First Field Trip - PUMPKINS!

The Four Year Olds of Jerstad Elementary ventured out to the pumpkin farm for an adventure today. It was a great journey, beginning with a bus ride from school to the farm. (First time on the bus for many of the kids, who handled it as if it was nothing new.) After arrival and a quick head count and command to find a partner and hold hands, we embarked on a hay ride through the wild fields of corn, cabbage, and pumpkins. Once we'd made our way safely back to the beginning of the arduous course (without loosing anyone over the side or off the back), we faced the wild creatures who were starved and attempted to eat the children's fingers at every opportunity. Despite all the dangers, the children survived and moved on to the straw bale labyrinth. This proved to be the most dangerous part of the journey. The bales were arranged in a way to thwart even the most skilled map-reader, so the children had no choice, once they were hopelessly lost inside, but to tear apart the walls and celebrate their freedom. Their trials had built up such a hunger that the fearless leaders (teachers and moms) herded the group to a snack break, where cider and cookies were served. The sustinance was just enough to hold them through picking out their own pumpkins and boarding the bus to go back to school.

And now... for my side of the story. It was a little anti-climactic, time seemed to be dragging on at moments, and I wasn't so impressed with the whole thing. This is not because it wasn't a great experience for the kids, it just wasn't anything at all new to me. And I admit, I was a little bored. However, I'm very glad I went, it gave me a view into Archer's life every day, how the teacher handles the class, how the kids interact with each other, and who the other moms are in the group. So it was definitely a learning experience for me. And, I got to bring home a little pumpkin!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9024737@N07/sets/72157608046604087/show/

Road Trip Pics

Here's the link to the long awaited road trip pics...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9024737@N07/sets/72157607829043788/show/

Enjoy!

California, Where the Houses Are Made Of...

We sat down for supper, the kids had ketchup and pickles on their plates (among other things) and Archer dipped his pickle in the ketchup.

Archer: Did you ever hear of a pickle dipped in ketchup?
Mom: No.
Archer: Well, do you like pickles dipped in ketchup?
Mom: No.
Archer: Well, some people do like pickles dipped in ketchup. You know, like people in California, they like it.
Mom: Really? I never heard that before.
Archer: Yeah, I used to live in California, when I was a little baby.
Mom: Oh, I bet the weather was nice.
Archer: Do you know about the houses in California?
Mom: No, I don't know about them. What about them?
Archer: Well, the houses in California are made of pickles dipped in ketchup.

Healthy Choices - for the kids anyway!

It seems like every time I have a discussion with Archer there's just as much conversation happening mentally as verbally. This morning, for example. Archer wanted ice cream for breakfast. I offered several other alternatives, but he was set on the ice cream. Every time I said no to him, I thought about how much I would like to have ice cream for breakfast.

"You can have cereal." Gosh ice cream sounds good!

"You can have a waffle, or yogurt." I'm responsible for this boy eating healthy. When he's not looking I'll have ice cream.

"You can have toast." I can't wait till he takes a nap later on so I can have some ice cream.

"You can have anything in the house except ice cream." I want nothing but ice cream right now!

Mmmm. Archer just went to bed and I just finished my bowl of ice cream.

Time Marches On

I've had a bit of writers block lately. What to say? Everything's just daily life, minute by minute, day by day, passing us by. Wake up, get the boy on the bus, go to work, come home and see what new paperwork he's brought home, make supper with the kids hanging on my ankles, attempt to clean up and go crazy because its impossible to clean up, put the kids to bed and then go to bed. Lather, rinse, repeat.

There are the little things that happen all along the way that make each day unique, like Shelly saying "Grandpa" incredibly clearly. So clearly, in fact, that we tried to call Grandpa so she could talk to him but we had some technical difficulties on our end, and when we called back I think he'd taken the phone off the hook cause he was tired of telemarketers or something. Or Acher told us that his class had released the butterflies they'd been raising in their classroom, and that somehow led to a discussion of all the fun things we like about camping. Today Archer told me that I'm ugly because my hair was going everywhere right after I'd towel dried it and hadn't combed it yet. Yesterday he told me I'm the best mom. Shelly's getting better and better at singing Twinkle Twinkle and also mixes the sounds with the ABC's. She very clearly sings "Now I know" right in the middle of all the other sounds... "Now I know my A B Cs!" Archer's favorite game lately is to be a Super Spy, Shelly's favorite game is to follow Archer around while he yells in frustration because he's trying to hide from everyone but she keeps finding him.

Through all of this, I keep hearing the country song "Time Marches On."

Girls Day Out (and One Boy)

We had a WONDERFUL road trip to Argyle. Grandma Shell, Aunt Neesey, Archer, Shelly and I all crammed into Grandma's car and took off on a weekend adventure.

First Stop: Apple Picking at the Elegant Farmer
I'll put some pictures up later, but the couple hours we spent there were entertaining and will definitely be remembered.

Next Stop: Leah's Bridal Shower
There were about 40 women there and about 10 babies Shelly's age or younger. Babies everywhere!! While the girls were at the party, Archer rode the tractor with Farmer Tim hauling manure. For TWO HOURS Archer rode, and Farmer Tim later reported to me that Archer didn't stop talking the entire time! The kid is not shy, and when he has a captive audience there's no telling what stories you'll hear.

Party Time: Grandpa Shorty's House
Six boys, one girl, and seven adults can go through pizza pretty quickly...
By some miracle there were no injuries, no children fell down the stairs or broke anything. Seriously - a miracle. They were running up and dow the stairs, around in circles, wrestling, throwing balls at each other. The whole time Shelly just tried to keep up and every time she got half way up the stairs the boys came down and she started the long journey back down. Up and down and up again.

Bed Time: Tim & Penny's House
Denise and I took over Jessie's room and once the kids got settled we fell asleep pretty quickly. Archer wanted to sleep on the floor, this caused a big dilema for Shelly. She REALLY wanted to sleep next to her brother, but also really wanted to sleep with Denise and I in bed. She laid down next to him on the floor, cuddled up and arranged the blankets just the right way, laid there for about two seconds and then got up, came over to the bed and crawled between Denise and I. She laid down, cuddled up and arranged the blankets just the right way, laid there for two seconds and then got up, got off the bed...

Story to be continued...

In a Jar

I don't know if anyone remembers this post...

"What would you keep in a jar?" I would keep buttons, baby socks, change (don't we all do that?), and I'd like to start keeping dollar bills in a jar to save for a rainy day.

(You can find the rest here http://archerandshelly.blogspot.com/2007/05/jars.html)

Anyway, today I found out Shelly's answer to that question. She had an empty pickle jar (cleaned, washed, ready to play with) and I sat her down at the table to eat supper. She also had 5 bows in her hair (1 is never enough). Add to that the pieces of meatloaf I had cut up for her, and the small fork that fit perfectly inside the jar, and you have Shelly's answer to the above question. Shelly would keep 4 bows, 8 pieces of meatloaf, and 1 small fork in a pickle jar.

Paperwork

I had NO IDEA how much paperwork would be coming home with Archer on a DAILY basis. What in the world?????

He brings home fundraiser stuff, articles, fundraiser stuff, class picture order forms, fundraiser stuff, book order forms, fundraiser stuff, calendars, fundraiser stuff... How much money have we given to the school district through our property taxes since we've lived in this house? NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE! They want us to buy books, collect box tops, sell stuff, bake stuff, and to top it all off... volunteer at the events where they're selling what we baked!

I know this is all part of having a kid in school. But I thought we'd get involved gradually. Like ramp up the fundraising and baking and volunteering requests starting out with just a little bit his first year of school and a little more and more as he gets older. Apparently I was very mistaken - they're gonna grab us right out of the gates and now, I realize, they've got a captive audience for the next 14 years. Why not exploit the opportunity and squeeze every bit of time and money out of us that they can?

All right. I'm sounding awfully unhappy about it. The teachers seem great so far. I guess I'm just a little overwhelmed. So far Archer has learned a song about how to walk in the hallway (look at the person in front of you, keep your hands behind your back), a song about saying hello and goodbye, and a song about cleaning up. And I've learned - now is the time to know my limits and start saying no to requests from the PTA that will just put me over the top.

Happy School Year Everyone!

PS - If anyone would like to purchase pizza, cookie dough, gift wrap, tote bags, wreaths, magazine subscriptions, candy, Christmas ornaments, candles, flower bulbs, soup mix, pie...

Well, you know where to find us. Just call us before September 29th!

And... We're Off!

We're on our way down the path of a new adventure, a new routine, a whole new world. Archer's had art and music class, been the kitchen helper to clean up after snack time, ridden the bus to and from school. He seems to like it so far. And like all the other adventures we face in life, I know there will be hard times, fun times, things we'd rather forget and things we'll remember forever. We'll count on God to keep us always going in the right direction. Here we come!

Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.
Proverbs 4:25-27

The First Day...

Tomorrow Archer starts his first day of school. He will ride the school bus. We will send him out into the world for the first time, without family. I'm terrified for him. I'm anxious for him, nervous, I had to go to parent orientation today and I felt like it was MY first day of school.

Remember that feeling, on the last day of summer vacation? You were excited to go back but nervous too. When I was done with school I thought I'd never have to feel that again. Well, as usual, I was wrong. Its my turn to feel it for my son. He hasn't said that he's nervous or scared, why should he? We've been telling him nothing but great things. He doesn't have any reason to be nervous, he has no idea what's in store. And so this innocent boy of ours will step onto the school bus tomorrow morning at 7:45 and ride to school, get out and make his way into his classroom to meet new kids and teachers. On his own. Without me.

There are so many things going through my head right now, how I don't want kids to be mean to him, I don't want him to be intimidated, I want him to have lots of friends and lots of fun. I hope this beginning of this part of his life is a good one, he'll spend the next 14 years (at least, maybe more!) in school, talking about school, trying to get through school, maybe trying to get out of school. Today is pretty low key, we're just hanging out at home, doing our usual stuff. I keep looking at him wondering if he's ready. Of course he's ready. Am I? This little boy who seems so grown up to me suddenly seems too young to leave our house and learn more independence. He's too young to go out into the world without me. He's so ready for it.