Day Two

The Boys are back-to-school. I cannot believe Walker has finally progressed to public school. Both are so grown up.

Walker had a great first two days of school. I am pleased to announce that the first day at Jackson was not as bad as I anticipated. I easily found my newly found secret, secluded parking place so I had no problems parking or fighting for a spot.

We walked into the building and W suddenly forgot he knew me and certainly would not be holding my hand. Where did my cautious, insecure-at-first child go? The afternoon carpool teacher reported that he had a great day. Walker's summation of the day: "boring". Okay,at least it was not 'bad". Day Two went equally as well. Today's summation was "fun'. He is not pleased that kindergartners are not allowed to buy ice cream after lunch.

Reese had a fine day. The high school parking lot was a mess! Hopefully it will get better. Reese will begin taking the bus, so not an issue.

Reese was in a mood when he got home. Apparently, each class spent the day reviewing paper work which needed to be signed and class rules. He had homework in two subjects, which he did not want to do. Welcome to being a high school honor's student dude.

I worked with his flurry of papers and tried to get him organized - which he did not appreciate at.all. I shopped today for more organizing supplies. I hope when he gets home, he will allow me to go through his stuff.

Back to School

Walker is back to school on Monday, a new school with new friends. I hesitate so much taking him from a small private school to a humongus public school.

Walker likes to take it slow and easy and has always been cautious to new situations. I know I am overwhelmed by this school, surely he must be as well.

We visited our new school for their "Spirit Day" event, where we bought school supplies, a school t-shirt and met our teacher.

I had the opportunity to speak at length with a member of the kindergarten team and she seemed wonderful. She was a delight - I hope she is representative of the entire Kindergarten staff. W's teacher also seemed to be nice and did a super job putting him right at ease.

Physically, W's classroom is the farthest classroom from the front door. While I cannot imagine him navigating the hallways full of people, I am sure it will be second nature in no time.

The best part of this event is I learned a new place to park! This elementary school was built over 30 years ago in a residental area. Many additions have been made to the building and the once small school is now huge. Parking for any all school event is a nightmare, with aggressive parents and grandparents lobbying for the few spots close to the buiding. I now know a side street that dead ends at the park directly behind the school.

On the first day of school it is typical for mom AND dad to EACH drive their own car to school to watch their children either get off the bus or walk into the school for the first time that year. I would also not be surprised if extended family is there as well. So there will be a HUGE amount of cars and people.

To avoid the first day chaos, Walker and I went to school today for that first day of school ahead of the crowd. Just wish he had been a tad more cooperative.

Swim Lessons

Walker is in his second week of swim lessons and doing a phenominal job. I have said it before, but I am just completely amazed with his progress.

He starrted last Monday as the oldest kid in the Advanced beginner class. The advanced part was quite a stretch. This week he has been moved to the next group up, who are almost ready to learn strokes.

Yesterdy, he cried the entire class, because he did not want to swim. I was not even sure he would return to class at all.

Today's class began at a slide pulled up to the pool. The kids were to slide into the water and then swim to the instructor. I told the teacher "fat chance". He showed me. He got in line with the kids, slid and swam. He even dove to the botom to pick up rings in 4 feet deep water.

School is Coming

One down and one to go:

Schedule pick up day was today for high school. How can Reese be in high school already, I just cannot understand. Wasn’t it just yesterday he was my little boy? Shepton High School did an awesome job with their Schedule-Pick Up Event. These events can be so overwhelming, but the organization and work of the PTSA was perfect – a great job!

Transitioning to a new school has never been difficult for Reese, so I imagine this transition will not be any different. Reese has matured so very much over the past year or so and I am so proud of him. I don’t know if his progress has been because of age and maturity or because of participation in our social skills group. Either way, I am happy with the results.

Reese’s work will be as a high school student. While he loves school and learning, he does not care so much for doing the actual work. He has a heavy load this year with two honors classes. He wanted to take more honors level classes, but I said no – until he proves he is willing to do the work required.

One week to go – the count down begins

Schedule Pick Up

Schedule Pick Up for High School is today. My sister just told me it is also picture day. I told DS he had to shower, comb hair, shave and put on a decent shirt. He cannot find his razor and wants to wear a stretched out tshirt (with a cool print)

Elementary Schedule Pick Up is next Friday - the day before school starts. Teacher assignment is posted on the school window the Thursday before. Principal tapes it up and staff evacuates the building so that no questions may be asked (nice, huh)

Swimming

Up until now, Walker will not swim. He will not put his face or head under water.

We started commando swim lessons this week. He has had two thirty minute lessons. When the instructor says put your face in the water - you put your face in the water! I had no idea it was this way before we went. DS is doing fine with the class, he says he is ready to swim.

Tonight, we meet Reese's Group at the pool. We ran into a friend of Walker's there as well. Walker started paying with a dive toy with a boy at the pool. He worked really hard working with the toy and was finaly able to get it from the bottom of the shallow pool (maybe 2.5-3 feet). After he found his friend he just started swimming. That was it. He has never ever swam before and he just did it. By the time we left he could swim half the length of the pool.

It was like a miracle - my boy can swim!

In swim class the teacher has been so impressed with him. She even had him swim the entire length of the pool! I just cannot believe it

Secret Agent

Walker would like to attend "Secret Agent School". Fortunately for me, he says you have to be 13 to attend.

I’ll get right on that.

Camp is Over

Summer camp is officially over at my house. Walker’s last day was Friday and Reese has already attended his last camp. Camp mommy is in process for thee next three weeks (until school begins).

With the end of Walker’s camp brings to end a carpool responsibility. Throughout the year Walker was picked up by another family and I brought home the other family’s child. Sadly, by the end of the year I was highly disappointed with how this arrangement worked.

The kids will go to different elementary schools next year and will miss each other so very much.

Air Museum

Monday’s activity was visiting the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Love Field Airport. Reese, Mason and I were joined by one of our Echidnas families. The boys had fun visiting the exhibits.

My favorite was an early space craft, large enough on the inside to seat three people side by side that continuously orbited for ten days.

We left the museum and headed to an older area of Dallas and the SMU campus. We ate lunch at the Best Fried Chicken joint in town. All their food is made from scratch including yummy yeast rolls.

Our outing was completed by a walk through Snider Plaza, a shopping center adjacent to SMU. We found the coolest toy store that the boys (and me too) really enjoyed walking through. I might have bought more Jibbitz for my crocs.

Our New Pet

At our house, we often set goals with a reward for successful completion. Walker has always had a preference to sleep in mom and dad’s room instead of his own. He had quite the talent for slipping in late at night, unnoticed until morning. We set a goal for Walker to sleep in his own room all.night.long. Success promised a fish. He has asked for a fish often and the time seemed right to try.


We now have a new pet named Princess. Princess is a Beta fish and swims around in her bowl and is fun to watch. Best of all Princess and Walker can sleep together in his room. All.night.long