Just Thoughts

We have had a few fun-filled weeks. We spent UEA weekend in Salt Lake. We went to the opening assembly and heard Kurt Bester sing a song and talk about his experiences in school. We heard Robert Kirby talk about how he was a class clown. I'm still not sure why these two were the opening inspirational speakers for a bunch of teachers. They are fine, talented people, but it didn't really encourage me to go out there and be a better teacher. But, oh well, it was nice. I then went to a session called "Teaching Multiplication in a Week and Division in a Day". I have been to other presentations by this presenter and always come away with things that are helpful. I will be trying some of her suggestions, but I know they won't have "mastered" the facts in a week. We stayed around and listened to the two men running for governor in the Great State of Utah. They certainly have different approaches and I am still not sure which person I am voting for, although at the time I am leaning more to one than the other. The vendors at UEA were just more of the same. I'm getting tired of walking past row after row of people trying to sell me candles, jewelry, inserts for my shoes, etc. I guess there just isn't much new in education out there that I don't already use, know about, or have passed on because it really doesn't work. After 26 years I'm not sure if UEA meetings are affective for me. I love the time off and need the break it gives me after a stressful school beginning, so I do put it to good use.

We then spent time with the family. We all met up together and went to Chucky Cheese's (which is is a possessive noun?) Even Tyler came with us this year, which I know was hard, but he loved it. The kids played until they dropped, then we ate that pizza. The pizza is ok as long as it is hot, but once it is cold it is terrible. I must say, the Chucky Cheese in Missouri is larger and has more games than the one in Sandy. I used there was a horse for Lexi to ride on. Morgan loved that horse so much. So I guess we are the official Chucky Cheese Grandparents.

We then went back to our hotel for swimming. The kids love the large swimming park and spent a long time there. It was pretty cold, so they kept going to the hot tub to warm up. It was a fun time together.

On Friday we spent the day at Wheeler Farm. We walked around the pond and fed the ducks. We walked through barns, pretended to drive tractors, looked at goats, horses, cows, and all kinds of farm animals. We toured the old Wheeler house, which I thought was a great experience. I love to think of a large family living in all those rooms. Even though the house is large, the rooms are small so in today's world they would have been very crowded. Maybe it was better without so much space to move. It was really interesting to me.

The kids all rode on the horses. By this time my leg was killing me and I was having trouble with walking, so I sat while they road. They then went to the corn maze and picked out a pumpkin at the end. In all, it was a very fun day. We ended with more swimming with Tyler while his parents took in a temple session. He cuddled with me after we changed his clothes, then I put him down to sleep on the bed. In all, it was a very good day.

Garth and I got up early to return to Orangeville for the funeral of my youngest Ware cousin, Thomas. Sadly, funerals are the only things that bring families together, it seems. All the Ware cousins were there except Kerry, Susan, and Wayne. Most of us haven't seen Thomas around the past years because he has lived in Chicago, but we recognize him as a member of our family and wanted to show our love to the rest of the family. Uncle Keith and Aunt Diane are special people who show their love for us every time we see them. You can always count on a special hug and kiss on the cheek from each of them. I am sure it was a very difficult time for both of them.

On Monday we drove back over the mountain to go to a doctor's appointment for Garth. More shots in his back. We got back home in time for me to take back my class after lunch, so it was a quick trip. We drive up again on Tuesday for another round, this time in the afternoon because afternoon lesson plans are easier to prepare and then I don't have to worry about getting back by noon. We will see how it works.

Yesterday we again drove up to Salt Lake for the Ware girl's lunch. We missed the Leeflang girls but had fun with the rest of us. It was good food and good company. Sorry Tammy had to leave to get to work, but it was good talking with her. Then we took Nicky out to IKEA to pick out a small table and chairs for her apartment. She was left to put it together herself, and it sounds like she wasn't very successful yet. Apparently the box has the wrong parts, so she will need to exchange it to get the correct ones. Hopefully she can do that.

In all, it has been some good weekends and I needed that time with my kids.