Summer Vacation Rocks!!!

     Ah...a teacher on summer vacation!  What to do now with all this time on my hands...ha ha ha ha.  Ok, as some of you may know teachers are almost as busy during their summer vacation as they are during the school year.  I know that may seem hard to believe...but it is true.  So far I have spent my vacation going to meetings, professional development, visiting my family in Minnesota, spending way too much time at the orthodontist with my son (long story), and trying to catch up on the things that I find a hard time doing during the school year such as reading a whole book in less than 6 months.  :)  My goal this summer is to get healthy, find time for my hobbies, spend more time enjoying my kids, spend as much time outside as possible, and plan for my next school year.  Yes, teachers' brains never really turn off and we can't help but think of the upcoming school year even though the last one is barely over.  One way you can tell that the school year is over is to go on Pinterest and see all of the school ideas that are suggested or that your fellow teachers are pinning.  I love this part of the "school year" because I have more time to allow my creative juices to flow.  I spent the morning with my team planning how we want to structure team teaching next year and it made me so excited for next year.  I am lucky to be a part of such an outstanding team.
   

My family in front of the famous wood chipper from the movie "Fargo"
from our trip to see my family.  Next Christmas Card picture perhaps?

    Up and coming for my summer vacation...a cookout with friends on July 4th, a trip with my husband to San Antonio with my husband for our anniversary, and a family trip to Mishicot, Wisconsin with my husband's family.  Traveling with kids and a dog is always an adventure.  Luckily our kids have learned how to travel well...although I am not sure how it is so easy for boys to "forget" to pack their toothbrush, and the dog loves being in the car and travels very well.  If anyone out there has some great 4th of July recipes or a great packing checklist for kids I would greatly appreciate it.