Next Steps

Two weeks ago the family packed up and headed to the wonderful city of Chicago to celebrate Troy's public dissertation defence! We had an amazing time back in the city! We stayed with a wonderful family that has children surrounding both of mine. They played until we literally had to force them apart. It was awesome!! We got to visit with another dear family that we spent all of our time with... the McGoverns! It is fantastic to have friends like these families!!!
Troy's parents and I went to Troy's public defence of his thesis project. I am continually blown away by how smart my husband really is. I mean I KNOW that he is ,but to hear him speak is another thing. He is a great public speaker! He explained his project to his captivated audience and I actually understand what he's been doing for the past 5 years!! It was really nice to celebrate him!
So, it's official...he's now Dr. Camarata!!!! I know... pretty daunting. I gotta catch up!

Plimouth Plantation

One of the benefits of living in New England, is the real history that is at our fingertips! Last week, I took my students on a field lesson to Plimouth Plantation.

Now before I tell you about that, I need to thank those teachers at KIPP who put in the hard work BEFORE and BEHIND every field lesson!! I had some moments before we left our school in Boston when I questioned what was going to take place. Chalk it up to my "Type A" personality, but I needed to be in charge and know what each moment entailed!! So, to you (you know who you are) I thank you!!!

So, off we went field lesson journals in hand. Yes, my students were shocked that they actually had work to complete before, during and after the field LESSON! After an hour bus ride we ventured out into a replica 17 century colonial village. It was really neat! I spent many summer days at Colonial Williamsburg as a kid, but now I got to see things from a teacher's perspective. We had a great time! After many thoughtful questions and pleasant complements, we loaded the bus and rode home.

The pictures: View from top of village, my students in a Wampanog canoe, students standing on the fence to view...goats!!! I know, city kids! Sammy using a wheelbarrow, and a group photo of the 4th and 5th grade students who earned the trip.

I'm glad to have had the experience with this bunch of kids!!

Boston Duck Tour

When Alan and Lana (Troy's parents) were here a couple of week ago, we took a good 'ole fashioned Duck Tour. What is this you ask? Well, it is a tour of Boston upon a military vehicle that goes in the water as well as street! It was amazing! We started off going through down town while learning all kinds of great info about our fine city. Next, we "drove" right into the Charles River and tooled around there for a while. We learned that the best real estate on the river belongs to the Boston and Cambridge jail houses!!! The have outstanding views! It was a great way to view the city. Brenden highly recommends it!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!! We had a great night of trick-or-treating in Southie! Nanny Chelsea (pictured with the kids) had them ready when I got home. Brenden went as knight and Annie was a princess riding a pink unicorn. Adorable! We went around a friend's neighborhood with her two children. It was so much fun! The kids did a wonderful job with their manners and speaking to total strangers. But you'd expect that with the promise of candy, right!!! Everybody was very nice and in a festive mood. The kids lasted for a whole hour and we headed home. We now have a copious amount of candy! Brenden has been living with the one-piece a day rule...BUT this morning I found kit-kat rappers hidden in the bookshelf!!! I really had a hard time punishing him when all I wanted to do was dig in as well. I mean, a whole bowl of chocolate goodies just sitting there on the counter for all to see!!!!

For the love of the game..

A few nights ago, Troy and I taught Brenden how to play "Sorry"! He desperately needs to learn how to loose gracefully. I know, coming from Troy and I he's got an uphill battle! We are incredibly competitive and both kids have inherited it...darn genetics!! All went well. He was able to pick up the rules quickly and practiced his counting. He won so we had to play again so that we could practice loosing. It was a disaster!! One game was long enough and asking a five year old to be patient for yet another game was asking a lot. Well, Troy won. This was a worse fate. Troy is a terrible winner. I was trying to teach my husband how to win while teaching my son how to loose. I was not a happy camper!

Brenden played with our nanny Chelsea the next day and beat her! Really! So, back to the drawing board on how to teach loosing....