5K, Pies, Comedy, and Spoon Me

Thanksgiving started out with a 5K run with the cousins! The parentals and Aunt Carrie walked the 5k before the tots began the run. Let's be honest, I am not in shape and was not prepared for this. But I am happy to say that I finished!!! My brother took 1st place!



For the Hales family Thanksgiving, we hold an annual pie baking contest. Last time we all made our own pies and put them in the contest and they were all horrible. This year we got an amazing pie crust recipe and a pumpkin chiffon recipe from Oprah. Thank you Oprah. It is an awesome recipe and we should've won. Needless to say we didn't win but our pie was an improvement from last year. Pic 1 is of me with my 2nd pie crust that I made, that is the reason I am holding up the 2. My first one didn't look so great. Then pic 2 is us with the tots! Andrea, Dan and I. And our beautiful pie... (when we made the the whipped cream, we forgot to put the sugar in it, so that maybe why we lost... Ooops!)
On Saturday night the Hales clan got together and we went to Comedy Sportz together. Before we went to Zuppas with the parents and Ayrika. All of the aunts and uncles and Grandma and Grandpa went to Comedy Sportz. Grandpa couldn't hear, so he didn't like it that much, but Grandma was loving it so much.
Matthew, Emily, me and Bob at Spoon Me!
After Comedy Sportz we went to Spoon Me which is now one of my favorite frozen yogurt places to go. Bob and I on accident went Friday and Saturday night. Grandpa got the green tea flavor that isn't that great, but he loved it. I love hanging out with the family.

I am cheering for____

Today in math I had my students write down who they were cheering for for tomorrow's rivalry game. I have a few die hard BYU fans, one die hard UTE fan and the rest of the class was just whatever. We are doing fractions so I totaled the number of votes. I had 22 votes for BYU and 7 for Utah. One girl voted for no one because "she hates football". I then had them compare fractions and a few other things.

It was really funny because I had the students write down why they voted the way they did. The girl in my class that is obsessed with the U, wrote down that she doesn't know why she hates BYU, but her parents just told her too and that is why she loves the U. So crazy! Out of the 7 who voted for Utah, 4 of them voted that way because they love the state of Utah and had to support it. Oh man, kids are just so cute!

(Disclaimer-- I do know how to add, but one girl voted for no one, that is why I have 22+7-- that extra 1 makes my denominator 30, haha.) * Hope you love my cursive, I've been practicing!

Now lets just hope that BYU can come through with a win! I am so excited for tomorrow's game. I really don't want to have to face that girl if the U wins....

Naked Turkey

For an art project last week I had my class disguise a paper turkey. I've seen a ton of examples of other classes and my class did a great job. They had to turn their turkey into something other than a turkey. The kids were super excited about the project and I added a writing portion to the project. The students had to explain why it wasn't it turkey.

Aryanna a girl in my class who moved this week, proceeded to turn hers into a hula dancer wearing a coconut bra. It was a great idea, but a lot of the kids freaked out because of the bra. It was so very cute and funny.

Mattie the girl sitting across from her was disguising her turkey as me. So during the writing project Mattie comes up and asks me how to spell bra. I look at her and ask why? (In my mind I am thinking- She is dressing her turkey up as me, why is she writing bra--- is she saying that her's isn't a turkey because Miss Hales is wearing a bra?) And then she says quietly, Aryanna is too embarrassed to ask you. I told her how and then she yelled back to Aryanna, I TOLD YOU SO, B-R-A! So funny. I love moments like that.

I'm just loving life...

Tonight I took a bubble bath in my jetted tub-- Yes jetted tub. I need to update the blogging world with pictures of my humble abode and my car... that isn't that new anymore. Anywho, tub was just so relaxing and then I blow dried my hair. I love going to bed ready for the next day. I put my robe on, which may be kinda short and walked out to my living room to see my good friend Danny. I chuckle and walk back to my bedroom and put some clothes on. For some reason when I put my robe on I had a feeling that that might happen.

School is going great! Tomorrow is Friday. Friday's for the class include.... Reading, Morning Work, Specialty, Math, Lunch, Cursive, Read Aloud, Library, Writing/Spelling Test and then FUN Friday! For me--- it means JEANS!!!! I love wearing the jeans, even though I get nervous to wear them. Principal said that jeans are unprofessional, but all the teachers are wearing them on Friday's so I am too.

For fun Friday we are going to do some type of turkey activity. I'm not quite sure what it will be, but I know the kids will love it. They love doing art projects and taking a break from our normal routine.

Not only is tomorrow Friday, but I only have two more days after that. Monday, is early out day for collaboration and we are actually having a celebration day, which equals--- FUN! And then Tuesday we are having our Turkey Trot. The 3rd graders run a mile and the winners get a T-Shirt. In past years they actually got a turkey. I may run with the kids.... How fun would that be? Except for when all the kids pass me, that might be a little embarrassing! We will see! Maybe I do a practice run this weekend.

OH this weekend, weekend of all weekends!!!!
#1 We have Twilight! Best book ever coming out on video. In all realness, the movie is actually coming out in 1 hour and 4 minutes. Why am I not at the theater? Oh wait, I'm a teacher.
#2 Saturday- I am just loving sleeping in. And then I am going to a matinee of Twilight with one of my bestest friends Jody.
#3 Coming home from the movie to watch the HOLY war. Oh my goodness, I am just being so nervous this year. I have a feeling the U is going to win, but I am just hoping that BYU can pull out a miracle. Go Cougs!
#4 Following the game, I will be going on a date with boy from the ward. Dinner and something to follow. OOO la la!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!!

PS- Lost another student, I'm down to 31. Please let my class size stay that way for a few weeks!

Oh and look at this cute tot!

My baby brother Dan is graduating in May 2009. He will also be turning 18, so he will have a year of college before he leaves on his mission. I just have to say that I love him so much and he is the funniest guy I know. We were both just lovin posing for the grad pics. haha.

I guess I graduated and Mom wanted the pics...

Number 1
Number 2
Number 3
Number 4
Number 5
Number 6
Number 7
Number 8
Number 9

When my sister graduated she got one of her graduation pictures printed as 11x16- Crazy big I know, but ya. My high school graduation picture was just an 8x10 so my Mom was feeling a little bad for me and my baby pic. So when I graduated in April, my Mom decided I needed a new picture. My brother and I went to the park in Spanish Fork in September and got these pictures taken. My Mom wants a close up one to print, so go ahead and vote and tell me which one you think I should get. Pictures were done by Janille Wist, she is amazing. Check out her website!

http://www.jnwphotos.com/

Great way to start the day! Not

(Is this really happening to me? I really shouldn't be smiling in this pic though.....)

So I have been thinking to myself what a good driver I am. I know, crazy thing to think. But I haven't been pulled over in almost 4 years, and 4 years ago, that was my first and only time I have been pulled over. Well this morning I was driving to school with Jen, one of the teachers on my team that I carpool with and I got pulled over. We got off the free way and went over the road to the other side of the free way to get to school and apparently I was going 45 in a 30. Oh GREAT! Now those of you who know me, I am a complete BALL BABY. And the other time I got pulled over I immediately started the bawl fest. (More worried about the parents reaction then actually getting the ticket.) But this time, I held my own, I don't know if it was because Jen was there, or if it was because I have actually grown up in the past 4 years. The cop was really nice and wrote me for 5 over.... So now I have to go figure out that ticket and go to traffic school. Oh joy! Well, the day can only get better!

2 Pink Slips and 2 Lost Teeth

Today was definitely an adventure/roller coaster! I started the day giving a student a pink slip because yesterday during rotations she drew all over the desk she was sitting in. She tried to play dumb when I asked her about it this morning. It's just something I do-- ya, right. haha. So we cleaned desks today and I told the class anyone who does it next will get a pink slip.

Then during cursive I had two kids pull out loose teeth. So they got bagged up to go home. Theses are the first teeth to come out in my classroom experience, haha. A lot of kids have lost the basic 4, but some are still waiting. It's crazy how different all the kids are in my class.

For writing we are working on Friendly letters. Friendly being the key word!!!! We wrote some letters to a couple of the 3rd grade teachers that we go to for Rotations. I let my students write letters to their friends or family members after they complete the assignment. One of my students proceeded to write a hate letter to another student in the class. Not only that, but the student drew a picture of the child shooting the other child. I had to have a little talk with the child and then wrote my 2nd pink slip for the day. WOW! What can I say, it's been a long day.

I ordered my November book orders today and I am excited for what will be coming next week. Books are seriously the best. Sorry Mary, you snooze you loose! I am obsessed. I have been reading the 1st book of the Chronicals of Narnia. I have only read the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. So I am exctied to read them all.

Calling all States!!!! Postcard Swap

This year our class is doing a postcard swap with other 3rd grade classes in the US. We have received a few so far. It has been a fun experience and we learn a lot from each postcard. Some of the students have asked if their relatives could send postcards to our class. We have received postcards from friends and family and it has been such a fun experience. I thought to myself, maybe I should do the same. So here I am, asking for a postcard from you. We have a map in our room to track our progress. Our goal is to get a postcard from every state. I am including our address below if you would like to send our class a postcard. In return, we will send a postcard back to them telling you about our fantastic 3rd grade class.
Thank you so much!

Miss Hales 3rd Grade Class
Snow Springs Elementary
850 South 1700 West
Lehi, Utah 84043

Vicks Tissues

So I am sick again! I think it has to happen at least monthly. I started feeling sick on Thursday and started taking the meds, and sleeping more. This weekend, all I did was sleep.... And for some reason I am still sick. The best thing that has ever happened is these tissues a kid donated to my class that has vicks vapo stuff inside of them. Even though I am still sick... They make me think I am getting better.

On accident....

For those of you who aren't around me all of the time let me explain.... When I do something, that isn't the smartest or spur of the moment.... I say On accident ( I did this). Really it is not an accident. I am fully aware of what I am doing. But it makes me feel better when I say it is an accident. For those of you don't know, Nordstroms half yearly sale started today. Oooops! After school and my study group, I had to stop by. I needed a new pair of jeans. I am obsessed with 7's.... and had to get a new pair. I did a good job of leaving with only one pair and nothing else. Best news is they were half off!
I was tempted to buy a pair of rain boots because my feet froze this morning as I was walking in between the school and trailer with 4 inches of snow. BTW it took me 45 minutes to drive to school this morning when it usually takes me 20 minutes. So much snow and ice and crazy drivers trying to hit my brand new car.

Yesterday I had my first teacher evaluation, I was nervous beyond nervous. I planned way too much and felt like it was a little drawn out. I then had to rate myself on 14 different areas- on a scale from 1-5. So I rated myself last night giving myself 4's.... I felt like I did good on everything but there is always room for improvement. I had my meeting with the vice principal and she told me that she loved me and gave me 5's. I loved my life. It made me feel so good about being a teacher. I called my mom to tell her the good news. She is taking me to Olive Garden tomorrow to celebrate!!!!

Last but not least, I forgot to post about a monumental time in my life. A couple weekends ago, HSM3 opened at the movie theater. My roommates and I went and were being obsessed with the movie. Don't worry that the whole theater was full of college aged girls just loving Zach Effron. So last night I was at wal-mart picking up all the goods for my 72 hour kit, and I on accident bought the soundtrack to HSM3. It is the best. Especially #4. I listended to it atleast 10 times today.

Halloween Weekend, This is a real post- Finally!

This weekend was full of a lot of adventure and excitement. I went to my stake social with my roommates where we attempted to bowl. But there were just too many people there. Then we went and ate junk food and played rock band with our friends in 205.
Saturday was a long day that I spent doing nothing. I am so glad for that day.... I needed that time to just relax. I went shopping and got a new shirt, and almost cleaned my car. I am glad I didn't- since it is pouring outside right now. I went on a double date with my cousin Laken and her husband Mike and my date was Stephen. We had Super Bowl Chili in pumpkin bread bowls, and apple crisp. Soooo Good. We went miniature golfing... I took 2nd to Mike. I also won a free round of golf. LOVE IT!!!!


I hope everyone had a great weekend! I got a new camera this week so I am now able to update you with pictures of my life. Enjoy!

This weekend was full of a lot of adventure and excitement. I went to my stake social with my roommates where we attempted to bowl. But there were just too many people there. Then we went and ate junk food and played rock band with our friends in 205.

Saturday was a long day that I spent doing nothing. I am so glad for that day.... I needed that time to just relax. I went shopping and got a new shirt, and almost cleaned my car. I am glad I didn't- since it is pouring outside right now. I went on a double date with my cousin Laken and her husband Mike and my date was Stephen. We had Super Bowl Chili in pumpkin bread bowls, and apple crisp. Soooo Good. We went miniature golfing... I took 2nd to Mike. I also won a free round of golf. LOVE IT!!!!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I got a new camera this week so I am now able to update you with pictures of my life. Enjoy!

Halloween Weekend~ Now this is a real post!

This weekend was full of a lot of adventure and excitement. I went to my stake social with my roommates where we attempted to bowl. But there were just too many people there. Then we went and ate junk food and played rock band with our friends in 205.

Saturday was a long day that I spent doing nothing. I am so glad for that day.... I needed that time to just relax. I went shopping and got a new shirt, and almost cleaned my car. I am glad I didn't- since it is pouring outside right now. I went on a double date with my cousin Laken and her husband Mike and my date was Stephen. We had Super Bowl Chili in pumpkin bread bowls, and apple crisp. Soooo Good. We went miniature golfing... I took 2nd to Mike. I also won a free round of golf. LOVE IT!!!!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I got a new camera this week so I am now able to update you with pictures of my life. Enjoy!