I LOVE HAVING A LITTLE BOY

GRAFFITI

I was a bit surprised to see this bit of graffiti in the restroom stall at St. Thomas.... I had to compliment the Religion teacher on her motivational gifts.....  Actually, I did - in jest - there is a boy in the school named Moses (who has an admirer, apparently.)

STRANGER AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS

It was fun to try to take a photo that would give the same impression that I got when, yesterday, I innocently headed up the stairs to the storage area at church to put some items away.  I didn't really capture it, though, because it was a lot darker, and only when I got quite near the top of the stairs did that "statue" or whatever dreadful thing it is, sort-of loom out at me.  I gasped, because initially I just saw a face in the darkness.  And, it is an ugly specimen - not quite a religious statue, it is almost reminiscent of some sort of quasi-"inspirational" set-up in a department store.  I expect it is up there because it was a donation unsuitable for use in church, but which couldn't be rejected for some reason.   At any rate, it got my blood flowing!   

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE - NOT

Just made shortcakes for breakfast. And while waiting for the oven to heat, decided to clean the berries. I bought two big containers of them last night.

Woops.  This is all that's left.  I guess the boys decided to have a few after I went to bed.   Darn it!

MICHIGAN ADVENTURE

Sergei (in back, with hand up) at Michigan Adventure yesterday with the Summit Secondary.  This is not all of the kids, obviously.  I felt sorry for them all day because it was so cold and rainy, but apparently it was not raining there and it wasn't as chilly - and no one, hardly, was at the park - so they had an enormously good time.  I'm so glad.

A REFRESHING DRINK

 I bought this beverage at the Vietnamese market, for an adventure.  What an "interesting" flavor.  I was overwhelmed, it smells and tastes just like a greenhouse - redolent of dirt and fertilizer.  Craig said, "It tastes Iike dirt, with a side of hospital."  Ilya took a drink and said, "It tastes and smells like Kroger."  (Our grocery store.)  The weird part is that we are all right. 

CHAPEL

Hm...if my students had a camera I'd take it away from them.  Was I distracting myself, or what?  Actually, I could tell you what he said.

MOTHERS DAY

I think this is the first non-school Mothers Day gift I ever got from a child  (Aidan and Lydia sometimes remember as adults).  My sweet Sergei made this for me and had it waiting on the table. What a dear boy!

CHAPEL

Zhen and his friend carried the flags at Chapel today.  All tge news that's fit to print.

GIFTS FROM AUNTIE MO

My dear friend, Maureen (Lydia's godmother) sent us a wonderful package of Russian goodies for Easter.  I absolutely adore these cookies - and they make tremendous ice cream sandwiches! (Plus, isn't the box the cutest thing ever?)

EASTER VIGIL

At 3 a.m., at the end of our Easter Vigil reception, all the centerpieces were lined up on the table.  They were pretty individually, but these were so lovely and the sight eased (somewhat) the throbbing pain in my legs and feet.  What a day!

MY WEEK

I ran across this little flag on e-bay a few years ago.  It is from the Soviet era, when such little flags were placed above the workstation of anyone who isn't quite up to speed, in terms of meeting the goals of their "plan".  It says, "Don't lag behind!"  This has been my motto for the week.  Yipes.  What a terrible time it's been; not a moment to reflect.....at least not one when I was rested enough to have all my marbles.

LAMBING SEASON

Part of my stress has been making these butter lambs.  They are a lot harder than they look, and they take considerable time.  However, I'm making money for a scholarship so an orphan can be hosted through New Horizons this summer  Well worth it!  It is just one of those things that I feel I can never do intensely enough.....  And, it is a mess, too!

ANASTASIA DAY

Among other things - a really bad experience at school the Friday before Spring Break, Spring Break, itself,  and the arrival of her adoption traumaversary on April 17, my little Nastia has not quite been "herself".  I did take her out to celebrate Anastasia Day.  The day fell on a Sunday, which was not good since I had to work for 12 hours that day, and then Monday I had to do the retreat, but I took her out on Tuesday for lunch and to buy a cell phone.  The girl who has posted some 400 photos of herself on facebook wouldn't allow me to take her picture....then she agreed, and stuck up these ugly black nails, knowing I hate them.  So, I just took a picture of them.   The food was good, anyway. 

SPRING RETREAT

Today was the long-awaited "retreat" for the STA School third graders.  A few months ago it seemed like a great idea to be the "retreat master" for this event.  As time came closer, and I got more details, I wasn't so pleased.  To say the least.  I am a perfectionist and a full-day retreat for 40 third graders in one room is a definite challenge.  The teachers used some grant money to rent a space at the Conservation Center.  And while this meant that I had to haul all the materials out there,  I saw a big upside -  on April 18 it is bound to be beautiful weather and they can have play time outside in the morning and afternoon, as well as at the lunch break....why rent a facility like that, otherwise?   But - here is how our lovely spring day turned out!

The kids went outside at lunch just long enough to get cold, wet and muddy.  The day turned out fine, though.  Perhaps I'll say more about it on the "main" blog.

MEDIEVAL ART AND HEALING

Finally!  The long-awaited field trip with my Summit 7/8th graders!  I arranged for them to visit the MSU Art Museum to see their small collection of Medieval art.  Here, the students are looking at the Undergrad Exhibit - some of which was not precisel what I wish they'd seen.... But, they were clearly having fun. 

After the art museum, we went to a nearby tea shop run by a parishioner - they are experts on tea - including its history, and we were given a wonderful presentation (with a tasting!) of many teas which would have been used for medicinal purposes in Medieval times. It was fascinating!

CHRISTMAS IN APRIL

My students are opening the "Christmas Package" from our Korean pen pals.  Unfortunately, it didn't quite arrive in time for the holiday, but it was just as fun (maybe more) coming in April.

THE WYETHS




I know this is a terrible photo, but I didn't want to get in trouble for taking a photo in a museum; I just slipped the camera out of my bag and pretended to be a spy for a moment.

 

My mom and I went to Kalamazoo to see the Wyeth exhibit....paintngs of primarily the three famous Wyeths N.C., Andrew and Jamie.   Interesting how Andrew's paintings, while wonderful, are similarly wonderful to what we see in reproductions, whereas the big surprise was how gorgeous, engaging and powerful N.C. Wyeth's paintings are.  I just loved The Scottish Chiefs, which was actually an illustration for a book.  I've seen it in reproduction, but in person it was mesmerzing.  I didn't want to leave it.

I grew up with "Christina's World" on the wall of our living room.  You can look at A. Wyeth's paintings forever and not get enough.  And Jamie's are equally wonderful.  In particular, there was one portrait of a Laotian refugee boy that just rooted me to the spot.  I saw in that face so much of what I see in my own boys.

ZHEN AND ROSIE

OK - maybe the bed is a little narrow for both of them.

It is, however, the most comfortable bed in the house.

COLOR

Working on color.  I LOVE teaching art.