Back to School

 I can't believe the summer is gone!  Matthew is officially a kindergartener and life will never be the same.  Here is his backpack and all his school supplies.  The backpack is big on him, but his dad gave it to him and that's that.  They went together to get the name sewn up for it.

 Tuesday was Back to School Night.  I had to work it and sign up kids for Afterschool.  Here is the angry photo.  We've had to take angry and silly photos since San Diego!

 And the normal photo.

 Entering his kindergarten room. 

 Meeting Mrs. Tiffany, his teacher.  He will have an excellent year in her room.  She's a wonderful teacher.

 His name on the window.

 And here is his seat.  He's in the back because he's tall!  And no, he didn't think this photo was neccessary.

 When we went in to his room at Back to School night, his teacher gave us a bag of "Ready Confetti."  It had a cute poem with it about how it's magic confetti and would help him get a good nights sleep.

 He loved it!  He shared enough for everyone in the house to have 1 or 2 pieces under their pillows too.

 First day of kindergarten.  He was so excited to get there.

I didn't realize that Matthew couldn't go in the room, so he got to put his bag away with me there and then he had to go sit in the hall.  I felt horrible he had to sit there for 15 mins, but today he wanted to ride with Mamaw to school, so he could be the first there sitting in the hall.  He was disappointed that Dax beat him.  Boys, who knows what they will enjoy, at least of a little while. 

I love this drawing he did yesterday!  He met a new friend named Joshua.  He announced he was his best friend.  Phil told him to slow the roll on deciding best friends and Matthew said Joshua asked if he could be his best friend, so he said sure and now he is.  We'll see in a month.


I may not have mentioned this before but my Mom retired at the end of school last year.  While I was on vacation in California, she was asked to come back and teach Title 1.  She agreed, as her heart belongs to Title 1.  There has been none of the stress and late hours of the last two years in 2nd grade.

My school year has not started as tranquilly as Matthew and Mom's, but it's been ok.  There has been alot of loose ends and questions that are starting to be tied up.  I will be working in the middle school this year for an hour.  I'm surprised I didn't turn white yesterday when I found out, it was not a welcome discovery.  But I'm sure that it will go much better then I'm scared it will.  I'll gain some experience and maybe come to like working with that age group as well.  For sure all grades will come to know me this year.  It has been fun to have so many kids greeting me and hugs from quite a few.

Greeting from Texas!

We were home for about 5 days and took back off for a road trip to TX.  This time Matthew did not throw up, yea!  We've been here for about 2 weeks and have had a lot of fun.  The boys have had fun boxing and bowling on the Wii.

 As well as mastering MarioKart.

 They really get into it.

 Here is Matthew's bedroom.  He wanted everyone to see it.  *photo by Matthew

 The second weekend we were here, they had lifeguard competitions. 

 Find Phil in this photo.  It's like "Where's Waldo."  I almost walked up to the wrong guy when we got there!

 We've been bowling for real.

 I'm sad to say that Matthew skunked me not once, but twice!  This was our first game.  Last night, he beat me by 10.  I was too ashamed to take a photo of that.

 We've canoodled with Isabelle.  We love her so much we bought her, her very own water fountain.

 Since our lawn is dead, we've tried watering it, which Matthew has loved playing in.

 All the old toys being available again, has been very fun for him.

 What a wild mustang he has!

 We've also been furniture shopping.  Here is what we are probably going to buy.  The boys seem to like it.  They "fell" asleep in it.  Phil fell in love with a massive entertainment center that's $2,500.  I believe that he'll be wanting that for awhile.

Today Matthew got to go to work with Phil.  Here they are walking out the door.  Matthew didn't get to swim because the chemicals were not right, but they watched an awesome movie, according to Matthew.

Last night Matthew really wanted to play MarioKart.  We said that we couldn't because his Dad had broke the disc in half, because he got so mad at the game, the night before.  Matthew said, "Did you really?"  "Yup" we said.  He got up, marched over to the Wii and pushed the eject button.  He crossed his arms like a parent and faintly tapped his foot.  When the disc came out whole, he turned around, looked at us sternly and said, "Does this look broken to you?"  That was it.  We died laughing.

In other news, we decided for me to keep my job with the school.  Matthew and I will be headed back home again in a few days to prepare for the 1st day of school, Aug 16th.  Our baby is growing up.  I may cry.  We've already done the back to school shopping here.  I wanted to take a photo, Phil vetoed it.  I suppose it's silly, but I wanted a visual record of it.

Cali part 2: Orange Co. and San Diego

If family hadn't taken photos for me, especially Pauline (thank you so much!) there would not be any photos from this part of the trip.

Day 8: After saying goodbye to Phil (he flew to TX), we took another plane ride back to LAX.  My cousin Susan, picked us up and we went to her apartment in Orange Co.  I'd never had the pleasure of meeting her, so it was fabulous!  We ate pizza and talked nonstop for 5 hours.  She is a wonderful person that I am proud to call my relative.  After that time passed too soon, we took an Amtrak train, for the first time ever, to Solana Beach.  My cousins Carmi and Pauline picked us up and took us to their house.  It was a long day!

 Day 9:  We got up and went to the beach with Pauline's grandkids, Skyler and Ariana.  We had such a good time playing in the water.  Matthew wore a wet suit and looked like a surfer boy.  And no one brought a camera!

 Ariana played all day with Matthew.  He had such a good time with her.  I believe they are 4th cousins once removed, maybe 3rd.

 They did alot of dot to dots and artwork.

 Skyler, Brenda (their mom), Ariana, and I.

 Pauline and I.  (Are you noticing a trend here?  I'm the jolly green giant!)

 Day 10:  I got up and took a hike up Torrey Pines with Pauline and her sister Mary.  Here is a photo of "Indian bathtub" rock.  Matthew stayed behind and "entertained" Carmi.

 Mary and I.  It's an amazingly beautiful hike and a real workout.

 When we got back Matthew and Carmi walked Zoe.  She is a delightful dog.

 Ariana built an elaborate racetrack for Matthew before she left, while he was asleep.  It was quite a surprise.

 Matthew loved this spyglass.

 And wanted Uncle Mickey to see his tattoo!

 Once showered, we went to Swamis Gardens.  It is a beautiful mediation spot.  Very lush.

 And right on the water.

 After the gardens, we took Matthew to the Rock Park.  He loved it!

 He had lots fun with others.  Unfortunately, he spun so much he made himself sick in the car, but it could have been worse.  Next we visited a local library that has a wonderful children's section.  Matthew and I borrowed 3 books and read them alot.

 Day 11:  The day before Matthew discovered the joys of having a stationary bike and burned a lot of calories.  (As if he needs too!)

 In the morning we went to Pauline and Mary's enormous gym with them and swam in the kids pool.

 Before we flew out, we visited the children's pool at La Jolla.

 And visited Pauline's rowing club.  Unfortunately, with traffic, we didn't get to visit the park Phil and I got married in at, but we could see Coronado Island.

We flew out late and got into KC around midnight.  We stopped at Auntie's for the night.

Day 12:  We were so glad to be home although we had so much fun where ever we were.  We were lucky enough to be able to spend some time with Auntie before we headed home.  

And that concludes our travel log.  Next travel plans: TX to spend a few weeks with the husband!