Goodbye ZED!

Today was my last day with students at ZED. Back in September, I was frustrated, sad, angry and constantly avoiding the thought to quit my job. Working in the setting that I was ending up being so much more challenging than I thought it would be. As the year went on however, I formed strong bonds with my students, and I grew to love each and every one of them. Sure, there were days that I came home angry or hurt by their words or actions, but I cried the whole way home today. That says something. I am truly going to miss those kids.

When I announced to them (because of my boss' request) that I would not be returning in the fall due to student teaching, one of my students became very upset. He shut down and sobbed. I had to take him out into the hallway to try to calm him down. When he finally spoke he said, "But who is going to teach me?" It really touched me. He never really connected with a teacher before, and I am so glad that I made that connection with him. I am sad to say goodbye, but he will be okay. He has grown a lot this year, as well as the other students.

Who knows, maybe our paths will cross again someday.

My Natalie Time!

I didn't think that I would see Natalie for her birthday, and I am on my mission trip during her birthday party; so, I went to their house on Tuesday after school to deliver my presents. I had SO much fun playing with the kiddos. We tickled and ran around for over an hour. It was wonderful! Normally Harvey takes a while to warm up to me, but he was cuddly and huggy right away. He even gave me a smooch before I left! I felt very honored :)

We went with a Disney princess theme this year. We gave her four different princess themed items: A princess sticker book, princess shrinky dink bracelet crafts, princess activity book and a princess light up tracer! She really enjoyed that last present the most!

Here it is in action. She can move around the tops of the princesses and match them with different bottoms. By the time I left, she had already done 2 different drawings. 

Happy Birthday Natalie!

Monday our niece Natalie turned 5 years old! She seems so much older because she is quite the smart and talented 5 year old. I may be biased...

I received a text from Mindy in the morning on Monday asking if we'd be available for supper at Old Country Buffet. Turns out, we were available! Along with Laur, Jill, Cher, Grandma Jayne and Grandpa Bob. It as a great night!

Here's the birthday girl with her fabulous cake. Mindy is such a phenomenal cake maker these days :)

5 presents for the 5 year old. The rest of the fam is giving presents at Natalie and Harvey's joint party later this month, so these are just from Jon and Mindy.

A nice new sparkly shirt!

Natalie let Harvey open one of her presents. What a sweet sister!

MP3 player

BOOKS!

Fun cuddly creatures

Here's Natalie's Happy Birthday song!

Starry Night Collective

June 1st marked a very reflective and momentous day in my year long career at ZED South Campus. We had our Starry Night Collective Art Auction and Craft Sale. My students have worked since the beginning of the year on art work that they were going to sell at this auction.

Let me step back a second: Starry Night Collective is a non-profit organization that helps fund the arts for students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities. My boss happens to be the president of the organization. Because of this organization, we were able to take our students to The Orpheum to see "The Lion King" on stage. We were also granted so much money for art supplies throughout the year.

Anyways, so June 1st we finally had our auction day. The students were so proud and worked so hard to set their art work up and watch as people bid on the things that they crafted. I, of course, had to bid on several of the pieces. I ended up with a pencil drawing that I love! One of the high school students drew it, and I just had to have it. It spoke to me. That's all I can explain. It was a pretty sought after drawing because we had to keep bidding on a separate sheet of paper....But it was mine!

Tony was very mysterious throughout the auction. I figured it was because he was ducking away from my students whom he has met in a different capacity, but I discovered at the end of the night why he was always missing. For one, he was hanging out with my dad. They were standing outside visiting. For another, he was secretly bidding on some artwork that was located outside. One of my students did an interesting paint job on a bowling ball and four bowling pins. It is meant for a garden....

Pac-Man is quite a hit in our school! And now in our yard....(note the new carpet rug in our upstairs living room. Do you like?)

The end of our night consisted of recognizing the graduates. This year we had 2 students who were graduating from high school. They both received their diplomas on Sunday at their home schools. We also did a recognition of 3 students of the year. The staff voted and decided on who grew the most over the course of the school year. This could be academically, behaviorally or socially. I had tears in my eyes on several occasions during the speeches. It was a wonderful night to recognize the success of our students!

The Ship has Sailed

Last Saturday, Tony wrapped up "South Pacific" at the Rep Theater. They were sold out every Friday and Saturday showing. It was a fun show to see!

Here's the set.

 When Tony isn't on stage, this is where he up, way up in the balcony!

 One of the cast members posing for a shot!

Pocket full of Kitty

Sol was being very snuggly with me, so I decided to put her in my hoodie pocket! She actually sat there nicely!

Simon and Sol

I'm very behind in my blogging, so bare with me as I catch up!

On Memorial Day, we went out to Willow Hill to have some visits and a meal with the Knutson family. We brought Sol along so she could see her brother. They were a little unsure of each other this time. Sol more so than Simon. She was quite the hisser! After a while, they played nicely. So nicely, that Sol passed out for hours! Even with Harvey banging on a drum, she slept right through.

Simon is quite the tree climber. He cried out for help a few times...

Here's Sol sleeping on the bean bag after Simon tuckered her right out.

Sprout has his eye on Simon!

Sprout was very curious about Tony and the camera...

I had both sleepy kitties for quite a while on my lap.

and of course I needed to take a picture of one of the best nieces around!