Our Party Animal

This is an old post that I found in my drafts. It's about a year old, but I could see it happening today!

Jay showed his party animal side recently when we went to going away party for an intern at Rob's company. It was at someone's house and when we arrived, we did the typical "do we ring the doorbell or just walk in" debate. Before we could decide, Jay said "oh, let's just go in" and grabbed the doorknob and walked right in.

People hung out in the kitchen/dining room area and in the porch. Not long after our arrival, we realized we didn't see Jay anywhere. We looked around, then saw a little blond head on the porch talking with Rob's boss David, and two women. He stayed for a little while, then came back inside looking for food.

He has a blue button-down shirt with white and yellow flowers on it that he calls his "party shirt." He was around 3 when he started wearing it to his friends' birthday parties and it was quite big on him. Now, after two years, it is starting to get to small. He insists that it still fits because he can still button it, but his belly shows a bit and he can't move his arms very well.

He really wants to wear it to school, but the dress code specifies solid red, white, or blue shirts. When I told him he had to wear a uniform shirt, he said, "But I want to look nice. It's my nicest shirt." After two weeks of school, he still sadly sighs about not being able to wear it. Last year they had Fabulous Fridays where you could dress out of uniform if you bring a dollar for whatever cause they collect for. I hope one is coming up; otherwise, I may need to let him go to school out of uniform.

Our New Tiger Cub

This year Jay joined Cub Scouts, while Cole ended his scouting career. We were disappointed Cole didn't want to continue, but it is nice not to have to juggle two den meetings. Rob elected not to be the den leader this year, but is still very involved.

At the second pack meeting (the pack includes all scouts from Belle Hall from 1st to 5th grade), the boys had already earned the Bobcat Badge and kickball belt loop. They all went on stage to receive the awards and shake the pack leader's hand. Jay and his buddies were literally jumping up and down. I imagine they are all blurs in the photos. They looked so cute in their too-big uniform shirts and baseball caps. The den leader is certainly going to be challenged by the energy of this group!

The first camping trip was last weekend. Jay came home filthy, which seems to be the sign of a good time! Cole and I stayed home and had a really nice time together. I think we both enjoyed the quiet, but Cole really missed Jay by the afternoon.

The campers cheated a little this year and brought the air mattress. Rob said he is never going camping again without it. Knowing that, I may be willing to go next time!

Halloween 2012

We started October at Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch, which is an annual tradition. Besides pumpkins, it has a hayride, corn maze, jump castles and pillows, play structures, and a new spider web.

Spider Web

I think we're lost!

"It's not too heavy!"

"If you're gonna take my picture, I'm gonna look goofy!

We had fun carving the pumpkins!

And finally... HALLOWEEN! Rob and I felt very safe walking the streets of our neighborhood with two ninjas to protect us!

The boys got a big haul, most of it thanks to Jay who asked each person, "How many can we take?" When we returned home, Cole built Mt. Chocomore, and Jay got a candy bar's worth of chocolate on his face! Two signs of a great Halloween!

Halloween 2011

This year we decided to get creative and use stuff from around the house as costumes. Cole was a detective and Jay was an angry bird.

First Day of School 2012

This year, school started on my birthday! It was so chaotic that I didn't even remember it was my birthday until I saw the greetings online. The quiet house was a treat; nonetheless, I really wasn't ready for the school schedules and activities to begin again.

Jay was very excited to start first grade. (The puppies were excited too!)  He became even more thrilled when he learned his teacher's name is Heather (imagine his huge grin!). She is very sweet and young with a strong Georgia accent, so it will be interesting to hear if his crazy accent changes over the year.

He loves that he has homework this year (what a difference it makes to have an older sibling). Each Monday, the students bring home 3 or 4 worksheets that they need to finish by Friday. Within minutes of walking in the door Monday afternoon, he has them all finished.

I'm going to be one of the room moms in his class, so I'm looking forward to getting to know all the kids and the teacher better.

I can't believe that Cole is in third grade! He looks so grown up! Thank goodness for my new camera or I wouldn't have been able to get this picture in the split second that he paused on his way to the car to say, "Don't take my picture."

The year got off to a great start when he found out that he came in 3rd place (out of the whole school) for the most pages read over the summer. The prize was a gift certificate to his favorite store, Barnes & Noble. (As he says, it has his 3 favorite things: books, legos, and cupcakes!)

He also tested into a gifted class that meets once a week to work on special projects. Later in the year, they'll learn about bridges and study the beautiful one that brings us from Mt P to Charleston. I'd like to go to that class!

People had warned us that third grade is challenging and we've seen that from the beginning. A month into the year, however, we've finally settled into a good homework routine and he's doing well with the higher expectations.

Cole's in Second Grade!

Somehow, Cole keeps getting older and older. I wish I could keep him at seven year old, because he is such a fun, wonderful boy. (Although I seem to say that every year.)

He is now in second grade, which, with two full grades below him in school, is officially a BIG KID! Second graders have a little homework every night, get to check out two library books at a time, and go on two field trips. In Cub Scouts, he is now a Wolf Cub and has a lot of patches and belt loops on his uniform.

Cole was a great big brother on Jay's first day of kindergarten and helped him find his cubby and seat. We are excited to see what this year brings!

Mother's Day 2012

I received many hugs, kisses, and artwork from the boys for Mother's Day. Jay's gift included a song...