Why does everyone I went to high school with look so old??

Ok, last night Alex and I went to the 2008 CNE alumni basketball game. Although I get to see lots of people I went to school with living and teaching here in the district, a few showed up who I haven't seen since high school. I am always amazed at how old they look. How is that possible when I look exactly the same?!? Seriously, a few of those dreamy guys DID NOT AGE WELL!! And don't get me started on the noises that were made when the old guys hit the court! Luckily they had 2 paramedics already there on the sideline.

I think next year they should think about something less strenuous like Texas Hold 'Em. Then we all can play and no one has to go to the hospital!

We've come a long way...

Today I started a novel unit in class on The Watson's Go To Birmingham-1963. Anyone who knows me knows it is one of my favorites. It centers around an African-American family in 1963 who decided to escape the cold of winter in Michigan to visit family in Alabama. The book is funny and has lots of references to the civil rights events of the time. Our kids have been learning about Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks since preschool so I assumed they had some kind times.

Today in the story they reference the "Colored Only" restrooms in the south. After watching the student's reaction during the chapter, I asked them later what they thought it meant. They really thought about it. They had that look like they had some kind of idea of what it meant. Finally, my student who happens to be biracial raised her hand. I thought to myself that if anyone knew she would. Her answer was, "That means they painted the bathroom a different color." The funny thing is that everyone in class agreed with her.

I think back to that famous speech of Dr. King where he mentions the dream of his children being judged by the strength of their character rather than the color of their skin. I have thought all day and wondered if it is progress or pathetic that our children have no idea about such recent history. I am going with progress. I went to the library tonight and got a few picture books on the civil rights. I am not sure kids can begin to understand what happened in the 60's before 4th grade. I am 37 and just now getting it. As I looked as those pictures I wonder if I would have had the courage to march, sit, and speak out. I think about the Little Rock 9 and wonder if could have sent my sons and daughters to school in such hatred. I honestly don't know. I hope I would.

Thank you to all those who made it possible for my children to have no idea what all this is about!

Seriously....

How cute is this!?!?!?!?!

For those who love snow days...

I think I might have found someone who likes snow days more than me!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sUL0KCIc48

Green for Good!!

Through the misfortune of a dear friend I was able to go and see Wicked last night. It was so very, very, very, very, very good!!! I am a huge fan of musicals and this one was wonderful! It had something for everyone. It took great story of Gregory Maguire's book and changed the sad, depressing stuff. It is a great story about friendship. I loved it! Thank you Mr. Y. for okaying me to go right away!!!

Pick your candidate

A friend sent me this website. You answer 28 questions and it gives you the presidential candidates that best match your beliefs. Accurate or not, it is a great conversation starter. Try it out and see what you think...

http://www.votehelp.org

That's my kid!!

Today was a quite a "Mom" day for me. I went from completely embarrassed to completely proud, all in about an hours time. Let's start with the embarrassing moment...

This was week 2 of rehearsals for The Music Man. The kids put in a good hour and 1/2 of practice. Next week they begin practicing with the "big kids" at 11:00 on Saturdays instead of the 1:00 practices they have had this last 2 weeks. Abby, who hasn't said 2 words at rehearsals, raises her hand when they announced the change in times and says, "Ummm, I don't think I can make it on time next week, I sleep until 11:00 on Saturdays." Needless to say she'll be getting up early from now on.

Then we move to Alex. He had a big game against a big rival, Western Brown. This was the most aggressive team we have played this year. They were all over the place. They were also screamers and would yell in our guys face every time we would try and make a shot. Alex scored 2 baskets and 2 foul shots and played in the game even though he was hurt. We were very happy to beat them by 29 points! Everyone was looking for Alex at the end of the game to congratulate him on his great game. After being with the same team for three years, we have become quite the family. The other parents were just as proud of Alex as we were.

It was a fun day!!

"76 Trombones led the big parade..."

If you were in my head, that is what you'd hear, over and over and over and over. Abby started rehearsals on Saturday for the high school's production of The Music Man. She will be playing one of the River City children. With the show in April I have a feeling these song will be swimming in our heads for the next few months. The cool thing was Abby was the 1st one to get her costume. The great mom making the costumes whipped up a dress and Abby was the only one small enough to fit in it. It is WAY CUTE!

For those of you planning to attend, the shows will be the weekend of April 24th.

"Oh, the Wells Fargo wagon is a comin' down the street..."

Happy New Year

It has now been 2008 for 66 minutes. I have been thinking about my resolutions from year's past and the ones I would like to make this year. Several years ago I made the resolution to read each night before I go to bed and I can say I do that. Last year I resolved to read to the girls each night before bed and I do that. Here are the big ones I would like to accomplish this year.

1. Lose weight. This one tops the list each year. I am sad to say some of the weight I lost from the surgery came back. I would like to get rid of it again. Plus we are cruising this summer with the Jones' and I'll have to wear a bathing suit in front of people who know me.

2. Exercise. This can be part of resolution 1. I am looking into Zumba classes at the Y.

3. Start my masters. Jaimie is going to have me do this whether I am ready or not. I am ready, it is all about the $$ and time. Still hoping I can find someone else to pay for my masters.

4. Less time spent angry. This applies at home and school. I feel like I am always stressed and angry. I seems like it has just become a way of life and I wasn't always like this. I want to change the things in my life that make me feel this way.

5. More Family Game/Movie nights. With 3 kids going in 3 different directions, some weeks our only family meals happen in the car on the way some where. This leads to my next resolution...

6. Less eating out. Being busy we eat out WAY too much. Means I have to be...

7. More organized. I can't tell you how many Girl Scout meetings we missed last year because I didn't have it on my calendar. Having a principal who makes me turn in lesson plans and a teaching partner who I work well with makes organizing school stuff easier.

8. Keep the house cleaner. 3 kids who are pigs, busy schedule, 1 bad day and we are in a mess.

These are just off the top of my head. Some of them involve other people, especially Chris and the kids. My big thing is to just set a better example for my kids. I hear them saying things I say and doing as I do.

Here's to 2008 and me keeping my resolutions!!