Snow Day Fun :)

Today we had a day off of school and although I adore my sweet little first graders, I LOVE SNOW days! Like "jump for joy" love them. There is just nothing like an unexpected day off of work! :) Although it's a little funny to call today a "snow day" since we had not a flake of snow, but instead sub zero wind chills. We don't experience that kind of cold ever (!) and I'm glad that our school system decided not to risk putting kids outside in this type of weather, especially since some of the kids would most definitely not have appropriate attire, which is so sad but unfortunately true.... :( 

Today I obviously had very very important tasks to take care of that included: 

1.) Watching Downton Abbey 

2.) Painting my nails

3.) Drinking tea

4.) Watching Judge Judy

5.) Pinning things on Pinterest!

What are your favorite things to do on "snow days"? (if your work or school gets them--I'm very aware that probably most of the country might think we are wimpy here in VA, haha! I'm okay with that because I was legit afraid of this cold...) 

Oh winter!

Normally, I can handle winters in Virginia okay because although it gets cold, it's not SUPER cold like some places. Which I like. Well, with this polar vortex (??) coming in, here's what we are looking at: 

Um, I'm sorry, but say whattttt?? Feels like 2 degrees--no. just no. 

Source

Hahaha. This is so me. I am not a fan of super cold weather and it's just going to get COLDER tonight....

A wind chill of 10 to 15 BELOW zero??!? Maybe that's not too bad for some hearty mid-westerners but in Virginia, we are just SOO not accustomed to this type of cold..yikes! Or maybe it's just me who can't handle this, hah!

Source

Yes! And luckily, our school system decided to close tomorrow because of the extreme (for us at least, hahaha) cold.

WHEW!

How do you successfully survive the cold winter months? (Unfortunately, moving somewhere warmer is just not an option right now--hah.) 

Blog Hoppin---Meet the Teacher!

Linking up this week with Blog Hoppin for Teacher Week '13!

Today's theme---Let's Talk about Me--- Meet the Teacher!

This is me--Erin! Also known as Ms. R to some... ;) :) This picture was from the first day of school two years ago, not this past year--I guess I didn't take one this past school year!

I went to James Madison University but didn't decide until my senior year that I wanted to be a teacher (and yes, my parents were quite pleased by this, haha... ;)), so after graduation, I started a program at George Mason University to get my teaching license and Master's degree in Elementary Education. 

I teach at a fabulous school in northern Virginia and I'm so happy I am there--it's a great community with awesome fellow teachers, some of whom have become some of my closest friends! For the past 5 years, I've taught 6th grade (in my county, 6th grade is part of elementary school, which apparently it's not in very many other places around the state and country)! I enjoyed working with older students who can get engaged in bigger projects, experiments, and active learning activities. 

After 5 years in the same grade though, I felt that it was time for a change-- in the fall I will be switching to first grade! I am so beyond excited to begin teaching first grade--I absolutely cannot wait! I did my student teaching in first grade and loved it--like LOVED it, haha... It will be a big change for sure, but I'm so excited for this new adventure and helping build a solid educational foundation with my little ones. 

We have two weeks left of summer before teachers go back for a week of teacher workdays and I am SO excited and ready to begin! (Although right now, I won't object to a few more weeks of relaxing and freedom, haha...) 

And if you follow me on Pinterest, my apologies for the ridiculous amount of first grade things I've been pinning recently--how did teachers get such great ideas before Pinterest existed??!? Haha...

Awesome giveaway!!!

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Pinterest Wednesday!

Back today to share some of my favorite pins recently! Between buying and getting settled into my new condo, this past month has been so super busy-- I haven't had time to write on this little blog!! 

Linking up with Michelle from The Vintage Apple for Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday!

Sunday Social!

Hello!! I'm back from a little blogging hiatus and linking up with Neely and Ashley for Sunday Social.. :)
The questions for this week are all related to our childhoods!
1. Did you sleepwalk as a child?

Nope! I don't think I ever had a sleep walking experience. I think I occasionally talked in my sleep and according to some people (aka sisters, haha), I also sometimes snore (lies!) but no sleepwalking as far as I know...

2. Did you ever try to run away or sneak out of your house?

Hahaha hmm,  there was one time that I was really mad about something (probably lost Saved by the Bell priveleges for the day or something haha) and I was up in my room thinking "I'm so packing up my stuff and leaving!" but then remembered that my mom was making spaghetti for dinner that night and decided to stay...hah!

3. Did you have any imaginary friends?

Noo, which is kind of surprising since I like to talk a lot but I did spend plenty of time playing with about a million Barbies and other dolls... :)

4. Did you ever go toilet papering?

Nope, never! Hah, I was apparently quite boring.... :)

5. Did you ever sneak tv shows you weren't allowed to watch?

Hmmm, I once remember watching an episode of Beverly Hills 90210 (the old version!), which I definitely was NOT allowed to watch at that age, but that's all I can think of...

 

Remembering..

Last Monday, my amazing grandfather passed away. I had just seen him the week before for Easter and it was a huge shock to get the news. This past week has been hard for all of us, but I'm glad we had a chance for the extended family to gather in PA this weekend to remember him. I miss him so much already!

This is the eulogy that my uncle read at the funeral: 


Today our family gathered in PA to say good-bye to our beloved Dad who died this past Monday morning. We celebrate his life and will miss him very,very much. My youngest brother Matt spoke these words about my Dad and what a wonderful man he was today at his funeral Mass:

I’d like to share a few thoughts about our Dad. There are so many images and memories that come to mind as we look back over the years

First, Dad was a man of deep faith and integrity. He lived his faith daily. He took what Jesus taught us, and weaved it into the fabric of his life. He delivered food baskets to poor families at Christmas and Thanksgiving. He and my Mom volunteered with homeless kids at Covenant House in New York City. He worked tirelessly for vocations as a member of Serra. And most importantly of all, he modeled for his children the importance of treating others with respect and helping those in need.

Our Dad was also a man of strong vision. He set his goals high and expected his children to do the same. When Dad was a teenager, his mother died, and he then took on the responsibility of caring for his younger brother and sister. Dad proudly served in the Navy during WW II, and was the first in his family to earn a college degree. In every endeavor he undertook, my Dad achieved great success…whether as a father, a corporate vice president, or as a dedicated volunteer, he gave his best in all that he did.

Family was everything to our Dad. My parents met as sophomores at Easton Catholic High School. Their 62 year marriage was one of abiding love for each other and their six children as well. It is no surprise that Dad’s favorite scripture passage is from a Letter of St Paul….”love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

My parents shared a love of adventure. On one of our many family camping trips, my parents and their 6 small children vacationed for a week in a pop up trailer in the Adirondacks... in the pouring rain...and we all thought that was fun! Mom and Dad saw to it that their children traveled by car to lower 48 states, and only once did they accidentally leave one of my brothers behind at a rest stop.

As we kids left the nest, their adventures continued. My parents traveled to over 100 countries, including all 7 continents. They hiked among the penguins in Antarctica. They climbed the Great Wall of China, and rode camels through the pyramids. They cruised on the Nile and the Amazon Rivers, and made pilgrimages to the Holy Land and almost every place in the world where our Blessed Mother has appeared.

In his later years, Dad was his happiest when we all gathered from near and afar for countless spirited family celebrations at their home high atop Skyline Drive.

My parents were proud of their 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, and traveled frequently to attend their baptisms, first communions, confirmations, concerts, dance recitals and weddings.

Yes, family was everything to our Dad. All of us will miss him very much. Yet, we are grateful for all that Dad taught and shared with us. And we find great comfort in knowing that he now is at home in Heaven with our Lord.