4/29/15.. a very special night..

After the great morning I had... 12 of the Captains from my special SS WW2 curriculum performed on stage at Scottsdale Center for the Arts last night. I was asked months ago to do a residency with SCA and was not sure what it entailed. SCA partners with Arts Integration groups to employ Arts Integration techniques and strategies in the classroom. Last night was the ending event for the year. It was super emotional with many tears at the end.. My students KILLED it .. PERFECTION...people were coming up to them at the reception saying how much they enjoyed their performance. We practiced what we could when we could and John and Gia came back and forth with Sal and I to my school to rehearse with the group after school. It was a tough 3 weeks but it paid off. There were about 500 people in the audience and various schools k-12 performed on stage. Our's was based on the special WW2 curriculum Sal and I built on the European Air War of WW2 .. the Flight Logs via tableau.. tableau is a French word for frozen picture... We chose 4 photos for the students to tableau to very powerful music.. the whole process is called Synthesis Tableau.. The students looked uniformed in their 452nd Bomb Group shirts too! We are so so proud of all of them as they have all come so far in the program and as young women and men.... they are all true leaders now as I can confidently say this curriculum has changed them and made them see parts and gifts of themselves they would have never known. Beyond proud and a night that will forever be near and dear to my heart.

4/29/15... a very special morning !!

The morning started very odd for me... I was told to meet my Principal in the office at 8 am to ride with her to some breakfast at The Biltmore Resort... it was for the AMLA... so I assume something with Language Arts... (LA) . So, off we go... I get there and see many Superintendents from various districts and another Principal I know came up and said "Congratulations!" I of course was confused until she gave me the guide for the morning ceremony. I received an award for the Arizona Middle Level Educator of the Year for 2014-2015! Needless to say I was at a total loss for words and in shock. My Principal said she had kept it a secret for this very reaction I had!!! They called my name and on the screen were sentences about me as a teacher as they read a paragraph about me as an educator and person. I could not tell you what was said because again I was in shock. Pictures are below.. and a blurry quick video... it was a great moment  that I will hold near and dear to my heart.

Dr. Haghighat, my Principal

Ice Cream with Dad!

Look at this big handsome boy enjoying ice cream with his Dad on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon!

Midnight Movie Mania strikes again!

This time the Midnight Movie Mania was "Planes" and Gigi just loved it... John and I were asleep when all this action was taking place... as this photo was taken around 1am! This are just priceless memories.. Hermey had the tickets for this showing.... and he needs to get Mommy a ticket because I think Midnight Movie Mania might strike again Saturday night....we shall see...such amazing times and we can't wait until baby John can join in!!

Out with Dada and a new fire truck!

MMM .... aka....Midnight Movie Mania!

Gia had her first midnight movie mania with her dad. It goes something like this... Gia goes to bed normal time and Sal goes into her room around Midnight with popcorn/fruit snacks, portable dvd player, movie, and Gia's pomegranate juice... Hermey usually has the tickets and Sal collects them from Hermey... this past week the movie was Frozen... next month the movie is Toy Story which my mother in law is sending out for Gia...but this time all 3 of us might do the MMM in our room... can't wait for John to join in...Gia just loved it...a new tradition!

RANDOMS OF THE SWEET LOVES!

Out to lunch with Dada!

Sunglasses at dinner? LOL

Love cake went to see Home!

At the mall with Mama!

Helping cook dinner!

Happy 7 years love! Through the years...

We were just saying last night, my love, it's been 9 years we have known each other and 7 married! Happy Anniversary! Not a day goes by that you don't drive me nuts and make me laugh like no other. I love you with all my heart and soul. You are truly my best friend and you are everything to me. We argue hard and laugh/enjoy hard, it's just us. I love us and like many have said we are our own sitcom meant for one another. I am blessed to have you as my best friend and husband.  We have created and have been blessed with 2 beautiful children also. I will cherish and love you forever. All my love!

BABY JOHN'S 2 YEAR CHECK!

Baby John went for his 2 year check today and all went great! He is 35 inches tall!!! Weighs in at 29.6 lbs!! Good healthy boy!! Our little Italian stallion... Dr. Jaquemart said John is right on target... she told us to keep talking to John and having conversations with him as he is taking everything in we say...he got 1 shot which is good and he took it like a champ. Thank God all is good with our little love and right on target as it should be! YAY for baby John! Next up, Gia for her 4 year in a few weeks.. where is the time going?

Gia at the vet with Fleegals

Little Gia girl went to take Bosco to our awesome vet with her own little Fleegals and got a lesson on how to do a vet check up by Dr. Remen... So exciting for Gia.. Bosco got a clean bill of health and Gia had a super exciting time!

My 2 cuties having a bath!

Easter 2015 The Easter bunny was here!

Time to practice hitting a ball with a bat! 

Sweet face! Bella!

My new magnifying glass to find treasure and collect specimens!

It was so cute to watch Gia and John collect Easter eggs together this year... John was too little last year and to watch them together this year was priceless... whew!! What a weekend... John's 2nd Bday and Easter.. we are pooped over here!!! Great priceless times!