Planning a Summer Getaway, need your input :)

We are planning a summer getaway!! Yippee. Can't wait.  Yes, the kids are going on this trip, so it's not exactly rest, but it will be fun.

I am considering 3 different options and I thought I'd send it your way and maybe someone from the blog world could help me out.

Option 1:

Great Wolf Lodge
http://www.greatwolf.com/grapevine/waterpark

We've been before but it's been a few years.  The plus, it's indoor so Maddie wouldn't have to worry about burning.  The downside, EXPENSIVE and all there is to do is the water park.  It's pretty loud and with 3 kids at such different ages, I don't know how we would split the time in the big areas and the little-kid areas.  BUT... we know they would love it! 

We would stay 2 nights, so that's 3 days of the water park?  I don't know about that!  Maybe 1 night, 2 days of water park and we could stay the other night somewhere else...

Option 2:

SeaWorld

http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-sanantonio/

We've never been to SeaWorld as a family.  In fact, Doug has never been.  I think we would like it, but Maddie would be outside all day.  The tickets this year are for 2 days as they are about to open a new water park.  We could go see shows, play in the water and they even have a Sesame Street area for the little ones. Kylie would LOVE that. The price is good and it's not too far to drive.

Downside? Outside. Lots of walking. Heat.

Option 3:

Lost Pines
http://lostpines.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels-lostpines/index.jsp?null

We've never been to Lost Pines, but have heard it's great.  It's pricey, but much more laid back and fits our needs.  It's outdoor, but since it's part of the hotel, we could take inside breaks (big appeal).

It's not too far to drive and we would stay 2 nights.

So there you have it.  Any advice or input?

A little down time? No Way!

With the semester winding down, you might think that I am winding things down and getting a break.  NO WAY!  What's next? How about an art show filled with close to 2000 pieces of art from the school kids. Yeah. Who needs rest? :) If you live near here, come check it out. It will be great! 

It was a BLACK TIE AND DIAMONDS kinda night!!

Its was a Black Tie and Diamonds kinda night.

Or so the invitations said.

Months and months of planning.

and lots and lots of work.

But hallelujah Prom 2012 has come and gone.

And all without any major issues!!

The pictures don't due it justice.

It was beautiful!

These were all taken on my camera phone.

The theme was Black Tie and Diamonds.

And there you have it. A look at our high school prom.  This is my last one to coordinate for a while I am really, really hoping.  4 years in a row is enough!  But heck, when it comes to planning my children's receptions I will know exactly what to do! WRITE A CHECK AND MAKE SOMEONE ELSE DO IT!

On another note.  I finally had a chance to go to the doctor. Yeah. 
I have antibiotics, steriods and an inhaler.
I will be well after probably 4 weeks of being sick. Right in time for the TAKS test.
WAIT. What was I thinking!  Right in time to administer the TAKS? I should have waited!

Weaving Project. Another Art for All Abilities Project.

I teach a myriad of students.  From the valedictorian to low functioning special education students.  Doing so keeps me on my toes!

And it challenges me to find projects that are inclusive and differentiated for all students.

Weaving is one of those projects!

Recently, I had the opportunity to write for an Education Foundation Grant that paid for the supplies for my weaving project.  That is always a plus!! $500 of unexpected funds for me to purchase looms (traditional and chipboard), yarn and 120 plastic needles!! 

With all projects, there is a learning curve. One of the unexpected learning curves came with the very first task. Students started with a 3"x6" piece of chipboard and they had to MEASURE and CUT every 1/4 inch. This was incredibly difficult for a lot of students!!  What a great reminder to me that one of the jobs of my classroom is to reinforce the "common sense" stuff. The same students that can answer complex math problems, struggled with measuring and cutting precisely at 1/4 inch intervals.  WOW! And they say my class isn't a core class!


The students used the small chipboard looms to practice the fundamentals of weaving. No requirements were given for the little weaving project beyond it had to be filled. This was very doable and not scary.

I am using these small pieces as thank you gifts!!

Then we moved on to the larger chipboard looms.  These were pre-scored. hallelujah.

For the large project, students had to use 6 different types of yarn and 6 different types of stitches.  This is where modifications came in.  Obviously, 6 stitches were not possible for all students.  But every student was able to do the in and out motion with the yarn. Granted, sometimes the in was on one side and the out was 15 strings over, but successful weaving is in and out. right! :) Using the needle was optional.

  

An interesting thing that some of the guys figured out was that using the needle was a drag. It was hard to handle and so forth. But their metal ruler with the hole in the end of it worked perfectly!! How cool is that!!  I will so be using this as a modification in the future!

And then finally, what about the advanced students???  The advanced students were challenged to use the traditional loom and to create a more intricate pattern while still incorporating 6 different stitches and 6 different yarns. 

You want to see the finished products?  Well, they will be on display at the art show in May, so I don't want to ruin the surprise!!  I'll post pictures after the exhibit goes up for all you non-local peeps!

Dream House Plans

I happen to love looking at houses.

I collect house plan books.

Yes, I'm nuts.

But we have already established that.

I am happy to announce that after years and years of looking at house plans, that I have finally found my dream house.  I know you are breathless in anticipation!

Isn't it just too cute :)

The details?  Well, it's 2500 square feet plus a 300 square foot bonus room above the garage.

So, are we going to build it?

Not sure. 

We don't have land. We don't have downpayment money.

But those are just details.

It took me 10 years to find the house.  I wouldn't expect to see it built in the next year!