A Very Special Physical Education Teacher

Last week Gayle asked me who was responsible for planting the tulips during red ribbon week, so that the children would be reminded to be drug and alcohol free, when they bloomed. I found out the answer. We have an amazing P.E. Teacher in Washington Grade school in Vernonia that organized the idea, got the ground ready, and helped the classes plant the bulbs. I also found out that this is only one of the wonderful contributions that he makes for the kids of Vernonia. I started making a list of the things that people were telling me, and here it is. I'm sure there is more.

He started a program for teachers called Healthy Breakfasts. One morning a month the teachers have a breakfast, the teachers take turns bringing things. His motto for teachers is, "Healthy teachers teach better, healthy kids learn better. one step at a time." Along with that is the pedometer program. The entire staff was given pedometers by this teacher. Each week they turn in their pedometer readings, and prizes are awarded to the top walkers for the week.

The school has a 4 b's progam. Bee responsible, Bee respectful, etc. and the students are awarded bee bucks for good behavior. They get to buy things at the bee bucks store and are awarded bee bucks prizes. The P. E. teacher is King Bee. He dresses in a Bee costume and greets the children and encourages them to have a good day.

He spear headed a "Bike or walk to school day". Every student and staff member that was able to, rode their bike or walked to school that day.

He has a program along with the Portland Trail Blazer basketball team that awards students tickets to a game for positive behavior.

He is a member of the P.B.S team, a positive behavior program.

He heads us and encourages students and parents to save box tops, Campbell soup labels, and recycle cell phones programs.

He started a Jazzersize program for staff members in the morning before school, and got Mrs. Miller to be the volunteer leader.

He teaches P. E. skills during his P.E. classes, including bowling, and organized a field trip for fifth graders to go bowling.

He taught jump rope skills and tricks, and ran the "Jump Rope for Heart" program that collected money for American heart Association.

He organized the "Run for the Arts" program that collected $2553. 43 this year, so that the kids of Vernonia can be exposed to the Arts. He told the fifth graders that if they would run 15 laps, that he would shave his head. One student did, and that student got to help shave his head in front of the entire student body.

He is constantly encouraging exercise and healthy eating. He is an inspiration to us all.
The tulips are blooming

Pedometers for the entire staff.

He constantly encourages the students

and that very special P. E. Teacher is Mr. Spalding.

Red Ribbon promises

Last fall the students of Washington Elementary in Vernonia celebrated red ribbon week by promising to be drug and alcohol free. Each student planted a tulip to honor that promise. Students were reminded of that promise when the tulips started blooming.

Blogging again

It seems that I have been so busy lately that I haven't had time to blog. I have been involved in my activities, except bridge, which I really miss, my children, and grandchildren and their activities, and working full time. I took today to catch up on viewing some blogs, as well as posting some blogs. I even had time for a walk around the yard.

The tulips and daffodils are just about finished, but the next phase of spring is just around the corner. New growth, and promise of new hope.

The rhododendrons will be blooming soon.

Wild bleeding hearts

Peonies will popping open with huge pink flowers.

The apple tree is ready to pop.

The wild strawberries are starting to grow fruit,

and the pansies still look nice.

Our Little Track Star

Kendall has been really doing well in track. On Tuesday we went to Raineer. Their relay team took first, and she did well in the 100 meter and the 200 meter.

Yesterday, there was a big invitational meet at Clatskanie with ribbons and all the ceremony. Kendall's relay team took 2nd, she took 4th in the 100 meter, and she took FIRST in the 200 meter. Way to go, Kendall.Kendall is in the lead
The coach is congratulating the relay team

Hugs!

Happy Anniversary

This is a picture from my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. Today is their 68th anniversary, but Mom is celebrating her anniversay without my father. He died from a strange illness 15 years ago.

Happy Anniversary, Mother

A Red Hat Outing

Last Saturday we had a Red Hat outing in Longview, Washington. Yes, we went out of state for this good time. Actually, it is only about 35 miles away. I drove one car, and we headed out from Vernonia. We stopped along the way to make sure Fran could see the wild trilliums that were growing along the way. The Old Creek Cafe was a great place to eat. They had all sorts of sandwiches, wonderful coffee drinks, and other drinks, and super desserts. I chose a taco wrap on a sun-dried tomato tortilla. I had a snickers coffee drink, and boysenberry cobbler for dessert.

Pat and Betty gave us each a little dolly, all dressed in purple. They each read a Red Hat poem.

After lunch we walked up the street to The Red Hat Thrift Store, but it didn't have any red hats. On our way back to Vernonia, we took another route so that we could go to the Black Buggy Furniture Store, an Amish furniture place. What beautiful stuff they had! I could only afford to buy a couple of quilted apples.

When we left there we headed south and we were sure we could run into the Fern Hill Road which leads into Apriary Rd, which goes to Vernonia. After all, all roads lead to Vernonia. Well, we got lost. A kind man, working in his yard was able to get us straightened out, and we made it back home. A nice outing, with great company, and a lot of laughs. Thank you Pat and Betty for planning it.

Betty

Fran

Myrinna

Pat, in her bra hat

Pat and Pauline

Mother and daughter

Betty is reading a Red Hat poem

We were walking to the thrift store. Notice the flowering trees along the street.

At the Amish store

That Crazy Bird

About a month ago we were starled awake by a pounding on the window. I got out of bed and headed downstairs only to find out that a bird was flying into the window. It has been happening every morning since then. What would cause a robin to do that? There are bushes outside the window, and he sits in the bushes and flies into the window. When he (or she) is the bushes, it happenes about once every minute. He is very unpredictable, and when I tried to catch him flying into the window, he would see me and fly away. I did manage to get a couple of shots of him with my camera, but they are not very good. He usually flies into the bedroom window downstairs, but has flown into the family room window, also. He has even flown into the dining room window.

The robin drives Kitty wild.

I almost caught him flying into the window.