Long Days & Dust

{Day 2}

Me: "How was your day at school?"

Ethan: " I loved it!!"

(Talk about a HUGE sigh of relief as I wiped the sweat from my brow!)

Big steps for all of us.  Although the days at school are longer {he said he couldn't remember which day was which because it took so long...and when we went to the pool after school he said there weren't very many people there because it was morning...time has really taken its toll already!} adjustments are underway...for all of us.

Added onto the longer school days is a new twist for our little 1st grader.  He has begun a dual-immersion program.  1/2 the day will be spent in a classroom with an "English" speaking teacher and the other 1/2 he will be with the cutest little teacher recruited from Taiwan {pictures coming for sure!} and he'll be learning Mandarin {Chiense}.  Yes, that's what most of the world speaks and believe me when I say it will be quite the adventure for all of us.

{Brotherly Love}

As Ethan left for school on Day 1 Aidan was still sleeping.  On the way out the door he said Aidan would wonder where he was when he woke up.  I assured him I'd let Aidan know what was going on, and then a few tears filled his eyes and he said how much he would miss Aidan.

And then about 10 minutes later tears swelled in my eyes as I dropped Ethan off to school and he marched off like a champ. 

Cold lunch complete with Phinneas and Ferb fruitsnacks...check.  

A big blue oversized backpack with hand santizer in the side pocket...check.

A super brave heart...check.

After school we headed to the pool and I cherished every minute of it.

{Summer Swimmin'}

Water and toads just get along.  I guess tadpoles like it too. 

We all seem to be a bit happier around the water.  This summer has had water as one of our best friends.

When swimming lessons started they called Ethan's name 1st...Aidan immediately threw a huge fit and started running and crying as far away as he could from the pool and then threw himself helplessly on the grass to let the world hear is agony.  Little did he know that he was also going to get in the water...they just hadn't called his name yet.

Once he realized this, and saw the cute swim instructor beckoning him to come join her in the water he was a different little man. 

After that each lesson would start with him babbling on and on to his teacher and then actually trying to do what the teacher asked...most of the time.;)



{Going Again}

My lego sewing machine.  Ethan was kind enough to make it and told me we could share it.

Some of you may be glad to know that I've dusted off my real machine and have been working on a few projects I think you might find fun. 

My closet is full of fabric and ideas I can't wait to share with you. 

And yes, its helping keep my mind off of wondering what is happening down the road in classroom 103.:)

The 2011-2012 school year is here to stay.   Darn it.

XOXO,

TOAD