HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MIKE!!

We knew from Day 1 that it was going to be an interesting ride with you in the driver's seat! Those huge, beautiful eyes just sparkled with curiosity. We could tell you were wanting to get out of that baby brain and explore the world.

My favorite picture just exemplifies your approach to life at an early age: find a book on the subject, read about it, and figure it out for yourself. Click on the picture to enlarge and see that he is reading, "Toilet Training Made Easy"!

Both sides of your brain were engaged. In addition to having fun with algebra at age 3, you took right to the piano and have filled our lives with music ever since.

We learned that it didn't do any good to discipline you by sending you to your room. That was your favorite place to go to read your encyclopedias, math books, maps and dictionaries. It didn't surprise us at all that your college odyssey lasted 13 years and resulted in 4 degrees. And, how wonderful that you have taken every opportunity to travel to enrich your education. All of your experiences from driving a truck from coast to coast more than once to introducing your students to the subways of Tokyo makes you who you are today. I'm just glad we didn't know about the wild taxi ride in the hills of Mexico until it was all over.

We're proud that in addition to teaching your high school students physics and chemistry, your main goal is to instill them with the joy of learning. No one better than you exhibits that joy.

So, Happy 41st Birthday, Dr. S------! May you and your students have a super trip to Greece and Italy over Spring Break. Come back safely with more experiences to share!

Love from Mom and Dad