Black and White Wednesday, Chloe Edition

I cannot write words to match these.

Another Day Rolls By

 This is Chloe showing some spunk!  ...and a new tooth.

Below you see her little stance, which, when seen in person, shows careful walking.  When seen in a photo, it looks like she's saying, "Ok, calm down.  I'm about to do something REALLY cute."  And you know?  Both are right.

 I like this photo...the hat rocks.

I taught some fourth graders today.  I got there a little early and, after reading the notes, decided to go for a walk.  I stepped out into the hallway and there I saw two things:  a pair of students turning the corner and another substitute.  The kids saw me and yelled down the hallway and then picked up their pace.  They were uttering similar sentiments, which in general claimed that I am their favorite sub, the best sub, the most fun person on earth, world's best artist, funniest guy in the state...well, you get the picture.  All of these things said within the obvious hearing of the sub unlocking the door of her room, though I am not sure the girls knew she was there.

Now, I am quite fond of this particular sub.  I would not be exaggerating if I said I think she is an excellent teacher, definitely better than some who have full time jobs.  She and I have taught together on some occasions and I really think we have a good relationship.  She sometimes relates how her own sons speak of me in high terms of praise.  We get a kick out of this.

I looked at the girls and then pointedly looked at the other sub and said, "Ok, let's rub it in just a little bit more!"  Instead of singing praises, I got hugged.  I pried myself out of that and then smiled at the sub, who sort of shook her head but smiled right back.  When I can tease other subs, well, then it's a good day!

I felt this day was somewhat deserved, since yesterday I survived.  It was that first grade class from hell I think I've mentioned.  Yesterday, one child had a particularly bad day, ending his day with me by throwing papers from his desk, laying on the floor, rolling around the floor, telling me "NO." on various occasions and, in general, being contrary and causing a ruckus.  Because of this attitude he went to the office several times.  The last time he flat out refused to go.  I called and they sent someone down to collect him.  Just before she walked in to retrieve him he had put his shoes in the recycle bin.  I got a call from the office a short time later informing me he had been no better in the office and he had been sent home.

Then there are four or twelve others in there that seem set to do evil when I am taking care of the other blow-ups...so, yeah, yesterday I survived.

This bunch of kids today, though, were awesome!  I got time to teach rather than spending all my time trying to keep fires from starting.  So, I taught them a lesson on how to make fractions into decimals and percentages.  They even complimented me by telling me I made it easier to understand than the sub from yesterday.  I had to reteach the lesson he had done.  Since they were good and they even finished a bit early, I showed them how to draw an elephant.

So it was a good day.  When I got Chloe she seemed to want to be held a lot.  Then, just before bedtime she gave Mommy the cold shoulder and went to me...my heart melted.  There's no cure for that.  Of course, she'll want Mommy again in no time, but for now, well, I'm feeling pretty good.

A TYPE of Sad Day

Apparently the last company to manufacture mechanical typewriters closed recently.  After about a 150 year run, it is over.  Period.  The end.  tap-tap-tap-tap-DING!

On the bright side, a laptop does A LOT more than a typewrite!  And now there are touch screens...I mean, really!  Did they old QWERTY developer ever consider that?

I also have an awesome daughter.  Here, look!

Cutest Daughter Ever

 I can't tell you how wonderful my child is.  She is 100 gallons of awesome.  She is 3 tons of cool.  She is a megaton of cute.  I cannot begin to equate the feelings I feel when I look at her to something measurable, because...well, anything measurable is not big enough.  She is all.

I had a horrible bunch of first graders.  I've had them several times.  Each time is just as immeasurably horrid. Still I go back.  Why?  Because they (the teachers) massage my ego by telling me I am the sub that this class responds to best.  So, did I send a kid to the office several times?  Yes.  Did he disrupt class on various occasions?  Yes.  Did he get sent home because the ladies in the office couldn't deal with him either?  Hell yes.  He is a child with special...ahhh...needs.  He needs handcuffs.  Perhaps some parental guidance.  Either way, he and his compatriots (WHO PUTS THAT MANY problem children in the same class???? I mean, what the hell!?  Are they going to pay for that teacher's psychologist?  That's JUST MEAN!!)  So, I got home to this angel...and I was more than thankful.

She was pretty sweet...at first.  Then, after Mom got home, she began a downward spiral. She was tired and so are we.  She had a VERY LONG weekend.  She finally succumbed to sleep.  But first she demonstrated new climbing abilities.  She can now climb into my chair...where she made herself at home with a blanket and began to read a book...I gave her a few more books and she was happy for awhile longer.

To say she is awesome is to understate by 1,000,000 times, but she does have her difficulties.  Still, I wouldn't trade her for a million dollars.  She's beautiful.  She is especially so since she started looking specifically for ME to make her happy!!  Does that make Mommy's efforts and work less important?  NOPE!  Does that make me love her just a bit more???   Maybe.  She still freaking awesome!

Happy Easter, I hope it's Eggstra Special!

 Chloe watched us color eggs...next year I expect her to be in the center of things.

This is the Easter goodies she got from the Easter Bunny today.

She LOVES her books.

 And she found the drum fun too...I'm hoping she takes up something like the clarinet or the flute, though.

We had to take pictures of her cuteness to share...whatdya thing?

 And, today we took pictures of her in her Easter dress.

We managed to get a family photo, too!!!

Ahh, Disproportionate Enigmas

 Let the title speak for itself.

 Here are some photos from the Daycare Easter Hunt for 2011!  Chloe did not get the most, but she got a fair share of the treasures at Daycare!

 Like I've, said, she loves books!

 ...and rough-housing!

But, she'll sit still for a book!

 Here's a picture from a couple weeks...just found it on a hidden card.  Grandma looks happy!

 The next one is Chloe on all her cuteness!

Tomorrow is Easter...I should have a few more photos to share, as for now...well, my eyelids are heavy!

Cretaceous Wednesday!

 We went to the zoo and you'll never believe what animals we saw!

Who would've thunk we would have been staring into this giant maw?

 We were amazed at the size of the animals and the fierceness of their forms!

The scales and claws were awesome, but nothing could compare to these horns!

 Our visit was a journey, a passage, or perhaps it is best described as a long, long trek,

but our time in the Cretaceous would have been nothing without this fellow's neck!

 The zoo is planning to open this dinosaur exhibit at the end of the month, but you could see some of the exhibits from outside the fence.  So I took these photos.

Chloe was fond of the otters.  I think the otters elicited the most reaction from our daughter.  She seemed to think they were a lot like our wonderful Toby.

 I walked down to the water front for a while that evening and took some photos.  Seattle offers SO many opportunities for a photographer.  Maybe I'm just not picky enough, but I see opportunities everywhere.

 be sure to look at other pics from this past week simply by clicking on the header and scrolling.

Various Chloe and Seattle and Zoo

 At the zoo we saw a wild bald eagle...I managed only a couple decent shots...it was truly awesome!

I also went for a bit of a walk last night, and this is one of my photos.

 when i got back to the hotel, these two beauties were in the window waving!

 This is I-5 with some flowers in the foreground.

 and this one is in the UW district.

 the following is an example what a picture of a bridge can be!

 and the daughter is beautiful!