It Took All of 10 Minutes

Today, Cole had some yard guys come and finish "dog proofing" our yard. You see, Scooby who can jump over the fence, tends to dig uNder the fence to escape. So we paid the yard guys to come and trench our whole yard, tie chicken wire to the bottom and bury it. They said for sure it would work for a little dog like Scooby. Well not 10 minutes later, Rionn came inside and said Scooby was in the next door neighbor's backyard. Apparently the little devil could fit under the gates. So I'm now brickinf under all of our gates. On a good note, at least they can huge our big old backyard.

Things You Learn On A 1st Grade Fieldtrip

Rionn had his 1st grade field trip this week.   Cole and I got to chaperon.  We had 3 boys, whose parents also chaperoned.  So we didn't go it alone necessarily.  But  it was interesting to say the least.  We made the longest drive ever to the LA zoo.  We had never been there before.  Not sure why, it's a somewhat of a close drive.  We had fun.  And so did the kids.  It's amazing to see the zoo through 7 year old boys eyes.  And we learned  alot.  So I've decided to share with you all what we've learned.

A bus to Los Angeles with a bunch of first graders has got to be the longest trip ever.  (Of course, we drove since Cole had his wheelchair.  But Rionn's buddy and his mom were on the bus and she kept texting me.)  Then you add in rush hour traffic.  Not great planning on the school's part.

The amount of energy one boy has can absolutely fatigue a regular healthy person in a few hours.  Now times that by 3 and you have some worn out parents.  I'm still not sure how all 3 of them ran the entire zoo.  If they weren't looking at the animals, they were running.  At least I got my speed walking time in right?

The zoo doesn't always have to be educational.  I swear, one glimpse of any given animal and those boys were on to the next one.  Meanwhile, the dads had to read every word on every sign.  So we moms, we chased.

And there is always a time to get distracted.  Like when the zebras think it's a good time to have their next mating sessions.  You know, because all 3 boys stopped to look.  That's when we opted to go find some gorillas.  But the deed was done and we got asked why they were fighting.  Or why one had a really big weiner.  Or is that some kind of zebra dance.  Let me be the first to tell you that I'm so thankful that the parents of every boy in our group was chaperoning.

The calmest time at the zoo is lunch time.  That's when only a slight amount of movement is going by said 7 year old boys and when the adults are halfway done with lunch, the boys are ready to go.

Gift shops are evil.  Enough said.

Whoever, thought of putting a playground in the middle of the zoo is nuts.  Not only did we look at animals, but the boys got to play at the park.  And no, it didn't slow them down one bit.  But it was a great time of relaxation for the chaperons.  If you don't mind hard metal benches under a "shade tent" that trapped in all the heat.  But hey, we weren't chasing and we were sitting.

It's great to hear boys reading the scientific names of animals.  Most of the time they would say the names, then ask if that was right.  Most of the time, their guess was as good as mine.

If you think rush hour traffic is bad on the way to the zoo, you should see it on the way home.  Once again, glad we drove ourselves.  I'm not sure a bunch of tired, cranky kids on a hot bus, with over heated parents was fun. According to the texts, it was all fun and party like.

But all in all, our educational day was a blast.  And the greatest part was that we got to spend it together.

One of These Days

I've gotten into a new hobby.  I had to find something that I could do for fun since quilting has become more of a business than a hobby. And scrapbooking has turned into blogging. So I've turned to baking. From scratch. It started last summer when i would find these great deals at our farmer's market. Everyone loves everything I've made so far. Even though only one of my frostings have came out at the right consistency.  One of these days(you know- right after I get my dream kitchen-aid mixer.) I will have those cute decorated cupcakes that look better than the melted whip cream cupcakes I've been making. At least they taste good.

City Farming

Today wad a great day for farming. In between church and lunch and shopping, we finally planted or veggies and fruits. We started them in jiffy pots inside our house. So if everything survives we'll have green beans, potatoes, butternut squash, zucchini, watermelon, grapes, tomatoes, and cucumbers.  I also bought some mote flowers today. Pretty soon we'll be planting our pumpkins.

Practicing

Today Rionn practiced his sniper skills. And he successfully killed a box.

It's Finally Gone

His tooth came out this morning.

We Finally Get To Use This

I bought this before Rionn was born.  Hope he likes it now that he gets to use it.

A Little Yard Work

When we were looking at houses, Cole wanted a house on some land.  And we got some land at a great price.  But little did we know that our yard would be so much work.  Especially when the first spring arrived after we moved.  We learned that the previous owners let the yard go.  Well, we had our septic pumped and the guy who did it said we needed to remove our big, beautiful tree that gave our house a little bit of character.  So we called a tree guy, again.  He removed the tree and went to all the trees around the house to see what trees were dead or not.  I took some pictures of the aftermath.  I should have taken some pictures of the before.  To date, we've lost more than 6 trees.  Could be a good thing since this morning we're having a wind storm.  It would be devastating to have a tree fall and hit the house.

Side yard- had to take out 3 trees

Back yard-left side 

Back yard-right side

Front yard-by the house, had to take out 2 trees

Front yard by the street- had to take out 2 trees.

You Chose

Rionn goes to a Parent-Choice school specializing in math, science, and technology.  And as his principal states at the beginning of every year, YOU as a parent CHOSE to put your student in this school.  So what happens at this school?  This year, we have monthly family science projects above and beyond weekly homework and special events like science fair and the gingerbread exhibit.  This month's project to grow something a chart, write, or photograph the happenings of your plant.  So yes, even though I'm tired, and work most of the days, and Cole is rarely home, we chose to go on this endeavor.  I decided that since we have to grow something, we'll grow a purple lily.  As Rionn already wrote: It's mom's favorite color and her favorite flower.  So here's the progress of our lily so far.  Hopefully it won't die before the end of the month.

Awards Assembly AND Report On The Same Day

Today Rionn had an awards assembly at school.  Good thing his teacher emailed me about a few days ago.  Today after the assembly, he got the letter for the parents out of his desk and gave it to me.  You know what it said?  Your child will be receiving an award on Friday at the awards assembly.  It even had the time on there.  Yep, that's my kid.  So Cole came and met us at school (I'm Friday class mom) and we sat and waited.  The teacher went through all the different awards.  And another mom, Cole, and I kept waiting for her to call Rionn and his buddy's names.  And finally she called Rionn and his buddy's names.  They both won an award for achievement (and over achievement) in all subject areas.

The funniest(not really funny, but I'm lacking words) thing is that this little buddy and Rionn have been around each other from about 6 months to now.  They've been in each preschool class, pre-k class, kindergarten, and now first grade.  And now they've won all the same awards.  Let's just say the he was excited.

Then I got his report card.  And academic wise, he's doing outstanding.  Behavior, I think he's just bored.  He has some work to do on his attention span.  That will no doubt come in time.  And he needs to work on organization and clean work.  But hey, he's a boy and if you can read it or find it at age 7, you are doing good.

Conquering It

Cole bought a power tower.  Rionn thinks that "exercising" means climbing all over it like a jungle gym.  Looks a little something like this.

You should be able to do a ton of exercises.  I, however, can't lift myself up there to do much.  But I did manage to do 4 leg lifts.  I was surprised considering that when it first arrived, I couldn't  do anything.  Eventually, I will conquer it and do a whole set.  Until then, I shall continue to exercise like I have been and clean around that tower.  

I Got A Little Crafty

With my Hobby Lobby purchases, and a free Sunday afternoon... I made this.

Hobby Lobby

I found out that a Hobby Lobby was coming to our area.  Which would be really great if our Jo Ann's would reopen and Micheal's would continue to sell sewing stuff.  However, I did find out there is a Hobby Lobby down near Cole's work.  So a couple weekends ago, Rionn and I ventured down  the hill.  And it was a great day for shopping.  The weather was great.  Plus we didn't have to be anywhere specific that day.  We headed to the outdoor mall on the way home.  Cole wasn't that happy when he heard that we drove down there.  Especially with the gas prices, but he didn't mind that we went either.  He just wanted to know that we spent as little money as possible with the things that we bought.  But he is happy with our purchases.  :)

And here's how excited Rionn was to be shopping.

Po

Well the new goldfish lived.  So far.  So Rionn decided to name the new goldfish Po.  Of course, after we convinced him that he couldn't name both fish Goldie.  Hopefully Po stays on the smaller side.  I only say that because Goldie started off as small as Po when Rionn won him at the Harvest Party.  And he is the meanest, fish eating-ness gold fish I've ever had.

Will Another One Bite The Dust

Today Cole stopped by the pet store to get a new filter for the fish tank.  Rionn came home with a new filter and a new goldfish.   The goldfish(AKA Goldie) that we have now came home during a church Halloween carnival.  Several years ago.  Since Goldie has come we've gone through a countless number of fish.  So we'll see if this new goldfish last throughout the night.  

Too Much Greek Yogurt?

Lately Rionn has been obsessed with heritage.  Not sure if it's something that is in the lesson plans at school, or if it's just his curious little mind.  Sometimes he has these profound things to say.  Things that make your head turn and ask him if he's really just 7.  But yesterday he asked me what Cole was.  And I had to think about what he was really asking.  He meant was heritage is Cole.  Where did his ancestors come from.  So I said I knew he was part Greek.   Rionn said that was just from dad eating too much Greek yogurt.  A simple reminder that, yes indeed, he's still a little boy.  And then I called grandma.  Because she ought to know.  Well Grandma said she was half Greek/half German.  Then she said she didn't know about Jim.  So we should call Uncle Don.  Then Cole decided that Rionn should write an old fashion, pen and paper, with a stamp and envelope letter.  To Aunt Vivian.  Because she's studied lineage and heritage.  So this weekend, we'll write a letter.  May have to write several.

Best Sound Ever

Rionn had a sundae party in his class for Valentine's day.  We weren't sure if he was going to make it since he was sick over the weekend.  Good thing he had Monday off of school.  He came in the house after karate bouncing like normal.  He asked if I heard the noise he was making.  He said it was the best sound ever.  It was all the candy and pencils he got from his classmates.

Working With Sticks

Rionn's karate class is working on their bo-staff routines.  And for those of you who don't do karate things, a bo-staff is a big stick.  Of course, Rionn hates when I ask him if he has practiced his stick routine, he gets upset.  But he is great at it.  Karate is his passion.

100 Day

Today was the 100th day of school.  This year, Rionn's class dressed like they were 100 years old.  This is how he decided to dress.  And when Cole and I picked him up from school today, he was still dressed up.  His shirt was untucked.  But that's Rionn.  I was tempted to make him a walker and give him some balloons.  But I refrained.

Meet Miss Piggy

We've reached that age with Rionn that his independence can be helpful yet not so helpful.  I love that he can shower by himself, brush his teeth, get his own breakfast, choose his own clothes.  But then again.  He has to learn not to stop and play along the way.  Well, it got to the point that Cole and I were taking cold showers, he was only brushing his teeth in under a minute and it was taking forever to get dressed.  So I bought Miss Piggy.

And boy has she worked wonders.  Cole and I have had warm showers for a week now.  He's brushing his teeth longer and getting dressed faster.  I told him that if the timer goes off and he hasn't done what he's supposed to, then I get to help him.  And he's far too independent for that.  

SEVEN

It's been 7 years since I became a mom.  And yes, I'm a little behind.  But I've been party planning since the moment we cleaned up from Christmas.  Usually we do an every other year party.  On the even years.  But Cole wanted him to have a party.  So last minute(literally last minute.  Sent the invitations to school the last day before Christmas break.) I sent out invitations and started planning and buying.  Rionn wanted movie party while shopping for invitations and seeing an invitation that looked like a ticket.  He wanted to show Kung Fu Panda 2.  One of our presents that he got to open on his actual birthday was his movie.  The other present was clothes.  I'm not too sure if he was impressed or not.  You be the judge.

I went big time too on his cake.  We have a local bakery that does those big fancy cakes like on the cake shows on tv.  We had his birthday party yesterday and all but one family didn't show.  And much to my delight we didn't have a ton of cake left over.  I was a little worried since the last person to RSVP called at 6  pm the night before the party.  I ordered the cake before Christmas.  The party was great.  I may just have to institute a rule that says all parties are movie parties from now on.  It was quiet and flowed great.  There was no stress.  I didn't offer lunch or dinner.  Just popcorn, candy and cake.  

Oh, yeah, and they shuffled.  You know that dancing hamster commercial?  Well the actual song is 6 minutes long.  And there is nothing like a whole bunch of first graders shuffling.