Elser Family Blog

Spring has sprung, and Thurber has been found!

Time is going by so fast! I can’t keep up. Half the things that happen I have not even mentioned here.

Melinda came up to me excited and said “Do you know who James Thurber is??” And I did not. I knew the name, but did not know why.. Turns out he was a artist and writer 50 years ago. She said “You must check this guy out, he’s awesome! I found a book about him in the little library outside… I’m going to stalk his whole life!” All While hugging the book… lol.. Anyway, I looked him up and read some of his quotes. I started to read one of them out loud “Women are wiser than men..” she interrupted me at this point and said it from memory “Women are wiser than men because they know less and understand more”. I guess Thurber has found a new fan!.. 🙂

Melinda has a friend visiting for the night, Emily. Emily and Melinda are friends from school. They have most of the same honors classes together. I am confident they are both in the top 10 of their class, probably higher. Anyway, they hung out outside today for a little while with some chalk.

It’s obviously a butterfly, but i called it a coffee cup.

The whale that sprayed up on the fence.

The huge chalk bunny.

Rockwell and I finally broke open the Geode that we had gotten this winter in Maggie Valley. It was much nicer inside than I expected!

This Thursday Rockwell and I went to the BMX track to get some practice in.. we have not been as actuive this year so far, and need to get going.. I was practicing jumps, and the very last time I jumped, heading for the car, I endo-ed big time and landed on my head and shoulder. I thought I broke something, but I think at this point its just banged up.. I feel like It should be back to normal in a week or two hopefully. Just pulled some muscles. I went to the local pharmacy to get a sling, and was reminded how cool my little town is. I can still spend a penny!

Anyway, I have been riding a lot lately.. Here is a early AM picture of my bike (a specialized “rockhopper”) at the lock/dam at sunrise.

And Young Makers this week, we made some more little libraries! A church wanted on, and someone wanted to put one in a park in a poor neighborhood. Works for me! The kids liked working on them too.. Using the nailgun and whatnot.

Today Hannah was in Atlanta for another band performance. After that, they went to 6 flags over Georgia I believe.
Anyway, last night she texted me and said “Our hotel is officially ridiculous!”.. And I replied “In a good way I hope”.. and she replied “Our room has two tv’s and a kitchenette!” and then said “the whole place is like that” and forwarded this picture.

Yep, that is pretty nice! 🙂

Rockwell chooses an instrument.

Rockwell is going to play the baritone in the school band! That is GREAT! I am really pleased about this choice of his.
And, The baritone has the same fingering as other brass instruments, so he can have his choice down the line if he so chooses.
🙂

Hannah under the friday night lights

Hannah is in band. And in HS, that usually means marching band also. No marching yet, though, that will come. And, no Bassoon. You can’t march with a bassoon! She will probably get a saxophone when they find one for her, but in the mean time.. Bass drum it is!

North Augusta Middle School Band Christmas concert

Hannah performs in Concert band as they perfrom a Christmas medley.

OMg busy

These last few days have been ridiculous. Thursday I had to bring the cotton candy machine to school and help some PTO people start making 700 (!) cotton candies as a treat for Science and math day, I had a bunch of stuff to do at work, and a SmartKids.sc Board meeting. Friday I had more stuff at work, And a science and math day presentation (I presented a demonstration on electricity to the third graders. A couple of them said it was their favorite of the day.. yay). And this morning? OMgoodness, A hot sunburnt day doing cotton candy (again) for the carnival. Put a fork in me, I’m done. So is Kathi.. she went out and collected a mother-load of donations from small businesses around town. She probably raised a good 400$ or more for the teachers.
Go here for a whole Album of pictures from the carnival

<parental boasting mode>

Hannah had a “solo ensemble” at Aiken High School, where she had to play her Bassoon in front of judges. She got a perfect grade in the solo, and one point off a perfect grade in the Duet. In other words, she is doing well for her first year in the instrument.

Hannah made me happy this afternoon. She was looking through some letters, and the button collection, and said, “I think I want to be a genealogist for plan C.” I said, what are plan A and B? And she said Plan A is a heart surgeon, and plan B is an editor.

I like the sound of all of her plans. I’m glad she is interested in Genealogy!

And on a parting Note, Both of our Girls were mentioned in the paper: Melinda for A Average grades, and Hannah for A-B average grades. Ironically, Hannah has had her computer time reduced as a punishment, because the only reason she got any B’s was not doing/handing in her homework. Her test scores were exceptional otherwise.

I’m still a Proud Parent all the same.  </parental boasting mode>