Something that made my day...

Here's hoping Brandon Crawfod get's called up to the Giant's in September...Shout out to Matt for getting me the personalized ball...

Grizzlies!

Last Saturday the Costa's joined J and I at the Grizzlie's game. We, of course, started the night at Doghouse, wouldn't be a weekend if we weren't there at least once! We knew that Billy Crystal was filming a movie about a baseball announcer at Chuckansi Park but we had no clue it would be so packed! We never have trouble parking at a game, we actually had to wait in a line of cars! Our friend Matt is the Grizzlie's official score keeper so he hooked up the 600 Club (which ended up being a suite), and he even got me an autographed Andres Torres and Pat Burrell ball, and a up close look at Billy Crystal! Not to mention the personalized autographed ball from Brandon Crawford that he got for me Sunday night! Thanks Matt! Pat Burrell, one of my favorite Giant's players was rehabing in Fresno, so I got to watch him, Andres was their the night before but went back up, bummer. The kids were so good, McKenzie hung in there until 10pm...rockstar, Brady ended up crashing on the couch. Thanks for a fun weekend Heather, Jamie, Brady and McKenzie. We can't wait to spend more time with you this weekend...Paso here we come!

Doghouse, isn't he handsome?

Too cute

Sweetest girl I know

Love my Vistoria's Secret Giants shirts!
The Boys

Not better looking baseball player around...

Hugs, Annie & J

Back to school, back to school...

Indeed. Week 1 is done, hello, goodbye. I survived. Today was the start of week 2 and I was pleasantly surprised that my students didn't forget that we line up in straight, quiet lines, put our homework on our desk first thing and put in a pin if we are hot lunch. Bam, they aced it! Last week was exhausting, week 2 won't be any different. I love it, it is so great to be back in the routine I am used to, surrounded by my colleagues, motivated by my students. Yup, they motivate me, to teach them more, take them farther, dig deeper. It is hard to believe I am starting my 6th year as a teacher, time has flown by. What I can believe is how much these kids have taught me. As I reflect back on my first year teaching it is a trip to see where I have come. First off, I was teaching kindergarten, the little kids who need help wiping their nose, and now I am teaching 6th grade, the big kids, who know that saying they have to wipe their nose is just an excuse to get out of their desk. I went from teaching phonics to reading novels, from counting beans to teaching geometry. My first year I didn't understand the full potential I had to make in a child's life, even if it is just one. I didn't understand that God had put me in a place where I could make a difference. Now I do, I have a renewed sense of being a "teacher." Yes, I strive for phenominal test scores, yes, I strive for growth, I strive to teach discipline, I strive to teach respect, but more than anything, I strive to make sure every child knows that I care about them, that they can and are going to amount to something. There are days I'm frustrated, days I have tears, days I don't want to go back to work. But there will never be a day when I give up on my students, I will simply take a deep breath, compose myself and keep fulfilling my purpose. When I left my classroom today I was satisfied, I couldn't help but smile knowing that every day I get to live out my purpose, I get to pour out love while surrounded by 35 diverse students who have different needs, different opinions and life experiences, I get to learn something new from each and every one of them and I get to teach with a staff who shares the same goal and purpose as me. This year my students will challenge me on many levels, I will challenge them, we will grow together, laugh together, and fail together. I can't wait. I am thankful for another year to touch lives, my prayer is that I can fulfill God's purpose, to love each and every one of his precious creations. I am in disbelief that He has trusted me with these angels, what an honor. How lucky am I?

Here is my finished classroom...it will look so much better with student work on the walls!

Hugs, Annie

My "lovebomb" sheet, love the quote...so true

Had to share this, the empty jar is filling up, love to see them lifting each other up!

My history wall, student work to come
Front of the room...those are cococuts and it says "Room 22 is on a Safari for Success"Writing wall...LOVE the animal print scrapbook paper!

"Reaching High" on giraffe print paper...get it? This is the students area, they can touch anything here...

View of another wall...

There desk on the first day of school, LOVE their folders, the scrapbook paper again! Bulletin Boards waiting to be filled with student work, the ancient civilization posters will work for now...

My space, pictures of my friends, family and students, it keeps me sane :)

Hello World

Carter Patricio was born on Monday, August 15th at 8:28am and he is beautiful and perfect! I have been so lucky to spend the last 9 months going on girls dates with Christina and watching Carter grow in her belly, it is surreal to now hold him in my arms! Christina is the most postitive person, she never strayed from that attitude during her pregnancy. Now that Carter is here, her attitude is still the same, positive. She had a smile on her face during my whole visit today, she has adjusted well and is glowing with happiness. I loved every second I held Carter in my arms, his sweet baby smell and little grunts melted my heart, he even opened his eyes a couple times! I am so happy for Christina and Blake and their little bundle of joy. They are going to be fantastic parents and I can't wait to be by their sides the whole way through.

Carter-Thank you for melting my heart today. I loved holding you in my arms. You have the best mommy and daddy, you are only lucky little guy. I can't wait to watch you grow up, I know your first birthday will be here before we know it! You are a true miracle, a gift from God, a blessing to so many! Welcome to the world Carter! We love you!

The beautiful Christina and her baby boy, CarterIsn't he handsome... Love this boy!

Hugs, Annie & J

Kirtie's Last Shower...

Yup, last Saturday was Kirtie's last shower before her big wedding day! Some of her bridesmaids planned a lingerie shower in her honor. It was so fun and festive, all things girly, yummy food, champagne, delicious desserts, limos, and a girls night out! These girls always know how to have a good time, it is so wonderful to watch Kirtie smile from ear to ear because all her girls are in one room! The big day is just a couple weeks away, I can hardly wait!

The dessert and champagne tableSprinkles CupcakesCake pops and cute, crafty standPersonalized Champagne Glasses Love these girls to the moon and back!Hugs, Annie

Papi's in Santa Cruz

Last week the whole Papi family, all 21 of us, headed to the Dream Inn in Santa Cruz for the week! This could not have been a better end to my summer, this was the last hurrah before it is back to work. We spent the week in the PERFECT 70 degree weather relaxing by the pool, playing bocce ball on the sand, swimming with the kids, shopping downtown, eating on the wharf, playing miniature golf, eating breakfast at the Walnut Ave. Cafe, wrapping up the night with ice cream on the boardwalk and much, much more. There is something so special about having your whole family together in one place, creating memories that will be reminicsed about over and over. These are days that we can't get back and spending them together at the beach, where everyone can relax and forget their worries, is just what every family needs! I have married into the most amazing family, they know how to laugh, how to encourage, support, and how to have a good time! I loved laying out by the pool and talking about life with Ann, Katie, Lisa, Michelle, Peg and Margo. It is just too often that our busy days pass by and our conversations turn into the surface level exchanges, so it was nice to know we had all the time in the world to discuss our classrooms, goals, shopping, families and even things as silly as The Bachelorette! I also loved listening to the kids laughter, the boys argue over bocce ball, and watching noni smile as she watched her beautiful family. We left Santa Cruz an even closer family and I am so thankful they have embraced me, loved me and made me feel like I have been a part of their family forever! Can't wait for the next Papi vacay...here are just some pictures, there were so many I would have loved to snap but I had to choose fun or camera?Katie and Logan at Ideal Handsome boys...Nicholas and Luke (loved the face)
Look what Lincoln found and I snapped before it was taken away...
Jason, Travis and A.J. Beautiful Lisa and her handsome son, LincolnHannah found a table for her ice cream!Love this face!
Best FriendsJason throwing a baseball...this was intenseBoardwalk
Kids shopping dowtown
J and I had to ride back in the trunk of the car, too many people and shopping bags!Me, Jason, Ken, Peg and MichelleNoni with her two boysWater looks so pretty!
The Castro FamilyMy wonderful In-Laws We take this picture every year!
My handosme husbandLove, The Papi's

Best Giants Game EVER!

This past Tuesday we headed up to San Francisco to watch our Giants unfortunatley lose their 6th game in a row! Despite their loss we had the BEST time! Jason got amazing tickets on stubhub, I mean AMAZING. We were three rows back from the owner of the Giants if that gives you an idea how great they were! My favorite thing about these tickets was that they were field club level, which meant we had access to the Giant's locker room! Now, we couldn't actually get in it, obviously, but we could stand behind a rope right in front of it and watch the players walk back and forth from the field to the locker room. We were joined by other fans wanting autographs, I just wanted a picture. Each time a player would walk by everyone would yell out their names in hopes they would come over. It was before the game, so they were focused, most would turn, smile and wave but not come over. Everyone patiently held out and finally Andres Torres (my new favorite Giant) came over and signed every autograph and snapped every picture he was asked to. He was so nice and humble, it was obvious how much he appreciated his fans. I was ecstatic. After this, I was trying to convince Jason they were in the locker room until the game started so we should go to our seats. He kept holding out...thank goodness...because the next thing I know I see Ben F., runner up from the Bachelorette (whose finale had just aired the night before) walking by. I know many of you will think I am lame but the Bachelor/Bachelorette is my favorite show, I have watched every season, so to me, these people are big celebrities. These are the people I always want to see as a celebrity sighting so you can imagine my excitement. I called out his name and he came over to take a picture, he said he was free at last! Surprisingly everyone in the line started calling out that he should have won, it was hilarious to see these 50 year old men piping in...all ages and genders love the Bachelorette! Jason was such a trooper, he just held the camera and snapped away, humoring me the whole time. After this I was satisfied, we went to find our amazing seats and watch the Diamondbacks take batting practice. We enjoyed the game, even though they lost, we munched on garlic fries and rooted them despite the score. There is just something about AT&T Ballpark, it is like the Disneyland of baseball; packed, magical, and everyone is always smiling! I had a blast, thank you Jason for getting me out of town for a couple days! Until the next one...

When my mother in law heard we were going she made me this warm, fleece Giants blanket to keep me warm, it was a life saver!

We ate at the public house before we went into the game.

Andres Torres...my favorite Giant EVER!

Ben F.! Did I mention he is in the running for the next Bachelor? Which makes this oh so much sweeter!

My man...the most handsome guy in the park!

Oh yes, and after the game we headed to Ghiradelli Square for some ice cream sundaes!

Go Giants! Annie & Jason