"Snips and snails and puppy dog tails, that's what little boys are made of!" Surrounded by my sweet boys (hubby Eric, sons Connor and Ramsey, and our dog, Jango), I thought this a rather befitting name for my crew's blog. To our cherished friends and family, happy viewing! We love you!
So... it's pretty windy here today, on the chilly side (about 55°), and cloudy. But, my day was made absolutely perfect by this little guy.
I'm pretty sure when we tell ourselves to "cherish the little things in life", this moment was a perfect example. After Ramsey gave me the "beautiful flower", he gave me a ton of kisses, squeezes, and drew a cross on my forehead. Then, he ran away to continue with his work, helping his Daddy.
Ramsey's been enjoying his E-Learning. And, since Eric retired and has been at home, he's had more of a routine, which is so nice!
He has some online learning apps that he works in daily (for Math, Language Arts, and some social study type modules), an online library where he reads at least two books per day, plus he also does manual math and writing.
Some of the math that he is learning is crazy! Before Eric took over as primary educator, Ramsey and I were working in a module where he was learning dividends, divisors, and quotients - and two-step story problems! Crazy for First Grade, even if he HAD clepped out of some class steps.
We decided to make sure that Ramsey also reviewed or learned more of the basics in case the way he learned was different than how it's taught in the school. So far, the E-Learning is so new for everyone, the expectations aren't exactly known. So.... we just roll with it. We hope what we're doing is how it's supposed to be done!
We do know... that the kid loves math! Recently, Eric taught Ramsey the "Common Core" way to add multi-digit numbers.
While Eric and I were fishing last night, Ramsey was outside on his play set. He found some tiny little playmates; toads! Specifically, he caught one that he decided was rather nice.
Eric had a nice turn-out for his retirement party at the police department. Unfortunately, there were a number of officers and entities who could not be there, due to some emergencies in the area (so is the business of law enforcement!).
Here's Eric with the Chief McNeil and Captain Tobin:
The chief started off with a very nice speech and gave Eric accolades for his many years at the APD, from patrol officer, to detective, detective sergeant, and captain.
Thereafter, Eric articulated a brief summation of his years at the PD and gave his own appreciative nods to a few colleagues who'd been been instrumental in his best years there, as well as the success of the department. Thereafter, a number of officers stood up and spun tales of past call-outs, responses, etc.
Today, Eric retired from the police department after nearly 26 years of service. I am very proud of him for all that he has accomplished in those years. He’s been a patrol officer, a detective, detective sergeant, and is retiring as captain; he’s “seen it all”, so to speak. I am proud of him for all the lives he has touched and those he has helped throughout his time as a law enforcement official. I’m proud that he’s “shown up” to do his job, with heart and dignity, no matter what the situation was or what was asked of him; mentally, physically, or emotionally. I’m proud… because when he went into Law Enforcement, he wanted nothing more than to simply help people and “catch bad guys”.
To him, and to all of the police officers who proudly and
diligently serve their respective communities, THANK YOU.
Thank you for working to keep our communities safer places. Thanks to the patrol officers and deputies who help people in their times of need, safeguarding the streets or after getting dispatched to places or scenes that can prove to be horrific, scary, life-threatening, or heart-breaking. Thanks to detectives whose phones ring in the middle of the night for call-outs when the unmentionable happens. Thanks to the captains, chiefs, and sheriffs who hold it all together, especially through the difficult times. Also, thanks to the dispatchers and admin who direct traffic and work behind the scenes.
Unless you’re a law enforcement officer, a spouse, child, or close family member, it's nearly impossible to realize all that officers go through on a daily basis. The things they see, hear, and deal with can be shocking and astounding. Until I met him, I truly had no idea the fortitude it takes go on after witnessing and doing what is asked of police officers. The memories they have and the things they have seen stay with them forever. They can be haunting or bring smiles.
In the world today, law enforcement agents seem to be under
attack and their agencies are threatened with defunding. In our country, 99.9% of officers are good
people. They simply want to help people
and make the world a better place. I
celebrate them and their dedication to a profession that is under attack. I appreciate you and I know there are a
myriad of others who feel the same.
It's hard to believe that it's September already! In some ways, this [very odd] year has blown by quickly! In other way, it's dragged on incessantly.
Because late August had been soooo HOT (high 90's) and we'd all been sick for weeks, we hadn't been outside playing or enjoying the lake lately. But now, on Labor Day weekend, the weather was much different - 70s and sunny, but windy. Unfortunately, the wind did take away our ability to go tubing (now that the boat is back from the repair shop!). Instead, we did other things. We played soccer and ran around the yard.
