Slam Dunk?

Megan, another young teacher, and I were asked to be the new proud sponsors of "Hoops" Club. The purpose of the club is to allow students to play basketball during club time on Friday. Don't ask me why the school picked two of the youngest teachers to sponsor a large group of 16-year-old boys. Being the team players that we are, we accepted.

Fast forward to Club Fair day. The whole school attends the Club Fair and gets to learn about all the clubs offered at the school. "Hoops" club had one student manning the table with a black and white flyer and a sign up sheet. Please keep in mind most other clubs had many members present, music, colorful posters, costumes and much more to lure students to sign up for their club.

Well guess what, our black and white flyer must have been persuasive. We had over 200 kids sign up for "Hoops" club. Really?! How are Megan and I going to control over 200 16-year-old boys? And no, we don't get paid extra to do this.

So now we have a problem. How are we going to cut the list down? We had to be realistic. We could handle maybe 50. We decided to charge a $5 club fee and hoped that only the serious kids would want to join, the ones who would actually play basketball during club time.

Now fast forward to the first club day when the club meets. Our plan worked, thank goodness. We had about 40 boys sign up for the club......and one pregnant girl! Oh geez. This was one problem we didn't think of. How are we going to allow this pregnant girl to play basketball with 40 high school boys?!

At first I just stared at her and asked, "Do you really want to play basketball with all these boys?" She nodded her head "yes." I am not sure what the rules are on what pregnant students can and can't do. This is not in the teacher handbook! After a quick conversation we came to an agreement. She acknowledged being 6 months pregnant that she couldn't play basketball. We decided she would be the "Hoops" club manager and she would be in charge of making sure the equipment was put away at the end of club time. Problem #2 solved, phew!

So now every club time on Friday you can find me, Megan, the pregnant girl and about 40 high school boys in the gym for "Hoops" club. Just another day in the life of a high school teacher.

Mad Men and Randoms

I have become obsessed with Mad Men. Mad Men and Friday Night Lights have been the only shows we have watched since the start of summer. Usually the summer makes for bad TV but this by far has been the best TV summer ever.

Mad Men is such a great show. I am so intrigued by it. It seems like it would have been a fun era to be part of......minus the smoking, drinking, cheating, and male dominating aspects. It's fun and scary to think that Peter's dad, Granny and Poppy were all part of this time. I can already picture Granny sporting all the 60's fashion. I now understand why her handbag and cigarette case always matched.

Better Draper (January Jones) is one of the main characters in Mad Men. I want to be Betty Draper....again, minus the whole divorce, bitchiness and cheating aspects. I think she is just so beautiful. I love all her clothes and how classy they are. Side note: I have heard that in real life January Jones isn't pleasant to be around. This makes me feel a little better, ha.

I know I will never be Betty Draper or even look like her. But I can still dream and attempt to dress like her every now and then. I just bought a new dress from the Mad Men collection at Banana Republic. I am going to wear it to one of the upcoming weddings we are going to. I think it will look great with black patent shoes and clutch. Sorry about the bad iPhone picture of the dress.

Now moving on to random things.......

My really sweet, genuine, creative and fun friend, Jess, made me this cute TCU wreath for football season. I was so excited to put it on our door. Maybe they will start winning now! Side note: Jess is a Baylor grad but I won't hold that against her. :-) Don't you just love it?! Thanks again Jess. Go Frogs!

Let's Art Party Masterpiece

About 10 girls and I purchased a Living Social coupon for Let's Art Party, a BYOB art class. Last week we finally found a date that worked for everyone. It was really fun but I won't be quitting my day job for an art career! I'll leave the painting to Stef.

There was an instructor who led the class and took us step by step through the process of this flower painting. We learned how to mix colors, use different brush sizes and strokes and how to "commit" (quoted from the instructor) once we started painting.

Step 1 was to blend the background color, darker on the edges. Step 2 was to paint the center of the flowers.

Step 3 was the hardest: "committing" to your flower petal placement and shape. I personally think my petals look like a 2nd grader painted them.

I take that back. Step 4 was probably the most difficult, as you can see above. We were suppose to make the centers look different and give each flower a little variety. Apparently I must have a fear of "commitment" because my flowers look a little sad.

This was the finished product. Step 5 was to add the "whimsical" stems. Not too impressive but it was a fun time with great friends. Please take time to admire my monogram in the right bottom corner. Oh, and did I mention that I came home from work Friday and Peter had hung my masterpiece in the study?

Wine, crepes and Swiss chocolate!

I had never been to Europe and was super excited about this trip. We flew to Paris and then took the train to Switzerland to Zurich and Zug. It was amazing to see all the history and architecture. The weather was an added bonus, a high of 70! We didn't miss the 107 temps back home. Peter and I had a wonderful trip and we can't wait to go back to Europe. This trip definitely made me want to travel more.

Here are some pictures of Switzerland:

Here are some pictures of Paris:

Meet Stetson

Meet Stetson. He's the ONLY dog I've ever liked. I never thought these words would come out of my mouth. I've NEVER liked animals in general. I don't even like the fake metal dog in my parent's house. I realize this isn't normal and most people enjoy pets, especially dogs. Peter's dad even says this is "the only thing that is wrong with me." Ha, hardly!

(Yes, that is my hand petting him and it has been documented.)

Stetson and I became friends this summer. We have spent 2-3 days each week together. He is the dog of a Fort Worth family I've been helping out. Here are a few reasons Stetson and I get along so well:

• He doesn't make me have allergy or asthma issues. THIS IS HUGE! I have never been around a dog that hasn't made me sick.




• He rings a bell when he has to go outside, no barking, scratching or accidents.




• He doesn't get on furniture.




• He doesn't jump on people.




• He listens to what I tell him to do.




• He is very well cared for but is treated like a dog, not a human.




• He doesn't shed.




• He doesn't beg for food.
  

I could think of several more reason but I'm sure you get the picture. Peter is very excited about my friendship with Stetson. However, he knows better than to get too excited. We still aren't getting a dog anytime soon. But this is huge! I might even regret making my new friendship public.

Patience vs Patients and Mimi

I would like to apologize for my incorrect use of the term patients. No Eric, you didn't pay for me to go to TCU only to find a husband. However, he was a nice bonus. I promise I know the difference between patience and patients. Looks like I need to proof read a little better. I stand corrected.

I would also like to thank my Mom and Eric for both kindly informing me of my mistake. Aren't they so cute?!




Last weekend I went to Arkansas to visit Lindsey, one of my best friends from college. It was nice to hang out with Jon, her husband, and sweet Adeline, her daughter. Adeline is such a good little girl. Jon and Lindsey are great parents. Adeline and Annabel are lucky girls.


We had a nice and relaxing weekend. Here is a link to Lindsey's blog about our weekend. Adeline couldn't decide if I was "Ash" or "Mimi." Haha. It was hilarious. I think I am a little young to be called Mimi but she is so cute I responded anyway. She has the sweetest little voice. I loved it when she would say "Night night baby" when it was time for bed. So cute!

Thanks Lindsey and Jon for a great weekend. I loved Arkansas.

Schools out for Summer

About 3 weeks ago I wasn't sure I was going to survive. I have never been this ready for summer. I was overwhelmed by all the changes, additions and adjustments to my position/job. I was brainstorming other job options and summer felt forever away. As each day passed I had less and less patience. And then all of the sudden it was here: summer!

This year I have students graduating that I have had in class since my first day teaching. We had our first day of teaching and high school together. It's crazy to think how much we both have changed and grown together.

This last week of school has flown by. It has reminded me that I enjoy my job and why I come to school everyday: my students. The hugs goodbye, tears, sweet messages in my yearbook and visit from old students are priceless and renew my love and patience for my job.

Disclaimer: I would lying if I didn't say that June, July and August are three reason to add to the list of why I am reminded that I love my job.

As I pack up my classroom I am excited for summer and think about all my students I will miss. I only hope I impacted their lives in some way, the same way that Mrs. Herbst impacted mine.