Homer, Alaska - what a beautiful place!

With a few short days before I start my new job, the kids and I packed in a few adventures this past week.  First, we enjoyed being outside as much as we could- the weather has been amazing!

The kids participated in a yoga/fitness camp this past week.  Sister was so eager to teach us - now you try momma - ya right - going to have to call 911 for me to try this pose. 

After yoga was over on Thursday, the kids, my dear friend Heidi and I loaded up the car and headed to Homer for a few days!  Here we are stopping in Girdwood for an early dinner before the long drive down the Seward Highway.

The kids traveled great and the view from our room at the Lands End Resort - was breath taking!

We filled our time with walks along the beach - Bishops Beach was our favorite...

Flying kites on shore of the Homer Spit

and of course enjoying some ice cream!

Brother was tired of being in the hot sun and was looking for some shade! 

With unique finds on the shores and 

a playground with a view like this - Homer has quickly become one of our favorite places in Alaska.  

We missed having Papa with us as he had to finish up his coaching season with state track. However, we can't wait to have him come with us and visit Homer again soon!

Kachemak Bay is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen!
What a fun way to kick off summer!!

Whew...we made it

First, my dear family and friends, I'm sorry for my lack of writing this past month or so.  Life has been emotional and busy to say the least.  I'm looking forward to returning to my weekly updates and summaries of our future adventures.  For now - what in the world have we been up to?

The picture above is a picture of the group of students I took on my last field trip.  Our school organized an Exploration Day - students were given the opportunity to sign up for their top five choices of activities.  We had everything from making organic finger nail polish to archery to savory strolls to hiking.  Naturally, I partnered up with one of my favorite co-workers and we took a group hiking. We talked about survival skills along the way and "what if" situations.  It was an amazing day up to the first false summit of Rainbow Peak and I so appreciate my principal for supporting social-emotional learning days.

The warm weather continued and well - it felt "hot" out at 72 degrees - but straight glacier water out of the sprinkler is a bit chilly. "Momma - can we run through the sprinkler with our towels?"  Why not? Ha,ha...

And - here we are - my last week of school as a classroom teacher.  Hmmm... such an emotional week.  Excited for a new adventure to come, exhausted from all the end of the year stuff to do and then overwhelmed with the love from my students and colleagues. 

All the while - Sister is wrapping up her Kindergarten year!  She had an amazing year and we were blessed with her two teachers.  So grateful for the work these ladies put in!

The next 12 years are going to go by in a blink of an eye and look forward to enjoying each and every moment!

It will be so fun to recreate this image!

And here we are again - 19 different teachers were asked to switch rooms for the upcoming year.  So on top of moving my stuff out - seeing another pereson's stuff moved in was a bit hard to take. 

And just like that - this chapter of my journey was closed. My classroom may not have four walls in the future, but I feel deep in my heart that I will continue to have opportunities to make a difference in another person's life. 

These are some of my favorites from Romig - they took me to lunch after we were all checked out.  Such an amazing group of professionals - that I know I will continue to keep in touch over the years.

And of course - it wouldn't be a kick off to summer without...

Getting a hike in!  This isn't the first of the seasons - as a group of ladies and I have done several hikes already.  But this was my first with just me and the dog up Mt. Baldy.  Teary eyed from a very emotional day - but in awe as I sat at the top and thought back on the past 14 years of teaching.  Many fond memories - many challenges that impacted the person I am today.  

What's next - clean the house!  Good Lord - May is always crazy and with Leif busy coaching track on top of the end of the school year - our house looks like a frat house ... dirty laundry everywhere, dishes not done for a least three days...  After the house is put back together, hoping to relax - a short trip with the kiddos and a good friend to explore Homer, some hiking and then I'll be off starting the new job on June 1st. 

I loved seeing this during this past month.  So much truth - more than I could ever write down...