Sweet Rewards

Spring is well underway in Pueblo! My condolences for those of you not experiencing it yet. My spirits are lifting as the weather (prematurely) warms.

My sainted babysitter took Adele to the public library downtown for the Beauty and the Beast themed tea party they held. Have I sung her praises recently?
 

Adele was enchanted! But alas, she was too scared to approach Belle herself.

These two continue to be partners in everything. 

Our behavior chart has been quite effective and the kids have not only been motivated to behave well, but to help out around the house! All for points which are rewarded every couple of weeks by a possible trip to McDonalds for ice cream and play. They earned this trip after a day spent cleaning their room and doing other chores to get to 100 points. I am not above bribery!

 

 Miles has been growing into greater exercise stamina. So Jon's been rewarding him with father-son bike rides across town. They've done 11.5 miles on their longest ride!

Jon got some nice shots of the Arkansas River.

 

I praised Adele's babysitter on Facebook with the following post: 

 

"Adele with her leprechaun trap, a preschool homework assignment that blessed Alisha was able to help her make (crafting with the kids being just more than I'm capable of right now). Been gratitude journaling for Lent and today I am grateful for Alisha and Justin, the couple who care for Adele while Jon and I are working. 

Justin takes Adele to and from her preschool every day. She gets yummy home cooked food at their home, and the creative activities that Alisha plans (board games, crafts, baking, role playing, reading and math) keep her engaged, growing, and happy. Alisha and I are partners in encouraging good behavior and supporting her potty training journey (and it's a long, long journey...). And I know while she's there, with her friends, A & J's four year old and the dog, she is being loved and nurtured. I'm so grateful to have found them!"

They really are a godsend.

 
 

Next up: a few spring break adventures!

 
 
 
 

Miles the Miler

On Sunday March 5, Miles fulfilled any dream by running in his first distance race! He's Miles the Miler at last!

I'm hoping he'll run track or x-c one day. I do love watching runners, and I think it's such a glorious and spiritual discipline.

Anyway, my fantasies aside, Miles had a great day. No pre-race nerves...

Here he is with the other runners from his school. A proud Belmont Rattler!

Before the 1.2 mile, there was a 50 yard dash for under kindergarten-age. Adele surprised us by entering! She was definitely in the middle of the pack, but as she ran toward a crowd of adults screaming at the runners her face crumpled and she started sobbing at the finish line.

 

She's my self-conscious child. Adele does not do performing. But I was so proud of her chutzpah!

Miles' race started without incident; he was happy and confident right till the takeoff. He got to run along the river at first:
 

He's the one with the black shirt and ponytail. Doesn't he have good form?

He runs like me, but less nervously.

Sometimes I'd see him start to walk and I'd shout at him and he'd pick right back up running, no sign of weariness.
And he even had a kick at the finish!

I hope this is the first of many such races! Miles has never really been athletic, but his running form is good and he seems to like it. Maybe "Miles the Miler" will stick!
 

What a beautiful morning. 

 
 
 

March, but in color

Above: Miles' Superkid week at school was in February, but I was proud of the poster I made for his personal history day. 
I am so happy to have made it to March, at last. Time seems to move faster in March. February is a trudge; March feels like a brisk and cheery stride. 

Our zoo pass expired in February, so we took one more trip last weekend.
 

We had memorable moments with the Ostriches, the lynx and the African Painted Dogs. All this 60 degree weather and sunshine had the animals active and frolicsome.

And we're off into Lent already! First, a pancake supper for Shrove Tuesday at church.

I'm back to subbing every day. I recently got myself onto the District 70 (school districts in rural areas surrounding Pueblo) substitute list. I'm hoping to double my chances of getting a long-term assignment somewhere this spring! Oh please oh please! That'd make our trip out east this summer much easier to finance.

 

I continue to sub every day and I continue to love it. One school in particular, the middle school down the street from me, has been very rewarding. I've had four English gigs there and the kids are always very responsive and warm. Many times a student's asked me, "Are you a real teacher?" I want to say, "Maybe someday, if I am brave, truthful, and unselfish." (We've watched Pinocchio recently for one of our weekly pizza-movie nights) On Monday, I got a great compliment: after the last bell, the teacher across the hall shook my hand and said, "where did you teach before? Because I know you've got yeeeears of experience." This made my day, especially since I'd recently (in another school) had to send my first unruly kid to the office. If God wanted to send me a job at this middle school, I would not be unhappy.

Every afternoon after school we go to the elementary school playground and exercise the dog and kids simultaneously.

There are big posses of neighborhood kids now the weather's turning spring already. 
This is our second month attending Free Science Saturdays at the Pueblo Steel Museum. This month's theme: the science of color.
 

 

Afterward, we explored the section of the museum that displays Pueblo Steel Foundery History.
 

 

The gritty beauty of this industrial desert town continues to grow on me.

Evening game of keepaway with neighborhood kids. We are having a serene and remarkably sunny March.