Rest in Peace Leon

Before I became an assistant principal, I taught middle school English and P.E.. I have taught over a thousand students and I have lost only one until last night. This morning I woke up to watch the news and realize I had lost a former student who was now 16 to an automobile accident. He was such a sweet 11 year old....quiet, shy but had an infectious smile. He loved basketball and sports and was an overall good kid. Although they move onto high school, to me they are always those wonderful 6th graders that filled my life with a great deal of joy and fulfillment as their teacher.
I dont think you ever get used to losing someone but it hurts a little more when they are so young. I pray his family finds comfort that their son touched many lives while he was here, and I am one of them.

Indiana Basketball....There's Nothing Like It

Tonight my school kicked off their 1st home game against their rival school ( my former employee). I spent 10 years in that district and it is always so great to see my former students and athletes. It really is the only opportunity I have to see them being that I crossed over to the other side:) They all give me a hard time for leaving and going "over there"
Nonetheless, it was a sell out crowd with a great game. Our school lost but they played hard and I can't help but be excited for the many former players on the other team that I taught and won. I was silently rooting for them:)

Toddler Testing

Gabbie had her "toddler test" at daycare today. She did very well and she is ahead in many areas. It is interesting how I am already looking at how well she does. For instance, we have been practicing our abc's for about a month and she can just about get through all by herself. But today on her report she was marked that she didn't know them...."UGH! she knows them!!"...and that was my truly initial reaction. Then I remembered she is only 20 months....really Maggie....Really, get yourself together:)
It seems I have some time to get myself together before she really enters the testing world of education. I am not looking forward to that.

Happy Birthday to Maggie & Gabbie

Today Gabbie turned 20 months and her mom turned well, 29 again:)
I had a very good day hearing from family, friends and even a former student who I had in the 6th grade 10 years ago! Gabbie got her middle name from this student. She was and is a special kid.....well I guess she is not a kid anymore:)
I have been blessed with another year....Thank you!

It's Official!

Well Gabbie's first fall out of her crib was not enough to deter her from trying it again so on Saturday afternoon, her dad converted the crib to a day bed. Wow! we are moving into the next stage of her toddler life.... Even the sitter says she will be moving from her pack and play to a cot for naps. Where does the time go?

She has escaped

So I knew the day would come but it got here at 4am this morning.....Gabbie climbed out of her crib! Of course she hit the floor pretty hard but she survived and climbed into bed with her mom.....Wow! It will be fascinating to see if she tries it again tonight or if the fall was hard enough for her to wait awhile before she tries it again. Tonight should be very interesting:)

Oprah Show!

Wow what an awesome trip. We made it to the Oprah Show today and it was wonderful. We got to sit up front and they actually called my name for sitting....wow, people thought we were VIP's.....hilarious, when in reality it had to do with the great colors we had on....it's all about what looks good on the camera.
The show dealt with reality tv shows on the Discover channel and TLC. Oprah gave away some serious money but not to us of course. We did get a free champagne cupcake from the DC cupcake ladies....that was cool. All in all it was an awesome experience I got to share with two special people in my life and what an opportunity to witness her last season....
I even survived being away from Gabbie for the 1st time over night:)