Spring Break Adventures

It's now two weeks behind us, but we did have a jolly and relaxing time over spring break. I took the kids to the big downtown library on Monday, just in time for Bilingual Story Hour! Afterward we lingered in the little garden outside and I just had a moment of gratitude for the Colorado sunshine.
 

Monday night was free cone day at the Dairy Queen! We haven't really been indulging much the past few months, so I was quite pleased for a free outing. These occasions keep spirits up, even if they're rare.

Speaking of free morale boosters, I discovered a park next to the "lake" on the south side of town. Koopa may have enjoyed our Tuesday visit there most of all of us! 
 

Thursday was our big indulgence: a trip to the Denver Art Museum! Primarily, we were there to see the big Star Wars costume exhibit that's been touring the country. I'm not even a huge Star Wars devotee but I got a kick out of learning about the origins of the costuming and the decision making behind each one.

The kids found an ewok!

Look who I found! My fave:

And C3PO, my other fave. I think I remember him most fondly from his short stint on Sesame Street.

This museum is fabulous for humans who have children! There is far more interactive stuff for little hands than in your basic art gallery. Each kid can even borrow a little backpack full of activities that go with one exhibit or another. I thoroughly approve of this place.
 

A whole room was devoted to interactive Japanese art!

Statue of "Mother Earth" by native artist Roxanne Swenzell

 

We had a joyful day in Denver and a really enjoyable week off. It was a bit of a struggle to enjoy it at first, since when I don't work, I don't get paid, and all three of the districts and schools for whom I sub were off school. But I quickly got used to sleeping in and getting all the little projects done that I've been putting off for so long. The house is much cleaner, for one thing.

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

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.
 
 
 
 
 

La Lucha

I'm going to stop apologizing for not posting, as it seems it's my new reality. My days now have little to do with a computer, in stark contrast to my life as a Virginia Tech captionist.

Our mission to stay on budget has been mostly successful. We survived January. This is despite having to borrow more money to cover the repair of our car window, after it was smashed by vandals while we were enjoying an evening at the park (which we assumed would be free recreation).

One good thing which will come out of this long trudging season is that I will never be unable to have compassion on people who struggle and live paycheck-to-paycheck. I know how one setback can undo months of progress. It seems to me that it would be a simple and quick matter to become homeless. I'm planning to get involved in our church's homeless ministry this month, but I hope I'll be able to give more than time someday.

I will give the curious an overview of how we've spent our days since my last update:

On January 21st we joined the million plus people and marched in opposition to the new administration. It was a glorious day, and brought me the most hope I'd felt since November.

 

 
 
For it has been dreadful, has it not? The cabinet appointments, the immigration/refugee ban, the threat of ACA repeal, the menace of Russia.... I have frequent nightmares, but even more frequently do I call my senators and representatives. 

 

We do not just watch. We resist, however and whenever possible.

 
Speaking of taking action, by mid-January I had my second week with 0 or 1 sub calls at PSAS and decided to find out just what it would take to start subbing for the county. I had already put in my application for my Maryland teaching license to transfer to Colorado. And I learned a month ago that I could sub for District 60 (Pueblo City Schools) with just the receipt from my application. So off to human resources I went on January 23rd, and I have been subbing for the district ever since.

 
Literally, every day. I have missed only one day of subbing for either PSAS or District 60, and that was on Valentine's Day, so that my blessed babysitter could volunteer for her kid's school. I have been in middle schools, elementary schools, and high schools all over the city, teaching English and Art and Spanish and Third Grade and everything else. I have seen schools that are falling apart and schools that are flourishing and schools in the middle. It's truly been a joy! Imagine being able to pick your job anew every day!

(This mural is a couple blocks from an East Side Middle School I've subbed at three times. Inspiring, right?)
 

(The view of Pike's Peak I had from one high school classroom)
 
My Colorado teaching license arrived at the beginning of February, though, and I'm ready for full time work. I'm hoping very much to get either a long-term sub job or a temporary teaching job for the rest of the year. Here's hoping.

 

 
The kids are thriving! Miles continues to excel academically in second grade. Socially... he's doing better. He still doesn't like to approach throngs of noisy kids, preferring to befriend outsiders and loners, kids on the spectrum, kids who have family troubles, new kids, and kids in special education. His hair continues to grow. He continues to take tap and is preparing for a Spring recital to music from the Princess and the Frog. He continues to be himself.

 

 
Adele loves preschool and her babysitter's house, which is a huge blessing. I love dropping her off knowing she's happy and loved and being nurtured. Alicia has worked with her on potty training to some significant success, she's coached her on cleaning and crafts and baking, and works with her on her school skills. Her preschool, as lovely as it is, doesn't challenge her. Adele is reading and doing simple math facts, and yet her preschool spends time reviewing letters made by alphabet sounds and identifying numbers. So, I'm happy to have her at Alicia's, even as I think the preschool has a lot of social value for her. She does love her preschool buddies. She goes to gymnastics every week and she glows with happiness while there.

 
I'm impatient to get full time work, but I'm a lot more hopeful. I'm enjoying choir; the friendships I've found there make church more enjoyable.

 
And this Colorado sunshine, and the evening romps with the dog, are lifting me up and nurturing me, body and soul. I'm calmly regarding the approach of Lent.