Meeting Mrs. Donaghey and Her Assistant Mrs. Smith

This is where it all begins: the front door of Homer Elementary's Pre-K center, which opens to the common area, accessed by all the pre-k classrooms. Homer is part of the Byng school system (not Ada); we chose it because it is right across the street from Monte Vista Academy, where the twins will be and where Emilio will be bused for an afterschool program with familiar teachers: Ms. Melinda and Ms. Kara.

Mrs. Donaghey's door is the second one on the left. She was recommended to us.

Twenty kids in the class: 10 boys and 10 girls. Emilio already knows two the boys from Monte Vista.

That's Mrs. Smith on the left and Mrs. Donaghey on the right, posing with regular Emi and shy Emi.

The house is a reading center. At the meet-and-greet, Emilio was eager to show Mrs. Smith his reading skills.

Mari says the white screen below on the left is a smart board. Nap time is from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (for those who nap).


Wednesday is the first day of school. We hope to have Emi there some time between 8 and 8:15. Breakfast is served at 8:30 (75 cents a day).

The Moves

Hereford Heaven Stampede Rodeo in Stratford

It was a hot one. Rodeo started at 8, cost $8 per adult, and the bleachers were packed. First up: the kids. I've never seen rodeo cowboys so small (see the image below on the left). Next: the pros. At "halftime," I invited Emi to join all the 8-and-unders in the arena for an unspecified frolic. He declined. Turned out to be a take-the-ribbon-off the calf contest. We lasted until halfway through the bullriders before heading back home.

Roulette Wheel, Shooting Gallery, Grocery Shopping

At the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.

Helter Skelter

When I get to the bottom
I go back to the top of the slide
Where I stop and turn
and I go for a ride
Till I get to the bottom and I see you again . . .
-"Helter Skelter" (1968) by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

The Amazing Geography Man Strikes Again

In search of the Jasmine Moranasaurus