TGIF

It was field trip Friday.  We took the students to Fort Benning today.  The seventh graders learned team building and leadership skills on an obstacle course.  I saw students, that I hadn't seen anything from all year, engaged and working hard. There is a lot of learning going on after the state gives their test.

This brought back a lot of memories.  I went to military school right out of high school.  Watching the soldiers work and joke together in their BTU's reminded me of my short time doing the same.  I was also reminded of my time as a 4-H counselor.  I remember working with students about this age the same way these guys were working with our students. I am pretty sure these guys were more mature than I was.

But teachers would not thank God for Fridays if the students didn't leave.



And we love to see the buses leave...


Every other Friday I get the boys.  This is a real reason for me to thank God.  Every time I spend time with them we grow closer. They are really growing up so fast.  This is a selfie they didn't want to take on the way home tonight.


I finished the day watching Cade play baseball. He caught an excellent game, and he hit his third triple in the last two games.  He also hit a single.

My commute

I was going to cheat and take some pictures Friday on my way out of town. I had to go through Penn Station to Grand Central and it was a Jewish holiday. Everyone trying to get home to eat dinner before sundown. I've never seen anything like it. But... in the interest of showing my REAL commute these are a few pics of things I see every day.

This subway station just opened at the world trade center and cut about 10 minutes off my original commute. It's called the Oculus. Currently it's just a walkway to the subway but it looks like a lot of construction going on and I believe it will be filled with stores and restaurants.

Just after the first pic. I pass through those gates then down a flight. It's tough when a train just lets out...

Train platform in Newark. Once I get off the subway I come up and wait on this train.

This is some sculpture about a block from the apartment. I'm happy to see this thing every day.

This is actually from the old commute but I wanted to show it anyway. It's one world trade tower and the exterior of the Oculus.

Commute

I have the longest commute that I have ever had.  It is mostly through rural areas.  There are small towns on the way.  On Wednesdays and Fridays I take the boys to school so the route changes.  The time really doesn't.  I have enjoyed the commute.  I really get to talk to the boys when they are trapped in the car.  If they leave something at the house I can stop by their house on the way to school or on the way back.  I have always gotten up early so the morning commute is no problem.  The afternoon commute gets long on days when I am ready to be home, especially after practice or some other after school activity.  I see a lot strange things to and from work, but mostly I see...clouds in the middle of the road.  Not sure you can tell, but between the car and the horizon is a cloud...
 small town shops that have closed and never reopened...
gotta get gas...
churches...
traffic..


and small town America.

Saturday Breakfast

Decided to try this diner for the post. Pearl Diner is on Pearl street about a block behind out building. Was pretty good... 

Smallest orance juice I've ever been served. Price was $2.75 but I don't think they charged us :) Sometimes you win in the city. ha! Total meal for both of us wasn't but $15...

Pancakes and sausage.

Saturday Morning Breakfast

Cade eating a cinnamon roll. I love cooking for the boys, but on a Saturday morning when there is an early baseball game canned cinnamon buns will have to do.  Caleb said the other day that he didn't like breakfast food all that much.  I said, "Well, you eat it here."  He said that he didn't eat breakfast, he ate dessert.  Point taken. I need to cook more nutritiously. I'm just glad they like to eat what I cook.

View From the Apt.

View from the apt. It's the only view as all the windows face out this way. Ha!

A View from the Window at My House

I chose this view from the house because I can see all three boys even if they are not here today. They play video games or basketball or just run around outside.  This is the back yard, and it looks green today.