Quick update

I really don't have time to post, but if I don't do it now, it could be weeks before I have another chance to sit down at the computer to update the blog. I've actually started a couple posts in the past weeks, but lately classes have taken priority over the blog... not to mention sleep. Over the weekend I started an entry about the flu (or whatever germ) that passed through the house and lingered for 2 weeks, but Lauren Clay interrupted with an "I want to sit in your lap," and we spent the rest of those free minutes on starfall.com. I have a list of things I've been hoping to post, so here goes. I may get to the picture uploads, or I may just opt for an early bedtime tonight.

-Returning to starfall.com: Have you seen it? It's a cute educational website that Lauren Clay likes to visit when she's at mom and dad's. Monday morning she asked to see the "Dancing Doll," so we turned on the computer and surfed to the site. I let Lauren Clay move the mouse (thinking she wouldn't have the coordination to do anything more than roll it around.) When she got her hands on it, she started pointing and clicking with ease. I found it humorous to see what she chose to visit within the site. Clearly she has had some coaching on how to navigate the web (or at least Starfall.) Next thing we know, she'll be logging on to Facebook...

-She likes to hit the letters on the keyboard and watch them appear on the computer screen. She call this "doing my phonemark" (homework.)

-Ty continues to grow and become more social. He is no longer content to sit and watch his mobile; he wants to be in the middle of the action. Lauren Clay has shown her first signs of jealousy with Ty since she's been sick. As soon as I pick him up, she starts wailing, "pick me up" and "I want to cuddle that side" (wherever Ty happens to be.) Hopefully this is just a phase that is exacerbated by her sinus infection and corresponding medications. Hopefully her rercent picky eating phase will also disappear as she returns to normal health.

-We have found Ty to be very easily startled. If you walk into his room and he doesn't hear you come in, he'll typically jump and then cry when he realizes you're there. The other day as we were watching Funniest Home Videos, John laughed unexpectedly and sent Ty into hysterics. At Starbucks this week, he had the same reaction when the barrista turned on the steam to froth the milk. I am a little bit like that. I don't cry, but it doesn't take much for someone to catch me off guard and incite a terrified gasp for breath as I jump out of my shoes.

-Ty started making tears this week when he cries.

-I'm re-reading Warriors Don't Cry (part of the 301 class I'm teaching.) It's a memoir written by one of the first nine kids who integrated Little Rock's Central High. Lauren Clay calls it my sad book because it brings me to tears often. It's a must-read; a sad reminder of what schools looked like not so long ago and a reality check for many of the inequities that still exist. In the midst of horrendous treatment by her segregationist classmates, Melba Patillo Beals keeps the hope that once the students get to know her, they will realize she is no different than they. When they don't give her a chance, she tries to remember her grandmother's reassurance that she was God's precious idea, and she perseveres to carry the banner for future generations.

-Miss Kentucky dropped my 301 class.

I'm off to grade papers, or maybe just sleep. I promise to post pictures this weekend.