Seeing Dead Bodies

Now that title should get your attention...That's exactly what I did on my personal day.

I could not wait for the exhibit "Bodies" to arrive in Omaha. I learned about this traveling exhibit a few years ago when it was showing in Kansas City and wanted to check it out, but didn't find the time to do so. When I heard that it would be within an hour from my home, I just had to go. This isn't something that I initially thought I'd want to bring my own kids along to see, so I had to take a personal day from work. This way the kids would be at school and daycare, while and Andy and I got a day to ourselves. It was truly a fascinating experience and now I'm wishing Tyler and Madison would have gone along. However, at $22 for an adult and $16 for a child's admission, I don't see us returning anytime too soon.

After our visit of seeing deceased people from China, we decided to keep with the "theme" and ate at P.F. Chang's for lunch. Yum!

Actually, we didn't plan it that way, but Andy brought it to my attention after the fact, which I thought was humorous. Incase you are wondering where they get these actual bodies, they are donated to science if no one comes forth in China to claim them. That seems like a sensible way to keep the tax payers from having to foot the bill for the burial.

Since we were eating by the Westroads Mall, I decided to stop in for a quick visit with my brother who works there. As you can see, he was thrilled to have his photo taken. He wanted to know what I'd want the photo for...blogging, of course!
Then it was off to my favorite place....Archiver's. I have decided that when I die, I want my body to be preserved (acid-free, of course) and placed at Archiver's. Really, there is no happier place on earth!!

Spring is in the Air!

This picture was located on the floor of my classroom yesterday. It apparently was given to the boy in the illustration who quickly disregarded it. I couldn't help but smile when I saw it. The young lady in the picture was suppose to be busy at her literacy workstations, but instead is dreaming about her upcoming wedding. While being off-task is frustrating to me, I have to admit it is pretty darn cute....love the tuxedo and dress! Of course, the artist "Molly" doesn't know otherwise. Her response, "Stephanie (her workstation partner), made me do it!"

*Note: Since my 13 year old son has handwriting similar to a kindergartner, I had him write the "fictitious" names. The "I love you!" is the original part of the drawing.

National Scrapbooking Day

Today is National Scrapbooking Day! It's almost a Federal holiday, I'm sure of it. At least, it should be!

For all those non-scrappers out there, I thought you should know a little more about this favorite holiday of mine...

1. National Scrapbooking Day (NSD) has been a holiday for "scrappers" like myself since 1994. That's longer than I've been married, so I can hardly remember life without this fantastic holiday.

2. It's officially the one day when my husband can not complain about my scrapbooking hobby and the rising cost of creating worthwhile memories for our children. My children's children will be thanking me, I'm positive!

3. NSD is also a day when I can truly just think of doing something for myself, without any worries about the daily life of a working mom. No laundry, no fighting, no cleaning, no work... It's all about me!

So, this year, I signed up for a 12 hour crop at a local community college and look.....

All 46 participates received a beautiful rose on their table! I felt very special!

Yippy! I won THIS as a door prize. In case, you don't know what it is, it's the same thing as a tackle box for a person who likes to fish.

No more excuse for disorganization! Someone must know that's my word for the year!

And, of course, I accomplished getting a few of these done as well.

Also, I didn't have to listen to the doorbell ring all day long. Now, that's a silly holiday!

And I didn't forget the sunscreen like my husband did at Tyler's baseball tournament. Being indoors all day = no skin cancer risk.

I was a little concerned about missing these two ballgames, but Tyler promised no fantastic plays on 2nd base or home runs and he did live up to his word! Besides, we have more games tomorrow!

Hope you had a Scraptacular day like I did!

My Unbirthday

Today I am 39.5 years old!

I am now closer to the age of 40 than I am to 39. (sigh) I'm feeling it too. I am even too tired to create a blog post.

However, I did do something to commemorate this historical day. I purchased this.....

It's my favorite cake, German Chocolate. Okay, who am I kidding...any cake is my favorite. It's only about six inches across and made four small pieces, which should make it almost calorie-free. The best part...it was on sale for $3.40 because the expiration date is today. I figured it was meant to be mine, a perfectly, chocolatey unbirthday cake!

I also purchased this book called "40 Things to Do When You Turn Forty" yesterday. I've only read the first page (which did look interesting), when I got distracted by the kids' fighting. I figured I needed the book if I'm ever going to complete this. Funny how I came up with the idea and there's a book with a similar title. If I don't get my 40 things done in time, now I feel like I can reach that goal in my 40's. No more pressure!

Happy Unbirthday to me! It's not everyday when one turns 39.5!

Kesha in Kindergarten?

I don't often share stories of my daily life in Kindergarten, but this one is a must. It happened last week and I am still smiling about it. The names have been changed to protect the identity of my students.

The time is right at morning check-in when two girls approach me prior to doing seat work.

Caitlin: "Mrs. Broeker, Paige and I want to sing a song for you."

Me: "Okay, let's hear it." I'm expecting to hear to a song from the students' music class, when they start to belt out this one...

The girls sing the first seven lines until the "boys blowing up our phones, phones" part. Then they pretty much forgot the rest of the words, but the first half of the song was pretty impressive, I'd have to say.

Me: "Wow! That was some song!" I was a little caught off guard and now I noticed that there are several boys who stopped to listen too.

Dylan: "What does it mean to brush your teeth with a bottle of Jack?"

Me: "Hmmm...I'm not quite sure." Really! I'm not going there with this one.

Ian: (quickly pipes in) "They are meaning something you drink."

I was about to change the subject when Caitlin said....

Caitlin: (matter of fact) "It's licorice."

What's Happening

I thought I'd blog about a little of what happened this week at our house. It's not really worthy of blogging, but very busy with laundry, house cleaning, the school carnival, and ball games (soccer, baseball and volleyball). I don't think we could possibly fit another activity in this month! I guess you won't see me blogging much.

Andy and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary on Thursday. I had parent-teacher conferences, so we didn't go out for dinner until Friday night. Andy spent Thursday night with the kids at Madison's soccer game, which I was very disappointed not to see. Of course, it must be a written rule somewhere, that the game I miss is one that was well worth watching. Madison made the winning goal for her team! (sigh) Andy considered lying about it to me, but Madison's enthusiasm was too much to hide. Good for her, I say!

These beautiful flowers did make my day, even though I missed the game of the season!

Grant and his worms

I had a cute conversation with Grant yesterday, while I was doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen. Grant was helping Andy till up the back area (berm) that's covered in weeds.

Grant: Mom, wook at this worm. Sebastian woves worms. I wove worms too.

Me: That's great Grant. Do you want your picture taken with the worm?

Grant: Yes, it's very swimy (slimy) and wiggly.

Grant: Can I keep it?

Me: No. You have to put it back in the dirt pile.

Grant: I can keep it in my bedwoom.

Me: Nope.

Easter Weekend

We had one super busy, but very nice Easter. Here are a few of the things we did with our three day holiday weekend....

Grant got to hold a real "hamster bunny" at Christi's house.

The annual coloring of the eggs

We went to Easter service, which I only took one photo and it's blurry (of course).

The kids got their Easter baskets full of candy and books.

We had our own hunt in our backyard.

I added this picture only because I liked the colors!

Grant and Tyler decorated Grandma's cake with jellybeans.

AND Grandpa brought his new wheels, his dream car, his pride and joy,

his beloved CORVETTE for Easter at the Broeker's!

Photo time...Tyler and the Vette

Madison and the Vette

Grant and the Vette (Grant couldn't even see out of the car!)

Then our nephew, Xander, stopped by (so did his parents) on Sunday afternoon. Xander's a cutie and is enjoying Grandma's coconut cake. He's really not into Corvettes!