March Update

March was a fun whirlwind of travel and work. Lauren and kids were just in Riverside, CA, visiting Abo (my dad), Aba (my mom), and Auntie Leslie this week. We enjoyed the warm sun, the hot tub, and walks to go shopping. Diego enjoyed eating popsicles. Charley learned how to climb up the stairs (but is still learning to go down "feet first"). She turned 11 months old this past week...my baby is nearly one year old. I can't believe it. Christian and the family had a Sea-Tac reunion as he arrived from Mozambique just an hour before we arrived from Riverside. It was such a happy moment to see the kids embrace papa after two long weeks. Diego went running across the airport to hug him and Charley couldn't take her eyes off of him for hours.
I had my first grad school meeting last week to discuss internship possibilities at a local high/middle/elementary school. And I am slowly getting used to the idea of being a student once again.
Spring finally arrived with two beautiful days here in W. Seattle. Last night we gathered around our new fire bowl and toasted marshmellows. Then Lauren attended a healing meditation for a dear friend of ours who is headed to surgery tomorrow. Keep MN in your thoughts and prayers for us.
April brings us more work, more soccer games, travel to San Diego for mama and Charley, and a Trailblazers Basketball game (my first NBA game!) with my brother in Portland on Friday. I will also be shadowing some principals in the local area in preparation for my program retreat in July.
Christian is back to work and back to school. His last quarter is looking good and he is excited about his travels and upcoming work in Mozambique. I hope he'll write about his experiences there soon on the blog.
Love to all family and friends and may your spring bloom brightly this year!

Gotta Love This Face

February ends at last

For the shortest month of the year, it sure was a CRAZY long month!
The good news is that I was accepted into the Danforth School Leadership Program for the 09-10 school year. I will begin classes with a retreat in July and then participate all school year in classes and a 20 hour/week internship at a local high school and middle school. Ultimately, at the end of the year I will apply for my principal's certificate. Crazy. You can check out the program online at U of WA's website--it's a great program for me -- all about social justice, equity, and school reform. I'm gonna love it.
Diego had his very first soccer game today! It was one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Four and five year olds running up and down the gym in mostly chaos. Most of the time the kids didn't even know which direction to go! Diego enjoyed it, and he is blissfully napping now. He was worn out! Oh, and Diego got glasses. He has astigmatism and far-sightedness. He looks very studious, but is adjusting to having to wear them all day. I'll post pics when I can.
Charley has started to use her sign language. Thank goodness! After six months of signing to a baby, looking pretty silly in public, I am so happy that she now gets it. She waves bye-bye, signs "all done" (her own version of it, but we understand) and "milk," and I'm hoping "more" is on the way. I'm not one of those agro signing moms. I just teach the ones she really needs. She can say "night-night" when she is tired, and has a good handle on "Diego," "mama," and "papa," so the only other one we really use with her is "bathtime." It all started on Monday morning when she waved to Christian. So cute!
In March we look forward to travel - Christian to Mozambique and Lauren and the kids to Riverside, CA and Los Angeles. Fun Fun.