Goodness Snakes Alive!

This afternoon was interesting to say the least. Remember Larry Batson? He's the guy who used to come to the elementary every year and show all of his wild animals. He had the sidekick guy who would never say anything. Well Larry is still doing the animal shows (his wife acts as the mute sidekick now), and made his yearly visit to MES today. The presentation was going well, my kiddos were behaving well, he brought out the parrot, baboon, gila monster, and then he started choosing "volunteers" from the audience. And yes, you guessed right, I was one of the two teachers plucked from the audience (even though I don't remember volunteering) along with the principal of course to assist with the next animal.

I had a hunch about what was going to come out of the big box under the table, and was hoping and praying I was wrong until my worst fears were realized. The PYTHON was coming out, and I was supposed to hold it. YUCK! Luckily, we girls were in the middle of the 10 foot, 300 pound snake and didn't have to hold the heavy parts the tail or head, but when that snake slithered through my arms, I almost passed out! I so wish I had a picture of the two of us girls nervously holding this snake, shaking in our boots, pale faced, sandwiched between the animal guy and my principal who looks like a professional wrestler.

Of course my kids loved it. I got a lot of "Mrs. Shively you're so brave!" comments afterwards, and an experience that was neat looking back on it, but seriously I was so scared I could feel my knees shaking! The things you so during your day as a teacher... I don't remember a class in college on snake handling!

Goodbye Weekend, Hello Work Week

So...not much beyond the ball diamond has been going on around here lately. I went to baseball games Thursday and Friday nights. Still no wins for the Mohawks, but their coach is down-right adorable! Then again I might be a bit biased. Basically routine stuff otherwise, oil changes, grocery shopping, laundry, and getting ready for the week to come. Hopefully we'll have some nice springlike weather and will able to enjoy some time (and hopefully some wins) at the ball field. Have a marvelous Monday!

Time Flies...

So where have I been and what have a been up to for the last week and a half? I know you've been on pins and needles waiting to find out..just kidding. I'm not that full of myself! So here you go: a snapshot of my life for the past few days...

-School: going back after Spring Break is a bummer, but at least I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Only 3o days left if you were wondering. Last week was interesting to say the least, let's just say one of my kiddos got hungry one afternoon, and decided to make another kid's arm a snack. Never had that happen before, and I hope it never happens again!

-Baseball: Is really in full swing. I went to my first game last week. Widowhood has set in Jacob has 4 games in 5 nights this week, as I write this, and he is still not home from tonight's game, but he loves coaching so it is worth it! Hopefully I'll get to the game tomorrow night.

-Prom: One of the perks (if that is what you want to call it) of having a high school teacher for a husband is chaperoning duties, and we got to chaperone the Prom Saturday night at Indiana Downs. On the bright side, it is a chance to dress up, go out, and we made some new friends in one of Jacob's fellow teachers Justin, and his girlfriend Ann (it isn't all that often we are blessed with co-workers our own age, and even better these great people didn't even talk about getting drunk and how much alcohol they could put away all night long!) Ann and I decided to wear real Prom dresses next year. How hilarious will that be!
On the negative side, how much teenage grinding can you watch (I'm not getting between them-gross!) and rap music can you listen to in one night? I tell you what, back in my day you didn't dance like that a high school dance. I guess I'm getting old!
**I apologize for not having pictures. We didn't take any pictures of us dressed up standing in front of our car like in the old days, but we jokingly did consider it!

-Bridal Shower: Yesterday, I was honored to be invited to Jacob's cousin's Crystal's bridal shower. My mother-in-law went together and she got some really nice gifts. It was a nice time, and I am excited for her wedding (and the other 6 we have to go to this summer and fall!)

-RIF meeting come and gone (I could go on and on on this topic but I'll keep it short): some of you know the financial situation of our school system and those of you in education know how devastating it is to be RIFed, and how unfair it is to new teachers. I was soooooo not looking forward getting a letter this year since we've been in tight financial times all year, but thankfully the school board decided not to RIF anyone this year. Yeah! I know I have job security next year!

-First Grade Teachers Conference: I spent today and will be going back tomorrow to the conference at Union Station in Indianapolis with the other two first grade teachers in my building. It is a blast to learn new things and get a break from the kiddos (Today I got a whole hour to eat my lunch!), but it is so hard to miss school. The planning takes so long for a sub, but it is worth it in the long run!

Hopefully you are still reading after all of that and aren't bored to tears. I'll try not to be such a blogging slacker and will update more often! Have a great Tuesday!

Our Spring Break Road Trip: Day 3

Home at last (after three days at least)! Today was the last day of our thrilling Spring Break Adventure. Today was the least eventful of the previous days, but still an great experience.

This morning after we checked out of the hotel we headed to the Pancake Pantry, near Vanderbilt University. The Pantry is supposed to have the best pancakes in the country, and I will have to agree that they were pretty darn good. They had an interesting variety from Carribean pancakes to Banana and Walnut, and I had the good old fashioned buttermilk version that were delicious. They say country singers like LeAnn Rimes and Keith Urban love to eat there, sadly enough we didn't have any star sightings, but we had a great breakfast!

Next we hit the road for Mammoth Cave. I was expecting it to be the same as it was 15 years ago when I was there, but it seemed very different, surprisingly not as large (you know how things always look bigger when you're a kid?). We went on a tour that was different than I had remembered also, but very cool. It rained really hard all morning long, and as we walked through the rainwater came through the sinkholes above the cave and created a ton of natural waterfalls. The guide said we were lucky to be there on such a rainy day, and to think we thought it would be a washout! It started with 300 steps down into the cave and as we walked through we saw some magnificent nature-made formations. It is amazing what water can form under the earth over hundreds and thousands of years!

Finally we made it home, which brings me back to the here and now. We've got to catch up on the American Idol performances we missed and DVRed (it just isn't the same when you know who gets kicked off), and then to sleep in our own bed. I always love experiencing and learning new things, but I love our bed! Now, to plan our next vacation for the summer. I'm seeing something beachy and relaxing...

Our Spring Break Road Trip: Day 2

Walking, walking, and more walking! That is how I would describe day two of our adventure.

We started this morning on a tour of The Hermitage. This was President Andrew Jackson's mansion and estate on the outskirts of Nashville. We were definitely on the educational tour and got to wear these super-cool headphones to wear to listen and learn about the President and his home.

We decided to take advantage of the great weather today and continue our outdoor tour. We hopped in the car and headed to the Nashville Zoo. It was a good time, we were some of the few people there without a stroller, but it was fun to compare the zoo to others we had been to. The Indianapolis Zoo is still tops for us!

One of the high flying gibbons at the zoo. He was mooning everyone, but our photographer wasn't quick enough on the shutter for that one. What a shame!

The walking tour ended in downtown Nashville. We saw "Music Row", the view from the state capital, and then the Parthenon (the only exact sized replica of the original Greek structure in the world) and went out for dinner.

No we're not in Athens, believe it or not this is in Tennessee!

Only a few more stops tomorrow, then it is back home to the APT for some rest and relaxation. Until then...

Our Spring Break Road Trip: Day 1

**I don't know why the spacing is so weird on this post. Blogger is being very difficult!

This morning we set out for our whirlwind Spring Break road trip to Nashville, Tennessee, and had a wonderful day. We drove away from the APT early this morning hopeful to make it to Bowling Green, Kentucky by 11:30. We were a little worried we would not make it on time (we had scheduled a tour at 11:30 and were running about 10 minutes late), but about half an hour outside of Louisville the time zone changed and we ending up being 45 minutes early. What luck!

Our first stop was the National Corvette Museum, and factory tour. We might never own a corvette ourselves, but it was pretty cool to get to see one put together from beginning to end.

About an hour later, we made it to Nashville. Our hotel is in the Opryland area so we stopped first at the Opry Mills Mall. Opry Mills Mall has 600 stores, yes, 6-0-0. It took a good couple of hours to make it through all of the shops, and we did pick up a few items.

Our hotel was only a few minutes away so we checked in, explored a bit, and made our way to the shuttle bus. We took the shuttle to the Opryland Hotel. If you haven't been to this hotel, you have to see it. It is like a city/rainforest inside a building. In one word: amazing! We aren't staying there, but if I ever come back it will be first on my list for sure!

For dinner we went to the Macaroni Grill. Also a new experience for us since we don't have many of these at home, we will definitely be hunting one out when we get back. We had some great shrimp, spinach, artichoke dip. Yum-o!

So now finally it is time to go to bed. Jacob has the itinerary for tomorrow mapped out, and I believe there is a lot of walking involved, and I better rest up. Until then her are some pictures Jacob took of the Opryland Hotel they don't really do it justice, but it's just a taste...

Just one of the many restaurants inside the hotel.

A couple of waterfalls in one of the atriums.

Yes, that is a river in the middle of the hotel!