Dynamic Duo Submitted by: Jim Ford - 11/05/08 5:12 pm

Dynamic Duo Batman and Robin? More like Haley and me! Many of you know that Haley started a new school this year. I am so proud of her having the opportunity to attend where my sister, brother, and I all went K-8. I was able to go to her new student orientation and again a few weeks later for the 3rd grade class's weekly "Dynamic Duo"; where they hilight one student, his/her family, their favorite activities, etc. It was a lot of fun and very touching. Taking Haley to orientation brought back so many wonderful memories. The school mostly looks the same as 20+ years ago. Only the teachers faces have changed along with some upgraded equipment. We had a burger plate meal after picking up some school spirit gear. Then I took Haley to her classroom and showed her around. I'd forgotten how big the classrooms are and how nice the facilities are! I went on to show her other classrooms, lab, planetarium, gymnasium, playgrounds, and the art room. We met all her teachers including her music teacher Dr. Boyd who knew Haley's Papaw when he taught music at Louisiana Tech. The gymnasium looks JUST the same and I immediately thought of dozens of events and stories playing on the junior high basketball team, climbing the peg board, riding unicycles, and lots more. I was also very fortunate enough to travel down for her first day of school. Her Mom let me get her ready and take her. I gave her a stained glass A.E. Phillips sign my Mom gave my brother back in the 70's. Really means a lot to me and Haley hung it on her bedroom wall. We headed to the school where I met her teachers again. And finally a few weeks into the new year I went down for Haley's Dynamic Duo Friday where the entire class gets to meet her family, do activities, see pictures she's put together, ask her lots of questions, etc. Her Mom and her family came and led the kids in making homemade shaking bag icecream. Haley was nervous at first but took charge and pointed out her pictures and what they meant to her. She introduced each family member and told a little about what they mean to her. Then we each got to tell a little about her! Haley and I sing together on the phone several times a day and just about non-stop during our weekends together. So I brought my guitar and songbook down and asked the class which song they'd like for Haley to sing with me. They chose Taylor Swift's "Teardrops on My Guitar". We hadn't rehearsed, but by the first chorus the entire class and teachers were singing along with us. By the end of the song one child and two adults had tears in their eyes. It was actually kinda moving and fun at the same time. Haley is such a big star! In mid-October several of my friends were in Ruston for their 20 year Ruston High School reunion and stopped by to meet up with several of our original A.E.P. teachers. Can you spot them? Dottie Ferrington, Sue Ledford, Myrtis Orr, Doc Johnson, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Colvin, and Randy Moore. Just awesome to see this picture. Thanks to Wayne Galli for sharing it! Log in and leave some comments or go to my pictures page to get more details on many of the pics you see here.

Print » Email » Comments (1) » Reads: 250