my sweet friend Jo.

so, i have this friend named Jo. she is wonderful, smart, crafty, laughy (new word?), beautiful, kind, loving....this is where i go on for days. i love having Jo in my life and often times wish she would be roomies with me and D.

today, i was sitting at my desk after my 7th graders had left, thinking about how wonderful it would be to have a hot cup of something that is not tea (being that i have had my fill of tea in the last 2 weeks). at that exact minute, in walks Jo! she brought me a drink from Rembrandts along with the most adorable eraser i've seen in my years....here is a picture of it....it says "hoot hoot."

thank you, dear Jo. you made my whole day.

Henbest happiness.

so i'm a little late on the Anniversary post. Derek and i celebrated our 1st anniversary on Sept. 19th!!!! people say it all the time but it's true, it has gone by so fast. we have had a wonderful first year! he is my best friend. we compliment each other. he is my ultimate happiness, and i am his. here are a few pictures to reflect on our wedding that happened one year ago....cheers to Josh Milne for taking these lovely photos!

my coats and me.

you know when winter lasts 6 months?? oh ya, me too. and you hate every coat and cardigan you own (no matter how many you have) simply because you have worn them for 6 months?? oh ya, me too. this year i decided to sell a few of my old coats to consignment shops and buy new ones. hurray schmurray! this lovely coat is on it's way to me...i adore it.

write a song about fall.

once every few months in my music classes i have a day that is dedicated to songwriting. we discuss songwriting often but on this particular day, the students have a chance to partner up and write a song to perform for the class. today is that day. i told them to write a song about fall that had to be at least 8 lines...of course some get it and some don't....here are a few of the 4th grade songs written and performed today:

"leaves turn red, yellow, and orange.
it's not all sunny and warm.
put on a jacket then you'll be fine.
then we'll go pumpkin picking and take them off the vine.
then we carve it and put it outside.
then comes winter, then comes spring,
now fall's over so now we sing!" - this one was a rap...super cute.

"my dad's stuffing the turkey.
i'm doing the Jello.
my mom's watching t.v.
my sister's being mellow.
my brother's a big fat pig.
he cut off my barbie's wig.
i didn't know what to do so i called it a man.
then i threw it in the garbage can." - the melody to this one was actually great, the lyrics...pretty funny but we did have to have a little talk after....hate having talks with my kids about being appropriate when i really just want to laugh my head off.

we'll see how the rest of the day goes.... :) cheers to songwriting youngsters!

a wall.

about a month ago i finally finished this wall in our apartment...i got all of these frames and mirrors from antique stores and etsy. the bottom right is an art mat i made out of 5 cd covers that we enjoy - the music and covers. one of these days i'll get around to posting pictures of our apartment...not just a wall. happy weekend my dears!

sometimes there are favorites.

who wouldn't have this little girl as one of their favorites? she comes to see me as much as allowed, she makes me things all the time, and she has my name! she is in 3rd grade and i adore her. she made me this acrostic poem and i wanted to share...it's framed and everything!

M - arvelous Mrs. Henbest knows music.
R - adically expressive while doing drama.
S - oothing even the toughest students.
H - appy to teach us all.
E - nergetic and always moving.
N - umber one!!!!!
B - est music teacher in the west.
E - xcellent all of the time.
S - miles like the sun.
T - he clothes she wears are the turning point.

the last one is pretty danged funny. what a doll. this is why i teach!

Star Waiters on youtube!!!!

remember my last Star Waiter post? about that amazing 6th grader (now 7th grader) who's dream was granted through Make a Wish? and he was Luke Piewalker in Star Waiters? and producers, screenwriters, and directors donated their time to make this movie? and George Lucas let them use the original music from Star Wars?! well, the movie is officially on youtube folks...honestly, go watch it. i am so proud of Mitch...what a jedi! ha. but seriously. oh, and there is a close up of me raising the roof to "We Are Family" at the end...i was raising it with all i had. please watch, and enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdWC7JjeBTA