More About the Froglets!

I went out and took more pictures of the froglets today. You can see they are starting to have color patterns like their parent bullfrogs now... they are no longer just black things.

I was finally able to get a picture of the lilies! They weren't here last year.

More Pond Pics

I went out today to get pictures of the lillies, but they aren't open today. I did see the froglets though:They are getting big and fat! and they were swimming all around. They like to eat the fish food, but we saw them digging in the algae too!
And finally the 4th koi. We thought one had been taken by the birds, but apparently only the goldfish have... we bought 10 and see only 5. They could be hiding, but I haven't seen them! I hope you enjoy the pictures... I also found a snakeskin near the pond... maybe the snake is fishing?

Tadpoles!

We have frog babies!!! here's a picture of a few of them... there are tons! the parents are all gone and the tadpoles are swimming around enjoying the pond. We only see 3 of the 4 koi and 5 of the 10 feeder goldfish.

Boo is 5 years old!

She was born on a Friday the 13th under a full moon! Doesn't she look so sweet? She's our very first Sphynx. I'll post pictures of Suede and Gandalf and our temporary kitty later :)

Frogs in My Pond!

Went out this evening to check on my fish and the new plants I just got from my MIL... this is what I found... at least EIGHT frogs! AND there are eggs! Check out these bullfrogs. We have never had a pond before we came here and we're having a lot of fun with the 4 Koi, 10 feeder goldfish, and 8 frogs we have in our pond. We had 6 large goldfish, but after we removed the net from the fall and winter, they disappeared. I think they were kidnapped by birds and maybe raccoons. We have put in new plants, more fish (less space per fish means they don't grow so big?), and now with all of these frogs... maybe the nasties will stay away.



Last week my neighbor helped me rescue a box turtle that was wandering down the middle of the street. He brought him to the backyard and we released him. I didn't get any pictures of him... but we got a bunch of the frogs... my kids call them Herr Frosh and Frau Frosh... Mr. and Mrs. frog. :)
I hope you enjoy the pictures!

More About Teaching

I realized today why I love teaching. While working at the learning center, I had a student for the last hour that needed some help with his algebra two homework. He was struggling. Said his teacher told him to not pursue a program next year that required that he take an advanced math class. His focus was drama, but he really seemed interested in this program. He was having a really hard time with algebra, but the stuff he'll be doing is probability and statistics! I worked with him only for an hour, but found him very easy to explain things to. He seemed to be missing pieces to the puzzle, but once I explained things he seemed to 'get it'. The light bulb turned on. THAT is why I teach. Watching his face, listening to him tell me that I have no idea how much easier it is now that I have cleared up a few things or put it in a different way than he has seen it before and that now he gets it. He was so excited. I was really happy to have worked with him. I was trying to decide if I shoudl go back to teaching... I've been out of it for a while, I haven't managed my own classroom in a long time and wasn't sure I wanted to. But after helping this kid, after seeing his reaction... I know this is what I need to be doing.

Teaching Math!

Now that we are home from Hawaii and recovered from jet lag... I want to go back! I am by no means a photographer... but really, you can't take a bad picture there! It's amazingly beautiful. My kids are excited about the idea of going to see it. My cousin is closing on a house soon... The initial pictures show a big beautiful home... we can't wait to take over for a little while :)

Yesterday I learned that I only need to take the Praxis 2 and the VCLA tests in order to be licensed in Virginia. Prior to that I learned that I have to get 2 years of full time teaching in (part time doesn't count) in order to retain my Arizona license. I have two classes to take to remove the deficiencies in AZ. So it's faster and easier to get licensed here in VA then try to do the reciprocity. And apparently they need math teachers so desperately that they will hire me while I'm studying for the tests. But I should be able to at least complete the tests this summer. There's a job fair at the end of the month. It states on the site to bring all of your credentials and dress for interviewing, that they may offer contracts on the spot! So I guess I'm heading straight for my kids' school. Yeah, I know that they would like that MORE than anything else in the world (can you hear the sarcasm in my voice???) but it would be convenient :) I could try to work at one of the other schools in their district so when they play against the school I work for I can yell for both :) There are three districts right in the area so I have some choices. I've already put in online applications for the three districts. We'll see how things go.I haven't worked full time in a looooong time. And I'm not really a morning person. But I do love teaching, so I guess I will adjust.

I will still keep soaping. I love making soap. I will keep the business running too. I will just have to manage my time better.

There is about a month left for school for the kids. That sure went quickly! Summer is already all filled up with plans of travel. Visiting with family, a trip to the beach and some golf. We should probably invest in a company that produces sunscreen since we'll be going through tons of it! I have family members that have dealt or are dealing with skin cancers... so I would be a bad girl if I didn't include a link to info on protecting your skin! http://tinyurl.com/4hrqvv

I plan to start production of soap made with organic ingredients. It's not going to be certified organic, but all of my ingredients are either certified organic or grown naturally and processed carefully. The packaging is ecofriendly as well. I found a supplier for some beautiful papers. My molds are even made of recycled plastic! I will be starting with a spicy blend of cinnamon and cloves and some other ingredients. Yummy! I also want to make another batch of Walnut Spice that I made for the holidays, I had a special request for it.

That's it for today... I need to go find sign up for those two tests for my VA license! Have a good one!