Drafted

Well I've tried to avoid it all year. I'm not a fundraiser. I am pressed for time. I am too passionate about volunteerism in our schools and the lack there of by many to see the needs--I'll put my foot in my mouth, it's a given. I've never managed a budget this large. You name it, I've thought, murmured or spoken it. Nonetheless, I've been drafted.

Drafted where? PTC president. UGH!!! A month ago, I said don't even ask, I'll say NO, NO, NO. I can still think of a dozen reasons to say no like: the economy stinks (who wants to raise $$), I cannot put in the time presidents before have, I don't know anything about business licenses and contracts, I am too sensitive to handle the mean complaining parents who expect and give nothing.....etc. What I'm hearing? Things are changing. LIfe and families are changing. Moms are going back to work, the economy is likely going to trump past funding goals. Things are changing --we need a balanced person who can d help seek a new rhythm. Shoot, it's taken me near 35 years to find some balance. Feeling a bit inadequate here!

Leading people is one thing. Organizing event another. And, this is a whole new creature with many arms left for potential entanglement. So many dynamics that are not my favorite to navigate. But a good team of gals are likely to return if I take the lead.....hmm......UGH!

Lots of thinking to do here!

Gold Country

California State history is in 4th grade full swing and could not be completed without a trip to Coloma. With a perfect 80 degree day, students were able to pan for gold, thanks to lessons from Rattlesnake Randy, and self-guide themselves through the area. The state museum, a hike to the John Marshall monument, Sutter's Mill, replica housing and so much more took these kids back to the glory days of "Eureka". Karly also loved the fact that gold was discovered on Kent's birthday, January 24th. She made up a song to tell the story. Karly found a few tiny pieces of gold and lots of garnet as she was panning. She also enjoyed the hike, which was challenging to say the least and the ice cream promised on the other side! We had a great group of girls who moved throughout the day together!

We both decided this was the best field trip yet! Even with the crazy twist and turns of the drive there--it was worth it!

Spring Break 09

Sorry this is a little late to get on here! Another fabulous job by Kent!

No Strings Attached

Karly at her best after six months of practices and joined by another 129 kids! What a production it was, lots of hard work--all worth it! Enjoy!

Slowing Down to Gear Up!

Knowing a full week was ahead of us, we headed out Sunday for some family time. We took the kids and Gilligan (made his day to go with us) to the Sacramento River for a picnic lunch. It was a little windy, but we made the best of it. Hunting for shells, playing with sticks and just time together doing a bunch of nothing! Felt good to just be us!

The BEE

After three written tests at the school site, Karly scored within the top 11 4th graders in County thus sending her to the Placer County Spelling Bee. We were a little nervous, we had never been to an oral spelling bee before and had no idea what to expect. We found nervous children, a few with over zealous parents (laptops in their laps and dictionaries in hand) and yet Karly was all smiles and made a new friend the moment she sat down in her place. While other kids took advantage of a last chance to study, Karly met her competitors and chatted away.

The competition was single word elimination. They did however offer a practice round and the pronouncer (an English professor) was a sweetheart as he was fabulous to balance the grace for nerves with assuring the integrity of the event. Karly correctly spelled: balloon, buffalo, mosquito and bleat ("the sound a sheep makes") but met her demise with "twelfth", forgetting the F. She went out in 4th place but was all smiles and even cheered the kids she was competing against. We found such to be some of our especially proud moments.
Another amazing observation I'd like to share is in regards to race and it's relevance. We, as older generations noticed the stage was full mostly of non-Caucasian kiddos. Karly, never mentioned it, seemed to completely be unaware of it and wrote down the name and address of the little girl in one of these pictures who is her new pal. We will likely never see this little girl again, but it was obvious to me and hopeful as well that my children do not see color/race the way generations of the past did. REALLY, I'm not sure my kids even "see" it--the differences. A cool life lesson I never expected to find in the Placer County Board of Education meeting room.
We are proud of our little speller. Proud she is smart, but even prouder that she sees beyond herself to encourage her very competitors and sees potential in all people!

Goofballs!

There is nothing like a Spring evening and good old family time! The sun was beginning to set and the kids were giggling mad playing tag with Kent. Then it was off to the front yard for baseball, basketball and scooter time. Open evenings are hard to come by in such a busy time of year, but oh how refreshing they are! I love seeing the kids have that time with Kent and pestering them with the camera-though I'm not sure when we graduated from "cheesy" smiles to goofy annoyed ones! I guess they are growing up! Next time I'll demand the perfect shot, for this night, I went with the giggles and the natural flow of a beautiful, commitment free evening.