Happy Birthday, Laura!

If I wasn't having so many problems trying to get a picture to load this morning, I would have had a picture of the birthday girl on line but, darn that technology (or perhaps the user?) But, have a happy birthday today !! Quarter century old! Wow-

Carrie & her 3 snowflakes @ last year's Illinois/IU game...looks like one of the snowflakes is somewhat bashful....& one...not so much...
Happy 39th.....

Happy Birthday to Carrie!!!

The baby of the family turns 39 today! Last year before the BIG 40!

Happy Birthday!!!! (sorry I didn't get a picture loaded but please see prior blog entry!)

Palin and the Fosters

Whatever you do, DO NOT ask Carrie or Tutu about the lines!
Greg and Mom waiting for the speech
The Foster girls excited about the Republican party!
Time to relax!
Sarah ! Sarah !! Sarah!!!

Powder Puff Football

Megan and senior friends

Don't they look tough?

Tonight was the annual Powder Puff football game between the high school classes. Senior girls were defeated by the juniors (who had been practicing diligently), but scored a victory over the freshman.

We were a little nervous about Megan playing, knowing that "touch" football can sometimes get a little rough, but she did just fine.

a fun day at the apple orchard

Michele and I took the kids to Beasley's Orchard on Saturday. It was a beautiful day and we had a fun time (even though we got lost in the corn maze!!)

Days Like This Make Teaching Worthwhile

Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.
- James M. Barrie

I am so proud of my class that I just had to share this with everyone! Today we held a fundraiser to raise money for the family of a sixth grade student. The boy has leukemia and although it is in remission, problems with medications and side effects are requiring the family to make many trips back and forth to Riley Children's Hospital. Although the young man is only able to come to school a day or so each week, his classmates have rallied around him and wanted to do something to help. Our class took their turn today with a baked potato bar for Throop staff members. My kids chose to call our event Taters -n- Toppings. We took reservations ahead of time (just so we would have an idea how many to fix) and today we served about 70 adults and 25 students. We made it a give-as-you-can type of donation, and guess how much we raised? You won't believe it! With 50 lbs. of potatoes donated by Wal-Mart, all the toppings donated by the kids, work provided by the students, and very generous donations by our staff, we raised $572.00! As always, the good people in our small community really pull together when someone needs help. It's times like these that warm the heart and make us realize why we chose to teach in the first place!