Georgia! and a Question?

The latest package arrived from Georgia! They included not one, but two projects! I have gotten word that many more projects are on the way.  So stay tuned ...

Douglasville, Georgia

Sorry this post is a bit late. We started the week with a snow day ~ mostly we just got a wet slushy mess, which is all gone now. The day off for me was good, because unfortunately, I caught a bit of the flu bug, despite having had the shot. Lucky for me, my doctor started me on Tamiflu right away and my symptoms have been held at bay for the most part. 

A Question????? Please help if you can. I've heard there is an easy way to get pictures from your phone to your blog. Right now I take the picture, email it to my computer. Download and save it, then upload it to the blog page. I know there must be a better way. If you know or can direct me to a tutorial, please do. Thanks!

Officially Goofy

39.3 Miles of Running in Two Days!

After years of dreaming, and months of preparing, our dream of running and completing the Goofy Challenge finally came true!!!!
In the wee morning hours of Friday, January 11, we arrived in Disney World. After some sleep we headed over to the race expo at the ESPN Sports Complex. There we received our running bibs and awesome long sleeve tech shirts (picture below.) We spent a bit of time in Animal Kingdom and then off for an early bedtime.
Saturday we had to wake up at 2:30 AM in order to eat and catch our bus to the starting corral for the half marathon. I was very nervous waiting to start. Each group of runners receives a fireworks send off. We started running in the dark. The route was filled with bands, people cheering, Disney characters and displays. For the half marathon you start running at Epcot, run to the Magic Kingdom and then back to Epcot. At the Magic Kingdom they bring you into the park so that you run up towards the castle right down Main Street, then around the back of the castle, and then right through it! How awesome!

Entering the rear of the castle, just before running through it.
Yes, the buglers were up there!

I had so much energy on Saturday. I kept trying to run faster! Usually by mile 10, I am slowing down, but not this day. My husband kept saying, save it for tomorrow.
Sunday morning, the day of the big event arrived quickly. (I had never run a marathon before.)
Once again we were up and moving by 2:30. I was even more nervous in the starting corral, but when the fireworks went up, off we went. The beginning of the full marathon was much the same as yesterday's half. Which was quite nice, it felt good to run a familiar route and I enjoyed the Magic Kingdom again. After running through the Magic Kingdom we ran a lap on Disney's Speedway, through the Animal Kingdom (several animals were out with caregivers in the park), to ESPN Sports Complex (where we ran on the track and around the baseball diamond), over to Hollywood Studios, along the boardwalk area, and into Epcot. Well I can tell you, I was never so happy to see Epcot before, but then I remembered it was a full 2 miles yet to the finish line. Up until this point we had run every mile (except for walking through water stops ~ both days were very hot and it was important to drink and refuel carefully) and I really wanted to say I had run it all. So even though I felt like I couldn't go another step, I kept running. My husband was great, he kept urging me on. Finally he said there's the finish line right in front of us, and it was there, but it sure looked far away. Well we crossed that line holding hands, arms up over our heads! We had done it!
The medals were amazing. The pictures don't do them justice and they are very heavy.

Race shirts and Medals

I can't believe its over. It was the most amazing experience ever. There just aren't words for it. If you ever think you might want to do it ~ go for it! I promise you won't regret it.

Yes, we were able to walk Sunday night after finishing the marathon!
I will never, ever forget this experience.
Go for your dreams!

I want to end with a very special thanks to my husband who coached me and put up with me through some very long, and rough training runs. Thanks ~ you are the BEST!

Opposite Ends of the Country

Two more packages have arrived ~ one from Mississippi and another from California!

Santa Ana, California

Mississippi

I wonder what the mail holds in store for the next few days?????????

Four More Packages!!!!

Today four packages have arrived. My students are so excited they are practically jumping our of their chairs. They love looking on the map to see where each package has arrived from. Here are your sneak peek pictures:

Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico/Pennsylvania

Texas

Vermont

The First Two Packages Have Arrived!

The first two packages arrived today. One from Los Angeles and the other from South Florida. They are amazing projects. Below is just a glimpse of what's to come. I can't wait to see what arrives in the mail the rest of this week!

South Florida

California

Package Anyone??????

Would you like to receive an awesome package containing seasonal crafts made by children across the country?
 If so come join the fun!
 This is your last chance and... its oh so easy.
 Just pick one craft/craftivity that you do in December, January, February or March and have each of your children make one. It could even be something you made already this year, just have the children make another to send away. Then write one short letter that describes these months in you neck of the woods and tells a bit about what your children do during these months. Next, place 20 of the crafts and your one letter into an envelope and mail it off to me at my school. As soon as I receive all the packages, I will collate them and send your package off to you! In a week or so you will receive the best package ever! It will contain a letter and a craft from each participating school. How cool is that! Use the crafts and letters to teach your children about others around the country. Sounds fun doesn't it ~ well don't wait ~ prepare your package and send it no later than January 25!
Please comment to this post and I will send you my school address so you can mail your package.
Can't wait to hear from you!

Winter Wonderland Exchange, Book Review and a Snowball Fight!

Winter Wonderland Exchange Project:

Wow! Its time. I am very excited to see all the projects. If you would like to join us or have questions just let me know. It's easy to participate just pick a winter project or craftivity, have each student in your class make one or more. Send 20 projects to my address (this will be sent to you by email when you comment on the post) with a short letter that tells about your class, winter in your area, and/or a bit about your project. You will receive back a package with one project and letter from each participating class. As an example: My class will be making a Groundhog project. Groundhog Day, on February 2, is a big thing in Pennsylvania. We may even include some fun ideas for your class to do on Groundhog Day! Another class has chosen to make sleds, as riding them is what they do from January to March. I know those of us in cold climates would love to know what you lucky warm weather folks do in the winter! I love getting mail, and I know our children will be very excited when the package arrives at school. All projects should be in the mail by January 20. As soon as I receive them I will put them together and mail your package to you!

You Are My Wonders 

Maryann Cusimano Love
Satomi Ichikaw

My very thoughtful Sister gave me this book for Christmas this year. It is very touching and was the perfect book to read to my students on our first day back after winter break. It touches upon the relationships and bonds between a teacher and her students. It made me smile and my children giggle.

Now for the Snowball Fight:

Last night as I was looking at blogs I came upon First Grade in Foxwell Forest. She has posted a new product and offered it free to the first 2 commenters. I was lucky enough to receive a copy!!!!! Well one look at it and I knew this was exactly what I would use in school tomorrow. This week we start Dibels testing of our poor students. This game is the perfect FUN way to practice. If you like a little action and fun in your class head over to Foxwell Forest! 

Goofy Training Complete: 2012 A Year Of Running

 Sorry I have been missing, but Goofy training, holidays with my family and teaching my amazing first graders was all I could do these last few weeks. In 2010, my husband and I began our quest to run an event in each of the 50 states. The Goofy Challenge (a half marathon on Saturday followed by a full marathon on Sunday) has been on our bucket list since. In one short week we are about to attempt to conquer the Goofy! 

2012: A Year Of Running

State #6
VA Beach 14K
February 11, 2012

We went South to escape the PA winter. Yes, that is snow on the Palm trees. It was a very large, well run event. The course was flat and ended in a heated field house complete with band and food!

State #7
Long Beach Island, NJ  5K
April 14, 2012

Sprint for Life takes place on LBI a place where I spent many happy childhood vacations. It starts by the bay and runs along a nice flat course. The prizes are ceramic pieces made by local school children. Too bad I am too slow to win one.

State #8
Illinois 5K
August 9, 2012

The fun thing about this one was it was run in the early evening at a small, local fair.

States # 9 & 10
Minnesota to Wisconsin Half Marathon
August 11, 2012

Yes, I know we kind of cheated on this one, but we did run a half marathon and spent plenty of time in both states. I ran a PR this day with the help of my husband! This is an amazing run. A slightly hilly course that runs over the large bridge connecting the 2 states.

While in the Great Lakes Region we took some time to enjoy the sights. I hope to get back there again someday It is truly a beautiful place. Here are some pictures

The UP of Michigan ~ amazing I never would have believed a lake could look just like the ocean.

The highlight of our trip ~ a wildness canoe/camping trip through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota. This is a lifetime adventure if you ever get the chance grab it. It was physically demanding, but the scenery was worth all the hard work. We booked our trip through Clearwater Lake Lodge.

Another beautiful sight in the UP of Michigan ~ Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. We had scheduled to view the coast by boat, but the water was too rough so we ended up driving and hiking. Still beautiful.

The highlight of the canoe trip ~ while looking for the next portage at a beaver dam, I walked up on this moose!!!!!!!!!

Twisted my poor husband's arm really hard and he took me to see "The Mall."

State #11
Michigan 5K and 10K
Saturday, August 18, 2012

Okay so maybe we cheated a bit with Wisconsin and Minnesota, but we made up for it in Michigan. In the morning we ran the Sleepy Bear Dunes 5 Miler. Then stayed to hike and enjoy the dunes for a while. After lunch we drove across the state and ran the Panda Bear Night Run 10K. Sleepy Bear Dunes is a great place to see and visit, but I had a rough run. The 10K went great at night and I had a PR! My husband won his age class!

Sleepy Bear Dunes 5 miler

Alma College, Michigan

Sleepy Bear Dunes

                             Santarelli Memorial 5K
                              Cross-Country Race

                                                        at Lorain County Community College Ohio

                                                                                       State #12

                                                                                     Alma, Ohio

                                                                          Sunday, August, 19, 2012

This was a difficult run for me, maybe too many runs in a row. It was also run on a cross country course and most, well really all, of my running is done on roads. Couldn't believe how flat it was there. In fact it was so flat that the college added a manmade hill to the course!

On the way home from this amazing trip we drove right past Punxsutawney, PA ~ home of the famous Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil!
So once again I twisted my poor husband's arm and he kindly obliged my craziness and took me to see the real live groundhog used on Groundhog Day.

This is where Phil lives, right in the window of the town's library.

Groundhog statues are all over town!

State #13
Delaware 10K
September 30, 2012

Our final state of 2012! A nice run, but close to my favorite Delaware Beach so we did the run and headed over for a beach visit and some Grotto Pizza.

We each ran a mud run just for fun in the middle of all this. If you haven't tried one go ahead and do it they are loads of fun!

My Tough Mudder Husband!

My sister-in-law Elaine made this one a ton of fun!

There you have it a great year of running ~ 671 miles for me and 895 miles for my husband ~ our most ever!
The Goofy in Florida will be state #14. I sure hope I am ready, the training just about did me in!