Lesson 540: Juvenile Lifer!

We are celebrating at the Lamp Post tonight.

School has officially ended for the 2017-18 school year,

and we are all coming home for summer 2018!

I made the cover of the Local Section

of the Erie newspaper!

Yes, that's me,

hugging a very wonderful student.

789 Accelerated Reader points kind of wonderful.

No, that is not a cigar in my mouth.

It's a noise maker.

The Best Little Elementary School on the hill,

Fred S. Clark Elementary,

gives our students a special summer send off.

Watch this youtube clip!

Not only was the mistaken cigar in my mouth sort of comical,

but the headline above my picture.

Juvenile Lifer confused a few people.

In a way, I am a Juvenile Lifer.

My life revolves around kids.

Always has.

Always will.

And kids have a way of burning you out come June.

You are worth every ounce of effort though, students!

Best of luck to the graduates--

from sixth grade

to the Seniors.

The halls will feel empty without you for awhile,

but they will soon be filled again with another crop for propagating.

We'll reproduce the same messages we've said before.

You are our future!

Make good choices.

Learn to cooperate and work with others.

Work as a team,

but never fear standing solo to be recognized

for your individual accomplishments.

 Move on to the next Big Thing.

Smile.

Thank those who got you to where you are today.

Give off enough energy to create that one degree of extra heat.

Cross the line.

Reinvest in your community.

Go away for awhile to see what there is to see,

and return to live here--

or at least come back to visit.

Erie has some fabulous spaces and places.

Relive your childhood memories,

even if they involve some heckling from your friends.

Take some risks.

Seek a supportive group.

Lean on someone in your time of need.

Life can be wacky.

That's the beauty of it all.

In fact, we all see beauty in different ways.

That's what makes us all so unique.

This is my favorite project of Sam's.

He brought this home in his art portfolio.

I don't get the Snitog joke,

nor do I care to investigate.

As usual,
Sam's artwork carries a food theme.

And a cat theme.

We're going to have a few (many)

to give away.

Contact Eloise if you are in the market for a kitten or three.

My original selfie that Ellen used for her drawing came home in her portfolio.

Proof that I can take a serious photo,

without a camera in front of my face.

I flipped my phone around to check out my newly cut in bangs.

Hair is serious business.

For the next couple of months 

the Lamp Post will be lit with lots of sunshine.

School is out for the summer,

but the lessons always continue.

Learning never stops.

Check out a video compilation of assorted photos

from end of year activities,

including Harbor Creek High School's Community Day.

What a great way for the kids to give back!

Eloise

The Juvenile Lifer

Lesson 539: School's Out!

Well, Hello Readers.

It's the first day of summer vacation here at the Lamp Post.

This day, every year,

no matter the date it falls on,

is declared a holiday in our house.

It is illegal to blog on holidays.

Blog post 540 will appear tomorrow night,

after Eloise recovers.

We brought in summer '18 with a splash.

See you on Saturday!

Eloise

Lesson 538: Eye on You

Hello, Readers!

Eloise has her eye on you.

Yes, I do!

Ellen's final drawing project was to work on facial features.

She asked if she could use a photograph of me

because it would be perfect for her assignment for detailed colored pencil work.

I told her if my nose looked like a pig,

it would be the end of the discussion.

I think she did ok!

She wanted desperately to learn noses

and hair.

She got my flip and highlights just right.

The photo was a serious one,

so it barely looks like me.

I'm hardly ever serious.

I usually have a wide toothy grin.

The photo she used was a selfie I took to see what my new bangs looked like.

Although, to me, I can't see myself--

I'm seeing someone else and I can't place it.

Your thoughts?

Very nice job, Ellen.

You can practice on me any time.
She's got a new set of pencils all sharpened up for the summer.

I can't wait to see what she works on next.

I blinked and my bird babies were all ready to fly!

The nest used to be centered atop of the grapevine wreath.

We noticed momma bird pecking at one morning this week.

Bit by bit,

nudge by nudge,

she shoved the nest over,

with the babies riding inside

jerk by gentle jerk.

She was making room for them to get out and test their

wobbly legs,

before they stretched their wings.

I've had my eye on these sweetly spotted babies.

They've been hopping around my yard

happy to be out in the world.

Sam's been moving out of his fifth grade nest at Clark School,

bringing home the contents of his desk,

bit by bit,

junk by junkier junk.

Sam also enjoys art like his sisters do.

He brought home this cool piece that was displayed in the art show.

We had to guess what he chose for the shape.

Can you guess what this is?

Look closely.......

Ahhh.  You guessed it.

A baked potato!

You are correct and certainly have an eye for art!

If you are looking for your Happy People T-Shirt order,

keep watching facebook.

The art isn't ready yet,

and should be ready on Monday.

We've had our eye on our beautiful Lake Erie this past week.

Many have suggested this recreation should be

Ellen's next art project.

The lake level is extremely high.

No beach again this year!

Eloise always has to keep her eye on the boys.

Wrestling around the water's edge.

Soon a flip flop is floating.

Then a dare to go get it.

52 degree water was hard on the jewels.

All eyes were focused on the diamond last weekend.

Sam eyed up his competition from the grassy knoll.

Scouting was worthwhile,

as a home run was in store for him.

It's not so much about the crack of the bat,

or the distance it flies.

Without a supportive team to welcome you home,

it's not worth much.

#Team

I spend my Sunday mornings with this guy and a mirror.

On days like this,

Erik is not so hard to watch.

He literally keeps an eye on himself

Summer is almost here.

You really have to keep an eye on the kids.

Hint from Eloise:

Go buy one of the $3.88 playground balls at Walmart.

It is an instant hit!

If you have kids in the summer,

always have a plan.

Too much unstructured time leads to trouble.

Pulling weeds can quickly turn into pulling your perennials,

and pet toads find their way into your child's bedroom.

But, nothing compares to this video of the week.

If you don't watch the little ones near paint--

this is what can happen.

I haven't decided what I love about it the most:

the way the boy says Daddy,

or the way the little brother takes cues from the older brother.

Have a great week!

Eloise