School, Fantasy and Shoes . . . Oh My!

First of all, my dear readers, I do realize that only posting every week or two simply won't do. And really, I am trying to get better. I compose countless posts in my head while otherwise occupied with mundane household chores or bathing. So without further ado, here's our little family update:

School is seriously kicking my ass. I go in around 7 in the morning, and don't leave until about 6pm, and later if Brian is picking up Andrew. Being "caught up" is within sight, and I'm living under the delusion that not only is there such a thing as being "caught up", but that I might actually get there and experience it. I teach at a school with an incredibly demanding admin team who I think is trying to see if it really is possible to cause teachers to self-combust under the pressure. My kids are completely awesome, and this is the best class I've had since moving to Arizona. Really, it isn't fair to the rest of my 3rd grade team. I'm also taking a class one night a week towards earning my Gifted Education endorsement, so it's weird having homework that I have to do. I'd like to finish the program this year so that I can move over on the salary schedule next year. Seeing as this is my second year teaching a class with a gifted cluster (1/3 third of my class is identified as gifted) this seems like a good investment of my time and money.

Brian has also been keeping busy with work. It seems that he has been taking lots of call lately, so that's sort of a drag at times. He also just has his fantasy football draft last weekend, and apparently that called for making another Bacon Explosion for his buddies. Whatever. All I know is that since it was raining last weekend he couldn't smoke it in the bbq, but instead had to cook it in the house, causing the house to smell like bacon for two days.

Andrew is still awesome. He's still working on eating with a spoon. And Brian is working on not getting frustrated with Andrew feeding himself. Since it's still warm here I'm thinking it might be a good idea to have mealtime on the back patio and then to just go swimming right afterwards. Hmmm, we'll have to try it out. Andrew also got his first pair of big-boy shoes. Up until now he's been wearing Robeez, if anything at all. Seriously, he's usually completely barefoot. We can't even leave him in just socks because he's a maniac. He scared his babysitter to death the day that she thought he ate a sock. I swear, he's worse than a beagle. Any-who, we made the trek to the mall last weekend, to Stride Rite, got sized (4 1/2 wide), and found a spiffy pair of cruisers. As you can see, Andrew thinks they are wonderful.

The shoes make a weird, squeaky sound when he chews on them, and it must feel good on his teeth or something. Andrew can take 3 or 4 steps without assistance, and he thinks it is hilarious when he belly flops to the floor. And actually, it is.