Chacos never felt this good!

Why must it be that tomorrow is Monday, and I have to go back to work?

Normally, I wouldn't complain after nearly two weeks of vacation time. Being an educator I've learned that complaining about work isn't usually a great idea, especially when I have so much embedded vacation time anyway. However, the last few weeks have been so nice that I dread tomorrow. "Why now?" Well, I'm glad you asked.

First, I had a wonderful time kicking back and going backpacking with a group of students and another teacher. For the last week of the trimester our school throws out the normal playbook and gets to the basics: Learning should be fun!



I drew up a scheme to take a handful of kids into the wild. I get to be outside for a few days, and they learn about Leave No Trace ethics. A win win situation in my book. Turns out, they actually liked it and learned something in the process. Amazing how that works.




















For week two, I had to do something a little more relaxing though since it was actual vacation time. I know, how about seeing the soon to be grandparents! So Emery and I loaded Fritz (our little Fit) with various elements of destruction and headed to Flagstaff.



( I know these pictures aren't of Flagstaff, but I only took a few shots during my bike ride in Sedona on Friday)


It was the first time we had seen Glo and Ron since we told them about Sesame (our little nickname for the fetal unit). It was awesome how big of a smile Glo shot me with as we entered her front door. Only two weeks before this they had been in Tucson, and Emery didn't get the word out about our little expectation til after they left! So there we were, showered with love from our family in the form of smiles and pancakes for the next several days.

The blissful serenity of the previous week is the current thorn in my side. Not because it hurt when it happened, but because the thought of the week going by so quickly and coming to an end sends a piercing sensation into my gut. Either that or the breakfast burrito isn't sitting well. At least now I can reflect happily on the whole onslaught of time off, bask in the reality that my grades I have to turn in tomorrow are complete, and that the continuing experience of expecting a newborn in May will keep the smiles and pancakes coming for months!

"You've gotta want it!"

As many folks have found out through the grapevine, I've added to my collection of two wheeled fun. A Diamondback Mission 3 has entered the bike harem in the Eaves household. Today was ride number two on trail, and one of my favorite trails at that. 50 Year trail up near Oro Valley has always given me challenges and flow, today being no exception. However, I am thoroughly impressed with how this bike handled the ups and downs. I was also impressed with how my buddy Adam handled the ups and downs. He rocked the spine that scares the living...well, just look at the photo and you'll see.

Oh, and by the way, Adam should work on his photography skills, because they aren't as sharp as his nun chuck skills!

This picture is worth a million thoughts, let alone words. Over 50 million to be exactish.