Kenny's end of 2nd grade play

Kenny played the part of the Narrator in his second grade play called Life Cycles. He's got great inflection in his voice, if I could get him to face the audience instead of the other characters he'd be on his way to Hollywood. Not too bad for an eight year old. There are a lot of clips here, but I wanted to share as much as I could with those of you out of town.

Promenade Left

On Tuesday, Katie and all the 5th grade students got all gussied-up for West Fest Day and did a square dancing demonstration for the parents. Lucky Katie. She got to dance in an all girl group. Her partner, a good buddy of hers, and her switched off who played the "lead." She didn't have to dance or hold hands with any icky boys. If you look in the background of the video clips you'll see how unexcited and lethargic the boy-girl groups are. Katie's group was all smiles and giggles. I got to do the last dance with her. It was a great memory to store away. I can't believe she is moving on to middle-school.
There are many clips to share, 'cause they're just so darn cute.

Spinning Heads

Sorry my blog is so not-up-to-date. I started a long term sub job (early cause the lady had her baby 5 weeks early) and my head is spinning with the adjustment. Katie's been sick for a month solid now. 1st with pneumonia, and then bronchitis -both with airway constriction. The infection is finally gone, but the trouble breathing is not - we are seeing a specialist this month. Combine that with Rick coaching both kids' soccer teams, soccer games every Sat., Kenny and Katie adjusting to having a working-mom, figuring out who is doing the household chores now and general day to day stuff and it leaves little time to update the blog. I am hoping to be more "normal" with updates after Christmas (hey at least I am realistic).

Age of Sail Here We Come

In 5th grade at Katie & Kenny's school students get to participate in the Age of Sail Overnight Program in San Francisco. Katie is so excited about the trip coming soon (Oct 14 & 15). I was lucky enough to be chosen as a Tall Sailor (even though you don't have to be "tall" to be one, you must be an adult LOL) so I get to be on board the ship too (just not in the same crew as Katie). Katie is contemplating signing up to be a crew leader. I hope she puts her name in the running for it. It would be a great confidence builder for her. It's a lot of responsibility to lead your crew and direct them correctly --- she wants to be a teacher when she grows up - this would give her a taste of leading others.
...more on this later I am sure.

"My lips are numb, my cheeks are puffy... and it's Awesome!

"My lips are numb, my cheeks are puffy... and it's AWESOME!" exclaimed Katie as she blew with all her might to get some noise out of *her* trumpet.

Yes. Katie is joining beginning band in 5th grade. She has chosen the trumpet for unknown reasons - well, actually, the band teacher had a little assembly and showed all the instruments and how they sound. She thought the trumpet sounded the coolest. She will start her classes on Tuesday - so we'll have a weekend or more of mysterious and funky sounds being spewed out of the instrument.

Of course we are renting-t0-own the instrument, cause if she's anything like me she won't stick with anything. Did you know I've had classes/lessons in the flute, clarinet, ice skating lessons, sailing and modeling? Can I say I am successful in any of those? Nope --- But I could be a runner up Plus Size Model for the Blind (laughing at myself here).

Just wanted to share Katie's excitement in her new musical adventure. I'll keep ya posted on her progress... meanwhile I might need to go to the local drugstore and invest in some ear plugs for Ken, Rick and myself.

Summer is Officially Over

The kids and I started back to school yesterday. Katie is in 5th grade this year (the year she rules the school). Kenny is in 2nd and nervous about the whole new situation that awaits him.

Since I had to start my day subbing at our local middle school, Rick had to get the kids dressed, fed and to school. By the time I got to our elementary school (subbing 25% at middle school/75% at elementary), the kids were in class. The few times I saw Ken during the day he was much more somber than usual. It turns out he had a rough start in the morning - he hates any new situations with a passion. He held back tears and was nervous as can be. Rick reports that Katie was nervous too, but her desire to see her old friends outweighed any anxiety and she was fine. My day entails visiting classrooms and supporting students with learning disabilities. It was an easy going day really and I got to visit Katie's classroom and observe how many different teachers kick-off the school year. When we got home I made some homemade ice cream. After we ate it, I went to lie in bed for a bit - the next thing I new I had a child snuggled up on either side of me and we were all taking a nap. We slept for about 30 minutes, got up, took a shower and were in our jammies before Rick got home at 6:30. It was a long tiring day for all of us.