Introducing Austin on drums

Austin has taken drum lessons for the past year and half and has learned alot of techniques. He has fallen in love with several songs from the past, such as Slow Ride and Carry On My Wayward Son. He has been "introduced" to these classic songs thru Guitar Hero and Rockband. Anyway, he decided he wanted to try to play Slow Ride on his drums. I have to say he did very well. I had tears of a mother's joy as he played. I tried to post the video clip but it would not complete the whole process. I will figure it out and let you see it soon. You will love it!

Pay Day...at last!

Well, I am glad to see the end of January get here. Tomorrow is payday! Educators get paid mid-December due to the holidays so it has been a LONG six + weeks since we were paid. Then it is bill time...but at least I will have a little bit in the checking account for a few days.

I just got home (few hours ago) from a GREAT night with the Walden girls. Since we completed our Master's, the five of us who doubled planned to go out and celebrate. Four of us were able to go out tonight. We had a great time. We saw the movie 27 Dresses ( a wonderful chick flick) and then went to Johnny Carino's for dinner. After dinner, we rode thru the drive thru at Krispy Kreme for a few HOT doughnuts. It was a great evening and we are going to plan another outing soon.

Cold Weekend

Well, this weekend we are definitely staying in and keeping warm. It has been a very cold day. Actually, it has been very cold since Wednesday. We have had two "snow" tricks the weather has played on us. We thought we were going to get snow on Wednesday night but nothing. The second snow trick was for today. All we got was RAIN!! Cold rain!

Oh a happy note, my sister got snow both times. At least Palmer got to experience snow on Saturday. I am sure he did not know what to think about it. Check out Wynita's blog for pictures.

I am looking forward to another "no-Walden" football afternoon on Sunday. I am still not used to having spare time...but it is nice. I do have a big project at school I am responsible for. I have two GAAs (Georgia Alternate Assessment) for two of my students who will not take the CRCT. The portfolio on each student is a pain. They are due on March 7th with several check points in between. I am not looking forward to it at all. I have half of the work done, I just have to do the paperwork.

Well, our supper is ready. I better go. I baked some chicken. I am trying to be on a diet. I am on the Special K diet during the week. I bought some of the Vanilla Crisp bars for breakfast. They are really good. I also have several of the cereals and I take them for lunch at school. If I could just do that on the weekend.

Until later...

Degree completed!!!!

I just received an email from my portfolio evaluator and I have offically earned my Masters of Education in Elementary Reading and Literacy! WOOHOO!!

Here is the email I received:

Congratulations, Danette!! I have completed your portfolio evaluation and I've sent the form to Walden. I have also included it here. You have finally completed this program!! Woohoo! Walden will begin the process of issuing you your degree.
Start making plans to celebrate!!

I AM SO EXCITED! It is like a dream! I really enjoyed my Sunday afternoon just relaxing on the couch and watching football.

Anyway, I wanted to share my good news!
Have a great week!

Walden Portfolio COMPLETE!

I am happy to announce I just completed my Walden portfolio. I just created my CD to ship to my reviewing professor tomorrow via UPS. My portfolio was not due until Jan 15th but I could not stand to look at Walden anymore. I had to get it done so I would be completely thru. The review process can take 4-6 weeks so I will be anxiously waiting on a response. But until then....I AM DONE!!!

I would scream with joy if my whole family was not asleep right now...it is 11:30PM. That said, I do have to go to school tomorrow so I am going to bed myself.

The Smith family

Here are a few pictures from our Christmas time together. We always have a great time together. My how time flies...

...and here we are as the extended Smith family. What a cute bunch!