Just because

Just because I feel like it, and because I never get tired of looking at cuteness overload!

Fun at the grocery

When is a trip to the grocery ever routine? The answer is never. Some people loathe going to the grocery store. I actually enjoy a trip up and down the aisles...

Brains?

I'm not sure who Brian is, and I have no idea why he's better than bombs. That Brian must be some guy!

In all seriousness... you gotta love these liberal protesters. The jokes write themselves.

Welcome to the midwest

Welcome to life in the midwest. Yesterday (Friday) it was 78 degrees. This morning at 10:00 A.M. it is SNOWING! I am not even kidding. It is SNOWING! The temperature has dropped nearly 50 degrees in the last 24 hours. Alas winter has returned. Oh well, the warm weather was nice while it lasted. It now makes me long for spring that much more.

Beep! Beep!

Am I the only one who expects to see Wile E. Coyote under that rock, and Roadrunner speeding away with a devilish grin on his face? I sure do miss the old days when cartoons were only on Saturday mornings, and they were actually good.

Incredible day!

What an incredible day! First, it was the warmest winter day in recorded history in Cincinnati. In what could only be described as Florida-like, the temperature reached a balmy 78 degrees. We are absolutely loving it!

Second, my dear, sweet Sveta spent the day with me at school. As you know, she is homeschooled and has been curious about what it might be like to attend public school. What better way to get a taste of public school life than spending a day with her Goppa at work. Don't worry, folks, there is no chance she will be leaving the homeschool world any time soon. This was just a field trip of sorts. She did an amazing job (as if there was any doubt about that!)

Here she is ready for the day (complete with her own personalized desk).

I can neither confirm nor deny Sveta receiving a "before school" cookie.

Here she is hard at work.

When asked what part of the day she was most looking forward to, in typical kid fashion, she said, "Lunch and recess".

As you can see, we had quite the day. One of favorites in my entire career!

Let us in!

I am just dying to know what's on the other side of those doors!

Dad Band- Volume 3

I had so much fun with yesterday's post, I thought I'd continue it today.

Dad Band- Volume 3

Here is the list of tracks...

1. God gave me 2 hands (one for the spatula, one for the beer)

2. Because I said so!

3. Stop teasing your sister! (Michael's song- Part 1)

4. Let your vittles stop your mouth! (Abby's song- part 1)

5. If you break your leg (don't come runnin' to me!)

6. Money doesn't grow on trees!

7. Whistle while you work (the chore song)

8. Stop jumping on the bed (It's not a trampoline)

9. Turn down that music (you're giving me a headache)!

10. What's for dinner? (Nothing. You just ate yesterday)

11. Body Art did it! (Abby's song- Part 2)

12. Take a breath! (Abby's song- Part 3)

13. Poosley the Peach (A tribute to Jessi)

14. No, C's DON'T get degrees! (Michael's song- Part 2)

15. Sugar Lump (A tribute to Abby)

16. The Butterhead Bop (A tribute to Michael)

Dad Band

Now THIS is a band I can get behind! Dads: The Band! A band by dads, for dads! I bet these guys are awesome because they know what REAL music sounds like. Unlike some of the low quality stuff today. Give me that 70's and early 80's music any day! In case you can't read them, here are the listed tracks on the CD:

1. Ask your Mom
2. Golfin' USA
3. BBQ Nights
4. Time flies when you're building a deck
5. Get a job!
6. Just resting my eyes
7. Not in MY house
8. Turnin' this car around
9. Socks with sandals
10. Hi hungry, I'm Dad
11. Studfindin' Stud
12. Hands off! (that thermostat)

And just for good measure, here are some I would add: (Maybe this could be Dads: The Band- Volume 2

13. Hands off! (my daughter)
14. Hands off! (my tools)
15. Me and my recliner
16. Where in the #%*! are my glasses?
17. Shut the door! (we're not heating the whole neighborhood)
18. Put the phone away
19. Don't talk to your Mother that way!
20. Who touched my remote?
21. Be home by midnight (or you're grounded!)
22. What did I say? (Why are you crying?)
23. The toilet is clogged... AGAIN?
24. No, you can't have a snack (we just ate 10 minutes ago!)

Bonus Track- I will always love you (with Dolly Parton)

A day in the park

Elliott had a doctor appointment today, so Tami and I took care of Sveta and Asher. The weather was beautiful, and I took the opportunity to take Sveta to Decatur County Park. What a great day!

Get your degree!

I often ask my students what they want to be when they grow up. The two most common responses are "Youtuber", and professional athlete. Both of these are extreme long shots. In case you don't know, a Youtuber is a person who posts videos on Youtube and gets paid if they happen to go viral. And yes, that is just as unlikely as you think it sounds. I'm also amazed at the number of kids who truly believe they will become professional athletes. Look folks, I don't begrudge a kid's right to dream. We all did it. I wanted to play professional baseball, but I knew I had neither the skills nor the physical attributes needed to realize that dream. I knew deep down I would never play professional baseball. But my students don't seem to have the same grasp on reality. I often ask these same students follow up questions like, "What do you want to be if you don't make it to the NFL or the NBA?" There's usually no backup plan. I can't laugh too hard though. These kids are only nine years old. I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up when I was nine either. I only hope if any of these kids really do hit it big in the pros, they remember who their 4th grade teacher was.

Check out this sign encouraging kids to stay in school and get a degree. This is really good advice and shows the odds of becoming a professional football player. It's an extremely slim chance to say the least. The real reason I am posting a photo of this sign is because of a glaring typo. The person who made this sign encouraging kids to stay in school should probably practice what he/she preaches and go back to English class. Did you find the mistake? I will post the answer below the photo. Don't peek if you want to find it yourself.

If "You're" lucky enough, not "your". This blows me away. Simple basic English. Consider a supposedly educated person composed the text for this sign, and sent it a professional sign company. Are you telling me somebody along the way didn't catch this error? The writer of the text, the sign company, the institution that purchased the sign... anybody? Apparently not. ***SIGH***

Haircut

Somebody got his first haircut today. This somebody is 13 months old. Awwwwwww...

Shorts and a t-shirt

Yesterday was a good day. It was mid-February, and this time of year we are normally freezing and battling snow storms. However, yesterday it was in the upper 60's and I was out doing yard work in shorts and a t-shirt. It felt more like April and I was soaking in every minute of it! The weather is supposed to be unseasonably warm for about another week, and I have to tell you, a warm snap like this really breaks up the winter. In fact, we really haven't even had a winter to speak of, and I'm totally fine with that. The days are still mostly gray and gloomy, but I am happy to endure that for temperatures in the 50's and 60's. I about opening the pool, but reconsidered and thought better of it.

We are now two thirds of the way through February and it feels like spring is close at hand. Of course I can't help thinking Old Man Winter may still have a few tricks up his sleeve. We could still get a cold spell and a snow storm or two, but I won't complain. As winters go, this has been a mild and easy one.

Happy #9

Happy 9th birthday to my sweet little Sveta. I can't believe it... 9 already!

I wonder...

I wonder where those doors lead?

The digital age

As a teacher in the age of digital everything, social media, and video games, I have found instructing students and holding their attention to be more and more challenging. Many students nowadays have the attention span of a gnat, and I blame the constant barrage of digital media and video games for this problem. In a world where students are almost constantly stimulated with visual images and auditory sources, anything that doesn't move at the speed of lightning will not hold their attention. I try to battle this by keeping my classroom activities moving quickly, but let's face it, I am no match for a blinking, flashy, noisy video game. Getting students to sit still and listen for only a few minutes has gotten to be virtually impossible. Students are asking (subconsciously) to be entertained 24/7. I'm a good teacher and I have interesting, engaging lessons, but it's not nearly enough to keep up with the digitally driven world these kids live in.

A few months ago I conducted an informal, impromptu experiment with my students. I posed this question to them, "Except for playing video games, what do you like to do with your free time?". The responses were shocking. Mostly I was met with blank stares, and genuine reactions of not being able to think of anything. A few kids said, "sleep", some kids said "watch TV", others said, "Watch Youtube videos", and yet others said, "play on my Smart Phone". Okay, I get it. Technically those things are not video games, but they all have something in common. They all involve electronics, and a screen of some sort. Not one child mentioned anything that involved playing outside, sports, or an activity that took place outside their home. Although this did not surprise me, it did make me incredibly sad. I knew the digital world was a problem, but I did not realize how all-encompassing it was.

Turning 9

This little doll turns 9 on Saturday. She is growing up so fast!

Love Letter

Tami and I do not celebrate the Hallmark money-grab known as Valentines Day. We have no interest in purchasing gaudy greeting cards, grossly overpriced flowers, or mediocre chocolates. I told Tami I do not need a date on the calendar to tell her or show her how much I love her. We know we love each other and we express it every day. We've always found the concept of Valentines Day to be quite silly. Do we really need tacky, heart-shaped boxes of candy to express our affection? Do I really need to pay double or triple the cost of flowers just because the calendar says, "February 14th"? Does a $5 greeting card really make wife feel loved? The answers to those questions are no, no, and no!

Now, before you think I'm some cheapskate who's looking for an excuse to get out of Valentines Day, you need to know Tami and I can be very romantic. We went out for a very nice dinner Friday night. We went out on the guise of an early Valentine celebration. But the fact is, we just felt in the mood to treat ourselves to a nice meal and wanted to go on a date. It truly had nothing to do with this made up holiday.

We also show each other our love in many other ways. Small acts of service, quality time together, and words of affirmation and affection to name just a few.

As you know today is Valentines Day. I will not let the day pass without telling Tami how I am even more in love with her than I have ever been before. I will not let the day pass without telling her how happy I am in our marriage and how I wouldn't trade any of it for all the money in the world. I will not let the day pass without giving her a big smooch and letting her know I always have been and always will be her Valentine.

Valentines Day? Blah! I'm in love 365 days a year. I'll pass on the cards, flowers, and chocolates. Tami would rather have a Jersey Mike's sub anyway. Nothing says, "I love you", like a giant #9 on white bread, made extra sloppy. Don't believe me? Just ask her!

Good Phrases

There are lots of phrases that bring good feelings for me.

Dinner is ready!
The grandchildren are coming to visit today!
This is the last day of school!
Too much snow... no school today!
Meeting adjourned!
Free beer!
88 degrees and sunny!
Bon voyage, your cruise leaves today!
Here's one from the past... Daddy's home!

Well, you get the idea.

Today I get to hear another one of my favorite phrases...

"Pitchers and catchers report!"

That's right folks. Reds spring training starts today. This means winter is more than half over and spring is just around the corner. I know it's only mid-February, but just thinking about spring gets my motor running. No more worrying about driving in the snow, no more shivering, no more bulky winter clothing.

Getting back to the Reds. I have no illusions about the home team this year. They are in the process of rebuilding and they will not win many games. That really doesn't matter to me. I love the baseball. I love the Reds. I love the promise of spring. I love hearing Marty Brennaman's voice on the radio while enjoying a couple of cold ones. I love what baseball represents... a laid back, All-American pastime.

Pitchers and catchers report today. Position players on Wednesday. Let's open this popsicle stand!

Birthday Party

Sveta doesn't turn 9 until Saturday, but we had her party yesterday. My sweet little granddaughter is growing up. Here are a few photos from the party:

Back in my day

Turning 50 does strange things to a man's mind. You start hearing yourself saying things the old fogies used to say. "When I was your age..." "Back in my day..." "Kids these days don't know how good they've got it" Hearing these things brings about an unavoidable truth. I am old.