Dear Family and Friends,
Things move on. Julie Whitney Maze, my hyper-intelligent niece, suggested I use a blog rather than a newsletter to post our updates so that it will be more accessible and you can see what has been going on in past weeks. I think this format also allows others to see what is happening if they happen across it on the information superhighway. I don't know whether I like that or not...but the blogger instructions assured me I can limit who views it, and so forth...so we'll play it by ear.
Yesterday we tried to go to a hot air balloon festival in the Valley of the Gods, just a few miles north of where we go to church in Mexican Hat. We had a lovely drive and saw zero balloons. I guess it was windy so they moved the event. The kids had fun regardless because the road had lots of what I call "wee bumps" and kids from Holden called "whoopty-do's." On one especially promising one, I backed the blue bullet up again for a second try. We got going about 35 or 40, and it was almost as fun as Disneyland. Sadie let out several sounds of disapproval. Diana looked back and Sadie was grimacing in pleasure with both arms above her head, tightly gripping her headrest for support.
Our neighbor Rena brought by some pajamas for the girls. They are ecstatic about their new clothes, We certainly have kindly neighbors and friends. I have always been blessed that way.
School is fine. I had to give a test this week. I don't run anything like a silent or even quiet classroom. Three consecutive days of testing silence was plenty for me. Hopefully any students who enjoy working in the quiet took advantage of it, they're not likely to see or hear it again for awhile.
Mahrin is spelling out words and doing some basic reading. She loves it when I tell her stories. Yesterday Pinocchio ended up learning the value of education, going to Yale, becoming a middleman in Indiana, taking money from the people on both sides of him in the business scheme, oh, and living happily ever after. Mahrin has requested that story several times since.
Lara told me a story of her own. After the first paragraph and several lungfuls of air, she was still describing the princess's clothing. After the third paragraph, I realized she was still just describing the top third of the princess's dress...we still had to talk about the waist and skirt. Heaven help me when that girl learns about shopping!
Sadie is speaking more clearly all the time. She is flaunting her new pajamas at every turn. Down the hallway, as she walks, she raises her arms above her head again and again, adding a little sauce to her walk. That kid's got some personality.
I never know what to say about Diana. It always seems like she should write about herself because she is such an amazing writer. I will say she is doing a wonderful job with our girls. I'm very glad she married me. As my dad often says, we married girls who were smarter than us. It is certainly true in my case. I'm very grateful for Diana.
That's about it from the REZ.
Love,
Lewis, Diana, and girls
Things move on. Julie Whitney Maze, my hyper-intelligent niece, suggested I use a blog rather than a newsletter to post our updates so that it will be more accessible and you can see what has been going on in past weeks. I think this format also allows others to see what is happening if they happen across it on the information superhighway. I don't know whether I like that or not...but the blogger instructions assured me I can limit who views it, and so forth...so we'll play it by ear.
Yesterday we tried to go to a hot air balloon festival in the Valley of the Gods, just a few miles north of where we go to church in Mexican Hat. We had a lovely drive and saw zero balloons. I guess it was windy so they moved the event. The kids had fun regardless because the road had lots of what I call "wee bumps" and kids from Holden called "whoopty-do's." On one especially promising one, I backed the blue bullet up again for a second try. We got going about 35 or 40, and it was almost as fun as Disneyland. Sadie let out several sounds of disapproval. Diana looked back and Sadie was grimacing in pleasure with both arms above her head, tightly gripping her headrest for support.
Our neighbor Rena brought by some pajamas for the girls. They are ecstatic about their new clothes, We certainly have kindly neighbors and friends. I have always been blessed that way.
School is fine. I had to give a test this week. I don't run anything like a silent or even quiet classroom. Three consecutive days of testing silence was plenty for me. Hopefully any students who enjoy working in the quiet took advantage of it, they're not likely to see or hear it again for awhile.
Mahrin is spelling out words and doing some basic reading. She loves it when I tell her stories. Yesterday Pinocchio ended up learning the value of education, going to Yale, becoming a middleman in Indiana, taking money from the people on both sides of him in the business scheme, oh, and living happily ever after. Mahrin has requested that story several times since.
Lara told me a story of her own. After the first paragraph and several lungfuls of air, she was still describing the princess's clothing. After the third paragraph, I realized she was still just describing the top third of the princess's dress...we still had to talk about the waist and skirt. Heaven help me when that girl learns about shopping!
Sadie is speaking more clearly all the time. She is flaunting her new pajamas at every turn. Down the hallway, as she walks, she raises her arms above her head again and again, adding a little sauce to her walk. That kid's got some personality.
I never know what to say about Diana. It always seems like she should write about herself because she is such an amazing writer. I will say she is doing a wonderful job with our girls. I'm very glad she married me. As my dad often says, we married girls who were smarter than us. It is certainly true in my case. I'm very grateful for Diana.
That's about it from the REZ.
Love,
Lewis, Diana, and girls
