A not so Lucky start

Ugh, I hate writing this. But I jumped the gun announcing our new family member.

 

Lucky snapped at and showed fearful aggression with the boys, Chris, and all other dogs. Chris and other dogs we would try training. But our kids? We couldn't risk our boys being injured for a family pet.

 

Thank you Lucky for showing us how much we really want the right dog for our family and teaching us so much in your short time here. We put our whole heart into you, but our children come first. We hope you find the sedentary single lady hat can give you the home you'd love.

 

 

Ethan's reading!

When he finishes kindergarten he's supposed to be able to read "level 4".  In March he's got level 4 down!  Of course "college ready" for kindergarten is level 6, but he's got time still. I'm proud of my July birthday boy.

Ethan thinks his reading level no big deal, obviously.

Chris has even started reading 10-25pgs outloud a night of James and the Giant Peach,  then Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,  and now Captain Nobody. Next up is the Chronicles of Narnia,  I am dying to join for those!  But a chance to role model men reading and their bonding time?  I'll continue to step back for that.

We <3 Science!

Maryland Science Center saved the day again! Cold day off from school (professional development day, see my post wondering how people keep their jobs managing their kids days out of school!).

Anywho, I digress.  They hit all their favorites.  Every strength test possible, Ethan sending love notes to me via the bank tube thing, and a circuit board activity at the Shed. 

They had the right amount of fun for a peaceful ride home!

Little Letter Lover

Gavin's suddenly passionate about learning his letters. His favorite is "w", maybe because he always goes for the win? Who knows!  I'm just following his lead on interests. But letter practice is great practice for me as I'm tutoring Ethan's classmates who are being on letter identification.

Basketball + Birthday Party = EASY Bedtime!!

Today was Ethan's basketball team's first game, with their Coach Chris as their fearless leader. Ethan's shirt says it all!

His Assistant Coach Gavin was never far from his side.

 

 

 

When it was game time and our turn to watch from the stands, I pulled out the big guns.

Daniel the Tiger.

Yeah...that didn't cut it. A couple tears seems to be a tradition every sports season's first game when Gavin has to go to the sidelines. :(

Ethan on the other hand had a ball! This seemed to be a sport that he REALLY enjoys!!

 

 

 

Great game Falcons! (As the coach's son, he got to pick the team name. Ethan's pick was the "Paragon Falcons" fastest animal land or sky.)

Afterwards was their buddy Thane's 6th birthday party!

 

With fun like Twister...

 

and a remote control car mash up!

After putting napless Gavin to sleep at 7pm, I went to check on Ethan.

Sound asleep by 7:30 with his superhero books.

Now I'm off to follow his lead, whew!

 

Gavin's First Day of (Pre)School!

Today our baby boy started his first day of school! He goes two days a week and gets to ride the big yellow school bus!

He chose his clothes, determined to start his academic career as a jock apparently! He called the look, "football boy."

We were able to convince him to leave the helmet at home.

 

When the bus came, he eagerly ran to it, "We're going to miss it!!"

Is it terrible I'm a little sad he wasn't?

His teacher sent me a text with this picture telling me no tears, all smiles at his first day of school!

 

Here's some pictures of his tour we took last week.

 

 

He participated in circle time without pause!

 

Here's the legendary dragon "Bella" he talks about nonstop.

 

 

Ethan's First Day of Kimdergarten!

It's here. Kindergarten. Feels like the real beginning of the long goodbye that is parenthood. As I tearfully told Chris, the next big goodbye is college?! Get it together, lady. Let's cheer up by looking at how cute he is in these pics!

I hope Mrs. B is ready for the many faces that are Ethan!

 

Enough pics Mommy!

Let's jump right into this school thing!!

 

We headed off to our ONE block walk to school (with Gavin uncharacteristically crying most of the way there).

Ethan's lunch was a little heavy with yumminess.

Upon arrival, Ethan gave his teacher a little token of his appreciation.

Someone's printer ran out of red ink ;)

The kids lined up, all 20 of them.

They waited and waited.

Suddenly Ethan remembered something! "Mommy!!! I need a picture if you to keep with me! Can you draw one, QUICK!!!"

I happily scribbled a portrait on a receipt from my purse (he still cares!!!!).

He had new swagger and was ready for the day!

Off they went, Ethan didn't look back once. Chris ran behind him in line and snuck a quick kiss!

With great luck, the only other kindergartener he knew, is in his class. Check out our blonde neighbor Thane's happy dance at the end of the line.

It's real. He's in full day school. My all day everyday partner in crime for the last four years.

Okay, getting it together! Let me show you where he is as I blog. Here are some pics of his room from last weeks orientation.

He has his own locker!

Think he'll notice of I let Gavin really sneak in his locker? He's missing him more than I do!

Snap out of it Gavin! KINDERGARTEN!!

You are welcome to remind me of this post when I'm griping about too many snow days!