The Robinsons

daddy and i arrived HOME this noon and all the way from wilkes barre, pa, we talked about what options we have for selling and rebuying vs investing... and it struck me that this isn't idle talk........ but rather, a life changing moment in our otherwise steady, stable lives. well, i got so choked up i could hardly talk........... and then, when we got to nys, and everything looked so wonderfully familiar......... i melted some more into a pool of nostalgia........ and THEN when we drove onto alden av and all our neighbors came out of their houses to greet us and hug our necks, i wanted to yell, 'STOP THE WORKS! I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE! WE HAVE TOO GOOD A LIFE HERE!!!' so who knows if i'll have the courage and gumption to do all we have talked about. one thing i know is i'm basking in the joy of being home and in familiar surroundings where people know and love us! and i'm so excited to have a car to drive! when we needed to eat i didn't have supper f...

I wrote, directed, and produced a documentary film called Four Questions (4 ?s). I asked students 4 questions. Get it? Do you like school? How many times have you moved? Do you know anybody in jail? Do you know anybody that has graduated from college? These are factors I believe contribute to school dropout rate. The district is all about drop out rates right now. Yesterday I was involved in a technology cohort training session. I was burning my movie during the training (I composed a rock opera on garage band). They asked to see it. They laughed, they cried. Really. My principal walked in at the end and my colleagues all started jumping up and down and said he should show it to the superintendent. Today we had a professional development day. I had a copy of the movie for one of my co-teachers. She wants to show it to her husband and soon to be teacher son so they can understand the demographic we work with. The assistant superintendent walks in during the menu and stays ...

My new job is really mind-boggling. Basically, I am ensuring that the all the software on the computers from [a company] that just merged with [my company] are licensed appropriately. I don't think there are any cohesive reports that state what all these applications are, and if there were they certainly wouldn't contain the licensing information on them, so it's my job to track down numerous spreadsheets and integrate them. I think. Anyway, it's the most responsibility I've ever had and it would be completely overwhelming, except I don't think the managers know exactly what they are looking for. Their expectations are that as I fumble along a clearer picture will develop regarding what they want, and hopefully all of my fumbling will have made me knowledgeable enough to actualize their vision. I, um, think. And after Day One I'm still thrilled to be working. I lunched in the Inner Harbor, watching people and boats and fountains. My bike ride to and f...

It is with JOY that we wish Aaron and Tekoa a VERY happy day of celebration! Green symbolizes growth, which is what our prayer is for your love and commitment! May God bless you richly during your new year! Love, prayers and hugs, Mom and Dad

Ok. Today I completed the last requirement for my elementary ed. permanent certification. I had to video tape a discrete lesson in which I provided direct, explicit instruction for 20 minutes and 10 minutes of non-whole-group instruction where students had a chance to be actively engaged in their own learning. Once the tape starts rolling there can be no stops or pauses or editing or sneezing. Of course to plan a lesson that fits these rigid standards and aligns with state and district learning standards takes a lot of planning. Ok. Now it is 9:30 and my camera operator is ready to go. I explained that there can be no accidental stops in the tape or I'll have to start again. I start the lesson at 9:35. The fire alarm goes off at 9:40. Stop the tape, exit the building. Return to the room. All the teachers had a little chuckle and say things like you'll laugh about this some day. No big deal. I'll start again. The students are ready, camera ready, I'm ready. Now I'm 2...

I got my old job back at Legg Mason! And a $1 raise. Hooray! Now I'll be able to look out the window at work and watch the left fielder at Orioles games.

On Tuesday, Alan and I took the Old Town kayak up around Ithaca. We had to portage a few feet, but we managed to crash into the Ithaca Falls. That was a sight. The falls were roaring and the whole thing was breathtaking. We passed some baby geese. They were chartreuse and fluffy. When we were paddling through the lake I got a thorough soaking from the wavy water. Alan enjoyed that. "Little brother has to sit up front," he said. I was drenched, head-to-toe. Then on Friday Stephanie and I went to Alex's circumcision party. It was a blast. Koa made him a perfect hot air balloon cake and when they were putting candles on it I said, "But Alex, it's not your birthday." "I know," he said, looking down. But then he looked up, shrugged and said, "It's my circumcision day!" So we all sang "Happy Circumcision to You." I wanted to sing "Cuts Like a Knife," though, by Bryan Adams. He was in good spirits. It just...

Friday, May 12, 2006 Tonight marks the end of another chapter in The Great Adventure. We are preparing to leave in the morning. That means we are heading home and no more work until we get home and then there will be plenty. I have mixed feelings about leaving Mississippi and the disaster relief work. I wish I could do more to help, but I’m tired of life in the NDR compound. I’m also tired of the wind and the thunderstorms. Lightning here is extreme. It’s actually a little scary. I spent today getting the truck cleaned out and washed. I actually relocated all the tools so we have a back seat. We don’t really need it, but I thought it would be nice to get rid of the tools since I won’t need them. I also washed the Montana and did all the prep for leaving that I could do. It was a nice, sunny, 80 degree day and I enjoyed the radio and the puttering on my own stuff. Tonight, we went out for supper with the home team and had lot of laughs. I feel ready to leave. Last night, Agnes Cherry ca...

Here are our beautiful tomato plants..... finally separated into there own dirt. Soon they will go out into the world of our back yard and feed us delicious fresh tomatoes all summer...... thanks Stephanie. Your apartment must be a greenhouse by now....

Jack and I met Alan and his class at the zoo in Syracuse today. It was a wonderful day, the weather was amazing, and we had such a fun time. We sat and watched three monkeys play for at least 30 min.... Jack was belly laughing at all thier silly antics. He seems to really like "cute animals". I just love when he looks at a meerkat and says "Awwww, he is soooo cute" with such quiet sincerity in his little voice. It just makes me want to hug him forever. Alan is a super teacher, and the kids we spent time with today where great too. The only thing missing was Emma.... and giraffes.....

Jack got his first official not-by-mom hair cut this week!!! He really looks like a big kid now, I suppose he is. The last few days have been beautiful here and we have spent them playing baseball, Jacks new absolute favorite thing to do. Emma is doing great as well, she has a month to go before her dance recital, and she's getting excited about it. It's been a fun week watching the kids grow. :0)