Convention Schmention

OMG - have you checked out the C-SPAN coverage of the Democratic Convention? It's hilar...as you know, I am not so into politics, but catching the shots of the dancing crowd is worth a few minutes of your time. I even saw a man with a bollo on. I spent way too long looking for a video showing the dancing, to no avail. Instead, I decided to post this video promoting The Office Season 5, which is something I am looking forward to watching...although i can't wait for the Republican Convention moves...

View from the School House

This is what greeted me as I finally rolled out of work tonight at 6:00 - you can just make out the two tallest building in Charlotte below the fog...i was struck by the beautiful creepiness of it...

Flying Clock

The first week of school went off without a hitch...this group feels like we've been together for ages after only three days - what a blessing. They are, however, super creative and super social - could prove to be a challenge as the year progresses. Check out what one creative fifth grader did to my classroom clock.

Stu-art

Lin's son Stuart began his journey at McCallie school last weekend. Stuart being a former student, I have to say that I felt a little angst about the idea of going away for high school. However, the transition went beautifully and this place is a perfect fit for this amazing kiddo. Lin reported that she felt like she was leaving him at Trinity. love it. Check out McCallie's site at www.mccallie.org.

The best story I've heard so far is that Stuart signed up for hand bells as an elective. He came to find out that the hand bells teacher is eighty-six years old. That's right - 86! And apparently, this legendary teacher remembers to come to class only about 80% of the time. So how did this go on Day 1 of class? He forgot. hahahaha.

How cute is Stuart in his new room?



I'm so proud of the lovely young man he is becoming...

First Day

tomorrow is the day. one of the things I love most about being in education is the sparkle and butterflies around first days each august. so far our plans include stating our hopes and fears for the year, making promises about how we'll treat each other, sharing the things we're wondering about, rocking out a little math, relaxing with a good book, and building a raptor habitat outside the classroom.

i'm thinking not bad for a first day with 24 eleven-year-olds. however, i'll let you know how it turns out...

A Dream Realized

For the last few weeks, David was working in Chester, England. In an fortuitous stroke, his beloved Liverpool Football Club had a friendly match on his first friday. Traveling to Liverpool by train, Dave journeyed to Anfield to watch his Reds play battle Lazia. They won 1-0, raising hopes for the 2008 Premiership League. With that, a life dream came to fruition. As you can tell from the pictures, this life dream rocked it out.







Back in Charlotte, NC today, we are celebrating the beginning of Liverpool's season. David has prepared a full English breakfast and is dressed in his Liverpool kit and scarf...oh, how we love our Liverpool!

Nugget

Our little Nugs Annabelle, is growing up. Check out these cute pics from Liz...she looks so grown up and full of life. love it.





we can't wait to meet nugget 2 soon!

Father David

At our first day back to work today, the chaplains reminded us that we are charged as teachers to teach our kiddos what it means to be ambassadors of grace and to follow in the teachings of Christ. I am totally down.

I was not as down with the faux clerical collars they passed out.

However, getting this picture made me feel a lot better.

Much Ado

Last night, Meg accompanied me to the Collaborative Art Theatre's free production of Sir William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. A true Shakespearean comedy, it was filled with witty banter, mistaken identity and trickery. I love that the entire play is summed up by this line in Act III: "Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps." It was a lovely production and, not surprising, made me love Will S. more than ever!

Thanks to Meg for coming along - she was wary, to say the least! She is also obsessed with the Olympic Games, so coming out with me to the theatre prevented her from watching Michael Phelps swim for his first gold medal.

This picture is Meg checking her Olympic updates from her blackbizzle....



Sidebar: In a conversation about our childhood acting experiences, I found out last night that Meg's go-to audition number was......wait for it......(You're a) Grand Old Flag. hahahaha!

Some upcoming performing arts opps in Charlotte: Lyle Lovett TH Oct. 9th David Sedaris live Oct. 11th Chicago at the Blumenthal starting Nov. 13th

any takers?

Ellen in Heaven

Did you know sister ellen loves the Dallas Cowboys? Did you know she is obsessed with Tony Romo? Well...Ellen's company represents the NFL, and conveniently, she was sent to the Dallas Cowboys training camp in Oxnard, CA last week. As you can see, she is in heaven.

Knoxvegas

This week I took a couple of days to run up to Knoxville to visit Laura, Frank, Sam, and baby boy (!) number two...poor lar has been sick with sinus and cough stuff but she was a trooper. I even taught Sam a new trick - touchdown! The next plan is to teach him how to say "Go Vols" before September...

Check out the video of Sam's "cheesy smile" below - it's hilar. Love you, Leonards...




clearly, sam loves posing for pics...


sam with his "pjs" - he's obsessed

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Noelting Quisenberry

Two weeks ago little Bryan Q married Miss Hadley Britt...as good luck would have it, Hadley hails from Charlotte so the whole gang came east to celebrate. Sadly, we were having so much fun dancing and enjoying each other that we forgot to take pictures of the bride and groom...


celebrating dave's big 3-1 -- major props, babe, for enduring a rehearsal dinner on your birthdizzle




wedding crashers


hot from too much dancing!


dad and the quizzers




good friends...jana, janet, and cile




adding lighting for dads iphone - creepy, i know