Happy Friday to you!

We are coming up on a long weekend. Which means great things to a fifth grade student, and a fifth grade teacher! Our family is trying to recover after spending one night in the hospital with this little pistol as he suffered through having the flu at only four months old. I think we are on the up and up by the looks of things...



You might not know it, but Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is also the National Day of Service. Our class had some candid conversations this week about laws, rules, protesting, government, etc. in light of the Tuscon tragedy and in reference to our civics lessons. It is hard to persuade an 11 year old about the need for laws and rules, but even they could see that as Americans we allowed to civily disagree and have a voice as long as we don't hurt our neighbor. Why don't you spend the day helping a neighbor?




If you and your family are looking for a way to lend a hand on Monday or in the future, check out Serve.gov. This is an easy way to find volunteer opportunities in our area. Can't actually get out and volunteer on Monday, here are some quick and easy ways to help one another...

*head to a local park and pick up trash as you play
*donate used towels and blankets to the Leon County Animal Shelter
*round up your gently used books and take them to the library or Senior Center
*ask an elderly neighbor if you could rake their yard or sweep their driveway
*make thank you cards and drop them off at the Armory
*bake some cookies and take them to the fire station closest to your home
*drop off some coloring books and crayons to the pediatric floor at the hospital (2nd floor at TMH, we were just there)
*call a grandpa or family friend and thank them for volunteering to serve our country

Enjoy a day off, but more importantly enjoy serving others!