So far so good

We've been having a wonderful time. Allison's mom, Norah, is the sweetest host we could ask for. She keeps feeding us and checking on everything. Like a complete dope, I've lost my passport. It must have fallen out of our carryon on the last plane, but the airline and the airport haven't found it. I get to spend the day in Dublin on Tuesday getting a new one. It's not so bad; I needed to change my name on it anyway. Galway is really nice. David's been busy collecting materials for the exhibition, and I've been helping so far. Today I'm going to spend the day in the cute little shops in the city. The Aran Islands are close, so we're going to take a trip out there soon. The weather is absolutely perfect. It's about 60-70 degrees with a cool breeze. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment.

Top of the mornin' to ya

We made it. Allison's family is fabulous for putting all of us up. We're one big happy family. Kit, Cody, Allison, her sister, Lydia, David and I are all staying at her house. It's really lovely. The weather has been perfect. So far we've walked around Galway, eaten and slept. We've also hit up the Irish pubs. We woke up at 12:30 Irish time and 6:30 home time. I'll post pictures and stuff later.

Current news

I am thoroughly enjoying my summer. So far it's been a blur of barbeques, sleeping in, catching up on all those things I always intend to do but never get around to and getting ready for Ireland. Here is a picture of my lovely flower garden and our old desk with a new paint job courtesy of Kit! I know, It's pretty great. If you free, give me a call or send me an email. I can definitely fit you in. ;)

Woot

I have 5 days left of school! I honestly cannot believe I made it. Hopefully next year is easier, more effective and less crazy. Pictured above and my kids science fair projects. We totally should have won. I was very, very proud of them. 1 out of my 5 kids went up at least one grade level in math and reading, and 3 went up 2 grade levels! What's exciting is that I'll probably have most of them next year, so we can build on that progress.
Also pictured above is crime scene photos from a carpet vandalism that occurred at approximately 1 am last night. A half consumed G2 ink pen is the suspected weapon and the suspect is a 6 year old terrier mix. He was found with blue paws and was so covered in ink that we had to hose him down. Pretty incriminating evidence if I say so myself.

Check out David in the latest issue of 225 magazine

The view from the Street Article

Recent Events

I had a great time at home. My mom and I took Ashur and Jed to the aquarium outside of Tulsa. It was actually really fun. I also ate a lot of good food and celebrated an early birthday with my folks. I have 20 school days left before Summer 2009! As you probably know, David and I are headed to the Emerald Isle from June 6th through the 24th. I absolutely cannot wait. We are also probably coming to a venue near you sometime this summer. So far this year I have adequately mastered being a special education teacher, grown a flower garden, and finally taught Rocky how to walk on a leash (I AM THE ALPHA DOG). David was successfully passed on to Thesis. Next year he will spend most of his time creating a large array of work for a big show sometime in April or May of next year. Here is his latest piece. He's calling it family tree right now, but he will probably change it. Also, here are tons of pictures of my family in Siloam.

P.S. As many of you probably remember, my aunt Polly went missing when I was in Nepal in 2007. This week we learned, the police arrested her daughter in her murder, and they found her remains. My family is upset, but relieved to know what finally happened to her. Keep them in your thoughts.

We were totally robbed in that kickball tournament.

The big Louisiana LEAP test is finally over. In May we'll find out if all the tutoring, and all of the hard core teaching paid off. To celebrate the end of the tests, we had a big kickball tourney. Coach let everyone kick (no matter how many outs we got). The regular third grade class got to all kick twice and my tiny class got to kick once. Of course, we lost. Booo for fixed sporting events. I got my hair done today. I went super blonde. It's pretty cute. I head home tomorrow. I haven't been to Siloam since Christmas. It'll be good to see everyone. A big late congrats to Brooke and Trevor who just welcomed little Sadie into this world. She is gorgeous. Since I can't post pictures of my kids, here are some pictures of my fabulouso room displays. I am a self-admitted dork.

Rock town

I know, it's been two months. I am a bad, bad blogger. This week has been LEAP testing and I know my kids would rock the test if they would just stop acting out throughout the entire test. No, you are not allowed to get up and scream, break pencils, sing songs (especially songs where you spell out words) or beat on the desk as hard as you can. On Thursday, a really bad thunderstorm came through Baton Rouge. I was in the cafeteria with the kids when the power went out. Of course, everyone screamed, and we tried to corral the kids and get them quiet. One of the teachers at my school raised her arms in the air and began shouting "CHILDREN, IT IS NOT THE THUNDER THAT WILL KILL YOU, IT IS THE LIGHTNING. CHILDREN, LIGHTNING WILL KILL YOU!" I had to tell the crying first graders that she was just being silly. It is the most hilarious thing that has happened in a long time. David and I decided on a whim to come to Little Rock for the weekend. We've enjoyed lots of eating, lots of seeing friends and family, and lots of catching up on sleep. Even though we were only home for 48 hours, it's been pretty sweet. We'll be back in the BR tonight. Next week is Spring break!

Mardi Gras.....keep it comin'

It's started. Massive amounts of king cake covered in delicious frosting, crawfish everything, beads beads beads, party party party. Yes that's right. It is the time of year in Louisiana that is so much more dangerous for your figure than Christmas... it's Mardi Gras time. To kick it off I went to an amazing party at my friend Sara's house. I danced the single ladies dance in stilettos if it is any indication of the amount of fun I had. Christy, E-Beth and Jeremy are coming down to celebrate the weekend before. Another perk of Louisiana, I get off two full days for Mardi Gras. Also, we might go to this festival where people ride horses and beg for chickens, which they then chase.... amazing.

At the dog park on Thursday, Boomer was attacked by another dog. His face was uber-swollen, but the vet took good care of him. Here's a sad pic.

This could be you

My kids are having a rough time this semester. I do what I can, but the ugly truth is that kids, in general, are mean. If I catch another student calling one of my student's stupid, dumb, retarded or otherwise, that student better run because there will be hell to pay. Unfortunately, I don't always catch them. In a last effort to encourage my kids despite teasing I have posted in my class the following "most horrible picture ever" of a very awkward, tall, frizzy haired, 9 year-old Mrs. Carpenter surrounded by her remarkably small friends. This says, I promise, life will get better when you get a little older, or if anything, at least you weren't as weird looking as Mrs. Carpenter.