Surgery

Sometimes I can be a good Mom.  Yep, I left work early, I picked up the boys from camp with their friend and we went to the beach.  I played games at the beach, and only freaked out moderately with all the sand and the mess (I secretly love the beach).  Then, we came home, and I spent good time with one son, and later that night the other son and I read a book.  Then, I was exhausted.

But oldest son, really wonderful guy - had told me: "Waddles has a hole, can you fix the hole in is neck, Mommy?"

I promised I would.  But I was tired, and I drank a glass of wine and watched Netflix.  (Mommy of the year). I was going to go to bed, until I saw Waddles, waiting, prepped for the OR.

So, just now, I performed surgery on Waddles.  He is small, and well-loved, and the boy wanted it.  I delivered a mended Waddles to his room where the boy was sleeping and gave the boy a kiss.  I am lucky to be Dr. Mom tonight.

Tooth Fairy

Joel Andrew is now completely toothless.  Well, not completely - but he is missing his top two front teeth and his side two bottom teeth.

For a few days - what seemed like weeks there - one of the top teeth hung on.  It was like a snaggle tooth.  He would wiggle it with his tongue and gross us all out.  Both Husband and I would try to grab it with our hands unannounced and yank it.  Nothing.

Then we left for college reunion, and I knew it was only a matter of time.  We prepped Joel Andrew.

"Did you know the Tooth Fairy asks the parents each time she comes, how much to give?"

Joel Andrew: "No."

"Yep, so when we are not here if your tooth falls out you need to tell Nana and Pa how much they should tell the tooth fairy to bring."

"Ok, how much?"

"100 dollars."

Fast forward and we get a toothless photo of Joel Andrew.  Then we get a phone call from Nana - "100 dollars!!!!?!?!??!?!?"

He got the most he will ever get for any tooth, $20.  A little ridiculous.  But still a good prank.

Bed Time Reading

Wake up, get two kids and a dog off to their respective schools.  Go to work and have meeting after meeting and intern looking for things to do and stairs that are still not built, and donor who wants to give you a large piece of questionable furniture, and mailing that needs to go out and grant that needs to be written.

Then pick up kid and dog from respective schools and remember you have no food and go to the store quickly to buy dinner. Come home and check the mail, make the dinner, clean the dinner, and pack the lunches for the next few days for all.  Send kids up to bed while doing dishes and starting to think about evening tasks.  Open a bottle of wine and sit on the couch to catch 5 minutes of Extra.

And a child appears at the top of the stairs.

What?

Will you read a book with me?

About to sip your wine.  And you think.  NO!  And then you say.  Yes.

Walk upstairs and have your almost 7 year old read you a book.  Perfectly.  He is amazing and ahead and smart and he wanted to read with me.  Give him a kiss while he is reading.  Enjoy the story together.  Then he asks for a second story.

And you tuck him in.

Write down this memory.

And go drink the wine.

Joelly Mommy Day

Yesterday Joelly and I had a day to ourselves.  We needed to share Sunday River, so we got home from our trip early, and still had a weekday left to ourselves.  James went to daycare, and Joel and I took the advantage of having a day in Boston to ourselves.

We tried to take the train in, but to no avail.  So, we decided not to let this upset us and instead we drove in and started our adventure.  Once there we parked at Copley Place, where we were to end our day later -- and then we needed to figure out how we were going to get to the other side of Boston.  So, we went to the T station, and after about 5 minutes of Mommy's total confusion, we took a breath and looked at the map, and figured it out quite quickly.

But - where is the child admissions price on the kisok to buy tickets?  Joel and I go up to the window to ask a question about how old do you have to be to pay - and he asks Joel Andrew, in complete seriousness: "How old are you?"  Joel replies, and he says, again completely serious: "One million jagillion dollars."  We all laugh, though Joel Andrew nervously, and then we go on the train. The first T experience for Joel Andrew requires gloves, obviously.

Off to the Boston Public Market, where The Trustees plays a big "newish" role.  We walked around and Joel took many pictures (with his little camera, ala Europe) and Mommy gawked at all the food she could not buy because we had a whole full day in Boston ahead of us and you cannot lug around fresh salmon all day.  It was glorious, a place to visit for all for sure.  But Joel decided he didn't want to eat there, he wanted to eat in the North End - pasta, which is a good plan because tonight we would be eating at Fogo de Chao, a crazy Brazillian steakhouse, so let's steer clear of the meat, please.

So, we walk to Neptune in the north end, which is basically just across the street.  We get a table (crazy!) and we look at the menu, and they do not have pasta and Joelly orders a cheeseburger.  Ooops.  But we play tic tac toe and have great conversation and Mommy eats oysters and Joel devours his cheeseburger, etc.  We then leave, and on our way to the next destination we pause at the Rose Kennedy Greenway.

We spy a bench that swings and then proceed to sit on it for about 25 minutes, just talking about a pigeon and looking at the passersby.  At multiple points I begin to think this is one of the best moments of my life.  Eventually, we get up - back in the Train to the Museum of Science, where on a high from the moment prior, and a buzz from the lunch chardonnay, I proceed to buy every movie ticket known to the Museum and forget to tell them about my "I work for a Museum, give me free entry."  Cue, the most expensive Museum visit ever.

We rush to the first of three shows,  which sadly is also the most engaging of the three shows for Joel Andrew.  Ice Age 4D.  He giggles so loud that I know the three year old 5 rows back is annoyed, but I am not - I am on chardonnay buzz.  We leave the theater after the 15 minute program ($6 bucks!); and then we crash.  The two of us - the high of before has now become a low.  We are in the city, we have been going nonstop all day, and it is about 3pm and we still have three hours until we meet everyone for dinner, now what do we do?

We hold it together for two more movies. And then meet Joel Husband and James for dinner.  Where we go to Fogo de Chao, and Joelly gets his first MEAT experience.  More on that later.  Good day with my guy.  And, here I thought we wouldn't have these anymore.  It turns out that the ones we had when they were babies were all training for the epic ones we have now, and will have ahead.

Letter from the 1st Grade Teacher

This past weekend, Joel's first grade teacher's son competed at the Olympic trials for men's Marathon.  Despite a crippling injury, and knowing there was no way he would be able to finish the full marathon, he went - with his goal of being able to complete 8 miles of the course. He did.  And, being a new runner Joel and I chatted about it a bit.  Today, I get an email from his first grade teacher:


It read:

I just wanted to share a special experience I had with Joel today during our morning circle.  First of all he was the first one to ask me about my son Andrew and his race.  He so articulately shared his thoughts regarding how he should feel proud for running the eight miles and how all that really matters is that he did his very best and finishing the race wasn't the most important thing.  What he shared was so incredibly thoughtful, encouraging, and caring.   It became a very interesting lesson in determination and pride for the entire class.  I was quite touched. Certainly a conversation I will always remember. What a great kid.  I would love to relay his words to Andrew if that is OK with you.  I just wanted to share this with you.  Have a great evening.

My initial instinct for a reply was: 

I'm so glad that he said this - because in all my training for my many 1/2 marathons, he would always say things like: "how come you did not run further today?"  And, "what do you mean you placed 275th?"  "what do you mean you aren't going to win, then why run?" I mean, hundreds of times he has said things like this.  He seemed not to be able to fathom that I would be in a race that I might not try to win.  It wasn't until I made him run a mile with me (and he only completed 1/2 that mile before whining in pain), that I think I finally got through to him.

But my reply really was:

Thank you so much for sending this message along.  Of course please do share with Andrew -- and please also thank him for us as well.  His story was quite inspiring for my Joel - about working hard towards goals and not being defeated when obstacles step in your way.  We all rooted for Andrew here and were thinking of him this past weekend. Thank you for allowing his story to be apart of our family's conversation.  

It's so nice when your hard work and discussion pays off!  But it is even nicer to know that Joelly really meant everything he said, and really has grown from Andrew's story.  I'm proud of my little guy today, my little guy with big guy thoughts!

New Puppy

This weekend we met our new puppy.  Lord Wilhelm von Neuchswanstein Hall Williams. He is a German Shephard and we are all already fighting over him.  Well, not really all of us - just Joelly and I.

We went to this "puppy party" which was really quite stressful.  All of the people who had claimed a puppy were there, and a few others who were there just to meet the puppies and maybe consider it. I do not know how you can leave a room of puppies and not have taken one as your own, so those people who were only "considering" were nuts in my mind, but whatever.

So, there we were the fourth family in line for four male puppies.  All of the ladies were up for grabs, but as I mentioned before - after Otter, I have learned that I must be the only Bitch in this house, so we wanted a boy.  Ladies will fight with me, Otter and I used to argue, seriously argue.  She would make these teenage girl fighting noises back at me.  I'm looking for a big loveable male.

We learn about the four boy puppies.  They all have different color collars to differentiate them.  Black is already taken.  He seems cute enough, but we knew he was off limits so we didn't see to do anything about it.

Light blue comes over and says hello.  I'm excited to meet a boy, any boy.  All of the puppies seem enthralled with my boots that have fur that looks like theirs.  James and Joel are loving petting them, and then James gets easily bored, he is done, this is not for him, he watches a video on a chair to the side the remainder of the time.

Then pink comes over.  Pink (a girl) is working it hard.  Giving me kisses, rolling all over my lap. This is the problem with girl dogs, they are smart, manipulative and know how to use their charms when necessary.  I totally almost fell for it too.

Green keeps whizzing by us, and dark blue is a bit of a missing puppy.  But, there pink is, and red too.  Light blue will stop and hang out with us, maybe a few seconds with dark blue - and there is pink, and red.  Then we realize that the families are going to start picking - so bascially, our puppy will be the leftover male.  We do not get to pick.  We get what no one else wants.  Interesting.  I start to really pay attention to the conversations around the room now.

"Green is Mean."  This is what Gail, the breeder, is saying over and over again.  "Green, that boy, is a mean one."  Um, wait!  Gail!  Stop telling people that, we will get stuck with Green!  I look at Gail after the 8th time she says it and say "what happens if we get green?"  She replies - "I would never do that to you, if green is left you get a female."  Disappointment rushes over my face.  What?  No!  We want a boy.

Now I am really on high alert for the people getting boys.  "Green doesn't seem so mean."  I try to interject.  The woman to my left starts telling us she wants a dog for rescue missions, she is a Vet Tech and she does back woods rescue training and drills.  She is a boy chooser.  She chooses green.  A wave of relief comes my way.  Now there is only one woman left, all by herself, here to pick a boy.  She is picking my family companion for the next 10-12 years, I realize.  I am not a fan of her.

Luckily, for all involved - the puppies have now ran around and enjoyed so much fun, that they just start to pass out anywhere they land.  Anywhere.  Gail grabs the two blue boys and hands them to this lady who has all the cards, and dark blue just immediately passes out.  The lady swoons, and it is all over.  Before the girl can even claim dark blue Gail has swept light blue out of her arms and into mine.  Light blue started to fall asleep in mine instantly.  And then I swooned. So predictable.  Then Gail says: "He is needy, but he is a good match."  I love Gail.

Joel Andrew asks if he can hold the puppy, and the rest is history.  We spend the next 40 minutes with light blue, our Wim, sleeping in Joel Andrew's lap.  He got up once, went to the grassy pad and peed, then came back and went to sleep.  I was proud.

Joel Andrew has already begun negotiations as to where the dog will sleep and whose dog it will really be.  I keep saying: "It is going to be a lot of work, you know."  He seems to know, and he seems to think he is ready.  We will see after a few days of picking up poop whose dog Wim really is..!

We get him in three weeks.  Can't wait!

An Evening with the Boys

I seem to do well when it is just me and the boys.  Sure, I phone in dinner generally, and sure - they watch TV while I organize the day - and sure I may put a movie on later.  But somehow, the quality time is much more quality.  Sadly, this is the best I do, but in reality, I think it is not so bad.

Tonight I asked the boys, what they want to be when they grow up:
(snapshot as of today, 4-1/2 and 6-1/2 - word for word)

Joel:
Animal Scientist
Policeman
Veterinarian
Fireman
Ambulance

James:
Vet
Fireman
Hospital
Police
Pizzaman*
Dancerman
Cookerman

Mommy (I was asked):
Travel TV Show Host
Art Curator

*James' asterisk was because after calling out Pizzaman he immediately said, and I quote (I wrote this down immediately): "Can you put the pizza man to the right?"  I inquired what he means by that and his response was basically, in the event he does not "do good" at the other stuff.  My son already has his fallback career.

We ate a "balanced dinner" of "Smorgaasboard".  It was lots of prepped foods, and they had to choose their plate but pick balance (not good or bad, but balance).  They did great.  Then, Joel said: "Chris uses a lot of spices in his cooking to balance out the taste."  I was flabbergasted.  Who is this Chris?  Joel reminds me it was a kid in the Rachael Ray's Kids Cook-Off Show.  Sometimes I think Joel Andrew has that ability to remember everything.

We then watched An American Tale.  I told Joel Andrew I watched this a million times when I was his age.  Then I explained hyperbole.  Then I could say the next line of the movie before it hit.  Maybe it was not hyberbole.

Anyway, now I want to travel the world with my boys.  I hope I get to go somewhere cool soon.

Joel just came in to tell me his reading time is over, it is 8pm. He is awesome.  He read about cage diving for Great White Sharks.  I told him I would never do that, and he said he would take me snorkeling to see "whale Sharks because they are the friendliest."  I have a smart guy. - Two smart guys.

Joel Andrew - Getting Old

For the second time, Joel Andrew was picked to be the Beast at Disney World.  He is now 6, in first grade, and this is the first trip he can read, the first one he can go on upside down roller coasters, the first one he did not have a stroller.  He was a big boy here, and we knew it.

He still has the magic, and believes in the characters, but would ask things like, is that the real Mickey, or is that the Mickey helper?  His father got him to go on - and love Rockin' Roller Coaster many times. Though I think Splash Mountain is still not a favorite.

He still sits at restaurants patiently, and does not demand to go on any ride he sees right in front of him, and will just go with the flow.  I am waiting for more whining and this all to end soon.  I hope it does not.  He would whine about walking, and about being hungry a few minutes after leaving a restaurant, but other than that he was an awesome vacation companion and all around great guy.

I hope the Magic keeps coming for this guy.  There is still a ton left for me!

New Flag Football Believer

So, I have to say, I have been a bit glum in the past about organized team sports for young children.  My primary concerns are losing the weekend hours to games, being slaves to games, and having my children feel as though they cannot exceed.

Joel joined flag football this year because frankly, most of the other boys are doing it.  I was not excited about the weekend commitment, but Joel Husband you could tell, from the get go was psyched.  This was going to be something he would bond with his boy over.  It would be awesome.

I went to the second game for the first time, and I watched as a boy in Joel's grade grabbed the ball and sprinted, with some artful turns, to the other end of the field, evading all of the 1 foot taller boys along the way.  And I was hooked.  We cheered and cheered.  And Joel Andrew looked confused.  The boy who got the touchdown's parents told me that the first season is a rough one, do not worry.  That's ok, I thought.  As long as he is having fun.

Week after week we went to game after game and I got more and more excited each time a little kid ran down to the other end of the field to get a touchdown.  And then it happened, Joel started pulling flags.  He caught the ball, he tried to run...  He will get there.

He is more confident than ever, and he has a good time.  His coaches (including his Dad) are doing a great job, and he is learning to play on a team, good sportsmanship, and not to give up.  He is learning to practice and to be strong.  And, all of the other parents continue to remark to me about his improvement.

I feel a bit like he is like his Mommy, and maybe most improved player this year.  I am proud of my little guy and can't wait to root the team on again next weekend.  Yes, on a Saturday, at 8:00am.  Go Pack Go!

Golfers

Joel Andrew started Golf yesterday - lessons at The First Tee in North Hampton, NH.  I am really not sure why more parents do not do this program with their kids.  I tried to get a ton of the parents to do this in town - maybe it sells up quickly?  Here is the immediate educational deal - it doesn't really teach golf (well it does, by default) - but the main lessons are honesty, integrity, respect, responsibility... you can read all about their core values here. They "promote life skills and leadership using golf."  It is a skill building all around program.

Sounds good?

All of this is amazing, just what I want my little guy to be doing.  But, the kicker is that although this is a main reason why I am happy to have Joel take part, there is also a huge other reason why I am loving this after school activity for him:  the activity and fun for the rest of us while he is in class.  Sounds strange?  Well...

Ever wait in a small, boring, smelly locker room or dance hall space with a fidgety younger sibling while the older is in a class?  How about try to get work done while kids are screaming in Karate?  How many bug bites did you get at junior's game last weekend, and how about missing weekend event after weekend event because your little one just has to "show up for his team."  What about showing up for his family?  He is 6.  His team does not yet care.  Talk to me when it is a serious game or competition.  You can't have a game every week and say it is important they be there, when they are 6.

Anyway, you can guess where I am going with this.  Well - not really...  Because here it is.  While Joel was learning about taking turns hitting the golf ball, high fiving his team mates as they went towards a common goal...  James and I were playing mini-golf.  And then James was having a snack (from the snack bar, no whining cause mommy forgot!).  And then Mommy was reading a book.  If I came without James, I could have gone to the driving range.  His Dad could go to the driving range!

A kicker here, I don't even like golf!  My cousin was an amazing golf player and she taught kids the game (I am guessing it was in a similar set-up, if not the exact same non profit, just elsewhere.)  She is smiling down on my Joelly, hopefully giving him some good wishes to have the patience for this game.

Why did I do this?  I didn't know about the full family fun that awaited me.  The true reason why I signed Joelly up is that he is a lucky kid, he is growing up in this extremely privileged community and an awesome environment.  With trips to Hilton Head and (hopefully) fancy schools down the line.  He needs these sports, the ones that actually will bring you somewhere.

Why does everyone keep pushing the football or the soccer?  You have heard my mantra about not wanting to be apart of that schedule monopolizing, aggression pushing sports.  I have never once heard any of my peers tell me that football got them far.  It was what they learned from the sport, if they had a good coach, that got them where they are.  Not the sport itself.

You know what sports do get you far?  Running.  Ha!  It's a joke.  Well not really, running is a good way to challenge oneself.  But I digress.

So, what sports really do get you far?  Tennis, Golf, Squash.  Maybe running or cycling falls into this category too.  These are the sports people do in business.  They go out together (for the latter two it seems relays are really catching on!), and real things happen if you can do them.  People respect you more if you ski.  I learned this first hand.  Unless your in the NFL, no one cares if you once played football or soccer. But, you play tennis?  Let's meet sometime!  Ski?  I have a condo at such and such mountain, come up we will ski.  You play golf?  Let's meet for a four hour round where important work conversations are sure to come up.  Phil can't join us though, he plays football. That's ok.  I'll take your work and Phil can wait until next year!

So, I am sticking with the golf, the tennis, and the other activities that build the life skills as long as Joelly will have them.  Daddy can take Joelly to all of the other "games" that ruin our weekend schedules.  Hopefully I will win, but for some reason these kids are just so obsessed with football and the organized sports here.

My Running Coach

I have been training for a 1/2 marathon. I have a little running coach. His name is Joel Andrew.  Each time I run he asks me how far I went, how fast I went.  If I say I went almost ten miles, his response will be - how come you didn't do the full ten miles?

When we talk about the race he will say: "you train so much so you will win."  I tell him I don't want to win, I just want to finish.  He does not understand this.

Our neighbor has run 7 1/2 marathons and will be running this one with me.  She is much faster than I am and in much better shape.  Joel wonders why I can't run as fast as her.

He is kinda a turd about the whole thing, actually.

Then, last weekend he wanted to run with me.  We did a little run around the loop at the lake.  We had to walk a few times.  He tried to keep up, then would walk and break, then would start running again.  It was kinda like looking in a mirror.

We chatted during the run, it was a really fun time.  I hope I get to do it again with him, I think he can get good!

At the end of the run he asked how long it was and I said .85 miles, and he replied, really?  I then said, imagine if you did that run 10 times - it still would not be as long as Mommy ran the other day.

I think he finally was impressed.

Preview of Future Summers at the Lake

Joel Andrew playing on my iPad this morning (from Monday am at the lake).  
"Mommy, what's your password?"  
Me: "no."  
Him, "that's not it." 
Me: "what do you need a password for?" 
Him: "so I can have 15,000 coins for Temple Run." 
Me: "absolutely no." 
Him: "don't you want me to have coins and be happy?" 
Me: "go in the lake."

Joel Andrew is 6

My big boys is 6 years old.  6 years ago today I was in a delivery room with 30 nurses, a midwife, a Dr and my husband, and he was born.  I was looking at pictures of him from the early days and it is hard to even think that baby is the same as my guy now.  Probably because I was a mess the first 6 months of his life, but also because he is this polite, smart, caring and wonderful little boy and no longer a helpless little infant.  Sometimes I feel I am more helpless than he is.  Sometimes I feel he has a leg up on me and knows better than me.  He is 6.

You can't catch him at all, he is so smart.  We ask him what he liked better - and he knows to say "I like things both the same."  We left Michael's tonight, and he had 4 cranky women who were waiting in line eating out of the palm of his hands with his unprovoked: "Thank you, have a nice day!" which he said to the cashier before taking the bag and carrying it for me.  They all audibly swooned.  He knew it.  He is smart.

He is sensitive too.  He doesn't act this wonderful to be manipulative.  Well, not in the short game sense - maybe in the long game sense though. One day he will cash in all of these credits.  Sometimes he cashes in small credits - Mommy, since I was so helpful, can I have an ice cream?  I don't mind this at all.  Do good, good things happen.  He is smart. What he hasn't figured out yet though is that I do know when he is trying to get his brother in trouble.  Which he does try to do often.

Despite the trying to get James in trouble, he has a fierce love for his brother and loves to help him too. I catch them in conversation and I love it.  I hope they remain friends for life.  They each offer so many different qualities and together they either could be like peas and carrots or like oil and water depending on what the mood is…  Hoping for more peas and carrots situations this year and all future years.  If they are readying this, and I am gone - boys, make it happen.  You can be just as great friends as you can be at each other's throats, remember that, I've seen it.

Joel has a sense of adventure and wonder and excitement that is awesome.  He is always up to try a new place to visit, a new museum, a new sport or activity.  And, he tries and always succeeds.  Sometimes his father has to extra make him do it, but Joel puts his mind to something and he will do a good job at it.  This year some examples are karate, skating, swimming to the dock - and now being an amazing bike rider. Trying new food however, is currently not his thing.  There is still the gagging going on.

 He is certainly not modest, and can be very proud.  But how can you not be proud of yourself when you are so awesome?  I'm his mom, I'm allowed to think that way.  He and I can spend hours and hours together, and it is always great.  We have good conversations, he is respectful and polite - and we hang.  Whether it is Mommy Joelly date night at Applecrest and we talk about the difference between camp and school; or it is building and playing a new game and just have a fun time going back and forth - taking turns who wins.  My favorite memory with him this year was the both of us playing checkers in the library in town.  For about an hour we sat there having fun.

The more memorable moments this year were of course seeing him on the gondola in Italy. What a wonderful trip! I think in the coming year we need to do a little more to have him understand how lucky he, and we all are.  He says he knows, but I'm not sure he really does.

I told him that when he gets bigger and bigger he always needs to take Mommy out to dinner.  He agreed and promised.  So, if you are reading this Joel Andrew and I am still around - you better be calling me to make a date!

I love you and can't wait to see how much more handsome, smart and caring you get to be.

Accomplishments and Endings

Joel Andrew is at his last day of Kindergarten today.  I'll be taking a picture of him as he gets off the bus to end the year.  Then I have a first grader.  A first grader?  Quite terrifying.  I mean, kindergarten is cute and all, and that was a tough transition for me - but first grade, I am old.  Fast forward is going to go even faster now.  8 more years left of school before high school. He is turning 6.  This is so scary.

He continues to be a delight and smart person.  Joel Husband and I did a good job if I say so myself.  We need to work a little better on James…  No, James is good too, just in a wild way.  Joel is calm, thoughtful, patient, and can manipulate to get a way he wants.  James should learn from this!  I know not to compare them, it is hard not too - they are different people.  Joel can learn from James happy go lucky attitude and to not let things get you upset.  Actually, I guess we could all learn from that.

Anyway, I digress.  I am getting besides the point here.  Last day of kindergarten.  Joel received the Award for Excellence the other day, and I missed it.  I didn't realize that he was getting it!  Only 9 out of the 27 kindergartners get an award the entire year, only 3 on this particular day, and I missed it. (confusion and work together made for a sad, sad mommy).  But he was so, so proud.  And so am I!

Here is our note from Mrs. Middleton about his big moment, and his progress this year:

HI,

I am sorry if there was any confusion.  Every trimester the K-2 teachers each pick a student for most improved, excellent effort and citizenship.  The assembly is held on the day of the middle school honor role breakfast.  All the kids in the school get awards for various things!  It is a pretty lengthy assembly.  All we do is stand up front with Mr. Deblois and hand out the awards.  Unfortunately, there isn't enough time to say anything great about each student.  I wish that we could.  It is just a quick call out the child's name.    

He has made so much progress this year!  He is such a riot and I have loved working with him this year!  He has a great sense of humor and is always willing to take a chance!  That is what I loved so much about him!  At the end of the day we do this dancing go noodle website.  He is not afraid to be himself!  He dances around and it is a blast watching him.  If I can video it today, I'll send it to you!  I will miss him next year!

I hope that you and your family have a great summer and I can't wait to see Joel in the hallways and watch him grow as a learner over his time at LAS!

So proud of my little guy, love him to the moon and back.  Here's hoping we have a fantastic summer of fun!

Mother's Day Tea

Joel Andrew's kindergarten class had a Mother's Day tea at school yesterday.  As per usual, I ran in 5 minutes late. But they waited for me to start. Which was nice and sad that I held everyone up. But still.  All of the moms, and one dad, sat in the little chairs in rows and we waited for our littles - who now to me look so big - parade in.  They sang us some songs and handed out some gifts and then we had tea and cookies and chatted.  It was lovely.

My little guy was a dirty mess - in his Vineyard Vines fancy outfit - as Heather and I were told by Mrs. Middleton that Laurel and Joel had emerged from the playground covered in dirt.  Still peas and carrots, those two - we took Laurel home after the Tea and the two played, and played, and dealt with James.

Below you will see some photos of what Joel made for me.  As you can see, although I can get mad at him, I am generally happy and like to run(?) and play a ton, and I wear floor length black halter dresses a lot too.  I laughed about the mad at me part - and then other Mom's started to share what theirs say, and we all had a good laugh.  Sometimes she doesn't cook.  Sometimes she yells at me.  I guess sometimes we all are not perfect.

What a cute event!  I was sad to learn that this Tea is only for those in Kindergarten.  And I look forward to James' in two years.  Next fun thing, Lads and Links.  Golf with your son.  They do a lot of things like this at our school which I am actually surprised about.  What if you don't have a grandparent for grandparent lunch?  Doesn't it make the other kids sad?

Final Joel Andrew Photos, Munich

I said the whole time we were in Munich that Joel needed to take more photos.  The ones below are all we got off his camera.  He was too comfortable with his surroundings, didn't need to take pictures anymore I guess!  Alas, at least we have Venice and Vienna to enjoy!

Joel Andrew's Photos of Venice

See full description of these images by visiting the next post on Joel Andrew Photos, Vienna below…  But, here is a glimpse of Joel Andrew's view of Venice: