I love the smell of crayons in the morning…

It’s back-to-school time!  And you know what that means!  New crayons!! Seriously, is there anything better than a freshly-opened box of crayons, where all the tops are neatly filed and lined up straight in a row?  Or the look of a brand-new sharpened pencil, with the eraser square and pink, and the wood straight and… Continue reading I love the smell of crayons in the morning…

Celebrate!

We must be getting old.  This is the second year in a row we’ve attended a graduation for one of our children. This year, it was Crisana’s turn.  Again.  She graduated from kindergarten! The teachers had planned a whole morning of celebration for the students.  It all began with a program in the gym.  The… Continue reading Celebrate!

Beach Party!

Today we had a beach party!  In Texas!  In 90-plus-degree heat!  In a parking lot! Seriously, it was the annual McGowen Family Carnival, one of our major fundraisers for the year.  We were looking forward to being able to go to the carnival this year, since we missed last year’s because of Taylor’s graduation. Now… Continue reading Beach Party!

Threads of Gratitude: Pencil Bag Edition

It’s hard to believe next week is the last week of school.  My baby has nearly finished kindergarten.  My firstborn is practically an elementary school upperclassman.  Where has the time gone? Before I begin feeling too melancholy, I want to focus on the positive.  What I’m most grateful for this year is not “things”.  No,… Continue reading Threads of Gratitude: Pencil Bag Edition

Stop the World, I Want to Get Off!

When my children were babies, our Saturdays weekends revolved around activities where we could be assured of being home in time for afternoon naps.  At least one of us would be tied to the house for a good three hours between lunch and dinner.  Sometimes I’d sigh longingly and be anxious for the day when… Continue reading Stop the World, I Want to Get Off!

It’s a Zoo!

At least that’s how it must feel to the kindergarten teachers at the end of the year! No, wait…we really DID go to the zoo! The kindergarten classes were schedule to go to the Dallas Zoo on May 8.  Everything was all set: forms returned, money turned in, schedules arranged…and then the swine flu hit… Continue reading It’s a Zoo!

Music to My Ears

Tonight was the annual Music by DESign Spring Recital.  It’s been 10 years since I first began teaching piano.  Wow…a whole decade of music!  Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I’d be doing this for 10 years. Tonight was all about the students: their progress and their achievements.  For the first… Continue reading Music to My Ears