Open House

This my girl. My girl who still lisps her letters "v" and "b". My girl who lights up a room with her smile. No, she is not Mary Tyler Moore, she is my Em. This is her first year in elementary school. It has been an adventure for both of us. Starting over is hard, probably the hardest lesson we ever learn. New school, new kids, new rules, and HOMEWORK. I have to say she has done really well, and most of the time it is her parents who have to stay late and clean the chalkboards. This picture makes my heart ache, because these steps are not the only ones I will see from this angle. This was the end of the year open house for her classroom.




Em is explaining the life cycle of frogs and butterflies. I am seeing a budding scientist. This might help her with the missing caterpillar in the van from a year ago.


I take reading for granted, but to watch her eyes as she is sounding out her words is magical. I can almost see the neurons firing.

The class has a speaking stick so that they can go to the board to read their sight words.

I don't remember studying photosynthesis at this age but I am older than dirt so things must have changed.

My Girl, MY GIRL!

Who is this masked dynamo? Steel eyed, focused, ready for action. I suddenly heard a voice say "Uh, maam, uh, unless your a coach you really should not be on the field." Yikes, have I really turned into that parent? Apparently I have, the one that makes a complete fool of themselves as they are completely wrapped up into a euphoric moment when your kid is participating in something you love. Dad, believe me I am making you very proud. I have embarrassed Em numerous time in her first season of baseball.

This is my lovely girl. She is having a blast and I could not be more proud of her tenacity. She runs like a cheetah, and pounces like a jaguar on any ball in her vicinity.

I don't get tired of looking at this face.

I love it because she asks to play different positions. Last week she learned how to back up the first baseman. In this game she got to play first base. Those beautiful ribbons you see in her hair, they were made by Lorie.

They all line up like little ducks, what is cool is that each one gets a chance to hit. The teams don't switch until everyone has had a chance to bat. This particular day was hot, and the game was during most of the kids' nap time.

Funny Wednesday - Kids are GENIUS!

Welp, Ole Mom's day is coming and in the fine tradition of Mr. Pudding Pops himself, kids say the darnedest things. Please enjoy!

WHY GOD MADE MOMS
Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection.. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect.. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.