For a Job Well Done!

I am so very excited to start working in PASAR as the teacher of record! I will be filling in on Monday and Tuesday for the next few weeks and will continue to work my Wednesday and Thursday shifts teaching all grade levels. I will very much be looking forward to giving out many home made achievement awards for good behavior, good academic work, and positive reinforcement and motivation! More will be posted shortly!

___________________________________________
You R.O.C.K! Continue to be Responsible, Optimistic, Caring, and Kind!

PASAR Teacher
Mrs. Zellner

Sweet Shopping Saturday

Earlier this week, I realized that my days and even weekends had been confused. This weekend we had absolutely nothing penciled in on the calendar and our days were free to do as we wished. Our Friday was fabulously lazy. After a long week at school, all I wanted to do was enjoy a night of pizza and a few movies at home with the husband and pups. It was Ray who decided that we should enjoy a Sweet Saturday out filled with shopping and of course a celebratory yogurt trip. We purchased a few new pieces of clothing, a new watch since mine had lovingly decided to stop working days before the start of school, and new shoes for school with actual support as I will do a great deal of walking this year. Here are a few photos from my sweet Saturday with my husband.

It's Off to Work We Go!

We've all had them... jobs! We've all shared in many different types of careers and activities that have been shaped by our education and interests. Here I will label some of the different activities that I have experienced since I started my employment journey over a decade ago.

1. I have worked in a cubicle.
2. I have had my own office space.
3. I sold wearables.
4. I have worn heals, ballet flats, and tennis shoes.
5. I have been interviewed as well as interviewed.
6. I have danced, blown bubbles, played musical instruments, and made my own personal instrument.
7. I have worn scrubs.
8. I have sold hearing aids.
9. I have changed diapers.
10. I have sold shoes.
11. I have worked on a cash register.
12. I have worked on tax free weekend... in retail.
13. I have organized a theme party for every holiday in a year.
14. I organized a celebration for national cupcake day.
15. I have worked in a warehouse.
16. I have worked without air conditioning.
17. I have thrown a Christmas party.
18. I have worked from 9-5, 7-3:30 and part time.
19. I have taught children kindergarten through fifth grade as well as special education.
20. I have gotten sick in an interview... one that I was giving.
21. I have had my watch broken.
22. I have received an award.
23. I have never been laid off... thankfully.
24. I have painted an office.
25. I have had a car accident (not my fault) while being at work.

What are some things you have done as an employee?!?

What I've Learned!

Being in the education field has taught me a lot! Here are some things that I have learned from this profession.

1. Waking up early in the morning isn't difficult. It is staying up beyond 9PM that takes some effort.
2. The words "walking feet" are used daily but for me it references the amount of miles that are put on these shoes.
3. Reverse psychology can easily be used on both children and adults;)
4. Kids may know more about the iPhone than I do.
5. Bubbles and tails are to be performed daily.
6. Giving up caffeine at the start of the school year is a form of insanity.
7. You have to be passionate about children. Who knew?!?
8. You must have patience or quickly learn to obtain it.
9. I am not as little as I thought as I do not fit in a cube chair :(
10. Kids are motivated by music.
11. Over and over you hear "fake it until you make it."
12. You are in control of your attitude.
13. We teach academics but more importantly we teach character, respect, and responsibility.
14. I could gain 100 lbs working in this job. I love all the tasty treats that are brought in for teachers and staff.
15. Children learn through consistency.
16. I love having optional summers off.
17. Sunrises are absolutely beautiful. Previously I had not had the opportunity to see the morning's beauty.
18. Traffic is lighter at 6:30 in the morning.
19. Too many things keep us from recess... hundred degree temperatures, potential rain (as if it ever rains again), coyotes, etc.
20. While each day is another adventure... I am exactly where God wants me to be!

Teaching Opportunity

I got the job!
Starting next Wednesday, I will be TEACHING first through fifth grade students after school as a professional TEACHER! I am so excited and thankful for this part time employment opportunity as it will give me additional experience and of course a little extra mula!

There is no "I" in TEAM!

Meet the Special Education team!

Wishing all the fabulous teachers a wonderful week back with the kids. While each day is absolutely another adventure... I am exactly where God wants me to be! Enjoy a few pictures of our classroom set up.

Welcome to the ELC

Adam's 28 Candles!

Saturday night, the husband and I traveled to Frisco to join our friends in the celebration of our good friend Adam for his 28th birthday. We enjoyed a fabulous time with friends. We played several games, ate delicious cookie cake, and of course smiled for several photo sessions.

The Gentleman: Mike, Adam the Birthday boy,
the Husband, Michael, and big boy Bryson.


The Ladies: Stephanie, Kristin, and I

Let the Party Games Begin!

Bryson helped Mr. Ray during the note card game

My picture with B:)

Bryson's picture of Ray and Michael

Mike and Ray

The Husband and I :)

The Ladies with Mr. B

Steph, Mike, and I on our way for some
Taco C chips and queso

It was definitely a great birthday celebration and a fun time spent with some of my absolutely favorite people.

Get to Know the Zellners Tidbits!

This past Monday was our first "work" day of school. As a motivational staff activity each employee was to write their name on a piece of paper while others were to write down a positive comment about that specific employee . Among many wonderful comments, a word popped out to me as being rather odd. On my sheet of paper I read... "quiet." My first thought was... "wow this person is extremely mistaken ha and of course probably doesn't know me!" So I figured while many of you who read my blog know me pretty well... I really do love writing "tidbit" posts as I know it is always fun to really get to know someone! So here it is... another Zellner "Get to Know us" Tidbit post!

1. Ray and I are pet parents to our two furbabies. Toby our beagle will be 5 in February and Mattie our mix stray baby's age is unknown. Her birthday as we celebrate it is November 8 and she is between 5-9 years old.
2. Ray just completed his summer Frisbee league and placed second. Thursday he will be starting Allen Fall Frisbee League.
3. I will be in my same classroom assisting special needs students in an experiential learning center this fall as a teaching assistant.
4. I am qualified to teach as a generalist EC-6 and Special Education EC-12 and cannot wait to have my own classroom as a full time teacher.
5. The husband and I are both from Houston.
6. Ray was born in Birmingham, AL and lived there until he was in 8th grade.
9. I was born in Austin, TX. This was not my father's choice. (Texas A&M graduate class '71)
10. My birthday is less than a month away but I have absolutely no clue what to do... any ideas?!
11. Almost every night Toby (our dog) requires that we tuck him in. This may seem crazy; however, he will not sleep until he is tucked in... for the most part
12. We sadly had to move back our plans for purchasing our first home but are looking to (fingers crossed) move into a house around April 2012. We couldn't be happier.
13. Ray and I will continue serving in Joyland this year. We will be working with our same class... they are now 4- 4 1/2 years old.
14. My older brother is looking to be married in December of 2012.
15. I do love all things baby and cannot get enough of my sweet friends precious kiddos.
16. My latest hobbies include blogging, snapfish photo books, and couponing.
17. Ray and I officially spent a year without cable and just recently had it installed. Gosh I love my DVR. I have missed you!
18. I am attempting to give up caffeine as I really don't need it or the extra sugar. This past week was rather difficult as waking up early and working late was pretty much my routine for the past five days. Next week I am hoping to be more successful:)
19. Ray and I stuck to our meal planning last week. Typically it is me who allows my lazy self to order a pizza or pick up some form of fast food. I was extremely proud of us.
20. I am already counting the days until Thanksgiving and Christmas. It looks as though this may be our next opportunity to visit our Zellner and Waldrup families.

These are just a few of our "Get to Know the Zellners" Tidbits. Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday with Mattie Mae!

Sweet Sunday with a Sweet Sixth Month Old!

This past Sunday, Ray and I spent the afternoon with this super sweet six month old!

We had a fabulous time catching up with both Mama and Daddy Duke on life and of course on this sweet little boy. Well I guess I can't really say "little" anymore as baby Jacob has gotten to be such a big boy. By the end of this month he'll be 7 months old. I cannot believe how quickly time flies. He is so sweet and loves to babble. I love his sweet smiles! I cannot wait until our next visit with friends.

The Ultimate Night Out!

Tonight Brown rivaled Purple in an

"Ultimate" Showdown.

Even with playing a man down,
Brown was up 8-7 at the half.

And while Brown gave it their all,
it was Purple who came out victorious.

Second Place still looks good!


Battle wounds will of course heal.

But a celebration will be had by all.

Here's to a great Frisbee Summer Season...
as Fall Frisbee League will soon begin.

Daddy's Favorite Kiddos!

I love these sweet faces! These puppies for sure love their daddy as daddy loves his kiddos.

Safari Park Play & Adventures!

Today I spent the morning with Kristin and Bryson at the indoor Safari Park in Plano. As a first time attendee... all I have to say is... it was AMAZING! This place was filled with indoor fun and adventure including a safari train ride, "animal rides," jungle gyms with slides galore, ball pins, climbing areas, put put golf, and so much more. Here are a few pictures from my morning with my fabulous Fant friends.

What a fun morning of Safari Park play and adventure. Bryson enjoyed every inch of the park and wore himself out. After our time at the park, Kristin and I enjoyed a chick-fil-a lunch and hang out time. It was definitely a fun morning with friends and filled with exciting safari adventures!

A Very Happy Hour at Casa Ritas!

With days standing between the end of summer and the beginning of the next school year, the husband and I decided to enjoy an afternoon happy hour.

With tasty $3.75 house margaritas, absolutely amazing portions of fabulous food, and cool a/c... what could be better than celebrating our happy hour at Casa Ritas in Frisco!?! I definitely enjoyed a great afternoon of food, drinks, and hang out time with my favorite boy! Here are some pictures of our afternoon happy hour together.

After a few hours, some strawberry cheesecake, and a change of waiter (wow the time flew by ha)... we called our Fant friends to join us. Kristin and big boy Bryson or B-Rice as the husband refers to him as arrived first as Michael came directly from work. We enjoyed a fun afternoon with this cute family of three. We had great conversations, sang several songs with the little man, played games with B, and of course had to have a fun photo session.

The ladies and Bryson
(I love that I am in the middle of laughing)

Ray playing games with B

The Gents!

It was definitely a fun outing with Ray and our Fant friends at Casa Ritas. I will for sure miss our mid day summer afternoon adventures. But here's to celebrating fun summer days and many happy hours ahead.