Off to a good start!

This week we started school!  I met some of my students on Wednesday night at "Meet the Teacher Night", and then school started Thursday morning.  These first few days, we are doing a lot of getting-to-know-you stuff.  Maybe I'm a fun hater, but I can't wait to start giving reading tests to see what levels they are reading at right now! Hahaha! I'm sure the kids can wait for that.

My class consists of 22 students: 13 girls, 9 boys.  They seem like a really good group of students.  I'm still really thankful when my students from last year stop in my room or see me in the hallway and give me a hug.  I'm missing those kids!! 

I was exhausted by Friday at 4:00pm and needed this weekend to REST!  I'm ready for a full week next week, but come Wednesday, I might be dragging.  I think it's all a combination of being back with students all day, waking up early, and no air conditioning.  When we're sweating all day in that building, it sure does take away your energy! 

I'm excited for a great year! I can see some great potential in these kiddos!!!

Slow down, August!!

Wow, we've been BUSY since returning from our anniversary vacation! 

The first weekend we were home (7/29-7/31), Tyson spent the weekend in Bettendorf.  He left on Friday afternoon to stay with some friends of ours.  On Saturday, he ran the Bix 7 in Davenport, and then returned home on Sunday afternoon.  I spent the weekend celebrating my dad's birthday on Friday night and then relaxing the rest of the weekend.

The following weekend (8/5-8/7), was my turn to be gone.  Wendy, Ava, and I went to visit our cousin Lorinda and her family in Missouri.  We left Friday afternoon and came home on Sunday.  We spent the weekend learning what it was like to have twins!!  (Lorinda and her husband Jason have 7 month old twin boys).  Tyson spent the weekend having a man-date with Darren on Friday night, and then cleaning!!  What a great husband!

The week after we returned from Missouri, I spent a few days getting my classroom back in order!  On the last day of school we had to move everything off of the floor and onto something permanent or on wheels so our floors could be waxed during the summer. 

This past weekend, Tyson and I were both gone....but we were finally together this time!!  We both left on Friday for Michigan, only Tyson made a pit-stop in Chicago to pick up his friend Kevin at the airport.  The guys competed in a half IronMan triathlon in Benton Harbor, MI on Sunday.  This was Kevin's first half IronMan and he did GREAT!!  However, the swim got cancelled because the water was too rough (there were HUGE waves!!), so I think he's feeling a little cheated on his first half.  Maybe another one will happen in the future???  :)

And finally....I started back to school today.  These first 3 days are just meetings, meetings, meetings, and the kids will return on Thursday!  I'm excited for a new year and to meet my class.  I know several of the kids from last year, so I'm looking forward to a great year.  I'll keep you updated on the first day of school with my class!! :)

Part 4...One Tree Hill and Battleship North Carolina

One of the main reasons we had wanted to go to Wilmington someday is because that's where One Tree Hill was filmed.  So, for all of you who were wondering 'why Wilmington?'...well, now you know.  We found some of the characters' houses on the show and took pictures, and a couple other locations.

Lucas and Karen Scott's house

Lucas' bedroom door

Haley James' house

Peyton Sawyer's house

Quentin's house

Karen's Cafe

The River Walk

River court

Where Brooke and Lucas had their first date

I've noticed recently in episodes that you can often see this boat in the background when they are filming at the river court

The final thing to blog about is the Battleship North Carolina, which is located right next to the river court.  It is a battleship that was used in WWII.  The tour took us about 2 hours, and it was HOT in that ship.  We took TONS of pictures, but I'll just post a few.

Tyson posing with a missle

Part 3....Anniversary and Carolina Beach

To celebrate our anniversary on Saturday (July 23), we spent the late morning/early afternoon at Wrightsville Beach for yet another day.  Then we headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner.  Tyson had made reservations but I had no idea where or what it was going to be.

We arrived at the Little Dipper, which is a fondue restaurant!  Neither of us had ever had fondue before, so we were both excited.  We had a GREAT waiter who helped us through ordering.  Everything was delicious.  Here are pictures of our 4-course meal!!

Course 1: cheese, chips, fruit, and veggies

Course 2: spinach salad w/ walnuts, strawberries, and raspberry vinaigrette

Course 3: lobster, tuna, shrimp, steak, chicken

The white merlot oil we chose

Course 4: chocolate, fruit, pretzels, marshmallows, eau claire

S'more on a stick!

We tried to end the night by walking around downtown, but it was hot (again) and Tyson had a long-sleeve shirt and pants on, so it was too hot. :)

We're shiny because of the "hot plate" on our table! It was making me sweat!

On Saturday night we made plans for Sunday to go to a different beach: Carolina Beach.  It was about a 20-25 min drive so we had planned to leave a little earlier than our usual beach time.  The weather was perfect!!  The sun went under a few times and it made it just the right temperature to play frisbee on the beach (the other days it was just too hot).  The first location we went to had very few people too!  After 2 hours, we moved to a new location which was much more packed!!  (We had been parked in a 2 hour parking spot so we had to move!)  After another few hours at our new spot, we decided to find a place to eat.  On our way back to Wilmington, we made a quick stop at BrewThru which is a drive-thru convenient store.  You just drive in, roll down your window, tell them what they want, and they get it for you.  Genius!!

Just arriving and Tyson still looks sleepy!

The homes in Carolina Beach were AMAZING!

Enormous fish taco...he had to use a fork and knife

Brew Thru! (A little crooked because I took it from the car window)

We ended Sunday night by staying in and playing several games of Farkle at the hotel!  Funny how sometimes when you're on vacation, doing something you could do at home is even better!

Next and final post: One Tree Hill locations and North Carolina Battleship