Crackerbox

Abstract expressionist self portraits

My students are awesome.

What a week...

It's Thursday and we are finishing up the first week of school for all of us.

The girls started back on Monday and since it was my first day as well, their dad took them to school. I was a little bummed to miss it, but I got lots of photos.

 

I am so proud of my girls.

 

My little Juju starting Kindergarten......what a cutie. Usually she is so quiet but not this week. I thought it would be tough to get details out of her, but she is chatting up a storm. It was like something clicked in her. A little change, a little more grown up. She was so ready for it.

 

Here is Helena on her way to second grade. How is that possible? That my baby is a few weeks shy of 8 years old? AAAGGHHHHH.

And here are a few photos from my class. I honestly felt like I was totally pretending to be a teacher and was extremely nervous on Monday morning. But, something happened when the bell rang and it all fell into place.  The kids are amazing.  They are precious and talented and I feel lucky to be there. I kind of feel like they are teaching me. I've already had some really unique experiences and I can only imagine what's in store. I can't wait.

I painted this on the wall over the summer.

Some of the kids working on the first project.

Check out those drawings. They did a great job of posing for each other and doing gestural figure drawings. They are making some sculptures based on their favorite drawing that they did. Thanks Amber for the idea.

I feel so blessed to be in the classroom with these kids. I am looking forward to a year filled with joy and challenges too. Because I can already tell, some of these kiddos are going to challenge me. So many good things are happening in my life.

Continuation on a Theme

Beach Picnics...I know I know get original and do something else interesting right? But just check out the lighting and the cutie pie....

And this one...

Have a good evening...

Last Week......

I went back to Chattanooga to get a divorce.   I was never sure if I would write about it here, but I feel like I am at the point where things are going in a new direction and it may be good to acknowledge what has happened. In the interest of protecting my biggest blog reading fan who is also 7 years old and right in the middle of it...I won't go into too many details.

I'll just say a couple things to sum it up.

The things that got me through so far....Prayer, Family, Friends, Love, Kindness, Generosity.

I am doing very well.

I am a teacher now.  (can you believe that?)

Sometimes life is really crappy....but then it gets WAY better.

also...I want a yellow boat.

And now back to the matters at hand like crochet and sewing and beautiful children and maybe even art curriculums. 
It's a new day over at the CrackerBox!!!

Introducing.....

Amanda.

The girls have a new doll.  They named her Amanda.

Saturday Night at the Beach

This little girl who could barely swim a few short weeks ago is barely coming up for air these days.
This is the view I have of her most of the time.

There was a picnic...

Top it off with meeting Mimi and Papa at Dairy Queen and I think it was a great night. 3 children passed out in their beds in record time, I think that's the proof. I hope your Saturday was super too.

Happy Tuesday

Who Knew?

I will tell you who knows. Retirees that pack it in and move to Florida. They know what they are doing. I am living  an early retirement. Which begins in earnest on Friday when I will be officially unemployed and living in a retirement village. It is not a serious 55+ community, but I have yet to see anyone at the pool who is under 75.

I admire these folks. The old fella' who pushes his walker to the pool every morning around 7:30. How cool is that? I hope I am getting up and being active when I am that age.  They are so nice to the kids too. I was very worried that we would disrupt the quiet around here, but we have been welcomed so far.  River and I went to the pool the other night and the nice lady that we see there a good bit says, "Here he comes, the pool is waiting for him".  So nice.

I never thought I would be a condo living type of person, but I am so sold on this place, that I am starting to think about buying one.  I have always been worried about paying a maintenance fee on a condo. But now that I'm here, I don't have to haul the recycling off, or take the trash to the street or pay for cable or water. I can play all the golf and tennis I want.(of course I don't play golf or tennis, but you get the picture) I think the maintenance fee is a bargain now. Of course, my landlord  pays it,  But my point is, the convenience makes it possible to enjoy life. We have been swimming and fishing and bike riding and just loving life. The condo isn't huge, so I can clean it pretty quick which leaves lots of time to just go and do.

My new years resolution was to simplify and enjoy life more. Wow. It was against my will, but as far as enjoying how I am spending my free time, I think this is definitely an improvement. Those oldies know what they are doing. 

My Little Castaways

Queenies 'n' Weenies

Nothing says "Happy Birthday, my sweet 3 year old boy" like ginormous hotdogs and $11 a gallon icecream.

Seriously, we were staying at the beach and I went to a little store to get 2 gallons of ice cream and a bag of ice. I only choked a little bit when the total was $28 dollars.  Ouch but sooooo worth it. I think it was agreed by all to be the best ice cream ever.

 

And now that the party theme has been discussed lets move on to the guest of honor.

I am not sure there has ever been a sweeter little dude in the history of little dudes.   His sisters probably wouldn't agree. Especially when they have received a projectile matchbox car in the side of the head.  But his mom  can't get enough of that little guy. 

Happy Birthday River.