First Day of School! First Day of School!

School starts at 9am so we were out the door in plenty of time to drive...not walk. For those that don't know, the elementary school is literally just down the street so walking will be my normal mode of transport but today we drove. Big mistake! I have never seen so many dedicated parents! This is a good thing but a bad thing for traffic's sake. We ended up parking almost at home and were just slightly late. Ethan was a bit uneasy, as any of us would be, walking into a classroom while the teacher was talking to 20 students all seated and listening. We found his seat and the waterworks began. He did not want me to leave and he did not want to stay...and now it was my turn to feel uneasy as we disrupted the calm. With the teacher's help I was able to make my escape and he calmed down within 5 minutes according to my most helpful and wonderful neighbor who was helping out in the class today. You might think that Ethan's reaction would un-nerve me a bit but honestly, I'm a bit used to it. This isn't the first time and maybe I'm a bit cold hearted but I know he always has a harder time when I'm around. All in all, today went off without a hitch. Ethan had a great time and thought his teacher was funny. Tomorrow should go even smoother!

Unfortunately there is one catch for this year...Ethan has a class mate with a peanut allergy...apparently a really serious one. For this reason, there are a few more rules and regulations and one more really over-stressed parent to worry about (hence, the sign at the door of Ethan's classroom above). I mean, she has good reason to be over-stressed but of course, I sent Ethan with a PBJ sandwich. It's about all he eats! I have all kinds of opinions on this issue and how it should be handled but my opinions fall on both sides so I guess I would have to consider myself neutral. I'm hoping for a good uncomplicated, non-tragic year!

Ethan is going to Kindergarten!

When Ethan registered for kindergarten, everyone asked if I was going to request a specific teacher. I'd heard a few different things about each one but decided since I hadn't met any and the reviews were all relatively good, I'd just leave it to fate (really you're not supposed to request anyway...). My neighbor speaks volumes about the teacher her child had this last year but...I had been told that she is not very warm - at least not to the parents. Her personality is a little different than you would expect a kindergarten teacher to have but she runs a really tight ship and the kids seem to like her and thrive on the organized environment. At first I really thought this would be a great place for Ethan. He likes everything to be just so, and once he has learns the rules, he never deviates. An organized and structured classroom is exactly where he would feel most at home. But....he is also a bit sensitive and really appreciates a teacher who is sweet and kind and recognizes him - well, who doesn't? So, since registration, I have been kind of hoping that he wouldn't get her as his teacher but...that's exactly who he got. Not only that, but this class is the only kindergarten that didn't get to be in the little K compound - it's inside the main school gates outside of the playground area that the other 3 classes are surrounding. This morning was kind of a meet and greet and the other classes seemed so cheerful and friendly. Ethan's was a bit more formal. This teacher seems fine, abrupt but no big deal, though the thing that bothered me the most - and here is where the crazy parent in my head comes out - was that she seemed to greet each of the children as they came in with the exception of Ethan...she said nothing to him until we went and introduced ourselves 20 minutes later- she really didn't even acknowledge us. There were mostly girls in the room but she seemed to ignore the boys (this may just be my imagination or based on something I think I heard - our mind plays crazy tricks fitting things into the descriptions we've heard). I really didn't even notice this as we came in quietly and took a seat...at least not until a little girl came in and sat behind us and the teacher began to make a big deal out of saying hello. Ethan's face lit up as he thought she was talking to him....as soon as he realized she wasn't, it kind of dropped and he got a bit anxious and antsy to leave - though not upset. I guess being the mom I just wanted him to have the same experience as the other students. I wanted him to feel welcomed and excited to be there. Honestly, I don't think he is bugged at all about this, but as you can tell, I am. Man! I hate feeling so protective and nervous for my little one - I don't want to behave like a mother bear but the personality is definitely there! Now I'm just sitting here trying to decide whether to call the school and ask if he can be one of the kids moved to another class when they even out the numbers. She already told us that she has too many kids right now so some will be moved by about week 5. I'm sure it's not a good idea to move a kid at that point but will Ethan warm up to this teacher - or better question...will I warm up to this teacher???? So far, he tells me he's perfectly happy...maybe I will be soon too:)

Sleeping Baby Andrew

As much as I crave the quiet of an uninterrupted nights sleep - I am truly relishing the moments I share with my sweet Andrew in the still of the night. I found myself smiling last night as I listened to him grunt and stretch and release the occassional "gas bubble"... he is so his father's son!! I love to hear him cry out in his sleep, you know, the sad pitiful one, and most especially his darling little giggles. I'm really enjoying the romance of having a newborn again. I'm quite sad to see him grow up - maybe because I feel this may be my last. It all goes so fast and I think I finally get that. But really, who can resist a little charmer with a habit of smiling a bit more often than expected at such a young age? Just too cute!

The "Married" Couple

My two kids, Ethan and Ava, are really good friends....well, as good as they can be as they are siblings so though they play so well together, boy can they fight! Todd's Aunt Karley once made a comment that they are like a little married couple. They follow each other around and Ava calls Ethan "my Ethan" (probably because we used to call her "my Ava") and Ethan claims he is going to marry her. He's really going to hate me someday for writing this down but it's really quite funny. He cannot be talked out of the fact that brothers and sisters don't get married and I have, on ocassion, overheard him threatening Ava with, "I'm not going to marry you if you don't stop doing that right now!" I think the threats work once in a while...Gotta love it!

Family Photos

Last Thursday evening we had family pictures taken with Jamie Hammond. She did a fabulous job shooting us especially with some of the mishaps we experienced (Ava fell down a hill on her face into a gravel road and Andrew soiled his only outfit, all in the first 10 minutes) These are just a few of the shots she posted on her blog. To see more of her work, check out jamiehammondphotography.com

Happy Birthday Todd!

This last week was Todd's birthday. The kids helped me make a cake and we wrapped his gifts but Todd didn't see any of us that day - he was at work. Some crappy birthday huh! Eventually he blew out his candles and the kids opened his presents for him:)

Though we didn't see Todd on his birthday, we were able to celebrate a little earlier in the week with his family at Wood Ranch for dinner. His mother's birthday is the day after his so we had a double celebration.

Andrew's Blessing Day & other such pictures

Andrew is 1 month old already - so I'm FINALLY updating to include some of the pictures taken since the last entry.... The kids love their brother but leave him alone most of the time which makes things a bit easier for me. Andrew is a happy baby and is quite smiley. I know they aren't supposed to do that this early but honestly, I'm not going to be able to tell when the smile is real so I'm counting it! It's a fabulous reward for long nights!

We blessed Andrew the first Sunday in August. He was only 3 weeks old (instead of Todd's preference for 3 months) but we had family planning to be in town so we went ahead with it. The cousins were able to spend some time together playing in the backyard later. As pictured below: Bryce, Parker, Ethan, Ava and of course, Andrew.





Not only does Andrew smile a lot for someone so young - but he has even mastered the wink!!



Get a load of Todd's beautiful green grass - he does a great job keeping it looking so good!

Moments with Grandma K.