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Over?

Well. Yesterday was my last day with Colfax-Mingo Middle School students. It was a bittersweet moment for sure. As a teacher I am in a unique position where I am able to meet and get to know so many people in a community. Over the last 5 years I have been a part of many families' lives. At the middle school we invest so much into the children of the community and to watch them literally grow up in front of you is something very special (It's a running joke for my 8th grade boys to say that they start the year shorter than me and end it taller than me!). I truly feel like I have helped raise over 300 teenagers (whoa, when you say it out loud it's no wonder I'm a little wacky!).

We always end the year at the middle school with a day of fun. In previous years we would go to Adventureland but with budget concerns we trimmed it down to a day of fun around the town of Colfax with swimming, golfing, bowling, disc golf, etc. This year we were even unable to do that much but knowing the middle school we ALWAYS find a way to have fun. We rented inflatables and a dunk tank and set them up outside the school and converted the grounds into a makeshift water park. I spent some time in the dunk tank and way too much time on the slip-n-slide (just ask my sore muscles). It was all in the name of fun, however. Pain will go away, but the memories of good times with young people will never go away.

The dunk tank (that's not me in it)

Me and my fellow teachers. (I am soaked from the dunk tank)

This is me showing the kids how it's done.

I don't think I won this one.

Last night was our annual 8th grade promotion night. This night is one of my favorite times of the year. Every year I get to spend the whole morning with the entire 8th grade class practicing for the ceremony. I love that time with them because it is so informal and we get to relax and have a little fun. I also get the opportunity to be with them just before the ceremony because they hang out in my classroom.

Me and (most of) my 8th Graders...

...or as I like to call them: my "crazy 8s"

I was also received the Educational Initiative Award and a check for $500 from the Mingo Economic Development Corporation for my work with the school discipline policy, my time spent volunteering for detentions, and for helping students with behavior problems.

It has been a great experience working at CMMS. I sometimes think that I learned much more than I taught. We are looking forward to forging new bonds and becoming a part of a new community in Spencer as we turn the page and begin a new season in our life. We are blessed.

More pics

Taking a Moment

Sylvia resorts to reading on her sister's bed under a blankie when Olivia is away at preschool.

There's never a dull moment when they're are here together and I think they really miss each other when they're apart. Today, Olivia told me that when she gets big, she wants to sleep with Sylvia in a big bed, like Mommy and Daddy's. Isn't that just the sweetest? Another fine example: when the girls are at Bible Study on Wednesday mornings with me, their little classes play outdoors when it's nice weather. Their teachers reported to me that when they see each other on the playground, they blow kisses at each other and pick flowers for one another! I think it's so cool that they have each other. They are quite the pair:)

Friday Night at the Rudens'

Laundry needs a foldin'...

Movie needs a watchin'.

Can you tell tonight was Matt's pick?

Does this count as date night?

Random

What a fun little crew we have. The kids got to eat one lunch this week in the girls' bedroom, as I've been busily painting away in the kitchen.

It's been quite interesting trying to keep these three corralled while I try to concentrate on the painting task. A novice, such as myself, maybe should not have picked a kitchen as my first major painting project. "Painting, no big deal" you say? Well, that thought may have crossed my mind too...before I tackled the monster project. Oh well, it's done now and yippee skippy, we've got another showing this Sunday:) Hope they're not disappointed the kitchen looks different than the pictures. Wouldn't that be lovely? Ha!

In other news...Joey's been acting sick for over a week no. Can't blame his molars anymore, since they're fully surfaced on the bottom. Soooo, I took him in to the pediatrician's office today. Yep, bilateral ear infection. At least I didn't let them get to the point of rupturing, like I did poor little Sylvia's when she was about this age. That was a definite "Mother of the Year" moment...NOT!

Can't wait for the sun to shine again. I get so down and blah when it's dreary out.

Gone Fishing

Wouldn't we all just love to be gone fishing right now?

As usual, Sylvia's got the right idea:)

Out in the gloom

Even though the weather's been...well, YUCK, these little darlings still enjoy the outdoors. It's nearly impossible to get a picture of Joey, but I did manage one decent one. He's SOOOOOO busy. (Joey busy, not Riley busy thank goodness..hee hee Kara)

Olivia is such the artist. Here, she awkwardly poses with her rainbow and fireworks, "like at the lake".


Check out Sylvia in her rain boots, capri sweats, ballerina skirt, and spring jacket. What an ensemble...that's all her! She enjoys the sensory part of sidewalk chalk more than the art itself, so she gets really close to the ground and usually rubs it all over her skin and clothes. I've even seen her taste it...just a couple weeks ago!


Looking forward to the sun and warmer weather this weekend.