DC resurrected

Over the break, I got to see a lot of DC friends. I miss DC and the caliber and quality of friendships that I created there. This was the only picture I got with some of my DC friends from the break, but this is just a sampling of the amazing people out there. So good to see my peeps, catch up, and talk about life in Utah. I miss them!

Me, Chris, Hannah, Brooke, Eric, Ashley.

A proud teaching moment

I like to think that my most creative self comes out when I lesson plan at work. The last day of school before the break I found myself wanting to do something academic but fun for the students. Seeing that we already took our unit test on the Revolutionary War, I decided to have students work in groups, use a set amount of materials, and create something to show their understanding of the war. I was floored to see what they came up with!

Battle of Bunker Hill

Boston Tea Party

Shot heard round the world…aka Lexington and Concord

2nd Continental Congress

Another Bunker Hill example

Lexington and Concord

Battle of Bunker Hill

George Washington

A soldier's wife dreaming of their soldier. These girls are romantic like me!

Boston Tea Party

Teaching lesson #1--Don't ever underestimate the creative minds of students.

It was a great teaching moment. Students told me to do a repeat lesson. I take it they liked the activity?!

Oh, Middle School...

I think it's a combination of teaching middle school AND the fact that I'm teaching in suburbia, Utah and not inner city DC, but teaching life out here is so different--have I mentioned that?! ;)

I've already named off some big reasons a few months ago, but here is another:

Student government at my school held a "deck the halls competition" where the 6, 7, and 8th grade hallways had themes and decorated their hearts out. Would this happen in DC? Oh, heck no. It's a whole new world

8th grade's theme was Gibgerbread Alley. Here's just a taste. 

Look at that mail box

Here's the entry way. It was so magical!

That fire looks warm to me. We have our Admin hanging above

Check out those hanging lights

Even Mickey got involved

They made me a George Washington gingerbread man in front of my door!

I honestly can't take much credit at all for the Decor. But, hey we won the competition so that was good news. This definitely ain't no DCPS for ya…I'm loving the innocence of Middle School!

Alooooooo-Ha!

I went to Hawaii.  How can you successfully describe an absolutely beautiful island? It's not easy.

This was flying into Kauai. Wowza. 

Breathtaking!

What a light house!

This was the golf course right by our house.

We went kayaking to a bird haven. 

Lots of tough choices in Hawaii. 

Macadamia nut ice cream below with rainbow shaved ice. AMAZING!!

On the tram tour before the luau!

That there is a buried pig after they have successfully roasted it.

A picture of a picture with the whole crew!

Cute Emma, Michael and Isaac on the beach. 

A little beach selfie for you.

I just can't get enough of the scenery! Whoa!

We went on a hike. It was muddy. 

Who doesn't want to be a mermaid for 10 seconds?

Us girls went shopping.

Hanging out in the pool.

Thanksgiving morning we went zip lining. 

A picture of a picture. Megan and I racing each other on 1200 feet of rope. 

This is where we had Thanksgiving dinner

Here's my thanksgiving meal! Pretty fancy. I did miss the home made meal!

Hawaiian sunset

Then mom and I flew to Honolulu. Here is the USS Arizona in the background at Pearl Harbor

In front of one of the submarines.

Check out this view!

On the submarine

PCC selfie

The PCC--an amusement park of the culture of Hawaii. Pretty incredible!

The canoe show

More performers

I drank coconut juice from a coconut. Not that good.

The temple!

Got to see Quinn at the temple. So good to catch up with him!

What a trip! Hawaii truly is paradise!!