Summer School Fun

As a teacher, I have heard and seen some things that I would have never guessed would happen.  Today I had a new experience.

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I was going through the homework that was turned in and I noticed that one girl's homework looked funny.  I could see that a name of a student was erased on each of the four papers, some light scribbles were added over the erased name, and a new name was written.  On the back of one of the pages the original name was still there.

I went over to the student and let her know that I can't give her credit for these homework assignments. Here's how the conversation went:

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Me: "I can't give you credit for these homework since they are not yours."

Student: "They are mine.  I have my name on them."

Me: "Yes, but I can see the name of [another student] and you've tried to cover it up."

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Student: "But this is mine.  She helped me."

Me: "The handwriting for the name is different than that of the work."

Student: "A different pencil was used."

Me: "It  shouldn't matter what kind of pencil, it's not the same person's writing."

Student: "She help me with the work.  I wrote my name on it."

Me: "So she did the work, and you just put your name on it."

Student: "Yeah."

Me: "I can't give you credit for that."

Student: "WHY?"

WHY?  Are you kidding me??

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Me:  "YOU have to DO the work.  If I gave you a test, she can't do all the work and then YOU put your name on it."

Student: "Oh."

I guess I'm old fashion like that.  Sorry.

While I've Been Gone

Wow, it's been a long time since I last posted.  I'm sure I've been missed by all of my loyal readers.  But hey, having four little kids will eat into your time to blog.

Yes four!

Life is awesome with each one of my bundles of joy.  At some point I'll have more time to share my deep thoughts, but for now you'll just have to settle with this picture:

Good Times

Here are some great pictures of my kids from this week. 

First up, dinner.  Will had a slow start this particular evening, but finished strong.  He couldn't get enough!

Next up, dessert.  We all went to get a snow cone.  Caught them all enjoying them.

Finally, MUD!!  Will found the mud...

He enjoyed every minute of it...even the hosing down he received.

Guess he wanted a little extra something to eat.

Man am I blessed!!

Like Father, Like Son

Jackson and I went to Snow Shack today for some shaved ice.  We both picked Tiger's Blood.

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As we walked to the car he noticed that I had more than he did.  He asked me, "How come yours has a top?" I told him that I asked the worker not to put a top on his cup to limit potential spillage. 

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Before we left the parking lot I spilled some on my lap.

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So half way home (3 minute trip) I say again, "Jackson, be careful that you don't spill so you don't stain your shirt."

Jackson replies, "Well I have good news and bad news."


I inquire, "What's the good news?"

Jackson: "I love you."

Me: "And the bad news?"

Jackson: "I wish you would have told me that earlier because I already spilled."

I love you too son.  My how you have grown!

Back In the Day

Recently I was cleaning out some stuff and came across some interesting pictures.  So here you go:

Dead Arm

Some of you know that I had a mysterious injury my senior year of high school.  Long story short, I had a "swollen" nerve in my neck that caused some of my muscles not to work for 6 months.  As you can see in the picture, my bicep didn't move when I raised my arm.  Over time my forearm had to compensate (you may notice the tendon is sticking out way farther than normal). 

The Goodfellas

During the summertime in my college years, the gang from high school would get together and go have some fun.  Here we are out in Palm Springs.

Disco bowling was always fun...even if the bowling alley wasn't having disco night.

Backpacking in Europe

After college I went backpacking through Europe with two buddies.  We were there the whole month of September 2001.  Wujek and I documenting the trip.

Wes and I striking a pose as we try to find a hostel.

Good times had by all.

Revisiting the Best Christmas Movies

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There are a lot of Christmas movies out there, but to me two movies standout...Christmas Vacation and The Christmas Story.  So many lines in those movies that have lasted the test of time.

If for some reason you have not seen these movies within a year or two, do yourself a favor and rent them, check that, BUY them and make them a holiday tradition.

Here are the trailers for these movies:

Christmas Vacation (1989)

The Christmas Story (1983)

Excuse Me Officer

I was driving my family to Arroyo Grande last weekend and experienced something I didn't know was possible...grace from an unexpected source.

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I was driving on the 166, cruising along when I saw a car make a U-turn right after it passed me.  A few seconds later I saw the red lights turn on.  I looked down and saw I was driving around 75 mph.  I was driving my usual 10 mph over the suggested speed limit.

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The officer walked up and asked for my license and said, "I got you going 76 in a 55."

"55??!! I'm sorry I thought the limit was 65."

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"Nope, there are signs everywhere posting 55mph."

Great.  21mph over.  I'm cooked.

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He then asked for the registration.  As we were getting that he asked, "Your kids sleeping?"  I'm thinking, play up the kid angle.  "No officer, two are watching a movie and one is crying."

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I handed him the registration, yet he still was standing there.  My wife asked, "Do you need anything else?"

"Insurance."

Oh yeah, don't know the drill of what to get out.  He took my stuff, and I wondered how much this ticket would cost.

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He returned and asked, "Are you an officer?"

"No, but my dad and brother are."  Apparently my license is tagged restricted.  THANK YOU DAD.

So the officer told me to slow down.  I couldn't believe it.  I always heard CHP will ticket everyone, including their mothers.  The one speeding ticket I recieved was from a CHP.  Now I know there is at least one CHP with a heart. 

So I set the cruise control at 60mph until I hit the 101 freeway.  I felt like an old lady driving.  But as my wife pointed out, driving that slow didn't suck as much as paying for a ticket.

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I'm just glad the officer didn't catch me when I was passing a few miles back (north of 90mph).

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Happy Veteran's Day everyone!!

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