surprise guests October 27, 2009

I have been very fortunate, as a working mom, to be able to have my kids in the same building that I work.  I get to bring them to school with me every morning and every now and then I get to see them during the day.  This will really come in handy for breast feeding in just 6 to 8 weeks!

Today, the whole pre-school class came to visit me!  They adorned their hand-made witch masks and sang a cute witch song to me.  It was super cute.  Then, Tessa showed them the way to my treat jar and passed one out to everyone. 

I guess that if I have to be a working mom, at least I have about the best job in the world for it. 

A Farewell to Mandt June 28, 2009

Mandt is a course on learning how to manage people in escalated states. As some of you know, I’ve been a Mandt instructor for nearly 12 years, and have been trained in it for about 15 years. 

Well, the time has come to say goodbye to good old Mandt and hello to Safety Care.  The school district has decided to save some money and go with this new program. 

Although I was getting a little tired of Mandt, I still hate change.  It was very hard to learn a new way of doing things and it will be even harder to actually “do” and teach the new stuff….but I guess I’ll have to get over myself. 

On the last day of the instructor training, my fellow Mandt-ers and I wore our Mandt t-shirts that wer tie-dyed with love by our leader, Glenn.  On the back of our t-shirts it read, “Building Relationships…one hug at a time”.  Well, so long, Mandt.  I will miss you dearly. 

a trip down the red carpet April 27, 2009

We held our third annual Viewmont Best Buddy Ball on Saturday.  It’s an event that all the kids really look forward to.  This year’s theme was “hollywood”…and you know how I like a good theme. 

We started with really cute invitations with a picture of the “hollywood” sign on it.  They were instructed to come dressed as their favorite movie star or character…..and boy did they!  They all looked so cute in their outfits.   

 

 

We decorated using a giant “hollywood” sign, lots of stars, balloons, and movie posters all around the room…all in red, black, white, and gold colors.  And, of course, we had a red carpet.  When the kids arrived, we had them make handprints on their stars for our own walk of fame.  Then, they enjoyed dancing, music, and food. 

 

 

For food, we served “movie” food:  popcorn, candy, hot dogs, and nachos.  I also made some rice crispy treats in the shape of stars. 

 

 

 

 

 

Near the end of the evening, a few students were awarded with their very own “Oscar”…also made of rice crispies.

It was a very successful “Ball” and I wish that I could take all the credit….but the officers of the club really did most of the labor.  I just gave them the ideas.

But…they were great ideas!

Memories March 26, 2009

We went to El Matador for lunch for a “community outing” for my class.  Even though we attended the Bountiful location instead of my favorite Ogden location, it still stirred up a lot of fond memories for me. 

When I was young, it was one of my favorite restaurants because it was “dark” and mysterious and they had chickens on a fake straw roof.  I remember the big mural of a Matador and even a faux Alamo.  My favorite part was the lion fountain that “spit” water.  I could’nt leave before throwing a penny or two.  One particular time, I through a penny and wished for a baby brother…and it came true!!  I was convinced that the fountain was magical.  I also really enjoy their salsa served warm with a side of grated cheese to mix in.  It is the bom diggity, yo!

free bee February 25, 2009

If it’s free, you know I’ll be there.  It was free pancake day at IHOP and I took my whole class for a field trip. I sat with Jan and had a good time showing her how to make “lemonade” with equal packets and a lemon.  It was very enjoyable.  We were seated within two minutes and outta there in twenty.  Much better than the Denny’s fiasco.  If you’re interested in free pancake day for next year….it’s always in February on “fat tuesday”.  Check their website for details.

On the bus home, we had a great conversation with our bus driver, Renee.  He offered himself as a free dating consultant to find Alicia (my co-worker) some dates.  It sounds promising.

rocking provo February 15, 2009

Jana and I had the opportunity to rock provo Thursday night as we attended the augmentative conference at the Marriott.  I couldn’t care less about the conference part, really….I was just excited to get to stay in a hotel and to get a break from my sometimes mundane life. 

I was excited and had big plans for us.  I expressed to Jana how it would be just like in college.  I even invited the “boys” over to play poker in our room and brought all the supplies for margaritas.  When we actually got to the room, this was Jana’s response to my enthusiasm…

The “boys” were equally excited and needless to say, we didn’t play poker, or anything for that matter.  We watched a little Seinfeld, went to dinner at BrickOven Pizza, and then I talked her into a little hot tub action. 

And then, we crashed on some really nice beds.   Don’t get me wrong, I am happy to share my bed with Joey, but boy is it nice to sprawl out and take up the whole bed sometimes.  We both woke up happy girls.

Two Shay February 5, 2009

Alicia, LaRae, Nate and Jan paid Jana and I back by cooking us breakfast this morning.  I have to admit, their breakfast was better than ours….but they did blow a fuse in the kitchen, something that Jana and I didn’t do.

Breakfast duo February 4, 2009

We’ve had “late start” days because of testing and so Jana and I decided to make all of our staff breakfast.  I made the pancakes and Jana made the eggs.  Aren’t we the nicest and funniest “bosses” in the whole world?  I think so.

Before coming to Viewmont, I had to carry the burden of being the “only” teacher in the program.  I was actually a little wary of having to share with another teacher, but after getting to know Jana, my worries were no more.  Jana is a great person to work with and we compliment each other nicely.   She’s funny and she’s got my back.

Arts & Crafts January 13, 2009

At Viewmont, we have a once a month class called “Advisory”.  It’s when the students meet in a “home room” for twenty minutes and have a touchy feely kind of lesson.  The purpose is to help the teenagers feel a “part” of their school and such. 

Some of  “our” students have a hard time attending a regular ed.  advisory, so we have our own.  This year, we decided to have an art project during this time.  It’s been fun to watch all of the staff get more involved in the crafts than the students do…myself included.  Some of the crafts have been difficult for the adults to master, let alone the students.  I don’t know what I was thinking. 

Here is a Alicia with her work of art.  She was very proud.  Alicia is also single, in case any of you were wondering.

Hawt Tub December 22, 2008

We took the students swimming for this year’s class Christmas party.  Despite the huge snow storm and trouble getting all FIVE wheelchairs over to the rec center, the kids had a blast.  It is a very fun thing to see these kids having fun in the water.  It was especially fun to get some of my non-mobile students in the water and to see their expressions of pure delight.  It must be very fun for them to feel so weight-less in the water. 

Of our 13 staff, only FOUR of us got in the water.  Kenzie is allergic to chlorine, so she gets a pass.  The rest of them, however, are LOSERS.  We made the non-swimmers go get the kids dressed while we enjoyed a little hot tub action.