Happy Birthday Big Girl!

OK - I'm running a little behind on the blogging. Oakley's 4th birthday was March 5th. I can't believe my little baby girl is already 4 years old. She had a fantastic birthday week. It started with a family birthday dinner with Neanners, Opa, Uncle Pete, and Annie. These pictures are from her Redbud Birthday Celebration. Oakley brought in a fresh cut flower and photo for every year of her life. Then after sharing each photo, she carried a flower around the sun table to symbolize a year of her life. It was an incredibly sweet ceremony that celebrated Oakley in a meaningful way. Last Saturday was her actual party. She invited all of her Redbud friends. We had the party at a park in Davis. Oakley finally got her pinata which she had been asking for since last birthday. Unfortunately we took very few pictures at her party.





This week we are in Redondo Beach on spring break. Wyatt is recovering from yet another respiratory infection. We travel with inhalers and a nebulizer. I predict asthma in his future. Despite his illness, Wyatt is one happy baby. He has an infectious giggle that is easily elicited by peek-a-boo, patty cake, or bounca-bounca on the bed. We are all enjoying the family time and sunshine at the beach. Tomorrow we are going to head into LA to the Natural History Museum and Science Center. Stay tuned for photos!

Look who showed up....

Govenor Schwartzenegger held a press conference at my elementary school this week. He was anouncing a plan to help the 97 CA school districts that are desribed as failing by NCLB. He chose our school because this year is a "make it or break it" year for us. We have been in "program improvement" status for many years. Our test scores went up last year and if they continue to improve and we meet our benchmarks this year we exit our "failing" status. If not, the state will step in and decide what to do with us. This could mean disbanding the entire staff and administration and turning the school into a charter school. As you can imagine, everyone is under intense pressure and scrutiny this year. It makes me very grateful that I am not a classroom teacher! Schwartzenegger's team asked that the special ed classes be present for the press conference (no other classes were). He then shook all of their hands. His aid told us that Maria would never forgive him if he didn't acknowledge the special ed group given their involvement in the Special Olympics. It was a very exciting day at Northwood Elementary.