lunch date

I really heart lunch dates.  But when your man is a school teacher and his school is a few miles away and he has the car, well, you can imagine that they're hard to come by.

Two summers ago before we had little e, Jeff worked a summer job and got home by one every day.  We could always be found outside grilling something or chilling with our lunch in the courtyard of our apartment complex.  Sometimes I miss those days.

Today I was missing my man, so little e and I decided to have a lunch date with dad.  She loved it, of course and had the cutest smile on her face the whole time.  (except the time she was sobbing because it was time for her nap.)

We love our dad.  He does what he loves, even though it means he'll never be rich or famous.  He works hard all school year and he'll be starting his summer job after only a three-day weekend.  He's fun and sweet and so good to us.  Plus, I think he has a cute smile.

Only two days till summer, Babe.  Hang in there.  We love you.

like you are center stage on broadway

Welcome to the world première.

(and since I can't upload the video, here is the youtube link... anti climatic, I know)

Shirley Studios presents 

Battle of the Books Commercial

brought to you by Jeffree's third grade class

when i'm burning bright

I just found this, we'll call it a thank you note from a student I had a few years ago. Turns out high school students have a different style than 3rd graders...

I'm out. It's been good. Peace out Lorster.

Jeffree finished out the regular school year last friday and we've been enjoying a few days together before he starts his summer job. Here are some highlights from the year:

Jeffree won a national competition with a video he made with his students. They loved it, and now they all want to audition for the community play. Check it out. So adorable.

He had more students request him for this next year than the other 3rd grade teachers. He's just that cool.

He loved the thank you book he received that I mentioned here.

You can tell his students learned a lot by their final journal entry responses to the question, "What kind of doctor would you be and what would you do?" Here are his favorite 3:

-I would be a brain doctor. I would help people get smarter. In other words, I would be a teacher...
-I would be a vetranarian because I would get to stick my hand up cow's butts.
-I would be an eye doctor so I could give people shots in the eye.

Jeffree has loved teaching here in Rexburg and his coworkers are amazing (Brenda, Marianne - come with us please)! We're sad to say goodbye to them, but excited for the opportunities to come.

i'm gonna sit right down

dear jeffree,

Last night was your 3rd grade "year in review." e and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It is so fun to see your little 3rd graders and how they've grown because of your dedication, hard work, and love. It's cute to see the way they adore you and how much they want to be like you.

As I watched you lead the songs, not only did I think about what a good-looking profile you have, I thought about what an amazing man you are. Most would shy away from teaching, even if that's what they loved, because it doesn't pay enough or whatever other reasons. But you give it your all. You have so much talent and drive and because of that, your students thrive. You are determined to succeed no matter what. I hope you know I support you in that.

You go above and beyond in everything you do, which is one thing I love about you. I hope I can be more like you someday.

We love you, Mr. Shirley (and Daddy).

love,

loRi and ember belle

paint me in

Nothing like teacher appreciation week to bring a smile (and a few laughs) to teachers around the world. Here's a sampling of what Jeffree's students had to say about him. We've tried to be as accurate as possible on student's spelling, punctuation, etc. Enjoy!

Dear Mr. Shirley,

You have been a wonderful teacher. Congrations your baby, Amber. You have been the best teacher I have ever had. You are really funny and really nice and I love that.

Dear, M.r. Shirley,

You are the best teacher a student could have!!

P.S. Cute baby!

thankyou

Mr. Shirly

your a grea teacher

Dear, Mr. Shirley you are the best teacher ever.You are the teacher I’ve been waiting for. You rock

Love this picture! I'm not sure why I'm 8 times the size of Jeffree or why little e looks like some species of monkey, but at least the student thought of us :)

And here's a shout out to teachers from Jon Stewart himself. Hilarious.