Zoo Day

We had a family day this Sunday (after my tantrum on Saturday) and made our way to Lincoln Park Zoo. The kids love going so, we packed up and headed out. We saw all the animals, even the vulture who was eating a mouse lunch. The lioness walked up to the viewing window, eyed Brenden and promptly took a nice afternoon nap. The sea lions bored us all so we went to the playground across the street. After a great play and a walk in the rain, we headed home. Annie and Troy took naps while Brenden and I had a puddle jumping afternoon in the rain! Amazing really...

Thank You...

I have been trying relatively hard to keep it all together. I have been trying to avoid a mental breakdown. I have been feeling overwhelmed to say the least. There is so much that I need to do before I can actually move this August! So amid all my planning and list-making, I threw an adult tantrum! I yelled, cried and said things that I shouldn't have! To those of you who bore the brunt of it all, THANK YOU!! Dad and Heather, thanks for not yelling back and getting mad at me but for really listening and helping me to talk it out. Thank you for knowing me and letting me get through it all. Kaitlin my friend, you are amazing! Talking me through a crying fit in the parking lot of Jewel saved my life and those of the people around me. You know me all too well and for that I am forever thankful! To Troy (who rarely reads this) thank you for this amazing opportunity in the journey that I call life. And for loving me.

I love each and every one of you!

And the Beat Goes On...

I've taken a position at Michale J. Perkins on Boston's south side. I will be teaching a 4th/5th grade split classroom. It is a school that is working its way back from a pretty hard journey. It is a small school situated in the middle of the poorest projects on the south side of Boston. In the early 70s Boston had a great idea to integrate the school (it was 100% white) and bussed in kids from other areas. Needless to say, this was a difficult problem. Now that the racial "stuff" is working itself out, they're working on the actual teaching that is going on. I seem to be drawn to this type of school! I've been hired for a total of 3 days and I'm knee deep in curriculum writing and working with teachers on developing a plan for next year. I am excited for this opportunity and ready to get started! Wish me luck!!

Yesterday...

Just a few pictures of our trip North to visit with Tony, Shannon and Cass. We had a great little party in honor of our nephew's graduation. Go Cass!!!

To Be a Father

Today is the day that we pay tribute to all the fathers in our lives.
My dad...
I have been raised by the most amazing man! He has taught my sister and I through example. He is patient, kind, generous, and giving. He has been there for us through the difficult times and all the fabulous moments. My dad is a man that I admire. He is someone that I want to excel for. I want to make him proud because of who he is. I have been very blessed to have him as my father! I love you Dad. Happy Father's Day!!
My Husband...
Troy is a fabulous father! He has become affectionate and forgiving. He protects and loves our children. He teaches them to be curious and excited about everything. He encourages them to try new things and not to be afraid. I have been lucky enough to find him. The best testament to his parenthood is when you ask Brenden what he wants to be when he grows up, he will tell you a Husband and a Daddy. This makes my heart swell with pride! I love you Troy. Happy Father's Day!

My Little Pranksters...

I told my students last week that I was moving and Monday I confirmed that we we are going to Boston. My students are happy for me, but sad that they won't see me. So life has gone as normal, until yesterday at lunch....

I picked up my students and several of my trouble makers were missing from the bunch. I was told by several students that they were throwing food and were taken to the Assistant Principal. As structured as I am, the lunchroom offers way more freedom and my students tend to run away with it. I was not surprised but VERY disappointed that we couldn't get through the last week without incident. I have a tough bunch of kids. I took the remaining kids outside for a short recess and we had a great game of tag. While coming inside, my "trouble makers" met me at the door to the school. Needless to say I was really angry with them and I refused to speak to them! We made it all the way to my classroom and I had to pull them aside and give them a piece of my mind. They stood there with their heads down and took it.

WELL, I walked into the classroom and got the surprise of my life!!! The kids threw me a surprise "going to Boston" party!!! It turns out they didn't get in trouble but it was the easiest way to get the classroom set up. I was flabbergasted and touched! They apparently worked with the AP to collect money and shop for food. We had pizza, chips, cookies, and soda! The following pics are my class and the kids who planned and executed the party.

Boston here we come!!

Troy has accepted a post-doc position in a lab at Harvard! His lab is actually in Mass General Hospital and will be completing projects in two separate labs. I'm not sure of his project just yet, but I will provide the simple version of it when I know more! I am so proud of him! He's been working really hard and now it's going to begin paying off.

So, I'll begin packing the house up, get Brenden registered for school , and see if I can find a great job! So much to do and such great weather outside! It will be difficult dragging the kids inside so we can actually get some work done! Wish me luck and any help would be greatly appreciated. If you know of amazing schools and places to live...give me a ring!

PreK Celebration

Brenden has spent this year at St. Matthias Catholic School. I am very happy with his learning this year! To tell you the truth, I'm kinda afraid of pushing him too hard. As a teacher, I'm cognisant of the effect that driven parents can have on their children. Of course I want Brenden to be smart, but I just don't want to be "that parent". Anyway, Brenden has learned to spell words, sound out many words, rhyming words and opposite words. He's even learning to add! With all that in mind, I'm most proud of his ability to now get over his anger. Before, he would pout for a very long time, BUT NOW he quickly moves on. I adore his teacher Mrs. Garcia and am sad that Brenden won't be learning from her! She really is a fabulous teacher!

Friends at play

The family across the street have become close friends of ours. They have three daughters, two of which go to school with Brenden. The kids have been trading back yard afternoons, while the little girls take their afternoon naps. Brenden introduced the girls to the world of pirates. The lid to our sandbox became their "boat". It was interesting to see how the girls shared boating responsibilities and how quickly they all became the captain! This picture is of the kids going to one of the islands. Elizabeth (on the right) is going to be in second grade and Catherine (on the left/was in Brenden's class) will be in preK 4 next year. Annie and Margaret were peacefully sleeping! A great way to spend a lovely afternoon!

Kids

Annie and Brenden at work...

Just Thinking...

As the school year winds down, I can't help but think about my students and what I've done (or not) for them this year. It has been a long and pretty challenging year. I can't say that I'm sad to see it end, but I really do like what I do! Tomorrow, I go to my first class of KIPPsters' 8th grade graduation. I have a slue of questions running through my little head. Did anything I taught them stick? Are the living with integrity? Are they setting and achieving their goals? Did I have any real impact?

While thinking about all of this on the way home, Brenden was able to put it into perspective for me. We drove up to a red light and stopped to see a young man holding a sign. Brenden asked if he was selling something or was he homeless. Whew, took my breath away! Bren said that if he was hungry, then we should give him something. Such a simple philosophy really. Brenden and I had a great discussion about helping each other when times get tough. We started talking about people in general when I realized what I was being told to do. Help people! Yes, I have been trying to help the earth by using canvas bags and recycling, but what have I been doing to leave a lasting impression on the people? I tried to reassure myself that I do help by working with the kids that I see everyday, but is it enough? Am I teaching Brenden life lessons in compassion? What else can I do? These are the thoughts that are fueling a new desire to find out what I can do to improve the lives of those people around me.
What are you doing?