Just a Quick Post...

Tonight is my official start to Christmas Break (I get to say that since I'm working right now). I'm so excited! Next week, I plan on spending a few days focused on my Masters and my portfolio since it's due in May -- that's my ticket out! Daycare is open for Mon. and Tues. so Wyatt will go, not sure about Garett. Then, there's a good chance my bro, sis, and nephew will be stopping in on their way to Florida. THEN, we are all going to meet up in Florida (us and my folks) for a fun family fiesta! I'm sooooo excited (have I said that yet???).

School has been going well. The longer I'm there, the more the students and I grow together. I get more and more hugs each day and more and more respect!!! The teacher told me today she hopes to be back around January 20 so I'll plan through that week just in case. This next month will be fun -- some more new changes to put in place but the students sound excited about it. Man, I love teaching!

Tomorrow night is our first Dining Out. It's the Medical Ball so the Vet Corps gets to attend since they are part of the MEDDAC (??). Anyhow, I've got my dress and shoes, I'll do my own hair, nails, and makeup (just need a new can of hairspray), and Jake's got his suit. He doesn't have to wear his Class A's this time - it's casual formal I guess. The boys will be with our sitter down the street. The vet from Eglin AFB (Rhonda) is joining us. She's a crack up!! :)

We've taken our family Christmas picture for the year and I have started to address them. I'll say this now: don't expect it on time! If it makes it to you before 2009, you're lucky! That'll be better than last year when I addressed but never sent them. I'm that good!!! I'll post a few of the mess-up shots -- there's some funny ones, thanks to our boys!

My Classroom and a Webcam

This is my classroom for the next month and a half... possibly longer!

Hello, my name is Mrs. Barnoski. That's barn... aaahhhh... ski! Not Mrs. B!!

As most of you know, I've been in a long-term sub position in second grade for two weeks now. I have dealt with some challenges that I have never had to deal with before: an over-the-top attention seeking child who pulls down his pants, a room where I am still learning where paper clips are (I know organized chaos but not like this!), and a team made of 7 teachers -- not just one or two! But I'm loving every challenge and am glad to have had this opportunity to teach at Lakewood Elementary. I hope the teacher recovers quickly from back surgery but I am more than willing to teach for as long as necessary! I come to school with a smile and I leave with a smile. A quote I read yesterday: a scientist was asked why he kept working day in and day out on the same thing. He said because he was dissatisfied; once he was no longer dissatisfied, he would work at it no longer. In the end, he hoped to never become satisfied. I agree, Mr. Scientist, I agree!!!!

The school recently purchased and installed webcams on all teacher computers. So this morning, I decided to try it out with my class. Logging into Messenger, we connected with my dad in Missouri. The students were amazed! Each one of them asked him one question. My hope, when we have time, is to turn those "facts about Mr. Wheeler" into a short expository paragraph. Anyhow, at the end, one student asked me what my question was for him. I asked, "What are you buying your daughter for Christmas?" He said he didn't know so they decided to chime in. Here's some of their answers:
-a new car!!!

-some make-up (that one made my mom laugh in the background)

-a toothbrush (mentioned by the student who I tend to get in his face a lot. Noted!)

-some new cute clothes (notice they said cute!)

Well, we'll see what Grandpa Santa brings. But either way, it was hilarious! Thanks, dad, for letting us into your home this morning! By the way, if any of you are interested, I found some great live cams sites online, one being for Santa. The site is http://www.santaclauslive.com/ Make sure to choose the live option, not webcam. We actually saw an elf!!! (Santa was sleeping, it was dark there)

A Smiley Boy

This is just a fun one of him and his thumb. He LOVES to suck on it!!!

Here's just a ton of pictures of Garett smiling. I need to find a pic of Wyatt at this age so you all can see how much alike they look!!! Good thing... now I know Garett will be a cutie too! :)

Garett's face just lights up now when he sees me pick him up at daycare. I love it! Two beautiful boys, two beautiful smiles! I can defnitely see their dad's cheeks on them -- cute, if I don't say so myself.

Thanksgiving Feast!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving break with lots of good food, laughs, and a wonderful time with Jake's parents! Wyatt definitely kept Joe and Andy entertained and busy to say the least. That child loves to drag his grandparents around for sure!!

Andy did most of the cooking for Thanksgiving which was a wonderful break for me. We did the bird in our new roaster too which made things a bit easier. Our table looked pretty much the same once the meal was over -- did we even make a dent??? Garett was in his own food coma that day too.

We went to see Bolt in 3-D. That was pretty fun... it's always fun to see Wyatt's little nose trying to hold up the glasses! Of course, there was some good football on the TV. Jake definitely enjoyed that part... I, on the other hand, loved the naps!!! :)