Happy April!

Steve is busy at work posting jobs for new staffing positions and making sure all things are in order for the next superintendent to take over. Andrew is getting ready for his State tests and enjoying time with friends. For me, the days are all about packing and practicing La Boheme.

April Fools Day was entertaining. I told Andrew that Mrs. Bidiman called and said that school was cancelled and he could sleep in. Andrew swapped Steve's morning coffee in bed for a mug of lime juice. Steve told Andrew that he threw up all over the bed from the lime juice. I told Steve I was pregnant. (just kidding...I didn't want him to have a heart attack) Andrew told Mrs. Bidiman that he decided to stay in Hoonah for the rest for school year. When Steve came home from work, Andrew and I hid behind the TV and after he couldn’t find us…jumped out and screamed “April Fool’s.” Not advanced trick playing…but for Andrew the day was full of giggles and smiles. For me that is worth it.

Hoonah is still getting snow, and so consistently that Andrew continues to have fierce snowball fights, wears his snow gear all day and has started a morning ritual of “belly” sliding down the snow trench in our back yard before he leaves for school. While Andrew loves the enduring snow, Steve and I are sick of it! Our dinner prayers have consistently included a subtle pleading for sunny weather.

I have officially decided to home-school Andrew for the duration of the school year while in Oregon. He is weeks away from completing his third grade year and even with Mrs. Bidiman’s recommendation that he attend forth grade next year, the Medford school district requires Andrew to undergo a series of tests including psychological. I think that it is silly to have him go through all that just for a few weeks of public education. I have met with his teacher about curriculum and, thankfully, Steve will be guiding me through the process.

The highlight of the week was that our friend, Bob Hutton, invited Andrew and Steve to go snowmobiling. They had a great time cruising the roads, digging snow “forts” and playing with Hagu, Bob’s beautiful Siberian Husky.