February 7, 2010

I had to pick a few pictures for today because one just wouldn't do this story justice.

Ashley decided she needed to roll around with several stuffed animals today - smiling, laughing and giggling as she did it. It was so cute that I wish I had thought to have one camera recording video and the other taking pictures!

February 6, 2010

Many years ago, 2003 to be exact, I met an amazing young man while working with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Just to show how small the world is, he was the son of someone I graduated high school with (but knew only by name). In my search for a Big Brother for him, matching him with a Big and through various BBBS events, I built a relationship with his family. Several years later, I left BBBS and he attended McNair Magnet School. During all this time, Robbie developed a great relationship with him. Although we don't see him often, Robbie thinks of him as a Big Brother. He came to watch Robbie play in his basketball on Saturday. He hung out with us for several hours later and we went that evening to watch him play in his last basketball game for this season. His team is one of the top teams in their division within the state. He's such a cool kid - funny and hardworking. He's the only freshman on the team and is already a top recruit for his graduating class. One reason I said that he is amazing is because he's hearing impaired and in spite of that, he hasn't let the fact that he's completely deaf in one ear and has an implant/aide in the other stop him or slow him down. Even more, I'm so glad that my son has such a good role model to look up to in his life - literally and figuratively (he's 6'6" already at 16 years of age!).

I Suck...!

I made it a month and then found myself with no inspiration and absolutely no desire to even touch my camera. I did pick up my camera again on Saturday, however. I really hope that I can do better.

January 31, 2010

Even with her snotty nose, how can you not love her???

January 30, 2010

I went to a baby shower today for a high school friend that I haven't seen in years (which is a shame since until recently, she lived in the same town that I work). I'm super excited for her and the journey she is about to begin as a mother with her son, Austin James. Her aunt made her shower cake and it was delicious, not to mention very creative.

January 29, 2010

As I was out purchasing a gift for a friends baby shower, I came across some bathtub crayons and decided to buy them for Ashley. She LOVES to "draw" and "color." My decision to get these for her was very much appreciated (at least I believe by her focus and the look on her face!). Also notice that she is using her left hand. When it comes to coloring or drawing, this is always her preference. However, she usually uses her right hand when eating with a spoon. (We are both righties; although both of my parents are lefties!)

January 28, 2010

Along with my headache last night, Robbie had a writing assignment that he needed to finish and turn in today. When I picked him up from school yesterday, he started by saying that he needed extended time for his writing assignments. Students in Florida take a writing assessment in 4th grade called FCAT Writes. They have 45 minutes to write something based on either a narrative or expository prompt they receive. He swore up and down the entire way home that he is a horrible writer and there is no way that he could pass the Writes test. I, of course, told him otherwise and tried to encourage him to do better. He was given a prompt on Monday and the final draft was due Thursday (today). I'll be honest, his first draft was not good at all. He had a good idea but then went all over the place with it. I made him re-write it after that point where he started pulling strings. I gave him some ideas and sent him off to write. In total, he probably worked a good 2 hours on this assignment. Obviously he won't have this much time when the assessment comes but I think my re-direction helped him realize some where he needs to focus and expand in his writing. Anyway, long story a little bit shorter, he came home today with a high score. Students are scored on a 6 point scale. If you notice in the top left corner, there is a green 6.0 circled. I have a feeling this is Robbie's handwriting. He told me that the teacher went back and forth on how many points to assign. Over on the right side, there is a 6.0 that is circled and crossed out that is his teachers handwriting. In between those two is a 5.5 and a 5. I didn't notice before bed that this was probably his handwriting so I'll have to investigate that more closely. However, whether it is truly a 6, 5.5, or 5.0, he still did an awesome job. (Students need to earn a 4.0 to be considered on grade level.) We'll have to deal with the possibly falsified grade later...