Did I Mention That's Only 25 Days?

I get a new class of hormone-ragging eleven year olds on the 26th.  I'm not excited.  This summer has not been long enough, productive enough, or adventurous enough. 

I demand a recount.  There's got to be more summer hiding somewhere.

I've gotten my class list...27 kiddos.  TWENTY-SEVEN!  Aye chihuahua!  That's butt loads of students...and smells...and hormones...and drama.  It's been rumored that someone (in my same grade) only has 20...how did that happen?  Lucky duck.  I had 20 at the end of last year.  It was bliss. 

Anywho...I have to be back to school for meetings on Wednesday. 

Arrivederci, summer.  It was nice knowing you...see you in 326 days (for real...I have a widget counting down to the last day of school...I'm that awesome).

School's Out for Summer...Schools Out Forever 3 Weeks!

Today was our last day of school.

Let's wrap up the last week of school since the blogging has been hit and miss the past few days.

Monday: Let's be real...who remembers Mondays anyway?

Tuesday: Husband gets home from his business trip to D.C.  Things are back as they should be.

Wednesday: Honor Roll Assembly.  I received an amazing compliment from one of my parents.  It went something like this:

Parent: "I just wanted to tell you how much I've appreciated you this year.  F. has loved you.  She...she just loves you."

Me: "Oh, thanks.  I've loved having F. in my class.  I will miss her very much."

Parent: "Well, I never thought anyone could hold a candle to Miss J. (Side note: this is not me as in before I was married Miss J.  This Miss J. is a different teacher.  She teaches 1st grade and is AMAZING!) but you do.  You've been amazing."

Me: "Thank you."  

That's all I could say.  I was so stunned by the comment that all this parent got was a thank you.  Man, I love that family!

Teacher vs. 6th graders kick ball game.  Teachers won (obviously) 14-6. 

Thursday: Field Day.  We didn't have a slip-n-slide or a dunk tank so it wasn't nearly as fun as last year.  Bummer.

Friday: Remember how RS stole my desk for April Fool's Day?  Well, he tried to do it again today.  Shouldn't you be crying about how much you're going to miss me not tormenting me?  Gosh, the nerve! 

Some select students were crying from the minute the first bell rang...we've got 4 hours ladies.  Hold it together.

We had our "graduation" (interperet as 6th graders walking through the halls while Pomp and Circumstance plays over the intercom and all the other grades and teachers clap for them), students were beyond sobbing.  It was ridiculous but I did choke up, mostly because Andrea is leaving us to teach in Logan.


It was a pretty good school year.  I didn't have anyone suspended, there was no stealing, no horrible things written on bathroom walls, I didn't cry because I was so upset with my students.  We're going to call this year a success. 

Stay tuned for next year though.  We hear this group coming up is a little difficult.

Letter to UV Rays

Dear UV Rays,
As much as I love the heat, the odd sunburns I'm getting are a bit ridiculous.

Yes, I'm going to buy sunscreen right now.

Love Your Lacking in Melanin Friend,
Ash H.

P.S. Happy 5 Month-iversary, Husband

Crafty McCrafterson

I've decided that instead of saying I'm going to read 90 books in a summer (and failing miserably), I'm going to be crafty.

Here's a list of some things I want to do or make:

• Paint the rest of my house
• Make this cute skirt (Done!)
• And this one, maybe
• Make this cute bag...and another bag that I have a tutorial for somewhere on my computer
• Freezer paper stencil something or other?
• Add something like this frame to my home (scroll all the way down)
• Jersey knit bracelets
• Maybe a baby life quilt...I'm not sure who it would be for but it's freaking adorable
• Cute pillow for my bed or couch
• Ruffle-tastic shirt
• Another ruffly shirt
• I think I really like ruffles...here's another shirt
• Maybe I'll use the hoards of my-dryer-ate-one-sock-so-I-need-to-keep-the-one-I-still-have-for-sentimental-reasons socks to make these cute baby rattles
• More pillows?  here, here, here, here
• Something to organize my mail.  Maybe this? (Done-ish!)
• Pretty sure I bought fabric to make this clutch last year.  Maybe it's time.  (Done!)
• I love this rug.  I want it. 
• Cute wristlet
• Makeup pouch...maybe for gifts?
• Organizer Wallet...I'm feeling like a lot of these things may end up at my family reunion auction this summer...or next because I can't go this year.
• I love giant bags...especially reversible ones!
• And a big summer tote
• A paper  bag skirt...still not sure if it will be flattering or frumpy though
• Kiddo knot shorts...who's baby wants some shorts?...maybe I'll make them adult size too?
• Long skirt refashion
• Flower neck Tshirt
• Ruffle shirt
• Zig-Zag Ruffle Shirt
• Lace shirt
• 20 minute skirt...only much longer
• The Grandview Bag...(part 2)
• Instant Gratification top
• Bucket ottoman 
• This cute table...I have a random wall that needs something.  I think this would be perfect! 
• Denim skirt
• Dress Refashion
• Updated T Shirt
• Tuxedo Tank
• Hemline Headband
• Ruffly Flower-ish Top
• Dress with Tuxedo Top
• Multi-layer Flower T Shirt 
• Super cute pleated skirt (minus the pregnancy band part). 
• Bead necklace 
• Zipper Wallet 
• Seat Storage for school

I'm sure I'll add more soon but these should easily get me through the no-one-else-is-off-work-and-I'm-bored-out-of-my-mind weekdays this summer.  We'll see how many actually get done.

Adventures in Ash J. Land

Oh, man!  Today was an adventure!

The day began by heading to work to get some stuff ready for my classroom...not that adventurous...then Ryan came...you know, this guy...

Being at work wasn't really part of the adventure but it was the beginning to a very interesting day.

Once we left school, we decided to go canoeing.  Yep, you read that right, canoeing...who goes canoeing?  We do apparently.  I got a great arm workout and a great sunburn...I knew I should have put on sunscreen! 

After canoeing, we ate lunch and hung out at my house for a while.  While there, Ryan made a Facebook group about a camping trip.  No big deal.  Ryan also secretly updated my status and added a picture.  He was so excited about his prank that he told me 5 minutes after he did it.  Here's the picture he added:

Let's just say I had a lot of comments to sift through and a lot of damage control to do.  **This is not my hand...This is not an announcement...This picture was obviously taken in the fall and I wasn't even dating in the fall...I AM NOT ENGAGED.  Though Ryan would like you to believe that.**

After that fiasco, I went bowling with Anthony and two of his friends.  I'm not a horrible bowler but I'm not an excellent bowler either.  I generally break 100 and end any where from 105 to 115, when I really try.  On the other hand, these boys I bowled with are good.  They always smoke me.  Tonight was a different story.  Here's the picture of the screen at the end of the game (it's super blurry so I added a little something to help you out.  You're welcome.):

That's right...I tied for first place.  Go team me!  I think I'll give up bowling now so I can end on a high note. 

I'd like to take this time to publicly retire from bowling.  I don't think I can ever do this well again...or the guys can do this poorly...either way I'll never taste bowling victory again.

Driving & Sleepy, Bobbing Bryce

As we drove from St. George to Las Vegas, there was a time that Jaynee had to swerve to not hit something.  This swerving made the sleeping Bryce bob his head quite dramatically.  We decided we'd try to capture it on video. 

We all thought this was hilarious.  Is it funny for people who weren't there?

San Jorge

Jaynee, Bryce, Ryan and I went on a weekend trip to St. George and Las Vegas.  It was so much fun!  I highly recommend road trips with these fabulous people!

Driving to St. George...This was supposed to be a Jaynee and Ash picture but the boys got in on it too and I think it is now one of my favorites of the trip.

Our first night in St. George there was a beautiful sunset so we made the most of it.

Look how cute this picture would have been if Ryan and Bryce hadn't ruined it.  I think I'll crop them out and frame the picture of Jaynee and me.

When you wait for Jaynee, you take a bunch of pictures like this:

On our first full day in St. George, we went to Sand Hollow.  We swam and jumped of giant cliffs...but we didn't take the camera...sorry.  On the way back to the hotel, we saw a creepy, abandoned bowling alley/mini-golf/water park.  Obviously, we investigated.

The big white and blue building was once where the water slides began.

The tunnel entrance to the slides.

This is a totally random piece of playground equipment.  The rest of this area is weeds and dirt...no playground in sight.

Don't you just want to swim here?

Self-timers + really hot weather + really bright and sunny = bad quality photo.   But the pool...so funny!  Dirt and weeds...that's it!

Our original plan was not to go to Las Vegas but we had a free afternoon so we took the hour and a half drive to Sin City...(FYI, we didn't sin).

I love this picture!

Bryce really wanted to go to the MGM Grand buffet...so we did.  Look at my knife (left side) in comparison to a regular knife (right side).  I'm assuming the story behind the bent knife is one of those "stays in Vegas" stories.

I just ate two giant plates of food so obviously I'd love six different desserts.  

The white one with the giant raspberry on top was delicious.  Ryan showed me how to eat the circular chocolate one properly...it doesn't involve any silverware. 

Jaynee's Tower O' Desserts

Jaynee's fallen Tower O' Desserts

One of the great things about Las Vegas...random gift shops.  These were the most appropriate option for a couple of Mormon ladies to wear.

We bought a flattened penny at the Rain Forest Cafe.  It's a game for Jaynee and me now.  We have to get it into the other person's possession without that person knowing.  I still have it but have an epic plan to get it to Jaynee.

Bryce and Ryan also bought flattened pennies...obviously Bryce is not as excited about it as Ryan is.

After Vegas, we headed back to St. George to visit Jaynee's friend Kandace.  While there we went to Dixie Rock and took some killer photos.

Isn't Bryce cute?

Bryce, Me, Jaynee, Kandace

"Missing you from St. George." 

On Sunday, we went to church then visited the St. George Temple. 

Ryan and Bryce were talking about their missions, I was part of the conversation but stopped because Jaynee was taking and picture and I try to avoid those lovely closed-eyes-tongue-sticking-out kinds of pictures.

As much as I wanted this to be really cute, it really isn't.

Driving home. 

Jack in the Box tacos...so good tasting but so disgusting looking.  

Good trip, Team Fun!

We also made some amazing videos while on the trip, one of which you saw here, but now I'm having a hard time upload the videos...hopefully I'll be able to get them up sometime soon.  We need people who weren't on the trip to tell us if they are actually funny or if we are just crazy people.

Wedding Video Love

Summer makes me constantly have weddings on the brain.  When you're invited to one a week, it just kinda happens.

When I saw this video on a lovely little blog called A Cup of Jo (maybe you've heard of it?  She's got over 12,000 followers...no biggie.  I'm catching up slowly...16...woot!  Huge tangent there...my apologies!) and I fell in love with the joy of this wedding.  


Max & Margaux Stop Motion from Shark Pig on Vimeo.

Considering the fact that this video is posted on A Cup of Jo, I really don't have to post it because let's face it, everyone who reads blogs reads A Cup of Jo.  Too bad.  You're watching it twice and that's final!

St. George Preview

I went to St. George and Las Vegas with a few friends over the weekend.

We had an A-MAZ-ING time.

I'll post pictures soon-ish but I don't want to at the moment.

Here's a video to tide you over.

Oh, that Ryan! he's a goof ball!

Pie and Ears

Here in Utah, we have this lovely little holiday called Pioneer Day or just The 24th of July.  This is a holiday that commemorates when the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley.  It's generally a very hot day full of parades, bbqs, and fireworks.  We also like to celebrate for a few days...who doesn't love a double dose of fireworks?

On Friday, my friends and I went to a Bees baseball game (the Bees are our minor league team).  They ended up losing badly (12 to 1...a little reminiscent of the 6th grader vs. teacher game) but we still had a good time.

Jayson, Jaynee, Jenny, Me, Bryce, Josh

Bryce had to show someone the inside of his zipper because he thought it was so cool.  Agreed.

Jaynee, Jenny and me.  Man! I love these ladies!

 Me and Bryce and the annoying ladies that thought it was so fun to give us bunny ears.

 So I took a picture of them.  You're welcome ladies.

"Now what should we take pictures of?  Let's give ourselves mustaches!" 

 Jaynee makes a red mustache look good!  And who else could pull off a blue mustache?  No one but Jenny!

 Go team!

 After the picture is taken: Ryan says, "We both look remotely attractive in that one."  Me, "Let's take another."

 And we get this beauty...

 And this one.  Ryan: "Just make a face."  Me: "A face like what?"  Ryan: "Just like you're scared or you don't like it."  Me: "Okay?"  And then he bit me.  I was scared and I didn't like it at all.

When we got home, Bryce was intent on drawing Angelina.  What do you think?

 Someone (I promised I wouldn't release any names or faces) fits in my shoes.  This person is not a girl.  I don't know if I should feel bad that my feet are as big as a guy's feet or vice versa.

Today, (the actual holiday) I went to the zoo with Anthony and his nephew.  The zoo is much more fun with small children.  I'm glad he was able to come with us!  I didn't take any pictures except for one of the new baby elephant, Zuri.  We ended the night by watching fireworks from Jenny's sister's backyard.  I love summer!