The Latest from Room 14

5 DAYS. I sure love that the end of the school year is approaching. I love the warmer weather. I love that the kids and teachers seem a bit happier. I love that testing is over and everyone is more relaxed. I love that I can have more fun with the kids without worrying about covering enough material for testing. I love my kids. Here's the latest from Mrs. Simons' 4th grade class, room 14:

Our school had an open house last Saturday to help with their enrollment numbers. They sent out 3,100 flyers and...drum roll please...30 people came. Yikes. I literally sat in my room for 2 hours listening to one of my current students tell me about his grandma, his favorite movie, the one time his finger got stuck in the stairs, and who knows what else. We bonded. Miraculously, we did have about 10 kindergartners enroll for next year, so they are calling it a success! To prepare for the open house, I had each one of my students draw a self-portrait and then I taped it to the edge of their desks so it looked like they were all sitting there. They turned out so cute.

We just finished up our big end-of-year project to go along with our study of Utah's physical features. The kids each made a batch of salt dough and brought it to school. We spent about a week making salt dough maps of Utah, painting them, and finally labeling them. It was A LOT and I was completely exhausted by the end of each day, but it was totally worth it to see their happy faces and to have something for them to take home that they made and are proud of. Kids need to feel successful. They maps turned out pretty well and I was plum proud! Props to my mom for doing this project every. single. year. 

Robbie came to visit the kids/help with P.E. on Friday. It made my heart so happy to watch him with them, and to see how much they loved having them there. We went outside and played a great game of kickball. He spent some time in our classroom as well, just sitting in the corner. I loved looking back at him and smiling when one of the kids said something hilarious. They're funny usually, but they like to put on a show when visitors come. He stayed after school and helped me grade some papers. He even wrote each of them a little note and signed as "Mr. Simons." They'll love it.

In the month of May, I love to do a kindness challenge with my students. We talk about being kind, memorize a poem about it, and set a goal for how many acts of kindness they think they can do by the end of the year. They come in each day and write down what they did in a little journal and then put a sticker on a chart. This year, they set a goal for 30 and they are currently at 86!!! I'm so proud of them. We're reaching for 100 in the next few days! Some of my favorite acts they've recorded are:

• I took a shower without being asked.
• I massaged my mom's feet.
• I gave my dog food.
• I helped my cousin with his chicken.
• I helped my mom feel better because her ear was hurting.
• I opened up the door at the restaurant for a man with a broken leg.

They're just the sweetest kids.

Here's to 5 more days! Huzzah!

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday, Robbie! I would say that I've loved thinking about him the past few days leading up to his birthday, but let's be honest...I think about him all of the time. I have every reason to be happy because he is mine. I love celebrating his life and the fact that I get to be a part of it. He is such a good person.

He's had pretty much the best year ever: our wedding, a new niece, two new sister-in-laws, graduation from BYU, more exciting responsibilities at work, etc. And he still wants a Wii U? :)

Live long and prosper, babe.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! One of the greatest blessings in my life will always be that my mother is my best friend. Because I grew up with four brothers and no sisters, my mom filled the role of mom, sister, and best friend. I was probably a little too attached to her when I younger (running after her screaming as she drove away down the road), but it was just because I loved her and felt safe and secure when she was there. My mom has a fierce dedication to her role as a mother. She knows it is a divine calling and has always, no matter what, put her family first. One thing she does that means the world to me is that she will always answer my phone call, even if she is in the middle of teaching. She knows teaching is important, but she also knows her kids are even more important. It may seem like a small thing, but it says volumes about what kind of mother she is.

I'll be honest in saying that it has been an adjustment getting married and not talking to my mom as much anymore. I know it is a necessary change, and I love that I now tell Robbie everything, but I will never get sick of chatting with my mom. Because she raised me, she knows me in a way that no one else does.

My mother is compassionate, dedicated, kind, faithful, talented, thoughtful, hilarious, and has more self-control than anyone I know. I sure love this woman. I'm so excited to be a mother someday and draw from her amazing example.

Mom with her sister, Lana

I couldn't end this post without a shout out to my mother-in-law, Dayna, who raised the most kind and wonderful son. She has took me in as one of her own and I love her for it.