The Color Run, Focus, and Katie Wood Ray

So I had a pretty good weekend, and next week is shaping up to look pretty good too!  My husband and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary at Benihana's.  It was a new experience for him, and we definitely enjoyed the corniness of the cooking tricks they do!  I wish I could take credit for this picture, but it captures the excitement!

The Color Run
Saturday morning I woke up earlier than I have all summer, but I was pumped to do it!  Six other girls and I did The Color Run!  Some of you may have heard of it, but it's a fun 5K where you wear white and you get sprayed with different colors at each kilometer.  I said this was a FUN run...definitely not a competitive run.  Actually, the 7 of us got crazy looks for actually running the course.  Check out our before and after pictures.  It was awesome, and the race is for ANY type of exerciser.  There were families with kids, strollers, joggers, and runners, but nobody trying to get a PR.  It's definitely something you should look into around your home town! Click the link below to see if it gets close to you.  The more fun you have with your outfits and group, the better it will be!  We already know our outfit improvements for next year's race!

Here we are before we started!  We were also celebrating Lindsey's (girl on the right) birthday!

Our crazy hands after the race!  My legs were actually worse than this!

The motley crew afterward!  We had a blast, and figured out why it's the called "The Happiest 5K on the Planet!"

Focus
Earlier in the summer I posted about my Summer To-Do List.  In it was to read the book Focus by Mike Schmoker.  Well, I finished the book in June, and I really enjoyed it!  It gives a deep analysis of standards, and how not all standards warrant the same amount of time to master.  Using PLCs to discuss as a grade level which standards you feel are most important will help the teachers, but most importantly, the students, learn concepts and content that is crucial to their development.  Enough rambling since you can read it yourself, but I loved the book.  The best part though, is I get to actually hear Schmoker this week!!  My new administrative team is heading to a 3-day Literacy conference with some big Huge HUMUNGO people that I'm excited about!


Katie Wood Ray
Also at this conference will be one of my writing heros Katie Wood Ray!  I have read her books, but have never actually seen her in action.  I can't wait to go back to school with her writing enthusiasm.  In case you don't know her work, these are probably her most well known books.  Come back and see what I have to share after listening to her brilliance!

Okay, well I really, really, really, really, really, need to go pack for our trip!  Oh, and have I told you that I hate the term "business casual".  That can mean so many things for so many people!  I'll pack so that I'm better safe than sorry, but how can you be business and casual all in one?!

Have a great week, and GO USA!!