Princess of the Bubbles

Jenna loves bubble baths! She will sit and play in the bathtub forever. The other night she had an excess of bubbles, so I grabbed my camera to take some pictures. When I walked back in she said "Mom...I'm Princess of the Bubbles". Too funny! So here she is....Princess of the Bubbles! Oh - and look at my new copyright I made to add to my photos. Pretty fancy, huh?? By the way...just in case you didn't know, you can click on individual photos to make them bigger so you can see them a little better.

Classroom Sweet Classroom

I thought I would share some pictures of my classroom...since I have no other photos to share and nothing too exciting to write about. First of all - it's not really a "classroom" it's more like an "area". My "area" is actually 1/3 of a regular classroom that I share with the 4th/5th grade resource room teacher. She gets 2/3 of the room because she has more kids and bigger kids. Rotten deal for me! The spaces are seperated by 8 foot tall bookcases and storage units. They don't go all the way to the ceiling, so there's lots of noise to battle. My part of the room also has all the lockers in it. While they are great for storage, it's not so nice for furniture placement. I really feel like I've done the best with what little space I have and I've tried to make it look fun. This is the beginning of my 15th year of teaching and I have NEVER had a normal size classroom. In fact, this may be one of the bigger spaces I've had. My dream is to someday have a normal size classroom so we can spread out...but for now this space is the best I'm going to get.

The past few years I've had the theme of "Camp Covey", but decided to change it this year to a western theme. I love my little stick kid cowboys and have been able to do some fun decorating things. So...here ya go....some photos of the "Covey Corral":

Photo 1- My desk area - I hate having my desk face the wall, which means my back is to the room, but it's the only place to put it. I'm usually only at my desk when students are not in my room though.



















photo 2 - This table is where I spend most of my day. It's where I work with my students. The shelves behind me are the divider shelves. You can see a peek of the other portion of the classroom to the right of the shelves.














photo 3 - The view from the doorway of my room. See all the lockers? There is another identical set to the left of the doorway (to the left of the easel). The little table in the back is where my paraprofessional works with kids.

Just some random thoughts...

I don't have anything meaningful to share and no new photos, so I thought I'd just post a few things I'm thinking about right now.....

-The fair starts tomorrow!!! That means yummy, fattening food - sausage sandwiches, super subs, french fries with vinegar, fried cheese, funnel cakes. I love the fair and could spend tons of time there. I grew up in a county with a pretty pathetic county fair that we never went to. Van Wert's fair is pretty big and lots of fun. Chris tolerates the fair because I like it so much. We bought our passes today and are all set to spend lots of money on fattening food, silly games, and rides.

-Very proud of my cousin, Jessica. She has made the decision to serve as a missionary in Poland for two years. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

-Still trying to adjust to being back at school. This is my 15th year of teaching and you'd think I'd be fine...but I'm always energy deprived for the first couple weeks of school. Of course the fact that my allergies kick in right when we go back to school doesn't help much.

-I'm not liking our new school schedule. They changed the elementary schedule and we now get out 35 minutes later. I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but it really makes a difference. I used to be able to wrap things up at school, get Jenna, and be home by 4:00. Now we don't get home until 4:30-4:45. How am I ever going to watch Oprah??

-Speaking of TV....I'm really missing our big screen TV in the family room. Actually, it's still there, but it doesn't work. A repair man came and took some parts and is working on it. I'm hoping we hear from him this week. Of course, we have 3 other TVs we could watch...but it's not the same as sitting on our comfy couch and watching the BIG tv.

-Jenna tattled on Jacob this morning and said "Mom, Jacob said I had a uni-brow. That's not nice." First of all, how does Jacob know what a uni-brow is?? Secondly, how do I tell Jenna that lucky for her she inherited my eyebrows and plucking and waxing are going to be a huge part of her future??

-I hate tornado warnings! We had one in the county last night, but luckily it wasn't for our area. After witnessing what a major tornado can do, I don't think I'll ever be able to take a tornado warning lightly again.

For Aunt Brenda

So...there's been a lot of discussion between my sisters, cousins, and I regarding the supposed come back of the side ponytail. Brenda even managed to perfect the new version of the side ponytail, thanks to Cosmo magazine. Jenna and I played tonite and I thought I'd share our 2 versions of the side ponytail....neither of which is probably even close to what Cosmo had in mind. And...I apologize in advance...these are definitely not my best photo attempts.

version 1 - early 80s side ponytail - made very popular at Echo Hills Elementary by Jenny Pacey and the other "cool" girls. Unfortunately, the Davis girls had short, short hair and never got to experiment with the side ponytail except on our Barbies. I think Jenna definitely resembles Deb on "Napoleon Dynamite" with this version.















version 2 - the 2006 side ponytail - This fad hasn't quite made it to Van Wert yet. According to Brenda, the hair needs to be smooth and the ponytail needs to be at the neck. She also highly recommended a headband to complete the look. Does she look like Lauren on the Hills?? So Brenda and Lori - am I even close on this one?

Back To School

Yesterday was our first day of school (after spending Monday and Tuesday at teacher inservices all day). Jacob is really excited about third grade. He had all his new supplies, new clothes, and his new Nikes laying out ready to go. I couldn't resist shooting this picture. I just love brand new crayons that have never been used.















He let me take the traditional first day of school photos at home before we left, but nicely asked me not to take my camera to school this year ( in the past I've taken a photo of he and his teacher on the first day). He said that a kid in his class (the big bully) might make fun of him. So, I left it home. ( I wouldn't want him getting beat up just because his mom is slightly obsessed with taking photos!)Jenna started at Wee Care daycare center today and insisted on having first day photos taken too (although she is very upset that she didn't get new shoes!). She was a little apprehensive about going in the morning, but cried when I picked her up after school because she didn't want to leave.



















Oh - and do you think that when Jacob is a senior in HS and Jenna is an 8th grader that I'll get them to take a photo like the last one? Somehow, I doubt it! I better enjoy it while it lasts. :)

You're my....brown eyed girl

Over and over, from close friends and strangers, I hear how much Jacob and Jenna look like Chris. I did manage to pass on my brown eyes to both of them though. Earlier this summer I happened to find the perfect t-shirt for Jenna at Target. It says "Everyone loves a brown eyed girl". Of course I had to buy it (although I was extremely disappointed they didn't have it in my size!) and I have wanted to take some photos of her wearing it. I finally took some time to do a brown eyed girl photo shoot (and also tried out my new backdrop fabric).

Happy Birthday Grandma L.!!!

Today is my Grandma Lehman's (my mom's mom) 85th birthday! We celebrated it yesterday with the family. My Grandma is such a special person and I have some of the best memories of her and being at her house. She's truly fits the perfect description of a Grandma (and more). I think everyone needs a Grandma Lehman in their life! When asked how she wanted to celebrate her 85th birthday, she told the family that she wanted as many of us as possible to come to church with her. What a testimony to the kind of person she is!! There were 34 family members at church with her, including all 5 of her children, 9 out of her 13 grandchildren (the ones who weren't there live out of state), 9 out of her 15 great grandchildren (at least I hope I'm counting correctly!!) and her brother and his wife. Afterwards we went to my aunt and uncle's house for dinner. I'm sure she loved just being around her family and watching all of us interact (and boy, can we interact!!).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!!

Top to bottom: blowing out candles (with Jenna and Abbie helping), with her 5 children (my mom is in the back center), with the grandkids (minus 4 who live out of state), and with the great grandkids (minus 6 who live out of state)

Granite Rocks!!!!

After having no countertops for 2 weeks and no sink for over a week...we are finally back in business with beautiful new granite countertops, a new stainless steel undermount sink, and a new faucet. I love the way it looks and can't wait for the rest of the kitchen redo to be completed (tile flooring, paint, and accessories). I'm sure not everyone will be as thrilled with these photos as I am...but I just wanted to share our new look! Oh - and I need ideas for what to do with the window above the sink. Any ideas?? I don't want something poofy and frilly -we're going for more of a stream lined/modern look.

Upclose and personal with our granite countertop:

How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Amy Covey

As I sit here dreading the teacher's meetings tomorrow (and the early alarm clock), I thought I'd recap my summer:

THIS SUMMER I (in no particular order).....

-celebrated Jacob's 9th birthday
-went to the Peony parade in VW
-went to NYC with Mom, Brenda, and Jill
-celebrated Chris' birthday
-photgraphed my first wedding (and survived!)
-swam...a lot
-read lots of good books
-celebrated Jenna's 5th birthday
-went to Texas to see my sisters
-saw my first rodeo
-walked on the Riverwalk in San Antonio
-watched fireworks
-visited the Alamo
-took LOTS of photos
-went to campfires at my neighbors
-ate LOTS of s'mores
-went to Rocky Top for ice cream (but just realized I never made it to the Creamery this summer!)
-ate shaved ice
-even better....discovered butterscotch love nests in Texas - YUMMY!
-celebrated our 12th anniversary
-got new granite countertops
-scrapbooked/stamped with my cousins
-watched lots of baseball games
-spent 2 nights in the hospital with Jenna
-went shopping
-visited my parents
-spent the day on the beach at Lake Erie
-celebrated my Grandma's 85th birthday
-went to a concert in the park
-taught bible school
-went to Hocking Hills with our neighbors
-scrapbooked with Cheryl
-went to Wynona Lake
-got bit by fire ants on my ankle
-got a new haircut
-bought purses in Chinatown
-learned more about Photoshop
-learned how to make easy, yummy fajitas on the grill
-rode a jetski
-went to the dentist
-went to the movies
-slept in
-wore flip flops almost every day

Summer lovin', had me a blast! Summer lovin', happened so fast!!!
(To quote one of my all time favorite movies -Grease)

FRUSTRATED!!!!!!!!!!!!

I finally have photos to share and blogger won't let me upload them to my blog. UGH!!!!! So frustrating!!!! I'll try again tomorrow....but I promise they are coming. :)

I'm off to enjoy the last few HOURS of SUMMER VACATION! Yikes - teacher days start tomorrow. Where did the summer go???

Sick, sick joke

Someone got the brilliant idea that it would be fantastic to have a bunch of teachers and administrators attend a mandatory 2 day training - out of town - on the last 2 days of their official summer vacation. What kind of a sick, sick joke is that??? I'm leaving bright and early in the morning for a 2 day training at Pokagon State Park in Indiana. It better be pretty darn entertaining and informative. I just need to keep reminding myself of the stipend money I get at the end of the year for serving on this committee (it's for a district wide grant we just got). Maybe I should take my camera.....I'm sure I could get some oh-so-exciting photos of teacher training in action. :)

Me from A to Z

Are you all still shock that I STILL don't have any new photos? My poor camera is being neglected! I PROMISE TO HAVE SOME THIS WEEKEND. In the meantime..... I told you I was a sucker for these little "getting to know you" surveys!! And by the way, I think all the bloggin' cousins (including sisters) should add this one to their blog...just for fun!

A is for age: 36
B is for beer of choice: Root Beer :) I hate the taste of beer
C is for career right now: elementary special education teacher, mom, and wanna-be photographer
D is for your dog's name?: Kramer
E is for essential item you use everyday: contacts and "dirt" (hair product)
F is for favorite TV show at the moment: repeats of Sex in the City
G is for favorite game: Apples for Apples
H is for Home town: now= Van Wert, growing up= Stow
I is for instruments you play:Piano and french horn (at least I used to...I don't think I could anymore)
J is for favorite juice: orange - NO PULP!
K is for whose butt you'd like to kick: ummm...whoever is in charge of school funding (or lack of) in Ohio and the silly people that bought our old house( for putting us through all the lawsuit drama )
L is for last food you ate: a yummy iced sugar cookie with sprinkles (I just couldn't resist today at Walmart and HAD to have some...you know the really soft iced sugar cookies that come in the plastic pack at the bakery?? I think they're called "Lofthouse" cookies!)
M is for marriage: Yes - 12 years!
N is for your full name:Amy Lynne (Davis) Covey
O is for overnight hospital stays: Mono (1989), when I had Jacob (1997) and Jenna (2001), and when Jenna was in for dehydration this summer
P is for people you were with today:Chris, Jacob, Jenna, Deb, Cade, Gage, Dane, Mom C., Dad C., Rebecca, and Ryan
Q is for quote: I recently heard this quote on TV and wrote it down - I think it's awesome: "A mother who radiates self love and self acceptance actually vaccinates her daughter against low self esteem". -Naomi Watts
R is for Biggest Regret: High School - I wish I wouldn't have been so caught up in some of the petty "status" stuff , studied more, and just enjoyed it more. But, my college experience totally made up for high school, so it's all okay in the end. :)
S is for status: married
T is for time you woke up today: 8:00 ...I really need to start getting up earlier or I'm never gonna make it next week! V is for vegetable you love: Corn on the cob
W is for worst habit: Not exercising
X is for x-rays you've had: Teeth, my ankle
Y is for yummy food you ate today: that same iced sugar cookie with sprinkles
Z is for zodiac sign: Taurus

Still no photos.....

....but I have videos to share!! Friends sent me links to these videos and they both crack me up. The first one is a very low budget music video - they definitely did their own choreography and filming. Be sure and watch it until the end....their final "pose" is my favorite part!! (totally reminds me of something Brenda, Jill and I would have done in our backyard back in the day!)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6dJEa44Wgtk&search=a%20million%20ways

The second one is pretty fascinating. It's basically a guy dancing the same silly little dance in different spots all over the world. Watch the video...and then read the background about it. I want his job (although the place where he's dancing on a boulder that seems to be suspended in mid-air scares me to death!!).

www.wherethehellismatt.com

And I saved the best for last! I'm sure most of you have seen this, but if not it's DEFINITELY worth watching. It's called the Evolution of Dance. Sadly, I can remember doing almost every dance in that video. Jacob and Jenna love to dance along with it!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg

Enjoy...and I'll try to get some photos soon!!

I'm photo-less!

I know you're shocked, but I have no new photos to share. I haven't taken any photos since Hocking Hills....nothing much to take photos of I guess. I did just buy new fabric to use as a backdrop, so maybe I will be able to bribe my kids to play photo shoot with me tomorrow.

In the meantime, I didn't want to disappoint all my faithful blog readers....so I'll leave you with this. I got this survey in an email from a friend. I know I'm one of the few people in the world who actually likes filling them out and especially reading what others say. So, here ya go.....

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?
I would love to live on the beach or a lake...but I also think it would be neat to own a HUGE ranch in Texas, complete with fences, horses, and a fancy entrance to our ranch with our "brand" on it.

2. What's your favorite article of clothing?
my orange BGSU sweatshirt

3. What's the last CD that you bought?
I haven't bought any lately...instead I've been downloading songs from iTunes for my iPod- Fun stuff! The last songs I downloaded were "Holiday" by Green Day, "Happy Together" by the Turtles, and "Waiting on the World to Change" by John Mayer (WOW - very ecclectic music taste!)

4. Where's your favorite place to be?
on the beach with a good book

5. Where is your least favorite place to be?
The dentist

6. What time do you wake up in the morning?
Um....I have been totally and completely lazy this summer and have been getting up at 8:00...but starting this week I need to get up earlier so I'll be ready for school to start. On school days I'm up at 6:00. UGH!!

7. What is your favorite kitchen appliance?
my Kitchen-aide mixer

8. What makes you really angry?
when people don't follow through with something

9. If you could play any instrument, what would it be?
piano - I can play, but I'd love to be able to sit down and play like Harry Connick Jr does. Hmmm...maybe I should have taken those piano lessons with Mrs. Glauser a little more seriously. :)

10. Favorite color?
red

11. Favorite children's book?
I don't even know where to begin on this one...I have way too many to list. Probably my all time favorite is Good Night Moon.

12. What is your favorite season?
SUMMER!!!!!

13. What is your least favorite household chore?
ironing and cleaning bathrooms

14. If you could have one super power, what would it be?
speed travel...I hate long trips...I'd much rather use my super power and be at my destination in a matter of minutes

15. If you have a tattoo, what is it?
ummm...tattoos involve needles and I am definitely not a fan of needles!

16. Can you juggle?
nope

17. The one person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk to?
both of my grandpa's...I also think it would be fun to talk to Chris when he was younger, just to see what he was like before I met him

18. What's your favorite day?
Saturday

Hocking Hills - part 3

This should be the last set of Hocking Hills photos...as long as they all fit into one entry. These are just some random shots of the scenery of Hocking Hills. I hope I got all the names matched correctly to the photos!

1. Upper Falls (actually a small trickle) - This was at the beginning of our hike to Old Man's cave. We actually walked across the bridge at the top of the photo and then ended up down below.




















2. Devil's Bathtub - it would have been much more dramatic if there had been more water.



















3. The Sphinx head near Old Man's Cave - can you see the profile of the face in the rock formation on the right??



















4. Cedar Falls (actually just another trickle of water - we really need to go back after it has rained!)



















5. The entrance to Ash Cave (we're inside looking out)- It was hard to get a good photo of the cave because there was a wedding being held in the cave while we were visiting. (The wedding was actually just to the right of this photo) The cave is enormous and was our favorite part Hocking Hills.

A little exposure can't hurt, can it???

This picture is just for my Ohio University relatives (you know who you are!!). Yes, I allowed my children to not only tour the campus BUT to also sit in this official OU Bobcat mobile. Personally I still prefer orange and brown to green and white...and a falcon to a bobcat...and flat farmland to hills, but I guess it can't hurt to expose them to a variety of colleges ...as long as they choose the RIGHT one in the end! I think the expression on Jenna's face pretty much sums it all up.

Hocking Hills - Part 2

A few more of my favorites....

1. A small cave we found near the Upper Falls
L to R: Jenna, Karlyn, Landrie, Kerry, Jacob, Lauren, and Craig

2. Can you see us?? This was even taken with a telephoto lens...we were WAY up there in Old Man's Cave!
L to R: Lauren, Craig w/Jenna, Karlyn, Marilyn, Landrie, me, Bob, Jacob and Amy K.

3. The "kids" in Ash Cave
L to R:
Jenna, Jacob, Landrie, Karlyn, Lauren, Craig, and Bret

4. The "kids" at Ohio University
Front L to R: Bret, Andrea (Craig's girlfriend), Craig, Lauren
Back L to R: Landrie, Karlyn, Jenna, Jacob

Hocking Hills - part 1

Round 1 of the Hocking Hills photos... I think I mentioned that we went with our next door neighbors (the Koontz's and their 3 daughters) and our across the street neighbors (the Leon's and their 2 sons). Craig (the Leon's oldest son) is going to be a senior at Ohio University and has been to Hocking Hills many times, so he served as our hiking tour guide. On Saturday we hit the main sites - Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, and Ash Cave on three seperate hikes . For those of you who don't know, Van Wert is flat, flat, flat farm land - no hills...and Hocking Hills is hilly, hilly, hilly! Everyone, including Jenna, did an awesome job hiking though (although she did manage to get an occasional ride on one of the older boys' shoulders!). Later we went to Athens and Craig gave us a tour of Ohio University. Now... Chris and I are BGSU alumni and Ohio University happens to be one of our rivals....but I will admit that it was a beautiful campus (although WAY too hilly for me...I preferred the flat farm land of BG!). We ate at Buffalo Wild Wings (one of our favorite restaurants), toured the campus, and then went to Cold Stone Creamery - YUMMY - before heading back to the cabin and the hot tub!

photos below:
1. Jacob and Jenna near Old Man's cave with their hiking sticks
2. Our family in Ash Cave
3. Jenna getting a "ride" from Craig (she absolutely adores him...and luckily he is very tolerant of her. Not many college students would be as attentive to a 5 year old as he is!)






















Part 2 of the Hocking Hills photos coming tomorrow! Be sure to check back. Oh - and please leave me a comment. I know there are people looking at my blog because they tell me they visit...so leave a comment!! :)

12 Years of Wedded Bliss (well...most of the time anyhow!)

Happy 12th Anniversary to us (August 6th)!!! We went to dinner last night at Casa (italian -yummy) to celebrate. It was nice to have some time away. Jacob took this picture (using my camera.....yikes!) before we went on our date. Not bad, huh??

Like mother like daughter....

I walked into Jenna's room last night and saw this:



She had put all her flipflops into a basket. WOW - I guess all those cheap, cute little flip flops that I just can't say NO to really start to add up!









Well....then I walked into my room and saw this:





Hmmm...looks vagulely familiar, doesn't it?!?! Do you suppose a flip flop addiction is hereditary?






Oh...and don't panic Chris....flipflops are 2/$5 at Old Navy. BARGAIN!!! Sadly, her purse and lipgloss collections resemble mine as well. :) Yikes!!!

We interrupt this program.....

For all my faithful followers that check for daily updates and photos....I won't be posting for a few days. We're headed out bright and early this morning to go to Wyandot Lake in Columbus with our neighbors and their 3 girls. Then we're all going to Hocking Hills to meet another set of neighbors, along with their sons to stay in a cabin for the weekend. It's our last "hurrah" before school starts. It should be lots of fun, but maybe a little crowded - 6 adults and 8 "kids" between the ages of 5 and 21! :) Pray for good weather so we can be outside and not all crowded into the cabin the whole time.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

Family Beach Day

My Aunt Nancy and Uncle Sudsy live right on the beach of Lake Erie in Huron. They invited whoever could come to spend the day at the beach on Sunday. We spent the day with them, my cousins Jessica, Kyle, Lori, and Lisa, my Aunt Barb, my parents, and my Grandma D. The kids had a ball playing in the sand and water and riding the jetski. It was so much fun just to relax, soak up the sun, and visit (and of course eat!). Jacob and Jenna didn't want to leave and are already asking when they can go back. Sudsy and Nancy - Thanks for letting us spend the day at your beach!! We had a great time!!

Photos below:
1. Jacob and Grandpa D. (my dad) on the jetski)
2. Jenna and Dad on the jetski
3. Jacob playing lake wiffle ball with my cousin Kyle
4. My Grandma D. - She will be 90 in October, but you'd never guess it! How many almost-90 year olds do you know that spend the day at the beach?? I hope I can do the same when I'm her age!
5. Jenna in the sand - what a mess...but she had tons of fun!

How do you spell relief?

Do you remember those commercials for Rolaids ...." How do you spell relief?" Well...today we spell relief R..A..I..N!! We woke up to much cooler weather (mid 80s instead of upper 90s) and rain! Of course, since it's rainy it's very humid...but at least it's not super hot and humid! Jacob and Jenna went out to play in the rain, and as usual I took my camera. I didn't get any photos of Jacob because he refused, but I did get a few fun photos of Jenna cooling off in the rain. (a friend of mine let us borrow the boots and umbrella to take photos a few weeks ago. Jenna has a ladybug bedroom and Laura thought they'd make cute photos for her room). Can this girl "strike a pose" or what?!?!

Brenda and Payton

One year ago today we were visiting my parents and got one of the scariest phone calls I've ever received. Jill called to tell us that Brenda was in the ER and they thought she was having a heart attack. That in itself is scary considering how young she was...but the worst part is that she was 7 months pregnant! It was a terrible feeling knowing she was in Texas and we were in Ohio...we felt completely helpless. My parents and I ended up flying down to Texas to be with her for a few days (my mom ended up staying more than 2 months to help out!). She had a virus that had attacked her heart (which has a really long name that I can't even begin to spell!) . Thank goodness everything ended up all right and she and Payton are 100% healthy! We love you both and are so glad you're okay.

Fountain Fun

It's still super hot here (95+ degrees!), so I decided to post some more water photos to try to help everyone think cool thoughts! We went to Stow last weekend to visit my parents. While we were there, we took the kids to the river front area in Cuyahoga Falls to play in the fountain. Jenna was hesitant at first, but ended up playing in it for a while. Jacob had a blast playing in the fountain and didn't want to leave. I really wish we had something similar here in Van Wert for the kids!