Great Education

 
 

If you talk with me on a regular basis, you've probably heard me sing the praises of Jackson's 1st Grade teacher. I admire her greatly and am a little amazed that we've had such great teachers 2 years in a row. As a former public school teacher (although a brief experience), I speak with respect and also a sense of reality. There are lots of great teachers out there and sadly, also a few duds....these seem to be the only ones you ever hear about....the teachers who leave a lot to complain about. Well, I am not complaining! I love this teacher and the great skill and art she applies to her craft. And the children love her even more, at least mine does. Anyway....one of the fun and educational days they've had this year was "Crazy Hair" day - they read a book by the same title on that day. Well, you know Delaney also had to have a crazy hair day when she saw Jackson's hair. I must say he looks pretty cute like this and maybe a little too old.
Below is a photo of Jackson with his Leprachaun Trap. There was a pesky leprachaun in his classroom that kept rearranging things, tipping over chairs, leaving funny notes on the board, and even stealing the homework folders! Jackson's teacher finally asked all of the children to design a trap to catch the little man so they could get his pot of gold. Apparantly, the leprechaun did get caught and as the teacher was ready to pull him out of the bag to show the class, all that was left was some green glittery dust. Tricky little fellow. It was amazing fodder for their journals and vocabulary/spelling lists.

California Winter Sky

 
 

Here are two photos from this winter. There are plenty of things to gripe about living in the desert (especially if you live somewhat remotely, like we do), however there are also so many amazing things like the sky! We don't have clouds all that often, but when we do, they're amazing! You can see the whole cloud. And clouds at sunset....well you're looking at pictures of that. We have pretty nice sunsets for a non-beach location.

Christmas 2008

Okay...so the posts are out of order...it drives me a little crazy, but it is what it is. I think it's fairly appropriate to post Christmas pictures on Easter day though, as I believe Christmas does not hold much meaning without Easter. Anyway...before I get all theological, let me just tell you about these photos. We had our first Christmas of just us at our home this year. I thought it might feel a little sad or lonely to be just us, but it was actually good. Don't get me wrong, I love to be with my family also and it would have multiplied the joy, but "just us" was more than enough joy. Tymaree joined us the day after Christmas. We were glad to have her. I roped her into making sugar cookies with the kids...muuhhahaha. She put on her happy aunt face and did her duty. I think she may have liked it a little too.
We all get to open one present on Christmas Eve. Its normally some sleepwear item....this year it was Snowman PJs for everyone. As Jackson was opening his, he said, "I hope its a toy and not clothes." I guess he's moved onto a new stage were the novelty of having a present to open is outweighed by the excitement and expectation of what is inside the package. I will say he laughed when he opened the box and found the PJs and was actually delighted when he discovered that we all matched. Drew really enjoyed eating the tissue paper. Christmas was right around the time he started LOVING the dishwasher. Like on crack in love. Like can't get enough. Of late, he's transferred most of the obsession to the vacuum cleaner. Delaney was the first to notice the GIANT trampoline on the back patio. During breakfast, she casually said, "We have a trampoline."
This year, Jackson and Delaney made presents for each other. Jackson made Delaney a sock puppet reindeer. Delaney painted a piggy bank for Jackson. It was very sweet to see their excitement in exchanging gifts. They chipped in together and gave Drew set of three plastic trucks, which Delaney promptly adopted and named - they are a family of trucks afterall and she loves families of anything. She has since agreed to leave the trucks in Drew's room, although I sometimes hear her hiding them (in his room) and saying "Oh the trucks are afraid of babies!" when she hears Drew coming down the hall.

Jay visits

 
 
 
 

We were delighted to have my brother Jay visit for a short (and I mean less than 48 hours) visit, around a trip for work. We were happy about the visit, not the short. He called me before he came to check on the weather, which had been nice. So I told him...it's been nice. It rained the whole time he was here. Here, where we get very little rain ever (as in, we celebrate and play in rain unless it's cold), it rained and it was cold. We had a nice time staying inside and visiting and watching the kids bounce off the walls, literally. The kids were delighted and couldn't stay away from Jay. He also met the Drew-man for the first time. I think their heads are similar shapes, but I think Drew's ears are from a different part of the gene pool than Jay's.
I miss having my family close by and I so enjoy having time to visit. Even in the rain. Even when it's quick. Even when it leaves me a little sad because it reminds how far apart we all are from each other. Thanks for making the trip, brother. We'll be coming to see you in Hawaii, but it won't be quick.

Go Macaroni!

Jackson and Nate had a great time planning and creating Jackson's Pinewood Derby car. It won 1st place overall. All of the other cars looked like cars. It was fun to hear people cheer "Go Macaroni!" as Jackson's car raced. Nate has a pinewood derby video posted to his facebook page, if you're curious. Anyway, here they are, after the big win with the car. Jackson is already planning next year's car - it will be him, asleep in his bed, which is actually a car. I love that boy