No Offense?

So, did you all hear/see about the Columbus Education Commission member who made the statement that 95% of Columbus City School students have a parent who has been incarcerated? Yeah, it's pretty special.

For those of you who missed it, here's a link to an article on Columbus Underground, which includes a link to the radio broadcast where the statement was made.  http://www.columbusunderground.com/ninety-five-percent-of-ccs-parents-are-ex-cons-ma1?utm_source=feedly

And it gets better. Instead of disputing the statement the vice-president of the Urban League, and a former Columbus school district employee, simply stated that "it was a slip up."

Wow. Way to stand up for the parents of your students. No apology from the person who made the statement. No statistics to dispute the claim. Just "it was a slip up."

I am incredibly offended by the statements made. I am proud graduate of Columbus City Schools - and my parents are not ex-cons. In fact, they are former educators in CCS.  Duane and I put a great deal of thought into where we were going to move when our house sold last year. Part of me really wanted to head to the suburbs, but I love Wesley's (and now Ryan's) school and felt that in order to help the bad rap that CCS gets, we should stay, actively participate in our children's education and be vocal about how much we love our school.

So how do we get repaid? We get called ex-cons. I've had one parking ticket ever. That's the extent of my law-breaking and my super straight husband has barely had that. You're telling me we're in the minority? That most of the other parents we have gotten to know over the past two years have done time in jail? Because I don't believe it.

I am saddened that an city official - someone who is supposed to support our public schools - would think nothing of spouting made-up and inaccurate statistics. If this is how parents are viewed by the people who are supposed to care, it's no wonder that CCS get precious little respect. 

We are not going to abandon CCS. Even if we could afford tuition at a private school, this is the choice we made. There are wonderful teachers, administrators, students, - and yes, parents in our public schools. We intend to keep supporting their hard work and dedication. However, I know I'm going to be thinking long and hard about who I want representing me and my family on the school board and as school officials in the future. 

P.S. - Even if the statistic was true, what does that mean? It doesn't give you and excuse not to support the families you serve. It doesn't mean those children deserve any less of education.

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama.

I did not get to work one morning, realize I forgot my purse, drive home to get it only to get to work and discover that my wallet was still at home.

And I have not been so busy, trying to catch up on work and life in general from my trip to NYC, that I managed to only do one stupid/silly/Not Me Monday worthy thing all week!

A New Wrinkle

I did something really strange today. I pulled the iron and ironing board out of the laundry room to press a few of my summer dresses.

Want to know how strange that last sentence really is?  When I set up the ironing board Wesley exclaimed, "We have an ironing board and iron!? I never knew that before!"

Oops. Guess we know my family always looks like they just rolled out of bed.

Yesterday

Yesterday was the memorial service for my aunt Rochelle. 

I haven't said a lot about Rochelle here on the blog - not about her health decline, nor about her in general. She lived in California, so I really didn't see her very much. But I will tell you this - Rochelle was happy spirit. Whenever I picture her, I see her smile and hear her laugh. She had fun!

From her obituary: MANHATTAN BEACH, CA: Rochelle M. Martin, 76, of Manhattan Beach, California passed away Monday, April 29, 2013 surrounded by her loving family.

The daughter of Charles and Sylvia (Fritz) Martin, Rochelle was born in Mansfield on April 27, 1937. After graduating high school, Rochelle attended Ashland University earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Rochelle taught at Newman Elementary school in Mansfield from 1957-1959. In 1959 she moved to California and later earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Pepperdine University. Rochelle retired after 43 years of teaching. Following her retirement, Rochelle volunteered at Torrence Memorial Hospital for 14 years.

She was a member of California Teachers Association, South Bay Teachers Association, and the National Education Association.

She is survived by three sisters Carol Martin of Mansfield, Marilyn (Tom) Hawk of Columbus, and Jean (Dennis) Houggy of Boca Raton, Florida; niece Heather (Duane) Webb, nephew Kirk (Susan) Pendleton, niece Denean Merritts, and nephew Keith (Karen) Houggy; great nephews Brian and Brandon Merritts, Nathan Houggy, and Wesley and Ryan Webb; great niece Taylor Houggy.

A family graveside service will be Saturday, June 8, 2013 in Franklin Cemetery. Pastor Kent Joy will officiate.

Memorial contributions to American Heart Association, Ronald McDonald House, or Richland County Humane Society may be made through the funeral home.

Yesterday's service was quite nice and the boys behaved better than I could ever have imagined. As the service was about to start, I suddenly smelled the scent of my grandparent's house and I know that they were there in spirit - along with my aunt - as we all said goodbye.

Wesley mad a little card for Rochelle yesterday - a simple "I love you" with some flowers and horses. He shared the card with Grandma and his great aunts

The card was buried with Rochelle's remains. It makes me feel good to know that there is something with her to show she was loved.

After the graveside service, we went to the church for lunch. The boys continued to be on their best behavior and spent most of the lunch playing with a baby girl who was also there. 

 

It was lovely day to remember Rochelle.

Lead Him Not Into Temptation

I can always say "no" when the kids ask me for toys. I'm at good at saying "no" in those instances. I am not nearly as good at saying "no" when the boys ask me for books - especially not when they are asking for a book of Bible stories. Which is how we ended up with a new book the other night.

Wesley found this book of Bible stories at Kohls and he read it in the store and all the way home. He decided that his favorite story of the ones he had read, was that of Joseph and his many colored coat, but when I asked what story Wesley wanted to read to me at bedtime, he chose Adam and Eve.

I'd like to think we made a pretty cozy picture of (almost) suburban bliss. Wesley, Ryan and I in our pajamas, sitting together on Wesley's bed as he read out loud.

Things started out that way, but then Wesley got to the part of the story where the snake is tempting Eve with the fruit from the forbidden tree. Just as Wesley was about to read the sentence where Eve takes a bite, Ryan's hand flew up to his ears and he started calling out, "No! No! Don't do it! Don't!" Ryan actually hid his face while Wesley read about Adam and Eve's fall from grace.

I can't believe he got so worked up about it. If the kid can't handle Adam and Eve, I think there are a few other Bible stories we should stay away from for awhile.

Somewhat Inappropriate

This Saturday we are having a service for my aunt who passed away last month. Her ashes will interred at a cemetery in her hometown, where my grandparents were also laid to rest. This is the boys first real experience with death - well, the death of a person. They didn't know my aunt Rochelle very well since she lived so far away (California), so the whole thing a little distant for them.

Duane and I have been trying to prepare them for Saturday and let them know what to expect at the service. I didn't want them to think there was going to be a body at the service, so I said, "You know that Sanders was cremated when he died and he's in that box, right? Well, Aunt Rochelle was cremated too."

"Does that mean she's in a little box?" asked Wesley.

"Yes, she's in a container of some kind. It's going to be put in the ground and there will be a pastor there who will say some prayers and talk about her. The service will be at a cemetery, which is kind a fancy word for grave yard. Grandma Hawk's parents - your great-grandparents are buried there too."

Now I don't what kind of image Ryan had in his mind at this point, but his little ears perked up when I mentioned Great Grandma and Grandpa being buried there.

"Does that mean we get to look for them!?" he asked excitedly.

The best I can figure is that he heard "buried" and equated it with buried treasure and a treasure hunt. I told him that no, we wouldn't be looking for them and besides, there would be a stone with their names on it anyhow, so it would be very easy to find them.

I actually think he was a little disappointed by my answer. He probably had some grand adventure forming in his mind. I just hope my aunt and grandparents are up there getting a laugh from Ryan. He doesn't mean any disrespect. He's just four and death isn't really something he's encountered before. And yes, I'm preparing myself for many loud and awkwardly timed questions from the boys this weekend.

Family Torture Time

When Duane and I bought ourselves bikes last month, we had visions of family bike rides to the park, to farmer's market, to the ice cream store. Yeah right. I think we've watched too many Hallmark movies. The reality of a family bike ride isn't even close to that sweet summertime dream.

Monday night we tried to take a ride around our neighborhood. It started off pretty well, but started to go downhill (no pun intended) when Wesley and Ryan decided to race each other home. That became Wesley trying to make too sharp of a turn into our dive and tipping his bike. He made a spectacular recovery and wound up with barely a scratch, but the way he started screaming, you would have thought his entire leg had been cut off.

Let me put this perspective for you. Our next door neighbor was outside at the bottom of her drive and even after Wesley went in and shut the door, she could still hear him. Not embarrassing at all.

And yet we didn't learn, because last night we decided to try another family bike ride - this one to the park a couple of blocks away. On our first attempt, we barely made it out of our neighborhood before Wesley was frustrated and in tears, so we all went home. We made a second attempt a bit later and actually made it to the park, but not without some tears, brotherly competitiveness and a whole lot of whining. But we made it, and the guys actually had fun while we were there.

Unfortunately, the ride home was even worse than the ride there because the boys were tired. Nothing like an evening of family torture time. I keep thinking that the more we practice riding together, the better/easier it will get. I'm correct, aren't I? If I'm not, lie to me.

Poor Cleo

Oh, how the boys love having a kitten. They love Cleo. A little too much, I think.

 If Ryan is awake he insists on carrying her - whether she wants carried or not. He also likes to "dance" her. Kittens do not like to be danced.

Wesley sees Cleo as a doll to accessorize. He tries to tie ribbons around her neck, give a ninja turtle mask and hold toy weapons. I guess her alter ego is Ninja Cleo.

In her defense though, she puts up with all really well. Despite the fact that she has claws and is not always a willing participant in the boys games, no one has received more than the most minor of scratches. Not to mention the fact that Cleo still spends at least part of every night in Ryan's room.

It's a good thing she's so good natured. Sweet little Cleo.

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama.

I did not walk right past Duane while asking other people in the room if they had seen my husband.

There is no way I took a library book with me to a gigantic book conference where they give out tons of free books, just so I would have something to read the night before the conference started.

I did not step on my skirt and very nearly pulled it off when I stood up in front of a room full of librarians.

Speaking of flashing, I certainly didn't get an autograph from a well-known children's author and discover a moment too late that my V-neck blouse wasn't covering everything the way it was supposed to. Nope, I did not accidentally flash an author at a major book conference.

I'm Ba-ack!

Hello all! I am back from Book Expo America in NYC!!! May I just say that this might have been my best trip to BEA and NYC yet.  I missed my family (like I mentioned I would in my previous post) but it wasn't an all consuming ache this time. NYC didn't completely overwhelm me as it has done in the past and the conference itself was great!

I thought I'd share just a few highlights with you - in case you care at all or are living vicariously through my trip.

Let's see.....I guess we'll just start this chronologically.

Tuesday - Our flight out of Ohio was delayed, so we got to NYC a bit later and arrived just in time for a cold, rainy, rush hour. Two hours of a stereotypical NYC cab ride later, we arrived at our hotel in Times Square. We set out for dinner and ended up at a good Thai restaurant just off Restaurant Row. We wandered around Times Square a little, but called it a fairly early night because of a full Wednesday.

Wednesday - I went to the School Library Journal Day of Dialog at Columbia University. First off, Columbia is GORGEOUS! I was pretty star struck all day. I chatted with a few of the kids lit bloggers I follow and managed not to sound too much like a total fan girl. I got to hear rock star children's and YA authors/illustrators like Kevin Henkes, Jim Arnosky, Oliver Jeffers (so cute and the accent is to die for!), Holly Black, Elizabeth Wein, Elizabeth Scott and so many more.
  
That night was the Childrens Librarian Dinner at Princeton Club where the parade of stars continued - Susan Cooper, Cynthia Voight, Jack Gantos, Jonathan Stroud (are you jealous yet).  A really fabulous line up of speakers.

After dinner my co-worker and I did a little more of Times Square - Toys R Us and the Disney Store are musts for any parent.

Ferris Wheel in the toy store

Posing with Iron Man

Me with Lego Hulk

Lego Empire State Building



Lego Lady Liberty

While I was running around NYC, hobnobbing with authors and librarians, Wesley received and academic award at school. So proud of my guy! And so thankful that Grandma and Grandpa P. and Grandma H. and Daddy could be there for him when I couldn't be.

Thursday - The first day of the actual Book Expo. It is really unlike anything you can imagine. Overwhelming and tiring and fun - and lots of standing in line for autographs. I got some good ones though!  I even saw Tim Conway. Remember him? Lots of other celebrities at the conference too - Julianne Moore, Jim Carey, Chelsea Handler, to name just a few.

 



Thursday night my co-worker and I enjoyed a drink in hotel bar while waiting for a friend of hers who lives in Brooklyn to meet up with us. I snapped a few pictures from the bar.

We had another fun dinner out with great company at a fun restaurant called Bareburger - all organic and natural and fun mix and match combinations. I had an elk burger! Good stuff.

Friday - This was our last official day of the conference and the one I was most excited about. Why the excitement?

Yes, I was excited because Grumpy Cat herself would be making an appearance. But I had the whole day to get through first. I saw a few more authors - including the most wonderful David Levithan. I adore everything he has written.

I had a really fun experience waiting for an autograph of Tom Angleberger, who writes the Origami Yoda books. I was standing in line, chatting with some other people who were queued up, when the author himself approached the line and started talking to the guy behind me. I turned around because, hello! The author! Tom (we're totally on a first name basis now) said to me, "Do you know who this guy is? He's the narrator of all the Origami Yoda books." 

I was pretty impressed by this fact because I listed to the Origmai Yoda books, rather than read them. Tom (like I said, we're super close) nudged the guy and said, "Do your Tommy voice for her!" And he did! It was like my own little audio book. Very cool.

The latest Origami Yoda book is Art2-D2. Look who showed up to the autographing session.

Tom Angleberger and Mark Turetsky (narrator)
 

 After that excitement, it was almost 2:00. Most lines for autographs don't start until about half an hour prior to the scheduled start, but I decided to let my geek flag fly and head over to queue up for Grumpy Cat. I figured if nothing else, maybe I could start the line. Yeah right. I got there and a big line had already started. Yes, I stood in line for over an hour to see and get a picture of Grumpy Cat.
And my brother-in-law did a meme about it when he saw my Facebook status.

So after a little more than an hour, Grumpy Cat made her appearance. There were security guards and everything. And yes, I got my picture with Grumpy Cat - sort of. She was pretty bored by the whole thing, but it totally made my day.

After a full day at the convention center, my co-worker and I decided to hit the Top of Rock before meeting up with her friend again. I can't believe I volunteered to go up there again. I hate heights! But maybe the fact that it was daylight out helped, because I didn't freak out nearly as badly this time.

Central Park from above

Empire State Building (I think) , Freedom Tower and the Statue of Liberty is on the little island on the right.

Me not freaking out.

We wrapped up our Friday night by meeting up with my co-worker's friend and taking the subway from Times Square into Brooklyn to see his place, and meet his partner and their roommate and get some dinner. On our way to dinner, we saw a New York scene like something out of the movies - the fire hydrant had been busted open and kids were splashing around and laughing in the spray. It was a really special night and I felt like I had made new friends at the end of it.

Saturday - We decided to do one more bit of sight-seeing before we had to head to the airport for our flight home. I mean, what is a trip to NYC without going to Central Park? We walked over (about 15 minutes from our hotel), got some coffee and something to eat and had a little breakfast picnic in Central Park. It was a nice way to end the week.

Turns out the excitement didn't end there. We wound up getting to the airport quite early (traffic was light) and there wasn't a line at security, so we decided to have a sit-down lunch at one of the restaurants in the airport terminal. As we were eating, we noticed a guy at the bar who was slumped over with his head on his arms. I thought he was sleeping, but my co-worker noticed a couple of drinks in front of him and thought maybe he was passed out. We really didn't think too much more about it until we noticed that our waiter hadn't been by in a VERY long time and we hadn't seen him walking around. We scanted the restaurant and found our waiter - kneeling on the floor of the bar, trying to revive the man who had been slumped over the bar, but was now out cold on the floor. A minute later airport security showed up, then the police came and then the paramedics finally arrived - and the guy was still out! They wheeled him out and we never did find out what had happened.

Of course that wasn't as exciting as what happened as the airline was boarding the plane that was leaving our gate prior to our plane boarding and taking off. A guy and his wife and child came hurrying in and got on the plane just as they were finishing the final boarding call. A minute or two later, the guy came hurrying OFF the plane with a suitcase. He left the suitcase in the gate area, then turned to get back on the plane. Suddenly a man near the gate yelled, "Stop! You can't leave that there!" and jumped up to detain the first man (we figure the second man was a plain clothed air marshal because everyone kind of deferred to him).

"But that's not my suitcase!" the first man protested.

Wrong answer in an airport. Immediately the second man summoned two police officers over. The three of them went through the suitcase and it was found to belong to a woman at the gate. She was called over and had no idea her suitcase was missing. The police officers chewed her out for not paying attention to her surroundings. They did finally let the first man back on the plane, but they escorted him on and when they returned, another plain clothed officer exited the plane with him. Like I said, lots of excitement.

The good news is, that was all the excitement. The flight home was on time and uneventful. It felt so good to put down the bag of books, hug and kiss my boys and just be home. NYC - an ok place to visit, but there's no place like home.





Getting Ready to Hit the Road

In a few short hours I'll be headed to NYC for my favorite book conference. I love Book Expo America with a passion and always come back equally exhausted and excited about all the new stuff coming out and meeting other librarians.  I'm not even all that intimidated by New York this time around because it will be my third trip there and I know our hotel, the conference center and even some some restaurants that I enjoy. I no longer feel like a complete fish out of water there.  Still, the truth is, part of me really dreads leaving.

This happens any time I travel anywhere without my family. No matter how much the boys drive me nuts sometimes, I would rather be with them and Duane than any place else on Earth. When I'm not with them, it's feels like I'm somehow incomplete. I miss them every second I'm gone.  The pathetic part is that I'm only going to be gone four nights. Four little nights. I'll be home by dinner on Saturday, but I'm still a little sad about leaving.

I managed not to cry when I dropped Wesley off at school this morning, but I did tell him I love him about a dozen times and insisted on a hand squeeze as he hopped out of the car. The next time I see him he won't be in first grade any more! I still have some time with Ryan this morning, but I'm sure I'll cover him with hugs when I get to the airport.

I was the clingiest wife ever last night too. I swear, Duane must have thought I was going to smother him in his sleep.  You'd think I've never gone any place without them before!

I'll try to update a little from NYC, but if I don't get a chance, I'll talk to you all on Saturday!

A Little Bit of Sanders

It's no secret that we adopted Cleo to try and fill a little of the hole that losing Sanders left in my heart.  She'll never replace my boy, but I was hoping for some healing. After a week of having Cleo in the house, Duane and I have noticed she has a few very Sanders like tendencies.

Sanders was easily the most docile, tolerant cat on the planet - a very big plus in a house with kids. Ryan used to carry Sanders around, and while it was obvious Sanders wasn't exactly thrilled, he never struck out at Ryan or protested. Cleo does the same thing. Ryan will not leave that kitten alone. If he is awake, he thinks Cleo should be in his arms or on his lap. And Cleo puts up with it. Despite having claws and still being a rambunctious kitten, she allows Ryan to love on her to his heart is content.

Sanders often laid on my lap in what we called the "Superman" pose - both front legs stretched straight out like he was flying. Cleo does the same thing on my lap.

Sanders occasionally sat with his tongue poking out between his teeth. Cleo too.

Sanders favorite place in the entire house was under the roll top desk in the living room. Gus and Sadie don't hang out under there - probably because they know it was Sanders' spot. But guess where Cleo curls up sometimes?

Sanders loved beer. I always saved him just a little at the bottom of the bottle so he could finish it. The other night I had a beer with dinner and Cleo licked the mouth of the bottle and my lips to get the taste of the beer.

We kept only one of Sanders' special toys after he died. He had a stuffed hedgehog that he just loved. It used to be mine, but he would always steal it off whatever shelf I put it on, so I finally just made it his. It's about the size of a tennis ball and almost completely round. He loved it and would bat it around the house and carry it in his mouth. This morning I heard Duane say, "Is that what I think that is?"  When I turned around, Cleo was batting Sanders' hedgehog across the family room floor, picking it up in her mouth and carrying it out from tight spaces where she couldn't easily bat it. The hedgehog has been up on our family room bookshelf since Sanders died. Cleo must have climbed up there and discovered it.

Cleo isn't Sanders by any stretch, but it's so nice to see little bits of him coming out in her personality. Even Duane has commented that he can see part of Sanders in her, which makes me believe we really did adopt the right kitten. Maybe that hole can start to heal.

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama.

I know I did not try to use my work key card to unlock my minivan. That would have just been embarrassing.

There is no way I swung by the house to make sure the garage door was down after spending the entire ride to school assuring Wesley that, yes, the front door was locked.

I did not throw away part of a package of cookies because I could not stop eating them and knew I just had to get them out of the house.

I have not told Ryan that unless he leaves the poor kitten alone sometimes I am going to take her back to where we adopted her from, just so she can get a break. 

Batter Up

We went to a Clippers game with our church group last night. We were running a little late on the way to the ballpark and Ryan said, "I bet our Bible Buddies are already there!"  Very cute.

We aren't a big baseball family, but I like to try and go to a game or two a year and I think we all had a pretty good time.

Winding Down the School Year

As Wesley winds down his first grade year, there a few special events. Today was a poetry reading by his class. Wesley read a poem by himself, and even though the audio the video is almost non-existent, he did a very nice job.



But what I liked even more than the poetry readings was the way Wesley behaved when all the students had gone and the teacher was setting up refreshments. So many of the students saw this as an opportunity to act wild or be loud, but Wesley and a few others actually sat nicely and quietly. He made me so happy.

 

 

And this is what makes him happy - a little something from Grandma to indulge his imagination.

Ryan Short Stories (or, Why My Hair is Turning Grey)

In the car this morning Ryan told me, "Sometimes I just can't sit still no matter how hard I try."

Uh-oh. Perhaps I should give his Kindergarten teacher a heads up now so she has the summer to prepare.

_________________________________________________

The boys were in the bathroom brushing teeth and getting ready for the day as I was making Ryan's bed. All of a sudden I heard Ryan say, "Hey, Wesley! I'm going to pee on your tushie!"

To which I screamed, "Oh no you're not!" as I sprinted across the hall to prevent this particular threat from being carried out.

I made it in time.

________________________________________________

Ryan came running into the family room at full speed and without a stitch of clothing on. I looked up from the computer and said, "Ryan! You don't have any clothes on!"

Ryan looked down at himself and said, "Oops!" before taking off at full speed again.

Like this was somehow a shock to him?

Kitten Update

Things are going pretty well with the addition of Cleo into the W. house. We seem to be past the stage where the other cats hiss at her and refuse to be in the same room as her. Gus is still pretty intrigued by Cleo and will often follow her around the house. Yesterday Cleo practiced her pouncing by pretending she was going to attack Gus, only to land about a foot away, run off and do it again. Cleo desperately wants Sadie to pay attention to her. It's like Sadie is the cool older sister and Cleo is the little pest. Hopefully they'll get it worked out soon. I mean, really, how could you stay annoyed with this cutie?