Hard as it is to believe, it has been a full year since Tad’s beloved art teacher died. He has not forgotten her, but the grief he once felt so overwhelmingly has receded.  He now talks about her with a note of wistfulness, and often says, “She would be proud of me.” I miss her […]

The swim team had their end-of-season banquet, and Ane learned that… she lettered!!! The senior team captains also gave her “The Butterfly” award because it’s her favorite stroke, plus she’s a social butterfly.  She also earned the academic recognition certificate (for maintaining a 3.5 GPA all season long), and her team voted her “Most Inspirational.” […]

One of Thumper’s real gifts is his ability to sleep anywhere. He’s been trying to finish fighting off a cold (the cause of his school absences last week), and he’s been very tired while fighting. When I arrived on Tuesday afternoon for library time (which I have been “volunteering” for in order to help manage […]

The weather was mild and partly sunny, and the kids had a day off of school (thanks to Veterans Day falling on a Sunday, which meant it was observed on Monday).  What do we do?  Go to the zoo! Us and about half the preschool population of Seattle, I’d say. Ever since a class field […]