Cailie, TaeQuan, LaShawn, Esmerelda, Dustin, Hilton, Kenley, Reginald, and Imari
Mrs. Swann & Mr. Jarden
This past Friday The Swann's
Class had the privilege of joining hundreds of others in the area for
the annual Special Olympic Games! We represented Beauregard Parrish and
of course Carver E.S. and my 2nd and 3rd grade students rocked! 9 out of
14 cygnets (baby swans) boarded a bus around 9am and drove about
45-minutes to Sulpher H.S. in Sulpher,
LA where the games where hosted this year. Following the opening
ceremonies consisting of welcoming speeches, prayers, and the lighting
and running of the torch around the track, all of the teams were
dispersed to their individual and group events.
Look, I found two former Swann's at the games - Jayce & Issabella (in 4th Grade now)!
And Mr. Jarden found the KPRC TV Channel 7 Team!
Our single event wasn't slated until 11:30am so we had time to spare and in the interim there were booths set up around the venue for the Olympians to engage in all types of free fun and games where they could win prizes (sort of like in carnival/fair fashion) - and they won so much that we had to find garbage bags to simply lug around all of their loot!
LaShawn visited a tattoo booth and then wouldn't use his right arm from that point on for fear of ruining it; you could only imagine the results!
Hilton had a perfect throw!
Esmerelda deciding on a strategy
And she follows through effortlessly.
LaShawn just decided to step all the way up...lol
Kenley has the hold, kinda correct...
But we have to work on his execution.
Cailie in an action shot football toss!
Esmerelda found a coloring tent activity
Cailie playing a ring toss game
Dustin's Grandma swaddled in a blanket (it was a crisp morning but warmed up by afternoon).
Esmerelda & Cailie about to take the track for their event.
Afterwards we took a rest break and headed to a snack tent where we were
provided with chips, drinks, fruit, and other treats before our
event.We had two wonderful class volunteers as Dustin's grandma and aunt
helped us wrangle our bunch and ensured they weren't lost in the masses
of other participants. Olympians from elementary school age to
adulthood were participating in events, so my students were quite
impressed as they saw how fast some of the other athletes were running,
jumping, and how far they were throwing. They were also intimidated
about how big/tall the volunteering athletes from local colleges were
(especially Dustin who is tiny and loved football, but was astonished
and had to be coaxed into a picture with the McNeese football players).
Dustin with the McNeese football players (who "took a knee" to ease his anxiety)
At the end of the day, "The cygnets" ran well and won many ribbons in the 100-Meter (their only event of the day). LaShawn,
who waved to the crowd as he ran down the track and Dustin who stopped
after about 10-steps claiming that he was tired (I think he was really
embarrassed that everyone was faster than him), seem determined to make
me work as I had to run onto the track and finish the event with him!
Check out the videos of the actual races:
At the Awards Podium:
LaShawn, TaeQuan, Dustin
Reginald, Imari, and another Olympian
I wasn't able to be at all places at all times and didn't get the pics of all of my Olympians (missing 4)on the podium (insert sad face) but Mr. Jarden did get this great snapshot of them headed back to the bus all in celebratory spirit! HA HA HA
Kenley, Reginald, LaShawn, Esmerelda,, Imari, and Dustin
It was a great day and I wouldn't trade my career for the world!
I'm welcoming in the big ole' 35 today by doing absolutely nothing! Darryl has been trying to get me out of the house all day but I refuse (especially since the restaurant is at least a 45-minute drive) but maybe I'll feel like it by then. But for now, I'm content to lounging around and being pampered by 2 out of 3 of my favorite men :)
Darryl and Rah welcomed me home late last night from my week long vacation (birthday trip to myself with my BFF) by cleaning the house. And boy was it cleaned - I actually thought the carpet had been shampooed! LOL, but this morning I was treated to a bottle of limited edition Daisy perfume! I already had the original but when I saw the limited edition I made such a fuss that Darryl must have actually paid attention - I'm addicted to Marc Jacobs perfumes, not simply due to the delectable smell but the lovely bottle! I have every fragrance simply because I love the bottles (I think I may start collecting vintage perfume bottles as a hobby). I cant wait to see what he's gonna come out with later this year.
Daisy LE Spring Edition by Marc Jacobs
I flew to Fort Lauderdale on Monday and met up with Niece, from there we hopped on a ship (that didn't sink, I might add) and took a quick week long get-a-way to the Keys and Cozumel. I really needed some sun and couldn't think of anyone more willing to drop everything and meet up with me for some! My plan was to relax and sunbathe and as Niece doesn't like laying out in the sun (she literally covers with a towel, I find this amusing) - we both like to shop so the compromise works well. And she'll sacrifice a bit for me.
Day 1 - We slept as planned. Got of the ship in Key West (we both have been there many times). Did a bit of shopping, and re-boarded for sunbathing, drinks, and more relaxation before dinner.
Niece & Nicki in the Keys
Me & The Sponge man (literally made of sponges)
Day 2-3 - Went just as Day 1 but add room service for breakfast (that's the only way we'd make it - and that continued until we left) and then a formal dinner. After sunbathing, we took pictures, went to a comedy show, and partied all night long! Now this generally doesn't happen as we fall asleep by 10pm trying to convince ourself to go out but then deciding that sleep is simply more appealing! Ahhh, the joys of getting older. I tell you if I'm not already out of the house and dressed by 8 /9pm for an evening out - it's simply not gonna happen. Walking the local markets in Cozumel (didn't even bother with the beach - both of us have been there, done that.).
The only thing that I change is my headscarf...lol
Oh no, Pirates!
Can you spot us?
These boots aren't made for walkin'
Formal Attire:
Masses and masses of hair!
Her favorite color is orange, if you can't tell!
That smile is hilarious; but yet it's my smile and love it!
The best Birthday Girl in The World!
Day 4 - More laying out and just relaxing poolside (exactly what I intended to do). They even had a life-sized chess set of which I "attempted" to set up and play. Darryl gets mad because I never play at home with him - but quickly informed me that I set the board up wrong. That's why I just posed with the pieces! LOL
Poolside (notice the scarf change)
Catching up on my Vitamin D!
I was soooo trying not to fall in...
I feel pretty "retro" in this pic
Niece just opted to lay on the board itself!
Check out the two "Black Queens".
Black Queen on a White Knight
Towel animal/flower friends: lotus, elephant,bulldog, and polar bear
Day 5 - Back in Miami (quick drive to Fort Lauderdale - its a cheaper flight out) and back to New Orleans airport to break the news to Darryl that I'd not only been in Florida for a week but actually left the country...some truths are best left unsaid until appropriate times. Like when you have great souvenirs!!! LOL
They love their Mexican Luchador Masks...
Destructo
Destroyer of Destructo
Wresting Robbie! I couldn't stop him from goin' out!
The finale - My birthday Serenade (Darryl brushed my hair out, it had been tied up for a week and was giving me a headache):
