Drew's Schedule

8/27/2012, Mon 202 - 1, U.S. History A Jett 222 304 - 1, Math Analysis C Jett 02 114 - 3, AP English Composition D Zimm Sem 443 - 1, Honors Spanish III E Pend 104 757 - 2, Video Productions (F) F Comp lab 504 - 2, Physics G Phys lab 8/28/2012, Tue 202 - 1, U.S. History A Jett 222 304 - 1, Math Analysis C Jett 02 114 - 3, AP English Composition D Zimm Sem 443 - 1, Honors Spanish III E Pend 104 757 - 2, Video Productions (F) F Comp lab 504 - 2, Physics G Phys lab 8/29/2012, Wed 202 - 1, U.S. History A Jett 222 304 - 1, Math Analysis C Jett 02 114 - 3, AP English Composition D Zimm Sem 443 - 1, Honors Spanish III E Pend 104 757 - 2, Video Productions (F) F Comp lab 504 - 2, Physics G Phys lab 8/30/2012, Thu 202 - 1, U.S. History A Jett 222 304 - 1, Math Analysis C Jett 02 114 - 3, AP English Composition D Zimm Sem 443 - 1, Honors Spanish III E Pend 104 757 - 2, Video Productions (F) F Comp lab 504 - 2, Physics G Phys lab 8/31/2012, Fri 202 - 1, U.S. History A Jett 222 304 - 1, Math Analysis C Jett 02 114 - 3, AP English Composition D Zimm Sem 443 - 1, Honors Spanish III E Pend 104 757 - 2, Video Productions (F) F Comp lab 504 - 2, Physics G Phys lab

Pic of the day...

So Drew tore his shirt. I said throw it away. He said lets try to fix it. Maybe he has a sewing skill I don't know about.

Second day of school for Drew

First Day of Drews JR year at VES

A Successful Orientation to VES

This past weekend the campus of Virginia Episcopal School bustled with activity as faculty and administration welcomed over 76 new faces to campus. These students began their journey Toward Full Stature by overcoming adversity and participating in orientation games within Van Every gym when the planned trip to a low ropes course at Lynchburg College was canceled due to weather.

The esteemed Senior Counselors and Community Life Director, Chad Hanning, led the group through a series of ice breaker games. Each activity taught the new students a little more about each other, and with some explanation from the counselors, a lot more about the school.

Vampire tag taught the importance of finding your niche. Helium stick, the importance of working together and asking for help and the marshmallow challenge taught time management and leadership skills.

Equipped with just 20 pieces of spaghetti, a yard of string, a yard of masking tap, one marshmallow and 18 minutes students were given the task of assembling the tallest free standing tower, capable of supporting the marshmallow, possible. With a tower of 11.5 inches a group of freshman earned marshmallow challenge bragging rights.

Drew said he had a great time and was happy to be able to make a Target run and hang out with friends afterwards.

Dancing at Duke.

Class started for me yesterday and I have 3 great classes. I am really looking forward to this term and teaching all my students how to dance. Mariah has been at school for 5 days and still seems to love it. We are beyond thrilled. I had a wonderful lunch with a friend today who just so happens to be 94 she is still sharp as a tack and I pray that I am still doing half of what she is at 90.
Doug is going to the soccer game on Friday and I am a bit sad to stay behind. Only one of us is able to go because Mariah has gym training Friday from 330 to 630. Drew sent me this email today and I wanted to share. He is amazing in so many ways.

10 Things That I Think Are Beautiful

·      The sunset on Cabarete beach after a long day.

·      The splashes of dolphins sparkling in the air.

·      The feeling of heat on your body while taking a nap on the beach.

·      The sound of a basketball going straight through the net, swish. 

·      The taste of a well made hot chocolate.

·      The glimpse of a wave taking shape while surfing inside of it.

what do you think so far? It's due Friday 

--
-Drew

I miss you Drew and am so proud of you and what your doing. Love you to the moon and back.

Weekend of projects.

We arrived home from VES Friday night and just relaxed. Yesterday morning we were excited to sleep in for a change I got up at 8 and Mariah got up at 830, the only thing we don't like about the new school is having to wake at 6am, this is so challenging. The day was gray but we got Mariah to the gym for her 3 hour workout, I picked up some pants for her for school and we put together her bed frame and did some cleaning of high places in our house. Doug had to use the huge ladders. We had a day of house stuff. Did I mention how much I miss Drew, I think it is going to be harder on me than him, I feel pretty lost. He continues to meet more new friends and is staying so busy with soccer pratice and meetings, today he is joining all the new students for the day and they are doing a ropes course at Lynchburg College I know he was not so excited about it but this is another great way to meet new friends and connect with others.
Classes for Duke start tomorrow morning and I am teaching 3 this term this is the least amount of classes I have taught but I have thought I would be home schooling Mariah. I may over load for the spring and teach 5 but I have to think this one over a bit. I have to prepare my handouts and get ready for class. Im excited to use the i touch and keep attendance on the i pad. Technology is amazing.

Here are a couple of pics.

Mariah is ready for 5th grade.

First day of 5th grade for Mariah.

Visit to VES

Dougie to the rescue.

Doug and I left Durham this morning a little after 8am and drove the 2 hours and 44 minutes to visit Drew at boarding school. We had a wonderful visit. We arrived and brought the things he had asked for such as video games, tennis shoes, game controller, a new outfit he really wanted, air fresheners, extension cord. I also threw in a measuring tape and flashlight.
This was the first time Doug has ever been to Lynchburg and VES. After some conservation and tension we convinced Drew that changing the room would be a good plan. He really wanted to keep it the way it was but you could hardly more and his roommate could not even get his desk chair in the room. The first idea didn't work because of the heater thing on the wall so after much discussion and a trip to the laundry to wash his smelly dirty laundry we decided to bunk his beds! Woooo the staking affect was amazing and gave the guys soooo much room. We got it all set with only a finger booboo for Doug and decided the great work and final results deserved food so we were off to lunch and ended at a Mexican restaurant. The food was good and Doug and my meal was $4.80 each that was so cheap I was shocked. We made a run to CVS for more fresheners, battery's, bounce, Gatorade and green tea. We headed back to VES to get the laundry, fold and put away. Drew got dressed for practice and we drove him to the field and watched the soccer practice for about 30 minutes.
We headed home at around 420 and got lost. We made it home and all was well. Mariah loves her new school and seems so happy. Life is good we are totally blessed and thankful.

Missy                                    Team Daffron is awesome!!!

Annie is missing Drew. :/(

                                          Out side the  VES Chapel. It was a wonderful day.

Sleepless night in Durham.

It seems as if homesickness set in for Drew rather quick. I know it's natural to second guess your self, I do it often. Praying Drew has a peaceful day. Please do the same.

Finding the GOOD in goodbye.

This is a post I thought I was ready to write but I may have second thoughts. I am sitting here tonight wondering what have I done. I have to say that we were very busy today and did not have enough time for many tears and I wanted to stay positive and strong for Drew. There is so much good in this goodbye but also so much sadness. This is going to be an amazing journey for Drew and he is going to learn so much and experience so many new things. My handsome shy, quiet, kind, hardworking, sweet, thoughtful, caring, honest, loving son is going to gain  so many  tools to grow and develop into the man the world expects him to be. I mentioned to Drew several times today that I am so proud of him and how much I love him. I honestly cant imagine a son being better than Drew. When  GOD  blessed us with Drew he blessed us beyond my wildest dream, truly an amazing child. I am honored to be his Mother and will look forward to many future GOOD BYES.
Missing my buddy boy but know and  truly believe this is the best opportunity for Drew.
Good Night.

                                                                 Nice big  closet

                                                                            Comfy Bed

                                                                    Jr. Drew Daffron

VES dorm life.

Randolf dorm hallway.

                                                                         Shower

VES move in day.

Introducing the one and only Drew Edmond Daffron. Let the awesome journey begin.

Greensboro competition.

Greensboro comp.

Getting ready!

"KICKED OUT"

When I arrived on Tuesday might to pick up Mariah she was in the lobby crying, I ask her what happened and she said she was playing when she was suppose to be conditioning. She said you know Mom I told Sam my parents weren't here and he said "get out" I agree with her coach 100% she is at a level where she needs to focus and work hard. She said Mom it sucks to get kicked out when all the team is still there and watching. She wrote an apology note to Sam and lost privileges of technology for the remainder of the day and the next day. We arrived early to personally say sorry but its important to me as a parent she learns the life lessons. Mariah's coaches are wonderful and she is doing an awesome job.

She better be careful or she will be kicked out of the gym and will have to take up dancing with a dog.
Cheers,
Missy

Greatness....

The last 2 days of home school have been great. I regrouped and went a different direction with a different program and plan and feel 100% better. I was ready to box each of us up and ship us both to an island and call it a life. This is what I know so far.
Mariah is
Smart
Strong willed
Determined
Loud
Energetic
Hard working
Out spoken
There are lots more words to describe her but this is what I am seeing and feeling tonight.
I think I can do this.
The things we are learning in Social Studies are interesting. We are talking about field trips and she wants to go to New York. I mentioned Washington DC but she is gun hoe on NYC. A kid after my own heart.
We went to the library today and got lots of books and a few books on CD when we were leaving she ask  how often are we going to come to the library and I said every week or two and she said Mom I love home school.
Sweet dreams to you.

3 more sleeps and Drew will be going to VES prep school. Working on a post.  Finding the "Good" in Goodbye.

Missy

Home School

We have started school. Wow not sure if this is going to work. I'm so in love with this child and only want the best for her but she is so full of energy even with medication it is so hard for her to focus. When she is doing table work she is so frustrated, when she is listening to reading or being read to she is so sleepy. I have decided to give it this week and see how it goes. I know other people would say 30 days but I will know after one week.
It's math time now so gotta run.

New iPod touch!

I am so excited to type this post from my iPod. I have loaded so much of my ballroom and Latin music so that all my Duke classes should progress quickly without having to find cd's and then the correct song! Exciting day for Duke ballroom and Latin classes. They will not think I'm ancient.
Home schooling is taking shape and we have registered with North Carolina department of education. Mariah will have testing tomorrow to see where she is in her learning and we have plans to start school August 20. The name we gave out school is Regency Academy. Funny how that name came about but it's growing on me.

The CFP exam

It has been two weeks since I took the CFP exam.  I must say it is everything people say it is.  They relate it to the Law Bar Exam it I believe it, however, I have not taken the bar exam.  I just remember it from an old TV show called "The Paper Chase".  This exam was a 10 hour 250 question exam.  4 hours on July 20 and 6 hours broken up into 3 hour sections on July 21.  Thus I did not get around to getting Missy a present for her 42nd birthday but she actually likes acts of service more than presents so on Sunday July 22 I helped so much with organizing our house....Anyway, I do not see my results of the exam until 8 weeks afterwards.  This is right before I have to decide to take it again.  You see, I went into this exam with the thought it was a trial run and my real time to know the material will be in November.  I will need to take the live revue that most of the class went to in June in Oct. if my results don't come through.  Missy of course think I will pass it the first time but God only knows at this time, we will see.
I now have time to get back to the new manuals that FADS has put out.  This will help me with my business consultating with these studios.   I just returned from Pasadena CA. and San Diego and those are some fun studios with great staff.  I am looking forward to going back in Aug. as they invited me back...yeah...Well I am off to pick up Drew from life guarding.  I am so proud of him with this job.  He is working most everyday, although he likes to do the rain dance so he can just hang out inside, but that is like most employees.  Work hard when you have to but if the opportunity to get paid for hanging out then that is great too....Happy August....lots planned and lots to do...

Drew, Chloe,Julia

Drew

A friend helping a friend....get me out of this thing and yeah where is the dog trying to go for a ride with us?

Training for the OLYMPICS...NOT... having FUN ...for SURE!

Boat ride!

Julia and Drew

Mariah and Charles...fishing....

A day at the pond!

Mariah N Julia

Gym

Mariah, the girl that keeps on going. She is a beast with so much energy and talent. Doug is on his way to pick her up from the gym now. I want to hear if she passes out on the way home. She did ask me, Mom do you think we are getting paid for this?  She did have a blast last night and did not want to leave the gym.

2012 NC State Congress Schedule

The days are long, so please make note of times that would be good for your gymnast based on level...

Friday, Aug 3rd
5:00-5:50 PM - Recreational Bars (Olives)
6:00-6:50 PM - Silver Vault with Sam (Kimberlyn, Ava, Natalie, Mariah 6:00-6:50 PM - Practice Judging Bars (Shamrocks, Jades, Emeralds)
7:00-7:50 PM - Compulsory Tumbling (Shamrocks, Jades)
7:00-7:50 PM - Recreational Vault (Olives)
8:00-8:50 PM - Spotting Clinic for Vault and Bars (All Levels)

Saturday, Aug 4th
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Hands of Training for Coaches (need a few kids to stay with group for duration; Olives)
9:00-9:50 AM - Flipping Vaults (Jades, Emeralds)
9:00-9:50 AM - Practice Judging Beam (Shamrocks, Jades)
10:00-10:50 AM - Optional Bars (Jades, Emeralds)
10:00-10:50 AM - Recreational Floor (Olives, Shamrocks)
11:00-11:50 AM - Spotting Clinic for Beam and Floor (All Levels)
12:00-1:30 PM - LUNCH BREAK
1:30-2:20 PM - Optional Floor (Jades, Emeralds)
1:30-2:20 PM - Recreational Beam (Olives, Shamrocks)
2:30-3:20 PM - Beam Tumbling (Jades, Emeralds)
3:30-4:20 PM - Beam Dance (Jades, Emeralds)
3:30-4:20 PM - Practice Judging Floor (Shamrocks, Jades)
4:30-5:20 PM - BREAK
5:30-6:20 PM - Compulsory Bars (Shamrocks, Jades)

FEELINGS

This is the email I just sent to Drews school. I want to remember all of these thoughts and feeling

Hello Margaret,

I hope you are having a nice summer. I can hardly believe that in 17 days I will send my awesome son to begin a new chapter in his life. I must honestly say I am so sad and scared about this upcoming adventure. I know you hear this often but Drew is an amazing kid I love being around and he is so wise beyond his years. I am going to miss him like crazy.  I may have to apply for a job at VES. I have a few random questions and never seem to get to the phone before you end your office hours. So here they are.

Does he need an air conditioner?

Do you have a soccer schedule you could share or tell me where to go and download.

Would it be possible to "check"  Drew out for a few hours the week of  Aug 20-24? I see a break for lunch rest and pool in the daily schedule.

Have you assigned his roommate, dorm, advisor?

What will the students that are arriving early do on the second move in day?

Does he need a "uniform" for soccer practice?

What is  the policy of parents going in dorms after move in day?

I know i'm nuts but this is enough for now.

Thanks for everything. I am forever grateful.

Missy

Mariah taught me to swim!

Life....
Where did July go? If you find it please tell it to stay around a bit longer, I really am not ready for August and what this month means and brings.
We had a great July with our trip to Dominican Republic, really hot days that make you want to take ice baths, the Olympics and gold medals, fun at wet and wild water park, and loads of planning for the future.
SO today August 1, I am typing this blog after I have screwed up with the pick up time for Doug at the airport. I thought he was coming in at 11:50am not 1:50 so what can I say my eyes are not as good at 42 as they were at 41. I had a birthday last month so another July happening.
I am heading back to the airport for the real pick up show instead of the dress rehearsal like earlier.
Drew is leaving for school in 17 days my hands and eyes are frozen and wacky just looking and typing this. I am in the thickness of planning, researching, studying and  the most important part is praying about home schooling Mariah for next year. I will let you know how the process goes and what I decided. It's taxi time! Gotta roll. Later peeps.