Michael Buble?

Who would have thought I'd like a Michael Buble song so much? Not my usual style. But I find myself singing and dancing in the car quite a bit. The true mark of a good song for me!

Learning to teach

Well, I've started my class. It's been great. I was pretty nervous going back to school. It's been a long time since I've been a student. I really feel like I'm learning a lot. It's exciting.

It's also a little overwhelming. Every time I go I feel like I'm doing well, keeping up with everything. Then by the end of class when they've assigned us all our work, I'm like Ugghhh!! But, so far it's been pretty easy to keep up with. I'm supposed to start doing some observations at the elementary. I'm looking forward to that.

I've just been writing My Philosophy of Education. Aaarrrgghh! It's hard! But, I'm not going to complain. I've been waiting to do this for about 3 years now, so I'm ready to get this show on the road!

I only hope that I'm able to find a job somewhat close to home and that I have a good principal that is supportive.

At times this endeavor is quite daunting, but I'm still very excited and I'm glad I'm actually doing something to help achieve my goal- to be a teacher!

Wish me luck and excuse me if I am out of touch and my blog suffers (as I know it already has!).

Christmas

Whew!! It's been a long time, I know. For some reason I just get on these kicks where I don't want to do anything, including blog or even read them. So excuse me, it'll take me a little while to catch up on all your posts! I know this is unfathomable to some of you. I can't explain it. I just have an aversion to the computer sometimes. Then I start feeling guilty about not blogging and it makes it that much harder to start again.

On December 30th we had a family holiday party. That morning the kids and I made a double batch of Christmas cookies! It was really fun and delicious!

Here are a couple of pics from that night. I really need to get Stuart to take more pics because I hardly took any!!

Dont' the girls look pretty?

Erica with our cousin Nathan's baby, Amelia! Awww!

Christmas eve and Christmas Day

On Christmas eve we went to Erica's house to exchange gifts and celebrate together. It was a lot of fun and the kid's loved opening presents together.

(Doesn't everyone dress like Hannah Montana on Christmas Eve?)

Among other things Ellie got her pink Nintendo DS and Logan got his night vision goggles (which work really well by the way!).



Then it was time to go home and get to bed so Santa could visit! The kids put out the milk and cookies for Santa! They're wearing their new PJ's that Nonnie made for them.

The next morning we woke up and opened presents.

Logan had been wanting a Sith robe (like from Star Wars), so he got one and was really excited.

We decided to get the kids their own roller skates and they loved them! (Haven't you ever seen a roller skating Sith?)

Then we got ready quickly and left for Houston. We've been doing this for about the last 6 years or so and let me tell you, it is NO FUN!! My idea was that I wanted the kids to be home on Christmas morning to open presents at their house, but we still wanted to see Stuart's family that gets together on Christmas Day, so this was our solution. It's exhausting though. Especially this year since we went to his Dad's family Christmas, then his Mom's side all on Christmas Day! Logan and Ellie's presents from Grandpa and Marilyn!

The Smith Kids. Garrick (20), Becky (30) and Stuart (36)!

Logan and Ellie with Uncle Wade (Stuart's dad's brother).

We did manage to have fun on Christmas despite the hectic schedule, but I think we may do things differently next year!