Open House – the big extravaganza of the school year

With new contract in hand, went all out for the school Open House – barn in place, cow heads on display, self portraits, draw along pigs, chickens and horses, sheep jumping over  fence, ducks, chicks, chicken coop pictures, students’ puppets on display, their plants, agriculture papers and vegetable baskets, Ron’s 5 million spotted cows on display, student’s cow windsocks, refreshments – applesauce mini muffins and corn bread mini muffins; down loaded hee haw music for the background (thanks to Katie Richardson, sweetie pie 4th grade teacher), butterflies fluttering, mini books by students, classroom books on display, cleaned plastic picket fences….feet hurting, back hurting, total body aches – it was “SHOW TIME” Friday night.  Here are some of the pictures.

butterflies, horses, draw along pigs and chickens

horses and pigs

barn tri-fold facade, big cow and pig, windsock cows, chicken coop and Ron's cow collection

view of the room; cow heads flanking room

stuffed sheep, cows, chickens "behind" fencing

Then we get to take it all down and start a new unit!!!!  Yayyy….”Under the Sea”  weeeee

Mrs. Choy in her wet suit and scuba equipment; mermaid tails for the girls and shark heads for the boys?  All of us sitting in a “yellow submarine” facade?  Making octopus stew?  Dissecting a squid?  Eating calamari that all the students touched?  Fish printing?  The possibilities are endless!  Stay tune!

I’m out of my freakin’ mind.  Must be the 8000 millig motrin.

Down on the Farm Extravaganza

our inspiration for open house

The barn was built by Kevin S’s dad, the paint donated by Quinn’s dad, painted red by Nee Nee, detailed by Melinda, touched up my me and it’s almost ready for photo shoot and bragging.  Now I’m thinking of a good “farm-ish” goodie to make/cook/bake for the night of.  Mom’s Applesauce Muffins and Apple Crisp — Farm Style are recipes being considered.  Can I bake ahead and freeze?  Anyway, American Gothic Mrs. Choy will be ready I hope.  

my goofy class

Easter Liang Liang Choo

 When Easter Sunday liang liang is done right!  Good job, mom and dad and little I!  My Easter was complete!

Easter Break

Lots of catching up to do…on Good Friday, Easter Break began and Bruce and I drove down the coast on the way to Monterey. I was knitting and the weather was overcast but nice. We called to check with Barbara to see where she was since she was going to to end up at G’ma’s for the weekend. We called her when we were by Moss Landing and she said that she was already in San Jose. So we turned around and came back to SJ. Our plans were to kidnap her and mom and go to Race Street to eat oysters. After we got back to SJ, Bruce and Barb had to eat with Mom, while I abstained and then, of course, Mom didn’t want to go out with us. We ended up at Race Street and had fried calamari and oysters and fries. We then came over to the house and vegg’d. Bruce then drove Barb back to Mom’s. The plan was to meet up for lunch Saturday at some Korean restaurant with the kids, et al.
Stephanie said that she was going to go to Carmel Sat for a class and that she would leave at 5:45 to get there on time. I woke up with her, making her promise to text me when she got there and threw money at her, as she left before dawn.
As a result, I didn’t go back to sleep and was in a semi-coma for the rest of the day. I woke up barely on time to go with Bruce to lunch with Mom and Barb. Brandon and Tara weren’t going to make it — both sick again.
We went to Jang Su Jang on El Camino and Lawrence Expwy. It was really good. Giant mandus, the best egg pancakes, great broth and side dishes. I didn’t care for the pork cold dish. Then we left Barbara and Mom and came home. I think I slept again.
Easter Sunday plans were up in the air, but we ended up going to OVCC with Nee and David. Was fun seeing everyone and Iumi and her liang liang made my day. Hana in her Easter bonnet was a real treat too. After church we went to see Barbara and Mom at Mom’s place and that was the end of Barbr’s visit. So if Easter break ended at this point, I would feel that the whole break was exhausting already. But no, we trudged on.
On Sunday, I called the plumbers and they planned on coming to see us on Monday before my teeth cleaning. They had to delay and ended up coming after my cleaning which was scheduled for 2pm.
The plumbing damage would be about $400, with a regulator to be replaced scheduled for Wednesday.
Earlier, I had planned on a DWWDWP day with Pauline for Wednesday, but decided to play it by ear.
Tuesday I went to school to finish painting the barn and it’s done with a just a few touch ups. I bumped my head twice. Also met with Jill and Denise for curriculum and lunch and Michael’s. Wednesday, the plumbers came, and then Pauline came – we ate lunch at Sushi Maru and then went to Michael’s and JoAnn’s and then I drove her home. I got back in time to cook dinner for Tara and Brandon. We had a roast, mashed potatoes, gravy and salad. It was really nice to visit with them and I made them promise no sand ceremony or candle ceremony. Tara said that she’s picked out a dress already. So who knows when this will all take place?
Anyway, on Thursday, I flaked but had to take Sweetie to the injection clinic at the vet’s. All muzzled, and $50 plus later, we came home. Bruce took me out to dinner and we had Tofu House cheegay.
My stomach is still burning on Friday morning and my breath reeks with kimchee, garlic, and Korean-ness. Nee is home today and Sweetie is no longer “snick” “all upset” and in a “weakened state.” sooo spoiled.
So the Easter Break is drawing to a close and it was a nice time, with some stuff done. The pipes are no longer pounding and yelling. My drapes and carpets are still a mess. Bruce will be getting his walking papers and we’re going broke just living.
Phase 1 contracts are coming out Monday — we all have our fingers crossed.
But it was good, fb-ing, knitting, cooking, planning for open house at school, knitting, sleeping, getting my mouth drilled…
Happy Easter Break!