Career Changes

OToday I handed in my resignation letter to the school district where I work. It has been a tough decision for Becca and I to make, but we have finally agreed that I will be staying at home with Simon. Soon she will be starting to look for a design job and I will be trying to teach Simon how to take a bottle again. We both look forward to this next chapter in our lives, although it will most likely be a tough transition. I have really grown to like my job and position at my school. The kids have been doing great and have invested a lot into learning to play their instruments. I know I can be replaced fairly easily, but the relationships I have with many of my students cannot be. These relationships are what will make it the hardest for me to move on.
In addition to all of this change, I have also been accepted into graduate studies at DU (University of Denver). When Becca and I started talking about the possibility of my staying home, I started looking at various schools in the area that would accommodate my academic needs as well as my stay-at-home-dad schedule. I'm pleased that DU has both an outstanding program as well as adaptable schedule of evening classes. I received my acceptance letter last week which also announced that I was awarded the Deans Scholarship! I will be studying Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in aesthetic education and technology. I'm very excited about the wide variety of classes that I can take. And will soon be swamped with reading materials and papers to write. I can't wait!
Becca has been busy readying her updated resume and preparing to get her name out in the design world. She is looking for a very specific type of job, so it'll be nice to have my summer teacher pay while she looks. Meanwhile, she'll teach me all of her little tricks to manage Simon and the house while keeping her sanity.

Last weekend was my school production of Oliver! Being one of my childhood favorite musicals, Oliver! was a delight to put on. The kids were great and demonstrated that even with a younger cast and crew, excellence could be acheived. I really enjoyed working with a pit orchestra, something I have always been wanting to do, and was amazed at how dedicated my kids were with rehearsals and the performances. But, although we had a great time, it is also a releif to have finished. My back and arms were sore with having to conduct students on a stage about two feet higher than me. And the long rehearsal and extended time at school wore me out. It's nice to have most of my afternoons back to spend with Becca and Simon."

New Simon Pics

Flickr Slideshow

Happy Engagement

Our friends Nathan and Marika announced their engagement last weekend. How exciting! We have known Marika for years (since college) and Nathan since...well, Marika started dating him. They are a great couple and we are very happy for them. Marika has a website with all of her wedding planning ideas and pictures. Here's the site http://www.marikanolt.blogspot.com/

Good Eatin'

From Web Album

When Miriam and Dave and Brad were out visiting last time, we went to one of our favorite places to eat downtown. It was introduced to us by my parents who gave us a gift certificate to eat there for our birthdays several years back. It's quite the experience! The place is called Rodizios and it's a brazillian meatfest. When you sit down at your table, 'Gauchos' with sashes tied around their waists bring you skewers of meat and vegetables until you give them the signal that you are full. Here are some pictures from our experience.

Sunny Sunday

One of our favorite pastimes nowadays includes a stroller, 65 degree days, our four legged walking companion and a scenic backdrop. This picture is from last Sunday (3/24) after we walked around our favorite Sloan Lake located near Edgewater, CO. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and our first 80 degree day!"