Teacher's Helper

Yesterday on my day off, I got to go to school!  Kindergarten that is!  Sergio's kindergarten lets one parent a day come in and volunteer during the morning for about an hour and a half to help out.

First rule: what happens in kindergarten stays in kindergarten; but I can tell you about it generically! 

The kids do 'centers' each morning.  There is 4 tables of 4 children and they alternate to the 'centers' tables for about 10 minutes per table.  My station was the art table!  I had a total of 15 darling kids come up, one table at a time and make a black cat with me!  This allowed them to cut, glue, think about eyes, a nose, and how to place whiskers! Talk about cutie-pies!

When I first arrived, the kids were still in a large group setting discussing a book that the teacher had just finished reading.  Sergio called out clear across the room, "HI MOM!" 
When Sergio was at my Art center making his cat, he really did well!  He listened to the directions and made an adorable cat!   He told me he loved me.... apparently one too many times as another kid firmly told him, 'Sergio, you already said that!"

When Sergio was at the other centers, he was really well behaved.  His teacher also noted that to me.  I was very proud of my little man!!!!!

After centers, the kids got ready to go to lunch.  I proceeded to the copy center to make copies for the teacher before I left.  It was a great day being able to give of myself.  I am scheduled to help again in two weeks.  I do not know how that one kindergarten teacher handles all 16 of those kids at 4 revolving centers by herself! She's an old pro, though and I believe this is her last year teaching.  Sergio lucked out! :)

Happy Fall Y'All!

My front porch fall decoration is disappearing... straw by straw!  :)

She's Crafty!

I went to a stamping/craft class last night at my friend Nancy's. 

We easily transformed a plain basket. So easy to do and can be done with any fabric combination and cute button or adornment.

Handmade card.  The large brown patterned rosette is made by scoring a strip of paper and doing a fan fold and connecting the two ends with adhesive. 

I love this door card.  It was easy to stamp and assemble.  Considering another color door and a more Christmas-like wreath for my Christmas cards this year.

This is a creative fall mini album.  The three decorated 'pages' have an insert that pulls out.  On the insert, you can place a photo, holiday recipe or anything you want!

Signs Signs Everywhere Signs

Dallas: Hyatt Regency, Union Station August 2011

The hotel.  The tower with the sphere is where Wolfgang Puck's restaurant is.

My nice and comfortable room.

The grand atrium!The view from my room.

The Old Red Museum

Dealy plaza. 

George Bannerman Dealey (1859–1946) was a Dallas, Texas, businessman.
Dealey was the long-time publisher of The Dallas Morning News. He used his influence to accomplish many goals but will always be remembered primarily for one of them. He crusaded for the redevelopment of a particularly blighted area near downtown Dallas. When the redevelopment, involving a large square located at the intersection of three major avenues, was completed, it was named Dealey Plaza in his honor. This site became known worldwide when, on November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while his motorcade drove through Dealey Plaza.

 

Something for every day of the year!

My hotel in the background.  This is the exact location where JFK was assassinated.

The white 'X' in the road marks the exact location.

DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit)

Saw this old Dallas High School while on the train to the mall.  Sad that it is all boarded up.

My hotel.

Dallas: A Foodie Tour

I recently travelled to Dallas, TX for work.  Although not overly impressed with the Dallas that I was exposed to, I will say the food was excellent no matter where I went!  Here is a taste:

The first stop was Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse.  I had the famous slow roasted brisket sandwich with onion rings.  That and an iced tea was the daily lunch special for under $8 bucks.  The brisket just melted in your mouth! The onion rings were awesome, the breading was like a thin cracker.

I took the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) to a Dallas mall.  While walking around I tried this Gelato place.  I got a small gelato.  You could get up to three flavors in the small cup so I tried the Dulce de Leche, Banana Creme, and Peanut Butter Chocolate.  OMG! :)

Mexican at RJ's in Dallas's West End.  I had the shrimp and spinach enchiladas.  It came with rice and slaw.  Excellent!

 

 The Butcher Shop.  The fired the steaks in plain view.  I had the garlic ribeye with horseradish mashed potatoes. Delicious!

 

Took the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) one night after class to Mockingbird station and had yummy Mexican here.  It was ladies night and we all got our meals for 50% off!  I had the chicken flautas with rice and beans.  The beans were in a separate dish and I realized that I hadn't taken the picture when I was half done!  Oops!

A little post dinner at Coldstone:  1/2 and 1/2 Lemon Ice and Raspberry Ice.  Refreshing in the 108 degree heat!

Did NOT eat here but had to show this!  Who would eat here? Well if you are over 350 pounds, you can eat here for FREE!  Sick!

http://www.heartattackgrill.com/index.html

The last night, I went up the tower that was attached to my hotel.  (Hyatt Regency, Union Station)  Wolfgang Puck has a restaurant there, 560 feet up in the air.  The restaurant, which is Asian Fusion, is in a sphere that completes one full rotation per hour. 

http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/fine-dining/3917

I had the following:

Salt and Pepper Calamari

Blackberry Lemonade

Green Bean Appetizer

(The only pic of me in the restaurant and it was taken with an iPhone that didn't have a flash.)

Shanghai Style Prawns (Large shrimp in a tomato bisque with peppers and the most delicious butter bread sticks.)

“Salt and Pepper” Calamari and "Shanghai Style" Prawns.

They brought complementary appetizer and small dessert.