The Nibbana Family

It is such a relief to be done for two whole months!

This school year was stressful.  It was my first year teaching with Howard County, so I had to figure out a new curriculum and all of the ways the new school works (each school system has a different way of doing things).  I also had a room that was next to the school computer lab, which was convenient but also presented some unique challenges.  Our school was designed with open spaces and retractable walls which aren’t exactly soundproof, so several months of the year when they conduct testing in the lab I had to vacate my room and teach from a mobile cart.  It’s rougher than it sounds; when you can’t count on a classroom and have to make constant last minute changes and signs to direct your students, it eventually wears on you. Good thing I’m flexible!

Last summer was my first summer off. Previously I taught summer school, which takes at least a month out of the summer and is usually right in the middle of the break.  Last summer we had our condo on the market so we had to keep the place immaculate, which doesn’t lend itself to much relaxation.  When it finally went under contract, we had to continue keeping it clean in case something fell through while also packing up.  In the last few weeks of summer, we moved in with Mom, but then I had to look for a new job.  Basically, last summer was very busy.

This summer is different.  After a new roof derailed our vacation plans, I recently realized I have NO plans this summer!  I will soon start up a summer calandar, so I can keep track of playdates and programs at the library.  We also plan to spend a lot of time at pool.  It’s going to be a great summer!

Last week we took a Segway tour of Washington D.C. and checked out many of our favorite sites including The Smithsonian, The Capitol, and The White House. Although seeing the sites was fun, most people in our group were far more interested in cruising on the Segway than viewing the surroundings. The most interesting part was when other tourists took pictures of us instead of the landmarks behind them. What a blast!

It’s nice to have a day to celebrate Moms!

We invited Mom, Rita (a family friend) and Sophia, my sister, over for a Mother’s Day brunch.  I made a fruit salad and whipped cream and Chuck went all out with bacon, eggs, and french toast.  It was a wonderful excuse to have family over and to savor a scrumptious meal with some wonderful people!

Mother’s Day, along with a lot of other holidays, is characterized by being too commercialized.  Often people feel the need to buy a card, buy flowers, and/or buy a gift.  In fact, Anna Jarvis, who campaigned for the creation of Mother’s Day, became disillusioned with the holiday less than a decade after the first official celebration.  “I wanted it to be a day of sentiment, not profit,” Jarvis complained, dismissing greeting cards as “a poor excuse for the letter you are too lazy to write.”

Today, we didn’t buy a card or a gift, and beyond the food we did not spend money at all.  I think I can say with confidence that my Mom, Rita, and Sophia saw how much they were loved and appreciated!

Let me tell you a bit about what is going on with my family…

Mommy is so excited that she is out of school. Her last day was Wednesday. This summer Mommy and I will have our own school. She is reading me a book called Little House in the Big Woods about a girl named Laura.

Abba is fourteen months old. That means she is one year and two months old. She is walking and walking and walking all over. Friday was Abby’s last day at Ms. Debby’s house for daycare. She will stay home with us this summer.

Daddy is getting ready to go to work right now. We love him and tomorrow is Father’s Day, so we will do lots of things for him like say “Happy Father’s Day!”

Friday was my last day of school too. I will miss my teachers and I will miss the kids at school. This summer I will make my own school with Mom. I will learn math, reading, handwriting and other stuff. We will go on field trips and have water days.

Yesterday, my big sister Ari graduated from Pre-K!  Mom and Dad picked me up and we went to her school to see it all.  Ari looked so happy!  All of the kids sang songs and named the letters of the alphabet and her teacher, Mrs. Tracey, read poems.

Grandma came to see us and Daddy brought Ari beautiful flowers! Afterwards, Grandma took us out to eat dinner and Ari went to Grandma’s house for the weekend. I’m so proud of my big sister!