Happy Birthday Joel-Bean!

It's been a busy week around here. Lots of hustle and bustle with our little man's birthday engagements. I am absolutely floored that he is 8 years old! All I did was blink... On Joel's birthday Wednesday, Gma and Gpa visited and he got to open some presents and enjoy a DQ cake. Tonight, Joel and 2 friends (along with us and Uncle Mark) went to a Pacers basketball game. Tons of fun! The boys are nice and rowdy at this very moment --Joel's first hosted sleepover--it's WAY late and 2/3 of the boys have a bball game in the morning. Then tomorrow night, family is coming over for the official birthday gathering. Hanna is getting her own special night sleeping over at Gma's house tonight and will return with them for tomorrow's party. I think Monday may feel like a break! So happy birthday son...the day you were born is still one of my favorite memories. Love you crazy!

My Sweet Spouse

On top of the immense amount of listening and support coming from my husband lately (can't really say lately considering school budget crisis "stress" has been strong for over a year now), my sweet had an Edible Arrangements bouquet sent to school the other day. (If you aren't familiar, check out the link and prepare to drool.) He's done that for a few years now and I absolutely love that fresh fruit "fix" during the sometimes bleak February. In addition, he mentioned a weekend special at his restaurant and we just up-and-decided to go last night. Gma and Gpa watched the kids and we had a romantic couples dinner including app., prime rib with all the fixins, and cheesecake/bete noir for dessert. It was wonderful! Happy Valentine's Day to my dream guy of 12 years!
http://www.ediblearrangements.com

Forget Arts Advocacy

Today was discussion meeting with our superintendent. I was prepared with collated data, legislative statements, and other research in favor of preserving K-3 art and music. It was horrible and he wanted nothing to do with arts advocacy. I remained amiable, calm, and unemotional...UNTIL he interrupted one of my questions (his third such interruption, one of which spouted, "I don't care about your research and data. We don't have the money.") with these words, "There you go getting all hung up on doing what's right for the kids!" His mantra for the past 2 months (and he's got the school board saying it now) is "Let's make something very clear here. We are not doing what is in the best interest of the children. These are business decisions." I'm sorry, but since when do educators publicize that they are NOT looking out for what's best for the students they serve? A good friend joked that the statement might just be a good corporation letterhead! Bottom line: even though the board vote isn't until March 21st, our school leaders have already made the decision to shorten the school day, cut out K-3 music and art, and foolishly assume classroom teachers will adequately meet national arts standards during this shortened day. As I write this the elementary principals are in the process of recommending how many arts teachers they can do without. Folks, we are shooting ourselves in the foot. Our children will suffer. The ineptitude at the federal and state level have officially trickled down and we are being asked to forget about what's best for our childrens' education. I, for one, am disgusted...and I will continue to give my students the very best music education I can give as a highly qualified arts educator. When the proverbial poo hits the fan in this town, let it be known that I stood up for for my children, as well as the other 400 I enable through music.

Rick Miller performs Bohemian Rhapsody

This is hilarious! You can tell he's really a decent singer behind all those impressions...they sure are spot-on!

It's Official

Joel continues to struggle with symptoms, although it's more cold-like now. Andy officially has the flu, complete with chills and body aches. Hanna seems okay for the time being...sympathy whining for the most part. School was just called off for the 4th day in a row. My sister-in-law's Alabama wedding at the end of May is gonna be quite a challenge (we're driving!) considering all the make-up days. Yuck! Lest you think my glass is half empty, I am thankful that we are all home to work on mending. Just don't breathe on me, okay my sweets? :0)

S-I-C-K

My babies are sick...all of them. Joel's been fighting a slew of symptoms for a few days now, ranging from stomach cramps to fever to cough and drainage. I'm about ready to call the doctor, but I'm almost certain there's nothing she can do but treat the symptoms as we're doing. Stomach flu and strep have been running rampant through school the past few weeks. Poor guy's fever keeps jumping up to 103 and all we can do is give him rest, fluids, and the tylenol/motrin treatment. Last night, Andy started feeling "off", saying in jest, "Joel, if you pass this to me, I'm gonna clean your clock!" By this morning, Andy was poppin' the DayQuil on his way to work. Now Hanna has a mild cough... Lysol, laundry, echinacea tea, vitamins: here I come!

Snow, I mean Ice, Day!

This is our second day off of school and, although I enjoy the lazy time with the family, I can't help but think of all the music instructional time we're losing. This time of year always puts us in a time crunch for the 4th grade pioneer program... Oh well, at least we're better off than Illinois! Blizzard conditions that are apparently breaking records! Bundle up out there!