Second Grade Update

The verdict is in, and second grade is GREAT. She really likes her teacher a lot. There are kids in her class that she knows. One boy in particular has been in the same class with her for 3 years in a row now- she thinks that is funny. The best thing about second grade is that you get to choose to sit anywhere you want during lunch, she sits with her best friend Sara every day so far. They are given 15 minutes for lunch and then a 15 minute recess. Isn't that crazy?

Jessica's teacher called tonight to introduce herself and to check in and see if we have any questions or anything- very nice. There was an incident today at school and we talked about that too, Jessica had already told me about it. It seems when she was in the bathroom a third grader was rattling the door to her stall and laughing and saying, "I think I see a kindergartener". Jessica was pretty upset and immediately told her teacher when she returned to the class and cried. Jessica told me that she soon forgot about it and went on to have a good time. The teacher told me that she, the teacher, immediately contacted the Principal and the Principal intervened immediately with the culprit and then went to Jessica in gym class to let her know that they had spoken with that child. They tried to put a positive spin on it and had the girls shake hands and introduce themselves and Jessica says they are supposed to wave when they see each other in the hall. I think the schools try to be right on top of bullying of any kind. Since Jessica is satisfied with the outcome we aren't harping on it and these things happen. I am just glad that Jessica knows to tell the teacher rather than keep it inside and get all upset. This way they were able to respond immediately.

Second Grader!

Jessica started second grade today. She goes to a different school this year and she is a little nervous. I know she will be fine, but it is a little scary. She was quite happy to see her friend Sara waving from the bus window. Kathy and Bec, recognize the outfit? I got in at Hartstrings on our outlet shopping day. For the record I didn't tell her to pose this way- Marc can back me up.

Actually as I took this picture I thought- oh Richard is going to just hate this. So Richard, Sheri outed you as a blog reader over in the UK, what do you think?

Splash Park

Yesterday was our last day of summer vacation- well for Jessica anyway. I had visions of them playing together and enjoying each other's company while I unpacked, did laundry and tidied up- maybe we would all be singing in harmony together too. Well alas things did not go that. From the moment they woke up it was clear all they wanted to do was fight with one another and annoy me to death. By the afternoon, my dreams of the day dashed, we needed to get out so we headed to the splash park. Jessica hadn't been all summer. So she was a little timid at first... (look Bec she is on her tip toes)

But she soon got into the swing of things

And with some help from her little brother much fun was had- yeah they played great together at the park- didn't get my unpacking done though.

Oh, and EVERY boy does this at some point when they visit.

Next post- first day of school.

Day At Mystic Aquarium

All summer I have been saying, "I want to go on day trips with the kids" and "I want to take them to Mystic". Well with our crazy summer schedule day trips were actually hard to pull off. So we get back from vacation late on Saturday night. On Sunday Jessica says, "I wish we could go to just one more place before school starts". At the last minute I decided to get up and go to Mystic Aquarium with them. They were so pumped. I haven't been in 17 years and I have to say, was it always this small? It was great for a one day trip but I don't see spending more than one day at the Aquarium. Anyhoo... Jessica was very excited to see the Belugas.

One of the coolest things was the Outback bird experience. You go into a big cage filled with birds. They give you a feed stick to bring in with you and if you are lucky you can hold a bird on your stick. Here is Jessica holding her bird [um yeah that is her brother's hand trying to sneak in and "steal" her bird].
Here is Justin holding a bird that some nice man gave to him [there is a good chance he said something like, "will you give that one to me?" when I had my back turned]. Soon after I had mastered getting the birds on the sticks they all got spoooked and took off for the ceiling. Oh well, we got out of there without any poop on us so I consider it a success.

Then we went inside to look at some fish.

We enjoyed touching all the sea life- they said we could.

After the Sea Lion show it was 1:00 and boy were we hungry. But, here's a surprise, the line was out of control at the cafe. So we decided to have our Penquin Ice Cream Pops first- how cool am I? That way at 2:00 the line was much shorter for lunch.

So we went on to touch some more things- ewww a lizard.

One more, of Jessica amusing us at lunch.

This was our official last hurrah of the summer!

In case you don't know...

Bec and Kelly have been updating their blogs with pics of our vacation too. Since I am trying to catch up on some proofing that I neglected before the vacation, their pics will have to tide you over. Check them out Bec's Blog and Hartzog Happenings.

Ahhhhhh

Just uploading my pics from the laptop to my "real" computer and, yes Bec, burning discs for the other families. Had to share this one. I think this might be one of my favorite couple shots- and of one of my favorite couples! Of course afterwards Kelly mentioned that she doesn't like angley pictures, too bad, I love this one!

Family Picture Night!

Annual Family Picture Night tradition. How do you think we did? Aren't we gorgeous?