charmer

first, the back story...Layla has a brand new, fresh out of school teacher this year for grade five.  Mr. J. is married to a super sweet lady who babysat our crew for lots of years.  did i mention she's very brave??  :) she was always "a hit" when she came, bringing fun crafts and activities for the kids to do while Jeff and i were out trying to salvage our sanity enjoying our date without kids in tow.  then our babysitter grew up and met a fine young man.  he was fun and funny (and paid attention to the little cherubs) and the kids quickly decided the young couple was a perfect match.  E&J pretty quickly determined they were meant to be married, and on their wedding day Layla and Adam stood as their flower girl and ring bearer. 
fast forward to today.  Mr. J. finally graduated from many seemingly endless, gruelling years of juggling a family and school work, and today is the new, full-time grade 5/6 teacher at TCA.  such a happy surprise for miss Layla.  
well, let's just say Layla's interest in school is at an all time high.  there are daily "Mr. J." stories painstakingly recounted as i listen on, doing my very best to piece together the missing parts.  she shares riddles, gestures, funny comments, crazy moments, and on and on and on....get my drift? :)  Mr. J. dare not leave for a day or ever be sick, because then her sparkle dims a bit and school is just way more ordinary. 
so, Mr. J. has also openly shared with his class his passion for the Baltimore Ravens football team.  this is something that has stuck with her, and suddenly, our not-very-interested-in-football daughter is talking football and showing interest in the game.  not only that, however.  she's taken to marking her tests and assignments with messages much like the one below. 

this is her spelling test.  in the corner "Ravens Do Rock".  along the edge "Your teaching does too! Du-hh!"  oh my....super cute, for now at least.  hopefully Mr. J.'s good with sap, because i can just imagine his Christmas card...