First Field Trip

This morning it was coming down rain. I mean really coming down, but there was not call from the school to say trip canceled. So I went ahead with my plan. Got both boys up around 8:30, fed them (well I gave them food anyway), dressed and out the door in the pouring rain by 9:10 am. Only to get drenched because T didn't run behind me. Nope he froze because the sound of the rain scared him. Had to yell twice to get him to run to the car. By then my shirt was sopping, and I still had to get him buckled & around to the other side to buckle S who had run to the car & got in as told. Picked up Amber, who had graciously agreed to chaperon to help with my sanity at 9:15. At school for photos by 9:30, whoever scheduled this trip without consulting the school calendar was insane, and I left the school at 9:50 to go home and change & gather all the gear necessary for a day in our life.

I received the following update around 3:15 today.

"The boys got back at 2:10, had some water, talked to me [my mon] a bit about the field trip, changed their clothes and are sound asleep. They had a great time. They were also very good. [YAY!]"

What they did on their trip: They took a hayride (minus hay, they sat on benches) to the apple orchard, where they were told about the apples on the farm. They got to pick and eat one apple. Then they went to the gourd field where they got to get out and pick a gourd and some indian corn. Then they went to lunch and tasted the apple juice. Then they came home.

I have it on good knowledge that T loved riding the bus. Don't know about S as he was already sleeping when the question was asked.

Edited to add: I spoke with S last night, and he loved riding on the bus. However, he was very bummed that he had to ride next to Bubba and not Tessa.

Note: Photo from a family apple picking adventure and this is cross posted on Facebook

First Day of School

Yesterday my baby became a student, and I didn't cry. Shocking I know. We got ready in our new clothes with our new backpack that included his change of clothes and a healthful snack (juice box, box of raisins & graham crackers). We had time so we went to the town hall for some momma business, and then to school to wait. We were the first to arrive for the afternoon session. The boy did well sitting with me, talking to the nurse, getting up and down for water, and just generally looked very comfortable there. The other students started to arrive and I noticed a difference. Those children staid next to their parents and were quiet, except for the couple who were crying. Mine was still doing all the moving around and when the teacher arrived was the second child to show her his new backpack and proceeded to open it to show her what he had. When the teacher asked them to get in line for class, I gave the boy a bit of a verbal push. He was first to line up next to her. When the students were all in line, she took the boy's hand and they led the class to the room. He didn't look back. He didn't wave or say good-bye. My little Mr. Independent. Now if only the little booger would tell me what he did during school.

Dichotomy

This is going to be a two parter, part philosophical and part pure cuteness.

Part 1: Dual personality

Boy 1 is destructive, mean and hurtful. He throws everything and laughs. He hits or kicks and laughs. He runs away when he is going to be in trouble and laughs. He stands in the corner and laughs. You threaten him with time in the corner or time out, and he says "we'll just see about that." He has an extremely fresh mouth.

Boy 2 is sweet as sweet can be. He helps out around the house by putting stuff away, and taking his dishes to the sink when he is done. He plays outside nicely, helps with the garden, and listens to what he is told. He gives hugs and kisses, and goes to bed with no problems. He sweetly tells his auma what he wants to say to his momma through the instant messenger even though he doesn't totally get how auma is talking to me. (Note: he said hi 20 times, happy father's day, sang me the abcd song, told me he was going outside, and then finally "I love you. see you later. good bye")


Question: Why is it that boy 1 spends all his time at my house and boy 2 makes a rare appearance? I adore boy 2. He makes me laugh and smile and feel good about this child I am raising. Boy 1 makes me wonder if I am raising a sociopath. Then I talk to my best friend who has a little boy just 2 1/2 months older than S. Through these conversations I am assured that S is perfectly normal as my god-son is acting the same way. Then again maybe we are both raising sociopaths. sigh.

Part 2: Farmer S

My son adores all things tractor and gardening. In fact at this point in his life I am pretty sure he will at least make a hobby of gardening if not a life's work. These are photos from yesterday that I feel compelled to share. A note of interest is that he got himself fully dressed yesterday morning in that auma sent him to get dressed & he picked out everything and put it on.

Haircut May 2008

Just for the fun of it. Pre-haircut snack complete with yoda sunglasses inside.


Post-haircut just chilling in the car.

My sweet boy looks so grown up.