The First Day of School

Kennedy was born almost eight years ago.  Since then, I have changed diapers non-stop until this May when Dylan finally decided to potty train.  I have also had a kid at my side without reprieve in those almost eight years.  So the idea that this school year I would have a few hours a week to myself was a little exciting.  All three kids are going to school!  Yes, I will only have a few hours here and there, but it might be kind of nice!

So Kennedy started school first this year.  She is is second grade and has actually been excited to go to school.  As we went to find out who her teacher was and who was in her class, she quickly realized that all of her good friends were in the other class and she was not.  She was pretty disappointed but Kennedy is pretty outgoing, so I wasn't too worried.  She's quick to make friends and I know she will be just fine.  Kennedy's teacher is Miss Waddoups.  She is fairly new to Oakwood, but is a great teacher who likes using technology and is pretty on top of things.  So far, Kennedy loves her and is learning lots of new things.

Alex started next.  He is in Kindergarten this year and was excited to be at Oakwood with his friends.  He really likes his teacher, Mrs. Wray.  She is sweet and caring and does a great job, even with 27 kids in her class.  Alex is making new friends and really likes going to school...most of the time!

So Dylan is finally going to pre-school.  He only goes twice a week, but this gives me a few hours a week to play!  Dylan seems to love school.  He likes his teachers and is doing really well.  I was a little nervous, since Dylan is my stubborn, do whatever I want kid.  But so far, he listens quite well and does what the teachers ask.  His pre-school is at Oakwood so that makes it nice to be all together in the same school.

And those few hours a week that I have to myself...well, I just seem to run around like crazy, trying to get all the errands and chores done before I have to be back at school to pick up the kids.

A Night with Neil

As a child I don't remember a lot of music in our home.  My parents liked different types of music, but they rarely played albums and tapes on our home stereo.  I can recall one artist that both my mom and dad enjoyed listening to:  Neil Diamond.

The Jazz Singer soundtrack was huge in our home in the early 80's.  All the songs were big hits for us:  America, Love on the Rocks, You Don't Bring me Flowers, and more.  I can still remember my older sister having us all play "dress up" to perform some of Neil's greatest hits.

I continued to listen to Diamond's songs as my musical tastes were developing.  I absolutely loved singing along with Sweet Caroline and I'm a Believer.  How many high schools guys knew all the words to Shilo?  I can name one - this guy!

For my birthday earlier this year Tara asked me what was something special I wanted.  I told her that I would like to see Neil Diamond in concert.  I knew that he was coming and I wanted to be there.  She bought the tickets and last night Tara and I were rocking out with Diamond at Rio Tinto Stadium.

It was a great night.  Diamond brought the crowd to their feet and had the grandmas dancing in the aisles.  Tara and I had a lot of fun, singing along as Neil's cranked out hit after hit.

The highlight of the night was signing Sweet Caroline.  Maybe it's because we love the 8th inning version of the song at Fenway Park, but this song always makes me smile.  Neil knows the crowd loves it as well - he sang the chorus 5 times!  It didn't matter though, we could have sang it one more time.  Our date was amazing, the night was perfect, and the concert was so good, so good, so good!

For Your Birthday

Alex,

As we celebrate your birthday this year I want to take a moment to tell you how much I love being your  dad.  I am so proud of all you've accomplished this year and I can see how you're growing into a wonderful person each and every day.

One of your best traits Alex is your unconditional love.  You are such a soft-hearted person, quick to emotion and long on love.  I have never seen a young man so willing to tell his parents how much he loves them.  I know it doesn't seem like a big deal to you, but it is wonderful to have to express your love to me.  Hearing your son say "I love you, Dad" after a long day at work makes everything worth it.

We all know that you're a cautious kid Alex.  Never the first to jump in the pool or to meet a new person.  Still, this year we've seen you try many new things and get out of your comfort zone.  No where was this more evident than school.  Going to a new school is always tough.  You not only survived in you class, you thrived!  It was great to see you make new friends and do so well with your assignments.

Alex, I want to encourage you to always reach beyond yourself.  I know you're the first of my kids to volunteer to help me with anything.  Never lose than willingness to serve others.  I know it's one of things that brings me the most joy in my life.  If you look out for others, you'll always be happy within. This especially goes for your brother and sister.  Look for ways to serve  Kennedy and Dylan and you'll continue to bring peace and harmony to our home.

Happy Birthday Buddy.  I can't tell you how much you mean to me.  You're my guy and I don't know where my life would be without you.  I hope you have a special day because you are a very special boy.  I love you.

Daddy

Alex turns 6!

Alex loves parties, especially when it is for him and he gets lots of presents.  Alex has been counting down to his birthday since the beginning of summer.  About a month before his birthday, he asked me how many days until his birthday.  We figured it out and he made a little countdown calendar with  the numbers one through twenty-six on it.  Every morning he would cross off a number and let me know how many days until his birthday.  He kept telling me all the fun things he wanted to do and gave us a very detailed list of all the presents he wanted.  So we tried to fulfill all those expectations.

We started Alex's birthday with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese.  Alex has been sucked in by all their commercials on TV, so off we went to see Chuckie.  We invited the cousins to come along with us and had lots of fun playing games and riding the rides at Chuck E. Cheese.  We headed back to our house for some pizza, presents, cake and ice cream and a pinata (another of Alex's requests).

Alex couldn't wait to open his presents, so after pizza, we let him go at it.  And boy, did he go.  I've never seen anyone open up presents so fast.  He didn't even see what was in each present before he threw it in the pile and moved on to the next one.  I tried to slow him down, but he was on a mission.  After opening all his loot in less than 2 minutes, he decided to go back and see what he actually received from everyone.

He really did get spoiled, with lots of toys, games and fun stuff.  Later in the evening, he asked my sister Char, "So what did you give me?"  I guess that's what happens when you open presents in record time!

We ended with cake and ice cream and a pinata.  The cake was a dinosaur that turned out so cute.  The pinata was a cool dragon that Alex picked out himself.  Alex had a great birthday and is already counting down the days until Christmas.

Alex, you really are such a sweet boy, with a gentle spirit.  You are so loving and caring for those around you.  I love you so much and am so proud of you as you turn six years old.  Happy birthday, cute boy!

The Secret Word is KEYNOTE

When I finished writing Going Google I knew there was a possibility that the book might help open up some new doors for me professionally.  In the education world having a book to your credit is a nice sign of credibility.  It seems like the years of hard work are starting to pay off.

A couple of months ago the Utah Rural Schools Association (URSA) had a cancelation for one of their keynote presenters.  Now, I've presented at this conference for years, but never had the chance to share on the big stage.  It's amazing how things fell into place.  I was asked to give the Friday morning keynote in front of the entire audience of conference goers.

Normally, my presentations focus on technology tools and how they can be used in the classroom.  While the keynote still has a lot of that content, it is more important to inspire the crowd and help energize them as teachers.  Let's just say I was incredibly nervous that I could come up with a presentation that could accomplish that.  I spent days pouring over different stories, videos, and brainstorming with friends.

In the end, everything worked out pretty well.  I was able to share the presentation and I didn't get booed off the stage.  Not bad for a first effort.  Let's just hope I didn't close any future doors by my performance.