Bye bye summer...hello third grade!

After a whirlwind summer of getting ready for baby Daniel, lots of workshops, and some fun getaways, I started back to work last week. The kids came back this past Monday and I am loving third grade. It's a bit overwhelming but I know it will get better. I have six kids in my class who I also had in first grade. It is neat to see how much some of them have learned and grown in such a short period of time. We have a lot of work to do before TAKS in April but I know they will all be ready!

While I have been back at work, Jay has been hard at work in Daniel's room! He painted it and today he put the crib together and moved the furniture back in. It is really coming along and I will post pictures as soon as we are finished. Only 16 weeks to go!

Vacation

Jay and I spent last week in Fabulous Las Vegas. We had been planning on going for my 30th birthday so even in my preggo state we decided to still go. We had a great time and I came back $100 richer plus a "winner" polo shirt from the Freemont Casino. Classy huh? We decided to stay downtown this time which was a good choice because everything is so much closer together. We knew that this would be our last "grown up" vacation for a while so I am so glad we were able to go.

I only have two more weeks of summer which are filled with trainings. I am anxious to get back to school because I know that it will be that much closer until Baby Daniel arrives!!

It's a boy!!

Jay and I found out yesterday that we are having a baby boy! Everyone had guessed girl so far so I just assumed we were going to have a girl. We were so surprised to find out otherwise! We are both thrilled and Jay already has a baseball glove for him. We are naming him Daniel (Jay's middle name and his dad's name) Charles (my dad's and grandfather's first names). Our ultrasound was great. It is so amazing how much you can see. They said everything looked great and I am still on track for a due date around December 16.

This summer I have been working on a baby quilt. I finished it on Monday and it will be perfect for our little boy! I always loved getting handmade quilts from my grandmother and I am hoping that I can carry on the tradition.

Our summer other than that has been pretty uneventful. Jay has been taking some classes on the internet which has kept both of us busy! Jay gave me a trip to Vegas for my 30th birthday and we leave on the 28th. We are looking forward to some relaxing, eating, shopping, and hopefully winning some money for baby Daniel's college fund!

Our first purchase for the baby!

Jay and I made our first purchase for the baby today! We went to Hasting's to buy a video game for one of our friends sons and ended up buying some books for the baby! We bought an "I Love Mommy", "I Love Daddy" and of course one about fire engines! The teacher in me also decided we needed one about colors and numbers. I am so excited to get to read them to our little baby one day!!

5 more days...

until my summer freedom begins!

I can't believe this school year is almost over. It's been a great year with a great class and I am so proud of what they have learned. I just found out on Friday that I will be teaching THIRD grade next year which will be quite a change after being with first graders for 7 years. I am excited though and ready for the challenge.

I am looking forward to a fantastic summer which will include lots of swimming/sun time, driving around in my fabulous new car, a trip to Vegas, and getting ready for baby!!

Goodbye Saturn and other news...

When I graduated from Baylor my parents helped me buy a cute little Saturn. At the time it was quite the upgrade. It was a good little car and lasted for about 4 years after I paid it off. For the past few months things seemed to be going terribly wrong. Jay even had to superglue part of the door back on. We decided that in December we would buy an 09 and hopefully get a good deal. However, last week the air conditioner started to go out. We had just put freon in it about a month ago so we knew it wasn't that. Jay decided that maybe in a month or so we would start "looking". But I, being the go-getter that I am, decided that a month was too long in the Texas heat. I had really been wanting a 4-Runner and I found a used one online that looked like a good deal. Jay said he didn't want to go look because he had stuff to do at home so I discreetly put the title to my car in my purse and headed to the Toyota dealership. They didn't have the used one anymore so I just decided a new one would be just fine. Next thing Jay knows I am pulling home on a "test drive" with the sales guy in my new car. Since my husband is such a sweetie he went ahead and told me to sign on the dotted line so we now have a NEW CAR!!!

We wanted something bigger because we are excited to announce that we are having a baby!! I am due in December and we are so excited!!!

Dear Parents, Please check your child's backpack before sending them to school!

One of the great things about being an elementary teacher is that you never know what will happen on any given day. Today I was reminded about some of the interesting things that kids bring to school. Most all kids sneak things like trading cards, toy cars, stickers, etc. into their backpacks but recently I have had some kids bringing some unusual items.

Today I kept seeing some kids passing around a large silver coin. When I finally asked to see it, I discovered that it was a dollar silver coin from the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, which happens to be where we are staing in Vegas this summer! I asked the kid if I could have it because I was going to go there before he would but he wasn't giving it up.

Also today, the little boy in my class that says he has alligators in his bathtub at home brought a "wallet" to school. It was clearly an old wallet from a family member of his because there were still things in it. One thing was a super cheesy picture of the kid and some other family photos. He also had some random business cards in there. So I decided to check them out to make sure they were "appropriate" for school. One business card was from an attorney. On the back there were some notes written including a court date and time and a reminder to bring the "arrest record". I wonder if the owner of the wallet knows his kid is showing this around school. My guess is no.

Some other funny things over the years have been a halloween costume under the uniform in February, firecrackers, inappropriate family photos, and most shockingly, some girl on girl pictures from a dirty magazine. All this to say, parents, please be sure you check your child's backpack before sending them to school. You never know what is in there!

Let the Countdown Begin!

After the longest week ever, I am officially starting the countdown to summer! Our school had TAKS testing this week and although my kids were not testing we were quarantined to our classroom all day to keep the noise level down. So, I am more than thrilled to announce that we only have 24 more school days until summer vacation!

In other news, Jay had to get a tetanus shot after getting shot in the leg with a bb gun. Needless to say, he and Chad are not allowed to play together for a while.

Bad Blogger

So Rosemond informed me that I am a bad blogger so this one's for her! Here are the highlights of our life so far.

Jay and I have officially made it to the six month mark of being married. Although it seems like we have been married forever we still love every minute of it. Anyone who knows Jay (or has heard stories) knows that there is never a dull moment in our house. He always jokes that we need "adult supervision" and sadly it is true.

We officially have 30 more school days left until summer! We are ready for camping, getting some projects done around the house, and most of all Vegas!! We are going back for my 30th birthday and are so excited.

Although I am ready for summer I cannot help but be a little sad to be sending my precious little class on. This is the best group of kids that I have had in a long time. They are so sweet and most of all hard little workers. They have come so far this year and I am so proud of them. One great thing about teaching first grade is getting to see the kids as they grow up through the grades. I am anxious to see how this group does the next 4 years at our school.

That's all for the Cunningham's for now!

Spring Breakin' It!

One of the best parts about being a teacher is the time off. Spring Break is one of the best because it is not so long that you get bored and not so short that you feel like you didn't even get a break. Jay had to work Sunday, had class on Monday and today, and goes into work for another 24 tomorrow. So needless to say, we didn't get to go anywhere. It's been a great few days getting stuff done that I am too lazy or tired to do on the weekends (oil change, getting my car inspected, etc.) Today, I took my nephew Spencer to the King Tut exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art. It was so interesting and being the history whiz that he is, Spencer taught me a few things I didn't know. So, if you have some time I highly recommend going!

Valentine's Day and Homemade Brew

I just realized that it has been a month since I updated the secret blog. So here goes...
Friday night, Jay debuted his homemade brew. The official verdict was that it was "not bad". I didn't try any but I guess it was okay because no one went blind or got sick. We had a few friends over and had a great time. Here are some pictures:

We all knew that Adam would enjoy it.

Sara was braver than I...

Yikes!

Saturday was Valentine's day. Jay and I agreed not to do gifts although he did anyway. However, he is not very good at keeping things a secret so he gave me the box of chocolates on Tuesday and called me at work on Friday to tell me he had bought flowers. Bless his heart.

We decided to do the dinner and movie thing so we went to an early showing of Gran Torino. Now let me admit that I usually do not know much about movies. I really don't pay attention to previews unless it looks like it is a girly type movie. So I thought Gran Torino was going to be an action flick. Boy was I wrong. I spent the last 45 minutes of the movie crying my eyes out. After the movie, my face was all red and splotchy so I suggested we hit the Sonic instead of going out to dinner. Two chili cheese coneys and some cheese tots later and we were at home watching Law and Order. I guess we're getting old after all.

Here are some funny kid stories for the week:

• I got a valentine to "Mrs. Cuttingham" instead of Mrs. Cunningham
• When I asked one my students if he wanted root beer at our Valentine's Party he said, "No thank you. I don't do drugs."
• One student in my class asked "Why do we have to celebrate Abraham Lincoln's birthday if he's already dead?"

Have a great week!!!

Beer Update

After letting Jay leave the beer on my kitchen counter to "ferment" for two weeks, it is now bottled up and sitting in the cabinet in the guest bathroom so it can "condition". It better not explode or we might have to have words.

In other news, I have a funny kid story. I have this tiny kid in my class who wrote in his journal this week the following entry:

"I am seven. On my birthday I will be eight. I will have to get a job."

So I ask him what kind of job he is thinking about getting. He replied, "I don't know, I guess I'll be a cop." This is the same kid that told me that his cat plays video games with him. Never a dull moment in the first grade.

Lazy

That's the only way to describe my Christmas break. I read four books, took two hour naps everyday, ate lots of food, and watched too much football.

It is no secret that Jay likes to drink beer. So imagine my excitement when I found the perfect Christmas gift for him. A "Mr. Beer" brew your own beer kit. I knew he would think it was cool but didn't think he would get as into it as he has. After he opened it, he carried around the instruction manual for two days showing people and reading up on it so his beer would be perfect. Since then, everytime I turn around, he is calling people telling them about his homemade brew. He's even trying to think of names so he can print up his own labels. Luckily, I am not a big fan of beer so I won't have to drink any.

Here he is hard at work with his brew.

It was nice to relax and get some rest but I am ready to get back to work tomorrow. I am sure all my little ones at school missed their teacher!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Friday morning Jay's mom was here so we started first thing on getting all my Christmas decorations up. She was such a huge help! I don't decorate for any other holiday but I love decorating for Christmas. While we were inside, Jay went to work outside putting up the lights on the house. His ladder is still at his old house and he didn't feel like going to get it (and was too stubborn to ask the neighbors) so he hoisted himself up on the roof using the trash can as a step stool. While it was raining. His mom and I were both so nervous but he managed to not break his neck.

On Saturday, Jay worked and I managed to get all the Christmas shopping done, get the gifts wrapped, catch up on the laundry and ironing, and get the house cleaned. I am ready to go back to work so I can get some rest!

Thanksgiving

Jay and I had a busy but great Thanksgiving. This is the first Thanksgiving since we started dating that we haven't been to the Cowboys game which made me kind of sad. We started the day off with my family coming over for breakfast. We spent the day with Jay's family so it was nice to see my family before they went on their way with their own festivities.

Spencer and Kate

My parents, grandmothers and Jay

After breakfast we headed to McKinney to Jay's brother's house. The food was delicious and we had a great time visiting and of course seeing his nephew.

Margaret, Baby Cason, and Jay

Margaret and Cason

And even though we were not there to cheer them on the Cowboys still won!!

Baylor vs. A&M

So tomorrow is the Baylor/A&M football team. Although Baylor isn't great they are definitely improving. Jay is pretty confident that Baylor will beat A&M tomorrow. He is so confident, in fact, that he said if Baylor loses he will do all the housework for a month. It's no secret that I hate cleaning and I would love it if Jay would take over the responsibility. So who do I cheer for?

**Update: Baylor won (yea!) so I am still stuck with the housework...

A new challenge

I have spent my first 7 years of teaching trying to teach first graders who the President of the United States is. No matter how many times we go over it, when I ask the kids who the president is, inevitably at least half the class yells out "George Washington!" They seem to get the George's confused. So today, I tried to get a head start in teaching my students the name of our new president. They can't quite get that one right either. Here were their responses:

Bock-a-Rama
Brock Bama
and my favorite: Rock Bomb

Domestic Diva

I have never been much of a cook. I don't know why. I think I always just thought eating out was much easier. Jay isn't much for eating out so I have been trying to be a good wife and cook him dinner on the nights that he is not at the fire station. So last night I tackled a big one...fried chicken. I must admit that I didn't even know the first thing about making it. But with some help from Jay's aunt and the internet, I did it! Jay's friend Adam came over and I could tell when they walked in the kitchen that they were worried. But it actually turned out great. It was so great, in fact, that I took the leftovers for lunch today. Next stop on the cooking journey...meatloaf. This wife thing isn't so hard!

Honeymoon Pictures

Don't get too excited. Apparently we were having WAY too much fun to take pictures!

But never fear, we are already planning a trip to go back next year for my 30th birthday. Anyone want to come with us?

Me in front of some random fountain

Jay made me run in the middle of the street to take a picture of this thing that he thinks he can build. We will see.

Finally!

We finally got our wedding pictures back from our photographer. She gave me 8 CD's full of pictures so it took a while to go through them. These are some of my favorites!

This picture is by far my favorite one!

Me and Nell. The wedding was extra special because we used the ceremony from her wedding to Charles in 1940.

The cutest ring bearer and flower girl!

Mike and Jay

What??

Dancing...

Jay's crew

My mom and Spencer

Apparently I was excited to see Jay!

The best Matron of Honor directing traffic

The girls

My favorite of me and Emily

Mr. and Mrs. Jay Cunningham!