Teenage Invasion

Happy 13th birthday Austin!  It is so hard to believe that we now have an official teenager in our home.  It really does seem like a just a couple of eye blinks ago, we were soaking up the love of our first newborn and enjoying this little guy realizing that our lives had changed for the better, forever.

I remember planning his first birthday party and wondering where in the world that first year went.  There was no way while watching him dig into that first birthday cake that I could envision the day he turned 13.

He is his father through and through, from his looks to the natural curiosity and wicked sense of humor.

The twinkle in his eyes gives you a glimpse into that personality.  He is all about fun, but yet has a serious and hard working side to him also.  He is full of spunk, but has such a tender heart and is always aware of how those around him feel. 

It has been such a joy to watch him grow and change throughout the years. As he moved into the middle school this year, I had to continually do double takes every time I saw him in the hall or in a classroom.  It just seems impossible that he could actually be at that point in his life.

While I cherish the memories of his early years, I truly am looking forward to watching him grow into a very handsome, kind and compassionate young man.  Austin, we are so truly blest to have you as our firstborn son.  You are a joy beyond our wildest dreams!

Camille on her deathbed

Introducing Claude Monet and his painting Camille on her deathbed. 

Carter's class has been working diligently over the last month on researching an artist and recreating a painting from that artist with the help of the art teacher to use in a wax museum.  They were all set up in the media center and audience members had the chance to go around and "push" a button to make the "wax" figures come alive and recite information about the artist and painting.  It was a pretty cool deal, especially when I know how much time and effort went into having the students do this.

Check out that theatrical make-up job!  Check out what the real Camille on her deathbed looks like and tell me I didn't do an amazing job!  Think I stand a chance of getting a job with the movies?  I think I'd better stick to teaching.

Medieval Fair

Austin participated in a medieval fair today through his social studies class.  Students were able to select a topic of interest to them connected to medieval times and have spent the last month researching and designing a project and presentation with a partner for this day.

Austin gave a commanding performance using that cardboard sword to point out important details on his display board!  It was fun to see the kids have the opportunity to present to adults and other sixth grade social studies classes as they demonstrated their expertise on their topic.

Don't these two look thrilled that I was taking their picture?  

Now tonight I get to figure out where to purchase theatrical make-up to turn Carter into "Camille on her Deathbed" for his wax museum tomorrow!  UGH...I'm way out of my league here.  Stay tuned...

It's the little things

Little things that make you smile #20~

Walking outside to see your husband and son patiently trying to witness a solar eclipse

The next thing I know it's a neighborhood event.  Apparently it took one almost 13 year old to show three adult men the best way to do it...five to six pair of sunglasses :) (I'm sure scientists and doctors would not recommend such methods!)

Never mind the playing cards with holes punched in them, the pinholes on sheets of paper or the binoculars and magnifying glasses and mirrors...my son nearly blinded himself, but he was thrilled to have seen a partial eclipse.

Bike to work week

Ace has had fun participating in bike to work week.  One day there was a small group from ING that hopped on their bikes and traveled into work together, otherwise, he's been meeting up with one guy and peddling on in from his house.  It's been a great week for it, but every morning I keep hearing on the radio about car/bike accidents, and it freaks me out wondering if he made it to work safely!  Just one more day and then he can sleep in a bit more as it's not quite as quick as driving to work.

It's the little things

Little things that make us smile #19~

Savoring a beautiful day outside

That's how I got to spend a good chunk of my mother's day and it was simply glorious.  The weather was perfect, the food and drinks were great, as was the company.  Ahhh...now if the next couple of weeks could simply fly by so work can be done and I could do that more often!

Carter says...

Carter has been quite the conversationalist lately.  I truly never know what is going to come out of either of the boys' mouths.  On our way to baseball this week:

C: I don't like my chubby cheeks.
L: Your cheeks aren't that chubby Carter.
C: Yes, they are.  I look like an Oompa Loompa.
L: (Giggling) You do not look like an Oompa Loompa.
C: Maybe not a real Oompa Loompa, but I sure look like what an adult Oompa Loompa would look like.
L: (Laughing hard now) Your cheeks are just kissable.
C:  NO!  I'm tired of looking like an Oompa Loompa!

...and with that he took off for his baseball game.

Tonight's conversation before bed:

C: Do you put on deodorant?
L: Yes.
C: Do you put it on in the morning and at night?
L: Typically just in the morning after I shower.
C: Well, you should really put some on every night too because a leprechaun might sniff your armpits at night and think they are smelly!
L: What?!?  (Trying really hard not to laugh)
C: You heard me.  One night a leprechaun came and sniffed my armpits and said P.U.

...with that he kissed me and snuggled up in bed for the night!

Gettin' my geek on

What a privilege it was to attend the International Reading Conference in Chicago last week.  Lest my neighbors continue to have the wrong impression, I wasn't in Chicago just to read "nerd manuals" ;)  I can do that just fine at home and the baseball diamond! I was there to get up to speed on the latest research in literacy education and bring that knowledge back to the district and teachers that I work with.

Even though my primary goal was to be focused on the reading portion of literacy, I had to indulge the writing side of me and attend a couple of sessions with the writing gurus. You truly know you are a geek when you are ready to tuck Laura Robb and Kelly Gallagher into your back pockets and bring them home with you!  They were simply delicious little people who apologize for nothing when it comes to what is in the best interest of kids. Oh what I wouldn't give to be able to watch them in action with kids.  

Now after having a delightful four days immersed in literacy research, it makes me want to be back in the classroom to put into action what I've just learned and been affirmed in what knowledge I did have.

It's the little things

Little things that make us smile #18~

Fresh breezes blowing in through the windows

I love the smell of fresh air in the house and delicate sounds of the wind chimes jingling outside the front door.  We enjoyed this yesterday as we actually had most of Sunday afternoon at home to do some cleaning and organizing.  I have to give Ace a ton of credit for organizing some kitchen cupboards and the pantry!  Woo Hoo!  It feels so good and I actually know what we have now.  What a great guy he is.  I think I'll keep him around :)