The Adventures of HarryJack: August 2009

Saturday, August 29, 2009

On Blueberry Hill

The boys' first week of school was most everything I had hoped for for them, but it seems I planned a whole buncha nothing and don't feel as productive as I had hoped for me. You may have noticed there was only one blog post, despite tons of pix in my draft folder and what should have been nothing but time on my hands. There's always next week, right?

So, the boys had art, music, PE and guidance this week, in addition to all the fun of their regular classroom, learning the ins and outs of bus-riding and cafeteria lunches, announcements and all things school-y. They are both pretty happy with their teachers and classmates, and it seems like good matches for their personalities so far.

They each drew
"What I did on my first day of K" pix

and each had a chance to paint with different things like carrots and qtips (above).

Jack's is Blueberry Hill and Harry described his as a blueberry garden - I think they may have been working on big/little since both have variations of that theme and Harry said "see the small garden in my hand"

They each surprised us on some things despite the fact that the week was a lot of what we expected. They each have a few old friends and a lot of new friends to meet, each with about 15 in their class. Their teachers are organized and kind and give great feedback to us, so it's all good so far.

They made sundaes for dessert tonite - here's Harry's favorite cheesy grin pose (you can't see the big bruise he got from walking into a door jamb at school yesterday, but it's blue and makes him look a little Rocky-ish)

I swear it looks like we're introducing them to some heinous crime, but they think no sundae is complete without a whipped cream nose

Is it just me, or does he look exhausted?!?

Their friend Grayson said even his feet were tired, so I guess it was a pretty long week - only 35 to go :-)

Fats Domino's Blueberry Hill

Monday, August 24, 2009

Let me be a little kinderGARTENER

Today was their first day of school, and it was great all the way around, including Daddy getting home early enough to enjoy the evening with them (or try, since they were wildly tired). We've all worked hard to get here, and it felt GOOD to be ready!

I just loved this picture of Harry working so hard to get himself ready for the big day

I thought Jack was checking out the car, then realized he was looking at himself.....ah, vanity!

The bus in the mist.....they were SO excited!

Trooping off with the big boys

I wonder how tall he'll be come June?

Getting home this afternoon - they were so excited. Harry came bounding off the bus with a big hug, then Jack backed up and flew into my arms.....makes up for any missing, I guess!

Harry proudly presented me with this heart eraser that he earned today 'because I LIKE you, Mommy!' :wub:

If yours started today, hope it went well! They are loving it so far, and I'm getting into the swing of new schedules. Thanx to all the friends who got together for lunch - we need to do that more often ;-)

Glen Campbell's Less Of Me

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Are You Ready, Eddie?

Our great friend Eddie celebrated FOUR today - fun and frolic for all!

Pinning tails and whatnot

brought major bags of LOOT!

Jack tried his feet at roller skating - a definite must at the new house!

Water balloons were a-flyin'

and fires were put out! (I think I need to give Dean the phone camera - look how he caught the water exploding!)

Cake and song

Thanx for including us, Eddie and family!

It was a blast, as always.

Welcome to the 4's, Eddie :-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After the party, we did a few errands and took the boys for a celebratory dinner. The three guys had fun with the video games before we dug into yummy dinners (RR has a new onion burger...oh, my!)

Him And His Shadow

This is what soon-to-be Kindergarteners look like, hanging out with their awesome Daddy!

Have fun tomorrow!

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Hey Mr. Postman

Jack received his own welcome postcard today and was thrilled! His teacher was so creative, and it's a little hard to understand him thru most of this, so I'm typing it out for your reading pleasure :-)

Dear Jack,

School days are almost here

Please do not fear

I cannot wait to have you in class this year!

Many adventures we will have together

Along with learning our numbers,

letters and about the weather.

Florida's sun was nice and hot.

I have fun at the vacation spot.

African animals I have seen

In our classroom, Room 113.

We are ready for our learning safari to begin

Best wishes until then!

Love, Ms. Jones

Thanx, Ms. Jones, for providing such an exciting beginning to his school career!

The Beatles

School BoyS Heart

I had a ride-along with the boys today, a sort of practice for Monday's big First Day. We were loaded down with supplies and excitable boys.

They have loved this 'bus bench' ever since they noticed the big yellow vehicles - I swear they sat on it about 20 different times while we waited for about 5 minutes before and another 15 after we were dropped in the afternoon...sweet sillies.

Nothing like the self-portraits

Jack took his turn as photog

then Harry had a chance (guess Jack was *not* kidding about being 'a little nervous-excited' by the looks of his face)

I have no idea how I captured this shot of them watching the bus approach - they were so excited!

I was waiting for the Forest Gump moment, but this was the best I got

This picture of them with their friend Grayson completely shows their personalities at the moment - Jack explaining it all and Harry taking it all in

Love this picture of Harry watching the world go by

Arriving at school - their sweet teachers are waiting for them, but I haven't asked permission to post their pix yet so this will have to do for the moment

Jack was so excited to share his picture - our family of four plus his teacher Ms. Jones

Harry got right to work after his teacher gave us all the crucial info

Jack loves talking with their amazing bus driver - she's so kind and patient and excited and all the things you'd want from the person transporting your kids (I grew up in a state that allowed HS kids to drive busses for credit, I think. My BD was one of the 16yo football stars and completely reckless)

Waiting on a friend/brother

Saying goodbye to Mrs. Grady once again ;-)

Harry doing his post-trip sit

JB's School Boy Heart

08/20/09 Harry: Remember Mommy, it's GoodToFeelGood! (from Caillou, all run together with a huge grin) Jack: Mrs. Routson is the perfect teacher for Harry because he LOVES routes!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

THEY'RE going out to sea

We're all missing Ocracoke, and I was finally able to upload these videos from the pirate show we got to check out this year. The first video is long and shows how goofy they are, and fair warning about the second...I can't get that song out of my head whenever I see it.

They were the only tinies in the audience, and were asked to 'help' hold the card for the audience to sing-along. Silly boys - this is their first public performance....watch out, David Cook, they're coming for your Idol trophy ;-)

Within the stories of pirate life, they let the audience practice with the halyard while singing this shanty (they are going nowhere fast LOL):

Lyle Lovett's If I Had A Boat

And I love to fish

I am slowly getting thru the vacation pix and we're all missing D, so I thought I'd post these pix and videos from the BOY fishing trip. They lucked into the best captain and had an all-around amazing experience - catching 27 Spanish mackerel and a blue in one hour. We're taking the remaining fish over to friends' for a fish fry this weekend....yum!