Rise and Shine!

Mia's big thrill of the year came during the last week of school, when her class got to lead Rise and Shine, which is the school-wide assembly that's held every morning.  Each child in the class gets a speaking part.  On the day that I attended, Mia actually had TWO speaking parts, because one of the kids in her class was out.  She found out that morning and she was super excited. 

Mia had the quote of the week: "Know, love and believe in what you are doing" by Will Rogers.  She said it perfectly........of course.

Get With The Program

Kennedy's music program at school was a big hit.  She had a solo part on the piano and a group part on the xylophone.  She seemed really nervous, but she did great.

Take Us Out To The Ballgame

Papa and I took the girls to a baseball game last weekend.  Mia has been to a few now, but this was Kennedy's first.  It was a nice way to spend an afternoon.  The roof was closed, which is no surprise considering the exceptional drought and phenomenal heat wave that we've had for the last month or so.  We got to watch a pitcher's duel, which is cool if you're a baseball fan, but maybe not so much if you're a kid that doesn't really understand baseball.  But both girls stayed focused on the field.  Nobody got bored or grumpy, which is completely amazing.  The girls have been playing baseball with their Mii's on the Wii, but they still had a little bit of a hard time following the action in person.  I was able to explain what was happening and point out the important info on the scoreboards.  That seemed to help.  As a dad who really likes baseball, it was really cool to have that time with the girls to pass on some love for the game.  They may never really pick it up, though I'd love it if they did.  But, for one day I got to go back in time, to when I was a boy going to games with my dad.  I have some cool memories of rainbow jerseys, pennants and fun times at the Astrodome.  It would be great if Mia and Kennedy can say something similar in thirty years when they have their own kids.

One of the coolest parts of the day was when Mia got to run the bases after the game.  Kennedy didn't want to do it, but Mia thought that it was so fun, she decided to do it twice. 

Unfortunately, the home team gave up the lead at the end, so we didn't go home with a win.  But it was still a lot of fun and the girls are asking to do it again.

Checking out the action

How cute are these two?

They were noticing that Carlos Lee is a big dude!

Papa and Kennedy taking in the end of the game

Safe at home!

We are still here...

...just have not felt much like blogging or even moving recent pics from the camera to the computer.  Sad, huh?!  The end of the school year is rough enough, but I also had to pack all 15 years worth of my personal teaching materials and move it all to a new school.  This time around, I got smart and had Charles rent a small U-Haul truck, the $19.95 deal, and we did it all in ONE trip instead of about 10 or 12!  We filled the moving truck and my van, but it is all in my new classroom!  Relief. 

The teaching position I had for this year in special education was cut, but my 15 years experience secured a contract for me during a scary time of school lay-offs.  The positive side of the unexpected job change is that I will return to teaching kindergarten...my specialty and my favorite!  The school I am moving to is only about an extra 5-7 minute drive from home and it is brand new, set to open in August.  An interesting tidbit is that the school is named after my high-school principal...which is pretty cool!  My classroom is beautiful with plenty of built-in storage, huge windows and tons of natural light.  It is a certified "green school" with several energy saving ammenities.  We will have all of the latest technology, including "Smart Boards" mounted right on the wall.  While change is always a challenge, at least there are several positive aspects to it, and I am trying my best to focus on the positive.

Kennedy will start an intensive English-Language Aquisition summer school course next week on Tuesday.  It will last for 4 weeks and is from 8-3 or 8-4.  Checking on that!  I have to drop her off at our local elementary school by 6:40 each morning so she can catch a transfer bus.  The bus goes on to pick up at a local high school at 7:20 and will have the kids to the high school site that is hosting the summer programs in time to start class at 8am.  She is going to have to get herself up with an alarm by 5:40.  I showed her this morning how to get breakfast for herself, and later, I will coach her on making her lunch to take with her.  I am on "summer vacation"...even though I have several training classes to attend...and I do NOT plan on getting up that early to do it for her!  She is 14, and that is SURELY an age where she can take on those responsibilities for herself.  Mia and I will roll out of bed at 6:20 so we can leave our house at 6:30 in our jammies to drop Kennedy off at her bus pick-up.  UGH.

Anyway, the picture above is from Easter, because I have nothing else losded to post.  Not sure if this one was ever posted or not, but knew you would expect a picture!  ;)