Rainy Day Second Graders

Since I'm in my last semester before Student Teaching, I have my Senior Practicum class. For this class I have lecture for 2 hours on Mondays and then Wednesdays and Fridays I drive to an Elementary School in Idaho Falls with a group of girls also in their Senior year. For those 2 days a week I am in a second grade class ALL day. I teach each time I go-at least one lesson, but usually more. I absolutely LOVE it!! Although I come home more times than not with a pretty hefty headache and wanting to do nothing but crawl in bed--I never ever question why I am doing what I'm doing! Every day I am with those kids makes me want to adopt each and every one of them and bring them home to love and enjoy as my own forever!!

Today was quite an eye-opening day, however. We were supposed to go on a field trip to some apple orchards so the kids could learn about growing apples and taste a variety of different types of apples. We were all very excited for a day out and lots of fun! Well, I woke up in the middle of the night last night to the steady pitter-patter of rain which simply didn't let up until about 2:00 today. Needless to say the field trip was rescheduled for another time and the kids--not to mention us teachers!--were crushed! We ended up filling the day with movies, coloring projects, reading, and just a little bit of math so we could say we were productive.

Since it was too cold and rainy to be outdoors, we had to hold lunch and recess in the classroom. For those of you who do not have kids or have not spent much time with a group of 23 7and8 year-olds, you really thrive on those times of getting them outside, having a little R&R for yourself, and allowing them to get the wiggles out!! Well today we most definitely did not get any of that, and it was QUITE the ordeal. And yet, with every trial, there comes a new little nugget of understanding. Here is what I learned today:

1. 1 child with ADHD+1 fruit rollup+2 milkyway bars+1 bag of misc. candy=absolute chaos

2. It only takes 1 boy starting a waterbottle chugging contest to end in 3 little boys and 1 little girl with severe tummy aches and several trips each to the restroom. (We sat and watched the entire class chant "JUG JUG JUG JUG JUG!!" while each contestant "Jugged" their watterbottle)

Where would I be had I not chosen this absolutely wonderfully gratifying and completely entertainingly perfect career?! I love being a teacher!

Sorry Ladies...

...but I have the BEST husband ever! Today was a difficult day for me. I'm trying to get my feet on the ground with my new classes this semester, and along with that a new calling and the pressure of being a house wife (cooking, cleaning, etc.) I was feeling very stressed! For those of you who know me well know that when I'm stressed...I don't treat people well :/ I was pretty snappy at Adam (so snappy he left for a study group early just to give me some "Tonya time"). Well when he came home after his study group, he came bearing flowers and chocolate! Not just any flowers, and not just any chocolate however...bright blue and yellow flowers (because he knows I hate the stereotypical red roses) and Toblerone chocolate like we got on our trip in England--2 of them!

Days like this remind me of how much more often I should be grateful for my hubby and our currently simple life!!

We Love Visitors

This last weekend Brandon and Melanie came to visit. They haven't been to the Burg since Brandon transferred to BYU (what a bad choice THAT was) over a year ago. We ate at Craigo's (a delicious pizza buffet I crave often), went shooting, had a game night with some friends, went to church, and had a family ichat with the rest of the McBeth clan. It was a great time and we're glad they finally got the time to come!

East Idaho State Fair

Our new semester started on Thursday, so Wednesday we decided to go to the state fair with Ping Pong and Ruby for a last summer harrah. It was a great day! We watched the hypnotist show, ate some GREAT food, checked out the livestock (where I almost threw up from the smell), and even got to witness a wedding ceremony! Yep, thats right, a couple got married in front of a crowd in jeans and cowboy boots at the idaho state fair, and then drove away in their golf cart. Now THATS country! Here's some pictures from our day:

Adam and I eating our fried foods-fried twinkie for me and fried snickers for Adam


Ruby and Ping-and the gigantic turkey leg that took their son's spot in the picture


The wedding


The getaway vehicle

Great Day

Yesterday was a great day spent with my Adam. The new semester hasn't started, so we have all the time in the world to entertain ourselves. I think we did a pretty good job yesterday.

Wake up late.

Go to the temple.

Lunch at Applebee's...with a giftcard.

Flip through TV channels for an hour.

2 hour nap.

Salmon dinner made by Adam.

Walk around the neighborhood with Duke.

Watch Titan A.E. recorded by our new free DVR.

Make Artichoke dip.

Watch British comedy with Ping Pong.

Bed at midnight.

How sad we will be when the summer is gone.