Back to School

Another school year begins on Monday and the school-goers here are generally in favor of the idea.
Owen will be in the 6th grade. He misses his friends and is looking forward to his last year as a kid. Next year he goes to middle school and with that comes some good stuff - riding the bus, and a possible cell phone. I think he craves a routine. Summer is so carefree - right up Sara's alley- and Owen is a rules and order guy. He likes to know what's happening, when, where, how, and why. I hope he takes my class. Students like Owen are wonderful!
Sara is also looking forward to heading back, or moving up, in her case. She is a high school student now. When will I get used to that? She's at the freshman academy this year and taking some challenging classes. While she is a free spirit, she's creative and smart and won't back down from a challenge. I hope she takes my class. Students like Sara are wonderful!
This is my 18th year of teaching. When you add those to the 17 years I spent as a student, I am starting school for the 35th time. I love all the back-to-school hoopla - fresh notebooks; a clean, reorganized and redecorated classroom; a few new clothes; the whole bit. I am looking forward to the students' return too. This year has been difficult to begin with three furlough days right off the bat. It took some of the excitement away for me. Less time to prepare and no one likes to start on a negative note. It can set the tone for the whole year, but it won't. I won't let furlough days or budget cuts or an over-crowded classroom spoil this year for my students. This is the only year they get in 10th grade or 12th grade (hopefully) and we'll make it a success.

Technology Invasion

Gadgets, gadgets, and more gadgets!!!

Recently we've been blessed with some new toys at our house. First, Daniel received an iPad from his mom for his birthday. He was completely surprised and he absolutely loves it (the rest of us do too). Because of that, we had to get a wireless router to set up a network for the house. That purchase enabled Owen to use the internet settings on his DSi. Good stuff!

To top that, my boss at the schoolhouseused some grant money to purchase Kindles for my AP Literature class. Wow, school without textbooks? Awesome!

The only thing I need now is that robot to do all my housework for me.

The Quiet House

There's a strange new sensation going on at the Camp House - silence. That's right. The beginning of the summer was marked by visits from friends and general hub-bub and the ending of it seems to be enveloped in silence. Sara is at guard camp (8 am-9 pm) and Owen is at a friend's house watching a movie. The kittens and Maggie are all asleep and I am all alone. It happened so fast. Those little people who were always under foot and needing something are no longer. They have been replaced by busy big people with their own schedules and agendas. I am free to clean the house, watch a television show of my own choosing, or surf the web without interruption for hours at a time. The freedom I longed for is here and I'm not so sure I like it, but here it is nonetheless.

Summer 2010

After the trip to Disney we settled into a regular summer routine. We've been getting to know and love Boo and Scout. They have different personalities and they're VERY different from Lucy. These two love water. I know cats aren't supposed to, but evidently these two did not get that memo. Each morning as Daniel gets ready for work (working in the summer must really suck...anyway) the two of them hop into the bathtub and wait for him to turn on the water. Just a small stream so they can bat at it, drink it, and chase it towards the drain. Boo loves to stick his face right up in the faucet and let the water wash his face. They also enjoy exploring the shower after Daniel is done.

After our month long rest we also started band/guard again. Owen has had one week of summer band class and has another one next week. He only goes for an hour, but it keeps him practicing. And since we went ahead and purchased the trombone, practice is good. I like to see him using that gift as much as possible. Sara has had two short weeks of guard camp so far and has much more to go. The really difficult weeks start soon. She'll be gone from 8 am to 9 pm - that's dedication.

This summer has also held the parade of friends. Owen has had the neighborhood gang in and out - playing video games when it's hot and front-yard baseball when it's more tolerable. He is very excited to be heading to Carowinds with a friend later in the month. Sara is in the midst of teenage restlessness so we've been chauffeuring her around and having friends over here much more than in the past. To her defense, due to three weeks of intense guard camp, her summer is really shorter than ours so she's trying to cram it all in as she can.

Well, the kids still have a little over a month before they head back to class. I have four weeks and 1 day. I'd better go make the most of it.

Newest Additions to the Family

The day after returning from Disney World we picked up our newest additions to the family, Boo and Scout. Yes, they are named for those beloved To Kill a Mockingbird characters, but these two aren't about to be typecast. They are quickly establishing themselves in the Camp Family as unique individuals.

This is Scout. She's sweet and cuddly, but she doesn't take any grief from her brother.

Here they are together.

This is Boo. He's curious, speedy, and ready to pounce.

Disney World

We just got back from our vacation to Disney World and we had a great time. The kids were old enough and big enough this time to ride pretty much everything. We really liked staying at the Wilderness Lodge. We thought it was worth the extra bucks to upgrade to a Deluxe Resort. The resort was nice and quiet, but still close to everything. The Magic Kingdom was so close we heard the fireworks from our room each night.

We especially liked the Quick Service Dining Plan. We had two huge meals (with dessert) and two snacks every day. It was more than enough food. We even had food left over for the trip home. My favorite part of the quick service plan was that we didn't have to decide months in advance what we wanted to eat or where we wanted to eat to make reservations. When we were hungry, we ate and we didn't worry about how much anything cost because it was covered. Now, that's what I call a vacation.

The Graduate

Photo Courtesy of Mr. Barber

Today I am going to cry. I'll just admit that going in so there are no apologies necessary. Today Zeb is graduating from high school. If you're reading this, you likely know two things - his story and how much he means to me. He is part little brother, part son, part friend. His road has been one full of unexpected twists and turns. It has been bumpy and at times uncertain. However, he has found his way to graduation day. I am so proud of him.