School's In Session!

 

I just got back from dropping off my sweet Jacob for his first day of SECOND GRADE! i can't believe we are already at that point. His teacher is Mrs. Tyler. She is new to the school and seems very nice. We had a great visit with her yesterday - it was the day to drop off school supplies and see your classroom.

He has 14 kids in his class. How fantastic is that?! I love this small school. It was so fun to walk over this morning and have everyone calling all the kids by name, giving hugs, asking about their summer. I came home all energized and wanting to go myself!

Instead I guess I'll have to settle for quiet, while Andrew and Amelia continue to snooze. (tough life, but somebody has to put up with it.)

Have a wonderful day, Jacob!

(He chose and laid out his clothes last night. Remember doing that? He just got his new shoes yesterday, and ran up and down numerous aisles at Target "to make sure they're fast enough for P.E." He also was worried that his new jeans look a touch on the feminine side, so he decided wearing his camouflage belt "would help make sure that people know they're boy jeans.")

______________________________

I went upstairs after putting up this post and Andrew was showing signs of movement. I sat down next to him and proceeded to have this conversation:

A: Mom, where's Jacob? (said Jay-ub, very quickly. almost sounds like Jub.)

Me: He's already at school!

A: why didn't you wake me up? i wanted to say goodbye!

M: I tried and tried, but you didn't even move. I even told you he was leaving and you didn't hear me.

A: well Mo-om, I had my ear lids on and they were locked up. why didn't you open them?

M: I guess I don't know how.

A: You just reach into my pocket and turn and "CLICK!" they unlock!

**I wonder if that would work on Mike on Sunday mornings?

on a related note -

We joined a group of people early on Saturday morning to clean up the school and weed/trim/wrestle the killer "poky vines" in the front flower beds. We were trying to make it look great for the first day of school.

My boys are incredible workers. They stuck with it for almost 3 hours. Can you tell from the pictures how exhausted they are? Jake had just finished helping a guy till some of the wet ground. They loved being there.

Oh ! Ahem ...

 

My good sir .... it appears you've caught me in my undershirt.


I do believe my apprentice will be fired.

Nim's Island

Thanks to a gift from Granny, we just finished reading Nim's Island. WE LOVED IT! The author has a sense of humor that comes out in the last few chapters that is almost identical to mine. I couldn't get over some of the same phrases that we both use.

Anyway - great story. I highly recommend it.

Here are a few pictures of what is taking place in my backyard right now.

They have drawn a picture of the projected island.

 

Put in some work.

 

 

And are starting to enjoy the fruits of their labors. (The only question that remains....what will Mike say about the grass that has been dug up in the backyard?)

 

--There was just a booming thunder and the kids are scrambling madly about in glee as they gather their things into the emergency cave (toy bin). Jake ran in and shouted "Perfect timing, Mom! We're playing Nim's Island and a REAL tropical storm is headed this way!"

Feeling Blessed

I am sitting here this evening reflecting on the wonderful blessing of friendship in my life. How full I feel inside! There are so many incredible people who have come into my life - some to stay, and some who have been around for a season and then parted. Each has had something so precious to give me. I have been taught lessons, shared laughs, been silly, been hugged in times of distress, been buoyed up by levels of thoughtfulness that I could never have imagined, been pranked, received flowers, treats, or calls at crucial moments - that only those so close to you can know the need for.

I am so grateful for each one of my friends. I (for once) am lacking words. I am just filled with emotion and a deep gratitude. I sometimes wonder why I am so lucky to have countless relationships with great people. They seem to surround me! Special neighbors, extended family, siblings, parents, other friends who might as well be my sisters, those I have worked with in various capacities, some who have just been a listening ear or a consistent smiling face.

Thank you all. I would be a happy girl if I could do half as much for you as you do for me.

Belated 4th of July

We started off the 4th of July at the neighbor's - decorating bikes, strollers, and scooters for the neighborhood parade. We were listening to the radio and Jake found that there was a reading on the Revolutionary War and promptly turned it up for us all to listen to. The reading was followed by a moving arrangement of the Star spangled Banner, and it turned into a really neat moment with even a few tears shed and gratitude expressed.

Had fun in the parade.

 

Lots of activities followed at the park we arrived at.

 

Not sure if the fantastic feat is lifting the log, or managing to keep the shorts from dropping completely off.

 

 

Here Jacob was strapped into a bungee cord thingamajig and flipped around and around and around!



We went out to Nani and Poppy's at the end of the day for a barbeque and fireworks over the lake. Great day in a great country!

Love Affair

Andrew is sitting on the counter in the kitchen while I make dinner. He hugs a box of Wheat Thins ("square crackers") and then holds the box out in front of him and says:

"Dear Crackers. I love you, and I will miss you SOOOOO much. I have to eat some real food in just a minute, but I promise I will come back to you in a little while."

One extra hug and then a sigh as he puts them back in the cupboard.