Dandelions...

When I was finishing up a book on seeds, I noticed that the last page showed a picture of a child blowing on a dandelion. I asked my class if they could identify the seeds in the picture. After they properly identify the seeds, we discussed how seeds are dispersed. To solidify the concept of seed dispersal and what we had just discussed, I returned to the picture and asked them what the boy in the picture was actually doing (assuming of course they would say something on the lines of....moving the seeds, helping the seeds become plants, dispersing seeds, etc.)....but oh no, just as I finish the question, "What is the boy doing?" Andrew answers, "Creating more work for moms and dads!!!"
Who is teaching these kids....I could not keep a straight face! I laughed out loud! Boy, did he get the concept of seed dispersal!!
Moral of the story, if your lawn is swarming with dandelions, you might want to ask your child what they have been learning about at school!

Thank You!

Thanks so much for your thoughts and opinions in regards to the appliances! They have helped me greatly!

FYI: Yes, I will be going with the stainless steal appliances that they are offering me. I will be going in tomorrow and sign the addendum....getting closer--at least I hope so!

Thanks you guys are great!

Fortunately! I need your opinion!

Unfortunately, I found myself "homeless" and looking for a place to live in April 2006.
Fortunately, I was able to find a condo I liked, in the price range I could afford, and was close to my work.
Unfortunately, I was told the condo would not be completed until spring 2007.
Fortunately, I had a place to stay.
Unfortunately, I didn't want to wait that long and continued to look elsewhere.
Fortunately, there was a lot of construction going on in Utah.
Unfortunately, Utah experienced a huge housing boom and I found it impossible to find anything in my price range!
Fortunately, I had put money down on the condo in November of 2006, despite my intension of looking elsewhere!
Unfortunately, the prices of my condo escalated tremendously.
Fortunately, my contract secured the original price.
Unfortunately, I would have to wait and continue to pay to store all of my belongings.
Fortunately, I still loved the large family room and the basic floor plan of the condo and was content with my purchase.

Unfortunately, due to "water rights issues," the builder was not granted a building permit and the completion date was pushed back from spring to late summer, 2007.
Fortunately, the "water rights issues" were resolved and the building permits were issued (thanks to my amazing undercover work, a few phone calls and a wonderful cousin, Mike Hadley, who was able to track down the problem---it was sitting on some Utah state attorney's desk!!!)!

Unfortunately, that excitement died down when all building in the area was halted, due to a Saratoga Springs sewage problem and then continued to be postponed when an Eagle Mountain well drying up.
Fortunately, my enthusiasm returned when both issues were resolved and the building was given the go ahead once again.
Unfortunately, I as told the completion date would then be sometime in February, 2008.
Fortunately, they decided they would still honor my original contract price even though my contract would expire before Feb. 2008 and they could "technically" change the price on me.
Unfortunately, during these "postponement times," I realized that building "J" would have a better view then my condo in building "I."
Fortunately, I was allowed to switch condo buildings with no extra charge (building "I" is what you see above-the wood skeleton building).
Unfortunately, I was not told that this change would push my completion date back a few extra months (since building "I" would be completed before condo "J"--)!
Fortunately, it ended up being a blessing...because while they were building condo building "I" the company experienced major changes. The owner, I believe, changed and a new builder was brought in. The builder decided to make some major changes. The basic floor plan was about the same, but there were significant changes; For example, 9-foot ceilings throughout...instead of vaulted ceilings in kitchen and living room, they decided to add a counter arm to the floor plan and a pantry/cabinet next to the fridge (not seen in the below photo), etc.
This picture is the only one I could find to show the new bar--my condo will be a mirror image of this kitchen and will have a new cabinet beside the fridge (of course without the vaulted ceilings):

Unfortunately, this change caused the completion date to be pushed back yet again. I was told it would be completed at the end of May, 2008.
Fortunately, I was fine with that because I learned that condo building "J," would be the first to be wired for HD, surround sound, and a few other perks.
Unfortunately, I found out that some of these new "perks" weren't going to be free and that my original choices of upgrades were no longer available and neither were their prices.
Fortunately, the window company accidentally installed the wrong windows in building "J". They accidentally installed 6-foot windows in the family room area and 4-5 foot windows in the bedrooms-way bigger than what was suppose to be installed.
Unfortunately, after school on Friday (April 12th) I decided to go see how my condo was coming.
Fortunately, the builder was in the model.
Unfortunately, the builder informed me that the electricians had already started wiring building "J" and none of my information (as to what I wanted done) had been passed on to him.
Fortunately, when I walked over to my condo I found that the electricians hadn't wired the third floor yet.
Unfortunately, the builder decided to go with cheap track lighting instead of canned lighting in the kitchen and family room area.

Fortunately, I was grateful that they allowed me to change back to canned lighting.
Unfortunately, it was not going to be free.
Fortunately, they allowed me to arrange the placing of lights, electrical outlets and the opening of a closet I did not particularly like.
Unfortunately, with all of this "excitement" and stress I have come to realize that there are so many decisions to be made that I don't have the answers for.
Fortunately, a lot of decisions had to be made this last week and luckily, I was on spring break.
Unfortunately, I have spent my entire--ENTIRE!!!--spring break traveling up to my condo to go over changes, choosing upgrades (again), haggling the new prices, visiting outlet stores, etc. to try to get everything in order.
Fortunately, the owner has cut me a great deal on all of the new changes and upgrades.
Unfortunately, it is about $4,000 more than then I originally expected.
Fortunately, the condo will still be $20,000 cheaper than what others have to pay.
Unfortunately, I still need to decide if the appliances, the builder is offering me, are worth getting (they will cost me an extra $700 for all three items).
Fortunately, I subscribed to Consumer Report (that way I don't have to bug Mike Harrington anymore ;-).
Unfortunately, Consumer Report had nothing on these products.
Fortunately, I do have a description of each item and details about them.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer wrote them.
Fortunately, that is where you come in...because
Fortunately, some of you know a bit about appliances.
So....fortunately, you could let me know if I am getting a good deal or if I should go look for other appliances.
All opinions would be great to have! Any other building tips would also be appreciated!
These are the items:
Stove

Dishwasher

Microwave

How cute my students are!

Ok, it has been a week of chair changing and laughter amongst my students. As ridiculous as it sounds, I was so touched today. I walked into the classroom, a few minutes before recess was to end, to find that my students had taken all of their chairs and had laid them on their backs and under their desks. They also removed my teaching chair (again) and replaced it with a little child's seat. They had spent their entire recess transforming the classroom just to make me laugh. As I walked into the classroom it was such a sight! I wish I had had my digital camera. I couldn't hold back the laughter. I busted up laughing and the kids popped out from under their desks and laughed too. They were so pleased with themselves! They were so happy about being able to make me laugh! Their sweet sentiments were tangible! I reminded them AGAIN...."really guys only on April 1st"...but they just rolled their eyes as they quickly replaced my teaching chair. I can see their little brains already trying to think of another idea. I am going to miss this group of kids. They are so fun and full of life! Now, to just figure out how to get them to quit coming up with different ideas of how to switch my chairs around! Never teach kids things you don't want them to do to you!!!

What goes around...comes around!

Well, I should have thought twice when teaching my students about April Fools Day! Friday, I went to pick my students up from recess. While walking at the end of the line a co-worker stopped me to ask me a question. After answering the question I quickly walked into my classroom to find my stool (a bar stool that I usually have at the front of my classroom) placed at my reading table and my reading table chair missing. The stool of course looked extremely silly, since it towers over the desk. I look around the room and see no evidence of my chair. By this time my class is laughing at my shocked face. I then look around and asked what happened. They of course (not that I taught them how to do this or anything) said they had no idea. I then asked if one of the other teachers came in and took my chair. Not surprisingly, a lot of my students lied and said yes (should never had allowed them to lie on April Fools Day). Then the whole class started to laugh really loudly and a few boys retrieved my chair from a hidden corner in the room. "Miss Winward we tricked you!!!" was yelled out by many. I did laugh...they were so pleased with their trick and they really did get me!
So, moral of the story...don't teach children how to play April Fools jokes--or lie...it might come back and bite you in the butt!

I thought I Heard It ALL!!

April 1st was a fun day at school. After teaching the history of April Fools, my class and I decided to play a few little April Fools pranks on other classes. They were very successful and quite entertaining....my favorite prank was when my first graders made their 6th grade buddy readers a Christmas card with a Halloween treat attached to it (notice how they were able to practice their letter writing skills during this activity--very academical).
After delivering their cards, we also decided that it would be funny to removed all of the 6th graders' chairs and relocated them into the music room (with this activity my students were able to enjoy some "P.E."). The kids thought this was so funny (as did I)! They did such a great job in keeping the secret too! When their buddy readers came to read with them after lunch....and questioned my students about where their chairs were....surprisingly not one spilled the beans. 45 mins. after the 6th graders left our classroom they finally were able to find their chairs.
Once the 6th graders found their chairs, their teacher decided to parade the entire class back into our classroom, with their chairs, to show off that they had finally found them. I acted as if I had no idea why they were walking into my room...I asked the teacher where he had found the chairs, etc. My kids, however, lost it at this point...yelling over to me, "Miss Winward they found the chairs we hid!"
I could not help but laugh out loud at this point...that is, until one of my students started screaming out. I quickly started crossing the room when the child ran right up to me, rubbing the back of his head and crying loudly. It took me a moment to get him to calm down. I was sure one of the 6th graders accidentally hit him in the head with a chair. No such luck....when I finally got the child calm enough to relate the story I sat there thinking....I thought I heard it all!!!
Apparently, when the 6th graders came parading into the room, this child wanted to show them how "shocked" he was that they were able to find their chairs that he decided to "fake" fainting. Unfortunately, he was so successful in "faking a faint" that he fell back and hit his head on a chair behind him!!! I sat their dumbfounded. When I repeated what he had said, just in case I misunderstood his explanation, he responded with a "duh" attitude, "Yeah, Miss Winward. You know, you faint when you are really shocked." I wanted to scream, "WHAT IN THE WORLD, are you an idiot!" No worries though...I am not that type of teacher.....instead I simply asked, "Was that a smart idea?" To which he repeated the entire story, as if I were some kind of dummy.
"We" then discussed the situation together. :-) "We" concluded that maybe that wasn't the best idea after all and that maybe the next time he thinks about "fake fainting" he should forgo the urge! Hopefully this has knocked some better sense into him!
Once again...."I thought I had heard it all"...but apparently not!
Kids, they are such a wonder!