Ready to Go

Josh will be 21 next month and we couldn't think of a better way to mark the occasion than by getting him a passport. Since they take 4-6 weeks and we're all on summer break for now, today was the day that we filled out the paperwork, got the photo taken (twice), were turned away from one post office, found another that accepts walk-ins and drove half an hour to get there, took a number (67 when they were on 49 with 2 clerks), and sat our asses down in the assemblage of chairs to watch and wait.

Sure, it took hours and I missed a meeting, but then it was done, and we had a nice lunch, bought him some groceries, and took him home.

And it was all worth it!

Because international travel should always be an option.

Last Days of Summer

On a perfect sunny and 85 degree day, we took a bike ride this morning, went out to lunch and a movie, played a board game with Josh and Victor, and then enjoyed a family dinner. Were I to deliberately wring every last golden drop from summer vacation, I don't think I'd have had a better day.

No Deal

Earlier in the week we found out that one of Isabel's buddies, Wellie, a 14-year-old golden also crossed the "rainbow bridge." How hard it has been adjusting to the loss of our dog! I just never considered what an integral part she was to our day-- so many things like taking out the trash, checking the mail, counting my steps, and locking the door at night are sad reminders that we do not have a dog.

Today we ran into Wellie's owner, Joanne, at the farmer's market. Exchanging hugs, we commiserated, wiping tears from our eyes. "We've been trying to think of things to do that were hard to manage with a dog," I confessed, "but yesterday I told Heidi that I couldn't think of a single time when I wished we didn't have a dog," I finished.

She nodded. "I know what you mean-- I've been looking at trips to panda reserves in China and visiting friends in London. They'll be fun," she said, "but I wouldn't trade them for my pet."

Well Attended

After last week's altercation, in order to head off any complaints or reports to the fire marshall, tonight when I started the grill I also set out a couple of lawn chairs, and Heidi, Victor, and I relaxed out front with a couple of beers as the day faded and the charcoal caught.

And it was lovely.

Fiesta de la Escritura

One of my teacher buddies in this week's workshop workshop had to duck out of the end-of-session celebration to attend a similar event for her 6-year-old son's summer camp. Being the conscientious educator she is, though, she checked in with us to find out what went on:

Rehearsal

We spent most of the day today in our workshop talking about teaching kids how to write literary analysis essays. The work was fun, but on the fourth day of a pretty intense week, my brain was pretty tired of comparing and contrasting themes and characters, and it was kind of welcome break when I headed up to the pool to spend some time with a friend and her kids.

At one point, I found myself sitting on the stairs with 4-year-old Lincoln. He was examining Heidi's vast collection of pool toys as his older siblings splashed away in the deep end. I grabbed two plastic figures and held them up.

"Who is this?" I said, lifting my right hand.

"Iron Man," he answered.

"And who is this?" I asked pushing my left hand a little closer to him.

"Captain America!" he smiled.

I widened my eyes. "What if these guys had a fight?" I said. He widened his eyes, too. "Who would win?"

"I don't know..." he told me doubtfully.

"Well," I continued, "what are their strengths? What can this guy do that this guy can't?"

And just like that, he was writing a little comparative essay in the air.

Empathy

So, I did a cursory job on my homework last night (read it took nowhere near 45 minutes), but it all turned out fine today. I knew enough to do the activity, and I knew the activity was for my own benefit, so I took what I could from the whole experience.

Later, at lunch, one of my best teacher buddies said, "I don't know about you, but I was feeling pretty negative about the homework last night.

I nodded.

"It really made me think about our students and their attitudes toward homework," she continued.

I agreed with her completely. "I like this class," I said. "I find it relevant and engaging, but after being in it all day, I didn't have any real desire to continue the work at home. Imagine how kids who don't like school must feel." And so started a conversation about rigor, stamina, and attention in class.

To be honest, homework is not the only area where I have struggled this week. As part of the class our instructor has led us through the process of really composing a personal narrative. You would think that with as much writing as I do this task would be a breeze, and I have carefully followed the instructions, but darn it!

My piece is just not working.

You know what, though? I'm kind of glad. Because there are a lot of kids who struggle with writing, and it's really good for me to be one of them for a change.