The Top 5 from April and May...and the Fun continues!

It's been a whirlwind of a spring and time has definitely flown by!  Lots of fun little events have happened over the past two months, so let's get caught up...

1. Teachers and Students....many years later

I have kept in touch with many former students through the years, who have turned into impressive young adults. I was able to catch up with many of them at the wedding celebration of one of my former students, Natasha.  It was so much fun to see these "kids" and talk with them face to face, and to see their parents who were my room moms and volunteers from years ago.

Natasha and I

Josh and Amanda - brother and sister - I taught them both back in 2nd, and 5th grade

I love these "kids!"

 It was such a fun time, and it was a good "pep me up" about teaching.  I had an impact on them and they still wanted to talk with me about the good old days!

2. Carleigh's Dance Recital

She's been dancing since she was 3 and we have been to many recitals through the years! This year, it was  Hip Hop and it was fun to see how far she has come and what an adult she is turning into! The pictures are a a bit blurry. Sorry!

 

3. Katie dresses up...

Katie got an opportunity that she was so excited about in late April. We had our annual elementary school Book Fair, and this year the book fair kit came with a costume. Not just any costume, but a big costume, comparable to Disney character standards. This costume had a big head and full clothes, shoes, etc. Our Librarian asked Katie if she wanted to be the one in the costume. Of course, there was no doubt that she would jump at the opportunity. So...Katie became book character Geronimo Stilton for two days while kids were at the book fair. One the first day, she waved goodbye to the buses as a promotion for the family book night later that evening!

younger students wanting to touch Geronimo

even the 5th grade boys wanted in the picture - they had no idea it was Katie inside

some of Katie's friends - again...no idea she was inside

she said she felt like a Disney Character

Katie's friend Megan knew it was her!

4. Katie's Piano Recital

Katie is finishing up 3 years of piano instruction and has grown so much! We owe it all to her teacher, Mrs. Cox - because there's not much musical instrument talent in the other 3 Rahns.

Here's a video of Katie at her recital! We are so proud of her, she did a great job!!

5. Laura gets to graduate from elementary school!

After 23 years, I am going to middle school! I am so excited and can't wait for the new adventures. I've been thinking about it for the past 2-3 years, but didn't want to really do anything until Katie finished 5th grade. Well...here it was and the opportunity presented itself, and I applied, interviewed, and got hired to teach 7th grade English next year at the girl's middle school. I have been volunteering at the school for the past two drama seasons, during Annie and CATS. I fell in love with the building, and the climate of the school. It's such a positive place, full of exciting things happening. I can't wait to be part of that staff. Lots of fun ahead! Don is happy for me and he is also getting to move back up to teach 5th grade - where he was 4 years ago. Both of us have some changes next year and it's all good!




And here we are at the end of May - preparing for the end of the school year and the beginning of summer. 

Don and I have one last "Microsoft Hurrah" as we end this year of classroom computers on a high note. We will be taking our classes to the Microsoft Store in Tysons Corner to present for the media and Microsoft/LCPS executives. If this is worthy of a blog post, you'll be the first to know. It's been a great year with the 1:1 technology in my classroom and who knows what will happen as I travel to Middle School.

We have lots of fun ahead as this summer is longer than most. School ends for us June 10 and teachers don't head back until August 21.  Unfortunately, we haven't won the lottery, so we won't have any extra crazy vacations to fill that extra time.

Stay tuned for...

• Lobster Day! Every year new people attend, this year....extended family from Slippery Rock, PA - can't wait to meet Lindsay and baby Miles, and see my cousin Blaze again!
• Katie in a 2 week Summer in the Arts camp taking - Voice, Digital Video Production, Dance and Theater classes.
• Carleigh practicing her volleyball skills with two different camps
• Heading back to Emerald Isle, NC in July with my family
• Returning to Walt Disney World for 4 nights in July with Rina and Bubba
• Spending lots of time at home and relaxing....finding fun family "staycation" things to do...

And as you know...the Rahns don't relax like most people....so I suspect our summer will continue to be filled with "Seldom A Dull Moment" events!!

Until then.....we'll see you soon!