Rose of Sharons

Summer 2016

In vaguely chronological order and touching on things we may have mentioned previously, here are some photos from the summer: at Laurel Lake (or is it Fuller Lake?) at Pine Grove State Park where we stayed at the Paymaster's Station for the week, at the Phoenixville YMCA pool where I swim with the children before using snacks to bribe them to sit quietly and watch me swim laps, at Cousin Joe's wedding in Ocean City, New Jersey while the wonderful Mr Billy watched the children for the weekend, at the Elmwood Park Zoo for a birthday party when we were able to feed giraffes and ride a carousel (a first for James choosing a horse that went up and down!), lots of bike rides on the Chester Valley Rail Trail (traveling speed of an easy 6-7 MPH), at my office on the weekend enjoying the whiteboard, pool time, Longwood Gardens, more pools time, loving Daddy camp (deserves its own post to show the wood working, tie dying and baking lessons!).

Luckiest Mom

Fun Times at Nana and Grandpa's

Best Summer Ever

You Are My Sunshine

Ode to Daddy

What makes Daddy happy?
Alma: Giving him a card.
James: Cuddle

How does Daddy make you laugh?
Alma: Telling silly stories, like the Frankenstein one.
James: When he calls me a squirrel monkey or a red panda, his favorite animal.

What does Daddy do when you are not around?
Alma: Goes to the grocery store, getting more Nutella.
James: Cooks dinner.

What is Daddy really good at?
Alma: Wrestling
James: Exercising

What does Daddy do for a job?
Alma: Works at my school
James: To tell children what to do.

If Daddy were a character, who would he be?
Alma: Luke Skywalker because he is kind to me.
James: Flash because he runs fast.

How are you and Daddy the same?
Alma: Both have sealants on our back teeth
James: Short hair.

How are you and Daddy different?
Alma: He has short hair. I have long hair now.
James: He wears a belt and I do not wear a belt.

How do you know Daddy loves you?
Alma: He always does the "I love you" sign when he puts me to bed.
James: When he is upset, he still loves me.

What does Daddy like about Mommy?
Alma: He likes Mommy because she takes care of the kids.
James: He loved her dress one time.

What do you like to do with Daddy?
Alma: Read a book
James: Watch birds at the bird feeder

Philando Castile

Not sure what else to do, so I will share a poem.... 

My favorite class in high school was Creative Writing, taught by Mr. Windom.  In this class, I was exposed to the poem "Emmett Till" by James A. Emanuel.  At the same time, I was also taking US History.  I recall during a very dry lecture the teacher mentioned Emmett Till, I blurted out something about the poem and started rifling through my papers to find it.  I was "corrected" for my "outburst." The poem somehow holds together love, sincerity, and pure horror.  This poem moved me in a haunting sort of way and I've always carried it with me.  

This week's news stories (and the countless others) of the recent deaths of young men of color have similarly moved me.  Most recently maybe because Philando Castile happened to work at a Montessori School; however my human connection alone should be enough.  There is a deeply unsettling similarity in all these stories.  In the end, death is death regardless of the details and my heart feels sad.  

I'm at a loss for words today about all this so I just want to share with you the poem, and what better then a youtube of James A. Emanuel reading it himself!  It is only 5 minutes but he shares some powerful insights.  

 

(post from Joshua)

"Daddy Summer Camp" - Week 1

We kicked off the first week of Daddy Summer Camp with a bang.  Here are some shots from the week.  I feel very blessed to have this opportunity with the kiddos.  I'm truly grateful and blessed to have such a supporting wife for me to have been able to transition back into teaching.  This time is truly a blessing!

Jackson Pollock inspired marble art:

 





Baking banana bread:

 

Visiting the Library

Happy Independence Day...

...from our firecrackers!