Happenings for Alan and Shannon

The School of Education
at
Seattle Pacific University

cordially invites you to join


*** Alan Spicciati ***


at the Defense of his Doctoral Dissertation

"Elementary Teachers and the Mathematics Achievement of Urban Students"

April 24, 2008
Thursday, 2:15 pm

Room 302
Peterson Hall



**********************************************************************************


SECOND CITY CHAMBER SERIES

SPOTLIGHT CONCERTS

First Lutheran Church
524 South I Street, Tacoma, Washington

Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 4:00 PM


PROGRAM II

“Vive la France!”

A Recital of French Works for Oboe, Bassoon, and Piano
featuring

Shannon Spicciati, oboist
Amy Grinsteiner, pianist
Francine Peterson, bassoonist

Featuring works of Boismortier, Ravel, Francaix, Poulenc, Ibert and Messiaen

March snow

I don't think we've ever had snow in spring before, at least since we've lived in Seattle. It's very pretty, though the daffodils look sad now. Bailey still has plenty of winter fur to keep her warm, so she's been out frolicking this morning.

Two boys in baseball equals....

This schedule on Saturday:

8:20 Arrive for Andrew's team pictures at Sacajawea MS
8:35 Pictures
9:30 Andrew to Steel Lake Field #1 for warm-ups
10:00 Andrew's first game
10:25 Arrive for Sam's team pictures
10:40 Pictures
(Go back to Andrew's game until around noon)
1:00 Sam to Sac. MS for warm-ups
1:30 Sam's 1st game (2 innings)
2:15 Sam's 2nd game (2 innings)

Happy Easter!

Happy spring, and Easter blessings to all! We lucked out yesterday and had nice spring weather for the neighborhood Easter egg hunt. Unlike previous years, Sam decided that the Easter bunny is okay, and actually enjoyed himself (he also figured out that it's just a guy dressed up). Last night, I told the boys that I would hide as many plastic eggs as they set out for me, so they searched the house and managed to find 51. I hid eggs until after midnight!

Today we went to church in a downpour, and then came home and stayed put. The weather hasn't improved, but we're enjoying a relaxing day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Before his first tee ball practice, Sam got in a little parading with Hillary in Pittsburgh. He's shoring up his credentials as a native grandson in the Keystone State for the 2040 primaries. For you baseball historians out there, today that's a Philadelphia Athletics jersey. Sam's also celebrating his heritage as a Quinlan, Leahy, and Brennan. But wait until Drudge finds out Shannon and aunt Kelli aren't actually Irish. (For those of you out in cyberspace, this photo does not constitute an endorsement of HRC!)

Back in the land of few electoral votes, Sam got to practice hitting, fielding, and running the bases. He was excited all day for the opportunity and dreading a rainout as drops fell intermittently throughout the day. On the plus side, that produced this spectacular double rainbow, over the green house across the street, on St. Patrick's Day!

To Portland and back for baseball

The boys had Thursday and Friday off from school last week, and since they couldn't wait to see Nate and Ian (and play their Wii), we drove down Wednesday after school. They played plenty of video games, but also got to watch Nate's karate class, go swimming, and play outside a little bit (between rainstorms). The three of us went to a lacrosse game at Hillsboro stadium on Thursday night. It was great to visit with my friends Karen and Brian Harvey and watch their son Marcus play in the game. Andrew took the picture (above) of Marcus during the game.

We drove back today in time for Andrew's first baseball practice. He had a good time, and whacked the ball well. The team was happy to get their uniforms, and try them on after the practice. Later, when we were home, Sam's t-ball coach called. He starts on Monday....and his team? Also the "A's", in the t-ball division. I'm not sure if this makes laundry harder or easier.

The latest in Space Alien Lego technology

Reading the Lego Magazine, and Andrew's latest creation. Spaceship photo taken by Andrew.

Book character day

It's dress-up week at Meredith Hill, in honor of Dr. Suess' birthday!

I'm so glad I brought home that foam crown from NY!

Dedication

When Andrew takes a lunch to school, I always put in 2 quarters so he can buy a carton of milk. A couple of days ago, I was unpacking his lunch box, and the quarters were still there. When I asked him about it, he said he needed one of the quarters for his collection (he has a book that he keeps all of the different U.S. state quarters), so he just drank water that day. I guess I'll have to pay attention to that from now on!