Going Solo

Ian and Chester, the class bear, waiting for the concert to begin.
Super exited to get started

The K's are the bottom 2 rows, 18 in all. It's a small but tight knit class.

This week Ian performed in the Holy Trinity School Christmas concert (yes, we get to call it a Christmas concert!) Nate was home sick with the flu for the entire week so Ian was our star performer. Unlink his brother, Ian loves the spotlight and hams it up every chance he gets (although he did refrain from throwing the 'horns' at me like he did in preschool. I got a nice wave instead.) Way to go buddy!

Bye Mom!

We like to drag things our over here. Birthday's, chores, you name it. So it's the first day of school. Again, and Again, and Again. Nate started 2nd grade on Tuesday. He is in Mrs. Romero's class with his same group of peers, give or take a couple. Nate is thrilled to be the oldest grade in the lunch and recess slot he is in and super excited that Spanish has been added to the 2nd grade curriculum this year...and cursive.

Ian's first day was today - half day. And his first day is tomorrow - full day. Kinders start slow. They don't go the first 2 days, then a half day then a full day then a weekend. And they wear cute red tshirts at first so they stick out a little and get a little extra help from the older kids. That's one of the best things about HT- the older kids really look out for the little.

For me? I thought I would be sad. I though I would even cry. But really, I am not. After 3 straight years of fighting and crying and drama from Ian about going to school, this year is a thrill. He is so excited about kinder that he can't wait to go to sleep at night and wake up in the morning. He has literally been jumping up and down about it. I couldn't be happier that he is finally at peace about going to school.

First Day, First Grade

BMOC - no longer Kindergartener!
Annual family first day of school pic

Brotherly love!

Annual school sign pic

Big guy, big desk. Front and center to start the year!

Interview with an (almost) First Grader

School Supplies labeled. Check.

Milk Card ordered. Check.

Volunteer sign ups. Check.

Emergency kit. Check.

Champagne chilling in the refrigerator. Check, check.

Tomorrow is the long awaited day of first grade. Long awaited by me anyway. Summer started out a bit rough but ended on a pretty good note. Today the boys got their back to school haircuts and Nate had his first (ever) soccer practice and scrimmage. Oh, you thought we were playing Fall basketball? We are. Only we don't have weeknight practices anymore. Don't ask me what we are going to do when we have dueling games on Saturdays.

So tomorrow begins First Grade. The grade with REAL desks, not just tables. The grade with REAL homework. Nate and I had a chat at bedtime about what he is thinking about first grade.

Name: Nate

Age: 6 1/2, well, almost

Shoe size: 12 1/2, but my soccer cleats are 13.

Teeth lost: 5, but trying to get out #6 before tomorrow

Most looking forward to seeing: Matthew, Cole, Nick, Samantha, Nathan

Most looking forward to what hot lunch: Popcorn chicken

Most looking forward to doing what on recess: Pokemon with Samantha

Best thing about first grade room: you get your own desk and it's closer to the bathroom than K

Best thing about summer: Playing Wii

The soccer get-up
I know someone who is going to be sad his brother is gone all day~!

It keeps going and going and going...

The Energizer Bunny Hot "Hare" Balloon made a stop at Holy Trinity today. At 166 feet tall, (the height of a sixteen-story building and 15-feet taller than the Statue of Liberty), the Energizer Bunny Hot Hare Balloon is the world’s biggest hot air balloon. We were there this morning with Ian to watch them inflate the balloon then heat the air to put it up in the sky (but not fly it today). Joe V. from Channel 12 new was there to do a live broadcast. I think the Kindergartners favorite part was that they were invited to jump/roll/stomp the air out of the balloon after the event was over.

Joe V. from Good Day Oregon was on hand to broadcast live. See his story here http://www.kptv.com/video/19691595/

All Ears

This thing is heavy!

The last, and probably best part

Beautiful disaster

Catch the grounder, tag first base, runner out.

Official bench warmer and bug catcher

Let's get ready to rock.

Beautiful Disaster (by 311, one of my favorite bands from back in the day).

That's the name of the song that Nate played for his class today for his show and tell/talent (Kindergartners aren't allowed to be in the upcoming talent show and Nate was BUMMED so Mrs. Burrows let him do the talent to start the day today). Sometimes life feels like a beautiful disaster around here. Don't get me wrong, all is well. Very well. Dave is outrageously busy with (mostly) first time buyers. Ian is thriving in swim lessons. Nate is loving baseball and is really starting to get a few real plays in on the field (even though they don't actually have 'outs' in t-ball). And as far as me, well, let's just say some days the house is a Beautiful Disaster.

Last Day, Best Year

Front row, far right is Ian next to his bff Samson
Hand motions are the best

Cookie party. I think they each had about 3!

Fabulous Teacher Renn and Polar Bear, who got Ian through many a sad morning early in the year.

Ian finished up his 3's class at Prince of Peace today. All the 3's kids put on a musical show of the songs and sign language that they have learned all year. Ian was very excited to show off what he had learned! The class concluded with a cookie party and then we had a slide show of all the photos that Mrs. Renn had taken all year. Considering how we started the year (tears, anxiety), Ian has come a long way and matured a ton.

Run Baby Run!

On your marks, get set, GO!
Getting marked for each lap
4 down and feeling good
Lap 11, going strong. Look at those red cheeks!
The official count

Words can not express how proud we are of Nate for his efforts at the Jog A Thon this morning! The kindergarten class ran for 30 minutes starting at 10am. Today was the perfect weather day - not a cloud in the sky, beautiful and sunny. This is definitely not typical Oregon weather for October 22!

Nate ran the entire 30 minutes and completed 12 laps (although when I count the hash marks on his bib I count 13) which is about 2.2 miles - a lap is 1/5 mile. Truly amazing that these little kids can run like that. He was very proud of himself as well!

Ian and I were there to cheer him and the other kids on and walked much of the time too.

Thank you to everyone for your generous pledges!

Father Bruno and the Mural

This is the left half of the mural, and Father Bruno presenting a gift
Principal Martinek presenting Father Bruno with his thank you gifts
The Infamous "S"
White Puppy, Ian's beloved



Today Ian and I joined Nate at school for the dedication of a mural that all 240 of the Holy Trinity kids participated in creating. It is painted on the cafeteria walls.

A visiting priest from Italy, Father Bruno Segatta, led the children in the mastery of mural creation, adding his own touches and specialty, Cypress trees. He blessed the mural and the children had a Popsicle celebration following the ceremony.

Nate was so excited to have a piece of himself on the wall. He came home on Monday raving about how he got to paint the 's' in school. The kindergarten class, being the lowest to the ground, was in charge of painting the words "Holy Trinity School" at the bottom.

Ian, my helpful photographer today, took about 27 pictures of White Puppy, his beloved dog.



http://www.brunoartforkids.com/