First week of school- SURVIVED!

Yeay me! So, there are many, many differences I'm experiencing settling into my new position at Lincoln and South Lawn. So far, I'm still trying to get a schedule, which I can't set until I get mass amounts of data and analyze it to make sure I'm helping the "right" kids... weird, right? That's the most frustrating part of my job. Hopefully, this will get done EARLY this coming week... If I hear one more acronym (DIBLES, KRAWL, ED, SWD...) my head just might explode.
Reading what I just wrote, this move could be much worse. After all, I'm learning all sorts of new stuff :-) The staff at both schools have been insanely nice, and of course, the kids are awesome. I was talking to a first grader (who was being ornery). Well, here's how it went:
Me: I bet trouble is your middle name!
Student: Yeah, I get that a lot...
Hmmm, I had more quotes that I was going to post, but I think my brain is at capacity after this week.
Another similarity- I had a 'runner' my first week at Central make me look like an incompetent slacker too...

Having said all this and how grateful I am to still have a job, leaving South Lawn the other day, a bus drove by with a load of my former students, all smiling, waving and screaming "MRS. BENTZ!!!!!" I seriously wanted to cry. I do miss students and my Central friends, but overall, I'm pleased with how the school year is going.

On another note (I know, longest blog post ever) the Jack Rabbit Run is the day after tomorrow. For those of you that don't know, both my nephew and niece have been diagnosed with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). I've never had the privilege to run for something I'm so passionate about. My team raised about $1,700 (my brother-in-laws team raised something like $7,000...). Diana came down last weekend and we tie-dyed about 60 shirts (through some serious trial and error...) and her and Sharon are screening "Team A to Z" on them- I'm sure I'll have pics to post of the race (although my camera is on the fritz- boooooo). Wish me luck- my back has been killing me (I know, excuses...) so we'll see.

Loving the cold nights! Tomorrow, I'll set up the fire pit, clean my mess of a house, and pick up the hubby that I haven't seen for two weeks! He's been in Florida for business (or so he says:-) and while I've been sleeping in the middle of the bed (with 2 dogs), eating all the weird foods that he hates for dinner, and having marathon sessions of watching shows like "Say Yes to the Dress" and "Cake Boss", I've missed him like crazy!

My nephew, Zander and Brin Brin (or NuNu as he calls her) are best friends.

I kind of like him too :-)

Brin modeling Lexie's tutu.

anyone need a good, used car? Pontiac G6, 46,xxx miles and just asking what we owe on it

We went fishing the other night. Bill and Chuck both caught good sized fish- me, nothing... still a good time though!

HIDE YOUR HUSBANDS!
The brother in law sent me this...

Watch this one first
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzNhaLUT520

Then, watch this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMtZfW2z9dw

We got to go to Vegas for Katie and Isaiah's wedding! It was at Ceasar's Palace (no, I asked- It's not where Ceasar used to live :-). It was a beautiful ceremony and so much fun! There was a rehersal dinner the night before at the Lux Cafe at the Palazzo (so delicious) and we had lunch the next day at California Pizza Kitchen and then went to get our hair done. All the girls went up to Katie's room and got ready (with the box of wine). I didn't take many pictures, but Katie was one of the most beautiful brides I've ever seen!

These pictures from the reception pretty much speak for themselves...

We went down to Fremont street which was super fun. I loved the light shows!

We stayed at the Bellagio for a few nights (Bill got a comp). One of my favorite things to see is the conservatory since it's decorated differently for every season. It was so beautiful!

The world's largest chocolate fountain at the Bellagio....

The last night in Vegas, we stayed at Mandalay Bay. I was surprised at how much we liked this hotel!

This is the view of the water park from our room- They had several pools, a wave pool and a lazy river. I spent a good part of Monday here and loved it! It was super busy (but that's my only complaint about it!)
Visiting the luxor next door

This is the snack bar in the hotel room... really?

We left the hotel at 5 on Tuesday morning to come home. We had so much fun and it was a great get away, but I'm so glad to be home! I missed my babies!

"Palmer... Really?!?"

Palmer feels the need to snuggle when in the car- Brin's pretty patient with him, even though he's usually taking up 3/4 of the back seat and crowding her.

I wanted to try making a tutu, so this one's for Lexie. Way too big for her right now, but I think it looks good and I learned a lot!

such posers...