Open House

Tonight completed the 2014 Open House cycle.  I had the high school version last Thursday.  The new co-located middle and high school is amazing.  Duxbury should be proud.  It is really an amazing place.  The Macbook Airs the kids 8th grade and up got fit right in.  All the teachers did their presentations by iPad or laptop.  All their textbooks and reading materials are online.  Sure they have hard copies at home for contingencies.  Their homework and assignments can be found on school based websites.  Some teachers are sending narrated PowerPoints or videos home for the kids.  That way they can work hands on in the classroom.  The language teachers are having the kids record themselves.  Coco's science class is 100% paper free.  It is mind blowing.
     What's more is that the kids appreciate it.  I know, right?  Teenagers acknowledging appreciation for anything is exceptional.  My kids come home raving about the new facilities.  "It's really nice" is a common phrase.  It's nice to know we did the right thing.

The Working Man

Caz had to work all weekend.  He actually had some long shifts.  OK, long for him.  But I am sure it seemed like an eternity for him.  6 hours both days.  I think the idea of time and a half on Sunday appealed to him.  He's the ideal kid for fall Sundays.  He would rather get paid right now, so he doesn't mind missing the Pats game.  But he can banter enough about the Pats to keep customers and co-workers happy.
     I figured he could use a Good Morning burger after his shift.  I knew Demi and I didn't feel like cooking.  Win/Win for everyone.  KKatie's Burgers it was.  The place really does have great burgers.  Whatever was on the KKMacSmash was the perfect call.  Caz got his bacon, fried egg, and cheese all in one place.
     Caz has been very responsible with his work.  I think it has given him a good sense of what things cost.  Teaching him the value of a dollar, right?  He was broke this weekend and wanted an item for his new Nintendo DS.  He couldn't afford it at the moment.  But he did get his paycheck.  Guess it's time to teach him about banking hours and deposits.

9/11/14

Never Forget.

  My suggestion with today in mind, is take some time.  Read Son of a Terrorist by Zak Ebrahim.  It's short.  It doesn't take long to read it.  If you still don't feel you can invest the time, then watch the TED video:  http://www.ted.com/talks/zak_ebrahim_i_am_the_son_of_a_terrorist_here_s_how_i_chose_peace

It's a game changer.  It's one of the best talks I have ever heard.  I saw most of this TEDx event.  I saw the Gates - Bill & Melinda and Sting.  But this was the talk of the day.  By far.

Opening Day 2014

The 8th grade Dragons opened their season today.  A 1 PM kickoff (conflicting with the Pats), at home.  It was sunny and 70.  You can't ask for more than that.
     Although we lost, the boys played hard.  It was close.  I really felt they could win this came.  I don't care about winning for me.  I want them to win for them.  They deserve a little success.  They deserve to show the teammates that decided not to play this year, that they can succeed without them.  They have worked for 4 weeks and today is pay day.  I told them to keep their heads high.  They have a great effort.  And there is always next week.....

Vuja De

Haven't I already been through this enough?  I had to confer with some of my assistant coaches and then ask one of them not to come back.  It was a tough decision.  It certainly wasn't made lightly.  But the interests of the kids have to come first.
     The reason really doesn't matter.  The possibility that something might happen had been keeping me up nights.  I was lulled into a false sense of security.  The season was going along well.  Actually better than I could have hoped for with this particular coach.  Then out of nowhere the tide turn.  That was actually a major point.  There was no warning.
     Youth sports is such a circus.  It's almost too mainstream now. I have railed against the system before (and I probably will again).  Parents are to blame.  Not all of them.  But a lot of them.  They take youth sports more seriously than the kids.  It is not right.  It's no wonder kids get burnt out on sports by high school.  Someone needs to do a study.  I bet there are more Marinavich stories now than there once were.  I bet teen rebellion now is more quitting sports because their parents can't force them to play anymore. I bet there is an uptick in kids making poor choices into trouble making just to show mom & dad not only are they no longer an athlete but not the person they were hoping for.  The stories of the Tiger Woods playing golf at 3, or Larry Bird spending hours in a basketball gym growing up,  or Dustin Pedrioa playing baseball all the time.  They didn't do it because someone made them do it.  They were having fun.  Youth sports needs to work the fun a bit more in general.  It is possible to be competitive and have fun at the same time.  Despite popular opinion.

Breaking Out

Caz is certainly breaking out of his shell.  He was actually eager to go somewhere tonight.  With us!  He actually called while Demi and I were at dinner for another engagement because he felt like we were behind schedule.  He's only been home a short while from work.  He must have come home and jumped into a speed shower.
     Caz almost skipped down the street, while we walked to our new neighbors house.  He dusted us in the driveway.  "See ya!"  Well, the statement was intended anyway.  Hey!  Good for him.  Socializing is a good thing.  It's all a part of growing up.

Back Where We Started

3 days of school....and Coco has missed 2 now.  His intestines are acting up again.  Between that and the pain in his feet, the kid is a wreck.  It is very unsettling.  The lack of answers is driving me crazy.  We started calling around for tips on new doctors (for his intestines).  The one we have makes me uncomfortable and I don't think Demi is close to sold on her.  This is years on the making.  We have to seek answers elsewhere.  This is impacting too much of his life.  He's actually missing out on life.  This has to end.

First Day of School 2014

Yay! Back to school.  The kids may grumble but they dig it deep down.  They like to see their friends if nothing else.  But they like some of the classes or a few of the lessons.  I know they like showing off what they learned when they get home.  They generally have a few new fun facts.
     Of course Demi and I are thrilled to get them back to school.  They need to have something to do.  They need a routine. Mostly so that we can get back to our routine.  I really miss the days when kids went outside in the morning in the summer and didn't come back until dinner.  Kids in general need more motivation.  They need to learn to amuse themselves without electronics.  Not that they had free reign over the summer.  No electronics during the day.  End of story.
     They go to a brand new school this year.  I mean newly built.  State of the art.  They both got issued MacBook Airs.  Just like when I was kid, right?  Not!  Everything on one laptop.  That is pretty cool.  Can't wait to see how it goes.