Boy's Sleepover at the Q Day 2

We took a quick trip to Seaside. It was my first time. We had a blast! It only took about an hour to get there. The boys got to swing on the sand and try out bumper cars.

Boy's Sleepover at the Q Day 1

We had the boys over for the weekend( well actually just Saturday night). We lucked out on the weather so the boys had a light saber fight in Central Park( a park across the street from our house). The we went to visit Futbon and Comcoly, kids of friends of ours. The watched Coraline in 3-D. After the visit we went to Krispy Kreme for some yummy treats. Then they boys needed to brush their teeth after to get ready for bed.

Update on Our Life at the Q (our new home)

Last Friday Fode had an interview for the job he has had at PCC. This has been a dream job for him because he is working in the department that is his focus for school, Facilities Maintenance, so he gets paid to learn what he loves. I mean it, he has turned into a total nerd about Boilers, Condensers and other HVAC stuff. He took over someone position last January and has been considered a temporary employee since. They finally officially posted the job and he applied and had the interview Friday morning. Around 4pm Friday they called to offer him the job! We were thrilled. This means he is now considered a full employee and gets benefits and is part of the classified union. One of the best benefits is waived tuition!

On Saturday we had a house warming party to show off our place to family and friends. We had family, friends and co-workers stop by to check out our newly settled home. It was so much fun to host a party, but it wiped me out! Thanks to those who came and helped out!

Today I had a big day at my school. I had three people from the Oregon Department of Education come into my classroom to observe me teach a science lesson. The Beaverton School District is being audited for their ESL program, a standard three year audit. I was totally nervous to be observed, but it all went well! My class was great and my Student Teacher was a great cheerleader for me.

We've been Invaded!

We finally hung our Quilt!

Staci made this beautiful quilt for our Wedding back in 2003. We have been working on hanging it up in our new house since we moved. Today we were motivated to get it done, even though it is hot in our house. Little by little we are getting settled in.

The Airshow and the beach

Last weekend Fode and I went to the Oregon International Airshow. It sounds fancy, but it was just at the Hillsboro Airport right down the street from our house. We drove to a parking lot near the runway and then hiked to the runway. We were cheap so we sat on the road outside the airport rather than paying $20 each to go inside. We figured that since everything was in the air we were close enough. Actually I think we were too close. We were at the end of the runway so the planes would fly by real close as they landed(pictures to come). It was a fun time, especially the Thunderbirds. We are enjoying getting to know our new city.

This weekend we are staying on the coast. I am gearing up for another year teaching 4th grade. Last week I worked like crazy to get my classroom ready. Friday I was in my classroom from 7:30 to 6:30. It looks like it is going to be a great year. I have 23 students (so far...keep your fingers crossed) and a student teacher. I decided that it would be great to get away this weekend to relax and get ready for the wild ride of the first month of school. We have had a lazy day and were surprised that there was no rain.

CAMPING 2009

Last weekend we went camping in Cougar, Washington. It was a blast! We went with our Hand and Foot group. We played a lot of cards, ate lots of food and stayed cozy by the fire. Here are some pictures. Fode gained the nickname Walks with Fire(note the pictures below). The weather was not the best, but it stayed dry after the first night. On Saturday we went out on our friends boat. We went on inter-tubes, where we were dragged behind the boat, and even tried out a wave runner ( I liken it to a motorcycle on water). Overall a fun weekend!

Thanks JJ and Jana!

Last Friday JJ and Jana came over and helped us get things hung on the wall. JJ has all these great tools from working on their basement so it made hanging things easy(well it seemed really easy to me since Fode and JJ did all the work :)). Fode had this great idea to hang a clock above out mantle. It is great! We can see it from all over, even up in the loft. The other picture is our master bathroom. They hung up the metal shelves so we had a good place for our towels. Now all we need is a break in the weather, which seems to be on its way!

I can cook...well prepare dinner!

Last Monday(it took a while to blog because of unpacking) I decided to cook dinner. Well the weather and lack of air condition prevented me from cooking food, but I made a yummy salad. Here is the proof.

IKEA HOTEL

Over the 4th of July weekend we stayed in a hotel in downtown Nantes. We booked a small room, but was looking forword to some AC after the hot a humid days we just had. Well the room was tiny. If you have been to Ikea there are those sample rooms where they have an entire house in 500 square feet. That was what the room was like, but it was not spendy so you get what you pay for. The problem was that the AC did not work. We, as obnoxious Americans, complained about this. The staff was kind and found us another room. We lucked out and we were upgraded to a suite room. The pictures I took at the hotel are of this room. The room was twice the size of our original room and meant to be a luxury room. It was clean, quite and modern(you had to keep the key in this wall slot or you could not turn on the lights), but it was not cool even with the AC at full blast. I think this is because they had to double the walls to keep out the train noise so there was no air flow. It was nice to have some privacy, but we were glad to return to Fode sister's house where there are windows that open and a fan.

Un Chateau Breton in Nantes

Today we went to visit the Chateau in Nantes. I looks just like a mini castle with a moat and a draw bridge. We walked around the battlements and saw a nice view of the river and area around the Chateau. It was a cool sight!

Visiting Nantes

Today is our 4th day in Nantes. This is where my sister-in-law, Aisata and her three kids live. We have spoiled the kids with Mcdonalds and KFC. To get to the KFC we had to take two trains(like Portlands MAX) and a bus. The kids were thrilled minus the rain shower we got caught in on the way to the resturant. Thank god for those hand dryers. It is so nice to get to know them. Eventhough we don't speak the same language we get by. Sometimes it translates from French to Maningo to English. We must be an intersting sight to see.

It's my Birthday! Well almost...

Today was a crazy day!  The last day of school before Spring Break.  Report cards had to go home (yeah they are done!), the class was invited to a music performance by our first grade buddies, and half the 4th grade teachers were sick and had subs!  I was just glad to have survived the week and was looking forward to the weekend, but I had many nice surprises for my birthday.  First, Kris baked a cake for us teacher to enjoy on our lunch break and they sang Happy Birthday, much to my embarrassment (I am sure my face was bright red!).  Then one of my students parents brings a gigantic Costco cake for my class to celebrate my birthday and some lovely daffodils!  She also coordinated with the music teacher to give my students some time to make me some wonderful birthday cards.   See we have specials near the end of the day (this is when the students go off to music, pe, etc. and I am madly getting things ready for the rest of the day).  So the students made the cards during music and when I went to pick them up they all rushed to hide their  cards (behind their back or up their shirts).  It was so cute.  We then got back to the class where they showered me with cards and then they sang Happy Birthday (red face again!) and we all ate cake (again for me!).  

It was a great way to end a stressful week and reminds me why I am so lucky to be teacher!  

Report Cards...

It is that time again, Report Cards.  I am trying to get motivated to work on my comments for the report cards.  I have 28 students and 1 comment done.  I miss having conference, which we usually have right before conference.  The conferences help me get my mind ready to write the comments, but they were canceled as a result of the snow saga of December.  Well wish me luck!  Tomorrow I am trying to make a bigger dent in the pile.  

Ooh La La...

J'taime Paris!  I am excited to say that Fode and I are traveling to France this summer.  The main purpose is to visit my sister-in-law Aisata and her children(my nieces and nephew).  We are flying to Paris and spending time there before taking a train to Nantes, where they live.  I am thrilled to visit Paris.  Finally a purpose for my minor in Art History.  All that time studying those paintings and sculptures will come in handy.  Fode and I are watching travel shows to get ideas about what to do.  I am also  I compiling a list of movies that take place in France.  So far I have thought of French Kiss(a classic!) and Charade(I don't think I have seen it).  Do you have any other ideas.  Keep in mind I have a low threshold for violence, so Romatic Comedies are usually the way to go.

Oh how the mighty fall...

New Years Eve was a wonderful night.  Not only is it the anniversary of Fode proposing, this year we won the coveted CHAMP trophy that is passed between our Hand and Foot group.  This is the first time that we have won since the league started.  

Last Night we hosted a league game.  Can you tell we are serious about our Hand and Foot.  We tried, but not hard enough.  We placed 5th (out of 5 teams).  Fode Kissed the trophy goodbye.

Sadly we passed it on the new champions: Laurie and Bill.  Congratulations to them!