Long few weeks

a Class of 18 first graders is enough to drive an adult to the insanity department...but I've have made it out of week 5 of school. They are growing on me, and I truly love all their individual spirits, even if that means I am called fat by a little girl who asks if I have a baby in my tummy...you can guess what that shirt I was wearing went.

I have decided, after talking to other teachers, that Jenna is the smartest 6-year old around. she enjoyed a great night with one of my friends and a former student. Jenna was completely nervous at first but from what I hear, she was bouncing off the walls most of the night. I think it's awesome that Shaylin likes to babysit because she is great at it. I'm hoping that plans will work out for the next plays. The one we went to tonight, "A Chorus Line" is definitely a miss - there was too much going on and nothing was ever ended.

This week I've got a class presentation of graphic organizers, only should take 15 mins, so I'm slacking on getting it done. I also have an all-day class I need to attend, then the day I need to make sure all my substitute stuff is ready for the week I still am hoping and praying on getting through.

Alia needs prayers and love of them right now. less than 8 weeks before her Make-A-wish and she's having surgery. Things are coming down to the wire for her make-a-wish, a little over a week away (just barely) - we really need all the prayers and good thoughts for Alia, her family, and her dr's

I also have on thursday a social studies text review of the core curriculum. That just needs to be typed:

p.s. 2 more spaces for followers, if you recruit a follower and let me know, they will be entered and you will be entered twice. (if you left me know)

Rubber Ducky, You're the One!

Everybody sing with me now, even if you won't admit it, you know the song by Ernie. If you don't shame on you. I used to sing it at the top of my lungs with my little brother, Adam, just to annoy my dad. That and "C is for Cookie"

Anyway, lately, the whole family has been obsessed with the little plastic yellow ducks. Not just the regular bath tub ones, but all the different decorated ones. Tonight we found the Sonny and Cher look-alike duckies in the bag of ducks. Yesterday, Suzanne received a shipment of over 100 ducks! It's ducky heaven (which we also have a ducky for).

If you don't know the reason for our ducky obsession, Make-A-Wish is the answer. Every year, the Utah chapter of Make A Wish holds a Rubber Ducky Derby. This is the 21st year of the derby. Since Make A Wish has so graciously accepted Alia, my beautiful and inspirational niece, as a Wish Child, Alia and her family wanted to do something for Make-A-Wish in return.

Alia has never had a birthday party because her true b-day is in January. Not quite the conditions for a child who can have severe complications from even something as small as the common cold. The past year and a half have been really hard and she has had one of her lungs removed and had a broviac "installed" to keep her on some really strong antibiotics. Well, Alia wants a b-day party, but she has so much she wanted to sell duckies for the Make-A-Wish foundation. That is where our adventure begins.

Alia's birthday party has turned into an actual media event! A newspaper reporter from the Standard Examiner has called and asked questions. They will have a short write-up announcing the fundraising going on at the party, announcing Alia's own website for "selling" her duckies. Then, they will also be there on the day to take pics and do a full write-up for the newspaper. How cool is that?

Anyway, if you would like to sponsor a duck in Alia's honor, her website is www.ducks4Alia.com

those of you outside of Utah, we know the top half, donor half, will not let you change your state from Utah - I was explained the reason, but don't remember the whole reason why...but the billing information will let you put in your state and billing will work perfectly.

Party planning has just gotten more interesting. Last week I did an quick photo shoot of Alia with about a dozen rubber duckies so we could get her invites sent out. We also did an event posting on Facebook. They've had such a great response to sponsor her duckies. She's already sold over 20 at $5 each. Her goal is to sell 100 - I'm hoping for a lot more.

Alia has had a lot of input into what she wants, her list includes: duck pond where you use a fishing net to catch ducks in a swimming pool, a bouncy house, and since she's into Monster's Inc right now, she wanted bowling with Mike W. as the ball and Randall on the pins. Jared (Alia's dad) painted some awesome eyeballs onto some green playground balls. My mom made a bean bag toss where she painted a duck. Seriously, this is a major b-day party.

There will also be popcorn, shaved ice and cotton candy for treats. Robby and Crystal have been working with a rental company to get the stuff for a really great price. Charlotte has been helping get games together....see it's a big family effort. We even had my aunt, Judy, write a poem that we used on the invites.

I am so thankful for such a supportive and giving family. It has been a great opportunity to teach Jenna about giving. Today Jenna asked if how she could earn $5 to buy a ducky. I also got the opportunity to go to the Make-A-Wish office and you could just tell dreams really did come true there. So cool.