Rocky Point Spring Break 2018

One of my true joys in life is sandy beach in Rocky Point. Something about being on that beach calms my soul. It is healing and peaceful and I am grateful it is so close. This is probably my 25th year or more....who knows..... that I have been going down to that beach. I have never had a problem and the people of Rocky Point are humble and kind. It is one of my happy places.

I am not fancy I camp on the beach at Playa Bonita in tents, but there are showers that are pretty nice and bathrooms. You can buy ice on site for your cooler and yes the ice is OK to put in your drinks. I have been drinking it with my Coca Lights for years. One trick I learned when traveling through Asia is if you are nervous about the food drink a Coke first. I have never had trouble with food making me sick while travelling using that little trick. Who am I kidding though...Coke is one of my major food groups.

Those freckles......

Aydan turned 14 over Spring Break. Thanks to Travis for helping me make it fun! He drove all over town finding decorations for me. I mean that is the cutest...ever. We decorated camp, had a doughnut cake, and went to Wrecked at the Reef for dinner followed by churros. Can I just say the churro stand....is amazeballs. Ellie is all wrapped up in the blanket anytime it hits 8:30 that girl is gone. 

I love that I get to be with my friends and my kids get to play with their friends. I love that I get to be with Heather for a chunk of time. It is the best! I also love not cooking for a week and my little heart is as happy as can be with tacos for every meal. 

Running on the beach my fav. 

Sea slugs

What is happening...time just marches on and here I am with these kids that just keep growing. I love them with all my heart. 

No makeup for the week is probably one of my most favorite things or maybe Aydan's 1990's braids. 

T and my Heather

Banana Boat Rides

Outside Pollo Lucas

Mr. Fishy Taco

What trip would be complete without a Rottweiler henna tattoo? I mean.....It's definitely my first choice. Then again.....you could always get forever henna tattooed on your arm. 

Forever. 

Places we like to go:

• Get Mexican shirts, muumuus, blankets and trinkets on the beach or at Rocky Points own Rodeo Drive.
• Reggies 8/12 not to be confused with 7/11. The best donuts in town. My favorite is the cinnamon twist.
• Candy Cake had THE best omelet and fresh squeezed orange juice. Really. Try the Grandma's Omelet.
• Taco Brissas
• Of course Pollo Lucas
• Combo Taco was good....
• I had my first ever Sonoran Hot Dog and it was GOOD, bacon wrapped, smothered in onions, guac, pico, and cheese. I was afraid....but I was wrong. It was amazing. 
• Mangoes on the beach
• My ever fav potato tacos on the beach
• Coca light...way, way, better than Diet Coke
• The churro place
• La Michoacana try the Popsicles and the Limon drink it is SO good! 

Rocky Point has always been good to me and my kiddos. I adore all of the things it represents for me: rest, friends, ocean breezes, salt water, sandy toes, sleep, peace and fun.

Why I am #RedforEd

Why I am #RedforEd and my tutoring supplies behind me for extra proof. 

Let me tell you a little bit about myself, my thoughts on education, and what it is like to walk in my shoes as a teacher. You will then have a good idea why I am #RedforEd and hope you will join me too. 

When I was in eighth grade I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. I have always been curious, loved children, and loved teaching. Teaching is not for the faint of heart. I have paid for lunches for students who had no lunch money and no free or reduced lunch plan at a charter school. I have bought cupcakes numerous times for children who didn't have anyone to bring them a birthday surprise. When every other child in the class did and it broke my heart for them to be left out. I have bought tennis shoes for children who's shoes are falling apart with no sole left on the bottom. I have supplied science, art, and classroom materials that add up anywhere between $200-$1000 EVERY YEAR. I have paid for snacks for classroom parties when parents failed to donate. I have given my own lunch up several times on field trips to children who forgot theirs. I am not alone most of my colleagues do exactly the same. 

I am a Single Mother of two lovely children who deserve the world. I HAVE to work TWO JOBS to make ends meet. I could not afford groceries and gas without my second income. My children often have a very tired, overworked, Momma. 

I have spent many, too many, sleepless nights worrying about students who have strenuous home lives. I have lost sleep over rudely written emails. I have been told by parents that because they pay taxes and I am a government employee I work for them and therefore have to do what they say. I have children every year with special emotional needs and academic needs. I tutor two mornings a week for free to students who are falling behind. I attend students baptisms, concerts, dance recitals any time I can. The worry that comes with preparing children for standardized testing is insane. I would wake up in a panic not because I didn't think I had done my job or worked hard or the children had worked hard but....would they be able to perform and show all they knew in that moment? Would they be able to handle the hours and hours of testing before them? I work many hours far beyond forty a week there is NO WAY to keep up with the work load if you don't. 

I try not to go to the doctor because I can't afford the co-pays or the medication. I caught a flu virus and ended up with a double ear infection, sinus infection, and upper respiratory infection. I have not been this sick in years I thought I might die. I am not kidding. I missed a week of work. I had to find my own sub and spend over an hour for each day missed writing sub plans. My class lost their minds with me being gone so I felt I HAD to come back, not to mention I could not miss parent teacher conferences because it is so HARD to make those up. So I went to work sick, with a fever, and exhausted. I am not alone, we all do this because it is so much work to miss a day. What other job doesn't wait for you when you are gone? What other job has twenty four precious littles who NEED YOU? Do you have any idea what that is like? 

My dream for education is for us to be able to build each child. Each child is so different with different struggles, strengths, and needs. Our education system is archaic and designed on an education system model that was used for the industrial revolution. We need tools to teach these children and opportunities to give them hands on experience! Wouldn't it be amazing if we could teach units on various careers having experts from those fields come and mentor our children? Just think about it we could have a newsroom, and an architecture unit, a unit on marketing, business, it could be so exciting! The possibilities are endless. You know how sad is it that I didn't list teaching as one of the careers? I love teaching. I teach because I know it is one of the things I am here to do. I care deeply about my profession and am invested in each child that comes through my classroom door. 

If you have been taught by me, or I have taught your child, or you are a friend of mine, or have students in public school, or have HAD children in public school, if we are related, or if you just like to peruse my blog I am asking for your support. Please post a picture to social media with the hashtag #RedforEd and list the reasons you think there needs to be reform in Arizona. 

One last note...You now know that I love love teaching, you know some of the struggles I have with teaching. I want you to know I love my co-workers past and present. Teachers are seriously some of the BEST people on this earth. I love my administrators they are wonderful, smart, and supportive. I also love the school district I work for. I love the families I get to work with each year and especially my students. They are the icing on the cake and make coming to work each day fun. 

That is why I am  #RedforEd. I hope you will be too. XOXO- The Sunny D