Great Googly Moogly!

Tonight was the 5th grade play at school... after much time spent worrying, I am happy to report that the kids did an OUTSTANDING job! I am beyond proud!

Let me just say, it has been completely NUTS lately at school. Last week, on Monday, we were reminded that we have a field trip tomorrow... we needed to find somewhere to eat, get all the requisitions in, send out permission slips, and collect $$ from the kids.

Well, that would really be no big deal except that 4th and 5th grade teacers were gone on Weds & Thurs to a training meeting. So that gave us Tuesday to take care of all that. Well, on Tuesday the kids have music. The music teacher was the one in charge of the play. The same play that (a) we have known about since before we went to Tremont in September, (b) the play that, as of Tuesday, had not been written or rehearsed... So, she agreed to take the whole 5th grade at once to work with them on the play... as she "rehearsed"-- I frantically typed up the speaking parts and took them to her a few pages at a time. So, first rehearsal was last Tuesday... they also had a rehearsal Thursday AM and this afternoon... SO, after only 3 rehearsals...

In addition to typing the play, I was also making plans for my sub... I swear, I had to redo those things 3 times! I had them going to the wrong special, at the wrong time, etc... oy!

So it all came together today! I finished the slide show that we used before the play last night... finished the posters of pictures during school today... got all the props together afterschool... got Preston's "Josh" costume pulled together (complete with Crayola goatee!)

It was so great! The parents seemed to really enjoy the performance-- and I think they learned a lot about what their kids did the three days we were there. They also learned that the 5th grade teachers (myself included) have some serious rap skillz! (Note* I didn't say they were GOOD skillz)...

Mr. Young came up afterwards and told me it was the best play he has seen @ school to date! WOW! I think, because it was interactive, and everyone was involved-- it was more fun. Which is funny-- beacuse that is what a lot of our training has been about the last few years. ENGAGE THE STUDENTS IN THEIR OWN LEARNING! Guess it works with parents, families, and friends too!

In the midst of all the recent chaos, it is easy to become overwhelmed and stressed. Sometimes I ask myself-- WHY do I do this? Nights like tonight remind me quickly: FOR THE KIDS! They had so much fun @ Tremont-- and seemed to really enjoy their play tonight. Of course they were thrilled to see several members of the Tremont staff who were awesome and attended the performace... Even Josh who knew something was up when he heard auditions were held to play him... HAHAHAHA....

Am I glad today is over? YES! Am I relieved? YOU KNOW IT! Am I proud as a peacock of the 5th grade class this year? GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY, YES!!!

Did I mentioned we have a field trip tomorrow?

And the Winner is...

Costume is ORDERED!!





I decided to wait and get the Mr. T wig for when Pete has his 80s party... And I will push this-- as I now have a KICK ASS costume for it! :)

(phew!) This is a relief... now I can't wait for it to get here!!

This made me snort...

Thanks Blaik!

Run, Wilson! RUN!!

Last weekend while I was @ Autumn & Justin's house meeting Mr. Micheal, we watched part of Forrest Gump. Man, I love that movie! I hadn't seen it in ages... of course, one of the most notable (of the many) quotes from the movie is "Run, Forrest! RUN!"

Who knew that I would soon be turning those words in on myself. Oy! I have never been a great runner. I ran track in middle school-- but nothing serious. Of course, various knee and ankle injuries in the last several years have thrown me out of commission a few times.

So back in July we were at my aunt's in VA... she had seen an ad for the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon. My cousin, Jessica, was all for it. I would **LOVE** to be able to tell people that I have accomplished such a feat... I just don't know how REALISTIC it is for me to think I can do this. Well. I am doing it. Offically registered as of today.

"This is FANTASTIC!"

Here is what truly motivates me to do this: The race takes place on March 8th. That will be the 8 yr anniversary of my mother's passing. I always like to do something special and motivating on that day. So... this will certainly qualify for both! And yes, it will certainly get my ass in shape... which has been a goal for how long now?

This will be a great weekend, no doubt... aside from the 13.1 miles of tortuous running... It will be a girl's weekend-- hence PRINCESS... Me, Aunt V, Jessica... and possibly Aunt Liz and Mae to cheer us on...


So here is what I am asking in return-- PLEASE encourgae and motivate me for the next 5 months! Cause boy howdy! Will I need it! Feel free to tell me I am crazy and insane as well... but do it with a smile, please... Perhaps it will ease the pain....

PS-- CONGRATS to Leigh who ran her first marathon today in San Francisco!! (She was probably even wearing lipstick!)

Halloween Costume Conundrum

OK... So I have been completely uninspired in the Halloween costume department.... This is strange as I LOVE Halloween! It is my fav holiday... I love dressing up... being someone else... or playing a character...

That being said.. Lacy and I found me a good costume while in Nashville a couple weekends ago... VEGAS! Yeah, it's kinda "risque"-- but how fun! And how WILSON!

So then today I get an email from Pete... he and Heather have found me the PERFECT costume... Let me explain... I LOVE Mr. T.... I am a child of the 80s... I loved the A-Team... and Mr. T is my FAV... I used to say that I wanted him on one side and my dad on the other side walking me down the aisle... of course I also wanted Nell Carter to sing... alas...

Well one year on Halloween we went to the Old City... and I was perhaps a bit tipsy... so we go to this one bar and I say to Pete, "Look @ the guy dressed as Mr. T! He's awesome!" I proceed to yell, "Mr. T!!" Pete replies, "Um, I don't think he is in costume... I think he is a bouncer..." and indeed he was... So that is the night I almost got Pete killed by some guy that could be Mr. T's brother...

So option 2:

I realize I would look RIDICULOUS! (wouldn't be the first time...and certainly won't be the last...)

So which should I go for? Cute/ flirty? or Hilarious?

HELP!

Quote of the Day

Childhood is not from birth to a certain age and at a certain age
The child is grown, and puts away childish things.
Childhood is the kingdom where nobody dies.

- St. Edna Vincent Millay

Rocky Top (2008 version)

ROCKY TOP (2008 Version)

Wish that Phil was gone from Rocky Top
Sent away from the Tennessee hills
Aint' no wins or fans on Rocky Top
Ain't no SEC thrills

Once we had a team on Rocky Top
Half run, the other half pass
Quick as a mink,
but strong as mountain men
We still dream about that.

Chorus
Rocky Top come back to me
The best in the SEC
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top Tennessee,
Rocky Top Tennessee

Once some Vols fans climbed ol' Rocky Top
Lookin' for a Gator kill
Phil got out-coached on ole Rocky Top
And Phil always will

Chorus

Phil can't coach no more on Rocky Top
The game has passed him by
That's why all the fans on Rocky Top
Are singing Me Oh My

Chorus


I've had years of cramped-up Neyland life
Hoping for a simple win
All I know is it's a pity if Phil
Will be our coach again

Chorus

I seriously didn't breathe for 2.5 mins....

Toast Me, For Real...

Justy found the toast that I wrote for her wedding reception... It is full of inside jokes, but it makes me laugh... and thus, I shall share:

Justy, in honor of your wedding day
We have some new rules we'd like to say.

Rule #1 is still no screaming.
Fighting before bed interferes with dreaming.

Rule #2 is an important one:
continue to smile, snort, and always have fun.

Rule #3- Say I love you everyday.
Because of this, everything will be A-OK!

Rule #4 isn't hard:
Keep rockin to music-- David Cook, Bon Jovi, & the occassional piano bar

A vocabulary lesson is rule #5:
Zoinks, Humphs, Indeed, & Gadzooks will halp you to jive.

Rule #6 I will not touch.
It's simply perfect and we use it so much.

Rule #7 is where it's at:
Always show patience to children, Pacman, and Matt.

Rule #8 we debated to share
So let's just say, be careful when sitting in a chair.

McGirl time in Vegas is rule #9.
So sorry, Matt, to leave you behin (d)

So let's raise a glass to rule #10:
Enjoy your lives together & All of your friends!

Fall Break phase 1

Viva!

The time has come...

Got my nails, toes, hair, & brows done...

Heading to Nashy in a few mins... then on to VEGA$ on Monday....

I cannot believe it is finally here!

Someone warn the DRAGON! (ha ha ha!)

Pictures will be posted... well, some of them (wink, wink)

LOL Class

see more puppies

So school this week has been crazy... I am tired and UNmotivated... we are **ALL** ready for break... Here are some highlights:

The kids were asking me about cheerleading practice today (YES, I am temporarily in charge of the cheerleaders...) I told them we have practice tomorrow and that I would be teaching them a dance. Last year our cheerleaders did the macarena (sort of...) It was EMBARRASSING!

So this year we will be learning a hip hop dance (thanks to my recent undertaking of hip-hop classes)...

One kid said, "Oh-- so we aren't doing the margarita this year?"

(pause)

Wilson: "Um, no. **WE** will not be doing the "margarita" this year."

kid #2: Isn't margarita an adult beverage?

Wilson: Yes, hence why **WE** will not be doing it.

--

Today we were discussing statues and memorials that honor people and historical events... someone mentioned a statue of Dolly Parton @ Dollywood...

one girl said, "I don't know how they made a statue of Dolly and her BIG hair!"

Needless to say, hair was NOT what I thought she was going to say.

And I quickly moved the conversation along before anyone else could comment on Dolly's other larger than life qualities....

Toast Me

Thanks Nan!