Suzanne Snowden

Long time no see

2010-06-27T20:14:00.000-07:00

Snowden's cake and best friend Tanner.

Here's what you missed: Snowden's birthday. 5 years old.

Sorry for the lenghty absence. Since I am becoming an expert tweeter (if I visualize it it will happen) I thought I should keep this updated too. Even though the reason I started it was to keep my Dad updated on the kids. Then I found out he had no clue it was here ( :) funny) and I sort of lost interest. Now my goal is to figure out how to print it out, like a diary. If I can do that, then it would be worth updating. My private thoughts for the day.

Snowden Learns to Read

2009-12-22T18:48:00.000-08:00

Snowden surprised me early this month with his ability to READ! I had no idea- one day he just read one of Katie's flashcards to me. The first official word: CAN. (I love that "Can" was his first word. Of course I am assuming he was thinking of the verb form not the noun.) Since then he has been reading everything in sight. Last night (12/21/09) he read 5 of the first "Hooked on Phonics" books.

The Nutcracker

2009-12-22T18:36:00.000-08:00

Matching outfits from Katie's birthday celebration- how cute they were. We had a really special night out with Carly and Jennifer when they invited us to the Nutcracker at Chrysler Hall. The girls took lots of pictures of each other and us, did a great job staying focused during the performance, and then dissolved into crazy silliness as we got ice cream later on. The perfect evening!

Decorating the tree

2009-12-22T18:30:00.000-08:00

School Club Roundup Winners

2009-12-22T18:23:00.000-08:00

This is my AM class and PM class receiving their certificates from Mr. Siff from the k4amg club for their participation in the October international Ham Radio event "School Club Roundup." They made contacts with almost all the United States and several foreign countries that week. How cool is that to talk to Ukraine, England, Italy, France and Switzerland all in a week?

In a Dark Dark Room...

2009-12-22T18:15:00.000-08:00

Katie and Snowden LOVED this scary book from the library. She read it to him twice one day.

First Bloody Nose

2009-12-22T18:11:00.000-08:00

Here is proof of Snowden's first bloody nose (see the blood splatters on his Tae Kwon Do jacket.) It happened at the Tae Kwon do class- but it wasn't during an intense sparing match (as I'm sure the story will be told as he gets older) It happened when his friend tripped him going into the room.

Playing in November Leaves

2009-12-22T18:06:00.000-08:00

First Tae Kwon Do Tournament November 14th 2009

2009-11-15T21:53:00.000-08:00

Katie and Snowden got a gold medal for their participation in their first Tae Kwon Do Tournament.

November Flood 2009

2009-11-15T21:23:00.000-08:00

Katie and Snowden woke us up saying, "there's a flood in our yard!" And they were right. Four days and nights later we are finally going home to deal with the mess. Someone is coming to get our water system and hot water heater fixed. And only one corner of the living room got wet inside- we got lucky! But the garage is a big flooded mess.

Showing what they do at school- 2009

2009-11-15T21:14:00.000-08:00

Katie and Snowden showed us the work they do at school on a visitation night.

Halloween 2009

2009-11-15T21:10:00.001-08:00

Harry Potter and Hermione, of course. (Harry Potter was a little pissed at all the picture taking.)

And even more birthday fun on the weekend...

2009-11-15T20:47:00.000-08:00

Then, of course, we finished the birthday celebration with a Hannah Montanna family party (and a playdate with two of Katie's school friends Riley and Brandon.)

More Birthday Fun with Carly and Nick

2009-11-15T20:14:00.000-08:00

Later that day... Katie's birthday got even better when we met up with Carly and Nick at Macarthur Center. After lunch and the Build a Bear workshop (where everybody got an animal) we went shopping and Carly and Katie got the same cute outfit. It was a great day for Katie to hang out with her favorite friend.

Somebody's 6th Birthday Circle at school

2009-11-15T20:08:00.001-08:00

Front Yard Fun October 2009

2009-11-15T19:52:00.000-08:00

Earning the green belt October 2009

2009-11-15T19:47:00.000-08:00

Testing for a Green Belt October 2009

2009-11-15T19:00:00.000-08:00

Katie and Snowden tested for their cubs green belt with Mr. Baker at his Virginia Tae Kwon Do Academy. They both did great- only a picture of Snowdy here because Katie was too far back.

Duck Race 2009

2009-10-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

We watched the Duck Race from the Bridge as usual, but the excitment this year was the breakaway ducks.

The bouncy thing was a blast until someone unplugged it and it collapsed on the kids and I had to dive in and rescue Snowden (who was stuck inside on the other side of the collapse.) See this happy picture then see the even funnier video of the collapse below.

Uncle Billy's Chopper

2009-10-19T18:38:00.000-07:00

Uncle Billy drove his chopper over for a visit!

First Day of School September 2009

2009-10-19T18:28:00.000-07:00

Katie is proud of her work on the hundred board!

Miss Donna shows Snowdy his hook on his first day at the new school location.

Katie's first day of Kindergarden!

Last leg of 2009 vacation

2009-10-19T18:16:00.000-07:00

After the Arch we stopped at Marengo Cave in Indiana and were thrilled with the place. We took the tour and also practiced mining for gold using a bag of fake gems in dirt we bought from them. It was awesome. Then we stopped at the Louisville Slugger Museum in Louisville, KY. We took the tour and got a free souvenir bat.

The Arch August 2009

2009-10-19T14:18:00.000-07:00

Ususally the drive home from a vacation is a bummer but we managed to make it FUN. We started the way home with a trip to the Arch in Saint Louis. At first the kids had some apprehension about the elevator in the Arch (see picture) but they enjoyed the top and the view.

Illinois State Fair 2009

2009-10-19T13:56:00.000-07:00

Jacksonville is always on our Illinois schedule too! We visited Grandpa Snowden and Pat and even went to the State Fair in Springfield with Grandpa Snowden! A highlight was the Giant Slide from Mommy's past. Mommy, Katie and Snowdy went on that one together- it's still big. We saw pigs and much more at the Fair.

Industry Illinois August 2009

2009-10-18T20:28:00.000-07:00

Industry is always the highlight of any vacation we take. Where else can you slip and slide with cousins, climb a jungle gym with your dad and draw on your face to act like Harry Potter?

Chicago in a nutshell...

2009-10-18T20:13:00.000-07:00

Chicago in a nutshell... Day 1: Sears Tower (stood in the glass box hanging on the side of it) Field Museum (saw "SUE"- the biggest dinosaur found in US) Chicago Architecture River Boat tour, American Girl Store (that was a Katie and Mommy only adventure. Money was spent. A Molly doll came home with us.) Day 2: Wrigley Field Tour, dinner at Harry Carey's, Cubs game where the Philly's beat them badly, taxi ride home where the kids fell asleep. Day 3: Museum of Science and Industry where we saw the Harry Potter exhibit (again, money was spent. Wands, glasses, golden snitches, chocolate frogs, etc.) Then the drive to Industry. Chicago was the best vacation any of us had ever had.

Big August Vacation 2009

2009-08-09T18:17:00.000-07:00

Day one, third movie.

Charleston, WV

Louisville, KY

Two days down in our big August vacation! Day one was full of driving and one accidental detour. Poor Gary- his Bertha let him down (what we named our GPS lady.) But the mistake in roads did take us to the very cool "Pink Cadillac Diner" near Natural Bridge in Virginia. Katie and Snowden ran from King Kong there and we all ate well.

Then we called it a day in Charleston WV where Snowden took over the bed in the middle of the night like he ALWAYS does when he gets in bed with me, and I, triumphantly, in the middle of the night- got this picture as proof.

Everyone then woke up to breakfast in bed served by Mommy, and we were off to Louisville KY! We went to the Muhammed Ali Museum and all had a great time with the interactive exhibits at Ali's "training camp." Everyone hit the big punching bag in the ring, shadow boxed with ALI and hit the little bag that hangs high. (Sorry Gary- I don't know what you call it.) It's a great museum. Gary had the most fun. As Snowdy says, Ali is "daddy's favorite puncher ever!"

Tonight I knew the vacation was really on when I heard myself say these words to Snowden,

No, what I want you to say is 'I'm sorry that I farted in your face!'

Bike Show with Uncle Billy

2009-08-01T18:48:00.001-07:00

Gary, Austin, Frieda, Katie, Jill, Snowden, Sherry, Billy

We went to see Uncle Billy at a Car Show in Norfolk. Gary had a mini family reunion when his Aunt Frieda and cousin Sherry came by too. Snowden liked the bike. Katie enjoyed inspecting the cars, too.

Family Fun July 2009

2009-08-01T11:50:00.000-07:00

We visited with our cousins for two fun packed days when they came to Virginia from Illinois. First we joined them at their hotel in Williamsburg (we were given the room right next to theirs by coincidence!) and the kids played in the pool. We also took in some Colonial Williamsburg shopping and eating while we were there. (Apologies to everyone who might have been on Duke of Gloucester street that night and got "shot" by the little patriot thugs with the "shoot gun" as Snowdy calls it. )

Then we went to Nauticuus the next day and visited the Battleship Wisconsin. Then on to the highlight of the trip when we played at the beach for a couple of hours. Nicole saved Katie from countless waves and JD helped Snowdy with a sandcastle. The waves were awesome!

July 15th Camping at Northwest River Park

2009-07-21T19:13:00.000-07:00

We rented a cabin at Northwest River Park for 2 nights and got right down to the fun by playing Hungry Hungry Hippos.

Of course we brought a tent to go in our cabin.

There was a conspicuous absence of TV. Even on Gary's phone (and he really TRIED.)

Somebody had to be convinced that reading scary books would be fun. And then it was!

We went boating. Daddy used a canoe and Mommy used a paddle boat! It was really fun.

We cooked out and then ate in.

The last night we ate popcorn and the kid told me stories.

July 10th Snowdy at the dentist

2009-07-21T19:04:00.000-07:00

Snowdy's first visit to the dentist went great! (Well, his first visit where he would open his mouth.) He did the whole shabang this time and went home with a cool bouncy ball and toothbrush, of course.

Dollar store marbles

2009-07-06T19:55:00.000-07:00

You can't beat a bag of marbles from the dollar store for an afternoon of fun on the porch.

4th of July

2009-07-06T19:08:00.000-07:00

We went to the YMCA late on the 4th of July. Katie and Snowden had the kiddy pool all to themselves and had a blast.

Presents

2009-07-06T18:57:00.000-07:00

Daddy got a Wii for Father's Day (here he is showing Katie how to box) and Mommy got this nice cake and a video camera for her 46th.

Dorothy!

2009-07-06T18:43:00.000-07:00

It's kind of fun to dress up like Dorothy sometimes in July.

Kansas City here we come...

2009-07-06T18:13:00.000-07:00

I went to Kansas City for a week at the end of June with my students Mike and Tanner (and Tanner's Dad Curt) for the National Skills USA competition. They did a very professional job and came in 7th out of 17 competitors. Mike's Dad even drove down from Wisconsin! We visited the Jazz Museum (where they performed their contest, getting interviews and gathering natural sound) and the awesome WWI museum which is where I took this picture. It just opened in 2006 and is the best of it's kind in the world. I was lucky enough to fall into a tour guided by the museum's former President Carl DiCapo. He is now in charge of procuring items for the museum like the WWI tank and the only surviving Harley Davidson motorcycle from the war.

Summer Fun

2009-07-06T17:40:00.000-07:00

Today they presented a study showing that coffee consumption may halt alzheimers. Life is good.

But I am so behind on posting our news. So here is a very abbreviated version of the last couple of months for the Barnett/Snowden's:

Smithsonian Natural History Museum!!

Tide's Game

2009-05-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

I got 20 tickets to the Tides game at Harbor Park from my friend Al at the Wave. Gary distributed them to our friends and family and there we all were at the game last night! Our whole block was represented with us, Neil, and Doug who works next door (and his family.) Billy Land came, so did Billy and Jill and Richard and Tina (which made Katie extremely happy.)

It was great. I had so much fun introducing Snowden to his first baseball game. Then I was introduced to the "Fried Twinkie" when Jill bought me one. We had to leave when it got to be 10:00 and the 12th inning started!

Field Trip

2009-05-22T18:04:00.000-07:00

I took the day off Tuesday and went with Katie Jane and Snowden on their school field trip to Northwest River Park. I walked and rode with Snowden and his class because Katie wanted to hang with her BFF Riley. Snowden asked Ranger Carl lots of good questions on our walk through the woods, prompting the Ranger to ask, "Is he your son? He's smart!" Which prompted me to like Ranger Carl even more. The rangers and teachers warned us all to look for ticks and sure enough I found one on the front of Katie's ankle later that day!

Busy Weekend

2009-05-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

I haven't quite recovered from the weekend yet. It started Friday, I worked at school then worked at the Wave and then went and chaperoned Spencer's youth group at church for their 30 hour famine until 5 am. Then we had a fun day with Grandpa Ric at the children's museum in Portsmouth. We bought a membership to all the museums around here (Grandpa Ric's Christmas gift to us) Children's, Nauticus, NASA Air and Space and the Living Museum in Newport News- I can't wait to use it this year! Later we all went out to dinner at NANA's and Spencer enjoyed eating the first meal after his fast. Sunday morning Spencer sang in the church choir for the first time (see the video of his first song, he's at the top left) and Snowden waved at him the entire time, trying to get him to wave back. Later that afternoon Katie and I were sitting on the couch when I gasped and said, "Oh NO!" I realized we were supposed to be at her Daisy "Mad Hatter's Tea Party" at the Girl Scout headquarters. We made it there with plenty of time to party.

And the results are...

2009-05-16T20:07:00.000-07:00

Results: The Tooth Fairy came and now you can call me "General!" Katie woke me up at 2:15 am to tell me the tooth fairy had visited her room. Mommy got up and we looked at the treasure in the living room on the couch. The Fairy left two gold dollar coins in Katie's cool tooth tin. Katie brought that tin and the book it came with to show and tell friday at her school. Then Thursday I took my FCC General class test and passed it! (I only missed two questions!) Here's a picture of Paul Buckwalter (President, Chesapeake Amateur Radio Service) grading my test. After looking at it for a minute he asked Jim Hardee if he was given the right key... because there were too many right answers. (Oh that Paul, he's a funny guy.) There I am with Jim Hardee, Richard Siff and Paul Buckwalter. What a relief!

2009-05-12T18:17:00.000-07:00

Big day! After school today Katie and I went to see her dentist Dr. Smith to find out about her two loose front bottom teeth. We left there about 45 minutes later with two teeth in a box! We headed straight to the radio station after that where Katie regaled Hampton Roads with her version of the trip..."They yanked my tooth out." (Teeth, actually.) Then we came home and Katie showed everyone her new smile and teeth in the box (Daddy, Snowden, Neil and Carol.) She had fun. Luckily, just last night we read a book Mommy bought about a girl losing her first tooth. And the book came with a cute pink tin to put your tooth in for the tooth fairy to find. (YEA MOMMY! How about THAT timing, huh? Now if the tooth fairy can just remember to visit before falling asleep.)

Mother's Day

2009-05-10T20:15:00.000-07:00

What a nice day- church, lunch, Barnes and Noble, park, home. Katie brought me a nice cup of rocks and worms this morning, Gary gave me a gorgeous card, Snowden made me a beautiful necklace in Sunday school and they both gave me pretty pins they made in school. Mother's day was a success. :)

Snowden's 4th birthday doctor appointment

2009-05-07T17:36:00.000-07:00

Snowdy's fourth birthday appointment with Dr. Williams went great. (Until the 4 shots.)

Katie reads to Snowden

2009-05-07T13:32:00.000-07:00

Katie read a book to her little brother last night in Mommy's bed. It was a rare loving brother/sister moment. Wrestling ensued shortly thereafter.

Skills USA State Radio Winners

2009-05-07T13:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday a reporter from the Virginian Pilot visited my morning class to interview Mike and Tanner about their 1st place finish in the state SkillsUSA radio competition. The piece should be in the Clipper Sunday, May 17th.

The Best Day Ever

2009-05-04T19:49:00.000-07:00

I had the best day ever! Ironically, my day started with one of my favorite Sponge Bob shows where he has the best day ever! (And I told Snowdy, "Oh! This is one of my favorites!")

It started when Richard Siff came to the class carrying two ham radios that his radio club is donating to the students who passed the FCC test and got their FCC Technician Class License. It was so heartwarming to see Maurice set up his own radio and make his first contact on air. Shaquita also spoke on the air. I was so proud of them and glad that we studied ham radio as long as we did in class this year. And it was awesome to be around Richard- what a nice thing he is doing for these kids. Everyone in the Chesapeake Amateur Radio Service has been so kind and has gone above and beyond the call of duty for us in the radio class.

Then later I got a call from a reporter at the Pilot who wants to do a piece on Mike and Tanner, my two students who won the state radio contest this year and are going (with me) to Kansas City at the end of June to participate in the national Skills USA radio contest.

What is going on here? I have never had quite such an obvious validation of the work I do teaching kids about radio every day. It was nice.

Then after school I went to the radio station and recorded tonight's show. I gave a shout out to Richard and the guys at "CARS." I also started the night on air by mentioning that I had just planted flowers with Katie's Daisy troop but forgot to tell them to listen!

That was so fun too. Katie's awesome troop (Daisy troop 4702) met at our church to plant flowers and get their badge for planting things. (The badge is probably called something better than that.)

Second Stripe

2009-05-04T19:38:00.000-07:00

Thursday the 30th of April both the kids got a second stripe on their Tae Kwon Do belts! We have no idea why, but it was exciting. The first one was for their successful recitation of the Tiger Cub Promise: Tae Kwon Do is for protecting myself. I will not use it if I am mad or sad. Only if someone tries to hurt me. THIS IS MY KWI TON DO PROMISE! (Snowdy yells that last line.) And, as you can see, he is slightly challenged when it comes to saying "Tae Kwon Do."

Snowdy Turns 4

2009-05-04T18:48:00.000-07:00

Snowdy turned four May 2nd. My baby boy is 4. We started the celebration the day before at his school. He had a wonderful time being the center of attention at his birthday circle (where he dropped the earth briefly on top of the candle. Miss Avign saved the world.) Then later we went to the radio station where he talked on the radio and accepted the happy birthday wishes of friends and family and 92(9) the Wave listeners who heard him on the air. He only broke one thing this year in the studio! Mommy said, "Don't worry!" and fixed it right away. Then the next morning (his birthday) we got soccer pictures taken at 8am, played a soccer game at 8:45am, and provided the snacks for the team. Snowdy had a couple of quick moments of bravado where he showed his muscles, and a few plays where he mustered all his energy to run run run, but mostly he wanted to sit with Mommy. Then we rested for a couple of hours until the big party at Birdees where all his friends came to play. He spent a lot of his time with Max, his buddy from Kids First last year. I managed to get all of them to stand for about 20 seconds in one place to have their picture taken and it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. :) Later at home we opened his presents, Spencer put many of them together and we all played.

2009-04-17T19:01:00.000-07:00

I spent the afternoon at Oceana watching the homecoming of four squadrons who fly the F18 Superhornets. Nathan James and I were there to interview families and get sound for the radio show. At about 2:00 the 11 VFA 213 BlackLions flew in formation over their waiting families then taxied around to the welcome area. It seemed like forever until they all got out of the planes, then they walked slowly toward the families. At first the wives and children walked slowly too, until someone gave them the OK and yelled "Go!" and they began to run. It was incredible. Seeing the adorable babies I thought about the sacrifice their fathers make to do their job. How they manage to be apart for seven months and more is beyond me.

Easter 2009

2009-04-15T18:41:00.001-07:00