Happy Birthday, Matt!

It's hard to believe that twenty-four years ago today, at approximately this exact time, we met Matthew Lyle for the very first time!  It was one of those crazy nights where Sam had rescheduled all of his student/parent conferences for an earlier date because Matt wasn't due until March and everyone knows first babies come late.  Except Matt.  He came early!  So as soon as he finished conferences for the night, Sam, Brita (our social worker) and I traveled up to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids to hold our son!

Happy Birthday, Matt! 

Thankful Thursday!

Tuesday at work, Aimee sent me my schedule, how I would spend my days.  I love it!  I have core math and reading in the morning, followed by groups in the afternoon.  It's excellent!   I'm so thankful to work with such a fun, positive person!

Say what?

I finally got the results of my Covid antibody test from giving blood back on January 23.  I tested positive.  According to the American Red Cross, I have Covid antibodies.  In my blood.  With absolutely no symptoms.  

According my coworkers who quickly went to Google to do some research, they believe I've had Covid.  Huh . . .    

Like Herding Cats . . .

I've been doing MAP testing with kindergarteners and FastBridge testing with fifth graders the past two weeks.  I've also been doing recess with fifth graders, followed by recess with kinders.  One is rather pleasant, the other is like herding cats!  Want to guess which is which?   

Apple Teacher Badge

You'll be glad to know that this week I got my Apple Teacher Badge for "Pages" all by myself!  I actually passed the test on probably my seventh or eighth try! 

A Beautiful Birthday at Oak Hills Elementary . . .

I like celebrating birthdays, but since I'm the newbie at OHE, I walked in to school today with the mindset, "Expect nothing. You won't be disappointed."  The first thing I saw was this:

Yup, right behind that wall is my "office" and in my office were two gifts and three cards.  One gift was from the tutor team.  A gift card to Starbucks.  To me.  Who's never had a cup of coffee in her life.  But they got the chocolate cupcakes right!

The other gift just made me smile.  I was in the lunchroom probably back in October talking to Angela's son.  Angela is our reading corps tutor.  He was having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and I was telling him how it's probably been twenty years since I've had one.  Angela promised that day that she would bring me a PB&J for my birthday.  There it was - a peanut butter and raspberry jelly sandwich on honey whole wheat bread!  Why wait until lunch?  I ate it right then and there!

My other surprise came when I walked into Mrs. Bakke's class.  She said, "Good morning, Mrs. Zupke!" to which her entire class responded, "Happy Birthday, Mrs. Zupke!"  Obviously, they practiced yesterday!  It was great!

Thankful Thursday!

Today, I am ever thankful for my family who made my birthday a special day.  From going out to lunch together last Sunday to the chocolate macaroon bars Micah made to Sam creating dinner tonight, thank you, family!  I love you!