Lucy's learning

Here's some of Lucy's first work from her K-4 class with Ms. Morris. We're all pretty excited about coloring in the lines.

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!"]

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.

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

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).

declaration of "friendipendence"

message from Braden:

All 3rd and 1st will not fight at reeses any longer or else! Anyone who disobeys will be arrested by M.D. on the playground. Especially Mason and Zoey they will be punished much more severely. Sined:

B.D., E.P.B, Simon D, Spence, John Y., Jared

summertime blues

Summer is officially over. This weeks marks the kids' first full week back, which means homework, and early bedtimes. Simon is still using a removable cast (he left it at school yesterday). In just another week or so we find out if it's healed up completely.

I'm on the job hunt. Any takers? I'm putting in applications now around town and even some nearby. Maybe I could just get paid to blog.

pictured above: Braden and Simon with John Adams at the city pool. Simon had to stay clear of the pool to keep his cast dry. Did I ever tell the story of Simon at the beach this summer... the time he didn't keep it dry?

graduation day

Congratulations, Simon! You're blasting off to the first grade.