June 19

Okay…we have been working REALLY hard to teach Aaron that on weekends, waking up before seven and crying in bed, OR waking up before seven and coming in our room and waking us up is NOT acceptable. We have tried various techniques…which he seems to be aware of, but…in the moment when he wakes up, he can’t seem to remember them yet. The training will continue. This particular morning, Aaron came in at like 6:15 or some other such nonsense, and I took him back to his bed, and he faked me out good by getting all snuggled up in his bed and making like he was going to go back to sleep. I sure did go back to sleep, but meanwhile…Aaron did everything you hope your kid never does while you are sleeping. He went downstairs, woke up his sister, came back up to the kitchen, took out the sharp scissors, cut up an empty (thank god) packet of Starbucks instant coffee into a million tiny pieces (exhibit A) and then took an old opened granola bar out of the trash and ate it (crumbs featured on the counter also…).

Good lord.

 

Luckily…the day improved…we saw a vulture eating something in the street when we went to pick up Courtney.

And finally…we got to the Raceks for Drew’s Toy Story birthday party, and we had a great time watching all the kids play. How cute is this cake? It’s Andy’s bed!!

 

Check out all these kids in the Race'k’s basement playroom…and all the parent’s feet.

Chris and Ash…cuties.

 

Here is Aaron with his buddy Drew, who is celebrating his 4th birthday!

   

June 18

It’s graduation day! It is a very special thing to have these kids at ninth grade students and to still be in close touch with them throughout their high school years and then watch them talk that walk across the stage. I do not teach advanced students for the most part, and although some of them do go on to take advanced classes, some of them, on the other hand, struggle to finish high school and it has been the greatest achievement of their lives. Whatever end of the spectrum, I am just overflowing with pride on this very special day. It was also my last day of teaching with my team teacher of four years, Christina, featured in a few prior posts, because the program we teamed in has been dismantled. Between that and leaving my classroom of 10 years, this is a difficult end of school year for me. Last year I had the MOST challenging group of students I have EVER had and by June I had to do positive self talk (sometimes accompanied by rum) every single day just to get through it. I have really enjoyed my students this year and am sad to see many of them go.

Here is my special last day of teaming java chip frap from Christina…she loves to surprise Ashley and I with giant frosty morning beverages.

And…a beautiful sight…the suspended flag at DAR Constitution Hall in DC where we have been having our graduations for the past few years.

June 17

Aaron hearts Woody

June 16

Desk cleanup!! I wish I had a before picture of Aaron’s desk…suffice it to say he gets his desk organization skills from his dad. I brought home the little black rack on the right from school and we got everything all tidied up. Looks GREAT and now he is sitting there a lot more.

June 15

Just a little rock band for your viewing pleasure. Courts and her friend were playing rock band and let Aaron play the drums (without really including the drums in the game, so he THINKS he is playing them) and he was rockin’ out!! He loves them! Then…he fell off the stool and got trapped between the drums and the pedal. No picture needed.

June 14

Too much grading for one night??? Definitely. But I will conquer it. First step…stop taking pictures and start grading.

June 13

Aaron and Chris planted Aaron’s little plants into large pots today. He is very conscientious about making sure they get watered. He also spotted a TEENY TINY baby praying mantis. Can you even spot it in the picture?