Keeping Score

So I think the first day of school went smoothly, but things started to slide for us on day 2. Tuesday Sam forgot his lunch so I made a quick trip to his school to get his lunch there before 1030 - yes, his class eats lunch at 10:30. Wednesday, Sam forgot he needed a white t-shirt for gym class. He didn't really forget, as much as he didn't remember until Bryon was dropping him off at school. Thankfully there's a Target around the corner.

Wednesday and Thursday Abby had "yellow" days for her behavior. Apparently she has trouble listening, following directions, standing in lines, poking classmates - the list goes on.

And then today, I couldn't find my car keys. Turns out they were in Sam's pocket because he snuck out to my car to get his DS. We realized this a little too late, however, because Sam was nearly at school. So at 7:49, six minutes before the bell, Jake and Abby and I jumped on our bikes. By the grace of God they made it. Bryon brought my car keys back so I was grateful to be able to drive to school this afternoon, except ...

My car wouldn't start. I've been early to get Jake and Abby every day this week so today I waited until 2:55. Great idea. That meant when my car wouldn't start I had to basically gallop to make it to school. Jake was a trooper but I practically had to drag Abby home. I made one last trip up to get Sam at the bus stop at 4:30, and I think I can say I'm done for the day.

School: 1
Romines: 0

Too Soon

The kitties were set to go to the vet this afternoon, but LaLa didn't make it. I knew she was sick, but I guess I didn't realize how sick. She died in my lap this morning. Poor little thing. I was really rooting for her. It's crazy how you can miss something so much that you only had for a couple of days. On the bright side, I guess, Rosie is healthy.

Welcome To School Today

 

 

Serendipity

Look what we found at the Kwik Lube. This is Rosie. She is three weeks old. And guess what? She has a sister, Lafayette. LaLa is camera shy, very tiny, underfed and missing a tail - a true underdog.

Here We Go

So we met Jake and Abby's teachers this morning. Abby will have the same kindergarten teachers Jake had, and Jake will have the same second grade teachers Sam had. Everything old is new again.

Sam went with Bryon and Jake to check out Jake's classroom so Sam could say hello to his former teachers, and I took Abby to her classroom. I was wondering how long it would take before I got weepy. Want to guess? About 20 seconds. We walked into the door, said hello to her teacher, walked over to her cubby and ... cue the waterworks.

Monday's going to be a mess ...

Summer Lovin'

So here I am again, at the end of the summer, wondering why I didn't take more photos, post more blog entries. Especially since we had a good summer. I'm not boasting; I say that with relief and disbelief and gratification. It's been several years now that one or more of my kids are not in day care for the summer, and I'm just now getting the hang of it.

So for my records, here are the highlights:

1. Abby 'graduated' from day care.
2. Sam 'graduated' to the performance group at School of Rock and debuted with what I considered an awesome rendition of Nirvana's Breed.
3. Jake worked the big drums at his end of season School of Rock show.
4. Between golf and robotics and Legos, I think Jake's favorite camp is SummerStage. This year he got to play Benjamin in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Late in the summer Blackie and CathyAnn took us all to see the Dallas Theater Center's version and Jake knew every word. Abby was more impressed with Joseph, his illuminated coat and his abs.
5. If the kids and I are able, I plan to take the 'jumping' photo in the Winspear fountain every year.
6. Abby's last day of day care was July 31. She had been there since she was 12 weeks old.
7. Vacation! This is one of the reasons I consider this summer a success. We had our first truly successful family vacation - no major meltdowns, no ER visits, we weren't asked to leave a hotel. Of course, most of the vacation bliss had dissipated within 36 hours of our return.
8. Sam riding Comanche. Although I have no photographic proof I was next to him on Old Paint - appropriate.
9. By the end of the week Abby was tan, barefoot and dirty and went nowhere without her pink cowboy hat and fishing pole.
10. Although it's hard to tell where the hat ends and Jake's hair starts, he was pleased with his coonskin cap. The cats are enjoying it too.

The final photo of the summer will come Monday, when everyone, including Abby, starts school.

Does a Bear S*** In the Woods

Apparently not this bear. He pops on his Dr. Dre Monster Beats and sneaks into Barbie's Dream House. (Courtesy of Sam and Jake ...)