Raspberries and Cherries and Tomatoes

I mentioned that everything is super early this year. Last week I went raspberry picking with my mom and dad. We came home with 30 pounds, most of which were frozen in simple syrup for when we have a raspberry craving next winter.

Cherries are also ripe. Of course, they require a bit more effort (and a ladder!) to pick. But they are yummy. My niece would eat herself sick if we let her.

And this week I picked my first tomato. I love homegrown tomatos. They just taste so much better than what you buy in the stores. For the last coupld years I've branched out from the standard red tomatos. This year I planted yellow and what is labeled "pink caspian". That one is not ready yet.

School Year....Finished!

It's done. Over. Finished. This incredibly difficult year of teaching. Thank you God!

This has been a year of struggles and reflection; aggrevation and exhaustion. Why? Good question. I wish had a nice, neat answer but I think instead it's an accumulation of things.

This group of little darlings were generally low in reading and math skills, making teaching a challenge at times.

This group was also incredibly immature, as a whole. Some days were babysitting from hell.

This was Year 7 for me in my current district. Does the 7 year itch really exist? Maybe. Reflection on the year has led me to believe that I need to change up some curriculum for next year. But right now, I'm too tired to worry about it.

On another note....This is blog post 500! Never thought I'd get here.

Happy Promotion!

My middle neice is officially off to high school. Congratulations!

Straweberries!

Weird, warm weather has meant the Strawberry season started two weeks early this year. I've never picked strawberries in May, but it was a beautiful day to spend with the most important women in my life. We picked almost 30 pounds of berries. After lunch at Red Robin, I went home to bake Devils Food cupcakes because strawberry shortcake should be chocolate, right?

Memorial Weekend

Beach...Family....Friends....Good Weather...What more can you ask for in a Summer Kick-Off Weekend.

Of course, Memorial Day is not all about fun and games. We remember the sacrifice and loss as well.

Birthday Boy

This weekend's birthday celebration of bowling, mini golf and pizza.

Spring time cuties!

The preschool spring sing was a lot of fun. These two were really excited for the evening.