Getting ready, Gosh I miss those kids!!

Colleen and I are deep into preparing for our big Mexico adventure.  We leave in exactly ONE week.  For the moment, we are tucked away in our cabin, in the North Cascade Mountains, reading and making lists, getting excited!  

After a few weeks being away from the daily school grind, it feels very nice to slow down and breath deeply each day.  I wish I could spread this sense of calm to anyone still in the throws of post pandemic anxieties and survival modes.  How do we hit a collective reset button, after so much isolation and strain?  A question for which I have no idea.

Having time to reflect and move at a snail's pace is giving me time to think about what's important and real.  Being with family and friends, being with students and colleagues, seeing clearly the nucleus of my energy and passion.  Sharing time with others.  What else is there?  

Having never left mid school year in my career, I miss my 3rd graders beyond measure.  I'm surprised how much I think about them as a class, and how much I can still hear each of their individual voices.  We made some great memories and shared some great laughs.  I've stopped in a few times to say hello, even one time I showed up and told some of my newest jokes.  3rd graders can't get enough of my jokes. HA

Colleen and I at 8,500 feet, above Red Feather Lakes in Colorado

For the month of March, Colleen and I have adventured to Venice and St. Petersburg, Florida to see my dad.  After Florida, we flew to Longmont, Colorado to visit my mom, brother, his wife, and of course my 3 year old niece.  After a few years of not traveling, it sure is great to be out in the world again.  Here are a few pics of family:

Colleen and my mom and I

Flying with my dad in his sweet plane, above Venice, FL

Violet was watching me across the table at this nice restaurant, I made the "pick your nose" gesture and pointed to my brother.  Doesn't every kid need a whacky uncle??

Violet, gonna need to go visit again soon, how sweet is she!!