Spring Break Update

Here's the latest from the Sadler Household!

We are on Spring Break this week. I promised Ryan that while we were off, he would go to the DMV and get his license! So, that's exactly what we did!
The weather prior to break was BEAUTIFUL - warmest March ever - of course, this week has been colder, so we didn't get to be outside as much as we'd hope to!

In keeping with the Spring theme - I did some Spring Cleaning and Organizing - Our linen closet was in need of some organizing...... Everything is labeled and tidy!

 Ryan went to the Turn-a-about Dance in February and I don't think I ever posted a picture

 Here's our visit to the DMV in pictures! - Not knowing it is illegal to take pictures in the facility - I snapped away until I was told "NO PICTURES ALLOWED"! I snuck one with my cell phone (getting his picture taken) to make sure I captured the entire experience!

 

 At school, we had a special visitors. The characters from the Magic Tree House books came to Brookdale.  We had the kids write about what their experience would be like if they had a Magic Tree House.  I decorated our bulletin board to match the theme!  It turned out soooo cute!

 I used twisted paper to make the rope ladder.  Unfortunately, some of the kids have been trying to climb the board - I've had to restaple it in place! (Inside the tree house is our class picture and a squirrel stuffed animal!)

Here's the board completely done! The butterflies were made from coffee filters and water color paint! 

I designed the writing paper to match the board.

  I added a writing prompt - since they are only Kindergarteners and then mounted them onto construction paper.

I'm really happy with how well it turned out.

While I am at it - Here are some of the other bulletin boards I did this year.....

Fall  - Our trip to the Farm

 Snowmen At Night Bulletin Board

(Each snowman was made from cotton balls/twigs and a piece of fabric for the scarf)

 This board is a picture of each student's smile - They wrote about themselves without disclosing their name - Then when you lift the piece of paper the is a picture of them. This board is for the parents to see during open house.

And because you are never too old to get a Easter Basket bag! I made these bags for Ryan and my nephew Jacob for Easter.  I got to use my shredding scissors for the first time.

Today was the first time Ryan drove himself to work - ALONE! (He did call to say he got there and I asked him to call when he's leaving!)

Happy Spring!

SEVENTEEN! WHERE DOES TIME GO?

Ryan is officially a car owner.....now he just needs to go get his driver's license!  For his 17th birthday he received a new stereo that he can hook his iPod up to.  He also got all the necessities for a "tune up"! He applied for personalized license plates.

If available, be on the look out for:

RSADLR 1

It was a week of celebrations (4 to be exact) for the big ONE-SEVEN.

First at Uncle Dave's on Saturday for the revealing of the stereo and tune up supplies.

 Then on Sunday -  a special "traditional celebration"  at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

(For his favorite pizza and spaghetti)

On Monday was a trip to Hooters with Dad and Uncle Dave - another tradition!

The following night (his actual birthday) was dinner at Rainforest Cafe in Woodfield Mall

where the waitress sang and delivered his long awaited VOLCANO dessert.

Last night was the turnabout dance.  Although he worked all day, he danced the night away with his new friend, Stephanie.

We have a four day weekend this week!  The weather has been very mild - a sneak peek to spring break!  Counting the number of days to both Spring Break and Summer Vacation!

Here's a picture of why Ryan likes to hang out at "Uncle Dave's"!

I got a new TOY!  I purchased an iPad 2 - it's AWESOME - I LOVE IT! I also love Big Lots because I found a zip case that online is 99.00 - for 15.00.....for that price I bought 3 of them - 2 black and 1 red!  It's amazing how time goes by when you are searching apps and playing games!  We've been taking it to restaurants with us and playing games while waiting for our food or check! We have an iPad in our classroom....I bring mine also - it's amazing how useful they are in the classroom! And because I use it in school, I didn't have to pay taxes on it!

Hope to update soon!

February/March Update!

WOW! Once again, it's been awhile .....
Here's the latest scoop since the last update:

The beginning of February was Ryan's 16th Birthday! Still no Driver's Licence! He still needs to meet more requirements to actually go for the test. (Believe me, we are in no hurry!)

At the end of February, I was asked to present/instruct at the Teacher's Institute Day. I was the only teaching assistant asked to present in the entire district! I taught three classes to 74 elementary school teachers on how to incorporate blogging in their classroom. Afterwards I received an email stating I recieved such great evaluations and was asked if I would be interested in teaching more classes. Currently I am scheduled to teach several classes on blogging, Voki, and photo editing. I'll be teaching after school at the Professional Developement buidling and then again over the summer. I was told by the LMC Director today, that the Professional Developement Department is looking into their budget and the possibility of creating a position for me! In addition to the staff developement classes, I am teaching 8 technology classes to students after school in an Enrichment program offered by the PTA.

In other news, Ryan went to the turnabout dance in February. Although he met the girl (Kayla) at the dance, I managed to get a picture of him in his suit!

Ryan has had a couple of great recognitions this past week. First, he was one of twenty-five students selected from the entire student body to participate in a multi-cultural leadership academy. His application has been submitted and we are waiting to hear back! He also recognized by the Sophomore house as a student who displays Integrity. We so proud of our boy!

In other GOOD NEWS, Bill is back to work on a regular basis! YEAH!!! Hoping the trend continues.

Check out our new television:

Our plasma TV stopped working a few weeks back. We had purchased it at Costco in 2005! I recalled the sales person telling us about how Costco has such an awesome return policy on their televsion. I dug out the old receipt and Bill took the TV and receipt back to Costco and even though the televsion was purchased over 6 years ago - we received this brand new VIZIO LED 47 INCH RAZOR for a grand total of $0.00!!! We were told that Costco changed their policy, however, we were grandfathered in and were entitled to the replacement!

This is my new toy:

My new Canon Rebel T1i! LOVE IT!!! My other Canon still takes beautiful pictures - but I couldn't pass up this deal. Bill, Ryan and I were at Target and when I passed by the electronics department I saw a red CLEARANCE sticker. I've been wanted this camera for so long and it has been priced well over 1000.00 for so long - couldn't pass up a good Target Clearance!

Another February event was that we had a "famous visitor" at Brookdale - WEIRD AL YANKOVIC! I let Ryan "ditch" school in the PM so he and Bill could come and see him. Little did we know that he'd actually get to meet him! (It pays to be the school photographer sometimes!)

We also went to one of Jacob's Basketball games:

Hope to update soon! Thanks for stopping by!