The New Family Breakfast

First off: Lincoln was just fine. I resisted the urge to go to the school that haunted me all morning knowing that they would call me if anything went wrong. We had a talk when he got home and he was really surprised that I was worried. It really made him think - he told Jeff about it later in the evening and talked about how he would work on it.

This morning I took the kids to the school early for the "New Family" breakfast. There was an amazing breakfast feast and super friendly people walking around greeting everyone. I met the art teacher, the music teacher, the kindergarten teachers and lots of friendly moms. I sort of expected a single speaker and a bunch of awkward table conversation, but it was very comfortable and easy there. The kids were very well behaved and I smiled as Jackson ran over to say hi to about 73 different kids - he was welcomed at the door with a giant hug from a boy in his class. He has been telling me that he didn't have any friends at school and now I see that it cannot be true in the least. (relief!) His teacher patted him sweetly on the head and whispered to me "I love this boy! He is so sweet and his fine motor skills are fantastic"

The boys showed me the gym (HUGE!) and the music room (KEYBOARDS, and INSTRUMENTS everywhere! - they learn to read music and play piano there!) the art room (HUGE and GORGEOUS with unbelievable storage) - dream room!

There was a short speech given by the treasurer who said that the HSA (equal to PTA) spends 25 - 30,000 a year! They help out the clubs and pay for field trips if your family needs help. I guess each class takes 4-6 field trips per year! In OK they had just one.

Surprisingly though, there is no nurse. If the kids need anything they just go to the secretary in the office... and I've learned that you can't just bring in their prescriptions (that have their names written on them because prescriptions come from a doctor) without a note from the doctor. Apparently there is fear that I will sneak in dangerous asthma medication for my kid who doesn't need it. Or something. I don't get it.

Floppy

Every now and again Lincoln goes floppy on me. He refuses to walk or move in any way. Today was one of those mornings. He didn't want to ride the bus because it is so noisy. He sat on our driveway like a floppy noodle. He complained about having to walk up the 4 steps to get in the bus. I carried him to the bus stop and let him flop on the ground there until the bus came. Jackson had snuck a soda in his backpack and we dealt with that while Lincoln pouted there on the ground. When the bus got there I was relieved to see him stand up... but it wasn't to get on the bus. He just kept giving me the puppy dog eyes that said, "please don't make me!" It breaks my heart - and he knows it. I worry that his sensory issues with noise are just too much for him, and I worry that he's just taking advantage of me at the same time. I never know which one is real. My neighbor and the school bus driver both tell me to give him tough love... I carry his floppiness onto the bus and set him on the seat. I leave the bus a bawling mess. Now all I can think about is going to the school to make sure he's ok. He's ok, right?

Jeff love: Jeff worked for weeks to change our well water from brown, stinky nastiness to delicious and clear. Water is pretty important.

Butterflies

Most days it's frogs, but two days ago it was giant caterpillars, white fuzzy ones. They made it into the jar and by morning one had wrapped himself into his cocoon, I watched the other create his throughout the day yesterday. Don't tell, but I might be more fascinated than the boys are.

Jeff love: Saturday was an IKEA trip. (I could stop there! lol) Sunday we still had a few boxes in the trunk so when he drove home from church he backed into the garage. This came in quite handy on Monday morning when the van wouldn't start and he was able to just pull his car around and jump start mine.

School Pictures

They do things a little bit differently here. They take school pictures before school starts at the "forms and fees" night. My favorite thing about the package is that you can buy just the CD (no prints) at a very reasonable price and it includes the copyright so that you can have them printed should you have a fantastic shot.

Jeff love: Our neighbor's brother got married on Sunday. She's been telling me all about the big plans all week and how they had a coffee bar at the end of the evening that started at 9. I told Jeff about it and he ran over and offered to drive downtown, pick up their 5 girls at any point during the day so that they could relax and have adult time and put them to bed in their own house. He is one very nice neighbor. They never called, but it was still quite a nice offer.