Web Developer??

It has been like the Frozen Tundra outside for the past month! Snow, ice, freezing temperatures - I can't wait for winter to be over.

One of the teachers that used to work at Brookdale contacted me and asked if I would be interested in creating a blog/website for her husband's accounting business. He wanted it up and ready to go for tax season. I learned so many new things in creating his blog and was so happy with how it turned out. It was my first "official" paid blog - he was very happy with it and has said he's gotten inquiries on who developed it and wants to refer some of his clients to me! If you are interested in seeing the site you can visit it here: http://www.dlynchaccounting.blogpost.com/ . All the custom graphics, forms, design was all my doing!

Since I did some research on incorporating TABS on the accounting blog, I have implemented them on my own blog. Under the header you will see TABS that you can click on and it will take you to a separate web page coinciding with that category.

Ryan just received his report card for the first semester. We are very proud, as he made the honor roll.

Ryan's been making a small fortune shoveling the neighbor's driveway! He's probably the only person in the Chicago area praying for snow everyday! Although, she did hire him to be her lawn service for the summer. Ryan's SIXTEENTH birthday is right around the corner - hard to believe, isn't it? I designed a card to send out in order of his birthday: 

Here is the front of the card

The inside of the card:

....and the back of the card:

I also found this service on Shutterfly called WINK - they have a feature where you can design and "old school photo booth" picture card. I made one to try it out on the back of the card it reads:

"It used to be I looked at you and saw traces of the baby you once were - Now I look at you and see glimpses of the man you will become"

Ryan will not be able to get his license for his 16th birthday - he hasn't had his permit long enough to take the test - he also needs a total of 50 practice driving hours and 10 of them need to be night time driving - at this time he has about 30. He's not in any hurry - either are we...........I'm sure our insurance will more than double with a boy teen driver!

Bill's birthday came and went - it's so hard coming up with ideas when his birthday is only one week after Christmas.....Ryan and I decided to get him a variety of gift cards from his favorite places to eat.

We had this event at school where the students sold gift wrap. If we sold over our goal, they got to duct tape a teacher to the gymnasium wall - of course, I was asked to photograph the event!

This week I need to attend a meeting at the district office for a class I was asked to teach during institute day. I will be teaching the teachers about using blogs in their classroom to communicate with parents. I'm not sure how many teachers signed up for my class; but should get numbers and the classroom assignment. I will be teaching at Ryan's high school! At first, I didn't think I wanted to do it - but they came back and offered me triple my salary and decided to go for it!

Last, but not least- I just finished designing my Valentines for the kids. I put all their names in conversation hearts around the edge of the cards - it turned out so cute:

Thanks for stopping by!

Where Has The Time Gone?

WOW! It's hard to believe my last post was in JULY!!! So much has gone on since then. Of course, school has started for both Ryan and I. AGAIN, Ryan was chosen as STAR STUDENT for the first week of school out of over 150 kids on his "team". I was placed in Second Grade, which is one of my favorite grades. (First and Second tend to be my favorites!) I'm with a teacher I worked with for my first two years at Brookdale. She changed from Kindergarten to Second Grade several years back - so it's nice to work with someone I know so well. Unfortunately, the only slotted on classroom for supported education students, thinking there were only 3 children qualifying. Two more students moved in that have IEP's so they were placed into my care! YES, 5 students (2 with autisim and 3 with learning disabilities). In addition we have 3 low students one with behavorial issues that require constant monitoring. I feel like an octopus at times - but since I was with two of the students last year I know them well enough to know their abilitities. It's the new students that I need to get to know better. They have been sending someone in to assist for about 1/2 hour during literacy since two of the children do not know the first grade sight words. I have been helping the teacher keep up our classroom blog. Visit us at http.//sandersscoops.blogspot.com to keep up on all our adventures.

In addition to this classroom blog - you will see at the right side of this blog under portfolio - I have designed around 20 blogs for teachers and the office. I've set up almost all of them and created a header and layout for all. Check them out - I even have teachers contacting me from other schools!

Ryan joined football again this year. He made starter for special teams and is very excited. He chose to keep his same number from last year (THE BIG 49!). He mentioned that the jersey felt a little tighter this year!! He has a big game at the high school football field on Wednesday against their rivals - so he's been practicing and reading his play book to prepare. He spent the night at grandma and grandpa's last night; so I decorated his bedroom door to surprise him when he gets home tonight. Yes, it's 3 dimensional! GO TRAILBLAZERS!!!

Among everything else, it was my birthday at the end of August. We celebrated at Hugo's Frog Bar in downtown Naperville. I received many generous gifts from family and friends and a message on my answering machine reminding me of how old I am!! Thanks Jacob!!!!

I hope to update MY personal blog more often - or at least as much as I update the office blog and the school blogs!!!

Until then.................

Welcome to our NEW Blog!

After creating many many blogs for the teacher at the school I work at - I decided to change my blog over to Blogger. There are many more options than with Wordpress - and it's more user friendly.

This week is a 4 day school week due to Good Friday. We will be spending Easter at my parent's house which Ryan always looks forward to. After that, is a full week of school and then SPRING BREAK!!!

On Friday, I received the "passion" award at school. It is given to a faculty member that shows passion for the children and collegues. It is nice to be recognized for the award - however, I will need to present this award in a couple weeks onto who I feel has shown passion. I will do so at the faculty meeting in front of the entire staff............although, I know who I will be presenting the award to, I do not look forward to doing so due to the fact I will be in front of so many people.
Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day - The lepruchaun will be visiting Ryan's bedroom this evening and the first grade classroom prior to their arrival. Gold Candy Coins and a Target Gift Card is on the agenda for Ryan and Gold Candy Coins and pencils for the students.

Until the next time -
To the left you can visit some of the sites I've designed for the teachers. (Under Portfolio)