Happy Halloween

the entire gang went a trick-or-treatin this year. We pulled the boys along in the wagon and headed for busier streets (because ours is a cul-de-sac and NO ONE trick-or-treats on it). It was pretty fun but I still long for the busy, festive streets of our old neighborhood in Del Ray. Wow that was fun...spooky music, people hanging out on porches, and lots and lots of kids in costume. I do think this is the best costume year we've had yet. I loved Brooksy's costume so much he wore it all day! Cole looked incredibly cute at Peter Pan~ I so wish he could have worn it to school. Happy Halloween everyone!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy

Sweet, Intelligent and Independent...those are the words that best describe Brooks at age 2. You don't mind playing on your own, but definitely prefer to play with your big brother. We went to Chik-fila for your birthday tonight where you climbed to the top, with Cole's help, of a gigantic play structure. I was concerned you'd get up there and change your mind, you looked down and laughed and kept going up, up, up! What a big boy you've become. You are a pro at blowing out candles and you have new words daily. "Emmy" was your new word on Monday ....Sunday's was "tackle" (as you tackled Cole!). Tuesdays word was "apple" and I think you were asking for "tea" at dinner tonight. I also loved the squeal of absolute glee when I asked if you wanted a milkshake after dinner. My favorite birthday gift you received were the coolest high top Converse sneakers ever....yours, well that is to be determined but a sock monkey that Pap and Susan got you is becoming a quick favorite.

Top 5 Things I've learned about Kindergarten....so far

1. Your child is not yours anymore....at least not between the hours of 8:30 and 3:20. School policies strictly forbid anyone from being in the school,other than the main lobby, during school hours. Try it and you will pay dearly! Seriously, I have been to Cole's classroom 2x now~ once at orientation and the second time for back to school night. Yes you can volunteer but it must be planned and they practically have to do a background check!

2. You will have more homework and stress about homework than you've ever had in all the years of your own education (all 20 years of it!). Seriously, while as an adult this may sound easy, try learning (or teaching) your five year-old his phone number, address, how to spell and write his full name, the concept of capital and lower case letters, how to stroke letters properly (for those who don't speak teacher talk~ that is how to write a letter in normal language~ all in the first 3 weeks of school. Seriously, it's enough to give me gray hair (I mean more gray hair!)

3. Teachers and parents speak a different language...and there are no interpreters. Stroking, stretching? Sounds like an aerobic activity (and a pornographic one) to me! Little did I know, they have everything to do with teaching your 5 year-old how to read and write.

4. No one, and I mean no one, is exempt from raising money for the school. Nope...not even kindergarteners. Got our first fund raiser today...yeah!

5. There is no grace period. From day one as the parent of a school-aged child, you are expected to know all school lingo, abbreviations, rules, etc. I attended a meeting on Monday regarding becoming a room parent (I'm having a real hard time with the detachment thing....I want my child back!) and there were more acronyms used in the hour long meeting than I have heard in a long time!