one day more

Technically there is still one more day before I'm off for Winter Break. However, today I observed that my students are mentally on break and will not work. This sure makes my job much easier (not!). It's been a pretty good week, considering. I've been surprised at how many kids have been absent all week. There were also lots to checked out to go spend a month or two in Mexico (a very common thing).

Today I had the 8th graders watch a 15 minute clip of "The Polar Express" and then we wrote summaries of that part. Mostly they weren't interested in the summarizing part, so I said if they would be quiet, I'd start the movie again. And so, I saw the middle part of "The Polar Express" 4 times today. Tomorrow, which will truly be a test of all teachers patience, I've created a word puzzle packet for them to keep their little hands busy while they are in my room for 35 minutes. We have the Winter Assembly in the morning. I plan on being out of my room at the end of contract time: 3:08.

I received my pay stub today. Most of you know that the Utah legislature alloted a 'one time bonus' for teachers this year. It's been debated back and forth about what the bonus would actually be. At first it was $1000. Then we heard it'd be closer to $500. Some have you been interested to find out what we all really got. On my check today was my lovely Christmas Bonus of $917.00, not as much as originally thought, but more than the lowest estimate, and a great addition to my monthly paycheck. Ben and I've waited to do any Christmas shopping until this bonus arrived and I think, after putting stuff in savings and tithing, we'll have a decent Christmas.

Last time I wrote, I mentioned that I was going to see the Nutcracker with my mom and Cassidy. We had a very fancy time eating at Little America and going to the ballet. Cassidy was quite interested at first, but I think she kind of got tired near the end. Here are a few pictures from our night:

Cassidy in front of her Christmas tree. She told us (and all the random strangers we met during the night) that she was in her Mrs. Claus dress.

We ate at Little America and got on TRAX to get to the theater. Here we are waiting in the FREEZING COLD!

She was the star in this beautiful cape.

Last night was Cassidy's dance recital. It was at my school and we all went to watch. It was a hoot to watch, she's very good. Here are some pictures and two movie clips. Don't mind m laughter in the background--I'm a proud Aunt and think she's just the greatest.

She had two dances. This is the first one. She's the one in the green on the end.





I get a smile every time I watch these...hehehe