someday, they'll bring home the bacon

Whatta full week! It was Memorial Day; Ashlyn's field day; Clayson, Trey and Ashlyn all had award ceremonies, Clayson played two baseball games, graduation (my first class to ever teach graduated -I love them), gymnastics and I took pictures this morning. The only thing missing was water aerobics. Cozumel is now only 13 days away and I have skin to be darkened and weight to be lost. Thank goodness things are fixing to ease up. I could settle for a slow down and some pool time.

Back to the subject...

My kids make me so proud and they are so cute. (It's every mom's point of view on their children).

Trey has sailed through the third grade with messy handwriting, careless mistakes and being the first one finished too many times. His teacher and I have stayed on his case because we know he is smart enough to do things right and it paid off. He passed his Math and Reading TAKS. This is a big change for third graders as they come out of centers and into testing. At the awards ceremony Trey got a Reading award, P.E. award and A/B honor roll award.

Clayson has finished his last year of being a student that gets to enjoy recess and class parties. He'll be in middle school next year but we are not going to talk about that right now. I have enjoyed him being in 5th grade, down the hall from me. He has taught me that boys have just as many friendship issues/ drama as girls. He has done so well with his grades. Clayson got awards for commended on the Math TAKS, commended on the Science TAKS, safety patrol, Art, Science and A/B honor roll.

Ashlyn has loved every minute of Kindergarten. Her amazing teacher has challenged her and taken her to levels we only dreamed of. She is reading chapter books and taking accelerated reader tests. She loves to read, write and draw. She has had so much fun and has such a passion for learning. Ashlyn got an award for Reading fluency, P.E. 15 minute jog and citizenship.

There are so many reasons that my children make me proud. As a teacher, their education means everything to me and they have proven to take it seriously. I am thankful that learning comes natural. Clayson, Trey and Ashlyn have started a path that will shape their future as they progress through grade levels and through life. I pray that one day their path will lead them to be all that they hope to be.

f*i*e*l*d (day)

Last week we had field day at Crandall Intermediate and this morning I went to field day at Crandall Elementary. Both days were comfortable May days - not too hot, not too humid and not too long. Here are some pictures of all the fun we had.

T*R*E*Y

C*l*a*y*s*o*n

A*s*H*l*Y*n

Just the tip of the iceberg for some fun in the sun. Only soon, it won't be coordinated events.

weekend wrap-up

This long weekend has been filled with friends, family, food and fun. And lots and lots of rest.

Friday night we did not have anything to do and it was so nice. I was beat down, dog tired after field day and working all day on packing up my classroom. I must send a shout out to my students for being so good and so much help on these days that we have "free time" and I am able to pack boxes with their help. In eight years of teaching, I have acquired a whole lot of stuff.

Saturday, we still did not have anything on the agenda so I cleaned, worked on pictures and made a lunch/ dinner run to Taco Bueno in Balch Springs. It's the only place I feel comfortable driving around with dirty hair and no make-up.

Sunday was busy. We went to church, took Nathan's pictures, and then went over to some family friends, the Kovar's, for an annual Memorial Day cookout. This was the first year in a long time that we didn't sweat or swim. We did enjoy burgers on the grill and ice cold watermelon. It's my daughter's favorite... naturally. The kids ran around the yard while the grown-ups sat around talking, eating and laughing and wondering if it was going to rain.

Today I made a Wal-Mart run, begrudgingly. But, when you gotta go - you gotta go. I took the kids swimming for about an hour and then we went to my mom and dad's for another cookout. We were gathering for mom and Megan's birthdays. My dad cooked ribs to-die-for. We ate a good dinner and then enjoyed some more watermelon and homemade ice cream, my favorite. My dad made a pickle smoothie - tear it up!! Someone started a big water balloon fight and we ran around the yard trying to catch Jason, the main target. He cheated by just filling up cups of water. He still has not learned to play by the rules.

I am sad to see the long weekend ending but then again, the sooner we get this show on the road - the sooner we get summertime '09 under way. Can't wait!!!

motivational numbers

6 more days of school with kids. 7 more days to get up early and get to work. Crammed into these last 6 days there is field day, family picnics and awards (all x 3 kids) - plus a 5th grade talent show to plan and produce.

I will survive. I think.

Between baseball, bunco, frequent trips to Wal-Mart, my new photography passion, packing up a classroom to be moved, field day and family picnics - it has been a tiring week. I'm losing sleep because I am staying up late - so much for the 8:30 bedtime. During the night the donkeys come on the front porch scratching their back on the stone or the dogs are on the attack of armadillos or skunks What's a mom got to do to get some uninterrupted sleep?!

There are numbers that are keeping me motivated during this restless time of year - despite the dark circles under eyes and grumpy attitude. A 3 day weekend starting tomorrow. I am out of the classroom 3 half days next week (awards, field day, meeting). 22 days until a trip to Cozumel with 2 other couples. Only 6 more lunches to pack and 4 days of dress code clothes.

Yes, I will survive. I'm certain.

from 35mm film to 35mm zoom

From the time I was little, I have always loved being behind a camera. Of course, then, it was the wind up 35mm film cameras. I'll never forget the day I got a step stool, put it on my bed, covered it with a blanket and took pictures of each of my dolls. But what I remember most about that day is that my mom lost the roll of film and I never got to see how those pictures turned out. Sad day.

For the past couple of years I have been super envious of my friend Allison, who has gotten the opportunity to become an amazing photographer and makes unbelievable invitations while being a stay-at-home mom. I have not had much interest in staying home since I started teaching when the boys were little, but photography has always been a hobby. I don't leave home without a camera and miss most of the action because I am trying to catch it digitally.

All it took was my father-in-law loaning me his good camera and telephoto lens to grip that passion that I have tried to withhold. I had to have my own camera. It stirred up some anger at the Davis house but I tried to help keep it in perspective and equate photography with deer hunting, a hobby for both. It has not been an issue since.

My intentions were never more than this being a hobby but it has since lead to a desire to make a little money with it. I have learned from the best and I will never call myself a professional, yet just a teacher who takes casual pictures with a casual price.

I have loved the opportunites that I have been given and look forward to more. My photography blog is listed to the right. Enjoy the pictures that I enjoyed taking.

a hobby I can live with

I had the pleasure of taking one of my first and very favorite student's Senior pictures. When he asked me I was a little hesitant but excited at the same time. Who doesn't love to feed their obsessions?! He asked me three weeks ago and the weather finally cooperated on a day that worked for both of us. Here are a few - okay, a lot - of my favorites. I still have a lot of improvement to make with poses and the focus effects but I have figured out the creative side of editing. Thank you, Cody, for allowing me to be a part of this special time of your life!

Mother's Day '09

Hope all of you moms had a fabulous day!!

retail therapy.impulse purchase.one happy mama.

Most that know me, know that when I want something I make it happen. I'm a brat like that. I decided on Tuesday that I was going to buy my own camera and on Wednesday night, I was headed to Best Buy to pick up my online order. I'll have this thing paid off in three months.

I have not had much time to "play" with it between baseball and getting ready for Mother's Day. Trey is already furious with me for trying to take pictures after Jared pulled his tooth and he was in a state of tears and nauseousness. Clayson is okay with it until it becomes "posed". Ashlyn is always ready to put her smile on or her serious face, whichever fits the moment.

I look forward to capturing many great memories. I am so excited to have this camera and its cool lens. Call me obsessed. Call it a hobby. Call me happy.

lights, camera, not much action

I've got nothing on my friend, Allison, but I do love to take pictures. Here are some of the ones I took of my kiddos today. The boys hate, and that word may not even be strong enough, for me to take their pictures. But, nevertheless, it is how they are at this time in their life - caught on camera. Ashlyn, well, the camera is her BFF. Loves it!

And there you have it, the Davis goof troop.

signed, sealed, delivered

Yesterday was turmoltuous.

Definitions appropriate for the campus assignments handed out:
2. Conducted with disorder; noisy; confused; boisterous; disorderly; as, a tumultuous assembly or meeting.
3. Agitated, as with conflicting passions; disturbed


Yesterday, we had to wait until 3:15 to go to the principal's office to get our envelope. In this envelope we got a letter stating where we would be teaching in the fall. Some background: Crandall is splitting into three elementary schools. It's still beyond my wildest comprehension that we are a district big enough to need a split, especially three ways. But, I guess having 27 kids in my crowded classroom for three years is proof enough.

Refer to definition 2:
There was an order to this process. Our principal sat at a round table in her office handing out the individual envelopes and right beside her was a huge basket of chocolate candy. We walked in one door and out another where we gathered to open the envelopes with friends or whomever we were standing in line with. There was some noise from those that were excited but for the most part, there was confusion. My amazing partner/ good friend and I did not have the same school listed on our letters. We became partners (and friends) this year - after a big blow last year to split some of us up. Now, it has happened again. And, another great friend of mine is also going to be teaching P.E. somewhere else. So many mixed emotions.

Even though I am very excited to be at the campus I have been placed and thrilled to have friends going there with me, I am sad that they are not getting to come along. It's hard to be happy when they are so sad.


Refer to definition 3:
I also have conflicting emotions for other various reasons. I am very happy to be able to be in the same building with Ashlyn and Trey and there are some amazing teachers that they have the likelihood of getting next year. On the other hand, most of their friends will be at a different campus. This makes me sad. Thank goodness they are both personal and confident enough to make new friends.

Crandall Intermediate School is the only school I have ever known and it's going to be hard to pack up and move away from friends that I love, a building that I know so well and the classroom that I have created.

My new home will be the school that we have always called the "castle up on the hill" and I will be leaving "harmony Intermediate". Guess I'd better pull out my glass slippers and my princess wand and know that God is in control- always has and always will be. That's the best reassurance I've had all weekend.