Now I feel old!

Today I was reading a book with my reading group that referenced Elvis Presley. The following conversation occurred:

Student 1: What is an Elvis?
Me: Elvis would be a "Who" since he was a person (Yes, I really said that. It sounded weird coming out, too)
Students: Ohhhhhh . . .
Me: He was a very popular singer a long time ago.
Student 2: Like in 1999?
Me: Um, no. Quite a bit longer than that!

I laughed so hard! Since when was 1999 a long time ago?

Too fast.

Do you realize that in one week it will be May? That seriously blows my mind. Wasn't it just yesterday we rang in 2011? How can it already be a third of the way over?

Do you know what else blows my mind? The fact that the end of the school year is rapidly approaching. Yesterday we were coming back from lunch when an older student looked at our class and yelled "Hey! It's second graders!" To which, one of my students (loudly) replied "We are NOT second graders. We are First Graders!" I look at them and realize that they really are almost second graders. They are taller. They are smarter. They are reading like little pro's. And I am not sure I am ready to let them go. I get way to attached to these children!

Where has the time gone? And does anybody know how I can slow it down?

Thankful Thursday #13

Today I am thankful to have my family so close. I have been blessed with an incredible family. I consider my siblings to be my closest friends, and love spending time with my family. I love having everyone so close. I literally live five minutes away from my parents (if you hit the light when it is red) and about 15 from Lacey and Steve. Karl and Liz live just over an hour away, which is not to shabby either. I love having my family near!

Earlier this week my mom told me to come and grab some dinner. She sent me on my way home with not one, but THREE complete meals for both me and my roommate. She rocks. Very fortunate for me, since at this point I do not enjoy cooking for myself. I have eaten better this week than I have in quite a while!

Have you ever been given a start for Amish Friendship Bread? I have, on several occasions. I had never actually tasted it, though, since I usually forget about it and have to throw it out. I was given a start a few weeks ago, but it conveniently lived at Lacey's house, where it was well cared for until it was time to bake (which she did also) . I came home from school on Monday, and was thrilled to find my very own loaf of Amish Friendship Bread, along with another start for me to care for. The bread is DIVINE! Now that I know what it tastes like, pretty sure I am going to take very good care of the start.

My family is so wonderful! I love having them close!

(Anyone want an Amish Friendship Bread start? I am going to have four pretty quick here!)

Childish, you say? Absolutely!

Do you ever spill things on yourself? I do on a daily basis. Sometimes I feel like I am worse than a toddler. Toothpaste is often the offender. I guess I am just a messy teeth-brusher. This is why I am in the habit of not getting dressed for the day until the minute before I actually leave. The other night while I was getting ready for bed I dripped toothpaste on myself. Not at all unusual. However, it landed just like this:

A closeup for your viewing pleasure:

I giggled and giggled, and ran to show Ashley! Yes, extremely immature. But EVERYONE in my family has a cold right now, looks like Mr. Grinch caught it as well! Happy Monday!

YUM!

Last weekend while the guys were off to Priesthood Session, my mom, Lacey, Ivy and I decided to try out The Crepery. It's a tiny hole-in-the-wall type of place, with delicious food. We were lucky enough to even get to enjoy some live music!

Ivy was completely intrigued by the music most of the time were were there. She looks angry in this picture, but she was really just enthralled.

We decided to try three different crepes, and split each one three ways. We tried one with parmesean cheese, arugula, avocado, and capers. While this one was good (I LOVE capers!) the next one we tried was quite divine! It had pesto, mozzarella, and tomatoes. It was so, so good! We also had to get a dessert one for good measure, so we tried the one with strawberries, banana, and Nutella. YUMMMMMM!!!

Ivy was especially fond of the dessert one, I really liked all three. It was totally different from the places we usually go, and it was very fun. It has a lot of character, I would totally recommend this place for anyone who likes a good, traditional crepe!

Thanksful Thursday #12

Today I am thankful for Spring Break. Our spring break has been this week, and it has been blissful. I wish I could tell you about all of the exciting things hat I have been doing, but I can't. Instead I have been catching up on all the things that get put off during a normal week. I spent one day trying to figure out & rearrange visiting teaching (and trying to recreate all of the February information that somehow was lost when they switched computers) and get on top of church stuff. I also spent two days working on my portfolio that is due at the end of the year. The exciting part is that I am pretty sure that it is almost done!

My plan today was to go to school, finish up my portfolio, and then go for a nice, long run. It didn't happen though, you want to know why?

Because it is snowing! Not just a little, but enormous, huge, wet flakes. Over spring break! I know some people still run in this weather, I am not one of them. Even so, I am loving the fact that I can sleep in, (I have slept for nine hours for the last six days, and my eyes look better than they have in months!) read a book, and watch a show on TV. Even if I didn't get to go anywhere fun, and even with the not-so-perfect weather, it has been a fabulous break!

New Breakfast Favorites

I tend to eat the same thing every day for breakfast. I like cereal, but I am pretty picky with what I eat in the morning because it has to really stick with me until lunch time. I am a huge fan of oatmeal squares, but also enjoy Frosted Mini Wheats from time to time. Both are pretty healthy cereals with whole grains that can get me through the morning without my stomach growling by the first bell. I have recently made two discoveries that have changed my morning habits. The first is this:

It is no secret that I love my chocolate! When I saw that there was a chocolate variety of Chex, I knew I had to try it. I have no idea how long this has been around, but it is so yummy! In all fairness, I eat this less for breakfast than I do as a snack (too light of a cereal for me on a regular day). It is not unusual for me to grab a handful to munch on throughout the day. About half of the cereal is plain rice Chex, and the other half is heavily coated in a nice cocoa mixture. Seriously, yummy!

The other discovery is Lavish Dark Chocolate Oatmeal. This oatmeal is less sweet, and truly is filled with dark chocolate. I found it at the grocery store and was almost afraid to look at the nutrition information. To my surprise, it's actually good for you! I am in heaven! It also has a great texture, which I love. There are other flavors as well, which I am excited to try, though I think this one might always be my favorite!

If you need something new to spice up your morning, and if you love chocolate like I do, then I would highly recommend either of these foods!