The week is half way over and I don't have any pictures to show for what I have been doing. Monday I spent the day at school. I really felt like I made some good progress. I had done some things over the weekend and then added them to my room. Tuesday morning was more of the same. I was upset I forgot my camera because I would really like to show the new details around the room.

I spent a lot of time working out an incentive/positive behavior program. I am happy with how I think it is going to work, but we will see when school begins. My Grandpa Al and Grandma Rina came to see my room yesterday afternoon and then I went to tutor.

I picked up Rick from work and we drove to Forest Park to catch the train to Wrigely Field. We had tickets to the Kane County Cougars vs. Peoria Chiefs. The game was like any minor league game I have been too, but the atmosphere was more fun at Wrigely. Plus we met Adam there! Also, our friend Jim who is an usher was moved to the bleachers for the game so everyone we knew were within just a few short steps of each other. The highlight of the game was watching the Cubs and Brewers score as it was changed each inning.

The game was tied in the 9th inning when the sky opened up and the rains were heavy. Everyone would have left except part of the promotion for the game was that if you were 14 or under you could run the bases. Well the rain cancelled that plan and there were many unhappy people. Wrigely has promised a make up day to run the bases. The game is being continued in Peoria tonight! We got a ride back to our car from Jim and then headed back to Lockport!

Tonight Alex is coming over and staying for a few days. I have tried to make plans that will be fun for him and I will be sure to take pictures! The upcoming week is just as busy. Saturday Andrea and I are visiting Gail. Sunday and Monday, Rick and I are going to Wisconsin to see Adam and Taryn. Then early Tuesday morning Andrea and I leave for Florida for our visit with Mackenzie! Once I get back, I have a short weekend and then I start work!!!

I can't believe the summer has gone by so quickly, but I am excited for school and to get back to a normal routine!!

Me in My Classroom

My mom took this picture with her camera of me today next to my bulletin board!

Mrs. Hurckes' Classroom!

Today my mom and dad came to help me set up my classroom! They were so much help and the room looks great so far! Here are a few pictures that I took today!

Looking to the front of the room.

I made this myself out of kites...do you know what it is supposed to be??

My dad and Rick hanged all the posters for me!

Looking towards the back from the door. My desk is in the corner.

The back of the room. There is built in storage. The cow will be surronded by student work.

My mom put up all of the bulletin boards! Another huge amount of help!

The tiniest closest ever and another bulletin board.

I needed to do a lot of laminating so my principal had the laminator brought to my room...it was like a dream come true!

My desk and work area!

Close up of my desk!

Long Time No Blog!!! (I thought of that myself)

Since my last blog post I have been to camp and back, started setting up my classroom, and was able to visit with friends from Ball State! I spent July 12-16th in North Manchester, Indiana at Manchester College. My time there was spent as a counselor at the Student Leadership Institute. This camp is for High School students in Student Council or other leadership positions. It is always a great experience and this year was no exception! I love the campers and the counselors!

My "official" wind blown photo!

My wonderful Junior Counselors (JCs) Josh and Ashlee!

The "Beez Kneez" Council!!! They are pretty much amazing if I do say so!

I got home on Wednesday night! Even though I was exhausted I got up with Rick on Thursday so that I could start moving into my classroom. It was great! It was a lot of work to unload all of the boxes, but very worth it! I spent a few hours unloading and organzing. I went back in on Friday (Rick helped me unload this time), organized, and then met with a couple of the teachers I will be working with. It was great meeting them and finding out some more details and knowing more of what I will be teaching. On Wednesday my mom and dad are helping me take another load of stuff and put up posters and bulletin boards! I officially start on August 11th!!

Saturday Rick and I went downtown to meet meet Keeley, Mindie, and Zack. We met at Union Station and then had lunch at Ed Debevics! It was great to visit with all of them. Keeley drove us back to our house and hung out with us for the evening. Her and I took naps--oops and then we had a nice dinner, a walk, and ice cream!! Unfortuantely, we had some other things to do on Sunday so we didn't get to visit longer, but we are glad she was able to be there as long as she was.

Sunday I went with my mom to see Grandma Mettie. She had her hip replaced and is now recovering. She looked great and is very motivated to heal quickly! Next we went to Grandpa Al and Grandma Rina's for lunch. Always a nice visit and I helped my Grandpa try to set up with I-phone (I am not too savy). Then we went home and Rick cooked a great dinner for my parents and us.

Reading Update!

Completed:
A Beginning, a Muddle, and an End: The Right Way to Write Writing by Avi and Tricia Tusa
Rules by Cynthia Lord
The Luckiest Girl by Beverly Cleary
The Facttraker by Jason Eaton
The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Oh, Rats!: The Story of Rats and People by Albert Marrin
Penny from Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm

Currently Reading: (I have more than usual so that I have plenty of reading for my trip to Florida)
Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters by Lesley M.M. Blume A Drowned Maiden's Hair: A Melodrama by Laura Amy Schlitz
Gossamer by Lois Lowry
shug by Jenny Han

I am also going to read as many Rebecca Caudill Nominees for 2009 as I can before school starts. Books in black I have read and books in green I have checked out or am reading.

Alabama Moon by Watt Key
Black Duck by Janet Taylor Lisle
Black Storm Comin' by Diane Lee Wilson
Blood on the River: James Town 1607 by Elisa Carbone
Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters by Lesley M.M. Blume
A Drowned Maiden's Hair: A Melodrama by Laura Amy Schlitz
Gossamer by Lois Lowry
The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
Heat by Mike Lupica
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Letters From Wolfie by Patti Sherlock
Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Oh, Rats!: The Story of Rats and People by Albert Marrin
Penny from Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm
Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park
Rules by Cynthia Lord
shug by Jenny Han
Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver

Vegas in Pictures!!

I took over 1,000 pictures on our trip so I have tried my best to just pick out the highlights. There are still a lot though. If you want to see more the links are in the previous post.

We had visitors come and go while we were there. Miranda was there for two days at the beginning, Eric for three. Then Adam came for about 24 hours towards the end of the week. Jess, Eliot, Jenna, Matt, Rick, and I were there the whole week.

After dinner the first night we went to the strip and watched the water show at the Bellagio. This is my version of the Oceans 11 picture of the everyone watching the fountains.

The beginning group! Back Row: Eric, Rick, Jenna, and Matt
Front Row: Miranda, Eliot, and Jess

The Bellagio

Paris

Eliot and Jess playing the Wii

Rick's turn on the Wii

Happy Birthday Matt!!

Jess and me at the M&M Store

Me with the Ghiradelli Ice Cream women!

Rick at his dad's favorite restaurant: Denny's!

Rick and I at the Venetian Hotel! You can tell I had been out in the sun that day!

Rick and Me, Eliot and Jess, and Matt and Jenna at the waterfall in the Venetian Hotel

Rick and me with Matt and Lindsay (Matt is one of Rick's RAs from the summer he spent in Rochester, New York and Lindsay is his girlfriend)

ALEX!!!! at FAO Schwartz

Before!

During!

After :(

Rick and Eliot with a showgirl from Bally's

Rick with Teller from Penn and Teller

And this is Penn (and me)

Adam and Rick on our rented boat at Lake Mead!

Hoover Damn

To cross this bouy line and get closer to the Hoover Damn is a breach of national security.

Rick's attempt at water skiing!

This is Matt falling off the water skis. I am only showing this picture because I feel like it is the best action shot I took on the trip! Matt is actually a very good skier.

My turn waving hello!

Rick drove while Adam was skiing!

Group picture in the middle of the lake!

Rick's attempt at diving off the boat!

Rick and I on our way back to the pier.

I was sunbathing just like my mother would!

Our dinner plates (at least some of them) at the Bellagio Buffet!

Adam and me on the Red Carpet at Planet Hollywood. Rick enjoyed pretending to be the paparazzi.

Awesome mosaic tiles on the floor at The Wynn!

Rick, Eliot, and Matt (Red, White, and Blue for the 4th of July)!

And the girls: me, Jenna, and Jess

Rick and me at The Wynn!

Rick and I shared a banana split for dessert on our last night. It was very good, but melted quickly!

The pools at our hotel. The pool on the right is the kids pool and the one on the left is the adult pool!