sold-out

I've lost my motivation to post lately considering our camera broke. We were walking around Gatlinburg when (shortly after I took the picture from the last post) I managed, clumsily, to drop the camera on the sidewalk. The camera was on when I dropped it, so it fell directly on the extended lens. So, it doesn't want to extend and retract anymore. I've been twice to Best Buy to look at a new one and both times it's been sold out (as has the Wii Fit).

We are back in full gear with school, my FSU classes, and basketball (both the boys are playing). Braden's first game is tomorrow and Simon has his second game on Thursday. Simon didn't score last week but he hustled and dribbled and passed well. But I was most pleased with his attitude. He showed a considerable improvement from last year, which only further proves my theory (or was it Amy's theory) that once Simon figures out he can do something, he goes full force. Before that it's like pulling teeth.

Back from G'burg

We're back from Gatlinburg. We spent a couple of days in the woods in a cabin, making a few brief forays into Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. We watched the Dixie Stampede show by Dolly Parton (who only appears via video), visited Ripley's aquarium (they boast it's number one in the US), and saw fake snow. You should have seen Simon's face when he ate some. I don't know what he was expecting it to taste like.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

festivals and tigers

Grace Christian Academy (the school where the kids go and where we work) recently held its annual fundraiser, Winter Festival. The kids had a blast. There was a giant slide that Simon wasn't so sure about coming down. An inflatable boxing ring. A massive tricycle course (Braden said he couldn't even reach the peddles on the trikes they were so tall). Lucy got her face painted. She reminded us several times that it was a boy tiger face and not a girl one.

Thanksgiving

Hope everyone had a great holiday with family. We are so thankful for the time we got to spend with Lady Bug and Grandma Edie.

holiday

On Tuesday while I waited for the rest of the family to get home from school (I stayed home with Lucy who was coughing pretty bad... actually, she's just really good at playing hooky), the Crooms called. We made quick plans for a afternoon rendezvous and they drove down from Ashford, AL and spent a few hours with us.

We'd never met Ella or Nate, so it was fun to finally see them and steal some hugs. It was also great to see Chip and Shelley. After the visit we were ready to move back into our little three-bedroom house down in Barão Geraldo, Brazil.

A short movie of the kids playing in Brazil: Following the Leader, 2006.

pumpkin heads

Taking pictures of pumpkin heads... fun. Shopping for furniture with pumpkin heads... not fun.

cougar basketball

This past Thursday Amy put just some of her talent on exhibition at the Perry Memorial Gym. She and some other teachers and past alumni lined up against the current girls Grace Cougars basketball team. While only managing 4 total points in the first half, the faculty/alumni team roared back and lost a nail biter at the end. Amy didn't score (this time), but pulled down some big rebounds and basically shut down whoever she was guarding.

new work on computer paper

So I'm an art teacher now. I've enjoyed it and when the students get down to business, I can even work on some stuff with them. We all worked on a portrait from a black and white photograph. Here's mine.

Ad Vanderveen-black and white
After photo by Marco Bakker
photo of artwork taken under natural light
#2 lead pencil

hallow-weaned

First, no more candy, please. Unless it's Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. If your unclear about the characters in the picture, on the left we have Snow White with a twist (watch out, she's got a microphone). In the middle it's Storm Trooper with a super, improved rifle with bazooka attachment. And on the right, Luke Skywalker with an old, Obi-Wan lightsaber.

Unfortunately, Simon learned some new tricks for trick-or-treating. Instead of "trick or treat" when he knocked on the door, he said "Git r done," thanks to his friend Jon, who was dressed as Larry the Cable Guy, pocket knife and tattoos included.

What are we doing?

Seems like nowadays school takes up most of our time. Either we are all at Grace, since both of us are teaching now, and all the kids are enrolled there. Or I'm at FSU, either virtually or for real. And for all that time spent at school, are we getting any smarter? Heaps;)
We did make it out to the Boat Basin for the latest installment of Movies on the Flint--Alvin and the Chipmunks. The McKnight's met us and some of the Sego's. Both families have boys that are in first grade with Simon (here's Mason in the picture).