Dick is well-known for the “treasures” he finds along the roadside when he rides his bike. But he didn’t realize this time he brought home a bug on his head and a lizard on his back! 
Birthday Party #3
Sunday, the actual birthdays of Sophia and Odin. Lenin was in Georgia at the preliminary rounds of the Masters. Stacey had to work. We met at Thais’ house.
Cousins at play.
Carter helps out.
Uncle Justin at play.
No birthday cake this time, but rather cherry pie – the one I made at Merrilyn’s a few months ago – rapidly thawed earlier today 🙂
Happy Birthday Odin
This is #4 for Odin. His party was at the G St house with lots of friends from his Beanstalk Preschool.
This has been a busy day. LGA bike ride in the morning and two birthday parties in the afternoon – I need to learn how to be in two places at the same time.
Happy Birthday Sophia
The party was at Tricks Gymnastics & Dance.
Lenin is wearing Olaf’s reindeer antlers. Avery is jumping with cousin Jeffery.
On Sophia’s right is cousin Lauren. Lots of friends from Milestone’s Preschool were also there.
Avery is helped by grandmother Rita, who is known as Lala.
Time for pizza and birthday cake.
Uncle Leno, Rita, Thais, Lenin:
LGA Bike Club Ride #3
I arrived early for the Pancake Breakfast.
The artist who created our club logo.
Another club ride, all men, riding fast.
Captain LaTraye leads the group across the Jibboom St Bridge.
Stop #1: Practical Cycle in Old Sacramento. They specialize in electrical-assist bicycles and cargo bikes.
Time to lock up the bikes find a place to eat. Well, yeah, we just rode 4 miles.
Candy Heaven – the next logical place to go.
From Old Sac we rode across the Tower Bridge and saw Raley Field, then rode another 1 1/2 miles along the Sacramento River to Miller Park before turning around.
LaTraye gave Devin some tips on stretching.
L-R: LaTraye, Monika from WALKSacramento, Devin, Angel, Ms McManus.
Total miles = 12
Rio Linda-Elverta Historical Society
I really enjoy volunteering time to the Rio Linda-Elverta Historical Society. Tonight there’s a planning meeting for the upcoming Farm and Tractor Days in May.
This meeting and all board meetings happen at Dry Creek Ranch House. There is a large beautiful rose garden in front.
The new banner going up at a busy intersection. L-R: Tom Ray-President, Ralph Hants-Director
CBET at Sierra View
The first (of four) CBET classes ended today after 32 hours of instruction. We started in November and I have come to care so much for my students. L-R: Yulith, Georgina, Julissa (kneeling), Rosa (with flowers), Maria, Dania, Teresa, Juana, Susana. Rosa received a bouquet because she completed the most hours.
While the cat’s away,
it’s time for lots of girlfriends. (Dick went to Boulder CO to visit with son Mike and Nicole who are expecting their first baby in June.) Friday cocktails with Ade and I got to give her Kylie’s doll quilt #3.
A quilting/sewing/crafting event at Cal Expo on Saturday morning
and dinner with Maria and Phyl that evening.
Three boys play in the dirt
In unison, for the umpteenth time, “The mama called the doctor. The doctor said, ‘No more monkeys jumping on the bed!'”
Positive feedback
It’s always fun to hear from or run into former students. Â This time, however, it was a truly a feel-good moment. Â Actually the feeling lasted for days, and still makes me smile. Â Thank you, Jessica for sending me the following email:
Hi Ms. Hodel!
My name is Jessica G—-e (formerly Jessica G—–n). I read today that the book The Giver is being turned into a movie and immediately my mind put me in my 6th grade class in the 2000-2001 school year at Sierra View Elementary with you at the front of the class reading the book to the whole class! I assure you I have not been cyber stalking you (until the last 45 minutes :-)), but I did want to find your email because I thought you may enjoy knowing you had a great affect on me during our time together and I will never forget a few key moments with you during that school year.
One that really sticks out in my mind is when a classmate had copied off of my math test and I had no idea (I really like math, and I imagine I was happy as a clam during the test demonstrating my skills, lol… not paying attention to anything else around me). You called both of us outside and explained the situation and luckily the classmate admitted to what she had done! Believe you me, you scared me silly, and all through jr. high, high school and college I covered my paper (probably over zealously)when taking tests!
Thanks for being a great teacher! I didn’t really realize how important great elementary school teachers are until recently when I have been researching and comparing schools I’d like to send my toddler to when kindergarten comes around and thinking back to my elementary school experiences.
Thanks for listening,
Jessica G—-e
