The Dalton Circus: 2009

Monday, August 31, 2009

Hi, there! I found a few extra minutes (rare lately) so I decided to try and update the blog!! Actually, extra minutes are just minutes that I borrow from something else that needs to get done!

I started my new job this past week and I am exhausted!!! I have, literally, hundreds of students between the two schools and my schedule is ridiculous! I have three or four (depending on the day) classes in the morning at the first school, a break to eat quickly and drive to the second school, then four classes each afternoon there!!

I also started the final classes I am required to take for my NC license. It is so funny to me that I have been teaching for five years and NC is still making me jump through these hoops. My experience in Va doesn't even count in NC!! I wouldn't have had to do HALF of the stuff in VA that NC is requiring me to do. You may ask: does that speak well for VA teacher standards? I'm not sure, because some of the NC requirements are ridiculous. Such as a third year of mentorship?? I didn't know about that one until last week! Shouldn't experience count for something there?! I know how to write lesson plans, operate the copy machine, find the drink machine, that I shouldn't paddle the kids, etc, etc, etc. I also had to go to great lengths to approve classes in Theatre that I took at Averett that NC said were not exactly what they wanted me to have in order to teach drama to little children. These are standard classes at an accredited university...? I got it worked out but not until I got two of my former professors involved in the fight. It's been a long road, but now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The boys love school and are doing great! True said that school was boring until Friday because that's when they had a little fun and he was tired of going over rules. Reese said that 5th grade is awesome and he loves changing classes. Cole got the classes that he wants and I think he is enjoying being the top dog at school- AN 8TH GRADER!!!

Reese had a wonderful birthday- I can't believe he's DOUBLE DIGITS! Thanks to all who called and sent cards.

Barry and I are competing in Atlanta in October, so we're really excited about that. While we were rehearsing the rumba the other night, I creamed him in the eye with my elbow! I felt so bad because it knocked his glasses off his face, it was so hard. It didn't turn black, though, just felt sore for a few days!

Ok, I have a few pictures but not many- sorry!! I know that's why you're here:) Love you guys!

****************************************************************************Here's one of our routines for the competition, if you would like to watch- it's pretty rough right now!!

Reese's Sleepover Crew! (Wildest one EVER!!!!)

Ya had a birthday, too!!

Reese's Birthday dinner pick: Steak and Shake!

I love this picture of Barry teaching True how to cast...

True at the Moose Cafe at the Farmer's Market- Love that place!!

Devil's food with cream cheese icing and oreos...

Why does summer have to end :( ????????????

Saturday, August 29, 2009

I just spent an hour on a new post and then posted it to our dance blog!!!!!! Please go there so that I dont have to repost!!! Thanks:(
barrydaltonschoolofdance.blogspot.com

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

More New York Pics...

Lobby of our hotel- I highly recommend it- Affinia

I don't know what this place is.. but cool picture!

Reese at Yankees game

after the game

Reese at the Met

Barry and Reese at the Met- the Egyptian ruins were so cool

and there was a beautiful Tiffany display...

Chinatown before the MONSOON!!!

our wonderful hotel room

Cole and Brandy at Morimoto

my guys strolling downtown

close up of my Angry Chicken

Sunday, June 21, 2009

New York State of Mind

Happy Father's Day to all! I have the best Dad whom I thank God for and I am so proud of my husband and the wonderful dad that he is to the boys:)

We had a blast in NYC! It was a little iffy Tuesday night as to the fate of our trip since Barry was sick and had scratched his eye! He had to go to the eye doctor who told him to take out the contacts and let his eye heal. Problem was, he had no glasses anymore, so he had to call around town until he found the one place that could fill the prescription the night before we left! He still had a cold when we took off early Wednesday morning, his eye hurt, he had a headache and was trying to adjust to the glasses, but by Thursday morning he was ok! He looks so handsome in his glasses:)

I am so happy that we took Reese and that Brandy was able to tag along at the last minute! I casually mentioned the trip to her last week and within days, she was booked to come with us! Showing people around New York to my favorite places is such a joy. We had a little rain, ok- a LOT of rain- but it did not stop us!! We had non-stop fun and just kept going even though it was weird to wear a hoodie and jeans in June!

Cole went with his school group and we got him from them on Friday and he flew back with us. He had a great time with his group and we were so glad to see him on Friday- yes, I worried a little bit about a 13 year old in New York City!! His chaperones took good care of him, though, and he got to meet Ben Vereen! (I'm jealous. The only celebrities we saw were Hello Kitty and Constantine from American Idol crossing the street!) He also took an acting workshop class and saw Wicked and Phantom of the Opera.

We saw Stomp, which was amazing. I don't think that we could have picked a better show for Reese- he loved it. We had the best meal at Morimoto- sushi by the master- at least, those trained by him- he wasn't there:( I did try the shrimp rolls, which even I loved, but my entree was "Angry Chicken"- SUPER SPICY and wonderful. We had pastries in the East Village at De Robertis, an Italian bakery that has been in operation for over 100 years. We had the usual crazy cab rides, a monsoon in Chinatown as we tried to bargain shop on the sidewalk, and delicious Chinese at Big Wong King, my favorite Chinatown restaurant. We saw the Yankees play at the new stadium and had pizza in Little Italy at Lombardi's, the first pizzeria in the US- I always wanted to go!! It was worth the wait- delicious. We took a boat out on the lake in Central Park, visited Grand Central Station, and of course, ate delicious pastrami and corned beef at Stage Deli.

Lots of great eating, lots of walking, lots of excitement- that's New York!! Glad to have had a safe trip and SOOO glad to be home!

Reese's first plane ride! So glad to let him be an only child for a few days!

Times Square arrest :)

Wednesday we had beautiful weather...

the ferry at sunset...check out the reflection of the Statue of Liberty in the window..

giant turkey sandwich at Stage Deli...I have decided that I like them better than Carnegie- they allow you to order a half sandwich instead of forcing you to waste food or pay a big "sharing charge". Plus- their pastrami and slaw was better. Enough said.

I kid you not, within ten minutes of arriving at Central Park, Reese was in a pick up game of football with about 10 NY school kids. He just walked up to a kid with a football and asked did they want to start a game! He said that the boys asked him where he was from and when he said NC, one said, "But you're not a hick!" HA ha!

melt in your mouth roast pork crepes at Big Wong

our celebrity sighting...oh, well...

espresso and cannoli at De Robertis- yum.

Reese and me on the lake- Central Park

Strawberry Fields forever...this little Beatles fan was happy here

at the Met museum

the whole gang at Morimoto! Don't we look sharp:) ??

Lombardi's in Little Italy- amazing!!

Next time, YOU should go with us!!!!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

The Dalton Report

Hey!! I hope everyone is doing ok- miss you guys.

We had a wonderful Mother's Day with our mothers! I also had some very sweet presents and surprises from my boys: dinner at my favorite restaurant, Thai Bangkok, a bouquet of tulips, my favorite flower, and all kinds of homemade cards and coupons. My actually present was a trip to the dance supply store for new Latin shoes, but they were closed and I haven't gotten a chance to return yet!

Cole's play was amazing and we are so proud of him. His soccer team finished the season UNDEFEATED!! Reese made straight A's on his progress report, which meant he brought up several grades from last term- yay!! All of the boys are doing great and ready for JUNE!!! COle is going to NYC with his drama class the week after school lets out, and Barry and I will be going separately with Reese. We'll be there at the same time, just not with his group (how embarrassing that would be). I am so excited to take Reese by himself somewhere with us!! Middle kids don't usually get that, you know? He is excited, too, and said he wants to do three things: visit the Statue of Liberty, see Yankee Stadium, and wear a tie to a fancy restaurant! Isn't that sweet? I think so.

I have a play in two weeks at school, which should be actually good this time. I think my students are taking it a little more seriously since they embarrassed themselves last time by not being prepared. We'll see. I am on the committee for the 8th grade prom, which is exciting. I get to go to the prom with Barry, which is awesome to me!! What color should I wear?? Pink or turquoise??

Barry has shingles and is in so much pain- pray for him. His headaches had finally subsided after 8 straight days, and then this. Bless his heart!

Ok, here are some pictures!! Come see us :)

Cole's present from me and Barry- a new cell phone, WITH UNLIMITED TEXTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cole is 13...*sigh*

such handsomeness!!!

my boys :)

Barry and Pam

Mother's Day

Cole in costume with his friend, Keaton and this kid who insisted on getting in the shot...

Uh-oh...

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The Dalton Report

Hey! Still waiting for the computer to be completely ready so I'm just doing a little mini- post at work!

We're doing great and I'm glad to have sunshine here today!! We had a great weekend at the beach and the boys spent this week with mom and dad for their spring break (I had to work- already had mine:(

Here are some pictures... I miss you all! Check back tonight for more pictures- I promise to post!!