It's Moving Day!!!

The day has finally arrived...Wes and I move into our new home today!  Apartment 421, here we come!!!!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Rain has been the name of the game pretty much every minute, of every day, starting this past Sunday.  So much so, that heavy flooding hit the area yesterday afternoon, actually causing Fairfax County to close their schools today.  I can't even believe it; I heard that the place shuts down when it flurries, but a RAIN DAY?!   Craziness.    

Seriously though.  Here are some photos residents took on their commute home yesterday:

This is actually a road (Rt. 50) that I was supposed to take when driving Wes to the airport from my school in Fairfax, yesterday evening.  Luckily, by the time we were on the highway heading towards the main road, they had closed access.  

Another shot of Route 50.

City of Fairfax Police Car

Red Car - Why on earth are you turning towards the flooded street??  

It's much worse in PA and New York's Southern Tier.  Take a look at some of these shots from The Weather Channel.

In Johnson City, New York. 

Binghamton, New York

PA

Earthquakes, Tornadoes, Hurricanes and Floods.  I think we have everything covered.  We'll take the sun now, please.  

Another Year is Underway...

...and here they are in all their glory:

They're cute, but oh boy have they already tested my patience!  Transitioning from end of year 2nd graders to beginning year 1st graders is going to be bumpy, but we're going to make it!

Sunday Funday in Alexandria!

We headed to Old Town Alexandria yesterday.  Here's what we discovered!

How cool is this coffee shop's menu?  The place is  called Misha's  - super fun!

A look at the Potomac from the dock at the end of the main street (King St.) in Alexandria.  There was a clown making balloon animals to our right.  We decided not to take a picture of that moment.

If you venture off the main strip, you may stumble upon authentic cobblestone streets!  LOVE!

"Elementary, my dear Watson." (When reading, please use English accent)

Our delicious drinks at Two Nineteen Restaurant.   We sat on the covered terrace at the front of the restaurant.  Chris was our server, and he was awesome.

Bike outside of a bike rental shop in Old Town.

Trolley ride back up the street!

Interesting bar/restaurant window display we discovered along the way.  Couldn't help but notice the resemblance of something Wes might venture to wear.  Ok, perhaps the red pants are a bit bright, but mult-colored striped button down, Newsie/golf style hat, Sperry sailing shoes and a beer in hand...c'mon?

Hope you enjoyed our adventure as much as we did!  See you soon!

Wes Gets an A+

Wes took his VA Life and Annuities & Health exam yesterday and PASSED!  He can officially sell you Life Insurance and Annuities now...anyone...anyone??

I guess he didn't realize that the picture they took when he arrived would be placed on his license, so he didn't smile.  Angry Wes.

He was excited, rightfully so; he studied very hard for this test...so, this is how he celebrated:

Juuuust kidding.  This is how he appropriately rang in the big check off the to-do list...

A BIG CONGRATS to Wes!!

Ritz Fresh Stacks = Genius.

Ta Da!!!!

Here's a glimpse into my classroom!  Fiiiiinally, finished...for now, at least.  Wes has been pouring his sweat and tears into the trails; this is where mine have gone...

A look from the doorway.

Looking back towards the door.

A view from my desk towards "computer central."  Five desktops in place and three laptops on their way!

Looking at "computer central" from the doorway.

"We love reading!" made it to Virginia! :) The reading table was setup for Open House today.

Dot carpet - genius.

Calendar math setup to the right, writing and supply center to the left, daily schedule in the middle.

That's right folks - a SMARTBOARD!!!!!  I'm told that having the projector mounted to the ceiling is a luxury.  I am just happy not to ever have to pull down a projector screen again, or drag the Elmo cart out into the middle of the room, attempting to perfectly position it so that everyone can see and kids can't stick their freaking hands in front of the projection. *sigh*

What could be better than a dot carpet and a Smartboard?  A FREAKING COLOR PRINTER (that actually works) DIRECTLY NEXT TO MY DESK!  I almost hugged the Tech. woman when she told me that the grade level color printer would be housed in my room.  And then she told me that there's a room filled with ink if we ever run out...are you kidding me??  Extra ink right at the school?!  I'm in teacher heaven.

FYI, my room is a converted computer lab.  Here's a look at a couple of the before pics.