Bless Her Heart

Indulge me? Back to School Pics...

I know, I know...but I can't help myself.  I'm embarrassed to say that I was so shocked that the boy let me take his picture that I didn't think to reset my camera settings from the night before.  Apologies for the grainy-ness, but I have a feeling he'll probably like it better that way anyway. Did I mention he wears a 10 1/2 shoe? He'll be taller than me soon...I can see it from here.

The Girl?  Well...there's not much to be said.  She looks forward to this day the whole year and as usual, she worked tirelessly to assemble her perfect outfit for the occasion. POW!
This year feels like kind of a coasting year for us.  No major transitions or milestones at school...just a bit of a breather.  Well unless you count The Boy's birthday next month when he officially becomes a teenager.  Oy...my stomach just knotted up a bit.  Hmmmm....what will I call him then?  I can't rightly call him The Boy forever...or for that much longer really....

Not What Dr. King had in Mind...

The Girl brought home some work from school yesterday.  After drop-off this morning I sat down on the couch to look at it.  At the bottom of the pile there was a colorful mobile that she had made highlighting her dreams for the world, her country and her community:

 
 She is kind and considerate and cares for the world around her (spelling preserved)...

For the world:

I have a dream that people will stop puluting the earth.  I also hope that all people get to go to the moon.

For my country:

I have a dream that the USA will live on in peace through the years.  I have a dream that my country will live in happiness.

For my community:

 
 Yeah.  That's my kid.  Waiting on the apocalypse.  Sigh.  Maybe this is why no one calls for play dates anymore?  Kidding. I was just pleased that she spelled it right.  :)

30 Days with a Grateful Heart - 10

 Day 10: Leaves

I'm so amazed by the colors I am seeing in our fair city this fall/winter.  I can't remember the last time there were so many different shades of oranges and reds on our trees.  Maybe it's been like this all along, and I just haven't taken the time to slow down and look?  I think my children are tiring of my fascination with the changing seasons. "Mama...please tell me you're not taking another picture of a leaf!" (insert eye roll here).  They like to tease me but in actuality I started looking at the leaves because they did, so it takes no effort at all to get them to slow down and study the flame colored tips of a Japanese Maple on the walk to class in the morning.  It's a great way to center a bit before walking into the school building.  Close examination and quiet attention is just what the doctor ordered after the crazy hustle and bustle of getting out the door.

...and around we go.

It's hard to believe the summer break is gone.  Lord knows it's still hot enough around here to want to spend every waking hour at the pool...but alas, it's off to school we go again.  We just wrapped up the first week of school and I think we're all still floating on how exciting last week was.  The boy started at a progressive middle school here in town, and all indications are that we have found an excellent fit for him.  The girl is in the bilingual 2nd grade at a local public school that we love, love, love.  Each day after school last week, I listened to each of them trip over each other words, anxious to tell me all of the reasons they are excited about this school year.  It does the mama-heart good to hear them going on and on, using words like cool, awesome, centering, and 'good vibes' when describing their learning environments.  My middle school years were so befuddling to my budding emotional self, that it is both lovely and inspiring to see the boy so comfortable in his own skin while navigating this new landscape.  Although we'll miss the laziness of summer days, and I have some regrets about some of the things we weren't able to fit in...it's nice to be back in the swing of things around here.  The kids are so invigorated and excited about all of the possibilities that the upcoming year holds...and that kind of enthusiasm is contagious.  :)

First Day of School (um..yeah...back in August)

So, I started up this typepad account because it seems like it has more bells and whistles than the Blogger one....or maybe it just seems more user-friendly, I dunno.  Anyhoo, I had good intentions but life got in the way (story of this year for us).  I am way behind on the pictures that I wanted to post here, so I think I will just backtrack to the beginning of August.  SO!  The first day of school was exciting as wells as nerve-wracking.  Fi was so incredibly excited at the prospect of finally getting some 'real' homework.  Li was pensive and a little unsure of what to think of this whole 5th grade thing.  The picture tells the tale.