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!