So it’s exciting to go on a trip, and this year I feel like I have actually had time to enjoy the holidays this fall. Our kids had some awesome costumes, Ann and I actually dressed up and went out too. We didn’t get to fully carve my pumpkin, so everything wasn’t accomplished. But all in all, having a sabbatical has really allowed me to get some work done and connect with my family. I miss most of the people at work, and am looking forward to working with them again. And having the time away from work has really helped me put my previous department head work into perspective. By thinking about my job and teaching theatre with a little distance, I really think I am going to have some new energy and ideas to bring to the table. So I am thankful for that.

You know looking back, I have lucked out immensely. Looking at the awesome family I have, this great job with people a love to work with, having a house in a great town, I can’t help but be thankful.

Now the kids really like some of the songs. It is fun to see their enjoyment of these songs from my youth. Although now that I think about it, I wasn’t 4 or 7 or 10 when I listened to them.

Here is one of McKelvey;s favorites:
Dead or ALive’s You SPin Me Right Round

Culture Club’s Karma Chameleon

We also watched Aha’s Take on Me, and then I remembered someone made a spoof of the video, making the lyrics talking about what is shown in the video. Pretty funny.

Aha’s Take Me On Literal version

Original http://youtu.be/djV11Xbc914

Then we looked up the literal video of one of Liam’s constant requests, Men Without Hat’s Safety Dance. Although the literal version we discovered was a little racy, at least for 4 year olds.

Men Without Hats Safety Dance Literal Version

Original

That is a glimpse of our action packed Friday nights.

So what this effectively means is that I take a turn taking care of the kids and Ann takes a turn at the theatre. I get the hang of it ususally by the end of the week. There are always things I flub and things I get right.

Just to keep score here is what I have done right so far this week:

Washed and sorted all the laundry
Done the dishes
Made a foot long toy U-boat for Liam with my 3d printer
Gotten Arden to eat aspargus

What I have done wrong so far:

Ran out of fruit and all veggies for the kids lunches
Gotten into arguments with the kids over minor things

So all on all, I would say I am getting pretty good at this parenting thing. It only took me ten years.

Arden’s team was invited to play on the Washington and Lee soccer field during the halftime of a game. So I guess she was part of the halftime show for the crowd. Another father recorded it with his iPhone. Look for Arden as #7 and her friend Braden who is #22.

Not to toot my own horn, but I have accomplished a bit myself. I got a good teaching job at a great school, and have a great family. I am not a person that is afraid of working. In fact I enjoy the feeling of accomplishing tasks.

My question is: How did we, my brothers and I, get this way and how do I do the same for my children?

I have lots of memories of doing chores, or helping my dad with projects. Helping to wash the dog (a huge Irish Wolfhound) or Mow the lawn or pour concrete. Was it that we were always asked to help that work was ingrained into our childhood? I also remember my dad always sitting at night with us while we were all watching TV, and he would be writing reports. Was it the example of my hardworking parents that influenced us?

What are your experiences?

As Always,McKelvey & Arden gathered with Liam in the front of our house. they were excited for school to begin. And this past Tuesday Liam had his first day of preschool.

I can’t remember being excited for the first day of school, and maybe my parents can chime in and remind me. But I am glad they are, and I am thankful they don’t fight to wake up and get them ready in the morning.

I also can’t remember having homework in the 4th grade, let alone the 3rd or 2nd. Any hoo, I hope you liked this glimpse into the kids lives.

Arden was never someone who had to have the loving hugsy type of teacher. Her kindergarten teacher wasn’t very affectionate, and her first grade teacher is known to be either. Arden said after the end of the first day that “we had to put are heads on the desks and be quiet a lot.” However a lot to Arden could just be one more time than she wanted (like just one time total). But Ms. Smith gives out Skittles at the end of the day so that goes pretty far in Arden’s book. I am beginning to notice a trend…

My school hasn’t started yet, but the meetings have begun in full force. Yeay.

There is a labyrinth to walk and meditate, like the labyrinths in old cathedrals.

The center of the social life at Winni is the Barn. Classes are held there, and at night there is dancing in the barn. Ethnic dances from different countries, lots of dances that are just a lot of fun. It was a good relaxing week. I am kind of bummed that I have to start work again.

There has been a lot that has happened in the last couple of weeks. My Daughter McKelvey held(with help from Ann and I) a fundraiser to raise money for the Arts program at her school.

We went as saw Wicked, McKelvey’s class did a famous person tea. Where they dress up like a famous person that they researched. Then they read a speech that they wrote format the point of view of their famous person. It was pretty neat to see.

Arden’s class had an Easter Egg hunt at our house( because we were the only ones that lived close to the school). That was fun. Liam and I hid all the eggs, which took a long time since we hid 10 eggs for each kid in the class. That’s over 170 eggs.

I also went to Kansas City Missouri for a conference. I was a part of two panel presentations and did a small presentation on the 3d Printer I made. They all went over pretty well. It’s odd to think I am comfortable talking in front of a crowd like that, when I used to run from that like my dog from a bath.

Pictures of the aforementioned events are here.