Sunshine Holiday

My family has a tradition during the month of June and it is called "Sunshine Holiday". I never feel quite like summer has begun until Sunshine Holiday. You haven't heard of this holiday? That's because we made it up. I was about 5 years old. School got out and after about a week, we kids got bored. There are no holidays during June except for Father's Day, and let's face it, it's not a very exciting holiday(at least not for kids). So we made one up. The traditions have changed a little over the years as our family has grown, but the basic elements still remain.

I like to dress in the appropriate holiday colors.

Tradition #1: Draw names. You become that persons secret sunshine. When we were young, the holiday lasted for a week, and you did nice little things for the person all week. Things you could make for your person were usually yellow or had sunshine incorporated into it somehow. Yellow candy, objects, drinks, etc. At the end of the week, your secret person is revealed and you give them the "big gift", which is basically a white elephant. My favorite gift this year was given to my nephew Kanon. A gas mask with some yellow on it. I think he got a game too.

Yellow sun hats.

Doesn't Kelly look great in blond hair?

I think I have seen my dad's bare feet maybe 3 times in my life. He ALWAYS has shoes and socks on. Treasure this moment.

Tradition #2: Big BBQ/sleepover. Everyone comes to Grandma and Grandpa's to party. This year we had very excellent grilled salmon at the BBQ. It was very delicious. Often times we sleep in the backyard in tents, sometimes we go camping. Water games are always involved, usually resulting in a water fight. This year we had a giant water obstacle course. Also my mom makes giant bubble mixture which is always fun. White elephants occur at the close of the festivities.

Lots of little boys!

The kiddie pool isn't quite big enough for these guys.

Can't have a BBQ without watermelon.

Jacob is the right size for this pool.

3 Days Left!

That's right. 3 more days and I will have officially finished my first year of teaching. What a ride it has been. This morning I am finally starting to feel the stress lift. Yesterday was our last performance (an assembly for the school) and final grades were also due. Two things which made the entire week fairly intense. Not to mention all of the extra little things happening like turning in textbooks, signing check-out sheets, and end of year meetings. Plus the regular occurances of junior high kid stupidity: I left my project at home, I forgot to bring my concert clothes today, that gum just fell out of my mouth I didn't put it there on purpose, but it was my mom who was texting me so I should get my cell phone back(sometimes parent stupidity), and on and on.

It's not all bad though. Here a just a few great things that happened in the last few weeks:

1. We had a awesome evening concert. I was so proud of them.
2. My students got me flowers.
3. Girls' choir got me a cake that said "Happy Anniversary Mrs. Cox". I don't even remember telling them that it was my anniversary. But it was very cute. They presented it and everything.
4. 6th period successfully coreographed a dance to "Night Fever". We did a short unit on music and movement and that was one of their assignments. It was so fun.
5. No one failed my guitar class this semester! Yay! What a great class. Fellow teachers will understand that this doesn't happen very often.

These last few days of school, I'll be babysitting, rather than teaching. I have a few academics planned, but most classes involve movies, food, and games. Should be fun.

And what, you might ask, am I planning on doing this summer? And the answer is, whatever I want. After a year of emotional insanity, I am looking forward to excess amounts of free time. I have several projects planned (like working on my blog), but I will do them at my leisure. One of the most stressful things about teaching is that there is a constant deadline. You have to have lessons ready for tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day. No deadlines this summer.

3 more days. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Parent Teacher Conference...

It's 6:00 pm, and here I still sit at work. I've already been here for 10 hours and will stay for another 2. It's parent-teacher conference (joy). Actually it's "student led conferences" which is a little different. Because of the altered schedule, I get to stay in my room, and not as many parents come talk to me. This means I have extra prep time, but it also means that I still have to be here. Good thing I brought my book

I work at Union Middle School. Yes, you heard me correctly, middle school. I already know that I'm crazy, don't remind me. I spend my days with 12-15 year olds, possibly the most unpredictable and awkward people in all the world. I teach choir, guitar, and general music. Every day is an adventure.

Home Sweet Home

For those of you who have never been to our place, this is our humble abode. We live just a few blocks from the University of Utah and we love being so close to everything downtown. We have 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 kitchen, and 1 dining room/living room/office/library. It is small, but cozy and we love it.

3, 2, 1, Blast-off!!!

Last year for Christmas, Matt and his brothers got rocket kits, but they didn't build them until a few weeks ago. On New Years Eve, we all went out to Germania Park for the big launch.

Here they are, all in a row. Matt's is the one in front.




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Our First Christmas Together

Our humble tree ($30.00 at Walmart). Both of our families have a tradition of getting a new ornament each year, so it was fun to combine them on our very own tree!

My favorite gift, and I've used it everyday since Christmas. The box said it is the "softest sweetest robe on earth," and how true it is.

Matt's favorite gifts. He carried it around with him all day and learned several Beach Boys songs. I think some of his brothers are coveting it.

Christmas Eve

We usually go to the zoo on Christmas Eve, but due to weather conditions, we had to relocate to the Hollywood Connection, which turned out to be pretty fun. Matt got some great action shots on the bumper cars (he was actually on the bumper cars when taking these shots).
Our nephew Ian (showing his true colors).
Kanon and Rachel.
Rachel and I showing off our dance moves. As you can see, this shot was taken mid-jump.
After that we headed off to the Cox house for an candlelight Christmas Eve dinner, which was excellent. Too bad our camera died before the rest of the evening events. We had a little Nativity reading and singing, and then watched the movie "The Nativity". It was a lot of fun! Then we headed home to await Santa's arrival...