Boy Am I Tired!

I got back from my Teacher Academy yesterday around 2:00, but I was so tired that I crashed on the couch at about 4:00 and didn't hardly move until 9:00! I learned a lot, ate a lot, laughed a lot, and got excited about science for my classroom. We had a full agenda of classes, mostly working with other teachers on our grade level across the state. They fed us every 2 hours, and I bet I gained 10 pounds. The fourth grade content was electricity and magnetism, which is the physical science strand of science for 4th grade in NC. We did lots of exploring both concepts and how they are related. I brought home a huge box of items and ideas to use in my classroom and share with my team at school. Over the next 2 years, they plan to have an earth science component and a life science component which will cover the other strands of science that I teach. They also expressed they would love for the same schools/representatives to return for both strands. They even said they would accept us 1st. I can't wait!
Callie was excited about me being home. I'm sure it wasn't because she wanted to see the surprises I had bought her! Terry was pretty happy too, although I didn't get him a surprise. (I'll leave it at that!)
Woo! Hoo! Clint and Cassie are coming home today! I am soooo ready to see them young'uns. Terry, Callie, and I are going to meet them at the airport this evening. I can't wait to see Cassie's pics. We will be in a hurry to get Clint's clothes washed, because he is going to the beach for a week with a friend on Sunday morning. We will be meeting him and his friend at the beach in a week, and they will be staying with us for the week.
Today, Callie and I are going to a local church where a summer enrichment program is being held for struggling students in our city. The program is sponsored by the church and local businesses, but it is ran by our school board and my principal. One of my friends/team members is teaching at the program and needs a substitute on Monday. She has asked me to sub for her, and I am going to check out the facilities and meet the kids. After that, we are going to see Space Chimps at the movies with that same friend and her daughter. (That will help us pass some time until its time to get Clint and Cassie from the airport.)
Hope you have a fantastic Friday!

Senior Portraits and Carowinds

Yesterday our youth went to Carowinds for the day. Clint had to get his senior portraits taken at 9:30, so I had to take him to Carowinds after the pictures. I had told our youth pastor’s wife that I would help her with the picnic lunch that they were providing the kids, so I was just going to stay and hang out with them for the day. Clint and I arrived at Carowinds around 12:00, just in time for lunch. After the teens finished eating, and we packed everything back in the vans, we headed into the park. I hung out with Bro. RJ, Mrs. Liz, Cassie, Taylor, Justin, and Hannah until most of the youth were hot and tired and begging to leave. Boy are they going to die in Puerto Rico!! Since Clint arrived about 2 hours later than the rest of the youth, he wanted to stay for a while longer. Clayton and Ethan agreed to stay with him. So, I followed them around the for rest of the evening. They basically had the run of the park from 5-8. I bet they rode Drop Zone 20 times! Oh me…what did I ride? Uh…in the car, of course. That’s all this weak belly can stand!

Justin and Bro. RJ on the Wild Thornberry's River Adventure

Cassie, Taylor, Mrs. Liz, Hannah, Justin and Bro. RJ gettin' soaked on Rip Roarin' Rapids

Justin, Jeremy, and Spencer just chillin'

What a crew!
Mrs. Liz and Hannah, or Han-tah as Cassie says
Clint and his gang

Taylor and Justin
Finally, Cassie got her pretzel and cheese dip.

Following the Crowd

Well here I go, being a follower. I couldn't stand it any longer. I am now officially a blogger. Don't you just love my page layout? I have to give props to Cassie and Taylor for the design. I hired them to designed it. I just told them what I wanted and a few hours later, viola, they had a fabulous creation. Hopefully, I will be a faithful blogger and make my fellow church bloggers proud. Thanks for stopping by, come back often.