Story A Day

I did it. I bought a smart phone yesterday. I went with the Samsung Vibrant since the data plan was a fair amount cheaper than the Iphone. So far I love it! I am even blogging from it right now

I compiled the candid photos that I snapped throughout the wedding weekend.  I’m counting on the professional photographer to have captured more photos of the bride and groom with the family, since I didn’t get very many of the busy couple.  Click here to view the album.

Highlights of the album include:

- Pre-ceremony mingling
- A happy hour stop between ceremony and reception
- Fun at the reception, including dancing maniacs ages 5-80!
- Sunday brunch at my mom’s house, including some fun backyard games
- Sunday BBQ dinner at Christy’s in-laws

It was so great to get lots of the family together that are rarely in one place at one time.  Thanks for all of the fun, and congrats again to Kathy and James!

I’ll be putting together an album of photos that I snapped at Kathy’s wedding, but for now a preview featuring the new bride and groom…

Wow, apparently I haven’t blogged in a while!  It’s been a little crazy with BSP winding down, and Kathy’s wedding this weekend – today, actually!  Lots of out-of-state family arrived in MN yesterday, many of whom have not all been together in one place for years.  Last night was the groom’s dinner, and in just a few hours the wedding begins.  I’ll have lots of photos to post after today, I dumbly forgot my camera last night.  The weather is beautiful – clear blue sky.  Let the fun continue!

It’s Wrap Up Week at BSP, the time when teachers wind down from summer, reflect, and complete final student comments and evaluations.  One part of Wrap Up Week is the POL – Presentation of Learning.  The teachers each select an avenue to share how the summer impacted them.  Some write poems, some make collages, some sing, some simply speak about their experiences.  I’ve been brought to tears more than once by the teacher’s POL’s.  One more day together before the week wraps up, and I am going to miss this crew of teachers!

It was time.  I’ve been staring them down all summer, too busy and too tired to yank them out of the ground.  They grew tall, taking advantage of my neglect.  The roots grew deep and the flowers turned to seed.  It took a lot of force, but the yanking of the weeds was at the same time cathartic, as if yanking and tossing the stress I felt these last couple weeks as the sleep deprivation caught up with me   I wouldn’t trade it though, I love BSP summer!  (Thanks to Christy and Tim, who helped me in the battle with the weeds!)

Entry #1:  Celebration at BSP was a success!  The kids did an amazing job, the teachers worked so hard, we had just about the right number of people to not exceed fire code in the auditorium (about 675!) , and it was a fabulous end to the summer!

Entry #2:  Kate is due soon!  Liz and I were unable to join in the fun yesterday at Kate’s baby shower, so we arranged a brunch for this morning instead.  She’s expecting a baby girl in early September, we’re so excited for her!

Today marks the end of the final week at BSP with students.  All that remains is our big CELEBRATION event tomorrow!  We are expecting about 700 people to be in attendance (hopefully not more than that, since they won’t fit!)   The kids and teachers have been working really hard on their acts and displays for the event.  Preparations for the event resulted in today being a blend of high energy and excitement, and utter exhaustion.  We get to sleep in a bit tomorrow morning, and then the festivities begin!  I’ll post some more photos after the summer concludes and I have some time to pick out a few

Only 3 days left of BSP summer with the kids…we’re in the sprint to the finish.  Each teacher, staff member and student is giving every last ounce of energy to bring the summer to a strong close, and prepare for our big Celebration on Saturday.  I’m exhausted, but I’ll miss all of the kids in just a few short days when they’re done!

Our neighbors across the alley held the annual block gathering this evening.  Yummy food, catching up on all the latest updates, another year as the youngest people on the block (that probably won’t change for a while)   It was a good time.