Book Review #5

Tuesday night was book club. I was hosting this month. I had a great time and book club went into the wee hours of the morning. 1:30 am to be exact...such fun! No--we weren't discussing this book that long...we had moved onto "other" topics by then. ;) Since it was my month to host I got to pick the book. I had heard about this book for years. Many people have RAVED about it to me and yet I didn't read it. I wasn't planning to pick this book either but several of the women in my book club expressed an interest in reading it and it has been on my list of "must-reads" for a long time...so I thought why not now? I don't know what has put me off...a book about men in Afghanistan who fly kites just didn't seem like a page turner to me. I was WRONG. I guess that is the beauty of belonging to a book club...you are given the opportunity to read books that you wouldn't normally read.

I like books that take place in the South or books that take place in Europe (especially Scotland) I like big fat historical epics. I like stories about different periods in time like the 40's, 30's, 20's, 1900's, the civil war era and earlier, 1700's, and 1600's . I like stories that transport you to another time and place. I like to be "haunted" (in a good way) by characters from books I've read years ago. I like to be so engrossed in a book that my husband gets jealous and my kids throw a fit because I am ignoring them. That doesn't happen too often anymore. It gets easier and easier to put a book down.

I'm not normally drawn to books about the middle east, books where 99.9% of the characters are men or books that take place in the 1970's. Enter the Kite Runner...I will say it again...I was WRONG! I loved this book so much that I have been begging Tyler to read it so I can talk about it some more.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is:

"An epic tale of fathers and sons, of friendship and betrayal, that takes us from the final days of Afghanistan's monarchy to the atrocities of the present".

I believe this is the first book I have ever read about the country of Afghanistan. I loved hearing about the country, the culture, and Islam. I loved the glimpse we get at the first of the book in the early 1970's where Afghanistan is a vibrant country full of colors and flavors...who knew that kite flying was a sport and that kites battle other kites; who knew that Afghan children are out of school in the winter and that is also the time when the Afghan people go on vacation...even though it is cold and snowy. I really loved the look at the every day life of Baba, Amir, Ali and Hassan.

It was interesting to me to see how Afghanistan began to change and what started occurring when the Soviets occupy it. This is also the point when the relationship between Amir and Hassan begins to change. I LOVED Hassan and Ali. I didn't always like Amir even before he betrays Hassan... and for quite a while after... the scene when Ali and Hassan are leaving and Baba is in tears begging them not to go and Amir is watching them from his bedroom window...I just wanted to throttle him!

Probably the part of the book I liked the least was when the story moves to America...it just dragged a little for me. But my interest returned again full-force when Amir returns to Afghanistan. I was absolutely enthralled. It was so interesting to see in my mind places that I've only heard about on the news and to get a closer look at what life is like living with the terror of the Taliban hanging over your head. By the time I was finished with this book I felt like Afghanistan had become dear to my heart. I liked this quote on the back of the book from the publisher. It summed up my feelings perfectly:

"Since reading this haunting novel, when I've seen the headlines about Afghanistan in the news, I've experienced the tragedy in a surprisingly personal way. I feel a connection to the land and it's inhabitants that I've never felt before".

Ironically the morning of book club there was a segment on Good Morning America about Afghanistan. Diane Sawyer had been there for a few days talking about the country and it's people. On Tuesday she was talking about kite fighting and showed how the kites were made. It was very interesting.

So onto my rating: EXCELLENT. I highly recommend it.

Easter

We had a fun Easter weekend. On Friday we went up to stay at my mom's house for two days. We had a great time. On Saturday we decided to do our first hike of the season. We hiked up to Myrtle Falls. It was an easy hike...perfect to start getting the kids used to trekking around...absolutely gorgeous.

The kids did great! Kameron is really starting to hold his own and to want to do more difficult hikes...last year he was just a tad bit whiny.




How gorgeous is this...such a pretty hike through the woods, across a bridge and up to the falls.









We made it to the top!!

After our hike we let the kids stop and play at the park...um did I say the kids...I think me, Tyler, Kirk, and Jayme did most of the playing!!


Back at my mom's house that night we built a huge bonfire (my mom has a huge fire pit) and roasted hot dogs and made s'mores. We sat around the campfire until really late...until we remembered...oops...we forgot to dye Easter Eggs!! :0 We (my mom, me, and Tyler) were dying Easter eggs until about 1:30am...3 dozen to be exact. We did them a cool new way. My mom got the idea from watching Martha Stewart...you drizzle rubber cement on the egg and let it dry...then dye the egg...after the egg is dry rub off the rubber cement and you've got a cool marbleized egg. The next day Kirk shined them up with some vegetable oil.

The kids were up bright and early Easter morning!! It was fun that Kirk, Jayme and Kaiden were there too for Kaiden's first Easter. Here are the kids with their Easter baskets.





I'm going to steal a little survey off of Kelly A.'s blog that I thought was really cute:

What are your Easter Traditions?

Easter Baskets, Easter Dresses (Easter shirt for Kam), Church, Big Family Dinner, Big Family Easter Egg Hunt, and me on Easter morning bellowing the hymn "He is Risen" at the top of my lungs to the annoyance of my family.

What is your favorite Easter Dish?

Funeral potatoes (Cheesy potatoes)

When did you learn about the Easter Bunny?

The same time I learned about Santa...and the Tooth Fairy...all in one SAD day!

How do your decorate your house for Easter?

I go all out! I have been collecting vintage (and vintage-style) Easter decorations for years.

How many Easter Egg Hunts does your family participate in?

Two...usually the Primary has one and our family does one.

What is your favorite flavor of jelly bean?

I don't like jelly beans

How do you decorate your Easter Eggs?

PAAS kits and we do other variations.

Do you make/buy special Sunday outfits for your kids on Easter?

Of course!!

What are your favorite Easter Hymns?

He is Risen!, I believe in Christ, I Know that My Redeemer Lives

Do you spend Easter at home, on vacation or with family?

We always spend Easter with family...we are lucky to have so much family close by.

Do you make deviled eggs out of leftover Easter Eggs?

Sometimes...we also make potato salad...today we made egg salad.

Are you tired of eggs by the end of the Easter Season?

Definitely!

Are Peeps good or gross?

Extremely GROSS!! Tyler and the kids love them though.

What company makes the best chocolate for Easter time?

Cadbury (love the Cadbury Creme Eggs and Mini-Eggs)

Do you find plastic Easter grass hidden in places for months after Easter is over?

No! I loathe Easter grass. I line our Easter baskets with pastel-colored tulle. So much nicer and cheap!

We went to the lake on Easter. We had a big family dinner...approximately 25 people. We had a blast! Cute Ailey with her Easter Basket!!

We have a long standing tradition of Easter Egg Hunts at the lake. I remember my great-grandpa hiding tons of eggs for me, all my cousins and second cousins to find (not to mention for our parents when they were kids). It was so much fun. The greatest thrill was to find an old Easter Egg in the summer that was never found at Easter. That happened quite a few times. My Grandpa M. was a really good egg hider. :)

My Grandpa E. always used to dye an Easter Egg like a blood-shot eyeball with his kids. Here is my Uncle Mike carrying on the tradition!!

Here's my Grandma...The Matriarch... She was raised out at the lake and has been a part of MANY Easter Egg Hunts!

My siblings, cousins and me carrying on the tradition with our kids: Miley, Reilly, Kaiden, Kameron, Jackson, Dane and Addison.

My cousin Jen was in town for Easter...so what did we do after the Easter Egg Hunt? Had a waxing party of course!! Don't worry Jen is professional. Everyone lined up for eyebrow dying and waxing...do I dare say...even Kirk! No more monobrow for him!

Here's my mom, Kelley, my Aunt Margaret, Jen, Reilly and me. Not pictured but also participated were Stacey, my cousin Wendy, and Kirk! Reilly was just there for moral support she was the official "hand-holder" for the eye brow waxing! Thanks Jen!! You are the BEST!

I love my cousins...Jenn and Wendy!! In the picture below is my "Favorite Aunt" Bonnie!! Isn't that right Bonnie? :)

It was so fun to see everyone especially all the out-of-towners! Hope you all arrived home safe and sound!

Happy Easter!!

Day at the Park

Yesterday was gorgeous...sunny and warm. It was in the 60's. Tyler decided to take two days off of work to spend time with the family. We had a great time. One thing that I absolutely love about our area are all are the fantastic parks. They are all beautiful and fun in their own ways. Yesterday we decided to go to, what is in my opinion, the prettiest park in town. We packed a picnic and headed out.

We have a favorite spot where we like to picnic. It is up on top of a hill. We like it because from our special spot we can see the street, the big sledding hill, the other side of the park, the playground area and the duck pond...all from one location. Every time we picnic we always go there...to "our" spot.

Ailey has two favorite foods right now...peanut butter sandwiches and cheerios. That is all she ever wants to eat. This picture of her eating her sandwich makes me laugh!

After lunch Tyler, Kameron, and Reilly were playing frisbee. Both Reilly and Kameron are excellent frisbee players. Tyler was teaching them how to play frisbee golf. He is so excited to finally have someone to play with. When Ty and I were dating he always use to keep a frisbee in his car and whenever we went to the park he would grab it and want to play. Let's just say I am not good at frisbee. Here is how that would usually go:

Ty: Let's play frisbee

Kris: Let's not

Ty: please

Kris: Your blocking my sun

Ty: please....(sad puppy dog eyes)

Kris: fine

Ty: Great! Here throw it to me

Kris : (throws the frisbee)

Ty: Um...try to aim it at me

Kris: I am

Ty: Try again

Kris: (throws the frisbee)

Ty: Sweetie...I am over here. Try again.

Kris: (throws the frisbee)

Ty: Can you see me???

Kris: You're rude

Ty: Ok...I will throw the frisbee to you

Kris: fine

Ty: (throws the frisbee)

Kris: Ouch!! That hurts.

Ty: How does catching a frisbee hurt?

Kris: It does AND it broke my nail.

Ty: Ok...let's go sit down.

(Sad I know...but true. Some day I will have to post about my experience with tennis...also a LOVE of Tyler's. But oddly enough...in my own defense...I am great at baseball and football...I can throw a perfect spiral every time. This impressed MANY suitors...including Tyler!)

After that we played many rounds of Hide and Seek. This park has lots of rocks, trees, and bushes...great for hiding. I was teaching the kids how to play "springdell style". The kids used to just hide and get found. There was no "home", no tagging, no being safe, no "olly olly oxenfree". Reilly asked me at one point..."What are you? Some kind of hide and seek expert?" To which I replied "Ah...YES...actually I am!" Don't mess with a Springdell girl and her night games!! Tyler also taught them the basics of "Kick the Can". It was fun.

Then we were off to the duck pond...or should I say seagull pond. The seagulls far out numbered the ducks and were dive bombing us!

After that we walked around the park. This park has several gardens you can go to...and we saw them all. I love this stone bridge.

Here are the kids in the Rose garden. Still pretty bare but beautiful all the same. In the summer it smells heavenly...so does the Lilac garden. We decided to take a few pictures.

Then we were off to the Japanese Garden. It is GORGEOUS in there and the kids love to look at the giant Koi.

Then we were off to my most FAVORITE garden of all. Duncan Garden. The man that it was named after used to have a cabin out on the lake and my grandma knew him. This garden is absolutely AMAZING in the summer...tons of flowers and a gorgeous fountain. It was time for more pictures.

Here are the kids playing at the fountain. Kameron was being a Jedi Warrior, Reilly was doing ballet and Ailey was doing her version of ballet too!

More pictures...Ailey was playing in her "house" she said...and a picture of Ty. Cute!!

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Sad

Wednesday night was a very sad night for our street. Our neighbor's wife passed away unexpectedly. It was horrible. They live right across the street from us and are our age. When we first moved to our house they were the first people we met. Tyler recognized Justin (the husband). Justin was a friend of one of Tyler's friends. Tyler and Justin even played on the same basketball team for Hoopfest (a HUGE 3 on 3 basketball tournament here). Justin came home from work and found her. He called the paramedics but she was gone. Her mom and dad arrived as the paramedics were informing Justin that she was gone. That was truly heart wrenching!! Her mom was out in the yard just screaming and screaming. I hope I NEVER hear that sound again in my life. Justin nearly passed out. It was truly awful.

We talked to Justin for awhile yesterday. They don't know what happened. He talked to her earlier that day and she was getting ready to go to work (she works later in the day). She seemed fine. He stopped by her work to give her a ride home and they said that she never came in. He then headed home and found her. As of yesterday they still didn't know what was the cause of death. Justin is such a nice guy and we are keeping him and his family in our prayers. They had been married for several years but didn't have any children.

So sad!! Hug your family today and tell them that you love them.

Hanging Out!


I love hanging out with my kids. I get tired of all the schedules. I love just bumming around and not having to be any place special at any particular time. Unfortunately the weather has turned cold and it hasn't been very nice outside. It's rainy and it has actually snowed twice at our house...once yesterday and once today. Just little flakes...but snow all the same. I had the kids make lists of things that they thought would be fun to do over Spring Break. They are so darn easy to please...make cookies, make play dough, go for a walk, go to the library, go to a movie etc. Yesterday we did go to a movie. There was a special showing of Charlotte's Web at a local theater. There were 50 million kids but it was fun and our kids had a great time. Check one thing off their lists!






They also wanted to go to the library. I was happy to oblige. Off we went after our movie and came home with stacks and stacks of books. Ailey even got the animated video of "Once Upon a Potty" which is apparently quite fascinating to her...and Reilly and Kameron. It has been watched quite a few times already. Check two things off the list!


Ailey has been so funny lately. She always wants to play the piano. She plays nicely...no pounding...but whenever she plays she wants me to DANCE!! "Dance Mommy!! Dance!!" she will yell. I keep telling her that she should sing as she "plays"..."NO!! I want you to dance!!" So because I love my little tyrant I must spin and twirl for her amusement! There's a visual for you. :)


Yesterday when we got home from the library Ailey wanted Kameron to unhook her out of her car seat...not mommy!! After she was unhooked she looked at Kameron adoringly...batted her eyelashes and said "Oh Kam...you are SO Dwong !! (her word for strong) So so dwong!!" Kameron replied very seriously..."Thanks Ailey...yes I am!" I had to bit my lip to keep from laughing.


Here she is driving her "car"...apparently Britney Spears style...with her baby "Sister Holland" on her lap!!






Today I decided to do something I haven't done in a VERY LONG TIME...I went to the Temple. I usually go with the YW for baptisms etc. but I haven't done a session in an extremely long time. I am one of those people that while I lived in Utah and was surrounded by temples never went once. Horrible! I went today with Jayni bright and early...our session started at 6am!! It was one of the best things I have ever done. There weren't very many people there and by the time I was done...I was able to go and sit and reflect in the room ALL BY MYSELF...for close to 15 minutes. Wow! I had such a special and spiritual experience. I can't wait to go again.

My wonderful visiting teachers, Carolyn and Jewell, sent me a gift card in the mail!! Thanks so much! I can't wait to go and get a hot chocolate and muffin. That was a fun surprise!! I also got to meet Tyler for lunch today which was another fun surprise.

Spring Break...Dave Ramsey would be proud


It is officially Spring Break and where is our family? HOME! That's right at home. We always go somewhere for Spring break but this year we are saving the cash and staying home. Despite our initial gloomy attitudes we have been having fun! We had a great weekend with some fairly good weather. If you're wondering if we spent time this weekend with my family you are RIGHT! I can't help it they are seriously fun.





Stacey drove up to the BIG CITY this weekend for a little shopping. We had a great time. We hit lots of stores and even got fitted for bras. That was quite an experience. I have apparently been buying the wrong bra size for years...my last bra fitting was at ZCMI and I was in 6th grade...I am happy to report that I am a now a 32C...unlike my previous fitting of 32 AA. I did get a little nervous as the lady was measuring me and saying..."It looks like your a 32..." and I was praying she wasn't going to say "A"!! We also had a Headband Palooza!! Apparently headbands are quite "in" right now. No one can say that Stac and I aren't hip...I bought two and Stacey decided to ease herself into the headband world with one but we tried on what felt like THOUSANDS! :) Do note my cute black and white striped headband in the above photo.


Stacey found lots of cute things and I tried to control my jealousy as my sad Dave Ramsey budget only had cash for two EXTREMELY CUTE headbands and dinner at the Olive Garden. The above photo is us actually posing...the one below is us after about 2 seconds of trying to be serious! Yeah it didn't last!! (FYI...I wish one of my dear sisters would've told me my garments were hanging out!)





I felt quite sorry for our poor waiter who had to keep attempting to take our picture. We could not stop laughing!! The picture of me is about one second before a serious snort!! Look at serene Stacey...if you only knew that she was telling us (through clenched...yet smiling teeth) to "SHUT-UP!!" and to try to be normal!! The night was full of too much food, lots of cackling, and I believe we all had to unbutton the top button on our jeans!! Good thing Kelley just joined my gym...we are going to have to work that feast off!


Oh-we also hit Kelley's favorite shopping haunt...the hospital gift shop!! She works at the hospital and buys pretty much all her gifts for others there. They do have some cute things!!


Tyler and I have also started a new weekend tradition. We get up very early and go for a LONG walk with Mrs. Beasley our homely little pug. Sadly we spent ALOT of time talking about how next weekend we need to walk somewhere for breakfast! Here is a picture of "The Bease".




General Conference was great! I loved the Saturday morning talk on not being negative and whiny...oops...I think that talk was for me. I have also eaten enough Rhodes Orange Sweet Rolls to turn into one. Those are SERIOUSLY good.


After being cooped up inside for Conference we decided to go for a bike ride. Tyler tuned up all the bikes and we were off. My butt is bruised...what are bike seats made of?...they are TORTURE devices. The kids had fun. Kameron hasn't been that big on learning to ride a bike. He got a bike for Christmas and has been avoiding it like the plague! We finally got him on it...training wheels and all...and he has done really well.

Now according to my family this picture is not authentic...I took off the bike helmet...my vanity just wouldn't allow it...the bike shot is bad enough. Thanks Reilly for taking the picture.

I forgot to take of shot of Reilly on her mt. bike and one of Tyler on his bike dragging the bike trailer with Kameron and Ailey in it and all of them leaving me in the dust!! Literally! Tyler likes to set a "brisk" pace. I am more of a "lookey-loo" bike rider.

We've also had a movie marathon, eaten WAY to much parmesan popcorn, made orange julius (I have cracked the recipe), practiced lots of T-ball, jumped on the trampoline, played with remote control cars and even had our first mosquito bite of the season. Who needs to go out of town!!

Jordi...we missed you on our shopping excursion. Glad things are going so well in Kansas City. It was great chatting with you! Kelley...I'll see you on Wednesday...be there or be flabby!! ;) It is Dancing with the Stars tonight!! Oh...and a lot of our cackling at our Olive Garden dinner was about The Amazing Race...and Mirna and Schmirna. I am officially declaring my support for them. They are TOO funny!! When they were in their swimming suits a few weeks past and had that poor man in the taxi and Charla was SITTING on his lap...I almost peed my pants...it was THAT funny!

Book Review #4

I finished this book last month. It was our book club selection for March. I just kept forgetting to do my "review". This book according to my "movie" style reviewing gets a rating of...OK.


The first time I heard about the author, Anne Lamott, was on a talk show with Ashley Judd (my favorite Judd). She was raving about the Anne Lamott book she was reading...I can't remember which book she was talking about...maybe this one. I had been wanting to read one of her books for a while to see what Ashley Judd so ga-ga about. When Karri picked this book I was excited to get reading. Anne Lamott is a former drug addict, alcoholic, liberal, dread-lock wearing, single mother...this is about how she found her faith. It started off as a very intriguing read. It was interesting to me to hear about her childhood and adolescence in the San Francisco area in the 1970's. Her parents were very liberal and were "yellow dog democrats"...I can relate...my mother is one. She, too, would rather vote for an old yellow dog than for a republican. Her "Utah Democrat" (is that an oxymoron) hat holds a place of prominence in her house even though she no longer lives in Utah. :)



I didn't grow up LDS. I was active in the LDS church until right after I was baptized and then didn't come back to the church until my senior year of high school. I was raised by liberal parents who felt that we should be free thinkers and decide for ourselves when we got older what religion we wanted to be...if we wanted to be religious at all. (My family classifies themselves as "spiritual but not religious") In high school I attended all kinds of churches with my friends...Catholic, Protestant, Baptist and even a Jewish synagogue. I was active in Young Life and K-Life (kind of like mutual...there were activities and bible studies with a youth pastor). I remember feeling like I was searching for something...just like Anne Lamott in her book. Thankfully I didn't take the road that adolescent Anne does by becoming a drug addict and alcoholic...I "rebelled" and became a conservative Mormon!! :)



During the dark days of Anne Lamott I kind of stopped being interested in her story. There were quite a few times when she truly annoyed me. But then I would read a chapter that had me laughing out loud...the spandex wearing mom from school and the chapter on her saddle bags (which she named "the aunties" are not to be missed)!! By the end of the book I enjoyed her again. It was a great reminder that there are all "types" of Christians...even dread-lock wearing liberals...we don't have to all fit the same mold to share the same basic beliefs and it also reminded me that we all come to God in our own way and at our own time...and that he loves us and is there for us even if we are drug addicts, alcoholics, or a teenager in Kansas City just trying to figure out where she belongs.

Parent Teacher Conferences...and Self-Defense Night

Parent Teacher Conferences are over...yehaw! I am glad to say that Kameron's went really well. I really like his teacher, Mrs. Smith, and there was no stiffling of snickering from Tyler and I. Kameron is a sweetheart, pleaser, hardworker and friend to all...according to his teacher...and I agree. Thank goodness we have at least one. Reilly...on the other hand...while smart, hardworking, and friend to all...is also extremely strong-willed and opinionated. When her teacher showed us some math that Reilly had trouble with Reilly pointed out to her that the reason she had trouble with it was because her teacher hadn't TAUGHT that particular subject matter to the class. Her teacher had no response. You see why we dread parent teacher conferences???

I am impressed with Kameron's Kindergarten experience. His teacher is warm and loving. Kameron is thriving!! He is already reading at a mid-first grade level...in Kindergarten!! (His teacher told us at Kindergarten Orientation that by the end of the year 90% of the kids would be reading at a first grade level...I didn't really believe her). She raises the bar for her kids and they are all rising to the challenge. Reilly wasn't truly reading until first grade. I am thrilled. It is so fun to see him realize that he can read now!! He surprises himself. He is so enthusiastic about school and that is worth a million dollars to me...not to mention the pain, agony and stress of getting the kids opted in to this school. It was SO worth it!

Wednesday night it was Self-Defense Night for our YW Activity. We had the greatest guy come. He teaches at the Lotus Self-Defense downtown. He is AWESOME! This is the second time he has come and the girls LOVE him. I have learned so much!! Since he had taught us the basics the last time this time he was teaching us more advanced things...fun things like...roundhouse kicks and other exciting techniques. We got to practice with a partner...unfortunately Jayni had her baby...Valynn and I had an evil gleam in our eyes at the thought of "taking her down"!! :) I was partnered with Nicole F. (which proved to be dangerous) while she practiced her "punching" technique she actually punched me in the chin!! (The last time Amanda E. flipped me!!) Our girls are dangerous!! I decided to partner with Valynn. Don't mess with her either ...she is a SCRAPPER!! I had some serious bruises from her!! All things point to the fact that I am a serious WEAKLING...SHOCKER...I know!!

Valynn and I were talking to John about attending a Women's Self-Defense Class. He would like to put one together this summer. Valynn and I are really excited to take the class...all you locals should take it too. He combines self-defense, martial arts, and some kick-boxing. It is a great workout (I was exhausted after my "beating") and very empowering (when I wasn't being beaten up by teenagers)!! Plus...I've always wanted to be the kind of girl who could "kick some butt"!! Or at least take Tyler down...apparently I still need some further instruction... but by then end of the night I feltl quite confident that I could fend off a strong 14-year-old! Yay me!

Dancing With The Stars !!


I have a guilty pleasure...it is watching Dancing with the Stars. I love it!! I only watched the last show of the first season but by season 2 I was hooked. This season is proving to be a good one too. My favorite "star" is Joey Fatone. I have never been a NSYNC fan...not my style of music...but I really like Joey. He's the one I am rooting for this season. Now that Rob and Amber are no longer on The Amazing Race I have moved on to a different show!! ;) Are Mirna and Shmirna still hanging on? Those two make me laugh.

We had Reilly's Parent Teacher Conference this morning at 8 am. It went well but her teacher is SERIOUSLY BIZARRE! The stories Reilly comes home from school with are crazy enough but to see them live and in person is just too much. There were several times I couldn't even look at Tyler or I would've died laughing. She was previously the librarian and is now teaching Reilly's class. I am glad she left the library so that Reilly could get into this school but she is seriously a nut job. She told us that she will not be going back to the library next year but will likely move up to teach 5th grade. She said that she would love to have all her fourth graders move up with her to 5th grade. Reilly looked like she was going to vomit on the spot! Great...now I have to write a letter to the principal and try to avoid 2 teachers!! Reilly wants Mr. Osborne next year. I guess I will have to put my "creative" writing skills to good use.