Project 365: Day 146 - Tues. October 6th, 2009

We "thunk" him up as they say ... right out of the heavens ... I just thought about him, some kids had just asked about him and then POOF! There he was - my answered prayer - the definition of KARMA - my #1 main man - Mr. Anthony!!!!!!!!!! And not just back for a visit but back to stay for another year! :) God is GOOD!

Project 365: Day 134 - Thurs. September 24th, 2009

The 4th Annual AVID Induction at New Town High School ....

I don't think my interpretation will be as meaningful as the thoughts written down by the actual participants...

Project 365: Day 73 - Wed. July 29th, 2009

So you think you can dance?!?

Well the video of Avory will tell you he can! And these photos may not prove we can dance (especially the one of me trying to do the jerk) but it does prove that Trailer 2 trys to let loose and have some fun. If we are going to be stuck together for 5 hours Monday through Friday for 5 weeks, we might as well try to enjoy each other. Today the administration took our break away because of the mess left behind after lunch. Trusting that my kids didn't have anything to do with that .... I gave them a 15 minute break inside .... it was the perfect excuse to use Victor's iPod and teach these kids some latin moves.

I'm proud of this kids. They have opened up to each other - embracing new cultures and new things. Drama queens are now skateboarding. Mean girls are now smiling and talking to people they wouldn't have ever given a second glance. Russian breakdancers are trying the merengue. And finally this week, the quiet kids are talking. It will be a bitter sweet goodbye. But may these pictures remind us of the beauty of trying new things.

Project 365: Day 32 - Thurs. June 18th, 2009

Isn't it GREAT?! Cody Lee is 8!

Here we have Cody and Brady in front of his morning surprise. I couldn't decorate a cake so I decorated the door of our room at The Great Wolf Lodge. It was a big hit. After seeing all the pictures and videos, my nephew Zach is convinced that his birthday must be celebrated at The Lodge as well. Could be a great new family tradition.

The gang's all here! All 8 of the kids are in the bunk but I think baby Camden has crawled out of view. This is why Cody is such a blessed boy - he had family and friends share in our birthday get-away.

I love this photo of the three mamas - me, Cristina and Desiree--we had as much (maybe more) fun as the kids. We were teachers first, friends second, mamas third. I posted this picture instead of the ones of us in the hallway acting like teenagers ... you can thank me later! Viva la ya-yas!

My little man is 8 years old today and while he is having the time of his life, I am having a moment. If the next 8 years go as fast as the last 8 years we will be celebrating his 16th birthday before I know it. It is moments like these that need to be cherished and recorded. It makes me appreciate this photo blog even more. Because while 8th birthdays are really important, sometimes the biggest moments happen when we aren't looking for them.

Today Cody's life was celebrated in grandeur. We had three other families join us in our VA adventure and fun was had by all. I feel blessed beyond measure to have such loving friends to share all of this with. After we left The Lodge we headed back to my timeshare for cupcakes. After the singing and candle blowing Cody said it best. "Excuse me! I have an announcement! Thank you for coming to The Great Wolf Lodge with us. That was the best birthday ever!" Everyone clapped and cheered and I got a little misty. My baby is all grown up.

Project 365: Day 26 - Fri. June 12th, 2009

OMG - It's the last day of school!

I can't believe I waited until the last day of school to get a picture of Cody with his first grade teacher, Mrs. Zucker. This amazing woman has been teaching for 37 years. She is my hero - I hope I look as good as she does when I've been teaching for 37 years but more importantly, I hope I'm still as passionate. This woman has truly fostered the love of learning in my son. He wants to please her and wants to feel smart and organized. He has learned "coping strategies" so that he "can be positive instead of negative" and came home with a beautiful report card. He is working at grade level in all areas and "is a leader in art class". I am so proud of my little man. He loves math, science and social studies. His natural talent for drawing has already been noticed. I am grateful for all the people in the Woodholme village who have helped him grow and mature this year.

Project 365: Day 24 - Wed. June 10th, 2009

9:30 am - AVID 11 Field Day!

Well that was the most competitive Field Day ever!! And here is the gang about ten minutes before their first official Senior moment. The champions of the day were Karath, Kristen, Gabby and Ryan. I am so proud of Kristen - this was the most active we have seen her EVER! She did it all - gave it her all - and helped her team take it HOME! Karath was a bagel eating monsta', Ryan was pulling so hard on the tug-a-war rope that he came out of his shoes (a couple of times) and Gabby who was almost strangled to death by the rope ran like the wind in the relay. AC was a beast at the bball dribble and Tyvon almost lost his life for filling my ear with water from his water bottle. And let's not forget Mr. Anthony's jog into first place in the 4 by 1 relay. "Can't touch this" ... do do do do ... I am still convinced that next year we need to do this earlier and then have a championship showdown against the AVID 9, 10, 11 and 12 classes. Shoot why not even get another school involved? I would LOVE to compete against the AVID scholars from Milford Mill and Overlea. This could be an up and coming new tradition.... What was your favorite part of today's festivities? Can't wait to see all the photos you guys took today!

Project 365: Day 23 - Tues. June 9th, 2009

Field Day - B2 - AVID 9 ... Elizabeth can dribble! Moshood is super fast! Charles is a tug-a-war monsta'! Kirsten was the first AVID scholar to tell me she had fun! :) Reggie has some guns and proved he is a track star. Kennard was an awesome referee. Mr. Anthony was lethal with my super soaker. The champions were Tiffany, Moshood, Jordan and Angela. But actually the entire class was champions - even though Kirsten is the only one who actually ovalized it, I believe they all enjoyed their first AVID Field Day and I think will look forward to next year's events! Note to self: Have Field Day events for every class earlier than finals and then have a special event for all the AVID scholars where the champions of each AVID grade/section can compete against each other for bragging rights. I'm also thinking we need a gold, silver, bronze medal for each event - teams will be made by house - each medal won earns the house points. The winning house will be announced at the Final AVID Field Day Celebration with certificates for each member. Anyone have any other suggestions?

Project 365: Day 22 - Mon. June 8th, 2009

9:29 - Gabby and her election drama lead Kennard to say, "Whatever happened to friendly competition?" I swear this is why I love that kid. Why do girls have to be so melodramatic and just plain mean? Why is it so hard to rise above what someone says? What someone does? It is so much more powerful to respond with calm confidence than to react with histrionic hysterics! I will be glad when these elections are over. Do you think Obama gets to throw a fit and call somebody up on their opinion every time it goes against his? Relax Gabby - God is testing you - wanting to know if you can win or lose with grace. Your family is pulling for you - but we are pulling for you to rise above and win like an AVID scholar.

12:50 - A4 AVID 10 Field Day. You would have thought they were all strangers. Nobody cheered for anyone. It was sad really - they couldn't let go of their selfish complaints to have some fun. They were too worried about what they couldn't do to enjoy what they were NOT being asked to do - which was sit and take yet another test. Nobody thanked me - nobody said they had fun. I wonder why I go out of my way to do these things ... I heard more kids complaining and being sore losers than I heard kids having fun. Kennard's question kept ringing in my ears ... "Whatever happened to friendly competition?" I think it went out the window with this self-absorbed generation. Maybe next year the tradition will have to end...

But to end on a positive note - here are some positive things I witnessed today ... Destiny giving herself lacerations on her ankles because she was KICKIN' it in the relay in her sandals.... Anthony Washington running HARD until the finish line even though he knew he was in last place, Kyle putting his mind and heart into the tug-a-war even though he had 3 primadonnas in front of him. Surprisingly those princesses dug deep, pulled like men and actually won! James and his ninja neckwear laughing like a hyena ... I hope the AVID 9 scholars let loose and have some fun - I hope my AVID 11 scholars remind me of why I go to the trouble...

Project 365: Day 21 - Sun. June 7th, 2009

11:00 am - LEGO Grand Opening in Annapolis!

My dad is a big kid. I guess I am too - we both still play with LEGOs at the age of 69 and 41.

It all started one Christmas when I was around 8 or 9. Under the tree that morning was a special gift from Santa -- my first LEGO set and this set was state of the art for the 1970's - it had a motor and could make the LEGO's move! I couldn't wait to get back from church and get busy building ... but when I walked in there was my dad still in his robe with the remote control in his hands moving his LEGO creation - a semi-truck that was using our dining room hall as Interstate-94. I got busy making cargo to put in the semi - I (we) played with that thing for hours, days ... and I still have the box and the ancient motor upstairs in my attic!

So a few Christmas's ago when I once again had no idea what to get my dad, I decided I would take us both back to one of my favorite Christmas memories. That year "Santa" brought him a LEGO set - a train with motorized options. Well that one gift has now lead to the newest target of my dad's OCD. "LEGO City" - has officially taken over my step-brother's old bed room. This two-teared LEGO world houses the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, a ferris wheel, two trains, a police station, a construction zone, and so much more. The customer service agents at 1-800-838-LEGO noticed the excessive amount of products being ordered and shipped to 5242 Hesperus Dr. and asked my dad to take a picture of what he's been creating. That picture will officially be published in the LEGO magazine this fall.

Which leads me to today's photo - when I heard there was a LEGO grand opening taking place at the Annapolis Mall, it just seemed like the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon. So off we went to take part in the LEGO special events. We waited in line like it was an amusement park ride. Once inside, we guessed how many LEGOs it took to build a life size Indiana Jones and we were entertained looking at all the different LEGO creations. The kids got free t-shirts and posters and of course Papa treated the kids to a LEGO set each. Cody picked the Pirate Fort and Alex picked a 3in1 ship. Then the two of them got to help build the gynormous R2D2 being built by live LEGO master builders in the middle of the mall. This earned Alex and Cody a certificate and gave me quite a few cool photo opportunities.

I loved LEGOs as a kid and I love LEGOs as an adult. As a child LEGOs helped build a foundation of creativity in my life; as an adult LEGOs have helped bond three generations of Grosser's together. I am grateful for those colorful bricks with endless possibilities.

What family fun did you have this weekend? Does your family have a "thing" like our LEGO thing? I would love to hear all about it........

Project 365: Day 18 - Thurs. June 4, 2009

7:00 pm. I'm the last of the line on the left side. Ms. White is my cohort on the right side. We are following behind the Class of 2009. I smile when I see the stage. It looks fantastic and I feel proud. I am hopeful that my first impression of the graduation will carry me through the event...

Two years ago graduation was a disaster - I left in tears filled with umbrage that I had missed seeing and hearing my babies walk across the stage because I was dealing with ignorant parents who couldn't follow directions. I was threatened and ignored by parents because I was asking them to leave the graduate area. What made them think it was OK to sit with the teachers and the graduates? When I asked them to leave and they ignored me, I said, "this is why we have students who don't listen - because they have parents who don't listen." I was then told my behavior and comments would be taken to the superintendent. "He knows me by name," I said, "give him my best." I couldn't sleep that night - I was disgusted and angry. I couldn't believe parents had just kept me from enjoying one of the most meaningful events an educator goes through. In my less than graceful thoughts I was hoping their nights were ruined too...because I was never called on my "bad behavior", I guess they let it go. I, however, held onto that experience for a long time. In fact every time I attend a graduation, the memories come back and I have to talk myself out of the gloomy mood that attempts to take me over...

Those thoughts are in stark contrast to the feelings and thoughts I have now thinking about this year's NTHS graduation. This graduation was one of the most dignified, professional and organized graduations I have ever attended in my 16 years of teaching. It was over in 60 minutes, the speeches by Mrs. Cheswick, Alicia Davis, Tori McCollum and Ayobami Ajayi were better than any keynote address I've ever heard (except for Colin Powell's address who sat next to me on the stage of Randallstown's 1997 graduation). The students didn't act out on stage or in their seats. The parents followed the rules. There were no blow-horns (although there was one whistle) and I hear they escorted one sister out because she crossed the camera line. Everyone acted with decorous behavior and I was once again proud to be a teacher of New Town High.

I did, however, learn two lessons from this event. I will never give the AVID cords out early - scholars can not be trusted to remember... and somehow we were short?? I am also going to be the one to personally take the copies of acceptance letters to guidance so that every AVID scholar in the class of 2010 will be in the program with the college OF THEIR CHOICE beneath each name. This year's program corroborates that only 13 scholars out of 18 scholars made it to an institution for higher education. We know more than that got accepted but the students didn't all turn the information into guidance. I am sorry for the parents who didn't get to see their child's name listed. I hereby promise that every one of the 25 AVID 12 scholars will be in next year's program.

Project 365: Day 17 - Wed. June 3, 2009

8:00 pm: New Town Idol - dominated by yet another AVID scholar. Alexis Knighten steals the show! It was not easy being a judge. It was hard to tell students who had the courage to try that they just didn't nail it. It's easy to blame the tech crew but Alexis didn't seem to let it interfere with her performance. Could it be because she was the one who brought the most singing talent and energy to the show? As one of the three judges it was our job to choose the singer with the best singing performance that night - not the one who can dance the best, or who sang the best on the morning announcements. We had to judge those who sang, who sang loud enough to be heard, and who finished the performance. Therefore it was a no-brainer for the three of us. Alexis was the one worthy of the $300 grand prize. Congratulations Alexis - stay above the chatter - there is no need to respond. You won - you deserved to win and I look forward to your cameo performance at next year's New Town Idol.

Project 365: Day 4 - May 21st, 2009

This is my favorite picture from the Sr. Prom 2009 - look at my boy Clement all dressed up and smiling!!!! Everyone looked GREAT! I got tears in my eyes when I saw Destiny taking pictures. Let's see if I can remember the order in which I saw my babies.... Clement, Jonathan, Reginald, Stephanie, Destiny, Alyssa, Isaiah, Jasmine, Derrick, Brie, Gregory, Charles, Anita, Vivian, Nicholas, Kia. I'm sorry I missed Jocelyn and Ethan....

Sr. Prom - a special rite of passage. I remember mine - went with Scott Dodd and wore a purple dress. We doubled with Lori and Steve and went to eat at a historical home that was refurbished into a restaurant. I remember having fun. When I asked several students whether they had fun, the answer was no. The reasons? Make-up on clothes, shoes too tight, histrionic date ... here's my hope that the upcoming seniors will let go of "the little things" and enjoy the evening. After all, it is a once in a life-time event. Oh - and choose your dates wisely! Better yet - just go with friends!