the joys of Dairy Queen

So yesterday, we went to Mexico (I know, no big deal right?). Not to brag or anything, but yesterday was my 17th trip to Mexico. Jamie Wright, have I beat you yet?

Anyways, during the afternoon siesta, Wes & I were the least bit tired and simply could not adapt to the slow pace of the Islitas life. We decided to do a little something more adventuroso. We woke the boys teenagers, Gamas & Sami, up from their siesta and asked "Quieres ir a San Luis?" (Do you want to go to San Luis?). We didn't tell them where we were taking them, so Gamas said, "No thanks" and Sami spiffed himself up in no time for the trip.

We took Sami to a marvelous place he had never been before............DAIRY QUEEN (Yes, there's one in Mexico). We introduced him to the joys of soft-served ice cream in delectable Blizzard format. We also attempted to buy Arnulfo an ice cream cake for his birthday, but the debit card machine decided we were thieves and wouldn't allow the transaction.

After Blizzards, we stopped at the famous Ley grocery store, purchased Arnulfo a 3 leches cake (yuck! But they love it) to celebrate his 40th, got gas, spotted quite the Ranchero, and headed back in time for evening church service.

Tonight, we are headed back to Mexico yet again to throw Arnulfo a surprise 40th birthday party with the entire Islitas community. Life's pretty rough this Labor Day weekend.

2 words.....GO DUCKS

Today is the big day......the start of Duck football season 2011. It's only 10am and we are already for 5 pm kickoff. We're rocking our Oregon gear and looking like that nerdy couple that intentionally attempts to match.

Moments like these (Duck football games) make me REALLY miss home. Wes & I used to always have friends over during the games, with the famous Leila Kammerzelt as our little cheerleader. It's a little hard to invite friends over to watch the game when you don't have any friends (ok, don't pity us too much, we have a few friends, just unfortunately none of them care about Duck football). So, to our dearest Eugenians, we miss you dearly. Especially on such important days such as these.

GO DUCKS!

Such nerds

"mrs bryant, i saw you in your underwear!"

Today, while walking in a nice quiet line, J (one of my student's) shouted out, "Mrs. Bryant, I saw you in your underwear!". The line quickly became a disheveled mess, as my students attempted to understand what J had just said.

Let's backtrack 12 hours: Last night, after a long day at work, Wes & I decided to go on a leisurely float down the river (pretty rough life, eh?). While we were getting out of the car and lathering ourselves in sunscreen (did you hear that mom....sunscreen!), I glanced over at two young girls who were laughing and pointing at me. I quickly realized these were J's older sisters who pick him up everyday. Within seconds, I see my wonderful, sweet & innocent little kindergartener....staring at me in my "itsy-bitsy-teenie-weenie-not-yellow-polka-dotted bikini". UMMM.....AWKWARD!!! I tried using my floaty as a robe, but it was if nothing could've eliminated or hidden the awkwardness of this moment.

Back to today's line: I kindly responded to J's comment, "Yes, J, I saw you at the river and I was wearing my bathing suit, just like you were wearing yours". My kids simply continued in line, puzzled at the awkward conversation that had just taken place.

Welcome to the life of a small-town kindergarten teacher.

a big thanks to the criminals

Well, nothing is terribly new in the last few days. My week was exhausting yet rewarding, Wes locked himself out of the rental while I was at work, and we enjoyed a wonderful "Friday at 4" last night....the best part of teaching :)

We have been slowly moving into the rental, but are still feeling so incredibly grateful for Wendy and Alison's help. Thanks again girls. I hope we gave you a taste of life in Yuma and that you will come back soon for another "PBR float" down the river. Here's our little helpers visiting Yuma's Historical Territorial Prison with Wes (some of us had to miss out on this extracurricular activity due to work...cough...cough).

bring on the hurdles

Last Friday evening was wonderful....Wesley, my dearest partner in crime, along with Wendy and Allison, arrived with all of our stuff....hence why I haven't updated this thing all weekend.....I've been a little, shall we say, preoccupied.

Ever since I arrived in Yuma in late July, things have been pretty smooth sailing. Chaotic, but smooth sailing. My classroom is neat and tidy. My kids are good (well-intentioned may be a better word). I had great temporary living quarters while Wes was gone. I found a decent rental before Wes arrived. Like I said, things were pretty smooth sailing.

THEN............when it rained, it poured.

This is code for we've had quite a few hurdles since Wes and the gals arrived. Here they go.....

-On the way down, 5 straps busted while attempting to hold down the Buick......costing us 140 bucks to replace. Oh, and no, they didn't all bust at the same time, causing multiple stops along the way.

-We unload the Buick into the garage, only to discover that the trailer has also busted in the process.....costing Wes a few hours in the hot sun to repair.

-While fixing the trailer, Wes discovers that the water valve to the fridge has been leaking over night and has flooded most of the kitchen and front room (conveniently where our boxes are sitting)....costing Wes an hour of clean up and costing McKenzie one serious mental breakdown.

-And then there was today. While I was gone at school, Wes discovers the water meter to the house has been removed, thus resulting in no water to the house and 2 trips to City Hall for Wes (apparently the last tenants weren't paying utilities and the city was unaware there were new tenants). Wait......why couldn't they have shut the water off two day priors when we were cleaning up a flooded kitchen? C'mon now!!!!

On a more positive note, we have a wonderful old man of a neighbor named Carl. He has been beyond helpful and is already Wes' new best buddy. He spent his Saturday in the 100+ degree heat helping us unload everything, he talks cars and 1950s with Wes, and is our water man to the rescue. Thank God for Carl.

Carl & Wes unloading the truck

On another positive note, while the girlies were here we managed to eat delicious food more times than you can count, travel to Mexico, float the river twice, visit the Historical Territorial Prison & Quartermaster Depot, and have loads of fun.

The trip to Mexico, as well as the many other positives, put things in perspective. Despite the hurdles, we are so blessed.

We love you all. Thanks for all your support along the way. Stay tuned for more.

skinamarinkidinkidink

So......as exhausting as this first full week has been (and it's only Thursday), my sweet little kindergarten babies have been doing well for the most part. Of course our days are still filled with plenty of meltdowns, tears, and time-outs, they are also filled with new experiences and plenty of cases of the giggles.

Yesterday, my kiddos did incredible during reading centers. I mean incredible. They stayed on task. They shared. And they learned a few letters in the process. I thought as a little reward, I would let them take a little "brain break" and get their wiggles out. I brought them back to the carpet and put some music on for them to dance to. WHO DO YOU THINK WALKED IN WHILE I WAS DANCING THE STINKIN' SKINIMIRINKIDINKIDINK? No one else but the Assistant Superintendent of our school district, of course! Awesome. Why couldn't he have walked in 2 minutes earlier when my little ones were angels while also doing something a little more....ummmm...academic?

On another note, Wes & co. (Wendy & Allison) are on their way down here with our buttload of stuff. Or shall I say Wes' buttload of stuff? After patiently waiting almost 1 month, I will finally have my partner in crime back with me again!

kindgarteners say the darnest things

Well, Monday sure came and went (thanks to our weekly 1:55 early release!). Although my kiddos were only with me for 5.5 hours instead of the typical 7, they still managed to say some pretty funny things.

Here it goes.....(I use initials for confidentiality...I'm such a good rule-following teacher)

Situation #1: One of my little boys decided to break off all the erasers of the pencils at his table. He spent 2 minutes in time-out as a result. When I went over to the corner to talk to him, this is the conversation that resulted:

Me: K, do you know why you had to sit in time-out?

K: I bwake pecils (Translation: I broke pencils)

Me: That's right. We use our erasers for erasing and we do not break them. What do you think you need to tell Mrs. Bryant for breaking the pencils? (inferring he needs to apologize)

K: (Long pause) I love youuuuuuuuu

Such a little charmer

Situation #2: The kids were quietly doing a great job completing an assessment to help me see if they'd mastered our math vocab words such as above, below, under, over, left, right etc.

Me: Okay, everybody please circle the bird that is flying over the boat.

A: (in a loud yelling voice) Mrs. Bryant, it's a seagull!

Me: A, remember we're keep our voices off right now.

A: But I can't be quiet when I know it is seagull and you just call it a bird.

Situation #3: At the end of the day, I have all my busers (teacher lingo for children who ride the bus) in the front of our line. We walk FOREVER to get outside, a challenging task for 5 year olds. The line is quiet, the kids are lined up correctly, when all of the sudden.....(note: this is the same kid as situation #2)

A: Mrs. Bryant! But I'M riding the bus today!!!

Me: You are? Are you sure? Your dad always picks you up.

A: But my dad told me to ride the bus.

Me: (double checking his theory) How are you getting home today, A?

A: (in a very nonchalant tone)My mom is picking me up.

Oh kindergarteners. How I love you (even if you drive me a bit mad)!