Step 3: Altering Design

Three days after meeting with our contractor and we already have a sample design. It looks wonderful! Definitely would never have thought of this design on my own. Now, Brent and I just have to see if we like the design and make changes all over to it, to make sure that it matches exactly what we are looking for. This design is a very good starting point for us. Just to give you an idea of what the contractor has on this proposed design for us to see if we like is sliding doors from the master bedroom, which is HUGE to a possible deck, HUGE walk in closet, vaulted ceilings and so on. I am proud to say that we are off to a good start and so on to step 3 we go: Altering the design.

ISAT

For those of you who are not in tune with the Illinois State requirements in Education, the ISAT testing is coming up next week. AHHHH! As a Third Grade teacher, I have to administer this assessment to my students. Third Grade is the first grade that students are required to take this testing. It is in the subject areas of Reading, Math and Writing. I have been preparing my students for this assessment for some weeks now. I hate the expression "Teaching to the Test," but guess what I am one of those people. There is so much information that the students have to know for that assessment that I, along with other teachers can not help, but try to gear our class instruction to the things that they will see on the assessment. I have been administering sample tests in class, that way the students have an idea of what is going to be expected on them. Testing has changed since I was in elementary school. They now require students to write extended responses in Math. Yes, I said Math. They have to work out the problem and then write in words step-by-step of what did to solve the problem. This is very hard for students. So, as you say your prayers every night from now through next weekend, please say a little prayer for those students taking this assessment.

This testing is a big deal to schools, as well as the teachers. This assessment lets me as the classroom teacher know how well I have taught my students. I just pray that they all do well.

Sick of Winter!!!!

This photo says it all Josie is SICK OF WINTER! Are you?!

Step 2: Design

We met with the contractor this afternoon, who was extremely nice. We discussed what it was that we were wanting in an addition and he had lots to tell us. One major thing that Brent and I did not consider was the peaks of the roof. We have to design it so that the water does not get trapped in a location. I think working with him is going to be wonderful. So, we are now on Step 2 of this process, which is the design process. He is going to make up some drawings for us to look at and see which ones would like and go from there. He said is should only be a few days and we will have something to look at. Exciting!

Demo Possibly on the Way

Brent and I have been talking for some time about adding on to our house. We are simply outgrowing our small house and we only have one child. Our future holds several other children, so eventually we will definitely outgrow this house. After all the talk and such, Brent and I have finally made the very first step in possibly adding on to our house. We have a contractor coming out tomorrow afternoon (Sunday) to scope things out. We are so incredibly excited to meet the contractor and discuss what we are wanting in the addition. We thought that now would be better than later to add on. We are just hoping that he does not tell us it is going to cost us and arm and a leg. I will let all of you know what the contractor has to say.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone enjoyed their wonderful Valentine's Day Saturday. I know we did. Josie got a new movie, cool new shades, her very own cell phone, and pom pons for Valentine's Day and she had a blast with them. She is Mommy's little cheerleader. Go Josie!

We celebrated this day by venturing out of town to see Jessica play basketball. It was a good time, but a long drive for Josie. She stayed awake the entire 2 hour drive there and was up through the entire game even though she was really ready to crash. She fell asleep before we were down the road to come home, but was only asleep for half the way home. This was a perfect trial run for when we venture 6 hours away for vacation this summer.

I hope everyone told the one that they love how much they mean to them. I know I did!

Here are a few photos of Josie loving her Valentine's Day presents.

Tornado

Josie has been given the nickname "Tornado" from her babysitters children. Why? I do not know for sure. It could be one of numerous things. Perhaps it is her liking for spinning around in circles when she is tired and making herself dizzy, destroying everything in her path, or being insanely loud. I do not know but any of these are sure to grant her the nickname "Tornado."

Loving the Ball Pit!

The items Josie wanted nothing to do with when she was younger is now changing. For instance, the ball pit she got for her very first birthday that I was all ecstatic over, she wanted nothing to do with. This made me sad on her birthday, but I just figured she was to young for it. Well, Josie is getting older and the things she likes and dislikes are changing also. She LOVES her ball pit now. A day does not go by that I have to pick up the destroyed basement, because she has had a blast in the ball pit and has thrown out almost all 350 balls. Yes, that is right the ball pit has only 350 balls!

Enjoy Josie's photos of her having a FUN DAY!

Cutie Pie

Josie has learned a new trick this weekend. She has been pulling herself up onto the coffee table now for months, due to it being just the right height to lift her little leg up high enough to pull herself up. Well, she must have just had a growth spurt and all of that baby yoga she does must have paid off, because now she can get up on the couch, chair, anything all on her own. Yesterday, she started to pull herself up onto the chairs in the kitchen. She was so excited when she did it. She claps for herself and gives a little cheer. She looks so little sitting in a big kid seat. So, tonight while I was watching a little bit of the Super Bowl, she would simply come over to the couch and up she would come. Before she would simply ask to get up on the couch, but now no more asking just doing. She did get a little lazy however and pulled her little cooler that she likes to pull up to the coffee table and sit on up to the couch to use as a step stool so she did not have to lift her leg up as much. What a lazy little girl!

Above is a cute little picture of Josie just chilling in the chair rocking. When she is in it she always says "rock, rock." It is cute!