Summer's here... say goodbye to the family!!!

This post is brought to you by Daddy.

As you can see from the last post, school's out and another summer has begun. That means my summer-long mid-life bachelorhood begins. Summer is a time for Amy and the kids to go from 1 place to another while I stay home and take care of the dogs... and, oh yeah, keep the cash flow going. ;-)

Now, to those of you reading this who are thinking, "wow, I would love to have the house all to myself" or "I could get so much stuff done. I could do x, y, and z", think again. It is good for a couple days here and there, but there are benefits to having the family around!

Luckily, the purchase of the iPhone is working out for me to. Amy's capturing fun moments and sending them to me off and on. Keep 'em coming honey!

Below are some clips from their day trip to the beach while in Orlando for the week. It looks like the kids are having fun, which is what it's all about. Love you guys!

Movin' On Up ... to the Blue Room and the 3rd Floor

Today was the last day of the 2009-2010 school year at St. Benedict's Episcoal Day School and Preschool. This closing day marks the end of an amazing beginning.

Last August Brady and Parker entered St. B's as students for the first time - Parker to a trailer; Brady to a cramped, shared classroom. I think we were all a bit nervous, unsure of what lie ahead, yet excited about the new beginnings St. B's had to offer.

Here was a brand new school, taking a huge leap into the world of elementary education, and we leapt right along with it. The school was bred from a shared vision that education could - and should - be a community effort that strives to nurture and grow the whole child: mind, body and spirit.

The year has seen many challenges, and as has jokingly become an unofficial St. B's motto, we have often had to 'go to plan B.' We have faced these tests of the pioneer spirit with conviction, commitment and renewed belief in our community and school.

I believe there isn't a single child at St. B's that doesn't feel seen, heard and loved - not only by his/her teacher, but by the team of enthusiastic professionals, parents and volunteers that circle the school daily. The smiles and welcomes that greet every child, every day during carpool, in the lunch line and in the hallways still amaze me.

Brady and Parker have each made huge leaps in growth this year.

For months Parker didn't talk in school. He made friends slowly, and he never spoke during class or offered answers. I worried. I fretted. I had to let him find his own way. And he did. Now a day doesn't go by that he doesn't scream out the car window at his buddies during carpool. When I pick him up from after-school care, he often runs the other way, begging me "can I stay just a little bit longer?"

Parker is still a quiet kid, and most likely he won't ever be the one pushing to get to the front of the line, but he's confident, he's secure, and he's happy. I can't ask for more than that.

Brady had a separate set of challenges this year. His nature is such that he IS the kid rushing to the front, speaking out of turn, answering for others. Brady has had to learn to hold back, and to allow space and time for others. While we had several false-starts on this front, working together and as a team, Ms. Brackin (above) and the teachers of St. B's presented a program that worked for him. It was positive. It was reassuring, and it celebrated his contrubutions, while helping him to offer them appropriately.

Hopefully we'll be able to pick up where we left off in the fall with this great behavior! Maybe we'll make him walk around with star stickers all summer in his bathing suit. I wonder if they make waterproof stickers .... it's a thought!

On August 9th Brady moves up to 1st grade, located on the "big kid" 3rd floor, and Parker moves across the hall to a "big kid" Blue Room reserved for Pre-K.

They are both ready for summer ... but I have no doubt that they will also be ready for the new experiences, lessons, and joys that next year will bring.

During a closing assembly today the children had a chance to sing and perform one more time this year before a very proud audience of parents. And in a 'thank you' speech by our wonderful Parents Association President we were reminded of a comment that Father Lang Lowrey said to us parents early last year. He looked around the room and said some of your most precious and longest-lasting friendships will evolve through your childrens' school. At that time I knew some of the parents at St. B's - not all that many and not all that well.

Today, my cup runneth over. Many of the parents in this community - both moms and dads - have become battle-buddies, steadfast in our shared endeavor. I thank each of them - and you know who you are - for your loyalty, your laughter (sometimes through tears), your hugs and your friendship. And while we are all ready for a little R&R this summer, I look forward with an eager heart toward the wonderful achievements we will undoubtedly tackle together next year.

This afternoon as we waved "see ya soon" to so many fantastic friends, and as we embark on our various summer adventures, I left a large piece of my heart, both peaceful and patient, beneath the shade of an old Oak Tree.

Let's go fly a kite!

With tuppence for paper and string
You can have your own set of wings.
With your feet on the ground
You're a bird in flight;
With your fist holding tight
To the string on your kite!

Let's go fly a kite,

Up to the highest height!

Let's go fly a kite,
And send it soaring!

Up through the atmosphere,
Up where the air is clear.
Oh, let's go fly a kite!
Let's go fly a kite! ... And throw some Air Hogs!

We recently had a great afternoon flying kites and throwing Air Hogs out at the Campbell Middle School field. The boys ran until they couldn't run any further... making for a peaceful afternoon at home afterward!

Sorry for all the videos, but it was pretty cute to watch!

First Parker:

Then Brady:

Lastly, my mischievous husband! ;-)

BEE Happy May Day Festival... is over

Sometimes you can be too close to things. Too involved. Too wrapped up in the details to enjoy the larger view.

When Bill and I got married almost eleven years ago, I remember someone telling me to make sure we stop, look and enjoy the moment. Take the time to remove yourself from the craziness, step back from the role of organizer, and experience the event as a participant. I recently had the opportunity to use this advice again.

A few Saturdays ago St. Benedict's Episcopal Day School's Parent Association hosted the BEE Happy May Day Festival. As a co-chair to this first-ever event, we had no roadmap, no planbook and no beginning operating budget. What we did have was three committed co-chairs who brought different skills to the table, a larger team of committee people with amazing talents and dedication, and a community of sponsors who embraced our dream with incredible contributions.

For two months we collaborated very effectively (thank you iPhone!) and very happily. I have never been involved in a project with co-owners that worked as well and as efficiently as this one did. We communicated non-stop, making decisions and moving forward confidently - Bill can probably grumpily attest to the early morning, late night and constant stream of emails!

While it was crazy, stressful and tiring, it was also one of the most rewarding projects I have ever managed. Thank you Anne and Bridget for a wonderful experience. I believe I'll be working with you again!

To recap the day in a few words, I'll simply say that the children of St. B's Day School and Preschool were the center of a joyful, active, loving and celebratory party held all in their honor. With huge smiles and loud laughter throughout the campus, the children showcased how safe and loved they feel at school by running in 1,000 directions at once - squealing, giggling, dancing and rejoicing. It was a fantastic sight to behold.

My biggest regret is that I was too busy having fun to take pictures! Hopefully we'll have some uploaded soon to our school albums from other people, and I'll share those if I can. What we did capture (thank you again iPhone!) from the day was the moment of pride where the Day School children performed "Lean on Me" under the direction of Music Teacher Chris Butler. The song selection was perfect for this young, vibrant, growing community. It captures the heart of St. B's!!

Last night Bill and I attended a Founding Families Parent Party designed to celebrate our school's first amazing year. The boys went to a Kids' Night Out at school enjoying pizza, a movie and lots of friends while Bill and I enjoyed drinks, dinner and lots of friends, too!! Their 10:00pm smiles matched ours!

At the party, Head of School Janet Rau unveiled a huge canvas piece that was created with bits from every child, under the talent and eye of Art Teacher Susan Edwards. Standing 5 or 6 feet tall, the piece is a gorgeous mosaic of a full, glorious Oak Tree. It will hang in the entrance hallway, welcoming the children to school each morning. Quite stunning. (I'll try to take a picture once it's installed.)

I am so thankful to have my children in a community that loves them, nurtures them and teaches them that character and academics go hand-in-hand.

I know the video is pretty crude, but you can see Brady directly in front of Mr. Butler. About 2/3 of the way through at 2:48, Brady sees Bill and me. Watch the smile explode!

Each time I watch this (which is actually quite often) I am renewed in my faith and commitement to this endeavor.

BEE Happy!

For the love of Lego

Both my kids are fantatical about Legos!

Brady's ability to perfectly follow 40-page instruction manuals and build incredibly complex 1000 piece creations amazes me. He can spend hours working on something, making it "just right."

Of course, Legos are much more than instructional fun - they mean ceative, inspired and unique play. The post-instruction construction is my favorite! This is when the boys sit quietly for VERY long stretches of time ;-) and work on their own masterpiece creations, carefully choosing the perfect pieces from the vat of Legos that now live in our living room.

As a kid I never really cared about Legos, and frankly I don't really enjoy sitting and working with them now. That said, thanks to their ability to keep my boys' brains occupied and creative (and their mouths relatively quiet) for extended periods, I am now one of Legos Biggest Fans!

The other day Parker spied a small Lego toy that I had bought for Danny's 4th birthday. (On a side note, check out this GORGEOUS pix that Crystal James took of the BFFs at Danny's party last Friday afternoon!)

Cutie pies, eh? Anyway, Parker quickly corrected my purchase telling me that Danny already had that one. Oh, no wonder I thought he would love it! I set it aside, and figured I could pass it along at a later date.

Parker did not forget. He stalked that Lego box day after day. One Friday two weeks ago he came home and BEGGED me for the Legos. Incessantly. So I made him a deal. If he wanted to have the Legos he could earn them. He needed to clean up all the toys in the house (living room, basement and his room) AND he needed to pooper-scoop the backyard!

I honestly didn't think he'd go for it. But, then again, I admit that I don't quite understand the pull of Legos. That boy worked tirelessly for a half hour in the backyard, carefully scooping dog poop with his little sand shovel. With minimal help from Mom, he filled a big ol' bag of poop and then set straight to cleaning up toys - with a huge smile on his face!!

The house I grew up in had two garage doors. They were not automatic. Every morning and every night someone had to manually open and close them upon coming or going from home. For many, many years Michael and I were the automatic garage door openers. When asked why we couldn't get an automatic one, Dad had once replied, "That's what I had kids for!"

You're a wise man, Skip. Lesson learned.

P.S. My parents got an automatic garage door opener after I left for college!