Anna Grows

Anna and Storm It is truly a Memorial Day weekend in the Fagella household with the arrival of Storm.  After years of lobbying for a dog by Anna, an opportunity presented itself. A friend works with a local rescue groups was looking for an emergency home for a 12-year old cockapoo named Storm.  Storm's owner went to a nursing home, so he was dropped off at a local shelter.  Due to his age, the shelter was going to put him down until a local rescue group (our friend Sara) picked him up.  After some negotiating with Anna about what she would need to do, we decided to try Storm out. So far, Storm appears very well trained.  He doesn't bark much, doesn't shed, and is rather laid back.  He absolutely loves to go for a walk and enjoys playing ball and tag in the yard.  He also really loves hanging out in the back yard.  Anna is getting up to take him for a walk in the morning and at night and is dutifully cleaning up after him. We are all getting use to each other and wi

Anna & Christopher working on their heart models May is a busy month at school as activities start to wind down.  This past week was one of Anna's busiest with a couple of field trips and some other fund school activities mixed in. This past Wednesday was the 4th grade field trip to Mount Vernon.  Since the 4th graders in Virginia study Virginia history in social studies, it was a fitting trip.  Theresa joined in as one of the chaperones and about 40 kids plus chaperones boarded the bus for Mount Vernon.  Upon arriving, we passed 37 tour buses on they way in (some of the kids were counting them).  Let's just say that Washington's estate is just as lucrative now as it was when he was alive. Building a fence at Mt. Vernon The trip marked the first nice day in a couple of weeks with temperatures in the low 80s and no rain.  The focus of the trip was on Washington's work as a farmer, so the students spent the time learning about crop rotation, building fence

80s Day at School Grandma and Grandpa arrived for a long week visit to celebrate grandparents day with Anna.  This is an annual school tradition and is marked by several fun events for both kids and grandparents, including the annual spring show. Anna was particularly excited to go to school that day, not only because of her grandparents but because it was a dress down day.  Thanks to the spring concert, the students were allowed to wear their 80s attire (that would be 1980s as opposed to 80 year old).  Grandma and Grandpa were dropped off at carpool with Anna and got to go to class with her.  Her teacher arranged a game of grandparents vs. the students multiplication bingo.  The grandparents went to mass with the kids and were treated to a breakfast afterwards.  The grand finale of the morning was the spring show. The spring show was without a doubt one of the most entertaining events.  First, you must give credit to the music teacher, Miss Nickel, for knowing her audience and