Birthday Girl!

All I need to know, I learned in Kindergarten

Along with everything that Robert Fulghum shared with us in his famous book, All I need to know, I learned in Kindergarten, there are so many other wonderful things that Thomas learned to do this first big year of school:



Read!  Oh the joys of having a little boy know how to read. 

Be responsible for a backpack and lunchbox each and every day.

Tell time on a "real" clock.

Count and write all of his numbers up to 100.

Add & subtract.

Write short paragraphs expressing himself and his thoughts.

Create amazingly-detailed artwork.

Ride a bike.

Get completely dressed in all of his snow gear...By Himself!

Play basketball.

Do homework!

Ride a school bus, with lots & lots of kids - including big, small, quite, loud, obnoxious & sweet ones.

It's hard to believe (and accept) that this first big year of school is over.  Where did 180 school days go?  So much learned, so much accomplished.  What a great start to the many years of school ahead of him.  My hope is Thomas continues to be challenged & pushed to reach his full potential, that he finds patience in himself if/when things don't come easy for him, that he never gives up when things might seem difficult, that he always knows how smart he is and that Mommy and Daddy are so proud of him everyday!

 

 

Wordless Wednesday: Hangin' with the Boys

'The Girl' Conversation

At the ripe age of not-quite-6-years-old, Thomas and I have had our first, and probably not last, conversation about girls.  More specifically, girls he likes.

Thomas: Mom, Hailee is one of my girlfriends.
Me: ONE of your girlfriends?  There is more than one?
Thomas: Yes, there are a few of them. But, Hailee really is one of my favorites.
Me: Really?
Thomas: I think she is even the girl I need to marry.
Me: Reeeeallllly?????
Thomas: Yep.
Me: Well, why don't you tell me more about her. 
Thomas: She is beautiful.  Her eyes are brown just like mine.  Her hair is blonde - ya, know the same color as Abby's hair.
Me: OK.  Can you tell me what you like about her so much that you want her to be a girlfriend?  Like, is she smart?
Thomas: Of course Mom, she is smart... even smarter than me.
Me: Does she make you laugh? 
Thomas: Of course Mom, she is hilarious!  Her jokes are even funnier than mine.
Me: Hmmmm.

Me: Well, as long as you don't think she is more beautiful, smarter or funnier than me... I guess she can be your girlfriend.
Thomas: Mom, I love you.  You're silly... none of my girlfriends are as good as you.

Ah!  Such a Mama's boy!

Preschool - Then & Now

Photo Dump from the Week

All tatt'ed up!

Heels!

Abby having one of her all-too-common moments.

 ... and then a moment later, she's fine.

 Approximately 10:50 PM.

 Approximately 10:51 PM

 Abby enjoying some scooter time.

 My running partners

 Someone loves her some pink chalk.  Seriously.

 And it's even more fun with friends!

 Although a bit under the weather, Abby & Marilyn still enjoyed some Carnival time.

 Prepping the ATVs for the summer season.

 Record Breaking "longest snow season" - 232 days long this year.

You have no idea how much I really want summer to be here!

 Peeping Tom

Bubble King

 

Friday Night Leftovers (slow the hands of time please! edition)

• Where has the time gone?  Marilyn will be 2-years old in a week. 
• How is this possible?  School is over in less than 5 days and we will have a real-deal 1st grader on our hands.  Moreover, Thomas is having his 6th birthday party in just 2 short weeks.  Slow the hands of time, please! 
• Time flies when you're having fun. Our assignment here in beautiful Alaska is almost two-thirds complete.  It feels like just yester-week we were driving up through Canada along the ALCAN Highway. I wonder what will be next?
• Marilyn is wearing all the clothes that Abby wore just last year/summer.  It's crazy that I just put these clothes in storage not too long ago.
• My minivan will be paid off in a few more months (insert the "whoop-whoop" dance).  I feel like we were just shopping for it.  Wow.
• On most days, I need more than the allotted 24 hours in a day. 
• On a totally unrelated note, the forecasters are calling for several inches of snow by Saturday morning.  Shut the flippin' front door and shoot me now.  This is beyond ridiculous.
• I'm thankful this week that Thomas has had no hesitation in getting back on the bike (ie: the horse) and riding after his bloody crash the other day.

Mama's Life right now

As I should be, I'm consumed by all things related to my three munchkins - kindergarten, preschool, speech, gymnastics, playdates, birthday party planning, bike riding (and crashing), scooter scooting, wiggly teeth, potty training-teasing... you get the idea, right?  I thought I would take a break for a second and share a few other worthy notes of interest in my life:

• I'm training for my first 1/2 marathon (Mayor's Marathon)that takes place in just about 5 weeks.  Although I'm not exactly following my original running program, I have been pretty darn consistent with my runs in addition to improving my run times.  My problem is I've got to start ramping up the mileage - if not, I'll never survive the 13.1 miles.  You'll find me dead on the side of the road on mile marker 8.5.  Must.  Run.  Longer.
• I was afforded the opportunity to interview this week for open Assistant Principal positions at both the middle & high schools for this upcoming school year.  I was reminded again how exciting and, at the same time, nerve racking the process is, especially when you are an "outsider."  I hope to hear more in the next week or two.
• On a similar note, recently I was asked to give two briefings to entire squadrons at their Commander's Calls.  Once again, regardless of how much experience I have with public speaking and teaching, I still get butterflies each time.  Especially when I know my husband is in the audience.
• I'm super-duper-ubber excited that I have made our first RV camping reservations for some summer fun.  Although we won't be camping at all "fancy campgrounds" this summer, we will be spending a long weekend (July 4-7) at the Montana Creek Campground.  Hiking, bike riding, exploring... so excited.  So. Excited.
• With our weekends quickly filling up with RVing (did I mention our ATVs will be going with us?) to somewhere fabulous and amazing, the summer weekly plans are also starting to take shape - library visits, indoor swimming, Pick-A-New-Playground trip, bike riding, Thomas' soccer, Abby's gymnastics & speech and all of us trying to keep up with Marilyn... oh, it's going to be a busy summer indeed.

Wordless Wednesday: Growing up too Fast

Crash, Boom, Bang!

 First bike accident.
Lots of blood.
The truth of the matter is Thomas doesn't do well when he gets hurt... not at all.
Add pain & the sight of blood, there was lots of screaming & tears.
When he was all cleaned up, bandaged up & Tylenol'ed up though,
he finally got comfortable and relaxed.
Thankfully, no major injuries.  And no stitches.
I'm quite sure he will be sore tomorrow and he will certainly be wearing a large bandage on his chin for the next several days.
I guess it's fair to say that Thomas just got his first "tough" guy mark.
 

Playground Antics