Blog Archive

Saturday, March 27, 2010

DC, day 1

We are here in DC, safe and sound.   I promise some blog posts through out the week.  You can also check out what we are doing on my NHS website (http://fnhsdc.blogspot.com).  Here's today's post from me and Lindy (my co-advisor).


It's 1:20 am, do you know where your kids are? We do.  They are in their rooms being guarded by our security officer, with no escape! A chaperone's dream.

We made it to the airport on time, got everyone through check-in and said good bye to our parents with no trouble in Spokane.  Perhaps the smoothest airport experience ever!

Of course, security was a little different story.  Our poor friend Royce had to go through a couple times when he was unwilling to give up his Gatorade to the garbage.  Then on his second time through, he forgot to pull out his video player, and had to get his bag sent through twice.  But eventually, we all made it.

Our flight was very uneventful. In fact, we never left the plane even though we had two stops (Boise and Las Vegas), much to the kids disappointment.  We kept the same plane all the way to Baltimore, so we didn't have a chance to get off, although we could stretch our legs while waiting for other passengers to board.  

In Las Vegas, Royce ventured up to the cockpit for a picture with the captain, and was treated with a chance to sit behind the controls.  Don't worry, he didn't get to fly us anywhere.  After 41/2 more hours, we made it safely to Baltimore, a bit tired, but ready to move somewhere other than down the aisle.

Chris, our tour director, was ready for us at baggage claim with a bus in tow and room keys in hand.  The boys weren't happy when we put the veto on a late night Taco Bell run, but I'm sure they'll make up for it at breakfast.

Tomorrow, we pray for sunny skies as we're heading to the zoo (weather permitting).  Then, we'll venture to the Smithsonian museums and have a little night-time touring of some of the monuments.    Look for student blogs tomorrow night!
Lindy and Pia

Thursday, March 25, 2010

2 more days

I think today might be the longest day of my life.  I can't wait for Spring Break to get here!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

DC or bust

Hey all,
    It's that time of year again: Spring Break! Next Saturday, I leave with 17 of my favorite students and a handful of adults for the glories of Washington DC.  We have 6 fun-filled days to traipse across our nation's capital.  I don't know how much time I'll have to update my blog, although I will try.  My students are going to keep a daily blog though on a blogger page I set up for the trip.  Please feel free to check it out between March 26-April 1 to see what I'm up to with the kids.  You can check it out here: http://fnhsdc.blogspot.com.  (Pictures of my students from the 2008 trip)

Friday, March 19, 2010

NCAA tournament

Spent the afternoon with Cara, Katie, and Tony watching basketball at the Spokane Arena.  It's so nice having all of us in one place for a few days.  Even better, spending our time watching college ball.  I've never felt so good playing hooky from school!  Here's a couple pics from the morning.

 

Thursday, March 18, 2010

St. Patrick's Day

For those who haven't seen my 365 project picture for yesterday, here's the quick recap.  Our marching band, The Scotties, wear kilts for their band uniforms.  So our band director, Casey, thought it would be fun to offer up the use of said kilts to the staff for St. Patty's day.  I and a few other intrepid staff members took Casey up on the offer and got all dressed up for the big holiday.  After school, I gathered the brave souls together to take a staff picture of the event.  Here's the final result.  (Hope you like it mom)!
The staff shot
Our brave men: Duane, Casey, Mike and Nate (ps, love Duane's sweatshirt)
The ladies: Linda, Frankie, Leslie, me, Cis, and Deena

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

The Virginians

Seriously,  I am so excited right now I can hardly stand it (and not because I look so smashing in my kilt right now).  As we speak, Cara Lee and Anthony Darrell Longinotti (aka my brother and sister) are approaching the Spokane air.  Within an hour, they will officially be standing in Spokane and home for a few days of visiting! The four of us, Cara, Katie, Tony and I, got tickets to the NCAA tournament in Spokane.  I will enjoy my Friday off with my siblings, loving every second they are here...except for when they are blowing their nasty cigarettes in my face...   Anyway, be looking for lots of pictures of the four of us.  We'll be enjoying every moment of together time we can get!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Tennis is in the air

Tennis has officially been going for two weeks.  I have had so much fun getting back into the swing of things with the team, although I hate having Friday practices again (no Friday or Saturdays at the JH).  Not sure how we'll do this year as we are very young, but I am so excited for the season and to see how everyone progresses.  I think we have a couple of kids with a good shot at making it into state this year. Oh, and the best part of the season: no shoveling snow off of the tennis courts! Here are a couple pics from our team pictures!
This is my team goofing around before we take our team photo.
And here are my amazing seniors, rocking it out for their photo!

Dog walking

Katie, mom and I went on a walk today for coffee and took Lucy with us.  She was so cute chasing her tennis ball through Hart Field.  What a good girl she was today!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

A battle of wills

So Katie is trying to teach Lucy who's boss this week.  She stupidly has been allowing Luce to lay on the couch since day one (she was just too cute for Katie to say no).  Today, Kate decided that Lucy needed to learn not to sleep on the couch, so she bought her a dog bed, thinking if it was next to the couch Lucy would sleep on it.  That didn't work.  So then Katie thought if she laid with Lucy on the dog bed, that Lucy would get used to it.  That worked for a little bit, until this moment... I'd say Lucy is the boss this round (70-30, Katie).

Monday, March 8, 2010

Birthday part 2

Since I was gone on my actual birthday being all chaperone-y, I decided t celebrate with family and friends this last weekend.  We had a great time having dinner at O'Doherty's Irish Pub (one of my favorites) and then going dancing at the Dueling Piano Bar.  I didn't really know who would be able to show up, but I was overwhelmed by the group who put aside some time to join me.  Thanks for the great time all.  Here's a few pics from the night.
Mom kindly leaves the safety of the house to join us! And Katie with her patented head-tilt.
Cousin Caris and her husband Darrin, and my aunt Peggy.
Friends from church: Anna, Cydney, Blythe, and Matt
Brad represented for Freeman (and gave me a good excuse to snap a self-pic)
Matt and I at the Piano Bar, with friend Janna in the background.
Katie gets a self-pic in with Bylthe.  Notice how it minimizes the head-tilt effect.
Diane rocks it at the Dueling Piano Bar
And the best part of dancing: this old woman rocking jeans, a green shirt, and a leather vest.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Black hole cupcakes

Katie made me the most delicious cupcakes last night for my birthday.  Oh my gosh, so good! Dark chocolate cupcake and frosting, both made from scratch. The cupcake also had raspberry filling.  Seriously Katie, you outdid yourself little chef! Thanks for the great treat!

ski weekend

I spent my birthday chaperoning a youth ski retreat.  I have to admit, I had an amazing time.  We went to Silver Mountain and Lookout Pass, and stayed at the Episcopal church in Wallace, ID.  I didn't get to ski as I was with the non-skiing group, but I did have a great time snow tubing and hanging out.  Unfortunately, my back didn't cooperate on Sunday, so I didn't get to try snow-shoeing.  Next time.  Here's a few pics from the weekend.
Matt and I getting ready to hit the gondola up to Silver.
It's my birthday Colin, you have to let me take a picture!
Totally took pictures on one of my snow-tube runs.  This is me passing Matt in our race!
Loved the snow-tubing.  So fun!
Me and Kenny Ray
Colin checking out the view on the gondola
Bowling at worlds oldest bowling alley.  We had to keep our own scorecards.  Good thing I once had to teach a PE class during a bowling unit.
Our group at Lookout (I'm not in it since I took it)
Emmett and Nick showing off their back-flip skills!
Crystal and Cyd