A-F-R-I-C-A

The best elementary concert of the year is hosted by the third graders.  The curriculum for this grade level is the study of Africa through reading, social studies, music, and science.  The teachers go-all-out and it is so much fun for everyone.

Leading up to the music concert last night, the students got to make their own tie-dye tshirts, a ceremonial African hat, and lots and lots of artwork displayed around the gym.  The display behind the cute blond teacher standing, who is my son's fabulous teacher, is just a smidgen of what was on display.  I am always impressed with the quality of work these teachers get from their students.  Not sure my third grade year would have been to the same level.

We have six classrooms that make up our third grade; so three classes were grouped to make a 6:30pm concert, and a 7:30pm concert.  We have two music teachers for our campus and my son's teacher let her three classes make up their own drum beat ~ kids are creative!

My son and his friend were chosen to make the choreography that went with the song Lion Sleeps Tonight.  A different student was chosen to be the lion, who danced rhythmically on the stage in front.  What a cute song; and my son and his friend created neat movements for the classes.

I took video of the songs, if I can manage YouTube, I just might post it to share the beautiful music and African songs.  So cheerful and upbeat ~ it made me want to get up and join them.  We had a lot of fun last night.

Jumpin'

We spent the good portion of our past Saturday outside.   The kids played with friends, my husband played with landscaping, and I read a fascinating book (more about the book later).  Towards the end of our day, my husband found a tree frog; one of my children's favorite outdoor critters around here.  While my daughter won't touch the things, she enjoys looking at them crawl all over my son.  Playing around with his camera, my husband got these amazing photographs. Perfect shots!

Tree Frogs remind me of Easter time.  We had bought our first house in 1995 fresh from the builder, which meant back in "those days" it came with no landscaping in the backyard.  My husband had an interest in landscaping and gardening, so he went to work.  He designed and installed the backyard, and he did the same with our current house when we purchased from a builder again (with no backyard).

With the help of family, he installed sod in our backyard for an instant lawn.  It was a lot of hard work that took an entire Saturday.  That first backyard was large, even after we broke up the lawn by having a half court basketball installed and extending our patio the length of the house and extra wide into the yard.  It still left a substantial lawn that was private and gorgeous.

It was the day before Easter when the project was almost complete.  With no kids in our house yet, I decided to add plastic Easter Eggs on our fresh yard for my husband to enjoy when he woke up Easter morning.  Knowing that he was not really going to go for an egg hunt, I just scattered them around the new green grass for fun.  In his yellow rain gear, laughter and smile attached, he gathered the eggs while finishing up the remaining chore before Church.  It felt awesome to have the new yard, to finally see green on Easter, versus brown rocks and dirt.

Busy in the kitchen making breakfast, I heard my husband knock on the sliding glass door.  He had put an egg on the back step for me.  Awww, I shook it being funny.  And to my surprise it made a kathunk, kathunk, heavy noise.  Odd, I didn't even fill the eggs.  What's going on?  My husband grinned and told me to open the egg, it was a surprise.

Out JUMPED a tree frog just like the one above. I screamed and threw the egg ... and then belly laughed the rest of the morning (the frog was completely unharmed).

So while my daughter won't touch the things, my son and husband will, and every time I see these little critters about, I think of plastic Easter Eggs.

Growing Up

While I was on a break from blogging, I grew up a little, by a year to be exact.  We celebrated with a festive day at an indoor water park.  Never mind the fact that the sun decided to shine that day, we had our plans set and I could not disappoint the kids (okay, or myself).

While this location is about three years old, it was all new to us.  We decided that we will be going back to enjoy the water slide, lazy river, lap pool, water basketball game, and diving board. And yes, I had an immediate appreciation for my new swimming excitement that had me going here in the first place, and for participating going down the water slide (among other adventures I might not have done prior to this year).

My husband bound another blog book for me; my first year of writing in 2008.  I love having the blog captured on paper; knowing that nothing can erase it.  The kids love to pour over the book too, since they don't read my blog online. A very thoughtful and wonderful gift (thanks, Honey!).

Upon coming home, my husband and children made hand tossed pizza dough for pizza and bread sticks. One of my husband's first jobs as a teenager was working at a pizzeria that was known for their hand tossed pizza's.  He proved that it was a skill that he didn't leave behind when he moved forward to college.  The pizza turned out so YUM!  It was the best.

Relaxing all weekend with my family was the best way to celebrate my growing up.
I love you, Family, so very, very much!!

Spring Break

Since I have been writing during Spring Break, I thought that I would actually take a Spring Break and not write for a couple of days.  This week has gone magnificently slow and relaxing and I tend to keep it that way to the bitter two days and some odd hours remaining.

I jumped on my husband's computer to find some pictures. Browsing around landed me in 2006 when my daughter's hair was almost pure white and my son could fit inside a box.  I enjoy looking at old photos because you appreciate the cuteness so much more when they were just turning eight and six.

In no particular order and for no reason, here are some of my favorites from a folder titled Fall Dump 06; which means it is random of a little of everything.

Memory Lane

My son has been wanting to visit the University that I graduated from for a couple months now.  Luckily, their Spring Break did not coincide with our Spring Break, so it was the perfect week to go for a walk about campus.  Having the students there and the buildings open would be fun.  Having a break in the rain was a bonus.

As I was pulling up to the main parking lot to dump the car, my son asked if I would be taking pictures of the "blooming trees."  I knew what he was referring too; the Cherry Blossom trees, but he had the wrong campus.  The popular Cherry Blossomed tree campus was about sixty minutes away in the opposite direction.  Explaining this, he said, "Well, then, where are we going?"  He thought all along I was a graduate of the other University that he visited last Spring Break and he was looking forward to going back there.  The excitement just died right then and there in the backseat.

Oh well ... I would just have to find ways to jazz up this adventure.  The kids were full of questions once we got onto campus and went into some buildings.  I was amazed how much the buildings had not changed in eighteen years.  Especially the library.  They had the same chairs; the old fabric ones that make me wonder how many germs are crawling on top, and when were they last steam cleaned?!  I spent many of hours in the library researching and studying for exams.  The one true guarantee of quiet.

The only building that we went into that had been updated was the University Center.  The place where all the kids hang out because that is where the food is served.  It looks very different; and to my surprise, I was actually sad about the update.  I know, after my experience with the library chairs, what was my issue?!  The old way was just my way and so no rush of memories came flooding back.  While it looks more hip and more inviting, and actually like the food would taste good; I still like the old way better.

 To my surprise, dorm life suited me well and I had so much fun with my wing-mates. I lived here on this side of the building for three years.

The only hill on campus that I climbed to and from my private piano lessons, or back from any physical education classes, or sporting events.  The Upper Campus was more "educational", the Lower Campus was more "party" and sports minded.

My kids are walking my path from my dorm room to the Communication Arts Building (at the end of the path) that all of my major classes were held. Such a small, cozy building, but many fond memories of great professors and great education.

My son dancing in the main gym.  This is where I graduated, but I can honestly say I remember two things about that event: 1) getting pictures taken with my family outside and 2) lining up in the field house before the main event.  Actually walking across the stage to get my diploma or sitting in my chair waiting ... not a memory.  I started to get worried about that, and decided the tour needed to keep going. We walked to the new bookstore and bought a souvenir.  

It was fun to travel back in time as I love, love, love my University days and campus (even if I can't remember the actual moment I graduated).

Girls and Boys

Yesterday while my friend was off serving our legal system on Jury Duty, my other friend and I kept her children for the day. I had three fifth grade girls playing at my house, while my friend had four boys ranging from kindergarten to third grade under her wing.  Hmmm, I wonder who got the better deal? 


My creative and energetic friend had a plan; she was going to strap them in the car for an hour drive to a zoo of reptiles.  My son was Beyond-Excited for this day to arrive.  This is something just up his alley; anything hands on animal related and he is good to go.  He got to hold snakes, he talked to the owners of the zoo, and he explored the caged and non-caged critters too.  He was loving his adventure with our friends. 

The girls were happily busy creative playing all sorts of adventures back at our house.  I settled in with them for lunch and it was fun hearing their stories and connecting with the girls.  A very fun trio, I am proud my girl has stuck close to these two friends. 

We met back up at Taekwondo where all the boys joined in on the class, the girls continued their talk and giggles on the balcony, and the moms got to share about our day with each other's children. 


Enjoying our Spring Break; with reptiles, creativity, and friends. 


Thank you, SK, for hosting a Terrific Tuesday for my son and sharing your beautiful daughter with me!!

School Zone

One of my children's favorite activities when they go to my parent's house, on any occasion, but especially on Piano Mondays, is playing in the School Zone.  A retired teacher, my mom has a wonderful display of school supplies and decor which fosters imaginative play, education, and hands on fun that she has set on the landing of their staircase.  According to my mom, my daughter certainly has the look and say of a teacher; she is really paying attention to what is said during class time as her lingo is right on target!

On Mondays, my mom will always play with them, and my dad will get asked to join too.  When he plays, he takes on the role of the "bad kid"; which I hear just cracks my kids' up as he plays it to a tee (and that's not who he is, he's so gentle and fun).

In addition, on Piano Mondays, my daughter has also taken it upon herself to "teach" my mom all about her fifth grade math curriculum (including homework assigned to my mom) and history (my mom had her CBA History project due last week, and I am happy to report she got an A+ from my daughter-the-teacher).  My mom is a great sport!!

When the cousins come over, all the kids play and take turns in their roles as teacher, student, principal, class pet ... their creativity runs wild from the names of students, to the behavior of each character being role played.

Here are some photos my husband took at random on Easter.  Although we had not talked about it prior, we were on the same page that we wanted this area documented just to have.  The school desks were purchased when I was little and I "played school" growing up too in our basement's playroom.  Although it was nothing compared to my children's collection of school-fun, I do remember those desks.