The week (and a half) in review...

Well it has been a pretty decent one really, with minimal ups and downs. We are almost two full weeks into the school year and so far, so "awesome!" Sammy's word. The skeeter is killing it in Kindergarten...he just flat out loves it and there are few things more satisfying than knowing that your kid is happy to go to school everyday. I can see the end of day energy high starting to wane just a bit now...the poor little bugger looked completely wiped yesterday and he's definitely coming down with a cold. Ah...germ exposure...bring it on. He is already taking after Miles, regarding disclosure of his daily activities. "Sammy...how was kindergarten honey...how was your day?" "Awesome!" "And what did you guys do...who did you play with?" "I don't know." Really? That's all I'm gonna get? You're 5! I'm supposed to get the full lowdown! Cripes almighty. But...Tuesday Grandma gets the full scoop...oh yes...he is a little chatterbox with her. I think I may have to start having Sam call her everyday after school and then she can give me the scoop when they're done chatting. Apparently, recess activities consist of "boys chase the girls" (I guess that never goes out of style)...Sam told TG that he is in charge of "getting all the girls together" (although he did just clarify that he is trying to "save" the girls from the boys who are chasing them) and then they all run around and play superheroes. I did find out that he usually takes on the roll of Batman. Other than that, I am mostly in the dark but I know that he loves Spanish and Recess the most...and he's happy. What more could a mom ask for?

And Miles...changing right before our very eyes. All of a sudden I am looking at this teenager who is gaining on me in height and shoe size, has impecable handwriting and is more organized than I will probably ever be. When the hell did all of this happen...and how did I miss it? Another kid who really seems to like school...two for two...knock on wood. And boy can this kid write...this was done during the first week of school....

“I am from …”

I am from front kicks,
from round houses,
from side kicks.
Swift leg thrusts,
promoting acute force.

I am from soccer balls.
Black and white,
glistening in the sun.

I am from board games and video games,
both just as fun as the other.
Move the petite pieces across the vividly colored board.
Control your character to complete his quest.

I am from desserts,
such as rich chocolate glazed cakes,
or candy of many varieties.
Sweet sensations,
and lip-puckering sourness.

I am from music.
From vibrant acoustic,
to heavy electric chords.

I am from, “wake up! It’s time for school.”
Then drowsily dosing off again.

On top of that, he wrote an incredibly insightful paper on The Outsiders that pushed me right over the edge into tears (I'll admit that there was a minor case of PMS involved) as he wrote about why Johnny should have seen the value in his own life. M thought I was crazy but I also caught that slight crooked smirk that spreads across his face when he knows that I am exceedingly proud of him. And I really am...the kid amazes me.

In other news, we spent last Saturday at Ioka Valley Farm...such a great place with TONS of things for kids to do. It was sweet and we are totally going back there when they open for the fall round of fun. We also took Skeeter apple picking for the first time...an activity that we will revisit as well. Long deep inhale...ahhhhhh...warm sweaters, layers, jeans, boots, kneesocks, knit caps, hearty soups, pies and pumpkin bread, crisp air, the smell of wood stoves burning and rosey little cheeks and noses...I love the fall. It makes me feel alive.

A couple of baby goats who were pleased to meet Sammy's aquaintance...and his ice cream cone full of food...
Pig buns...
Our favorite little goat...

Smiley Sam...

Some tractor tire climbing...

The target apple...

Target aquired...

Is this a good one mom?

A day in the orchard...
An apple a day...

And then my latest goal is trying to A-get Sam to go pee as soon as he feels the urge...there have been at least three incidents of the pee pee dance leading into an explosion all over the bathroom floor this past week. And B-when the skeeter does manage to get to the potty in time, helping him to perfect his aim so that he doesn't pee right through the crack between the seat and the toilet. Lets just say that the bathroom floor and I are BFF's after this past week. Don't even get me started on bum wiping...sigh...it's a work in progress.

And in late breaking news, Sammy caught me off guard with the "where do babies come from?" inquiry last night at bedtime. The conversation went kind of like this...

Sam(all curled up next to me)- Mom, I want to grow inside of you again.

Me- You already did Sammy...and then you were born.

Sam- But how did I grow in you?

Me- You just did Sam...I carried you around until you were big enough to come out.

Sam- But HOW did I get in there mom?

Me- Well...I had a tiny little egg inside of me and that's where you started...and you grew and grew until you were big enough to be born.

Sam- How did I get out mom?

Me- I pushed you out. (For the record, this was enough info for Miles when he asked this question at the same age.)

Sam- You pushed me? Why did you push me? Where did I come out of? Was it the front or the back?

Me- (Obviously a little information won't go as far with this one as it did with M.) Sammy, when a baby is born, it comes out of the mommy's vagina. The mommy pushes and the baby is born. Your head came out first when you were born.

Sam- I was upside down?

Me- Yup.

Sam- Oh.

And that was the end of that. For now anyway. I can hardly wait to find out what is in store for me next! Happy weekend to all!