One More Joins the 26 Club

The song "Girls Just Want to have Fun" was created with a purpose. Our girls get togethers are always "Fun." The excuse to get together this time was for Tanya's birthday. Another one of the girls will turn the big 2 6 (one more to go....it's calling your name Jen). We had a yummy sushi dinner in Santa Monica and gathered back at Tanya's place afterward.

I Love a Good CA Sunset

And there is nothing like watching the sun set over the San Franando Valley at the top of Topanga.

Hiking with the Cannon Boys

I thought a pleasant morning hike in Topanga sounded relaxing. And that is exactly how it started. There were plenty of deer grazing the brush, bunny rabbits catching the first morning sun, and spider webs dripping with dew.

The view from the top of the mountains was beautiful. But quickly I realized the the 3 Cannon boys were leading me straight into the center to the lush canyons. The gradual downward trail was mixed with steep wooded steps.

After a few photos no where near the base, the boys, wanted to continue our decent. Now those of you who know Tristan Cannon know the type of blood that runs through his offspring (I think no further explanation is needed:). It took convincing because I know what goes down must go up again.

So we began our incline. I thought I wasn't going to make it out of the trail, my heart was pounding, my buttocks muscles burned, I was taking those small steps where you can barely lift each leg to take you further and I made Tucker stop with me every 10 feet so I could catch my breath. Once we reached the trail head it was safe to say I'd never take that trail again.

It's Been Such a Long Time

Maybe.....just maybe you've been wondering what we have been up to the last few weeks.

The following events are not in chronological order.

I ventured to a work retirement party.

Ms. Dillion the VP of my school presenting my boss the retiree, Judy Dichter, the principal.
Me and a close friend/collegue/ mentor/room neighbor, Elaine DuRoff.
Me, my supervisor from CSUN (the fabulous Shirley Hoffner whom I deeply respect), and Ms. Kropp (a Kinder teacher)Ms. Wendy (the school librarian), Drama Sue (the school's drama teacher), me, teacher friend Karen Winston, and lastly my mentor teacher and student teaching support Laura Freedman

We went to Newport for my birthday.
Tuck and B playing Boccie Ball.
The sun even came out for us.


We went to Topanga Days.
There were more people than we expected and saw more "hippies" in one place then I've ever seen in my life. We staked out a spot on the grass lawn and watched the bands jam.


I planned Diversity Day at our school.
We created an Indian market place behind our classroom. I know no one knows the sweat and hustle that goes into our school's Diversity Day except the teachers at our school. But I'm glad that this year my class chose India for our cultural fair. They made rugs, booths, Gandhi fans (because it is hot in India), the boys wore dressy India hats and the girls made bangles out of toilet paper roles and puffy paint (what...I grew up in the 80's and the bracelets turned out cute). They even had little passports that they took with them to visit the other countries around the school. Fun times! And we've been gardening and nurturing our veggie plants.
There will be many more posts to come because I'm on Summer Break. There's now a new meaning to the song, "school's out for summer, school's out forever." I forget the band but I know you are singing it in your head just like I am.

What's in there?

Much to Tanya's surprise expecting mommies bellies aren't supposed to be poked.

For Kim's birthday this year we all ventured to a Mexican restaurant. She showed off her baby belly. We are so excited to meet baby Ryken in 3 short months.

also

Happy Birthday Er! We are so happy we got to celebrate #25 with you! Just keep our wishes in mind. We love you.