Beaver dam

Simon and I returned for a second day to work on freeing up some water next to my grandmother's house. Some beavers have dammed up the creek that feeds into Lake Douglas. There were four dams. We at least created a rift in each of them to let some of the water flow, but the beaver's probably already repaired the little damage we did.

rain, rain

Seems like we are under constant tornado watch. The rain has slowed, but school is still cancelled for tomorrow. They can't take back what they said.

[stands up and pumps his fist... "Yes!"]

cat attack

Furlow was attacked for the second "documented" time in the past few months. Each time the cat spends the night outdoors he comes back with some battle wound that ultimately gets infected. Any body want to set up a stakeout and find the culprit?

*This picture shows Furlow's back leg post-procedure. The cat didn't actually skin his leg in the attack or cut him open like that. 

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.

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).

the cousins

First row (r-l): Simon Dowdy, Lucy Dowdy and John Adams Dowdy
Second row: Sam McRae, Braden Dowdy, Katherine Dowdy and Elizabeth Dowdy, and Lainey McRae
Third row: Riley Shiver, Jackson Shiver, Jack McRae and Ransom Shiver, and Kate McRae

internet drought

We are back from Brazil. Sorry about the lack of communication. We were without internet at our old apartment in Brazil, and just Sunday did I get the internet working here at our new house.

Six for Simon

We celebrated Simon's birthday after school on Friday. Almost all of his class and then some came over. We made paper airplanes, ate homemade ice cream and Sue Sue's airplane cake. Several of the kids barely left the porch, more interested in playing with the kitties. We only had one injury from the wrestling matches on the trampoline (another highlight). Happy Birthday Simon!

mariachi artsfest

We went down to Willis Park yesterday to hear a four-member Mariachi band. It's Artsfest this week, which means brown bags, jazz bands and crooners. We head back today for the Grassy Flats Boys, I think.