Sunday, February 28, 2010

The Cupcake Craze

Who can resist a cupcake?  Lots of folks are baking them, eating them, celebrating with them...

When we were at the Mall of America, I saw a Cupcake Stand in one of the kitchen stores...It was sooo cute and I was sooo tempted just to buy it...but the price?  Would have cost the same as a week's worth of groceries...

So after we got home, I shopped on-line and found this one for about half the price...
The UPS truck brought it this week...And I think it is actually better...

It is sturdy, but can be taken apart for storage...

It holds 24 cupcakes...the whole batch...
And Line loves cupcakes...well, who doesn't?!
And what little girl could resist these adorable cupcake totes?  These have been handmade by my blog friend, Suzanne, at Just Another Hang Up.

I have one of her Grown-Up Girl totes, so I know that her workmanship is outstanding...
It is perfect for my knitting and crocheting projects. 

If I knew a little girl, she'd be getting one of these for Easter!

Suzanne sells these in her Etsy Shop.
I think it's tough to pick a favorite!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Happy Weekend and Spread a Little Sunshine

To tell you the truth, I've been feeling pretty guilty that lately, I've been a bad blogger...and worse yet, a bad blog commenter...  You see, I have been teaching on overload.  Along with my classes I have picked up another class from a co-teacher  who is on maternity leave.  At the end of the day, I am just plain tired... ....So yesterday, It was a pleasant surprise to find that Cathryn from Chile Cats had chosen me to receive one of the 'Sunshine Awards'.  Thank you for making my day!
After what seemed like a long and  crazy work-week, we were invited to spend the evening with good friends.  Dennis is a musician and band director at Central . Dennis and Scott have been playing gigs together for over 30 years.  Dennis is planning to take early retirement at the end of this school year.
His wife, Patty, is such a sweetheart.  She is an elementary school teacher...currently serving as a reading tutor in our school district.  They have 3 grown children and seven grandchildren.  We always enjoy their company.
I hope your weekend is shaping up to be equally delightful!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Dreaming of Summer

It is still bitterly cold in the Dakotas...
This morning it was 22 below, to be exact.
Not quite a record low,
but it was clear, cold, crisp, and crystallized...
When checking my early morning e-mails,
I found these lovely pictures from Line's mom in Norway.
These are pictures from Mandal, Line's home.
Do you think she would take me home with her?
It looks beautiful here.
Mari-Ann says, "Now we can dream about the summer."
Yes, Mari-Ann,
We, too, are dreaming of summer!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Teaching with Technology ~ I wasn't kidding

My Voki post yesterday wasn't meant to be sassy...I really do try to use technology as often as possible in my curriculum.  The hardest part perhaps, was accepting the fact that I cannot teach this generation how to use technology.  Many of them already know more than I do...I just need to make it available for them and let them help each other...

We don't take our classes to a computer lab...we bring the laptops to our classrooms...and these carts are always in demand.  I sign up in advance so I can utilize them 2 to 3 times each week.  We research career preparation, nutrition and wellness information, and child development and parenting practices. Students write reports, create booklets on publisher, and design power point presentations.

Remember, in August our Tech support installed an Epson projector in every classroom.  We recently enjoyed the fabulous Fashion History presentations that were created by my Students.  Until now, they have cut pictures to create posters for their presentations.  This was sooo much better.
We teachers use the computer for email, of course, but also to post grades for the students and parents to monitor online.  I maintain my teacher webpage with course descriptions, classroom expectations, project outlines and personal information.  Some areas need some serious updating.  There are just not enough hours in a day!  
As for Voki...did you notice she talks?  I really can use her to deliver messages on my school webpage or my wiki space.  And students can create their own personal voki to introduce themselves to the class. 
And now for my next instructional strategy...I'm considering replacing the notebook-and-pen journaling in my Personal Development class with student blogs...there are many details to consider...
....and I have yet to visit with another teacher who utilizes student blogs...
...anyone???

Friday, February 19, 2010

Teaching with Technology

Today was a teacher inservice/collaboration day. Our speakers and facilitators came from the State TIE office...that's Technology and Innovation in Education...
Our first assignment was to create a Voki...I am not sure how useful she will be...but I created her to look like a much younger me...can you see the resemblance?



Perhaps she could be my greeter on my school webpage?!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

A Steamy Solution ~ Tuesday's Tip of the Day

While in Minneapolis, we stayed at the Sheraton.  We had two a-joining rooms between the 7 of us...
Nice hotel...except there was no fan in the bathroom...
...are you kidding?
So...you know how the mirror is always steamed up after one's shower?
Well, this tip comes from one of my daughters...
...Just blow the hair dryer on the mirror and it clears in just seconds...
Am I the only one that didn't know about this tip??






Since when did they get so smart?!!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Winter Weekend Get-Away

Amy and Seth, our PA students, were on Winter Break, so they were the first to arrive in Minneapolis.  They checked out the Mall bargains and restaurants.
And after all, one cannot bring a teenage girl to the midwest without taking her to the Mall of America...so we planned this weekend trip for our family...and for Line...
Lego Land was one of our stops...Line's little brother, Erlend, would be in heaven here!
 
All of these characters...and more...are built with Legos...it is quite impressive...
Next Stop...Mall Lunch...

Emily had to work at the Wellness Center on Friday, so didn't arrive until noon on Saturday...but the sisters are finally all together!
The Lacrosse Game
Jake is a team captain and one of the scoring leaders on the Bison Lacrosse team.  We all went to cheer them on.  The game was very exciting...double over-time...and Jake scored the winning goal...
...WOW...
Valentine's Day Brunch
We went to the Local for Sunday Brunch.  It was the one meal for which we were all together...It was perfect...
Line's mission was to find a prom dress and to eat Bubba Gump Shrimp...I hope you notice that we accomplished both of those tasks!
Saying Goodbye
Amy and Seth were the first to leave, as they needed to be in class by 7:30 this morning.  The rest of us observed the Presidents Day holiday, so traveled later today...and now we are all safely at home...refreshed...and ready to face the reality of work and school tomorrow.
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Road Trip ~Day Three ~Burger Battle ~Sweet Shopping Highlights

Our last full travel day took us through four states… Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Including some Big Bridges over some Big ...