Summer Fun

Last week I had a chance to go to Lake Chelan with my sister and parents. Josh and Conor couldn't come so it was like old times with the fam. We have many good times there since we've gone there almost every year of our lives. Well this year I learned how to wakeboard! This was a huge accomplishment for me as I was always the kid who couldn't get up at any water sport. I took waterskiing at Firwood and was told "No camper has ever taken our class and not got up waterskiing," well I was that kid. I also had tried wakeboarding at one point and couldn't do it but now i did! We met up with my cousin and husband who live in Chelan and went out on their boat. Megs tried first and got up, so of course i had to try and i got up my first try:) My dad also tried and did it! Good times with the Howies!

I've been spending lots of time in my new class this week and will post some pictures soon...stay tuned:)

The Torchlight Parade in White Rock

Most every one of us has been to a parade at one point or another. I have been to many parades but last night it hit me just how interesting and strange parades are. Hundreds of people line the streets, even come hours early to watch strangers sit on a moving piece of styrofoam or in a car that has a large sign on it and wave to a bunch of people they don't know. Although this sounds so strange it brings joys to so many people. People are smiling, shouting and cheering at these scary clowns, cute old ladies square dancing and Miss White Rock. Little children and big children are going crazy for all the free candy. It really brings the community together. Why don't we parade more often? I must admit I was a little sad i didn't see Salty Sam.

Camping with the Haugos

What a beautiful night under the stars:) Lana and I packed our bags for a camping experience with the Haugos at their property on H street. We packed all of our bathroom stuff and then thought, wait, i'm not sure if there is one. We called Ang and she said, "nope no bathroom". We unpacked our bathroom stuff and just showed up with our blankets and air mattress. I must say it was a great camping experience. We broke all the camp ground rules as we had a HUGE fire, peed anywhere we wanted, the boys set off fireworks, large bulldozzers were being driven once the sun went down, it was great! It's not every day you wake up to a bulldozzer or as Katie calls it "the love machine." Ang, Lana, Joey and I set our air mattresses up on the cement slab and slept under the stars. It was beautiful. You should check it out, it's going to be great. Good work Haugos!

Transformers

Last night Conor and I went to see the new transformers movie at the Collosus. If you haven't seen it, it is a MUST see!! We didn't get there very early so we were sitting in the 4th row and had the full movie experience. Infact i felt sick after from all the movement:) Anyways it is a movie that if you have never watched a transformers show in your life it makes you want to watch one. First off it's HILARIOUS, full of adventure and just plain cool. Driving home we wished our car could turn into a transformer. Conor renamed his car jazz.(he is one of the autobots) Infact this post is an ode to Conor and his love for transformers. Go see the movie and comment:)

Walking on Sunshine...

is what I have been doing all day! Not only did I have a great birthday with my wonderful husband who bought me a bike (pictures will be posted soon) I found out today that I HAVE A JOB!!! I had a great interview on Thursday and was told I wouldn't hear anything until the end of next week but I heard this morning!! The principal of Skyline Elementary in Ferndale called to offer me a full time continuing contract for THIRD grade ( my favorite age to teach:) I was SOOO excited and feel so blessed to have this opportunity! Third grade is what i taught in my practicum and this past year so I am so blessed to have a continuing contract in this grade. As well, Skyline is an AMAZING school that has won awards for being a top 21st century school. I just can't believe it. My first full time real teaching job that is more than 1 year.... Thank you Jesus!! and for all of your prayers. Bec, we should do some planning together this summer:)

Interview

Hi friends,

I have an interview today at 2pm with the Ferndale school district. I'm really excited about this opportunity. Please pray i have a peace and that i am myself:) I'll let you know how it goes.

Schools out for Summer!

Yesterday was our offical last day of school. This was my first "last day of school," experience as a teacher. It was a lot of fun but kind of sad too. We took our kids to the new lynden park and we played and had a picnic. We came back to our class and my kids did a little presentation. Jen (my partner) had helped the kids put together this AMAZING scrapbook of their pictures and a piece of writing that said why they loved me as a teacher and why i should be hired for a full time job next year. It was SO cute. Conor and I read through it last night and i was fighting back the tears and laughing so hard as well. Here are some of my favorite lines:

" You should hire Mrs. Thorpe for these reasons. First, she comes with a lot of cool science projects. Second, she actually listens to her students."

" She Always asks me when I walk in the door how I am doing. Every morning she was there....She keeps people in line! So you don't have to worry about that."

" She is caring because when you are bleeding she gives you a bandaid"

"She is very nice. When you get in trouble she is always nice about it."

"She is a good dancer on hip hop songs."

" She plays baseball with us."

"She is nice to people who are not bad. She has a big smile when bad people are good people." (this was one of my fav:)

Man, i'm going to miss these kids. We'll see what happens next year, i'm waiting....