Hello Summer!

Happy last day of school to me! I can't believe I have just finished my FOURTH year of teaching! Next year will be my fifth and that sounds crazy in my mind?? I'll miss these kiddos but I'm soooooo excited for a break! Helloooooo Summer!!

I'll admit...I'm an awful teacher

I'm an awful teacher.

It seems I have told a lie.

An awful lie.

But it promoted a child to stay in school, thus furthering his education.

Yes I may be justifying it.

Here's the story....

It was recess. Miss C. and I tend to meet up and chat for a brief moment before heading off to mold young minds, when all of a sudden my fantastic little Colton comes up to me with a half convincing smirk on his face and says "Mrs. Lamb? I'm not feeling so well. I think I need to go home."

Mrs. Lamb thinks quick and says: "Oh man? That's just too bad! You're going to miss our banana split party? Dang!"

Colton: "Wait, what did you say?"

Mrs. Lamb: "Well, ya! We're having a banana split party but I guess if you don't feel good then we should go call your mom?"

At this point Miss C. and I started to rave about this wonderful banana split party we were going to have when Colton starts rubbing his tummy and says:

"You know, I think I'm starting to feel much better and so I think I should stay?"

As he heads out the door to enjoy the last few minutes of recess, Miss C. turned to me and says.

"So what are you having a banana split party for?"

Mrs. Lamb "We're not! I can just tell a faker when I see one." :-)

Whoops?

Testing anxiety...

For the past week I have been studying my brains out in order to prepare for this beautiful test I so easily forgot about, due to the wonderful summer break I'm experiencing. You see, since I teach FIRST grade, and I will now be approaching my fourth year of teaching, the time has come for me to renew my level one license to a level two license. Peace of cake right? How hard can a test be when all you teach is first grade? Well if your line of thinking is parallel with mine then you'd be astonished to find out that YOU'RE WRONG!! Like I said, I teach first grade but apparently I am suppose to be able to know and recall information that I never use and haven't even thought about since my early days in high school. For example....world history was one of the major topics of study. I was required to know all major and minor aspects of math, language arts, science and social studies/world history. And I'm talking EVERY SINGLE LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY from the beginning of man kind. Practically dated back to Adam and Eve. Really people? The furthest I go in social studies in first grade is north, east, south and west! So, Friday night I went up to my parents house for a little one on one help from my dad. Now, let me tell you. My father should be the next Jeopardy contestant. This man in a fountain of knowledge!! Thanks to my dad and his wonderful love of history, he pretty much summed up my entire high school and elementary school curriculum combined in one night. That night I went to bed. I had my calculator, proof of ID, my admission ticket for the test, and three #2 pencils sharpened and ready to go. Since the test was at BYU in the testing center I was a little worried that I'd get lost and not be able to find the building, so my wonderful husband offered to wake up at 6:45 and drive me himself to the testing center and wait for two hours while I took the dreaded test (how sweet). As I walked inside I recognized a friend of mine from college who was in the same boat as me....only thing is that this was her FIFTH time taking the test in hopes that she would pass. Okay, so maybe it was just her but what you don't know is that I had talked to several other teachers who had to take it a minimum of three times just to pass? My hopes were diminishing by the second. After waiting in line for the testing center to seat us in the room, I finally approached the front of the line. As I handed her my ID, she then realized that it was expired! My drivers license had just barely expired by about a month. She was not going to let me in! Now, did I mention that I had to pay $150.00 to take this stupid test? I was getting through the doors whether she liked it or not. Another lady came along and pulled me aside. She asked me if I had any other form of ID. Of course I didn't because I was planning on getting in with my drivers license. Fortunately I had an old school ID, with my maiden name that was also expired but don't worry that for some reason it was more legit than my recently expired drivers license with my new name? Go figure.

After finally getting in and seated, they passed out the test. As I started I grew nervous knowing that if I didn't pass then I'd be back in this same boat taking it again. I started taking the test and by golly I felt like the most uneducated person in the world! Really? Could this test really be that hard? Did they really expect me to know all this crap!? I was screwed! Thank goodness for my father who had given me the crash coarse on world history the night before? It was the only stuff I knew! Finally I finished, just in time and rushed out to me my patiently waiting husband. On our way home he told me we had to stop and drop off the study book he had checked out for me from BYU. That's when I realized that we were no where near BYU and we were pulling in to Jamba Juice. It was so nice to finally be done with the test and enjoying a wonderful Aloha Pineapple delight. Thanks babe for all your support! Now I just have to wait four weeks to see how stupid I really am, when my test scores are finally mailed. Wish me luck! Good thing I have a second job.

Another Late Update...

So a lot has happened since.....February? Geez I'm a slacker!! But now that school is finally out I can finally blog!! Here's what we've been up to. I'll post our Europe trip soon...but don't hold your breath haha!

March

My cute little nephew was born!! Ya I'm a terrible aunt and now just finally doing this but, he is just so stinkin cute!!

Lincoln Noah Swalberg
March 26th, 2009
9 lbs 7 oz- 19 1/2 inches



Scottie finally came home from his THREE MONTH accouting internship with
RSM McGladrey. I was so excited to finally have him home that I got a little carried away with the signs...

Chelcie helped me put up missing posters around the house....we thought we were pretty funny.




I'm so glad to have Scottie home so I can finally:
-hang out with him
-snuggle before bedtime
-go on a date
-not be so lonely
-not be scared that someone will try to break in my house....haha
-have him kill the spiders
-make dinner for two
there's so much more but I won't bore you

Welcome home babe!!

April

For Easter weekend we met up with Scott's family in Brianhead. We stayed at the Spruce Haven Cabin just like last year! We had a blast playing card games, eating junk and of course....hitting the slopes!

Scottie and I in an intense game of California Speed....I always get so frustrated because I never win.



Me & Josie (Scottie's Niece)


I think Scottie is about to sneeze in this one...sorry babe.




While we were skiing they had people skiiing/boarding down the hill and then across this big pool of water! I don't think I would have the guts to do this mainly because you have to gain a lot of speed to get across the water to avoid falling in (going to fast freaks me out) and second of all I wouldn't want to go for a dip in the frigid waters? But it was fun entertainment.

I think this guy sprayed us all....and then I was done.


Happy Easter!

May

The month of May is every teachers favorite month. Not only because school is finally out but because of Teacher Appreciation Week! This years theme was Rock Star Teachers. Each day they pampered us with Breakfast or Lunch (which was always yummy) and they set out each teachers favorite snack throughout the day to munch on during recess or prep! On Friday they had us dress up like rock stars and the teachers got to play Rock Band during the assembly for the kids! I think I have the best room mothers in the whole world!! Each day for the whole week they would come in for an hour and kick me out to "Go take a break, kick my feet up, call my husband" While I was away they were secretly getting to work for a surprise. Every day after lunch I would come back and find these wonderful pieces of work! Thanks Marilyn & Amy It really was a fantastic pamper week :-)




My rockin A-track class
Me and my little Ash, gotta love this girl! I think I'll stick with being blond and stay away from the pixie.

The Heartbreakers (band members left to right: Misty Hall, Christie Lamb, Christine Mair, Chelcie Christensen). Yes, we did perform live in front of the whole school. Can you guess who was nominated to sing?
The last day of school was really sad. I have really grown close to all of my kids & parents this year and wish I could have them again next year. Scottie always laughs because at the beginning of each school year I always freak out that my kids personalities aren't as cute and fun as my last class, but then I always end up TOTALLY loving them and not wanting to let them go to second grade. I know.... I'm a mixed up teacher.

Little Shelbi 2002-2008

On Wednesday morning I was informed that one of my students had passed away due to a sudden illness. I was so heartbroken to hear the news not only because she was one of my dear first graders, but also because it was so unexpected. Today I attended her funeral. It was such a perfect tribute to such a bright little girl. I too felt as if I had lost a child since I spend everyday with this little girl. Through this trial it is comforting to know that her parents will one day see their little Shelbi again and that I can be comforted through the atonement of Jesus Christ. My prayers are with her wonderful family and hope that they know how blessed I was to have their darling little princess in my class. I love you Shelbi!