Did you see a lot of butteflies today?

The 2nd graders at my school went to Frederick Meijer Gardens today for our final field trip of the year. While I value the experience that these trips bring, I don't necessarily enjoy them. Maybe it's the lack of structure or the amount of time traveling on a bus that makes me queasy. Whatever it is that bothers me, I'm always glad when the day is over. Today was no exception. The thunder and lightning that we ran through to get on the bus and the torrential rain that stayed with us throughout the trip made the trip tricky. Thankfully we were able to see many different species of butterflies during one of the last days of the exhibit.

Is this book really worth THAT much?

I picked up my required reading for my next graduate class that starts this Friday. The professor sent the syllabus in the mail indicating that I needed to arrive prepared with some reading done. I need two textbooks for the course so I had to drive into Grand Rapids to buy them. My jaw about hit the floor when I saw the price of just one of them. I think $125 is an outrageous amount of money, but I spent it anyway. Seriously, when is a book ever worth that much?

How high will the water rise?

Our neighborhood was hit hard by the rain this past weekend. My friend's basement has over 4 feet of water and it continues to rise. A quick trip down the trail in the woods just behind our house shows just some of the overflow. We heard there were canoers in the water yesterday! Thankfully our house is on higher ground and the threat of flooding doesn't concern us. We aren't exactly sure why there is such a problem with this recent rainfall. Hopefully the water level will lower before more rain comes to town!

How loud can you growl?

I had a dentist appoitnment this afternoon. Leah and Elizabeth went along and sat in the waiting room while my teeth were cleaned. They each had backpacks full of coloring materials and reading books. Shortly after our arrival the receptionist told the girls that if they were "really good" they would be able to pick a surprise from the treasure chest. Aside from a disagreement over a book (I can think of worse things) they behaved very well and were able to choose a prize. To Elizabeth's delight there was a tiger mask! Last Halloween she wanted to dress as a tiger, but instead had to settle for wearing a leopard costume because I couldn't find a decent tiger one. She is so proud of her mask that she wore it around to scare her neighborhood friends.

This post is dedicated to all my Wheaton Central pals. GOOO TIGERS!!

Did you realize you didn't "post" yesterday?

Yesterday was the first day since starting this blog that I didn't post. Quite frankly, I'm amazed I've made it this far without missing a day! Anyway, this weekend I took the opportunity to relax and scrapbook in a house near Lake Michigan. It was an enjoyable time away.

What would you rather?

I came across a neat writing activity to use with my students at school. It's based on a game called ZOBMONDO and I found a version of it at Arby's of all places. I asked Leah several of the questions and she enjoyed it so I thought I'd share some. I'm tagging a few of my fellow bloggers to play along too!

Katie @ A Listmaker's Life
Shelby @ Schweri Stories

What would you rather...

Always have to write with your other hand or with one eye shut?
Write with my other hand because I'd eventually learn how!

Walk in circles through a spinning door a thousand times or hang upside-down for 3 hours?
Hang upside-down any day since I'd vomit after the 3rd rotation.

Wear a bicycle helmet everywhere you go or carry an open umbrella everywhere?
Wear a bicycle helmet so I'd have my hands free!

Be the first person to land on Mars or the first one to live on the moon?
Land on Mars so I could travel back to Earth.

Kiss a monkey or eat a bite of dog food?
I'd kiss a monkey any day!

Be the fastest runner in the world or the fastest reader?
The fastest reader

Walk on water anytime you want or fly for 3 hours, but only 3 different times in your life?
Being able to fly would be awesome even if it were only for 9 hours!

Sleep each night on a hammock 3 stories above the ground or sleep each night on an air filled pool mattress floating in a pond of baby sharks?
Sleep on a hammock. I don't have any fear of heights, but I'm afraid of sharks!

Have a jar of jellybeans that never goes empty or a magical stereo that can play any song you want?
Even though I love jellybeans the magical stereo would offer a lot more variety.

Spend the rest of your life in a submarine or in a space ship?
Space ship...the view would be amazing!

Are you being honest?

I truly believe honesty is the best policy. Teaching children how to tell the truth is important, but it can be tricky. Leah and Elizabeth are learning to be honest. We recently read a book called That's Mine Horace. In the story Horace finds a truck and lies about his finding. We discussed how Horace was dishonest and what he should have done instead. Then we all colored a paper that says "I tell the truth!"