Rest and Relax Weekend

I had a quiet weekend and really enjoyed it.

Exercise:

I did a Lyndsay workout yesterday which has my abs screaming today and I did a ten kilometer run this morning. My legs felt really tired today on my run, but then I realized I had no rest day today, so that must be the reason.

Knitting:

I have spent much of the past two days knitting so I could finish up my test knit for Alicia Plummer. I am super happy with the result and will share a picture asap.

I wish I had more excitement to share, but there’s my weekend in a nutshell.

Have fun!

AJ

Happy Friday!

I was so glad that today was Friday!

Teaching:

My day at work was made more difficult by the fact that recess was indoors and lunch was cut short. The kids need more fresh air and movement than they got!

We did get through a lesson on making predictions, and a lesson on scientific drawing where we drew a lead, acorn or pine cone. We also finished up our scarecrow directed drawings, well most of us did.

Exercise:

I met up with Dennis for a run after school and it was tough at the start. I was tired and grumpy, but the run solved those problems. I had told him I was going to run super slow, but it turned out to be six very fast kilometers! A little bit more done:)

This is really all I have done other than have tea after the run and a bath and eat dinner. I am really looking forward to a quiet weekend!

Have fun!

AJ

More Zucchini Baking

It was a good day, made even better by leaving school quickly:)

Teaching:

We seemed to have a productive day at school. We did calendar, students practiced their names or their sight words, we tackled learning how to print the letter t and we did some chalkboard spelling with the sound s all before recess.

We just got started on our numbers 11-20 booklet, but I’m okay with that because we played mystery number and they are getting better at giving clues and guessing.

This afternoon we had silent reading and then Fin came to visit. The kids were so excited, actually too excited. We all noticed that our kids seemed really heightened today and it isn’t even a full moon!

Exercise:

After getting out of work really quickly, I went for a run with the kindergarten teacher again. It was such a beautiful Fall day for a run and we were fast. I got exactly five kilometers in so I was happy:)

House:

Came in and immediately cleaned my bathroom while the milk was warming for pumpkin chai latte (my new obsession).

Baking:

Since I was already in the kitchen and needed to use up more zucchini, I made the zucchini walnut muffins out of my new Minimalist Baker cookbook. They look and smell super good, but I have not tasted one yet.

Knitting:

I finally got up the nerve to try and tear an my shoulders after screwing up on Tuesday night. I think I have it this time and now just have to decide if I’m going to stay up later to Sean the sides. I’m thinking that might be a bad idea however🤣

I think I’ll go to bed instead.

Have fun!

AJ

Trivia Tuesday

It was a good day, but I was seriously tired, even after sleeping since 8:30pm last night.

Teaching:

It was a good day. I started with a prep which I didn’t have a ton to do. We got through some writing about Thanksgiving and it was nice that I had the opportunity to work with some kids individually and get them writing sentences, rather than words. we tackled even and odd again today and everyone seems to have it now. We had a deer sighting at lunch so the kids had to come in early. It did let us start the afternoon sooner.

In the afternoon I actually got to take a group of three and review alphabet sounds with them and I sent the booklet home and an email to encourage parents to practice. I hope they don’t get upset. Finally we did a collage of needs and wants. It seemed to be understood so we are moving on.

Exercise:

Despite feeling really tired I met up with Dennis and Sarah for a twenty minute tempo run. It finished up with 4.3km, but it’s the only exercise I got today.

Trivia:

The first round was really hard!

Thanks to my dad I got:

What did Archie Bunker call his son in law?

Meathead

We also knew:

Which US states have the Rockies in them?

Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, And Utah. (There is one more but he gave it to us)

How do you spell?

Phlegm

Where is Gorgonzola from?

Italy

In the music round there were day songs, night songs, David Bowie, songs of 1994, and Band with Brothers.

I definitely knew Hanson and Mmm Bop🤣

What is the Venus de Milo?

Sculpture

What team was first before the NHL season was suspended?

Boston

How do you do a lotus in yoga?

Sittint

What was Dr. House’s first name?

Gregory

What two states have three NHL teams?

California, New York

Where is the Burgundy wine region?

France

What perfumery has a perfume called number 5?

Chanel

What state is Niagara Falls in?

New York

Who played Joey in Dawson’s Creek?

Katie Holmes

What war did Muhammad Ali refuse to fight in?

Vietnam

Bonus Day

It was great having an extra day!

Exercise:

I started the day with a fast run with Melanie. It worked perfectly again- a challenge to keep up but I got breaks when she needed them for her stamina. Maybe this will make me faster too:). Another 6.17km closer to South Dakota! I am determined to have a better mileage count this month, despite the rain.

I also got a weights workout done this afternoon. I again did Dennis’ method of three sets of ten with progressively heavier weights. It wasn’t as long as I was aiming for, but it was definitely better than nothing!

Socializing:

After a very quick shower, I drove to meet two friends for brunch. This restaurant was cool because you can find a seat outside and order using your phone and they bring the food. No need to set foot inside. I had a mushroom and spinach hash and a chai latte. It was delicious and made even better by the company of two good friends, one of whom I hadn’t seen since Christmas.

There were some very cute decorations at the restaurant and throughout the town. We explored the Main Street and my friends got dessert at a local bakery. I managed to resist:)

Shopping:

I bought gas and went to buy milk, a banana and walnuts, but the store didn’t have any of those items so I ended up in the dollar store and got a card, two pairs of gloves for running and some dice for my classroom.

My last book also showed up, only to find that I already own it. I’m going to have to drive over and see if I can return it. I also need to find out where my refund for the book that was out of print is.

Knitting:

I got my floors done quickly and then sat down to knit. Many of the testers are done so I want to get this cardigan finished as soon as possible. It really shouldn’t have taken me this long. I have the two fronts and the back done, but am going to wait until daylight to sew them together. I am very worried it is going to be too small so I think I will sew it and do the sleeves and then block it so that I can be very aggressive and see if I can make it fit.

Well for a busy day, that’s all I have to report.

Have fun!

AJ

Happy Thanksgiving

It was a good day- mix of out and in.

Exercise:

I am very thankful for my running buddies. I started the day with a gorgeous sunrise 10km run. My running buddy is already starting to speed up and we took 2:40 off our time. This was followed by a nice tea. I am very thankful for this as every day that starts with a run seems to be a good day!

Family:

I am thankful for all of my family and the fact that we all get along. I couldn’t visit my parents this weekend, but I did get to watch my nephew’s football game (in the downpour) and join my brother, SIL and nephew for a wonderful turkey dinner. I love being part of a family!

My nephew #69 got his first touchdown today!

Knitting:

I am thankful that I have a hobby that allows me to be productive and also to create items I can wear. I am finally making progress on my test knit, though I think I am going to have to block this cardigan to within an inch of its life to get it to fit me! I love the pattern though so maybe I’ll just make it again.

Errands:

I am thankful for being organized and able to self-motivate. Even though tomorrow is a day off, I got my usual grocery shopping and meal prep done. I am thankful I enjoy my time in the kitchen as this would be a horrible chore otherwise. I did reward myself with a nap though 🤣

Well I think I’m going to curl up in bed with my book.

Have fun and don’t forget to be thankful!

AJ

TGIF

It was a fine day, but boy am I tired!

Teaching:

I found out that my heart was working just fine this morning when I met a mama bear and her two cubs on the way to school. I was trying to figure out how to get around them when they turned to go back down the street. I hustled up the path as quickly as I could!

We got through the day making a turkey mini book, practicing even and odd, cleaning our desks and playing a Roll a Turkey game.

I have quite the group this year! I asked why we would be doing the mini book and then explained it wasn’t just because it was thanksgiving but that it was to practice their cutting and learn five new words. I had one little boy who came after completing each page to read the book to me. In all he read it five times and by the end,he even had expression. Talk about a commitment to learning at six!

Exercise:

I met up with Dennis for a run tonight. I was just going to get my hydration pack ready when I saw the text he had arrived, so I left without water. It turns out I’m faster without water! It was a decent, but very wet 7km!

Knitting:

Cori likes the toque so all I have to do is weave in the ends. That’s good because I should really get back to the test knit I am supposed to be working on!

Reading:

I got another book in the mail today. This one was The Vogue Book of Knitting. I’ve always wanted this reference book, so this seemed like a great time to get it. I am still waiting for one more book, but I think this time I will give it some time before I call to investigate, so they hopefully I don’t get four copies of it!

Well I think I’m going to go curl up in bed with a book on this wet night!

Have fun!

AJ

Friday Eve

Just another day.

Teaching:

My students were as annoyed as I was about having to wash with soap and water instead of being able to use sanitizer. I did take Kathy’s advice and posted a poem about odd and even for the kids to practice while they wash their hands.

We got through calendar and a quick chalkboard spelling practice. It was super quick when later in the day one of the little boys dragged his whiteboard out to do chalkboard spelling again.

The children had music class and recess. We then tackled some more on even and odd. It was tough as my smartboard isn’t working. Some kids seem to be getting it, but others don’t seem to. We will do lots of practicing tomorrow.

This afternoon we made turkeys out of our handprints. It was a long process, but we got it done and I will add a photo tomorrow.

Socializing:

After a massage I met up with my friend Em for some more furniture shopping. She found a couch she likes, but she didn’t love the price. It will be interesting to see if she buys it or not.

Knitting:

I finished up Cori’s toque tonight and I will take it tomorrow for her to try on.

Reading:

I got a new cookbook in the mail today. It is the Minimalist Baker Everyday Cooking. I can’t wait to crack it open!

I wish I had more excitement to share, but that’s it for today.

Have fun!

AJ

Happy Hump Day

Wednesday always seems tough because my teaching buddy has the day off.

Teaching:

We got through calendar, printing and chalkboard spelling. We tackled even and odd again today. Some kids were saying they don’t understand, but I think they are making it more complicated than it really is. I am frustrated that I can’t just take the small group who is confused and let the rest move on, but unfortunately small group work doesn’t seem to be allowed.

This afternoon we started a new program- Fin’s Friends. The kids loved it because it is presented by a puppet of Fin, the mascot of o it Vancouver Canucks hockey team. My voice was very sore by the end, but they were excited. We started talking about what makes us happy. Five and six year old children are so sweet! They know I love ice cream so many of them also wanted to say that. It was neat to hear what made them happy once we got past that. They were super excited about the puppet , even though I don’t even try to hide the fact I’m talking. It will be neat to see if we can go a little deeper next week when the newness wears off.

The end of our day was our usual outside playtime. The weather is supposed to turn tomorrow so I wanted to make sure we got out in the sunshine today.

I see I got a message saying that children are no longer allowed to use hand sanitizer and must wash with and water. Well, I guess we are going back to an hour and twenty minutes a day of hand washing:(. Thankfully, a parent very kindly brought myself and my teaching buddy a big bucket of chalk today for the kids. I am especially thankful for the bright, kind moments right now!

Errands/ House:

I had no exercise today because I had physio right after school. I then got a couple of errands done and then dropped off a birthday gift for my oldest brother as it’s his birthday today. I really didn’t want to clean the bathroom today, but managed to get it done:)

Knitting:

My friend Cori has a birthday in just over a week and I am trying to get a toque made for her. I am following another Estelle pattern and it is interesting because this toque has no ribbed brim. I guess I will see whether she is happy with it.

Well, I’m going to try to get the last ten rows done before bed.

Have fun!

AJ

Trivia Tuesday

It was a good day though my students were definitely more restless!

Teaching:

I started the day with my prep and couldn’t find anywhere to work so it was a bit of a waste. We then tackled calendar and a class book about being thankful. I said I was thankful for my running buddies.

We tackled odd and even for math and I think the kids got it, but the activity I planned took longer than I expected.

In the afternoon we had silent reading and then we went outside to do a lead graph, but there weren’t enough leaves on the ground so we played on the playground instead.

Exercise:

I met up with both Dennis and Sarah for our workout which was a combo workout. We did four intervals of four minutes with a minute of rest and then four thirty second intervals with a minute rest. It felt good as it was a gorgeous Fall day and we were out on the dykes which was gorgeous too.

Trivia:

We were back to normal trivia this week.

Who was the wife in the movie True Lies?

Jamie Lee Curtis

What was Sully’s name one Monsters Inc?

James P Sullivan

What state has three NFL teams?

Florida

One hundred men were asked what they hope women are wearing in Heaven?

Nothing

What was the previous name of Beijing?

Peking

What seven letters are on the bottom row of a keyboard?

XZCVBMN

In the music round I knew Van Morrison Brown Eyed Girl as that was my brother’s wedding song.

We did horribly at Kahoot:(

Put the bears in order from largest to smallest.

Polar, Grizzly, Black

Where was the NBA bubble this year?

Florida

What country gives Greenland money?

Denmark

Who played the gigolo in the movie Gigolo?

Richard Gere

Well that’s it for me!

Have fun!

AJ