close throughout college. She lives in Atlanta now (and has for several years) but it doesn't mean we don't pick up where we left off!! Wish I had a picture of the two of us together. Sadly enough, it was a little chilly so remembering a blanket took precident over the camera.

Kidz in Memphis

I'm a little out of order with this post! However, While in Memphis I was able to visit with my good friend, Emory. She has a little girl (as many of you know) named Emma. I've attached several pictures (thanks Emory!) of us eating lunch at Huey's. She is such a good baby. Did I say baby? I think it's safe to say this little one is turning into a little girl. They grow up so fast :)

We also spent the weekend playing with Jase and Kaitlyn, Dick's cousin's kids. Wouldn't the kids Dick's 3rd cousins?? (Aunt Gusty, please clarify???) Anyways, they are so sweet and friendly. As soon as we walked in the door they made us feel welcome and we had a blast playing with them. I tried to get more pictures, but they were always on the move. They are precious! See for youseelf. Thanks Nick and Ashley for letting us stay with you all for the weekend. We hope to be there again soon!

Spin Class

When I lived in DC, my best buddy Kate and I were very good about going to spin class. We'd wake up really early and go to the 5am or 6am class. It was sooo hard to get up and go but after, you felt like a champ! It did wonders for me and I have decided it's time to take it back up. So I've made the commitment to spin class 3x a week. Today I will begin my first class. Wish me luck!! I'll need it. Kate, I wish you were here with me to do it!!!!!

Boys and Girls Club of Central MS

Dick and I recently asked to volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club. We both love kids and think this would be equally rewarding for them. I happened to be tuning into the local news and they are in desperate need of funds in order to prevent 3 of the Clubs from closing. Please donate your time or money to such an important cause!

http://www.bgccm.net/volunteer.htm

IPhone

I really want one of these! Dick and I have a Family Plan with Cellular South. He does not use his phone anymore since work gave him one. I am considering making the switch but I am interested to hear what you all think of your IPhones??? Does it get good service? Does the battery hold up well? Are your monthly bills expensive? I swore off Cingular (AT&T) about 2 years ago because I just kept getting outrageous bills so I just want to know if you incur extra charges for internet usage, email pictures, etc. Help a friend out!

Tuesday Morning

I love to search for bargains! While at Tuesday Morning, I found this platter that looks similar to Annie Glass (which I LOVE) and decided to make it mine. What do you think? I love it!!

Memphis Trip

We had such a great time this weekend! We made a pit stop in Oxford to see the kids and deliver Easter baskets on Friday. A few hours later, we then continued north to Memphis to see Dick's cousins, aunt and uncle. Friday night we had dinner at a sushi restaurant called Wassabee. Here's a picture of us at dinner.


Afterwards, we headed to the Flying Saucer. I had to attached a picture of the beer. This was called "A Trip Around the World." I didn't partake in this but I couldn't resist photographing it because I thought it was fun.


Afterwards, we ended the night catching up and playing Guitar Hero.

What's Cookin?

Tonight (Sunday) I made lasagna. It was very yummy if I do say so myself. While I was engaged, I had a (very useful) kitchen shower. I was given a recipe book that I use often. This is one of the recipes given to me. I did vary it some to make it a little more healthy. I used nonfat cottage cheese and whole wheat lasagna noodles.

Ingredients:
8oz Lasagna noodles- uncooked
1 8oz cottage cheese
1 lb of lean ground beef
2 jars of spaghetti sauce
2 eggs
2 cups (8 oz) of Mozzeralla cheese

Directions: Brown beef, mix with both jars of spaghetti sauce, mix 2 eggs with cottage cheese, preheat over to 350, layer lasagna in a 9 x 13 (or bigger) baking dish
Layer as follows: sauce on bottom, noodles (3-4 on a row), cottage cheese mixture, sauce, sprinkle mozzerella (repeat with noodle layer until dish is 3 layers thick

Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour- uncover and bake another 15 minutes

Easter

This Easter we are going to spend the weekend with my husband's family in Memphis. I am very much looking forward to seeing them. It's been way to long. His aunt and uncle live there as well as his cousin Ashley. Dick and Ashley lived together in Memphis several years ago. While I know they've always been close, I think while they lived together they got closer. Since then, Ashley and her sweet husband Nick, have had 2 kids. We are looking forward to seeing everyone and playing with the kiddos. Memphis here we come!

Principal's Chair

To be chosen to sit in the Principal's Chair is quite an honor because these students are sent to the office for being good, not bad. The students gets their picture made calling their parents to tell them they have been sent to the office but not to worry because they have been GOOD! So far, I've been lucky enough to send 3 of my boys to the office. It's so funny because sometimes they aren't able to actually reach their parent so when they do call back, they are soo relieved to find out nothing bad happened! Pictured top to bottom: LaDarius, Malik & Tristan

Thanks for being such a great example in my room.

Reading Fair

The Reading Fair is a required project. All students read a chapter book and make a creative storyboard to share with the class about their book. They have lots of fun with it and I enjoy all their presentations. Each teacher must select a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Honorable Mention winner to go on to compete in the District Reading Fair. One of my students won 2nd place. He was so proud and he deserved it. Way to go, Nilay! (pictured on the far right)

My Students!

I haven't been so great about taking pictures this year of my students. And by that, I mean I haven't taken any pictures of them. It's been a hectic year. We have same gender classes and I have been blessed with a classroom full of boys. I really wouldn't have it any other way. The stresses of my job this year really haven't been with the students. We have implemented a new math and writing program. As any fourth grade teacher in MS knows, the writing test is a big deal. Not to mention all the pressures the kids have placed on them to score proficient or advanced on the math statewide test in May. There's too much for these guys to learn. They even feel the pressure although I try very hard not to place such a huge weight on them. Just last week while we were reviewing Geometry, one student said " I think I know that but my brain is just full of so much, I don't even know how to act" Bless his heart. I completely understand. Anyways, I came across several pictures that acknowledge some of them.

The first group shot is all the "Students of the month". Each teacher selects one student who worked hard and well with others. Well this month, I had 2 two because the librarian also noticed how awesome my boys and selected one from my class. Way to go boys! (pictured in the back row from the left to right: Michael Brown and John Gonzalez) Not only do they get these cool awards but they also get to leave school and eat Mazzio's for lunch.

Fun, colorful outdoor purchase

(Thanks Marie!) I have discovered these fabulous adirondack chairs from Big Lots. They look like the real deal right? Wrong, but who cares! They are plastic but still serve the same purpose and they are much cheaper! The real ones usually cost $100 but these are only $20 bucks.

What do you think? I bought 2!

Quick and Easy Red Beans and Rice Recipe

I have the yummiest recipe for Red Beans and Rice (thanks Courtney).

Recipe:

1 bag of (dry) red kidney beans

1 chopped onion

1 green bell pepper chopped

1 can of stewed or diced tomatoes

4 beef boulon cubes

Tony's Seasoning

salt and pepper

garlic powder

onion powder

worschire

7 cups of water

andouille sausage

minute rice

*I chop onion and green bell peppers the night before. The next morning, I combine all ingredients (except rice and sausage) into a crockpot for 8 hours. If it is still runny, cook into a large bot and stir until it thickens. Brown sausage and add to mixture. Finally, cook the rice and enjoy!! (It tasted better a few days after it's made) Makes 6-8 servings. Freezes great!

Home Projects

Hey! I'm welcoming myself back to the "blogging" world. I missed it! It's so fun to read what everyone is up to. Here is what I did this weekeend. I made a first attempt at painting. I was just experimenting and I think it turned out great.

I also have been trying to decide what I want to do with the wall space above my bed. Well, thanks to HGTV I came up with the creative spin to my own art. I bought 3 canvases, choose a fabric and used a fabric heavy duty stapler to drape the fabric onto the canvas. Creating...intstant ART! I was pleased and it was a very inexpensive way to decorate. The fabric and canvases at Hobby Lobby made the project less than 25 bucks! Too good not to share :)