Back to School Night

To officially usher in the new school year and the new addition to the boys' school, last night was Back To School Night. Chris was excited to go and show us his classroom, but Jake didn't want to go - "you've seen it already, Mom". I said that we didn't have to stay very long, but Chris wanted to go and I couldn't leave Jake at home by himself while Chris, Isaac and I went. He groaned all the way. Soon he was just as into it as Chris was. We were greeted by several booths in the hallways, one of which was passing out little apples on popsicle sticks, eagerly being snatched up by kids! After a short intro by the Principal, we were dismissed to go to our kids' classes. We came to Chris' class first and had a little scavenger hunt to see lots of things that the kids had done in the first weeks of class. Their desks, writing journals, reading cubbies, "I Am..." picture and story were just a few of the things we saw. Then we went onto Jake's class, just 2 doors down from Chris' class. Jake was now interested in showing all the stuff around his class. They got to have a licorice stick from Jake's teacher and find "tiger paws" all around the classroom. As we were walking out I found myself next to Mrs. Diaz (Jake's Teacher). So I asked how Jake was doing, not getting bored or making trouble? She had nothing but good to say about him. He is very enthusiastic in talking Spanish, helpful in circle time and hasn't been in trouble. I was so excited to hear that - I just pray that that report lasts throughout the year!

Praise the Lord for a great beginning to the school year!

Wonderful Weekend

Last weekend was fun! My Dad has been trying all summer to find a time to take Chris and Jake camping up in the hills. Well, this weekend was it! So Saturday, we packed up a few clothes, sleeping bags, pillows and animals and went to Grandpa and Grandma's where Grandpa had the tent trailer all ready to go with food, wood, and other essential camping things. Off they went, leaving Isaac, my mom and I to do whatever we wanted to do! We decided to have decadent dinner of shrimp, fresh snow crab legs, french bread and cucumber salad. We also rented a movie (Mad Money -- not bad, not great) then sat and ate our dinner... Isaac cooperated beauifully and we had a very nice evening! Sunday, we went to church then went back to their house to work on a puzzle that we had started, had more shrimp and crab on a salad and lounged until Grandpa, Chris and Jake came back from the hills around 3 - filthy, happy and bouncing! They had had a wonderful time, roasting marshmallows over the Coleman (the fire hazard was high and campfires were not allowed), setting up the tent trailer, and other male camping things (I am sure that they all enjoyed peeing in the woods - don't all boys?).

So the entire weekend was great, except for one thing - it ended!

Funny? Not so funny?

So tell me what you think. Yesterday morning was crazy, we got up late and scrambled to get food in at least Christian before getting him to school. Jake comes up to me (when I was in the middle of something) and says, "Mom, I unlocked the van for you." To which I promptly responded, "Jakob. Thank you for trying to help, but that isn't something you are supposed to do. OK?" Then I went on to getting everyone ready and out the door. What do you suppose happens next? You have probably already guessed. I walk by the open front door and see my VAN on the opposite side of the cul-de-sac. Yes, not in the driveway like I parked it the night before. And who do you think did this? Again, yes, you guessed it, Jakob. I yell out the door and, with Isaac in my arms, only one shoe on, walk quickly across the street. As I am getting to the van, Jakob is hysterically getting out of the drivers seat, tears streaming down his face, saying, "Mom, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that... I am so sorry!" I growl for him to just get in the van and buckle. I buckle Isaac in, start the van and drive it back into the driveway. After getting Christian and getting him to school (which he was late for), Jakob and I had a talk. He had started the van, put it into either Reverse or Neutral and backed it out of the driveway. Somehow he had managed to stop it before hitting anything or anyone, and then turned it off, which is where I came in. I proceeded to explain to him that he could have killed someone, including himself, hit another car, house, etc. He was very serious, listening (for once) to every word. I said that he wasn't allowed to do that and would lose the priviledge of unlocking the house for at least 2 weeks. I decided to not spank him only due to the fact that he was hysterical and scared beyond everything. He knew what he did was wrong and regretted every moment of it.

So here is my question: Should I have spanked him anyway? At the time I didn't think so, but of course hind sight is 20/20... What do you think?

Issers

For some reason I kinda like that nickname for Isaac... Issers. Anyway this is him. He is a happy boy that just won't quit. He can usually make me smile!

This is the funny little crawl that Isaac does. He can crawl with both knees, but usually does the one knee up and one knee down... Silly to watch! (BTW, sorry that it is sideways, I always forget that you can't flip it!)

New Chair, Funny Boy

I finally found a new high-chair for Isaac. (We lost a piece of our old one coming back from camping.) He loves it, but never sits straight in it - he always has a leg up, usually his left.

First Days (kind of)

So this forgetfull mommy didn't remember to bring the camera to Christian's first day of 2nd grade... so this picture is of the second day of 2nd grade!

And for Jakob, I did remember and, boy, did he ham it up!!! But this is classic Jakob...

Oh, Yes. And did you notice their VERY short hair? We went in for haircuts (thinking that it would be a TRIM!!!) and this is what we came out with! Buzz-cuts!!!