Time for School

Big year for us with school... Owen started all-day kindergarten and Macey is going to preschool solo and stays 2 of her 3 days all day as well. Both kids seem to have had a good week. Macey is a little lost without her brother and has been really shy, but I think she's warming up. One of her best friends returned and also stays all day, so Macey is happy about that. It has certainly been an adjustment for everybody, but so far, so good. On day two, Owen decided that he wanted to take the bus, which I had barely considered. Three of his buddies in the neighborhood were taking it too, so away he went and it's a hit! He thinks it's awesome and so do I! Macey and I enjoy walking Owen to the bus stop on the corner by our house each morning and afternoon, and it sure beats waiting in the school parking lot for pick-up. There's already been a kid on the bus who's bullying kids around a bit, including Owen, but nothing serious. The bully isn't that big or mean, but annoying and also is at our bus stop. I just happen to be that over-protective parent who wasn't afraid to speak up at the bus stop this morning, so hopefully we nipped that one in the bud. :)

Macey switched teachers and classrooms this year. She wasn't quite herself on Wednesday and her teacher' who is awesome, noticed right away and gave us a call. I think Macey clammed up because of the new environment and unfamiliar kids. When Todd picked her up that afternoon she was back to her normal self.

Owen ended up with the teacher who Todd and I were hoping for and so far I think that she is fantastic! Yesterday she emailed me to let me know that Owen was sad in the morning because he was missing me. Fortunately Owen's best buddy is in his class and was able to console him. Fridays are early release, so it's been nice having the afternoon with both kids. Mom's been a little sad this week too.

Macey the morning of her first day of school

Owen before his first day of kindergarten

Had to post this one!

Being silly

Day 2: Owen just got off the bus

Summer 2010

It's hard to believe it came and went, but summer is over, at least summer vacation. Owen and Macey started back at school this week and the days are getting shorter and shorter. Even the chickens have noticed. Our garden is thriving, and we're finally getting some tomatoes, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini to go with all of our greens.

So what did we do over the summer? Not a heck of a lot! Most of it was pretty mellow, just hanging around the house, playing with friends. We swam and picked blackberries in Oak Creek, got warned by a rattlesnake, and enjoyed driving (and running!) in the woods to see elk. Our big excitement was a 17 day road trip to Wisconsin, which was blast. My brother Mark and his wife Tiffany got married on July 10, so we spent the first half of the month driving to and from WI with some time in between to hang out with family. On the way we stopped in St. Louis to visit Todd's cousin and his family. It was all good fun and went by too fast. We all faired well on the road, but I don't think any of us have the desire to spend that much time in the car again anytime soon. I think on day 2 of our trip, somewhere in Oklahoma, Owen exclaimed that "This is the worst trip ever!"

Owen played soccer for the first time this year. He loved it! I'm not sure that he really gets the whole idea yet, but he had fun running down the field, making seriously tough faces, using the force to control the ball, and eating snacks after the game. Todd stepped in as assistant coach and was in charge of coaching the kids for some of the games. I think that he had fun too. We had an unusual amount of rain this year and it was not as predictable as the monsoon season typically is here, so that spoiled many games and practices. Overall, I think it was a good experience for Owen. Macey's ready to play too.

With Fall quickly approaching, we're already talking about Halloween costumes and are hoping that the frost stays away for a few more weeks so that our growing pumpkins can keep doing their thing.