Giving Credit

With Fathers' Day right around the corner, I thought I'd give my dad credit for something very special to me. I love my dad and he is amazing in so many ways; he taught me to love a good story and to read that good story with gusto. He also taught me that 100 pages is the "end" of a book and you can't stop/talk/eat or do anything else within the last 100 pages. My love of reading came from my dad! He reads constantly and read to me every single night before bed.

As I was tidying up the house today, I came to a startling realization--I have novels in almost every room of my house. The only rooms I left off were the bathrooms and kitchen (can't count the cookbooks)!

With summer here, I really look forward to reading! I've already finished three books: A Bride with a Bargin by Deanna Gist and Remember Me? and Undomesticated Goddess by Sophie Kinsella.

Mom's Note: I think I would like credit for the 100 pages statement....that was me!!! Since I have "watched" you all read in my house...and not do anything while reading....I decided that instead of yelling at you guys to "make your beds!" "brush your teeth!" or even "just get dressed!!" That I would give MYSELF a break and declare the "100 Page Rule."

YES...your mother came up with the Rule....to save myself from the frustration that living in a household of Readers!! I made the Rule for my sanity!!
Thus...when the statement is Declared....I get to do NOTHING (mommy is not around) until you all finish your books!!

Home Cookin' Lesson: Layered Enchiladas

Often I joke that the WW meetings are like my AA meetings, but the main difference? Alcoholics can/should/do complete stop drinking when they are "on track" with AA! I will fully admit that I am a foodolics, a truly fat child, a food-lover and it would be better for me to stop eating; however, I can't stop eating completely or I'll die! It would be like an alcholic having to have one class of wine, but just one, a day! So it brings me to a dilemma that I'm sure everyone who has ever tried to lose weight comes to--which food to eat, how much to eat, how to fullfil the cravings, and how to pass up on something you really want.

I use to make a big deal about how I lost weight even though I ate out four or five times a week; as part of my renewed sense of purpose and mission #5 (cooking healthy, filling foods) I will begin cooking.

Today, for lunch I was craving cheese (as always) so I decided to make a yummy layered enchilada cassarole. We made something similar at my Tupperware party and I've been dying to make it again. This time, I carefully measured out the cheese and all the other ingredients to make sure I was accurage to my recipe I created on the WW website (coolest thing ever--Recipe Builder--free with ETools).

For 8 points, this recipe creates 6 servings.

Layered Enchilada Cassarole

• 12 oz boiled chicken breasts, shredded finely (I used my KitchenAid Mini-Chopper for perfect little pieces)
• 1 can Enchilada Sause (green or red, mild or spicy, I used mild red)
• 9 small Corn Tortillas
• 2 1/2 cups Shredded Colby and Monterey Jack Cheese
• 1 small can sliced olives

Instructions (I used my handy-dandy tupperware microwave container and cooked it all there, but I'm assuming that it would work exactly the same in the oven)

• Spray bottom with Pam Non-stick spray
• Layer three corn tortillas
• Layer a thin layer of shredded chicken, olives, cheese
• Cover with another layer of corn tortillas
• Pour as much enchilada sause as desired
• Repeat three times (to double the recipe, add more layers)
• Top with remaining cheese and olives
• Cook in Tupperware Cook n' Serve for 15 minutes on Med-High (Oven times different!)
• Sit for 5 minutes and serve

Weight loss Vision

Tonight I attended my weekly weight watchers meeting like normal; however, tonight wasn't a normal meeting. I asked to start over, start fresh with a new book and a new outlook. The first year on WW I lost 80 pounds. The second year of WW I maintained my weight and gained a little back in the last five weeks of craziness. Maintaining 185 pounds is not okay for me; I need to lose 48 more pounds to be considered healthy. So tonight, I begin anew. As this comic says, I am tired of being in the "in-between" which is where I've lived for the last year.

I'm prepared with groceries, meal plans, print outs to make my custom journal, and a new mindset. My body is different than it was when I started at 270 lbs and I must treat it differently.

In my leadership class I just finished, we talked significantly about our professional vision when it comes to education and it was VERY easy for me to develop, write, and implement my action steps to make this vision a reality. I think the concreteness (I know, not a word) of it helped me see the small and big steps to take and made it achieveable. As we learned in class, a vision is a long-term goal projected for two to three years. The mission is the process we take to get there. I will take the same approach in my weight loss struggle

My vision: I seek a healthy lifestyle where obesity is not an issue, proper eating and exercise are integrated with life, and I am able to do anything I set my mind to without consideration of my weight.

My missions: I will not accept maintance, nor rely upon the past. I will stay within my points target. I will journal my food (every lick, bite, and taste) before it goes into my mouth. I will measure and weigh my food because I know it works. I will cook healthy, filling foods for Dave and myself. I will begin the journey to regular exercise.

Arlington Lion

It is official. I will be an Arlington Lion next year teaching ninth grade Intro to Literature for four classes and a reading support class for the fifth class of my day.

We're lions and our color colors are burgundy and gold!

Whirlwind of Activity

Monday has come again and I can't believe a full week has passed by already. I wrapped up the school year with sadness as I said goodbye to my students, my school, and many relationships that have formed over the past four years. I know we're adults and living in the same town, but everyone is so busy, I know we won't see each other often. (To the left: Kacey and Shannon, two of my wonderful yearbook students)

I felt an outpouring of love from my students and their parents when they found out that I'd be leaving Central. Maddie, one of my yearbook kids, wrote me a beautiful poem that I will frame and keep forever. They signed cards, hugged me over and over again, and shed a few tears. Overall, the students took it better than me :) (Below: Nicole and Brianna, two of my yearbook class leaders who have been in yearbook with me for two years!)

Thursday was our promotion ceremony, which was beautiful. Mr. Garcia started the tradition of releasing doves into the air after we ring the bell nine times to signify their promotion to ninth grade and like every other year, when those birds fly I cry with joy for my kiddos. After promotion, the staff had the end of the year party at Mi Tortilla. Parts of the party caused tears to flow (I doubt that there was a dry eye in the place) and goodbyes were said to fourteen staff members (teachers and classified) that will be finding new homes next year. (To the left: Ruth Hutchison, the woman who I aspire to be when I "grow up")

Friday I packed up the remaining of my classroom and talked to a lot of people. Three of my wonderful kids came to help me in the afternoon, but I was finished, so they helped Mrs. Balice and played with Melissa and I.

Saturday I had my last class for my one unit class, then went shopping with Melissa. It was relaxing to spend money :) We went and saw "The Proposal" with Sandra Bullock in the evening. It was, by far, the best chick flick I've seen in a very long time. Melissa and I laughed so hard and walked out talking about it.

Yesterday, Melissa and I went to Disneyland for most of the day. Steven and Brian joined up with us at the Celebration Parade (by the way, WONDERFUL parade) and went on a few rides.

This morning, I interviewed at Arlington HS with Mr. Garcia, a VP, and the English department chair. The interview went well and I look forward to hearing the the official "you're hired" late this week.

Melissa and I are now off to Disneyland to watch Nightastic and the new firework show. Dad and Steven are meeting us there, so it should be an eventful day.

Tomorrow, my plan is to read a book and get a pedicure :)

Sad

Today was sad and I'm sad.

Saying Goodbye, Part II

With a very quivery voice and tears, I told the yearbook class that I wouldn't be returning to Central. It was, by far, the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life. I know it may sound trivial, but I felt like I was letting them down tremedously. I didn't make eye contact very well because their eyes were filled with tears too.

Thank you for all of the phone calls and prayers today after you read my previous blog, I need all the prayer support I can get over the next three days.

Saying Goodbye

I have four days left at Central; four days left after spending four years there. It is strange. I think I began "processing" this as a fact (rather than a hypothetical situation) this weekend and it resulted in more than seven hours of naps. I didn't want to deal with what I have to do...

How do you go about saying "goodbye" to a school, to a staff, to a group of kids? I would be lying if I said that it was "just a job" or if I said it doesn't hurt. My life has been wrapped around that school for the past 1,460 days.

I feel like I grew up in Room 410 and on the beautiful Central campus. I have such a strong support system of fellow teachers that I cannot see myself successful without them. We've celebrated birthdays, weddings, babies. We've cried and supported each other through deaths and illnesses. We've joked and laughed through hours of meetings and crazy twelve-year-olds. We've encouraged each other when testing and pressure from above was unbearable. Most important, we've loved each other.

Although most people wouldn't expect it of me, I'm a crier. I have shed so many tears over this move, it doesn't seem like there should be any more to shed, yet they fall.

Tomorrow, I have to tell my yearbook students that I will not be back for them next year. I'm sure anger will be their first emotion and I'm prepare for it, but tears, oh, they will keep falling if I see tears from them. I know I haven't birthed them, nor seen them grow from infancy, but the last year I've spent with my seventh graders qualifies them as my babies. I am filled with overwhelming grief that I have to say goodbye to them and leave them in a stranger’s hand. It sounds silly, but I've been praying for weeks that who ever takes over yearbook next year will love them for me and give them what they deserve.

I wish there were rules for saying goodbye...

I should be working on my group project...

but it frustrates me... so here is a fun picture of Melissa and I at Disneyland. This was matching red day and matching blue day...

Dreams of Pregnancy

No, I am not pregant.

I often dream that I am pregant before the school year starts or whenever there is something major going to be happening in my life. Usually my dreams center around being huge, happy, and celebrating the life that is going to be born. I often wake up from these dreams happy and ready to go into whatever is coming. According to my dream expert at school, Donna, dreaming about pregnacny is a sign that some major change is going to happen soon.

Last night, I had a dream that I was pregant, but it wasn't happy. My water broke at school, in front of my classroom, while I was teaching. As calmly as I could, I called the office and told them that I needed to go to the hospital immediately. I was then told that I wasn't allowed to leave because no one could cover my classroom. I was told I would just need to wait until the school day was over. I woke up in a cold sweat, panicking that I was either going to deliever in my classroom with my pain-in-the-butts delievering my baby or something bad was going to happen.

I'm sure a dream like this has a different meaning... creepy, huh?

Solutions

Stess has pretty much consumed my life. I joke about it, but it's pretty serious when my hair is falling out in chunks, my eye won't stop twitching, I developed a nasty cold in the middle of May, and I go from being extremely tired to wide awake at 3:30 in the morning. I dread going to work in the morning because of the potential conflicts and drama that may arise because of members of my administration.

All that said...

I believe that I took a very proactive step to eliminate some of the unnecessary stress in my life. Today, I turned in a transfer form with my principal's signature to HR to request a move in position. This position change will mean a change in schools and a change in curriculum I'm teaching, but most importantly, it will mean that I will work at a place where I don't feel like I have to watch my back every moment, second guessing everything I say.

As I mentioned before, my department was going to have an "involuntary" transfer where someone was going to HAVE to move. This works out well for me; I will become this involuntary, and as such I am required to be placed in a position somewhere in the district. It isn't final and 100% yet, but I look forward to becoming an Arlington Lion for the 09-10 school year.

At this point, this move is overwhelming in many ways and joyful in many ways. Thank you all for your prayers this morning; I felt like I walked into the meeting with my principal with God's hands wrapped around me and He was in control of the meeting.

Please Pray

Please pray for me tomorrow morning around 8-8:30 am. I will be having a converstation with my principal about my transfer for next year and I am very worried/stressed/anxious about asking for his signature and his reaction. I'll update later when I know more specifics.

My school is a 10!!

Central Middle School is offically a 10 in similar school ranking. For those of you in education, you're probably aware, but this means A LOT. Compared to schools with the same demographics as us and difficulties that we face, we are the top of the top! Woo Hoo!! For the last three years we've been a 9 and it didn't look like we'd ever make it to the desired 10, but after last year we did it. I am proud.

NOW
754--2008 API
6--2008 Statewide rank
10--2008 Similar schools rank

THEN

678--2004 API

4--2004 Statewide rank

5--2004 Similar schools rank

My previous principal and current VP came into Central and turned it around; by looking at the ten and now numbers it is evident that their hard work has paid off. It has been a privilage to work at such a great school, with such great people for the last three years. Although this year has been a major challange, and will probably continue to be so, it doesn't change that we (as a united staff) worked hard and that hard work has paid off!

We are a 10!

Our teachers are 10s.

Our lessons are 10s.

Our students are 10s.

My project, day two

My mom and dad came up to Riverside after a party in Long Beach, so I had a helper for the next step of my project!! After some trial and error, my dad helped me build the frame for my footer. We had a few issues because of the ROCK hard ground, but the second side of the door became much easier.

Behind us here you can see the frame. After we built the frame, we mixed one bag of concrete in the handy tub we bought at Home Depot. Then another and another. Three bags that we thought we needed for the whole thing only filled the smaller of the two side.

After the first layer of concrete, we added a metal reinforcement and I pushed it down into the first layer. After that, we added a second layer and pounded it down to get all the air pockets off. We sent Dave to Home Depot to get six more bags of concrete (it was his fastest trip ever, twenty minutes flat).

After all the concrete was in, we dug in up?!? According to my dad, we do this to get the air out... but mainly because everyone he's seen "do" concrete has done it. After digging, we flattened it out again.

Here we are with our final product--which has to dry for seven days before I can work on the next part of my project :)

My dad is wonderful!!!

New Project

I had a plan for a new project. This weekend, while Dave finishes (hopefully) the bathroom, I wanted to build the brick planter that will attach to the garage. I started by laying out my plan and figuring out all of the supplies that I need. My goal is to go to Home Depot ONE time for this project.After my plan was finished, I went outside to start digging my foundation for the three layers of brick wall. Reese came to help.I dug and dug, shoveling rocks out of the area and onto the concrete. I was sweating... yuck... There was about three inches worth of rocks that had to be moved... My online, do-it-yourself research told me that I didn't need a concrete base, but Dave says that I do. He knows what he's talking about, but the bummer is that my project is on hold because I need him to help me cut 2X4s into a concrete mold... and then it has to set up for 4-6 days. No finished product for me; Dave must keep working on the bathroom :)

After my hard work, the area looks like this and is ready for a wood frame and a poured concrete base. The indents you see are were the wall will be.

Disneyland

The entire Bennett family is now an annual passholder for Disneyland. After taking Grandma and Dad to Dland a few weeks back, Melissa and I worked hard on Mom and Dad to convince them to spend the extra $80 to make the passes Dave and I paid for, into Annual Passes. Thankfully, Mom decided quickly that it was a good idea. This past Sunday, we went to Dland together (matching in red). This picture is right after mom and dad got their passes. Mom almost cried, but was as excited as a little kid...

oh, and Soaring over California with my mom... hilarious!

Confirmation

This morning in an "offical" meeting, I was told that my position was being cut and if no one else volunteers to transfer, I will be transfered to another school site. I already knew all of this, so no suprise.

Sometime this week or early next week, HR will come and sit with my department (and the math department) and ask for volunteers to move and show the available positions. From there, I will know my immediate fate.

Next Year

I've been asked by many people for an update about my status for next year job-wise, so I figured I'd give it to everyone. Although the "status" of our school changes every single day based on money we have or don't have, as of right now I have a job at Central for next year. I may or may not get to teach Yearbook (the "may not" makes me want to run screaming).

We've been given back our "Title I" funds which amounts to almost $250,000 for just my school which puts back in place many programs that had been cut, including several extra sections of Language Arts.

After the events of the past few weeks, I'm trying to really process logically what I want and what I don't want to do next year.

Huh

Last week, I was told that I needed to improve my yearbook program.

Today, our band teacher (who runs middle school honor band for the district, has 210 kids in her five different types of band, and works from 7-5 every day, including Sundays) was told that she needed to give her kids 100%.

I think someone needs to realize that he has good people in front of him and he needs to think before he talks.

Disneyland with Grandma

We took Grandma to Disneyland. At her 80th birthday party last November, she talked about how much she wanted to go see Mickey. She thought that he sister was going to send her a ticket and she was really excited. She didn't get a ticket from her sister, so we decided to give it to her from Christmas. She was in Riverside for Melissa's graduation, so we arranged to take her on Monday.

We picked her up at her friend's house in Lakewood and took her to California Adventure and Disneyland. The highlights of the day were:

• Grandma wearing mickey ears all day, embrodiered with "Grandma"
• Riding Buzz Lightyear (her score=300) and Toy Story (her score=1000)
• Riding "It's a Small World" and having Dave and Dad sing the song over and over again
• Riding "Jungle Cruize" and having Grandma laugh constantly
• Meeting Mickey and seeing tears of excitment in her eyes as he hugged her and kissed her hand.
• Making it ALL day long :)

God's reassurance

I started the day by writing on Facebook that today was going to be a good, powerful day because I was going to concentrate on my wonderful kids. Yesterday's anger is still there and will probably continue to be there, but my kiddos are the important part and they are the real reason I'm a teacher and at this school. Concentrating on them reminds me that my overarching goal is to be a light for them in the darkness.

With that renewed spirit, I came to school without a dred in the pit of my stomach and without worry of running into my principal. I went on with my business with a smile (real and fake) and got ready for the day to begin.

Right before the bell rang one of my yearbook students dropped by this note:

Mrs. Pfeffer,

You have made CMS worth being there every day for Maddie. Thank you for inspiring her and thank you for being an important person in her life.

Love,
Sandy and Larry (Maddie's parents)

Tears came to my eyes as I thanked God for reassuring me that I am doing the right thing here and that I will be okay.

Anger and Tears

Why is it that a woman's anger is typically followed by tears? We talked about crying in class on Tuesday and more than half of the class said that they wouldn't be caught dead crying in front of other people. Now, I'd love to say that I was able to stop myself from crying, but that just doesn't happen.

I was (and still am) so angry that at lunch today, I cried in front of ten people. I don't feel weaker, I doubt anyone in the room thought of me as weaker...

What do you think of crying in the workplace?

Relaxation

Today was one of the most relaxing days I've had in a very long time. I literally watched three weeks of TV (thanks to U-verse DVR) and loved the ability to sit and do relatively nothing.

Melissa Graduated!

Stressful morning

This morning was stressful.

Overwhelmingly stressful.

It was totally and completely my fault too.


First--Last night I stayed up way too late. After school yesterday I went and received my "salt glow" as part of my spa treatment (more on that later), then went to Target and Walmart, and ended up at home about 7 pm. Desiree came over and we worked on our two assignments for tonight's class. While we were working, Melissa called and then came over with two of her friends to celebrate finishing all her undergrad work (woo hoo, Melissa!!). She came over while Des and I finished our papers. Dave got home at 9:15 and started working away on the bathroom. Everyone left about 10:30 pm and I cleaned the bathroom (tupperware party is Wednesday).

Second--today is the first day of CST testing and I volunteered to coordinate and execute the purchasing snacks for multiple teachers. This morning I got to school at 7 am, hauled cereal for 200 kids for 6 days into my classroom and set it all up for the teachers to come pick it up from the hallway.

Third--I scheduled my parent yearbook camp meeting for this morning at 7:45. I guess when I scheduled it I didn't think about testing, tupperware, Mel's graduation, or anything else, because man, it couldn't be worse timing on my behalf. I have seven parents, my yearbook students, and a few siblings for the 30 minute talk about camp, rules, fundraising and money. The tupperware rep that is running our fundraiser was here and discussed how great of a fundraiser it really is (they get 40% of the sales) and how much money they have the potential for raising. The parents were eager, willing, and wonderful. They left shortly before 8:30.

Fourth--8:30 brought nervous students into my room for the first CST test of the year. We start with Math, so students were extra nervous. I went over some of the basic rules (all of which they already know), passed out cereal snacks and water cups. It is stressful to make sure you're following all the rules because breaking them means tests are invalid.

Overall my students handled the tests well and I had two hours to relax a little from the morning of stress. I'm writing this as they finish 36 basic algebra questions and stress about their little futures. Can I just say that I HATE these tests and the pressure that is put on the kids to do well!! Although that is an entire issue all together.

The week will continue to be busy.

• Tuesday night: Class
• Wednesday night: Tupperware party (you're still invited)
• Thursday night: prepare for all of my entire family to be here
• Friday day: 1/2 sub for Melissa's pinning, entire family gets here
• Saturday: Melissa graduates and her party follows

Then to Now

When we moved in... when Dave demolished the tub... and when we put the first TILES up!!

Our hall bathroom has been a major project--four months into the process, it is finally starting to look like a bathroom. The tiling has been a major undertaking. We tiled all weekend long and it still isn't done. We're still shooting to have the bathroom usable when my entire family comes for Melissa's graduation on Friday and Saturday.

Apple

I just had to show you this--this is the biggest apple I've ever seen. Dave picked a few of these beauties up for me at Vons. I weighed it this morning--4 points of apple right there (normal, small apples are one point, average size Galas are two).

Reality

Let me start this off very clearly. I am blessed to have a job next year. Clearly there are a lot of other teachers and people across the world (including Dave and my dad!) who don't have the opportunity complain about their jobs.

I've know deep down that I wasn't going to be working at Central next year for awhile. I've been trying to prepare myself by thinking about all the positives about leaving, including the main joy of going to the high school level, the possibility of teaching a larger yearbook program, etc... I've even tried telling everyone that it isn't a big deal, but truthfully, it scares me. I like control and the sense of being "in control." This situation doesn't feel like I have any sense of control.

This morning I happened to stop in to see one of our office staff, looked up on his wall and saw the master schedule for next year (who is teaching what, which periods) which he has been working on with the principal. The master schedule fascinates me, so I took a second to look it over and noticed something that made my heart sink into my stomach.

My name was on the schedule, but there were no classes attached to my name. They aren't even planning for me. I then quickly looked for the little square that said yearbook. It was attached to Susannah--she'd do great, but she doesn't want the time committment.

Bummed out, I walked slowly back to my classroom. On the way, I stopped by Susannah's room to tell her that she was listed for Publications, she then told me that Tom (my department chair) had said that maybe Maria (AVID/Spanish) would teach yearbook...

At that point, reality set in. Everyone knows that I'm not going to be at Central, I better get on the bandwagon and figure it out myself.

All day I've been thinking about all the reprocussions of moving sites, changing grade levels, breaking my heart. Stupid things come to mind like, "What will I do with all my Central clothes?" to intensely emotional things that make me cry like, "How should I tell my yearbook kids and will they be okay?"

Worse part? I won't know "for sure" until after May 15th and they really have until end of August to make it final.

Inductee

Yesterday, Des and I went to CSUSB to be inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society. We were selected because we were in the top 2% of the student population. The ceremony was put together by undergrads who are the chapter officers. As I watched them run around doing the behind the scenes work it reminded me of my undergrad days. At the same time, it made be OVERJOYED not to be in my undergrad days :) It is really hard to believe that it in two weeks, I will have been graduated from college for FIVE years.

The officers looked so little and I felt so old... but after the ceremony was over, I got this beautiful certificate to hand on the wall in my classroom!

Des and I graduate from CSUSB on June 21st with a Masters of Arts in Education, Curriculum and Instruction. Woo-hooo! Too bad out graduate days aren't over after that :)

Tupperwear Party!

Who: You!

What: Tupperwear Cooking Party (fundraiser for CMS Yearbook)

When: Wednesday, April 29th, 6 pm

Where: My House'

Why: Have fun, eat dinner, raise money to send my kiddos to camp

Let me know if you want to come and I'll send the invite. Also, if you can't come, but you want to order something, I can mail a catalog. My kids get 20% of everything that is purchased for their camp fees (they are also selling through catalogs).

April Resolutions

I know I'm eight days late, but I've been trying to think of good resolutions that I have a high likelyhood of accomplishing. My track record hasn't been that great...

April Resolutions

• Walk up Mt. Rubidoux four times during the month of April
• Track my food honestly five days a week with the goal of seven days--post points
• Do my Master's assignments at least two days before they are due
• Feel and show "excitement" for students' progress for CSTs
• Try to create a third speed for one-on-one time with Dave (see cartoon)
• Continue recreational activites, drinking water, will/want power, and earring wearing.

Review of March Resolutions

• Every weekend do some type of recreational activity (walking to the plaza, riding my bike around, etc.): 100% success--several trips to the plaza, pet store, bank, good will, FlameBroiler on my bike and feet
• Record and POST my daily Weight Watchers journals every day: 8/31 days, FAILURE... I did lose weight those eight days, so this is still something I need to do.
• Drink two mugs of water per day while at school and more at home: 90% success--made is almost every day of the month, missed a few days because of busyiness!
• Expect high performance from my yearbook students and stop doing the work for them (no more late, late nights): FAILURE, who am I kidding, I am going to be there late even if I do expect high performance!
• Tell Dave how wonderful he is everyday: FAILURE, I'm a crummy wife

Review of February Resolutions:

• Create willpower over food. NEED HELP HERE STILL--as we learned today in the WW meeting, weight loss isn't about will power, but "will want"
• Attend CardioTennis for the 4-week session: sessions finally done and I actually made improvement as I went

Review of January On-going Resolutions:

• Wear earring to work most days. Complete success for three months! Why is this one so easy??!!??

Bunny and Dog Bonding

Both dog and buns know that I'm in charge during our bonding sessions. Reese has fully understood that she isn't allowed to bark or whine loudly at the bunnies. The buns know that they're really in charge.

We've had multiple bonding sessions over the past few days. Reese has done exceptionally well and I do believe that I might have three bunnies very soon :) Darcy and Reese have accepted each other; it is clear by his behavior that Darcy believes he is the Alpha Bun and Reese should do what he says. They sniff and circle each other until Darcy gets bored and he jumps off. Reese isn't allowed control over the situation, so she can't follow. The only agression we've seen is from Darcy and it takes the form of a lunge towards Reese.

Charlotte is a completely different issue. She moves fast and has no desire to get close to the doggie. Of course, because of her quick movements, Reese wants to play with her even more. Needless to say, they've had no interactions in our bonding sessions.

Right now the buns are napping under the blue chair and Reese is laying down looking at the chair, begging them to come out and play. It's pretty darn cute!

Wooohhhh

Why is it that some days seems to drag forever and others seem to go so fast? It always seems like the days that you want to go fast, go slow and the ones you want to go slow, go too fast! I made it to Spring Break, but SB is going soo fast!

Saturday, Desiree and I started our Masters of Educational Administration offically. We're in a cohort group that will be meeting every Tuesday (4:30-8:50) and Saturday (8:30-3:30) for the next five quarters. We are the youngest members of the cohort and appear to be the only ones who've been in school recently. Saturday's class was great, we only have to be there from 8:30 to 10:30 because we took the companion class last quarter. Dr. Jindra is teaching the class and she is my favorite professor I've had at CSUSB. Tonight we had our second class; it will be a lot of work (so much so that I already did my first assignment because I feel a bit stressed by it).

Other than Masters' stuff, I've had a great time hanging out with Tawni and Des. On Monday, I had lunch with Tawni, drove to CSUSB with Des then ate dinner at California Pizza Kitchen and saw "I love you, Man." This morning Tawni, Des, and I walked up Mt. Rubidoux with Sammy and Reese. It took a bit longer than normal, but it was fun.

Tomorrow, Melissa and I will be driving down to San Diego to get ready to go BEACH CAMPING!!

Introduction

I've begun the bonding process between the bunnies and doggie. This cool website seems to have a lot of ideas (dogmeetsbunny.blogspot.com) and after carefully reading everything I could find, I'm willing to make the effort. Right now, the bunnies are allowed in the living room and the doggie is allowed everywhere BUT the living room. Reese doesn't like it and it makes it difficult to spend time with the bunnies because the dog doesn't understand why we are in there without her.

Anyway--they've been looking at each other through the babygate for the past two weeks. Tonight, I look Reese into the living room with a very tight leash. She wasn't really allowed to move as the bunnies jumped around her. Darcy wasn't shy--he came directly us to her and smelled her nose several times. Reese was excellent, she didn't whine, jump, or scare the bunnies.

We'll continue this for awhile--not that you care, but I'll keep you posted :)

Here's the goal (minus the fact that my bunny is BIGGER than my dog)

Dog gone Bunny

We have a new family member. Her name is Reese and she wishes that she was a bunny so she could play with Darcy and Charlotte.

Dave was helping out a friend when they found Reese. She was lonely, lost, and super scared. They knocked on every door for three blocks to find her owners, but no one knew her and where she belonged. She didn't have a name tag on her collar. They called all the shelters to see if anyone had reported her; no one had. Dave brought her home (without permission!) and I was deadset on her staying at our house. The first night she slept with him in the extra bedroom and their mutal attachement was obvious. Over the next few days, she showed how well she had already been trained (house broken, sit, stay, etc).

We went to San Diego for Devin's second birthday the next weekend and she came. Reese did great with all of the kids, adults, and other dogs while there... several people fell in love with her (including my dad)!

Needless to say, after the trip I gave in and decided that she could stay. Oh, was Dave excited! She is his pal; the moment he walks in the door, she gets so excited, but still waits paticently for him to come to her. She LOVES people and really wants to play with the bunnies (but she isn't allowed to yet). She doesn't bark and only whins/crys a little bit when she wants attention.

We took her to the vet this week. According to the vet, she is probably between 1.5-2 years old and is a mix of mini-pinscher and chihuahuas. She weights less than Darcy! The vet gave her several shots and checked her overall health.

Melissa named her Reese because she looks like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and we thought that the name went well with Mr. Darcy and Charlotte.

Easter Suprise

The door alerted them that something was up...

Then they starting seeing eggs all around, questions are swirling around, curious minds are working...

"Man, they are everwhere Mrs. Pfeffer!" "I see one, I see one!!"

Darcy made a visit or two, visiting with students who eagerly pet him.

When they were finally allowed to "hunt" an egg, they found this... my version of scrambled eggs. Each team was only allowed to find one color and inside wasn't sugary goodness, just hard vocabulary words.

"Aww, come on, Mrs. Pfeffer... that's not cool," whin a few inconsiderate kiddos.

"Unscramble the egg," I say in return. They quickly decide that they do, indeed know the meaning and definitions and call me over to see this...

"Yes! Go find another one!" I say with glee... and off they go to find another egg, unscramble it, and get another yes. After egg one, you'd never guess we were doing work... this can't be school, we're having way too much fun!

Of course, because I'm a nice teacher this also followed the Easter Bunnies visit :)