Back to the 'Fro

It's been a crazy few weeks, but I have to keep pulling out the old photos and sharing them with the world. Why? I guess I'll do anything for a little attention! Okay, maybe not anything, but putting aside my dignity for a moment is a simple little thing so that we can chronicle who we REALLY are! And this whole carnival thingy is just plain old fun!

So, today I am sharing some photos that were recently recovered when I pushed a wrong button on my camera. I had given up all hope, but my neighbor ... Mac Guy came to our rescue. With just a spring loaded ball point pen, a paper clip, a leftover bag of doritos and two dimes all 1200 photos and 37 videos were recovered. We are forever grateful!

As I looked over the recovered photos, these just jumped out at me:

(this photo was mostly recovered)

What, don't you let your kids eat spilled sprinkles off the floor?

Hmmmm ...

More fun can be found at the new home of the 'Fro carnival.

Check out The Glamorous Life for a little laugh!

Okay ... a big laugh!

Is It Just Us ...

or do all kids do this?

These will not be going in the scrapbook ...

And there plenty more photos that should be kept hidden at the

Sincerely 'Fro Me To You Carnival!

The Teacher Who Made Her Students Eat Bugs!

Yep ... that's me!



Well, that's what my family says, at least!



Here's the proof:

That boy is bending over trying not to vomit ... it's not everyday we eat bugs in the United States, and our sensitive little palates are not very accustomed to the texture and taste of some critters.

So, when I offered EXTRA CREDIT to those students willing to give it a try, these boys jumped right on board. They were trying to stay out of summer school.

It was a funny day, I have video that I really need to make digital ... there were a few hurlers, but for the most part, the bugs stayed down and the kids got their extra credit.

And to my family that insists that I MADE them do it ... WHAT.EVER! (I see lots of smiles in that picture above, don't you?)

That day had to be in my top 5 of ALL TIME in the classroom, that class especially. I don't know what it was about those kids, but they won my heart over pretty quickly, and they liked me, too!

We had more fun trying to learn science than we probably should have. Thank heavens we were in a portable, or all of the teachers in the building would have been hating me. We were noisy, we were silly, we were having a great time, and somehow, we were still learning.

I see those "Skater Boys" in that picture and my heart is happy and sad. They were my favorite students of all my years of teaching. I really hate to admit that I had favorites, but those boys (despite the "D" grades they were earning in my class) were top on my list.

They came to my class, even though they were known to sluff some of their others. They ate lunch in my room. They were always willing to help with a lesson or demonstration. They were good kids, despite what everyone else might have thought.

A few years ago I was watching the news and learned that one of the boys in that picture died in a motorcycle accident. I cried, I cried for a while, I am crying while I type this. I hope he is at peace and I hope he left this world that way. Whether he knew it or not, he brought a great deal of joy into my life, my teaching career especially. He and his skater friends -

Thanks boys!

Sorry I made you eat bugs, but it saved you from Summer School!

More memories being shared at

We Are THAT Family!

Bert - This 'Fro Moment is for YOU!

In honor of my husband, a very loyal Steelers fan from a very young age, I searched through the photoboxes this week looking for some snarky little photo of him in his Steelers jacket or jersey or something. Unfortunately, there were no such photos of him ...


But I found these:

Great Easter get-up - Huge Bow Tie, Ruffled Shirt, a bit of a snarl on his face and a GUN - sounds like he's definitely ready for church.

I had to put this one in because he was such a cute kid and see that shirt? - he still wears Captain America shirts today.

Just an all-around nice shot! (hee hee)

This one had me embarrassed for him - now don't be fooled by how sweet it is that he is feeding a deer and all

LOOK AT THOSE SHORTS

if they were any shorter, well, I don't even want to think about it (I don't even need to say anything about the shirt and the hat do I?)

Did I mention he likes to make goofy faces in photos - what I like about this one is that his sister is trying to make a goofy face but still looks darling.

So glad I didn't have to go on family vacations with them - do you like Bert's hat (he's there on the left) they still had 2 more kids before their family was complete.

Look what a good example Bert and his older sister were to the rest of the family - they are trying to get a nice photo and what does Bert do??? And his older sister there on the right - I think she'd rather be somewhere else.

And did I mention that Bert is the token white guy in his family ... this proves it! I like the order they were in for the photo - I am wondering if they did that on purpose!

And now, just for Bert's sake ...

GO STEELERS!!!

There are more 'Fro moments today at:

We are THAT Family

I Need a Little Sunshine Today ...

As I look out our cold, hazy day, I need a sunny little pick-me-up. So, I dug out these gems from our family trip to St. Thomas and realized they were the perfect thing for the "embarrass-yourself-for-the-sake-of-blogging" Thursday party called

Sincerely 'Fro Me to You

go check it out!!!

Some of the highlights of the trip included beautiful beaches, lots of cameras, touring around the island in an open air bus, going deep sea fishing (and feeling sorry for, but now making fun of, my sister who was yacking over the side of the boat for most of the trip), and trying to meet some men! And as for that photo of me on the boat with my yacker sister ... Annie fro, TV glasses and braces - I was lookin' HOT!

Yep - it was a great trip!

Seriously, it was a great trip, thanks Mom and Jerry - we even flew First Class, back in the glory days when they GAVE you a deck of cards to play with and a pillow and blanket to keep you comfortable. Ahh the glory days of air travel!

Our Resident Artist

We appreciate the arts in our home. One of our prized possessions is this print by the artist Joan Miro, a spanish surrealist. I can't just say painter, because he created art from many different media, more than I can even think of right now.

I share all of this because I think The Boy has been quite influenced by the art of Miro. Here is a little tour of his artistic endeavors:

This is one of his earlier pieces, circa summer, 2008, it "hangs" in our Front Room:

"Roller Coaster"

Here is something from his Realism phase:

"The Whale"

Now he starts to venture into other media, very Miro-esque I would say:

"Locked"

He shares his artwork with his sisters - such a kind brother:

"Farko"

He is getting bolder with color:

"Foogs"

And his masterpiece (also "hanging" proudly in our Front Room)

"Savannah's Dad"

(he's trying to get in good with his future in-laws, I think)


And we are sharing these works of art with the fabulous photo carnival

"Sincerely 'Fro Me to You",

hosted by THAT Family!

Bert's Christmas Dance Recital

Bert isn't going to be too happy about this post, but since he has come down with a head cold today, I am pretty sure that I can outrun him, even with my gimp knee!

A few years ago, at our Church Christmas party, some men were asked to recreate the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy - here are some of the highlights.

(and I hope you all enjoy the music, this is not the version of the song they danced to, but I am hoping Bert will appreciate it and it will lessen his overall irritation with me posting these photos)

This is the most Christmas Spirit Bert has ever shown, and I think you can even see a smile on his face in the 5th photo.

It's a very fun Christmas memory for me. Love ya Bert - and you totally ROCK!

For more moments that should stay in the photobox - join in the

Sincerely 'Fro Me To You

photo posting carnival - it is always, always a good time!

A 'Fro Moment for my Bro!

This "Sincerely 'Fro Me to You" moment is dedicated to my BRO

- Uncle Boogerhead -

as I went through all the photos from Christmas 1990 - This one made my day:



Those pants - I think we made him wear those at least once - such a mean thing to do to such a tough guy! I am sure they are long gone - it's a shame - the things I could do with those pants now ...




This was my first Christmas as "an adult" - one evening my roommate from my college dorm came home with this, I wasn't really sure what she was going to do with that icicle, but I kept a safe distance.




We made gingerbread houses - there's Mere




Yep - pretty scary Anne-Marie and nameless date





I think I made the little train -





Here is my attempt to bring a little holiday cheer into my icky old dorm room





and we still had this skeleton hanging around since Halloween - so we added a little Christmas cheer to him, too.





And here is my 10 inch tall Christmas Tree - lovely, isn't it?

Good thing I actually went home for Christmas - I obviously wasn't ready to handle the holiday on my own!

For more moments that should stay in the photo box, check out the
Sincerely 'Fro Me to You Circus

It's always a good time (at least for those of us willing to submit to a little public humiliation ... or submit our family/friends to it - evil laugh).

Decorating the Tree - and a 'Fro Moment from Christmas Past

Last night we decorated the tree and it feels so very nice. The kids are getting to be so helpful and make it a fun experience for everyone.

It's so much better than the days when I tackled this alone - like Thing 1's First Christmas. Bert did help me pick out the tree and get it in the stand, but the rest was up to me. When it was done I wanted to snap a photo, of course. I gathered the family, set the timer, and got a great shot of my hip:




We set the timer again and this time it worked much better.



And just as we sat back to enjoy the glow of the tree, this happened:

Hmmmm, seems we didn't have it quite straight - don't worry, we fixed it up, but it never looked quite as good as it did right at first.

Now we have an artificial tree and it does a good job of staying in place. So, with the help of my kidlets - this is what we put together last night.

And to top it off:

Merry Christmas and Happy Decorating!

And if you get a chance, share your decorating with the rest of us.

If you have some great Christmas memories that might not make it in the scrapbook (even though my fallen tree totally made it in my scrapbook), you should share in the

Sincerely 'Fro Me to You Weekly Carnival

If you want to show off your current efforts, then go to

Elsa's Thursday Share

I am sure you will find great pictures, memories and stories at both!