amy loves books

Drive-in Season

This year, apparently, the summer movie box office is a twelve year old boy - a fact that makes us very happy.  

So far - here are our grades and mini-reviews :

Iron Man - 

Overall family grade - A

Honestly, this was the only comic book movie I've ever actually enjoyed.  

Fear Factor - Lily spent one scene in my lap, more out of worry than fear.

Speed Racer

Overall Family Grade - A-

The way this movie was reviewed, was, in my opinion, a travesty.  It recieved an A- cinemascore from real audiences that actually saw the movie.  I can't figure out why so many critics decided to hate on this movie. It's an immensely fun and visually stunning movie.  You leave happy. 

Fear Factor - Not scary at all.

Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull

Overall family grade - B-

Good, not great.  I actually liked it more than anyone in the family.  

Fear Factor - REALLY scary for Lily.  She's seen all three Indiana Jones movies (including the first one on a big screen) and none of them bothered her.  She spent almost the whole movie in her dad's lap and had nightmares about aliens.  

Prince Caspian

Overall Family Grade - B

We were split on this one - the kids did not like it much, but parents did.  I think the theme of having faith in times of God's silence and persecution was beyond them.  I thought it was genuinely moving at times, in a way that the first film never was.

Fear Factor - 

Nobody was scared.

summer

Another year is almost officially over.  I've been intentionally silent here because this year, for the first time, I've been invested in the future careers of two young teachers.  It seemed disingenuous to blog at the time.  

All I will say now is that I am evermore assured that the most important qualities that I can cultivate in my own heart are humility and kindness. 

Today was the last day that I had my ninth grade honors class.  I have loved teaching this class.  Every single one of the kids is spectacular in one way or another.  

There's this one kid that's my token punk rock skater.  I moved him into my class because he was miserably failing in his regular 9th grade class and I thought that maybe, just maybe, he'd do better with me.  He's almost seven feet tall, carries a skateboard, and draws. He never makes it back to class on time after lunch.  It's been a constant struggle with him, because he's smart enough to realize that high school is pretty much a whole lot of bull.

But today he lingered behind when the dismissal bell rang.

He looked at me and said - almost in disgust - This is not supposed to happen.  I hate school. 

He walked past me, and just as he was almost to the door, he clarified his remark. 

A class is not supposed to touch my heart. 

It was one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me.  Without a doubt.