Busting It Out Of The Park

We are in the countdown to Superkid's 8th birthday.
With the cloak of 2nd grade, Superkid has really stepped things up a notch and is busting through many childhood milestones.

Sunday, he got up and read a scripture to the primary. While he has always LOVED an audience, he hasn't always loved to read. But he did it with much confidence. Pops and I beamed from the back on the primary room

Saturday he started a round of swimming lessons. He was bumped up to the second level. The chasm between the two levels was huge. The teacher had them jump in, grab a kick board and do a lap to the end of the deep end and back. Pops' heart nearly bust out of his chest between not being entirely sure Superkid wouldn't drown and being overwhelmed with pride. Superkid even went to the deep end and dove in and swam back to the wall. This is a major step from being terrified to blow bubbles.

Then there was the trip to the park when he just decided to start peddling on his bike.

But the best news came to us on Sunday. His friend's mom came up to me and told me this great story. Saturday Superkid went to a birthday party. When his very shy friend arrived, Superkid saw him go up to another little boy and say hi (which was a great effort for him). The other little boy was too focused on the super cool birthday party (it was VERY COOL) and didn't notice this shy little boy. Superkid saw this little boy shrink with disappointment. Superkid went up to him, put his arm and his shoulder and said, "I'll be your friend." The little boy's face just lit up.

What a great kid. I am the happiest mom in the world.

Cousin Time

The cousins came to play Saturday.
It was immediately apparent that Tiny spent way too much time at the beach this summer and not enough time planted in front of the TV because she had no idea what to do with Thomas our train friend. She eventually caught on...
But she snuck away first chance she got and I found her goofing around with 'Lil Chief
..and Pops too.
Then we packed the minivan to its max.
THIS is the best sight in the world to me.
A little park time...
We LOVE the cuzzes.
We're just glad to hear that they will be living with us next summer. I am just going to pretend that everything between their move and then isn't going to happen. It's for the best.

Moving On Up

It is our good fortune to be moving HERE next month.
We are all pretty excited.
When we were in Utah counting all of our favorite people who were moving far far away from us, and even receiving horrible news that our only New England family had a change of employment forcing them out, I said, "At least Holly and Joe will be there when we get back." I called Holly the day after we landed and asked if she wanted to go blueberry picking. While we were out on our excursion she dropped the bomb, Joe was applying for a job in FRANCE. Of course he got it. We are DEVASTATED to loose them for 2 years. We are VERY happy to have PARIS accommodations (1 block from the Louver, who's coming?!), and we are even more happy at their generosity to have us move into their home while they are away for 2-3 years.

And in other news, we measured our dining room at the request at our tenants. We found that after 6.5 years we have had our dining room table in the less spacious orientation. We think it is pretty funny. Maybe if you have broken bread around this tight squeeze you think so too. Sometimes a foot is a big deal.

Back to School Bash

At LAST, I get a tour of the NEW ULTRA FANCY brand-new school.
I got to meet Abizella's teacher...
But not Superkid's. He has the same thing going on this year as last. His teacher is out on maternity leave until Thanksgiving. I'm just assuming here that someone is there during the day to manage the scene.
The kid's even demonstrated the "Bubbler". For those of us Western folk, that is what the drinking fountain is called out here. The little Toad's looked like I was crazy when I told them that. sigh.
But all of the action was outside. There were bouncy houses, soccer, dancing, and dinner.
Abizella took Tad under her wing and escorted him through all of the activities.
They are the best of friends.

Another Toad Out In The World

And he is off into the big wide world.
Pops took Tadpole to his first day of preschool.
Tadpole was really excited, Pops went kicking and screaming.
I can't believe Pops didn't throw him under his arm and haul out of there when Tadpole said, "Daddy, can you hold my hand. I'm a little nervous."
He did make his way into school.

The next day, Pops couldn't find Tadpole in the house. He went outside and found him sitting in his seat in the van with his backpack on, 3 hours before preschool started.

Got It!

We took the kids to our favorite bike riding spot to try out the new pink bike that Pops bought Abizella. She has got this gig down. Now she is insistent on a Mom-and-Daughter only bike ride. That makes me SO happy!
And not to be shown up by his little sister, Superkid hopped on his bike and peddled away.
Ohhhhh.... how this has me dreaming of touring the grand old U.S.A. with the family on bike!
2 down, 2 to go!

Oh Ya... and School Started Too...

Things certainly have been interesting around here lately.
Pops and I operate at capacity anyway, but throw in a move to a bigger house in the works, and trying to prepare (i.e. purge, pack, renovate) our house to rent and something like the first day of school IN A NEW SCHOOL becomes an event we can barely show up for, let alone document. But, by popular demand, I present to you (drum roll please):
The First Day of School!

Pops had business, so this was my circus to run.
The minute the kids got dressed, they put the "Attitude" ON!
"Little Miss Sweet as an Angel"
(nobody's buying it)
"Mr. Too Cool for School"
(still my stealth snuggler)
It was a great day for ducks, not such a great day to stand around at a bus stop snapping pictures.
The school bus dash
Then there was little Tadpole, just standing there waving and saying,
"Good-bye Abizella. I love you! I am going to miss you!"
He loves her, she is his very best friend.
But tomorrow Tad starts his adventure in pre-school. This is a day Pops is hoping will never come. At least he will have his little side-kick (for the next 3 yrs.) to share a Coke.

The Fix-It Man

Saturday morning is now Superkid's time to shine.
He has taken over my pancake gig, serving up Superkid-cakes starting at 9:00.
Bring your appetite, he is talking about opening his own, "Pancake Stand" out front.
He also stepped up to re-assemble my "old days" computer so that I could go and hunt for old missing pictures. Got to love a kid that is both handsome AND handy.
This kid has been right by my side from the beginning to lend a hand...
One of the retrieved pictures from my "old days" computer. Thank-you for your help Superkid!