Another tooth has gone missing.  I knew when he left for school that it would probably come out that day and sure enough it did.  I warned his teacher of the possibility and wasn't at all surprised that he came home with a tooth in a baggie.  So he forgot to put it under his pillow that night.  Okay by me, as I wasn't prepared.  Next night he remembered but wanted to put it in a jar on his dresser to make it easier for the tooth fairy to find out.  She did find it after some searching and left a trail of gold glitter in the jar, on his bed a little and of course, on and under his pillow along with a set of window markers and a Lego minifig.  He was delighted with the glitter hunt as he checked the jar and only found glitter.  It took a while to look under the pillow but lo and behold there were the prizes.  The minifig turned out to be a scarecrow (you don't know for sure until you open it) which he liked.  Later I found out he was hoping for a beyblade but more on that another day.  I love this snaggle toothed smile and am expecting the other front tooth to go missing any day now-it's loose too.

Young Eagles

Yesterday the boys and I went out to the airport for a free flight with the Young Eagles program.

 Pilot Matt took Andrew up for his first flight in a Cessna 182.  Andrew was super excited and ready to go.

 The wait for flight was pretty quick.  We enjoyed the beautiful weather and watched several planes take off and land.  There were also a few helicopters at the airport too.

 Ready for take-off.

 Little brother ran to greet his big brother when he landed.

 Of course, one must be interviewed by the newspaper staff.  I'm wondering what comments will appear in the paper tomorrow.

 Thomas really didn't meet the age requirement but this kind pilot let him go on a short flight as he waited so patiently for his big brother and was really excited to go.

 This is the face of a happy little boy who just has to do everything big brother does.

Thanks so much to the Young Eagles program for making this available.  Maybe one or both of these boys will follow in your footsteps one day.

Back to School

So the boys are back in school and we did the requisite back-to-school photos.  I'm happy for them as they are so excited to go back to school but I'm also a little sad as they are gone for so many hours in the day.  I miss them so much each day but I also enjoy the time I have alone to clean the house, do the laundry and generally get things done.  Thomas is in 1st grade evidenced by the "great to be in 1st" crown and Andrew is in third grade.  It's going to be a great year.

The days are long but the years just fly by

So much time has passed and I haven't written anything.  So many events of our lives have passed and I haven't written anything.  How come sometimes the days go by in a blur.  Thomas graduated from Kindergarten after an amazing first year of school with Miz D.   It was so much fun and he learned a lot of new things, made some new friends and thoroughly enjoyed himself all year long.  I have photos but they are still on my parent's camera so someday I'll get them and post them.  He is not a baby anymore, he'll be starting first grade soon and it goes so fast.

The other huge event was Morgan graduating with her AA from Porterville College at the tender age of 18.  She is such an amazing, wonderful, young woman and we could not be prouder of her and her accomplishments.  I have photos of her graduation as well but again they are on my parents camera.

Morgan left to attend school at Cal State Long Beach in the middle of July.  She is hoping to find a job before school starts and to get herself settled.  She is so independent that I really thought it wouldn't be hard to let her go off to school.  After all, it's what we have worked towards most of her life and I think she is ready. No, I know she is ready.  When the day finally came, I sent her off with her dad.  He drove a truckload of her things and she drove her own car loaded down of course.  I stayed home with the littles and slowly found myself sinking into the abyss.   No one told me I would feel like one huge part of my heart had left home.  No one mentioned the feeling of worthlessness as a mom that would sweep over me in waves just missing her.  I knew it was time, I knew she was ready, I knew (theoretically) that she could handle it.  I think she has good judgement and makes good decisions.  But in my heart, I wanted just a little more time.  Time to do the things I didn't get done.  Time to give her one more hug.  Time to talk about real life stuff once more.  Time to teach her more about handling money.  Time to just hang out with her.  Her childhood has sped on by and although I spent more of it with my children than most (I stayed home with my kids and home schooled them), the time has gone far too quickly and they are grown and gone.  Just as I'm getting them old enough to really enjoy them, they leave home.  So I said a prayer, okay I said lots of prayers.  I continue to pray for her often.  She'll be okay and so will I.  I just love her so much and I wonder if she really knows.

T

Cinderella-St. Anne's First Musical

 Andrew played the part of the king in St. Anne's first musical-Cinderella.  Grandpa and Grandma found this great jacket while traveling in Colorado and brought it home just in time for the play.  My friend, Shelly, altered it a bit for size and it worked out great.  He looks very much like a king that day complete with glittered Burger King crown.

 Timothy, the Grand Duke, and Andrew, the King.

 Coming is singing the opening song.

 Grandpa and Grandma came from Bakersfield for the special performance. 

 G and G brought up Christin

 and Grace

And of course, the littlest brother had to share in the glory too.  James, Gary and I also attended but we just didn't make it into the photos.
One highlight was the special gift Grandma and Grandma made for Andrew.  Since last October, Andrew has been collecting small rubber ducks in various costumes.  Grandpa hand painted one for Andrew to look like a King!

Fresno Chaffee Zoo Kindergarten Field Trip 2013

 Hanging out with friends before going into the zoo.

 Getting briefed by zoo personnel.

 He has always wanted to learn about bones.

 Getting the facts on reptiles.

 Checking out the seals and sea lions.

 Feeding the giraffes.

The classic photo we take every zoo visit.  So funny to watch them grow over the years against this backdrop.

Jog-A-Thon 2013

 The kiddos participated in their very first Jog A Thon.  Each lap was about 1/3 of a mile. 

 Thomas ran seven laps in about 30 minutes.  He walked some but kept a pretty good pace throughout.

Andrew churned it out with 9 laps before they stopped him.  He loves to run.

Both boys were among the top runners/fundraisers in their respective classes so they were treated to a pizza party.  Andrew also received a gift card from Target for running the most laps in his class.