Dog gone it! It’s happened again. Time is flying by. Here it is almost Christmas and I feel like we just started back to school yesterday. It’s been a little weird so far. Jackson easing back into school with his healing arm and making new friends. His best friend Riley moved to another school, which we didn’t find out until a couple of weeks before school started. I will report that Jackson has adapted and found new pals. He still keeps in touch with Rye-rye though.
I have a new schedule and get off everyday at 4pm, so JW doesn’t have to stay until six like last year and that’s good. Though it doesn’t seem like we have that much more time. We still do piano on Tuesdays and he is getting Spanish lessons twice a week. He is really enjoying that. He is also really getting interested in tech this year, so I’ve helped him with his own website and blog.
The fastest year has been followed by the fastest summer ever. It is absolutely insane how quickly this year and summer have gone. Of course, JW breaking his arm in the middle of summer may have added to that feeling. Even though that event also seemed to slow things down at the same time. It was very surreal. We capped the summer off with a vacation that didn’t turn out as expected. After changing from our original plans of two weeks on the beach, we all caught colds and spent most of the time hold up in a hotel blowing our noses and coughing. I look for redemption. I also look forward to a new school year for JW and a new position for me. Here’s to a nice slow year!
I know I sound like a broken record, but this year went by faster than any year I can remember. Even Jackson said the same thing. I can’t believe he’ll be in 3rd grade next year. It’s just passing too fast.
I never fancied myself as a blond, much less a pink. But I went and dyed my hair hot pink! And I’ll have to say that I love it. Of course it plays to the inner rocker and my ‘rail against the norm’ mentality. But it also represents my deep passion and sympathy for a worthy cause — children’s cancer research. I love kids because… well… because I am one and I can relate to them. My heart goes out to children who must suffer this awful disease and to their parents that must watch them battle it.
Mr. Pink
I can’t fully imagine and hope I never have to. So for this I put my money where my hair is. I wish you could see and hear the people as I go through my day. I’ve had support and jeers, but mostly support. Especially from the kids at my school and especially the little girls. They love my pink hair. Little Katy Jane even requested that the “man with Pink Hair” come and wish her happy birthday as she turned 3 yesterday. Talk about melting your heart. I’ll never forget that. Thanks Katy Jane! So here’s to the little ones with their open minds and open hearts. I wish you health and happiness from the bottom of my heart to the top of my pink head.
I can’t always make out what he is saying, but it doesn’t really matter. It is the tone of his voice. The playfulness of it. The innocence of his youthful banter. I’m talking about overhearing Jackson playing by himself, whether he is in the tub or in the next room it is just the same. It takes me back to my childhood. I can remember playing and talking and making up stories or dialogues of the toys I was playing with. These are the times and memories that will fade and be forgotten, but I don’t want to forget them. I tried to record him one time without him knowing it. I was able to get a little of this childhood imagination recorded. I can see myself 30 years from now finding that recording and being so glad I saved it. They grow up so fast, too fast. I don’t want it to go. I must find ways to enjoy every little bit I can. My boy is now my life. I love him so.
You should ask yourself that question. I just did. Now I’m talking to myself. That just proves how crazy it has been lately. I’ve also been spending time with another blog. Teaching a tech class at the middle school. We’re teaching blogging and podcasting. Cool.
I’d say we are past midsummer and headed in the home stretch to Autumn. Once again, I can’t believe it. Where does the time go? Well, this summer it has been going at MSR’s SummerScape. I’m working as on-site director and JW has been attending camps every week. It has been very interesting for me, learning about the innner workings of MSR and getting to know the staff better. I have also had fun getting to know a lot more of the kids. JW and I are usually up by 6 AM and at school by 7 or 7:30 — after a ritual trip to Bruegger’s bagels. I enjoy our little rituals. Jackson enjoys riding on the ‘rolly’ cart as I deliver snacks to all the camps. I think it has been good for him to kind of have the run of the campus this summer. I’m sure he’s gained a little confidence in his status at the school from getting more familiar with his surroundings.
Ever since our Blockbuster store shut down, JW has wanted to ‘buy’ the building and start some kind of business. Every time we drive past it, he wants to pull through the parking lot and look inside. He has really gotten obsessed with it. In a fun way.
JW and I had a trip to visit Pappy the week of the Fourth of July. It was nice to have a boys weekend at the beach. We spent a lot time in the ocean. We did a little fishing (not much luck). Hung out with the Ramieh boys and went on a ferry ride to Fort Fisher aquarium. We also saw a nice size shark that washed up on the beach.
More to come…
School ended with a heatwave — we had almost five days of 100 degree weather. But Jackson and I made the most of it, by going to the pool. We saw friends from school and made some new ones too. Jackson especially liked a very friendly lifeguard with a British accent. And I think she like him. She allowed him some special privileges, like floating on her flotation device at the bottom of the slide and let him in the pool at break time. He really ate up the attention. Jackson, Dana and I also went to see a new summer movie the day after school was out called Kung Fu Panda. It was fun. That segue ways me into Tae Kwan Do. JW has been asking for lessons for a awhile, so we went to check it out. I’m just trying to figure out if we can commit to two to three nights a week for a year. I’d love for him to take it. Last Sunday was JW’s birthday and Pappy came up to help celebrate. We did a Pump It Up party and it was a lot of fun. We had a good group of kids. Jackson’s big present was a trip to Disney for the ended of the summer. I spent some time preparing for my new role at Jackson’s school as Director of SummerScape (MSR’s summer camps). Today was the end of week one and it was a successful week. I really enjoyed it, even though I’m really tired from all the running around and being on my feet all day. I got to eat lunch with JW several times and meet some of the school’s younger kids, which was fun. This time also had some very sad news. The little girl that Jackson and I honored at St. Baldrick’s passed away. Dana and I attended the funeral, which was beautifully moving, but also very sad. Dana has become friend’s with Colleen’s mother. Say hello to heaven, Colleen. We love you! And God bless your family and friends.
Jackson only has one and a half more days of first grade left. I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but I can’t believe it is already over! Where did this year go? My little boy will be a second grader and he’ll be seven in less than two weeks. It’s crazy. I feel like he has had a great year. I am very pleased with his progress at MSR. And more importantly, he is very happy there. He told me the other day that he loved his school and wanted to stay there until he was a teenage. That’s awesome!
I also can’t believe that I’ve been working there a year. I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve made a lot of good “little” friends. I’ve enjoyed making the short films and teaching the book publishing class. It’s really been a “full” year. Sometimes I feel like I’m not getting things done that I’d like to because I’m so busy, but I guess I need to realize that I have actually accomplished a lot. I coached soccer at the Y in the Fall and the Spring. I did some substituting at MSR. Was on the Gala marketing committee. Took a positive parenting class. And I will be on-site director of MSR’s SummerScape program.
I have enjoyed being on campus more and being involved with JW’s school. Even though our evenings are a little hectic at times, I’m glad that I can work a job that allows me to see JW whenever I want. I think Jackson has enjoyed it too. Some highlights of this year were getting to have lunch with JW in his classroom, Jackson getting a trip with Dana to Washington DC, spending more time with Jackson in the evenings, watching JW overcome some hurdles in his class work, Jackson getting good at riding his bike, watching JW gain confidence in a lot of little things (i.e., tree climbing, driving the lawn mower, reading, Phonics boxes, etc.) I’m proud of my son. Here’s looking forward to a great summer!
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Colleen Moore and her family. Dana and I just read the latest entries from Diane on Caring Bridge website tonight. We are deeply saddened from the news, but send all our love and faith that GOD will work a miracle for their family. WE LOVE YOU COLLEEN!!!! I want to see you swim with the dolphins.
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