Box

So it is true...you can get your kids all the stuff in the world but what they like the best is a big cardboard box. My wife bought a new chair yesterday at Target and it came in a big cardboard box. I took it out of the box this morning at about 10:00, it is now 1:36 and my girls are still in the box. They had me cut 2 windows in it and make a door with a doorknob. They have decorated the inside and out. Oh yeah...the dinosaur that walks and roars and is remote control; it's somewhere in the playroom. The scooter and other stuff...all in the playroom. Just can't beat a good ole' box for Christmas!

Reflections of a year gone by...

Hmmm....2009! I'll miss you 2008, you were an exciting and challenging year. As you came into existence so did the news that we were going to have another baby...you were an exciting new year. Your winter seemed long and cold and wintry. If memory serves me correct your spring was quick and then you were summer. You were a nice summer, 2008, we had a lot of fun. Time at camp, time at the beach, time just in the yard...thanks summer of 2008, you let me relax for the first summer in a long time. Then came fall, what an interesting fall. First came our first experience with a child in school. Kindergarten wasn't all that Josie had hoped for...it's long! It's not like being home! But now it is GREAT!!! After the first week of school we were introduced to our wonderful new baby. Thank you for Eli, 2008. He is awesome. Happy. Beautiful. Next up was Sophie's first year of pre-school...what an amazing time for Soph! Then came the end of fall and the end of your fun! 2008, you came in so nice...what happened? You introduced a new concept for me, a family member with cancer. Why my dad? Why now? Fortunately it was caught early and taken out! What a scare you brought 2008! Then came the death of our family friend Lucy...boy our girls miss there poodle! Then you brought winter! Thank you for winter. Christmas...Joy...Happiness... A new poodle for the girls. Smiles...Family...Love

So here you are 2009! You've got some pretty big shoes to fill! Good Luck!

Dad

What a week! My dad found out last week that he had a tumor on his right kidney. Today he had surgery! As I sat in the O.R. waiting room this morning I had a lot of time to think. What if things didn't go the way that they were suppose to? What was taking so long!?! After about 4 hours the surgeon came out. He explained that the tumor was much larger than he had originally thought and he that he took out a mass about the size of a football. Also, there was much more bleeding than anticipated and so dad lost about 6.5 units of blood. This meant that he would be recovering in the Intensive Care Unit; not the usual procedure. Other than on T.V., I have never seen anybody on ventilator before and there was dad having a machine breath for him. What a long afternoon. Finally, this evening dad was breathing well enough on his own so the vent came out. At about 8 this evening I finally got to talk to my dad and he was his same old self, making joke and just being dad. I love my dad. I know he is going to be ok. I can't wait until I can go back in tomorrow morning and just sit by him again. Hopefully, he will be out of ICU and they can get all the tubes and lines out so he's more comfortable. Well, I think I'm going to try to get some sleep! I love you dad. Bill

Thougths on the 1st month...

Wow...can you believe that it is October already! That 1st month of school flew by. Here is what I have seen so far...let me know what you think!

8th graders - To me it seems like you guys are ready to learn. It is great teaching you guys & girls; you know how to have fun and learn at the same time. You also tolerate your crazy teacher; which is nice of all of you:) I have a blast teaching American History and I hope that you are having fun in class and are learning something! We have so much more to cover and hopefully you will gain greater insight into the formation of our country.

11th graders - I must admit I was nervous with you guys coming into the year...I don't know why, I just was. Boy was I off! I absolutely love this Junior Class! It is great to see that you guys actually think! I mean, you guys & girls are more than just pukers... you don't just want to get facts and puke them out on a test. I feel that you guys actually want to think about the information that you are given and form opinions and ideas from that info. That is so rewarding for me as your teacher. The other thing that I love about you guys is that any out of class drama stays out of class! Thank you for respecting me enough to drop your garbage at the door and coming in ready to learn. I appreciate that.

Okay, so that is what I see from the front of the class...what do you see from your seat???

Let me know.

Mr. Valima

Day 1

WOW...here we are, the 1st day of school. Are you nervous? You should be! I am! Here we go...


Mr. V

Mid Summer Thoughts...

So here I sit thinking...

I'm excited that as it stands right now I will have all 3 classes of 8th grade history and all 3 classes of 11th grade history!

I'm excited that I get to teach this years 8th grade, those of you that I had as 7th graders last year were a blast and I can't wait to work with you guys again this year! So much energy and intelligence - I can't wait!

This years 11th grade - we have some new state mandates for this year so it should be interesting; in a good way :)

Man, I can't believe it is almost the end of July - only a 5 weeks left!!!

Peace,
Mr. V

Summer

I'm not sure if anybody is even checking this out over the summer; but if you are I hope you are enjoying your vacation.