October!

I truly can't believe that it is already October... 8 days into the month, actually! Seems like just yesterday I was laying on the beach enjoying my summer vacation! At this rate the holidays will be here oh so soon! :)

This week was filled with exciting times, and not so exciting times! It started out on Monday night at Raymond James Stadium. It was Zach and I's first time at a MNF game! The Bucs ended up beating the Colts (woot, woot), but we stayed for the whole game and didn't get home until after 1am! That made the rest of the week for me pretty rough. No time for naps to catch up on my 3 hours of sleep night!

View from our seats!

Enjoying ourselves! :)

After school on Tuesday we had a faculty meeting at work, which ended at 4, and then I went and met up with Brittany and Kyle at D'lites. D'lites is a super yummy and healthy "ice cream" shop. They finally came out with a pumpkin flavor so we just HAD to go that day since they change out the flavors daily.

Wednesday after work I came home to check on the dogs, and then went to Zach's JV football game. I stayed until half time and then stopped by Target because it was on the way and I just can't say no when I'm close by. I'm SO thankful I did because I FINALLY found Pumpkin Spice creamer. I had been checking out local grocery store Publix frequently, but that hadn't got it yet... It is seriously soooo delish! :)

On Thursday after school I came home, showered, and my sis-in-law Melissa picked me up and then we went and picked up my mom. We headed to the mall and got manis/pedis (and waxing!) and then after my mom and dad took us out for dinner at a restaurant called BJ's! :) We had a lot of fun and hopefully can do it again sooner than later!

On Friday Z texted to let me know he had preordered my iPhone 4s. I'm switching over from a Droid and I can't wait! Zach absolutely loves his so I'm hoping I feel the same! :)

After I got home from school on Friday... I came home to Kahlua running around crying and Lacey howling in the bedroom. She decided to somehow lock herself in there. For how long?! No one knows. Since Z left Thursday for a little vacation in NC they were by themselves for 11 hours that day. Poor things. Anyway, her freak out lead to this mess... that was fun picking up! The towels hanging on the back of the door fell off... and she shredded our poor trashcan. Siigh!
Anyway, Friday I went to bed early because I had to get up for a 5 hour training this morning. I did end up taking a 45min nap when I got home, but now I think I'm going to rent Something Borrowed onDemand because Z is still gone, it's raining out, and I think I will snuggle with the pups in bed and just enjoy my last peaceful evening. I hope I can sleep in tomorrow.. that would be FANTASTIC!
I have to pick Z up from the airport tomorrow afternoon, and I also have a TON of grading to do! Hopefully next week won't be as CRAZY!!!

-Ashley

Busy, Busy Bees!

Where, or where, have I ... or should I say we! been?! We've been BUSY! With school in full swing for both of us - the weeks are just flying on by and the camera has been MIA at the bottom of my messy purse somewhere. We've done a lot to keep us moving, but I have been horrible at capturing the moments. Oops! Anyway, I have had my phone around the past month or so - so lets catch up, shall we!?

Being silly with the girls one Friday night!

Every Friday afternoon you can catch me at Happy Hour with my "teacher friends"! :)
We are really good at HH, btw...

Britt finally reached the "50 Club" at World of Beer! (That's 50 DIFFERENT beers bought) Justin and Melissa came over and cooked/grilled for me not too long ago! It was DELISH! :) Zach and I hit up a Bucs game (or 2!) .. and we WON!
It has been pretty exciting and Science-full in my classroom!
One week we did marble rollercoasters *kinetic vs. mechanical energy*
for the Science Olympics - two students from my class won and get to go compete at MOSI! :)
Meet Max... our class fish! :) He sits on my desk and is my bff as I work!
It has been quite rainy around these parts... but many rainbows have been present!!
Another fun Science project... Can you light a bulb with just a D batt and a paperclip!?

After lots of exploration *and burnt fingers* - my kids can! :)

My days go by so fast, but so do my nights and weekends! I love my class and I really enjoy teaching fifth grade a lot more than I thought I would! All they really are ... are older fourth graders. lol. :)

-Ashley

Birthday Celebrations

Not last Saturday, but the one before - man, I'm behind my parents took Justin, Melissa, Zach, and I out to dinner at Macoroni Grill. It was a lot of fun getting to catch up with everyone and getting a chance to celebrate M AND J's bday! Melissa's bday iss on Aug. 14th and Justin's bday is Aug 19th - one year and 5 days apart *I won't say that Melissa is older though* lol! Thanks for the dinner, Mom and Dad! :)

On the way to dinner! After dinner...

With their bday gelato! Making a wish! :)

-Ashley

Back to School!

Last Tuesday the students made their way back into the classroom! After spending over a week in the classroom before they got there - I was ready to welcome all 20 of them with open arms! :) This year the school has a under water theme, specifically: Reeling in Success, Fishing for an "A"! Fifth grade has a dolphin mascot... I tried my hardest to get as underwater looking as I could, but unfortunately I didn't take updated pictures of my classroom so you get the 79% finished product! Ooops?! I am enjoying my class - I knew all of them the first day since I worked with/saw all of them last year when I taught fourth. A great group of kids... but I'm still not used to the 5:45am alarm! Ick!! Anyway.. a sneak peek into my classroom!

Door is to on the wall the right of the black intercom box...

Continuing my board...

Above the wall with all 3 of my computers...

This is on the wall with the door into the room...

At this point my library was missing labels... and not all books were put up yet!

The kids LOVE the carpet!

I think I will take some new pics tomorrow and post soon!

-Ashley

Baby, Baby, Baby! (ohhhh) !

At some point in December three out of my 6 bridesmaids called and let me know that they were all expecting a baby and due within a week of each other! Crazy?! Very! Anyway, all three of them have delivered now so I thought I'd post a congrats to all of them at one time!! My bff's Kelly and Ashley ended up delivering a few weeks early.. and my sister-in-law delivered today.

Kelly's baby - We welcomed Emily Dawn on July 31st!

I'm hoping to meet her next weekend... and see her amazing BIG brother Aiden too! :)

Ashley's bundle of joy - Jacob Ryan!

Absolutely precious little guy! I got to hold all 5lbs of him! :)Visiting Jake with Britt!

Leigh Anne's baby - Ansley Elizabeth!

Hoping to meet my niece at Christmas! :)

Congrats ladies!!! I am excited for you all and can't wait to watch these little ones grow up and be apart of their lives! :)

-Ashley

Painting With a Twist!!

A few weels ago I spent my evening at a a place called "Painting with a Twist"! It's in South Tampa and was so fun! I went with three other girls on a night when they were painting "Blue Floral". They have a calendar online that shows each painting of the night, and you can sign up online, pay, and show up with a bottle of wine! The instructor takes you step by step and it was a great experience - can't wait to do it again soon! :)

On the wall...

Part of the studio
My blank canvas - about to start!

Cristina and Stephanie ready to go...

Jenn and I - we taught 4th grade together last year.

Starting...

Continuing...

Mixing colors!

My final product!!

-Ashley

Beach Days!

We've been back from our mini beach getaway for almost a week. Zach isn't a HUGE beach person, but we had a great time! We had clear skies for 95% of the time - lucky us!

On the night of our anniversary I talked my dad into taking some shots of Z and I...

some of them turned out really cute!

Mom and Z talking about something...

Jet skiing on our anni!

Watching the sunset!

Close up shot!

Another shot of the sand..

Take 2!

Nothing like a piggy back ride!

My brother and sis-in-law came on Saturday and we hung out on the beach and went to St. Armands Circle to have some ice cream - the best ever, actually! Can't wait for LBK 2012! I go back to work on Monday - where, oh where, did the summer go!?!

-Ashley