Dog Days

We're really enjoying these school days in late summer, before school has entirely consumed us, while the summer weather is still blazing. I haven't had to bring any grading home- yet. The kids haven't yet had more than one homework. It's a nice slow start to the year.

Last weekend, City Park Pool closed for the season by allowing the dogs to play in the water before it was drained away. The pool was filled with deliriously happy dogs! What a thoroughly delightful way to spend the morning. We skipped church, probably the only time we'll do that when we aren't traveling. I recommend playing hooky once in a while! It gave us life.

Koopa considers... He only went in with one of us, and then not for very long.

Some of these dogs had amazing bathing outfits...

The kids spent most of the time in the water with the dogs, despite that we had forbidden this. After we found them both completely soaked in the baby pool, we kind of gave up enforcing this and decided that the natural consequence, having to be wet without a towel, would be sufficient.

We decided to dry off with a stroll over to the playground and found that the Baptists had taken over that end of the park! In a good way. They were having a church service outdoors, but it had (happily) ended by the time we got there; we were right on time for the free hot dog lunch and free rides! That was just the cherry on top.

They are my favorite Baptists. Also, we really treasured an escape from routine.

School is in full swing. The kids had Back to School night last week, and I got to see a happy Back-to-School photo of Miles! In contrast to the ones I shared last week. 

I'm really enjoying my job. It's had its stresses and vexations but I love these kids; they are SO much easier to manage than my students at Norristown or Northeast were. I don't know if it's the schools or the age, but it's been much easier to get control of the class. They seem to like me pretty well, too, and we're off to a swimming start, academically.

This is me, being domestic this weekend and baking for our neighbors. I was inspired by the new family that bought the (pretty run down) house next door. I'm so grateful that they did, for several reasons. For one thing, they have an eight year old daughter that likes to play with my kids! For another thing, the couple is from Guatemala and Spanish speaking and I want to make friends with them! I'm... lonely. And also, in a new and strangely middle-class way, I'm glad that this house is getting fixed up. It wasn't in such great shape before, but these folks have set to work improving it already, which will (can't believe I'm pleased about this) raise the value of the homes on our street.

I went courting their friendship with my cookies and didn't get too far (they're super busy and tired, of course), though I did get their lovely names: Aura and Gustavo! And little Angie.

I also brought some over to our dear neighbor on the other side, Mr. Dave. His wife has recently moved into a nursing home and has had a series of major health problems over the past year. He's been pretty down, as you can imagine, but he gets a lot of joy from playing with Miles and Adele and from getting them little gifts. And he even found time and funds to get me some school supplies for my classroom! He left a box of one-subject notebooks (of the kind that are required by the school) and construction paper and markers and other supplies.

(sidebar: I've also received a generous gift card from a friend that has allowed me to get some things I really need and have wanted for years for my classroom! When my meditation app has me focus on gratitude, I never ever lack for faces to focus upon.)

I need to brag about my kid's teacher, and about the schools he's attended in general. Every single public school teacher he's had so far has been great. His second grade teacher was a marvel to me. I used to want to stay in her classroom just to watch her work. She's an artist. She knows all her students and differentiates for them all, and has a lightness and humor and joy about her that makes it look effortless (though I know better).

Now, his third grade teacher is a completely different personality, and at first I wondered if we'd done right to let the random system choose his teacher for him rather than requesting one. Mrs. Herrera is much more serious than his previous teachers, seeming down-to-earth and balanced and brisk rather than the Ms. Frizzle-like energy about Ms. Poteet. But I'm sold. She's wise and old-fashioned about the right things (his class WILL learn cursive). At the meet-the-teacher event before school began, I told her that I was hoping to see Miles improve in his social approach and ability to make and keep close friends. I wasn't sure she was really listening. But during the first week of school, Miles came home and said, "Guess what, Mummy? I made a friend. Robert. He's really funny and I really like him." At back-to-school night last week, I mentioned that Miles was excited about his new friend, and she said, "Yes, I noticed that he and Miles had a lot in common, and I know you said you were hoping he could improve his social skills, so I adjusted the seating chart so they'd sit together, just to see how it went. They seem to hit it off." She engineered this friendship! Robert loves reading and science, so they have loads to talk about.

Last night, we were taking a sunset walk at Belmont to exercise the kids and the dog before bed. And suddenly I saw Miles take off running and go hug a kid in a Superman tee shirt. It was Robert! And I found myself introducing myself to Robert's mom. Robert's family just moved to town this summer from California. I said, "Does Robert like school?" She said, "He does now that he has a friend! He talks about his best friend Miles all the time." Pahn is Thai and has promised to have us over (and make us Thai food!!) sometime. They live 700 feet away from us! Ms. Herrera engineered at least TWO friendships this month.

I love this school with a passion I didn't know I could have for an elementary school.

In my down moments, I wonder what I'm doing way out here on the other side of the country from everyone I used to know. And then a new day comes, and I have another reason to be so grateful to be exactly where we are.