Spring Break- Part 1

Spring Break is officially underway!!! Ryan and I are enjoying our time off together and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of summer. We are so blessed to have this opportunity to spend time with each other. There is nothing more important to me than this man- He is my everything!Last week, I was awarded by my principal. I received the honor of "Above and Beyond" staff member. It was in front of the entire school board. I was really surprised! Sorry the picture is kind of blurry...

Here I am waiting nervously. My principal talked about the extra-curriculars I am involved in, and the contributions I have made to my school's English as a Second Language Program.

Here is the plaque I received. It is hanging up in my classroom now.

My friend/co-worker Amanda was awarded with "Innovative Project Work." We were the only two staff members to receive awards. It was very flattering to be acknowledged.

Speaking of project work, Amanda's first grade class did a project on "Community." They decided to create and run a Mexican restaurant in their classroom. Since I co-teach in her room for an hour and a half each day, I did some writing with them prior to the big event. Each child had to tell about their job, what role they had and how they felt about their position. Here it is displayed on the wall.

Here is her classroom turned restaurant. They named it "Comida Buena" (Good Food). Isn't it adorable? The kids invited their parents and staff members to their restaurant for lunch. Each child was assigned a particular job. Jobs included host/hostess, waiter/waitress, cooks and clean-up.

I brought some sheers from my house, and we converted her sink area into the kitchen.I helped the "cooks" plate up tacos and nachos for their restaurant. They were so cute- when an order was ready, they would ring a bell and shout, "Order Up!" They had such a great time. The kids were just darling and really loved this authentic learning experience. Here I am with some of my co-workers. We went out after school on Friday to celebrate the start of Spring Break! On Saturday, we had a few friends over for a bar-be-que. Here is our pal April and her son Kaden. It was Kaden's 8th birthday!!! Happy Birthday Kaden!!! Ahhhhhh to be 8 again... On Monday, we drove down south near Bloomington to check out Oliver Winery with Amanda and her husband, Dave. It was a beautiful day! Oliver Winery is the largest and oldest winery in Indiana. The grounds are sooooo lovely!!! I have been wanting to visit this winery since we moved here... I am a huge fan of Oliver wine. It is sooooo delicious!

You can picnic by the pond. It was still kind of chilly, but we sat out by the picnic table to soak up some rays regardless...

Pretty day...

Mmmmmm wine! We bought and drank a bottle there and purchased a Riesling to enjoy at home....

After the winery, we hit up a local brewery. The guys got some samplers to try out.

Spring Break is underway and we are enjoying EVERY minute! We are in heaven soaking up this BEAUTIFUL weather... 70 degrees and above the remainder of the week and 80 degrees this weekend!!! WOO-HOO!!! Happy Easter everyone!!! We love and miss you all!!! Until next time...xo