My 2nd Graders' Reactions...

Last week I was finally able to let my little second graders know about my big news. I told the kids that it was time for a writing activity. I heard a few moans and groans and then the fun began. They began copying the letter I was writing on the overhead. Now second graders write at different speeds. Some write extremely slow and others write super fast. As some of them got to the sentence, "I've got great news...my teacher is having a baby!" I heard the following"

"What?"
"Mrs. Mihalek's got something growing in her tummy?"
"Are you kidding?"
"You're having a baby?"
"Who is going to be our teacher for the rest of the year?"
"You mean you're not leaving us? You're our teacher for the rest of the year? Are you sure?"
"My mom got really fat when she had my brother!"
"Can I still hug you or will I hurt the baby?"

I wish I had a video camera of all of their reactions. I started crying because I was laughing so hard. They couldn't believe it! I explained to them that I will be here the whole year. That didn't make a couple of kids happy. The rest were pretty excited. It's going to be a fun rest of the year. I just pray for health, energy, and patience!

We've Got Great News!

Nate and I are so happy to announce that we are going to have...a BABY!!!! That is correct! We found out a couple of weeks ago and are finally letting the good news be heard! I am 8 weeks already! I can't believe it! Actually I can because of all the books I've been reading and how they say I am supposed to be feeling. Boy do I ever feel what they are saying I should feel like! I've been tired and very nauseous! It is so hard to be at school when I feel like that, but I know tons of people who have done it before me. I just keep thinking of the wonderful little baby that is growing inside of me and it is all worth it!!

Nate took me to the doctor today for our first appointment. The doctor asked a lot of medical questions. We found out that our little bundle of joy will be coming on July 14. Great! A summer baby. I can't wait. I know that time will fly because the school year is going fast!

I haven't told my students yet. I am very excited to do so. I think I will be telling them this week. I'm thinking of a creative way. I think it will go something like this...

"Dear Mom and Dad,

Guess what? I have some great news to tell you. My teacher is going to have a baby in July. She is very excited!"

I thought it would be cute coming from my students!

Please keep us in your prayers, especially Nate having to deal with all of my emotions and lack of energy! He is so patient with me. I'm very blessed!

Thanksgiving Blessings

So it has be a long time since I've written. I look at the month of November and wonder, "Where has this month gone?" Now it's almost Thanksgiving and before long it will be Christmas! I can't believe it!

I love this time of year; the weather is changing, the Christmas decorations are going up, and the Christmas music is blasting all throughout the mall. This time of year reminds me off all the blessings that I have. So just as I have my students write about what they are thankful for, I would like to take the time to reflect upon all of my blessings.

I am thankful for...

• my wonderful husband Nate. I thank God that He brought Nate and I together. He is the love of my life and I thank him for doing so much for me and putting up with me! :)
• my family...mom, dad, Chad, Jaime, and Grandma. I love spending time with them and appreciate all they do for Nate and I.
• Nate's family...mom, dad, Anissa, Craig, and Graham. Since the first day I met them, back at Anissa's wedding, they accepted me with open arms. I love them very much!
• our friends...Rich and Darcie and their beautiful girls. Their friendship means so much to us. They understand our humor and Darcie knows what I am thinking before I even say it.
• my forever friend Kendra and her family of course! She always makes me laugh!
  
• our small group from our church...they are such a wonderful group that goes out of their way to help others. Its great spending time with each other and lifting others up in prayer.
• my job. I truly love what I do. I love seeing the faces of my students when they finally understand what I have been trying to teach to them! I love their thoughts and ideas! Kids are truly a gift from God!
• my faith. I am so blessed because God loves me! I love knowing that He is there when ever I need Him. That is AWESOME!

I hope that each and every one of you have a blessed Thanksgiving. May you spend time with family and friends reflecting on all of your blessings!

Halloween Memories

Today was my Halloween party at school, the first big party of the year. I was a U of M football player. Nate let me borrow some yellow football pants from his school and I used his jersey. Sorry, no picture. My kids liked my costume and I didn't get too many boos from the crowd during the parade. One of my students who is a huge MSU fan said, "Mrs. Mihalek, I like that you're trying to be a football player, but I don't really like the colors that you are wearing. Michigan isn't a good team. Haven't you been watching the games?" I just had to laugh! Kids say the cutest things!

I always enjoy looking at all of the kids and their costumes. I can't believe the time and money that goes into Halloween costumes these days! Even the parents get into it! We all just want to stay young at heart.Halloween always brings back great memories. Here is one of my favorite costumes from when I was younger. I thought I was so cool in my cheerleading outfit and my mom even put makeup on me! I loved going Trick-or-Treating around my childhood neighborhood. Our neighbors used to give the best candy, you know the big candy bars. My grandma always made cute baggies filled with candy. As I got older I enjoyed passing out candy. One year I even played my Jurassic Park cd while the neighbor kids came around, hoping to add a little excitement to their night.

Now I am older, dressing up for school and waiting for some Trick-or-Treaters to come to our door. Not much luck on our street. Oh well! It's just another relaxing night at home. Happy Halloween!

The End of Football Season

Nate and his 8th grade football team ended their season this week with their final game against the other 8th grade team in Grand Haven. The teams played at Buccaneer Stadium under the lights. What a fun night of football, but extremely cold! Darcie, Grace and Joy, and I went to cheer on the team in hopes of a victory, but the other team walked away from the field with a 28-6 win. Oh well, Darcie and I are so proud of our husbands and their dedication to Buccaneer football!Nate giving the team a talk during one of the timeouts.

Rich talking to a group of his players.

Both Grand Haven teams celebrating the end of the game at center field. The teams got together at the end of the game for a cook out and talk about their seasons.

This is Why I Teach

My sister Jaime and her friend Lauren came in to my classroom this week to help me with an arts and craft project. The kids LOVED having them in the classroom and immediately swarmed the two of them.

I thought I would let my kids show off in front of the girls, so we played their favorite math game "Around the World". This is the game where two students are paired together and you show them an addition fact and whoever says the answer first gets to move on to the next person. The object is to get all the way around the room back to their seat. Well, I started in the back with one of my students. We've been using our doubles facts when we play. So, one of my boys that I've been struggling with this year hardly has moved from his seat. I showed him the first card and he beats the girl next to him. He then moves on to the next person and beats that person too. Then on to the next person, and so on and so on. This kid was on FIRE!!! His face was absolutely beaming! He was so proud of himself and I said, "Wow! You are doing a great job on your facts!!" His reply, "I've been practicing at home every night! I play the game by myself!"

So we continued to play the game and he kept advancing. The look on his face was...priceless. I had tears in my eyes because he was so proud of himself. I've never seen a kid so happy and excited that he was actually getting the problems right. Well, he made it all the way "Around the World".

As a teacher it is so exciting to have kids excited about what you're doing in the classroom. I never thought this student would work on his facts at home. He never has appeared excited about school, but yesterday it showed.

After the game was through and he made it back to his seat, he carried himself a little higher. He came in this morning with a totally different attitude and excited about the day. His first words to me this morning, "Are we going to play Around the World today again? I've been practicing!"

That is why I teach!

Jaime's Homecoming

My little sister is now a junior! I can't believe it! I remember when my mom and dad told Chad and I that they were going to have a baby. I was so EXCITED! And now she is growing up so beautifully! She is a talented golfer and very smart young lady.

Yesterday was Jaime's homecoming dance. I was able to be home to watch her get all dressed up for the dance. Our cousin Gina, who just graduated from salon school, came over and did her hair. She did a wonderful job. It was so much fun hanging out with her. She is a sweetie and is so adorable! She'll be working in Coopersville soon! I wish I was that talented at styling hair.

My little sister is growing up. I think I need a tissue now! We love you Jaime! You looked gorgeous once again!