Drive

The one word that comes to mind when I think of Zack is "drive"!!! He does not give up very easily, and he takes pride in conquering random fears. He wanted me to take pictures of some of the skateboard tricks he has learned in the last couple of weeks.

He now knows how to jump a curb and land it as you see below:

He can nearly jump up a curb and practices this maneuver at least 100 times each time he skateboards! And the next shot captures the fact that he's learned how to turn at the top of a half or quarter pipe. The older kids who skate at the parks we go to are amazed at this little guy out there "tearing it up". Truth is he's good for 6, but he really looks like he's 4.

And lastly, he can land on the platform of a ramp.

I think that by 8, he'll own the half pipe. I just hope he'll wear a helmet as he gets older even though it's not cool. But, that is likely a pipe dream on my part!

Sophia gets right down there with him, but she just hangs along the bottom of the ramps!

As for me, I'm cramming for my CSET! Wondering if any of you out there realized that DNA is found in the nucleus of a cell? Can you remember how the speed of light functions in a vacuum? How about the four stages of development as set forth by Piaget? Remember B.F. Skinner? How about the Jim Crow laws? Ummmmmm, algebraic equations? Geometry? Statistics? Iambic pentameter? Is epilepsy considered a handicap in a PE class? Protons, neutrons, electrons...????

Can you say a wide range of knowledge? One of the study guides says the test is like a game of trivial pursuit based on all you've learned during your entire academic career! The other study guide said that one would have to read several books of over 1,000 pages to be fully prepared!

So yeah, I'm just a little freaked out! I study best with the ipod blaring. Quiet drives me bonkers! Too bad I can't take the test while listening to The Cure! And, I have a few friends who will confirm that I got through both degrees while listening to music in class or playing solitaire on the computer! What kind of learner does that make me? And, why the heck do I have to remember all of this STUFF to teach elementary school?????? That's what lesson plans are for! Dude, just test my IQ and have me teach you a lesson based on a plan I created. If only it were that easy.

Next step is entering a Masters program. I am back to the self that has goals and aspirations outside my everyday life. That's a piece of me that I realize gave me a level of self satisfaction that fueled me to reach higher. I hope my kids will learn to value education as it can make life a whole lot easier.

What are you doing for Halloween? I am taking the kids to a fun activity that includes candy, bounce houses, rock walls, and several other games and activities. Of course, we'll do a little bit of trick or treating so they can gather the sugar!

And lastly, I am proudly voting NO on 8. I do not have an ounce of fear that Zack or Sophia will "turn gay" if they hear at school that it is an option to marry someone of the same sex. I also know that they will not believe that they came from monkeys or that the earth is millions of years old- even though they hear this at public school.

MANY of my friends disagree with my stance on this, and I respect that 100%. That is what makes America the great nation it is! We can have differing opinions, vote accordingly, and not be persecuted for it. So disagree with me if you must. Tell me you disagree if you feel the need to do so. But, remember that my right to vote no mirrors your right to vote yes.

It is also wonderful as a Christian to embrace the doctrine of the priesthood of the believer -the unique ability of each Christian to decipher through the Holy Spirit the Scriptures; and then to live accordingly. We will each give account for ourselves. I am ready to shoulder my NO vote with a clear conscience.