Phone pics

I forgot to include a couple of pictures from Brian's phone that I wanted to share.

It seems to go in waves, but lately the kids have been outside playing with neighbor kids a lot. In the backyard, we have some neighbor kids David and Luke's age who are living there just for the next 6 months or so, and they've been playing together a ton. But then in the front yard, our street is full of big kids (that's where the waves come in). Sometimes it seems like they are all gone and busy for long periods of time and no one is outside. But then we have a few really sweet middle school aged boys who will humor my boys here and there playing with them. Somehow the playing always involves wrestling or fighting of some type. One night it was swords and light sabers. (In the street with adult supervision, of course)

That face is priceless!

Another night, Brian got last minute free tickets to Columbus Clippers minor league baseball game so he took the big kids. This new stadium was just built a few years ago and it's a really fun and social atmosphere (so I hear...I've yet to go). They had a blast and Brian was glad they went, even if they didn't get home until 9:30 on a school night. Some memories are worth it!! 

What was incredibly random was that we didn't realize until the next day that my mom and Greg were at the same game! I was even texting with my mom that night and neither of us mentioned it so they didn't see each other. Still wrapping our minds around this whole living-in-the-same-town thing.

See Mom Sweat

School is in full swing! Every September I have this same feeling because all the usual stuff (Girl Scouts and Awana at church) is starting up and it's all new and busy and then SOCCER. Soccer (and now TWO kids in soccer with different practice and games schedules) is making my head spin. But I have to remind myself that everything that I'm stressing about is only 5 weeks long on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 5:30-8pm. So we're talking about a maximum 40 hours of craziness. It'll be ok, and the kids are loving it.

Two themes for David right now: Proud of Himself and Exhausted.

Here he is on his first official first day, with his full class, the whole 2.5 hours, etc. He was NERVOUS - looked terrified as he was walking into the building in his line.

We were the first ones there...this group is not nearly as prompt as the PM class two years ago.

But so far (knocking on wood, fingers crossed, etc), he is doing really well. He really likes it, and every new thing he does, he comes home and tells me about his new accomplishment that he is so proud of. And he says he has friends, but he can't tell me any of their names. One night at dinner, I was asking him to describe just one of his friends to me...anything about them...boy or girl...hair color...anything. David's eyes glazed over and Brian said, "If he's anything like me you are killing him right now." *sigh* So I'll give him some space.

He's coming home with some unfinished work - but I'm not clear if he is a slow worker or if they aren't expected to finish or if they are supposed to finish at home? Got our first newsletter today, so I'm hoping we're on the road to clearing things up.

I was SUPER proud of him for being the first kid in his class to get on BLUE (for being a superior listener) and get to pick a prize. Then he did it again today - keep up the good work Bubs!

And he's hilarious about soccer - just so proud of each new lightbulb that goes on. Sometimes he dances around the ball, and sometimes he's getting in there to play. Either way, it's a structured way for him to burn some energy. Win.  But he's so tired. He plays hard every morning, goes to school every afternoon, and then has soccer two nights a week. He's napping on the weekends to keep from melting down.

Now it's time for the preschoolers to get started...

Landon (Beth and Jason's son) and Luke are buds.

BIG week

So much has happened this week!

On Monday, after several attempts throughout the summer, David finally "clicked" with riding a two wheeler.

He then became OBSESSED with riding his bike, wanting to be outside every possible minute. Within 24 hours, he was starting on his own, braking to stop, making sharp turns, up and down hills like a pro. I great-big-puffy-heart this video, because this was one of the first times that he rode it for a really long time without stopping, and you can hear it in his voice that he is amazed at himself and so proud. Halfway through he says, "Maybe I really CAN ride it to school!" (I had told him on the first day he would need some more practice before we rode across streets and around the neighborhood traffic.)

On Tuesday, Katy took a bite of breakfast and started shrieking about her front tooth that was about to fall out. Ten minutes later she asked me to just pull it because it was driving her crazy.

So on Wednesday, the first day of school, she went with a huge empty space in the front of her mouth. LOVE. 

 And even though the boys didn't start that day, I like to take a picture of them all together.

She had a really good first couple of days. She loves her kind-hearted teacher, sits right across from a good little buddy of hers, and has had no hesitation about going in the mornings. We walked on the first day, but after that, she is getting a morning ride from a family around the corner, and then I'm walking my kids home everyday and their kids home 2 days a week. I'll still be walking David everyday after lunch, so I'm going to the building 2 times instead of 3. 

Well-worn path.

On Thursday, Anna started sitting up next to her basket of toys (which she uses for a little bit of balance). This seems to make her so happy and I love getting those pictures of them with their new perspective when they start sitting up. (Sorry for some of the blur)

Also on Thursday, both Katy and David started soccer practice for fall. It's going to be a bit of divide and conquer because their practices and games will overlap nights, but they both seem to be on great teams (meaning the families are great and have the right attitude about 5 and 7 year old soccer), and they both love it. Katy is excited because she's old enough to be on an all-girls' team. And David was once again SO proud of himself - loved putting on the shin guards and cleats, and he was right in the pack chasing the ball. On the way there he asked me, "Mom, what's soccer all about?" and "When will they tell me who is on my team?"
Bless it. 

So then Friday, it's time for David's gentle start for kindergarten! He goes in a small group for a shorter period of time to get to know the teacher and the classroom. He was scared, he told me, about what they were going to do. And I think he was nervous because he really wants to show people that he can do things, so he is worried they will want him to do something (like write his name) and he will have trouble. I told him over and over that he's going to school to learn those things, they do not expect him to already know them. Oh, Bubs! Such a sweet heart and I want to protect it.

He really was ready to ride his bike to school by this time, and that made him really really happy.

There were several changes in his teacher assignment because they were shifting kindergarten teachers all around the district (the half-day thing means that happens a lot). He ended up with a new teacher who is fresh out of school, but she subbed in the building last year. And get this: she was hired 3 days before school started. So she seems very nice and I think she'll be great, but the poor girl has a little bit of deer-in-the-headlights syndrome right now.

He was very quiet and shy at first, then he sat down and drew a picture of "a shark." Then I left him to do his best on his own.

He said he had a great time! The highlight was that he got to sit in the cafeteria with Katy and having a popsicle on the playground for completing his summer homework packet. Here's hoping for a good year for both of them.