Something Rotten in the State of Denmark

The title of this post is the title to an email I sent to my students' families today. One of the most awkward and hilarious notes I've ever written, in fact. I thought I'd post it on the blog for posterity's sake. Enjoy...




Hello again,

I am super hesitant to send this note out, but I am moved to let you in on a persistent classroom struggle. Unfortunately, some members of the class are passing gas with both regularity and pungency and it’s really distracting to our learning.

We don’t think the afflicted are doing it for attention as after many, many direct classroom discussions and invitations to use the hallway and restroom, we continue to have to stop what we are doing, open windows, and grab the Lysol. It really is disruptive.

Linda and I suspect that the children are too embarrassed to talk to us directly about it. SO…this is probably the weirdest thing I have ever asked of parents, but would you be willing to check in with your child about his or her digestive health?

As always, know that we adore each and every child in our classroom community and there is absolutely no judgment at play in this…we are just at a point that we need to figure out a way to reduce the disruptions caused by gas. Should you discover that your child is having a problem, we are happy to provide any support needed with discretion.

Thanks for your grace in reading this email – hopefully your cheeks aren’t as red reading it as mine are writing it. :)

Loving life in the fifth grade (even when it’s smelly),

Emily and Linda

Striking Out

Cousin Mary from Ft. Worth is visiting Charlotte town and this past weekend we struck out for the fabulous and glamorous epicenter to try out the new Strike City (bowling/club/sports bar). In addition to enjoying the 80s-themed crowd, we rocked it out on the bowling lanes. Well, maybe we didn't all rock it out, but Mary and Kim finished strong; and, while Tracy and Rich put up a good fight, David proved the victor. (Better luck next time for me and Mon, I suppose). I also discovered that cousin Mary has a killer moon walk and Thriller moves. Da nah nah nah nah nah...

We loved having you in Charlotte, Mary!

The Big 7-0

Last weekend we celebrated David's Uncle Hank's 70th birthday with the Dave's cousins Krista and Lisa (now the moms of the Berger and Yanase clans), Grandma, and Hank and Dorothy. After a great meal at Ruby Tuesday (kudos on the John Deere place cards, K and L!), we had ice cream cake and enjoyed a skit led by miss Lauren in Japanese. Dave and Lisa even recited "The Fifty Nifty United States" as the family reminisced about talent shows at the farm. I loved watching the next generation cousins play together and hearing about cousin times in the past.

Gotta love some cousins. Happy 70th, Uncle Hank! Enjoy the pics...

"I was made for this."

Dave and I stopped through Denver and crashed with the Fuquay family on our way home to Charlotte. Meeting baby Brooks was a special treat even though the precious "Deacon ones-y by Debbie" did not result in a victory. Although we did get to live out the "Sweet Home Alabama" classic line: "You have a baby...in a bar." hehe.

When I asked Andrea how being a mom was going, she said, "I was made for this." Love it.


hello




tater tots meet chop sticks

CO

After LA, I flew to Colorado to meet Dave for a spring vacation. Our week was lovely - lots of reading and yoga for me and skiing for Dave. We also got to enjoy a meal out at our favorite, La Montana - hola!

Thanks to Carolyn and Chuck for opening their home and to Steamboat for being its beautiful self. Love that place.

It was the first vaca in a while that felt restorative and I am so grateful.

Darn Deacons

I mean Cleveland State? You break my heart, Deacs. You break my heart.

Happy Spring!

At last it's here - hooray for moving out of my least favorite season! Enjoy the first day of spring, ya'll...

Bachelorette

ellen holds her cards


A little over seven years ago, my friends and I gathered at Carolyn Lutes' for my bachelorette weekend. I believe we left the house one time to go to The Tavern and beyond that we ate tasty baked goods, watched and cried to Father of the Bride, and I was showered with lingerie and an autograph puppy named Darolyn.

Fast forward to March 2009 and Ellen's big night - a little different than mine, shall we say. But don't let the worried look on my face in some of the pics fool you - it was good times. I was just a little overwhelmed by some of the paraphernalia. :)

Hooray for Smells for having fun with it and not getting crazy and for Leia for providing the props (big sister would not touch that). I loved getting to watch ellen celebrate with her girl friends and observing the antics with the "Bachelorette Dare Cards." The Saint Patricks Day crowd definitely provided mucho entertainment as well.

BTW did you know there is a "back room" at Party City? Apparently, there is even a cage. No lie.

Below is the link to the whole album, but VIEW AT YOUR OWN RISK!

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8IcuWLlo5cP7g

Dinner and a Movie Shower

Last weekend I journeyed to LA to be with la ellen and john to celebrate their first wedding shower! Hosted by Liz and Bill Rietz and in honor of my sister who loves dinner and her beau, the film maker, it was a dinner and a movie theme. Thanks to liz and bill for everything - it was just lovely. And kudos to John for making it through the public opening of the gifts! :)

Highlights of the weekend:

shopping with ellen for her cute shower dress
seeing my nieces who could not be more precious
lunch with Shep at Joey's
pinkberry
bachelorette party madness (post to follow)
a night at The Beach House hotel in Hermosa
pedis with michelle - the knower of all things E!
celebrating with my baby sister - can't believe she is a bride to be!

To see the full album copy and paste the link below - but here are a few shots...


the happy couple


sweet baby Ivy makes an appearance


i know - i have to figure out how to smile without opening the old boca


http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8EctGbds3bMrG

nervous

for those of you who aren't following our deacs, know that they spazzed out and choked at the acc but start the "big dance" tomorrow.

da da da dadadu da da da dadau dadadadadada go deacs!

Number Two

Yep - our deacs finished number 2 in the ACC and will be counting on deacon fans across the nation to join dino and cheer them on this weekend in the ACC tourney

Rob

Well...little Rob is still quite under the weather -- not steady on his feet, having trouble seeing, and generally not his happy-go-lucky self. Though I have on good authority his sweetness and love continue and glimpses of his spunkiness come out - still dancing now and again to raffi :).

This past weekend, Rob went back to the hospital for lots more testing ... nothing found (which is good), but no prognosis either as to when his symptoms will change.

If you think of Rob, pray for strength and peace and the same for my parents as they consider options...

Check out his cuteness below

elton and billy

Last Saturday, we had the privilege of seeing elton john and billy joel in the "face to face" tour. Thanks to kim for organizing and the pattersons, sarah and beau, and jim for playing along at Cosmo's and the concert. I feel so thankful to have been able to see these two amazing musicians in person. Their piano skills are sick-out and, though they are definitely showing their age, they can still rock it out. no lie: they played from 730 - 1100 straight.

Most importantly, we danced and sang the night away. sorry to the two fellow-concert-goers who received part of my beer. hiking up to the top row with beer is tricky at best ...

My favorite numbers were "Only the Good Die Young" and "Rocket Man."

Our late night was followed by a lovely brunch with Mahesh and Kavita on Sunday - thanks, friends...


the view from our sweet back row


don't let the sun go down on me...

What?

Check out what I saw while sitting in the chic-fil drive through...what?

happy birthday to kimmie...

My friend Kim from work is, like my precious sister, a lover of all things birthday. In truth, her 26th celebration lasted for about 7 days, but two weeks ago, I joined her for a Saturday night out on the town (I know - I told her I must like her because the bar we went to is on my list of the most-disliked places in charlotte).

We started out at a little Italian place and then hit a Charlotte Checkers hockey game which resulted in much fun and much drama. Kim and I made the jumbo tron (spotted by a few of our students who told us about it on Monday) and she achieved her dream of getting a picture with the mascot Chubby Checker.

And, although I didn't last until 130 with the die hards, I did have a lovely time - thanks, kimmie!