Happiest Place on Earth

We did it! We survived our first trip to Disney World! Marshall and I went there on our honeymoon. It was crazy to cram that in after the stress of a wedding, but it was still fun. I drug him all over that place. I was nervous to do that with the kids, and with all the stories of other peoples experiences with their kids.
It couldn't have been more perfect. Trent got to ride all but two things, and though he could be heard screaming, "I want to get off! I want to get off!" He was smiling the whole time and asking to ride again when it was over. He definitely has my luck. They picked 10 kids from the audience to do "Jedi Training". Trent was one of them. It was so awesome! He liked it, but we were the happiest for him.He is now pledged to both the Jedi Order and to be a pirate with Captain Jack Sparrow, seems like a conflict of interest to me?
Callie's first plane ride was uneventful. Trent's second, but he was only 18 months so he doesn't remember. She liked all the princess stuff and the Mickey ice cream bars. She knows the "It's a Small World" song by heart and got to dance in the parade with the bugs from A Bugs Life.I know the kids liked Disney, but they had just as much fun swimming at the hotel pool. And Trent constantly on the look out for chamelions. They are just happy to be on vacation and hanging out with us and Gran and Grampy. Thanks for a wonderful trip. We were all truly happy.

Greetings from Disney

We are having a blast. Covered lots of ground these last two days. More fun to come. Here is a picture from the Space Ship earth ride at Epcot. We got off the plane and headed straight there. Today was Animal Kingdom. Tomorrow Magic Kingdom and finally Disney Studios.

5chool Dayz

Last week went so fast. I keep thinking I will adjust to this new school schedule, but I had a lot of EXTRA activities going on as well. Besides Marshall was gone soooooo long! We were all a little off.

Callie goes half day, when I picked her up on Monday, her teacher told me she was a little sad and was asking for "My Mom please." (So polite) The next day she started crying when we walked into school. She's done it everyday this week. It's not a very convincing cry, but she still feels compelled to do it.
I think it all goes back to her very first day, last Friday. I was playing tennis and I got a voicemail. "This is Mrs. Dana from Nature's Classroom. Callie tripped and hit her head and she has a pretty big egg. We iced her and she is fine. Just wanted to let you know." What an introduction to school! She starting crying telling me about it and how she "missed some of her class time."
A week later I still see the bruise and slight swelling. Never in a million years did I think she wouldn't just run into her classroom leaving me in her dust. Now every morning I leave her crying in the hall while I give her a quick hug and kiss and I'm outta there. It doesn't help that there are tons of other kids crying at the door too. I think she partly likes the idea of it. This too shall pass!

I am nervous for Trent. First Grade. So different from kindergarten. It's all business now. His very first day he did a math time test. 3 minutes to complete 50 problems. He got a 50 out of 50 on his first test! All something + 0. He was so proud!
It went down hill from there, but Friday he passed something + 1. I already had a one on one with his teacher when he got upset and she had to give him a hug, and hoped that was o.k. with me. She said he reminded her of her son's personality. I am hoping that means she will know how to work with him because of her experience with her own child.
Every day when I ask, he says how boring school was because they didn't do any "works" (its a montessori term for the learning tools they use). Eventually they will start doing "works", but it won't be what he is expecting. In kindergarten he had 5 ft. puzzles of the solar system. There are no puzzles in first grade. This too shall pass!

Next week, will be fairly steady until we leave for Disney on Thursday. The kids don't know yet, so don't tell them!

So much....

So much time, so little time to write! It's on my to do list!

Last Hurrah!

One last family day at the lake. It was a beautiful Labor Day. The weather couldn't have been better. I know the weather will continue, though I always feel like my brithday marks the end of summer. It's a shame it has to end, but I can tell we are all ready for a change of pace. Tomorrow Trent starts school and Callie starts on Friday. I know it will be an adjustment for us all, but a welcomed change.