MR COWLEY #4'S TEACHING HERITAGE

Kevin, our youngest son is entering into his first year of teaching this 2011-12 school year.  He has a background of teachers in his family in whose footsteps he is following.

There is Mr. Cowley # 1.  Allyn Cowley is Kevin's grandfather.  He started out teaching 4th grade, then 7th grade science, and finished his career as a 5th grade teacher.   He taught 20 years in California from 1957-1977.

 Mrs. Cowley # 1, Kevin's grandmother, taught 4th grade her whole career.  She taught 13 years in California from 1964-1977.

 Mrs. Rice #1 taught grade school for about 10-15 years.  She is Kevin's great-grandmother on Ann's side of the family.  She taught in New Mexico around the years of 1908-1915 and Oklahoma about 1918-1930.

 Mrs. Huff # 1 taught 4th grade for about 3 or 4 years in California from 1941 on.  She is Kevin's grandmother (Ann's Mom).

Mr. Cowley #2 taught grade school for 30 years in Oregon.  He taught all those years in the same school, but taught 3rd, 4th, 5th and  6th grades.  He is Kevin's dad.

Mr Cowley # 3 is Kevin's uncle (Wayne's brother).  He has taught 7th grade English for almost 20 years in Oregon.  He is still teaching.

So, Mr Cowley #4 has a long history of teachers in his bloodline that are rooting for him and wish him great success in the greatest career out there.  Go get'um Kevin!!!  We are all proud of you!!

MR COWLEY #4 8/2011

Well, besides being here to help out with the new grand child, we are also here to help launch Kevin, our youngest son, into his new career as an elementary school teacher.  He has completed all his requirements for graduation but student teaching.  His university allows 15 or so select students to do internships instead of student teaching.  This means thy are hired by a local school as full time teachers at half salary.  They are supervised by a staff member of the elementary school and the principal.  He will have his own classroom, his own class, just like a fully graduated teacher.  This is a real team partnership between the school and the university and gives Kevin a real opportunity to jump right in and get started.  He is really excited to have been hired, chosen and assigned.
It is interesting to note that his classroom number is......

..... #14!  That is the same classroom number as Wayne started out in 35 years ago!!!! Only different states and different schools!! Another difference will be that Wayne started out in 5th grade and Kevin will be starting out in 4th grade.

 TA DUMMM!!!!!  Here he is!! Mr. Cowley # 4!!

  Thought this was interesting how this photo turned out with Mr. Cowley # 4 working at his desk and Mr. Cowley #2's reflection above him.

Teaching is such exhausting work!!

BATMAN AND GRANDPA 8/2011

One of the fun things Grandpa gets to do, on an almost daily basis, is take Batman for a walk or a drive.  While Mom and Grandma are busy with house and baby things, and Papa is busy with work and school, Batman gets kind of antsy.  So, we go out, just us boys.
One day, we went for a walk, instead of driving someplace. 
We found a busy construction site with lots of hard working big tractors and dump trucks.  We sat for close to 30 minutes just checking out "BIG TRUCKS!!!!".  One dump truck driver was friendly and waved to Batman each time he drove by.  It is amazing how big trucks and tractors fascinate little boys!

  Later on that walk, we found the duck pond we had visited several days back.  We fed the ducks, chased the ducks, climbed stairs, threw rocks, chased other little kids that came to play, almost touched a turtle and threw some more rocks.

 And then, a miracle happened!!!!  Some lawn guy just happened to come by and set up a sprinkler near where we were.  Of course, Batman had to go check it out and make sure it was set up right. 

 After about 15 minutes of acute and very active inspection, Batman determined that it was appropriately placed.  Of course there are hazards to such specialized tasks!  And Batman had to deal with the fact that he was all wet!  He did so with an ear to ear smile and the declaration, "I wet!!!!"

Then, after finding all the drinking fountains in five buildings on campus, we decided it was time to go home for lunch!!

PAINT CREW 8/9-10/2011

Megan and Kevin run the apartment complex they live in.  Megan is the office and manager  person and Kevin is the maintenance person.  Kevin had one last project to finish before summer's end and a whole new school year began.  That was to paint all the inside and outside of the building!   By the time we got there and Pineapple was born, he had finished all but the outside railings and stairs.  So he hired a friend and volunteered his dad.  In two long days, we three whipped it out.  Whew!!!! What a job that was!!! 
But that is the way our family has done things for a couple generations.  Visit and do projects together.  It is grand!!!

BIRTHDAY BOY

Kevin took Wayne out for breakfast to commemorate his completion of his 59th year on this earth.  We went to a quaint little hole-in-the-wall place where all the old guys hang out for coffee in the morning.  Good food and good company!

QUEEN PINEAPPLE 8/7/2011

Ann and Wayne have been here in Provo a few weeks helping take care of Pineapple, Batman and their parents for a couple weeks now.  It has been a long time since we have spent this much time with a newborn and are simply amazed at how quickly they grow and develop.  It is fun to be with her, and the family.  Isn't she a sweet one!!!

Kevin and Megan know so much about baby things, like wrapping Pineapple tightly so she sleeps more comfortably.  Ann and I learn a lot by being with the little family.  Ann spends most of her days and night helping out.  Wayne just wanders around, plays with Batman and tries to stay out of the way.

Occasionally, Wayne is allowed to hold #11. But, we have watched and learned that the most important thing we can do is......

  ... just let the little family be a family.  But, it is oh so hard not to be trying to help all the time!

 Aren't they cute!!!!!