tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135910112024-03-13T13:04:43.999-07:00Recovering JackIn April 2002, our most favorite boy was born. Slowly he began to slip away...and autism took over. Now we are reclaiming him. Here's how...thanks for reading.marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-74775960854637580342011-05-03T15:04:00.000-07:002011-05-03T15:27:01.183-07:00Oh, Jack!Today I heard that Jack's friend, Hayden, had not listened to his Mom when she asked him to turn off his Wii. Her response was to remove the Wii game and break it in half. Wow! That's a consequence. I shared this story with Jack, hoping that he could benefit from the lesson without having endured the consequence himself.<br /><br />After sharing the story, Jack said (unprompted about learning a lesson) "Hey! I learned something from that story about Hayden!" "Really? What did you learn?" I asked. Jack replied:<br /><br />"I learned fractions! I learned one half!!!" <br /><br />Oh, Jack. You funny boy. (and yes, he totally missed the point.)marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-30247257413934122102010-08-19T18:29:00.000-07:002010-08-19T18:42:35.447-07:00A BIG Loss!Check out what happened at lunch today at school...Jack was SO excited!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmvtz_jy82WEth8YMGUtpYhRHrLmdYZssqkaK1isW7SByhzlsK8PLa4VCXD4Wz0-H-KIZemGrZLs-IeOd9WMx5-lYWWkuoWK8f1qI2Xu_hqlzuVZ7V3oHWNdCar9yOsF-KOiA/s1600/wJ+Tooth-4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmvtz_jy82WEth8YMGUtpYhRHrLmdYZssqkaK1isW7SByhzlsK8PLa4VCXD4Wz0-H-KIZemGrZLs-IeOd9WMx5-lYWWkuoWK8f1qI2Xu_hqlzuVZ7V3oHWNdCar9yOsF-KOiA/s400/wJ+Tooth-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507299213615302786" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfy-ydo7YpjmjmBjkFL6Vxy8JfvPSEvKW2Q3yWNLXWdpDeIi1hZ20zSRM21nCvK6SbURthYS1E_w5Wjgrl7G0X0yET1ilTvuEVmxRPu79m1vNCFpigFJFvfy7vZg7-k_XWlej_/s1600/wJ+Tooth-6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfy-ydo7YpjmjmBjkFL6Vxy8JfvPSEvKW2Q3yWNLXWdpDeIi1hZ20zSRM21nCvK6SbURthYS1E_w5Wjgrl7G0X0yET1ilTvuEVmxRPu79m1vNCFpigFJFvfy7vZg7-k_XWlej_/s400/wJ+Tooth-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507299184017247058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPSy_CVgsGRdeD0qw-1ZBkiuvew-dF-22PxC5aughlekbuZPyMJIo_qeFHad8DTWzu6T-v5WfaBRWp3LmkqzqR_RiE5ql7TlpMPbHJ20IwKazi1huyYInVi8CQSbh9VcRzhXa/s1600/wJ+Tooth-11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPSy_CVgsGRdeD0qw-1ZBkiuvew-dF-22PxC5aughlekbuZPyMJIo_qeFHad8DTWzu6T-v5WfaBRWp3LmkqzqR_RiE5ql7TlpMPbHJ20IwKazi1huyYInVi8CQSbh9VcRzhXa/s400/wJ+Tooth-11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507299158282549346" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He happily sat down, smiled a TON, showed his lost tooth and told the story of how his tooth fell out at lunch. My favorite part of the story was when he said "And you know what I said when it fell out? I jumped up and said "FINALLY! It was taking forever!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAJ0-AfF_dJxXoqnI-XhQtztNp6i4LkYNNu5n5NnPc9rXHN3r9Yq2z9M46ybfOn1NfObKxfoFnEdg83nuhxPjxmJ9M8h30XkMyzXdPsobiNxrQgg6fkf__9K6veKH93gEN8zL/s1600/wJ+Tooth-12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAJ0-AfF_dJxXoqnI-XhQtztNp6i4LkYNNu5n5NnPc9rXHN3r9Yq2z9M46ybfOn1NfObKxfoFnEdg83nuhxPjxmJ9M8h30XkMyzXdPsobiNxrQgg6fkf__9K6veKH93gEN8zL/s400/wJ+Tooth-12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507299198485622722" border="0" /></a><br />Isn't he cute? He is so proud!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_o-dZrAKgrWGmICU4It12FenOoGNClrV6MTJMMCb-2HCuSfYXK1xiKKnBrVXDAZgh3ymMX6oH7z6mvaIDR4M1xFX8ieJZfgnawHysbBWAAKoHplhVfSBgQMd-hxUe-qnGvOIq/s1600/wJ+Tooth-5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_o-dZrAKgrWGmICU4It12FenOoGNClrV6MTJMMCb-2HCuSfYXK1xiKKnBrVXDAZgh3ymMX6oH7z6mvaIDR4M1xFX8ieJZfgnawHysbBWAAKoHplhVfSBgQMd-hxUe-qnGvOIq/s400/wJ+Tooth-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507299167176895970" border="0" /></a><br />I'd better keep the light on tonight for the Tooth Fairy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0_QfQonJWfHrgNLDT_uOEdnleFzwY4CBICtv5adxwJ2oWJvvx-AGpQOIXmEL5kZo3xad1tCnIoffYdV1f93O9IfTJcEzjm1Pp9L5R8l91G2NInreCtO3OhthOQdZafPjdGgr/s1600/wJ+Tooth-9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0_QfQonJWfHrgNLDT_uOEdnleFzwY4CBICtv5adxwJ2oWJvvx-AGpQOIXmEL5kZo3xad1tCnIoffYdV1f93O9IfTJcEzjm1Pp9L5R8l91G2NInreCtO3OhthOQdZafPjdGgr/s400/wJ+Tooth-9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507301211062089522" border="0" /></a>marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-71876632569301565362010-08-11T20:49:00.000-07:002010-08-11T21:14:57.027-07:00Welcome to 2nd Grade!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEVoTScQhSP0yGHDPKa2RK2y-tjIdvIs4OIYRbdA2iWa0rDuvfxMGVfy0dy4wGvrHk6cytQpUNtskK13EUNQsmzVYCJXY-lq1TNuf7CF9lA-FS2GLU5VuLS9rek4whxAvIKsm/s1600/wAugust+2010+pers-61.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEVoTScQhSP0yGHDPKa2RK2y-tjIdvIs4OIYRbdA2iWa0rDuvfxMGVfy0dy4wGvrHk6cytQpUNtskK13EUNQsmzVYCJXY-lq1TNuf7CF9lA-FS2GLU5VuLS9rek4whxAvIKsm/s400/wAugust+2010+pers-61.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504367857345970802" border="0" /></a><br />Tomorrow is the big day! Jack will be in 2nd grade and has the distinct blessing of having his most amazing Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Ward, (seen <a href="http://recoveringjack.blogspot.com/2008/08/kindergarten-week-1-plus-some.html">here</a>) as his now-2nd grade teacher!<br /><br />Today we organized a playdate for all the upcoming 2nd graders at the school's playground. We thought it might be fun to get back into the swing of things by seeing all the old faces as we were learning who was in each class. It was an incredibly hot day (97, heat index 104) but there were lots of troopers who braved the heat to join us!<br /><br />Lots of Jack's former classmates were there and several of his current classmates, who will join him in Mrs. Ward's class, were there too!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSx2RbeK-bltaNMewlAaxDCG491Yzb0EOulSMIqCroIYuPNM0gjlXAqS-pmTgFh22n9jXlr5jX4t89GcYqURvcldJhWQzxOUEuHzjIGmLsr1tKxAhX5dSaMSiG2NC3e7yPwXft/s1600/wAugust+2010+pers-46.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSx2RbeK-bltaNMewlAaxDCG491Yzb0EOulSMIqCroIYuPNM0gjlXAqS-pmTgFh22n9jXlr5jX4t89GcYqURvcldJhWQzxOUEuHzjIGmLsr1tKxAhX5dSaMSiG2NC3e7yPwXft/s400/wAugust+2010+pers-46.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504367855933258354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-YmD7Lf4qG9Hw0UkH3qeKZMJTEUjw06ckr9qJm60v4tQX33JIy2KzpFIO53NpmRHzw4PyYCc3vPaEyyYMgQPnSbvFDpa2FMgOP_NLFsQ_6N7hUnTr3GKnzixH4Iu_HWq58tI/s1600/wAugust+2010+pers-31.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-YmD7Lf4qG9Hw0UkH3qeKZMJTEUjw06ckr9qJm60v4tQX33JIy2KzpFIO53NpmRHzw4PyYCc3vPaEyyYMgQPnSbvFDpa2FMgOP_NLFsQ_6N7hUnTr3GKnzixH4Iu_HWq58tI/s400/wAugust+2010+pers-31.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504367848221381810" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzkL9iYaLneCdq03iGNR6KbVTYeO62OtCSlLgR2Ce8sW0A10q0Eh2xLW9v__dcNdne9ql2G6GrdyCkS9a21qdTiT5fFYPTOMPtEJC7N3i8fuyZJomaA3srPYSfIjKmv3FuRRH/s1600/wAugust+2010+pers-48.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzkL9iYaLneCdq03iGNR6KbVTYeO62OtCSlLgR2Ce8sW0A10q0Eh2xLW9v__dcNdne9ql2G6GrdyCkS9a21qdTiT5fFYPTOMPtEJC7N3i8fuyZJomaA3srPYSfIjKmv3FuRRH/s400/wAugust+2010+pers-48.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504367840887599042" border="0" /></a> You know it is hot when the kids choose to sit UNDER the playground equipment!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxwouNFyIT2YjocFJ_ApV1lJi7nAHw6GKF3Ch4ZEjLGeGj3hBXxQqNp1GnNeKCcuLALw8eDImMY06owKmIKpM28RBwn_v7PTaHlli2AMiuuVf1mSKk7gmlKrBliEsbpb412n4/s1600/wAugust+2010+pers-47.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxwouNFyIT2YjocFJ_ApV1lJi7nAHw6GKF3Ch4ZEjLGeGj3hBXxQqNp1GnNeKCcuLALw8eDImMY06owKmIKpM28RBwn_v7PTaHlli2AMiuuVf1mSKk7gmlKrBliEsbpb412n4/s400/wAugust+2010+pers-47.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504367837072451314" border="0" /></a>The highlight of the event was when Mrs. Ward came out to see the kids. As soon as they saw her, they all ran toward her like she was carrying ice cream! She is one of the most loved teachers. There was lots of hugging...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9W7sDL1JvsuOOHPnOhZGxK7ueSWbiFi2-eIIAY6A7_TjbyQEFCHUfuOcVuXjAAJUyBPpPTIfON_2xzfiKOLdOjDWG1I_TU9YBKGYH1E0zRNMHwBQuaYrxyYsSnP_V9mA82Pix/s1600/wAugust+2010+pers-49.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9W7sDL1JvsuOOHPnOhZGxK7ueSWbiFi2-eIIAY6A7_TjbyQEFCHUfuOcVuXjAAJUyBPpPTIfON_2xzfiKOLdOjDWG1I_TU9YBKGYH1E0zRNMHwBQuaYrxyYsSnP_V9mA82Pix/s400/wAugust+2010+pers-49.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504368800467262146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNIijP2IuGqA0lcCP753WAHfNwOsVAG4fY2t0id6plKD621IM7ryinRYATMApLLMlTb_7ecY6BjNCUwqBSJDYiBAKZTsx6pnu-JsmUlxSWmu5SKxyh1CUM3udDXQ5gV2kqh6d/s1600/wAugust+2010+pers-51.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNIijP2IuGqA0lcCP753WAHfNwOsVAG4fY2t0id6plKD621IM7ryinRYATMApLLMlTb_7ecY6BjNCUwqBSJDYiBAKZTsx6pnu-JsmUlxSWmu5SKxyh1CUM3udDXQ5gV2kqh6d/s400/wAugust+2010+pers-51.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504368793558844050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2u7_srn77FXh8GbOiVmmFZ19QOEmXWuv6jAJsCAvh4qrdqLS5-Yfs9xkWFmiABdmjLjbTGylUPW3-gdH-wXssb5XrtmtnA30u0I87fk5cRJS8uLpRPx5gl354oKAT9IcLS8wK/s1600/wAugust+2010+pers-54.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2u7_srn77FXh8GbOiVmmFZ19QOEmXWuv6jAJsCAvh4qrdqLS5-Yfs9xkWFmiABdmjLjbTGylUPW3-gdH-wXssb5XrtmtnA30u0I87fk5cRJS8uLpRPx5gl354oKAT9IcLS8wK/s400/wAugust+2010+pers-54.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504368790110441474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6jCkO1FI0Qk8jSt5F6VElym7wqVRpgYZ2PNMJM6iJVN-ALsYr3kVDgZGPZAZX-HVJFguml5x-RDhuvFR-7y92DEvCz5ZD01IiNOoc4q2puFdTnPpsYuKzIZIgUa52e9TnBPG/s1600/wAugust+2010+pers-55.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6jCkO1FI0Qk8jSt5F6VElym7wqVRpgYZ2PNMJM6iJVN-ALsYr3kVDgZGPZAZX-HVJFguml5x-RDhuvFR-7y92DEvCz5ZD01IiNOoc4q2puFdTnPpsYuKzIZIgUa52e9TnBPG/s400/wAugust+2010+pers-55.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504368780933808434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5X-ZcjPP0W42gHeZPiabNdC1_GY4xe7UzOUsDZgdK-8sx_MPeVuTBJ1xBroQ8N8X8IajoosMx0TaKN4b_2sDqUL0FKfR6w5ARmTHWzjuRd0juFvxxErgRtUaSJQjO_3Vk0UK/s1600/wAugust+2010+pers-56.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5X-ZcjPP0W42gHeZPiabNdC1_GY4xe7UzOUsDZgdK-8sx_MPeVuTBJ1xBroQ8N8X8IajoosMx0TaKN4b_2sDqUL0FKfR6w5ARmTHWzjuRd0juFvxxErgRtUaSJQjO_3Vk0UK/s400/wAugust+2010+pers-56.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504368776003580850" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">There were lots of cuties there! Here are a couple that stopped running with their friends long enough for me to grab a picture!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4ad7SXPzF4TLKWIzhbbBgU4BCRA1CeNhYo-H_AE2Urjjord_VBmX0zioLTK4LKQefMVj-BobwFZT-XJAw6wZ-gtG0rKQERQ_oG1XVwEU4cvr6ZVVxFBWHbeoR5XZfv8PMD04/s1600/wAugust+2010+pers-35.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4ad7SXPzF4TLKWIzhbbBgU4BCRA1CeNhYo-H_AE2Urjjord_VBmX0zioLTK4LKQefMVj-BobwFZT-XJAw6wZ-gtG0rKQERQ_oG1XVwEU4cvr6ZVVxFBWHbeoR5XZfv8PMD04/s400/wAugust+2010+pers-35.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504369474464485410" border="0" /></a>Vishnu - Jack's classmate for 2 years now! He pushes Jack as one of the best readers in the class.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LR1buMIYQ08u5T-YwAQjdF4hYgAHKDkjJRHcSn-vElWXJfCi0MBvZjsJTUAf1vVbe77FQwxwKx-aLmTPAR-0_wqAwaer6mGeormZu9BOGcOkmxdsUKTH5MZx6n5k9KsMcdES/s1600/wAugust+2010+pers-60.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LR1buMIYQ08u5T-YwAQjdF4hYgAHKDkjJRHcSn-vElWXJfCi0MBvZjsJTUAf1vVbe77FQwxwKx-aLmTPAR-0_wqAwaer6mGeormZu9BOGcOkmxdsUKTH5MZx6n5k9KsMcdES/s400/wAugust+2010+pers-60.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504369469603205058" border="0" /></a>Niles and his brother, Nicholas, and mom, Andrea. Sweet Niles was in Jack's class last year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3y54nRXiFdo7Bc0zhNBX_-yZLqbmiJVvQ5MLX_nz5iyNBmaf5jbJDiHRD6ucPGPrivq7zBxViZT3nBo0_azmAmZuRySwABaQ0zrE4slDY2qJ2t4fNcDua7ViW8bz6kiHZYn8/s1600/wAugust+2010+pers-38.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3y54nRXiFdo7Bc0zhNBX_-yZLqbmiJVvQ5MLX_nz5iyNBmaf5jbJDiHRD6ucPGPrivq7zBxViZT3nBo0_azmAmZuRySwABaQ0zrE4slDY2qJ2t4fNcDua7ViW8bz6kiHZYn8/s400/wAugust+2010+pers-38.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504369464152736274" border="0" /></a>Charlie, little brother to Clarissa.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOUxOlp7E-pEXtM5sx-dm7_uUf2TDs7c32RuemoWg7gF49kG3Xi7nceeVLePHJLPqwIOvawKL4tDC8pxQeaWe8noo3WcO08hgksgjljTQBJ1SadOzjuipw2mvzU3O4_biHzpn/s1600/wAugust+2010+pers-37.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOUxOlp7E-pEXtM5sx-dm7_uUf2TDs7c32RuemoWg7gF49kG3Xi7nceeVLePHJLPqwIOvawKL4tDC8pxQeaWe8noo3WcO08hgksgjljTQBJ1SadOzjuipw2mvzU3O4_biHzpn/s400/wAugust+2010+pers-37.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504369460136363218" border="0" /></a>Clarissa, Jack's friend since Kindergarten. Clarissa claims she and Jack are going to get married some day!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPMcn3E4fkgmaXOjNQp9-4uy4DjmbrRHMAKaklOznqZRZI1joaSU2fOuGnUo59No_i6L3lqxXlhNp5hmNR_eb9tTJrHD2xH2sRiZAOFtczo55EO5h8R9F6ujN30olQB8mGNul/s1600/wAugust+2010+pers-42.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPMcn3E4fkgmaXOjNQp9-4uy4DjmbrRHMAKaklOznqZRZI1joaSU2fOuGnUo59No_i6L3lqxXlhNp5hmNR_eb9tTJrHD2xH2sRiZAOFtczo55EO5h8R9F6ujN30olQB8mGNul/s400/wAugust+2010+pers-42.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504369458101031090" border="0" /></a>And, my ever adorable 2nd grader! I can barely believe it!<br /><br />Jack, here we go! Another year to learn, navigate & grow! I'm so glad you have such a kind heart to guide you on your way this year! I'm so proud of you already!<br /></div>marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-16380788589138718832010-07-01T15:46:00.001-07:002010-07-01T16:51:10.797-07:00It's NEVER Easy Come, Easy GoSummer is in full swing (and my work is as well), and blogging has become a thought that never quite makes it to the keyboard...<br /><br />So what brings me out of the woodwork to post? My poor baby is losing another friend...to geographical difficulty.<br /><br />In preschool, Jack bonded with an adorable friend, Connor, and his sweet little brother, Aiden. Mom Michelle was such a help to me when Tyler was born, driving Jack to and from preschool every day during those first few weeks. The 3 boys together had an easy friendship and it was a joy to watch. Living on a busy road with no neighbors his age, combined with a very small sunday school class of his peers, seemed to leave Jack with little opportunities for friendship to blossom. I thanked God for Connor and Aiden and for the friendship that was developing. But Connor and Aiden moved to Texas at the beginning of the summer when their dad was transferred. We were happy that the boys would now get to spend time with their Texas family but were so sad to see them go.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAc12GTigQq0T9FCsnk_B8CVC37GfKmde-6isnzknnTqz7mJxzOKJJyBAd01x8GlRB88xEH7892rBSYBGHYjTywOVnRJXuwdIPSeAseNLpypLm21_55v7ot1yZKlUf_zqqb8Km/s1600/w+sandboxIMG_0659.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAc12GTigQq0T9FCsnk_B8CVC37GfKmde-6isnzknnTqz7mJxzOKJJyBAd01x8GlRB88xEH7892rBSYBGHYjTywOVnRJXuwdIPSeAseNLpypLm21_55v7ot1yZKlUf_zqqb8Km/s400/w+sandboxIMG_0659.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489087982241897346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXO8Fd_vkiWw36RgTmtbDCdQZALTehGe73qz-zPJg5tIZU-YlpL9-j4ZYn4tAmko8QGRVfF5nYaZ41SXmgl3vAPWYanaih0RTus4UNdDuoR51QmXPTMKMtso-p8SQw0Zh8520/s1600/w+water+tableIMG_0646.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXO8Fd_vkiWw36RgTmtbDCdQZALTehGe73qz-zPJg5tIZU-YlpL9-j4ZYn4tAmko8QGRVfF5nYaZ41SXmgl3vAPWYanaih0RTus4UNdDuoR51QmXPTMKMtso-p8SQw0Zh8520/s400/w+water+tableIMG_0646.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489087993485738770" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgFBVqNno4nmgfSW58cIfZBbEKjXwtlex1L_QywMEAeUR1TYP-evlYl9p2d_8nXV14_klpFmApTRflz7fS7qTHSPdNu16_npfmb8Pbqnpoi-ZN_xvgHje21zPUFvP1z4mr9ds/s1600/w+goodbye+party+IMG_3630.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgFBVqNno4nmgfSW58cIfZBbEKjXwtlex1L_QywMEAeUR1TYP-evlYl9p2d_8nXV14_klpFmApTRflz7fS7qTHSPdNu16_npfmb8Pbqnpoi-ZN_xvgHje21zPUFvP1z4mr9ds/s400/w+goodbye+party+IMG_3630.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489087397170272978" border="0" /></a>pictured above with Owen (another classmate) and his sister Olivia<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghA1EmsVOVPkYGffvgwAhrFC-YHPf2sCQ3d94s_qMIRNC1CiIMYcd1h2-x997VJKF6vDnOxwUNq3-hJQuOLMCjmv738IAC2qnmm8ozTK10RYAeTkFnxGFEUFWwOrJKeXiQ6not/s1600/w+movie+watching+IMG_3652.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghA1EmsVOVPkYGffvgwAhrFC-YHPf2sCQ3d94s_qMIRNC1CiIMYcd1h2-x997VJKF6vDnOxwUNq3-hJQuOLMCjmv738IAC2qnmm8ozTK10RYAeTkFnxGFEUFWwOrJKeXiQ6not/s400/w+movie+watching+IMG_3652.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489087390804961250" border="0" /></a><br />Kindergarten began that Fall and one particular boy showed a spark of interest in Jack and soon, an amazing friendship developed. Jayden has an easy spirit and is quite frankly the most polite boy I have ever met. Jack is very fond of Jayden and we have experienced the right of passage of boyhood with Jayden: Sleepovers. The 2 boys love to play, watch movies, play Wii and DS and yet go to bed with ease at bedtime in Jack's bunk beds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtLRFJsoPZxr8nUAKxttSNwnAb_6ecTDaQ5LkUR03Xx_V0EI0MOu-NbhQqUKAwSwZCwBzw-mrUIo00hI_Ej5lmbwnq4gfk3-dNg2Izb7zXProbDaBCyHI8xTsl0mU5g5Q1_RF/s1600/wjack+jayden+leaves+fall+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtLRFJsoPZxr8nUAKxttSNwnAb_6ecTDaQ5LkUR03Xx_V0EI0MOu-NbhQqUKAwSwZCwBzw-mrUIo00hI_Ej5lmbwnq4gfk3-dNg2Izb7zXProbDaBCyHI8xTsl0mU5g5Q1_RF/s400/wjack+jayden+leaves+fall+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489087378117800994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG0QFgVNZWM4OvPCxZgwNffALsuUTOhCoFaCbC-S2-2NAdm8DhXMhSuG4uNQ-I5ixzEZO22kKG2P34AebEIJpubtVZWbU-ExA_PUDke4w734OVMOGV2hO9M7nc2OAGXK4ul8U/s1600/wPJs+3+boys+22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG0QFgVNZWM4OvPCxZgwNffALsuUTOhCoFaCbC-S2-2NAdm8DhXMhSuG4uNQ-I5ixzEZO22kKG2P34AebEIJpubtVZWbU-ExA_PUDke4w734OVMOGV2hO9M7nc2OAGXK4ul8U/s400/wPJs+3+boys+22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489087382078424034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4GXT2YNp5w7JaRhJnC2QkEUl-_L4Jb0XB2GGg13Wp_KtZvmCL4AgKTn9O5Djf2p_gRb-LQPSx6_h4nwgZbCieJgTRTKE2yAdO9G81ldE9DTk1x_V03BmBLVDFtSXORnNcVMp/s1600/wbedtime+33.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4GXT2YNp5w7JaRhJnC2QkEUl-_L4Jb0XB2GGg13Wp_KtZvmCL4AgKTn9O5Djf2p_gRb-LQPSx6_h4nwgZbCieJgTRTKE2yAdO9G81ldE9DTk1x_V03BmBLVDFtSXORnNcVMp/s400/wbedtime+33.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489087370473394930" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Today I got a call from Jayden's mom, Tawanna. Seems that Jayden's dad has accepted a job in Atlanta, and they will be moving before Summer ends. I haven't told Jack yet...I fear his little heart will break. Rest assured, Jayden, that you will be missed in this Halbert house! Both Jack and Tyler love you so!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgDRKAtCc43myqkXvu-A8T6Dmuc6CJfLgFJdCrCyWQ-lzXACHOBVg_70ekJ2rx-oLE0PP95Bz38p_6Am2fjz8jJ2U83tKCxur_HwMfuJy1BPirL_oQTME7CTlztr84MBlGdAC/s1600/wJ&J13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgDRKAtCc43myqkXvu-A8T6Dmuc6CJfLgFJdCrCyWQ-lzXACHOBVg_70ekJ2rx-oLE0PP95Bz38p_6Am2fjz8jJ2U83tKCxur_HwMfuJy1BPirL_oQTME7CTlztr84MBlGdAC/s400/wJ&J13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489088002378154258" border="0" /></a><br />Time will heal this wound, and my hope is that a new friend will come in to view soon. Good thing he has his little brother. I hope they remain best friends for life.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Zi7anGHton77k9MbN2v7t_Us3n8utJbfqNVhaEzs8_3z1wfmps-6cVkLA8SUvLZpCx1IVc6k8SfSX0u9wj3w6g-CoJA0vQVhUVtCqzBPfbYWpHz5Phgq3Ti5monuvmKjNy1g/s1600/wHalbert+Boys+62310-38.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Zi7anGHton77k9MbN2v7t_Us3n8utJbfqNVhaEzs8_3z1wfmps-6cVkLA8SUvLZpCx1IVc6k8SfSX0u9wj3w6g-CoJA0vQVhUVtCqzBPfbYWpHz5Phgq3Ti5monuvmKjNy1g/s400/wHalbert+Boys+62310-38.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489088003883558066" border="0" /></a>marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-61202711496681788452010-05-14T19:20:00.000-07:002010-05-14T20:45:45.539-07:00Things Change...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC_EdJM_IVP6NoyESmyQWxuCraILvKKdrbkgSWJPWqXyXKe1K3i-FDLMBLNofu_Rf7SZm3g59BwmEuSiBc5XNjiBwepA45pQ6Tr4a6u0WxuUSOBDMbbIV8T8UzwG9DE35qh8g/s1600/wFarm+Field+Trip_051310_0017edit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC_EdJM_IVP6NoyESmyQWxuCraILvKKdrbkgSWJPWqXyXKe1K3i-FDLMBLNofu_Rf7SZm3g59BwmEuSiBc5XNjiBwepA45pQ6Tr4a6u0WxuUSOBDMbbIV8T8UzwG9DE35qh8g/s400/wFarm+Field+Trip_051310_0017edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471335823349519186" border="0" /></a><br />Yesterday I accompanied Jack and his class of adorable 1st graders to the Honeysuckle Hill Farm in Springfield TN. This is a great learning farm, and we were headed there this year to release the baby chicks that were visiting in his classroom. (Side note: The class observed duck eggs for 30+ days in an incubator until the floods came and power was knocked out at the school. The duck eggs must have cooled, which was very detrimental to the ducks. Hence the appearance of the chicks.) The chicks were turned over to Farmer Jeff, and everyone was excited to see the chicks in their new home (which was like Disney World to them, noted Ella on the bus ride.) Jack was excited to have me ride the bus with him but really didn't want me to sit with him! We learned all about photosynthesis and brought home crowder pea seeds in a necklace that we are cultivating now. As we walked around the farm, I remembered that in the Fall of Kindergarten we had also come to this farm and our experience had been a little different. He was so anxious for days about riding the bus (told us he wouldn't...but in the end, he did) and finally declared that he would only be a 'field trip bus rider'. This year he rode the bus home nearly every day from school and happily got on the bus for all of the field trips. <br /><br />There was also a tube slide, and last year he was unable to make it down alone. It took me climbing the ladder, offering lots of coaxing, and the promise of being 'caught' at the bottomo by his assistant Kindergarten teacher. This year he went off and played happily and was disappointed when the short play time was up. Jack even reminded me that Mrs. Haber had caught him last year at the slide when he was scared.<br /><br />We had a great field trip day. I didn't 'need' to be there...I was attending just like the other chaperoning moms. I saw a couple of sweet boys who WERE struggling with aspects of attending the field trip, and my heart went out to them.<br /><br />Here are a few of my favorite pictures from yesterday...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3eHoEBYbnkgqzMhFsY57TQdkaiB8buMRcGPP-xAfHv6nlnmP-aVMksEJ0STW6rRs-V8J8hqUL8M_3QjffV7mjaj3jNUkwkQ__QTSvTOeXhQmkkyMqTzcp9fe2wbMfAITvi5V/s1600/wFarm+Field+Trip_051310_0048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3eHoEBYbnkgqzMhFsY57TQdkaiB8buMRcGPP-xAfHv6nlnmP-aVMksEJ0STW6rRs-V8J8hqUL8M_3QjffV7mjaj3jNUkwkQ__QTSvTOeXhQmkkyMqTzcp9fe2wbMfAITvi5V/s400/wFarm+Field+Trip_051310_0048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471335832362177506" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhN0z1CgPj-WCZsJ6WK_cCWg3X6cxuFNdtq_zzjG-HksmKzIfONRPd5y_zXphOZz9i_EmD4PQI-3_h1mYwRcvypB5KeZ6CfL8YrFxjG87hfJ-1lAxnnqORVK_xvTw1xfDxBL8G/s1600/wFarm+Field+Trip_051310_0040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhN0z1CgPj-WCZsJ6WK_cCWg3X6cxuFNdtq_zzjG-HksmKzIfONRPd5y_zXphOZz9i_EmD4PQI-3_h1mYwRcvypB5KeZ6CfL8YrFxjG87hfJ-1lAxnnqORVK_xvTw1xfDxBL8G/s400/wFarm+Field+Trip_051310_0040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471335821619494786" border="0" /></a>Jack and his BFF Elita<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMjqwkwFBdQQSTyzqUtm-76WKXvzuLBphY0pv-7M7-O75KIU2zMwxGDsZ_ui4IoaSfaVxDA6Zy3D0o3GlCS7_PR9rwHlVHSKw-AbJvOavYJwqirClose3BkVFqp2JOeZxHOwl/s1600/wFarm+Field+Trip_051310_0025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMjqwkwFBdQQSTyzqUtm-76WKXvzuLBphY0pv-7M7-O75KIU2zMwxGDsZ_ui4IoaSfaVxDA6Zy3D0o3GlCS7_PR9rwHlVHSKw-AbJvOavYJwqirClose3BkVFqp2JOeZxHOwl/s400/wFarm+Field+Trip_051310_0025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471335815839418034" border="0" /></a>Jack, Mommy & Mrs. Stark on the hayride<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9ZFDUHuSoFNSE7jK2LlnHmGqlWQgT-qarjLKEBOZiFSS3zbqDYm2rOH4VTpwrwXGk15OtlxSE754Ii-H7Tq3tOJ-mFbv7V1sOdXA7tAp5i2KzhKNRs2xO4G49eASzcLuWej0/s1600/wFarm+Field+Trip_051310_0050.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9ZFDUHuSoFNSE7jK2LlnHmGqlWQgT-qarjLKEBOZiFSS3zbqDYm2rOH4VTpwrwXGk15OtlxSE754Ii-H7Tq3tOJ-mFbv7V1sOdXA7tAp5i2KzhKNRs2xO4G49eASzcLuWej0/s400/wFarm+Field+Trip_051310_0050.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471335809349034418" border="0" /></a>He did ask for me to sit with him on the way home!<br /><br /></div>But today was a little different. A strong thunderstorm rolled in right at dismissal time at school. It was absolutely pouring down with major (and close) lightening! Even though Jack exhibits no fear of storms or lightning at home, Jack got upset at the thought of riding the bus home in the rain. I received a call from Jack's teacher shortly after dismissal time letting me know that Jack had gotten pretty upset so she had told him it was ok to be a car rider today. So, Jack stayed at school with his teacher until Grandpa was able to pick him up (I was home with sleeping Tyler and Grandpa was on his way over to our house anyway.) We didn't talk about it much when he got home, but he was back to his old self and ready for the weekend! <br /><br />Things change. The tide keeps moving. The improvements from last year are noticeable and measureable, even if we still have little bumps in the road like today's dismissal.marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-36104665205889107252010-05-06T08:06:00.000-07:002010-05-06T08:14:32.034-07:00The Rains Came Down...and the floods came up! In true Old Testament fashion, our community has been rocked to its core this past week. 5 days ago, the rain began and by the time it was over 2 days later, many Nashvillians were left devastated amidst a natural disaster of epic proportions. Today, school is still closed. Roads are impassable and the town has pulled together to help those in need. Here's an awesome video that sums it all up...it is truly something we will never forget. We were ever so fortunate to be spared any damage, but many that we know lost much, if not everything...
<br /><a href="<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pFjaQoOdJvI&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pFjaQoOdJvI&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>">
<br /></a>marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-20404810655629779302010-04-03T20:15:00.000-07:002010-04-03T20:28:59.443-07:00I want to ride my bicycle...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3gR1LQ_a9rwVebVKLCVOUEa8ZGx2lz_R0qHtZArQRWf7Je0Wt80Iv-10L-25Mtb1nI6uVXzsXZKJEARV9utoN1iUpbSNavDQQX8Am49xPUcrC9ccLVqn72g42UBqOVCUv4iR/s1600/Jack+bike+032710+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3gR1LQ_a9rwVebVKLCVOUEa8ZGx2lz_R0qHtZArQRWf7Je0Wt80Iv-10L-25Mtb1nI6uVXzsXZKJEARV9utoN1iUpbSNavDQQX8Am49xPUcrC9ccLVqn72g42UBqOVCUv4iR/s400/Jack+bike+032710+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456118176854280242" border="0" /></a><br />As Jack approaches his 8th birthday, I am ever so proud to announce that he has become a "two wheeled bike rider!" Wow, what an accomplishment! I don't know if I should admit that I'm surprised but, frankly, I am! Jack isn't exactly a sports-minded dude. He enjoys the activities of the gaming folks. He occasionally heads out to the driveway where he has been totally content to tear down the hill and spin out on his low riding metal version of a Big Wheel. He's become quite confident, but it is VERY LOW to the ground, and he likes it that way.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvY3nwV1WFtH2UKmgIGO2n7Wm9XAa-1Ijc1gny7Xui3e0EwG_BPz7iemD9W3P00SeBar2fX1Emx_R-K7lkDr9Tx_1nwyOEsHRGnl86UyT9REnHJZ9K8efAkhWd94V1SaNZOcPV/s1600/Wboys+bike+0909+fun.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvY3nwV1WFtH2UKmgIGO2n7Wm9XAa-1Ijc1gny7Xui3e0EwG_BPz7iemD9W3P00SeBar2fX1Emx_R-K7lkDr9Tx_1nwyOEsHRGnl86UyT9REnHJZ9K8efAkhWd94V1SaNZOcPV/s400/Wboys+bike+0909+fun.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456118188844948482" border="0" /></a>Summer Fun with Tyler<br /><br /></div><br />He rarely rode his training wheel adorned bike anymore, sticking to the security of the low rider.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrPypI9hSJTU9zk0pdp0vdVi8TScSHPU4m6LGZyPS4vWOoujkqxwyCVtinkYcAy0hyFg5fQN2qvfo5vo34vZA_VL4burz_YPcK7WrF11mvrSd4XTnkw3qh1nq_GEmhIoMjmAO/s1600/easter+bike+boys+bw+web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrPypI9hSJTU9zk0pdp0vdVi8TScSHPU4m6LGZyPS4vWOoujkqxwyCVtinkYcAy0hyFg5fQN2qvfo5vo34vZA_VL4burz_YPcK7WrF11mvrSd4XTnkw3qh1nq_GEmhIoMjmAO/s400/easter+bike+boys+bw+web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456118190122440114" border="0" /></a>Easter 2009<br /><br /></div>But then Mario Kart came along. And he watched his favorite characters ride motorcycles and bikes and somehow it got the pump primed. So when Grandpa suggested that they go out and begin the process of learning how to ride without the training wheels, Jack surprised us all and said "YES!"<br /><br />It didn't take long...a few weeks, maybe. And now he's gaining confidence every day. He can start from a dead stop, brake and turn. He hasn't ventured past driveways and straightaways yet, but I think by the beginning of Summer he'll be traversing Crockett Park's trails like a pro. And Mimi and Grandpa have promised that he can pick out a new, bigger bike whenever he's ready.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6_vsbANcwxji-uZo8oPD7vdHLjqsSABCtuXeOTdgM3c8JQ42J7hsRnVf-6X0OSU5zrrzRb3tPkWXEOEnFiehlhS_Y9jUBbgFzJ9keKzu6dthV8aklcOtelyitpdPRDGGMaE-/s1600/Jack+bike+032710+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6_vsbANcwxji-uZo8oPD7vdHLjqsSABCtuXeOTdgM3c8JQ42J7hsRnVf-6X0OSU5zrrzRb3tPkWXEOEnFiehlhS_Y9jUBbgFzJ9keKzu6dthV8aklcOtelyitpdPRDGGMaE-/s400/Jack+bike+032710+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456118184271357346" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I might even have to get a bike to keep up. Way to go, Jack. We are all so very, very proud of you!marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-34941886215706702392010-02-23T12:32:00.001-08:002010-02-23T12:39:26.707-08:00Playdate: Take 2Jack invited his "bus buddy" Cal, another 1st grader who gets off 1 stop before Jack, over for a playdate last week. He was so excited to have his new friend come over after Friday's half day. At 10:45 a I received a call from Jack's teacher (which is RARE) saying that Jack was a puddle in her lap. He'd heard some devastating news...Cal had gotten sick at school and was waiting to be picked up by his mom. No playdate would take place and Jack was so very sad. I headed over to the school to pick Jack up as a car rider (so he wouldn't have to ride the bus home alone without his playdate friend) and he expressed his disappointment at the turn of events. <br /><br />Fast forward to a week later, and everyone at Cal's house is happy and healthy, so we rescheduled our playdate for Monday. The boys happily hopped off of the bus together, quickly shed backpacks, coats and shoes and ran to the den to have some fun with the Wii. Cal had brought a new game (Super Mario Brothers, Wii version) and the 2 boys had a fantastic time playing together. <br /><br />Not much else to report, as I was completely excluded. No need for silly ol' Mom to hang out...these boys were having a great time by themselves. The beauty of all of this? No prompting, facilitating, worrying took place at all. Cal is unaware of Jack's shortcomings, and so is his mom. She popped in at 5 and quickly picked Cal up, other siblings waiting in the car, oblivious to the importance of this event (for me.) Amazing. Normal feels good. REAL good.<br /><br />Congrats, Jack, on making friends, having playdates and enjoying the fun of being 7. We are so very proud of you.marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-52189205419780235572010-02-09T21:07:00.000-08:002010-02-09T21:15:49.373-08:002.0<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9-_oyIO-dl7wnYnfNHb7eR3yPVJsHgOoW9uxOnb0lsqrymovIXpzP7RhG2k-xGKtwSuHmo7AOU8c0aS4QJlsQAfDQRL6Rc8omGYzeU-NdiTXqZR3S1xr6D_IIJjakyupRP6v/s1600-h/wJack+AR+template.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9-_oyIO-dl7wnYnfNHb7eR3yPVJsHgOoW9uxOnb0lsqrymovIXpzP7RhG2k-xGKtwSuHmo7AOU8c0aS4QJlsQAfDQRL6Rc8omGYzeU-NdiTXqZR3S1xr6D_IIJjakyupRP6v/s400/wJack+AR+template.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436478886799509906" border="0" /></a><br />We had a special celebration this weekend in honor of Jack's big news! He has now mastered the entire first grade reading level at school and has moved up to the second grade reading level in the AR program (2.0 - 2.9.)<br /><br />A month ago or so I offered Jack a little incentive to help motivate him to the 2.0 level. Jack decided that he'd really like for me to make him a cake, NOT a cupcake but a REAL (GFCF) cake, as his special treat. So, when he arrived home on Thursday with his big news, a '2.0' cake was in order!<br /><br />We all enjoyed eating Jack's special treat and are so proud of our great reader!marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-86177984518503759652009-12-27T13:40:00.000-08:002010-02-02T13:41:33.369-08:00Tennessee Christmas 2009We are so fortunate to be able to spend the holidays with all of our family every Christmas. This year, after returning from the big holiday festivities with the Halberts in Alabama, we celebrated again with the Quists in Nolensville. Mimi and Grandpa were thrilled to host their favorite (and only) grandchildren, along with their parents, for a fun Christmas celebration. The boys were showered with many gifts and there was food and fun a plenty! What great ages: 7.5 and nearly 2, the boys both find the holiday magical and the gifts exciting! We are blessed beyond measure. Come share a bit of Christmas with us...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Mimi and Grandpa and their two buddies<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirS720loTe-EnsbAglNq2vUsdqgbKSVFIk8t6sIJl2DVaM8gVW3l9NwIwLdR2K5za7xD5-c5mJRK73BQDDqZfQpPIRfFZ_WNpIJty00zIScoTfAuAjm6xC9bXngljgv-v8IHybTg/s1600-h/wCmas09Nshv_0032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirS720loTe-EnsbAglNq2vUsdqgbKSVFIk8t6sIJl2DVaM8gVW3l9NwIwLdR2K5za7xD5-c5mJRK73BQDDqZfQpPIRfFZ_WNpIJty00zIScoTfAuAjm6xC9bXngljgv-v8IHybTg/s400/wCmas09Nshv_0032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433756933484578066" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Let the gift exchange begin!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH48CfnlrqyGLIRMcN07L6BDEbN1IuwYlrf3JraZBpyyiQvkt0El2pUkJEQEYEMXw9kum-6O7_QCv-FhP57g7ANYGj7bDlDv_s6DhIjr2su08sVy8cFUWncej3D9_nG0qrB9KFJQ/s1600-h/wCmas09Nshv_0003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH48CfnlrqyGLIRMcN07L6BDEbN1IuwYlrf3JraZBpyyiQvkt0El2pUkJEQEYEMXw9kum-6O7_QCv-FhP57g7ANYGj7bDlDv_s6DhIjr2su08sVy8cFUWncej3D9_nG0qrB9KFJQ/s400/wCmas09Nshv_0003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433757439766011682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipA1A5-zh1hxApSOa9M68oY6BonWS3_8JI69-FOKMs6WGI6wViFbhgBd2aDZfiQbKowzjaDxFJMYjEIHIObNmMkGnagkzP7A5MdOwVfQXhU19vdpoRT8IKM0PUTzC3KAanlSjR8A/s1600-h/wCmas09Nshv_0005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipA1A5-zh1hxApSOa9M68oY6BonWS3_8JI69-FOKMs6WGI6wViFbhgBd2aDZfiQbKowzjaDxFJMYjEIHIObNmMkGnagkzP7A5MdOwVfQXhU19vdpoRT8IKM0PUTzC3KAanlSjR8A/s400/wCmas09Nshv_0005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433757432387209570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiis0QMCY0jQUKFhuZmjC2UHDk3v-PC1hcHip7wRmSGeqPCAQjoHKXFSLVBuY-Pz_me8yeQQSPW6__AJYhw3HbD4JiLlDxRn2fkHKCV78fDI0cGi1FJ21qujDf4t1BD9nB0GjPyCg/s1600-h/wCmas09Nshv_0011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiis0QMCY0jQUKFhuZmjC2UHDk3v-PC1hcHip7wRmSGeqPCAQjoHKXFSLVBuY-Pz_me8yeQQSPW6__AJYhw3HbD4JiLlDxRn2fkHKCV78fDI0cGi1FJ21qujDf4t1BD9nB0GjPyCg/s400/wCmas09Nshv_0011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433757257218488130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVKQ9enc6yc3DOeGqmYes7Tt36gxQq9QM6mOOK0lwnsUjnHPEW5bsXpJV0o9rZvdPtsqM8rLa0X2HhrxDRxXRx5Ij_3mRj-eYiUfy2YL0WqQVBupf6gtkliVmX0FLilNF7CTIXg/s1600-h/wCmas09Nshv_0015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVKQ9enc6yc3DOeGqmYes7Tt36gxQq9QM6mOOK0lwnsUjnHPEW5bsXpJV0o9rZvdPtsqM8rLa0X2HhrxDRxXRx5Ij_3mRj-eYiUfy2YL0WqQVBupf6gtkliVmX0FLilNF7CTIXg/s400/wCmas09Nshv_0015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433757249697452994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TLwl0iATSyCbDNOoOqfwy6BhMD274bhLk5-_zVQ1VF7fBD0lezugmNNY0UXKC0TkVOSep6BpDaVMAXnz76eCOQUYD5Ow3pBrAi_X_ehNWHtuu167tjErFwFD0ACClZg4HvK5_A/s1600-h/wCmas09Nshv_0013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TLwl0iATSyCbDNOoOqfwy6BhMD274bhLk5-_zVQ1VF7fBD0lezugmNNY0UXKC0TkVOSep6BpDaVMAXnz76eCOQUYD5Ow3pBrAi_X_ehNWHtuu167tjErFwFD0ACClZg4HvK5_A/s400/wCmas09Nshv_0013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433757252416892578" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Trying out their new toys...<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz26ie8Zq9Hk3Rl5ggsV6YYEf_MTK5hA0awNFOToUy4X-_QE-TSaGeOYb8dUzjWcSgNcvbTf2BR5GeSEVjweJtvNARzAW83Rwok9b6bzqs-_RSHP0GeXBxq4SqQXuAhlNiV6n3wA/s1600-h/wCmas09Nshv_0028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz26ie8Zq9Hk3Rl5ggsV6YYEf_MTK5hA0awNFOToUy4X-_QE-TSaGeOYb8dUzjWcSgNcvbTf2BR5GeSEVjweJtvNARzAW83Rwok9b6bzqs-_RSHP0GeXBxq4SqQXuAhlNiV6n3wA/s400/wCmas09Nshv_0028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433756945873814066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtORBcENMgi1o5xK46Asc-k4-KE6ftG3Ly8LTzYwRfQLgdaRGRf5u8ufTZWJZ3eIDFuMS56egg28_bJ2t6jmS6IObSV0grXb3fpljyposV8NVwHyuo952Cpyk4n07LuA9rCntjCw/s1600-h/wCmas09Nshv_0029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtORBcENMgi1o5xK46Asc-k4-KE6ftG3Ly8LTzYwRfQLgdaRGRf5u8ufTZWJZ3eIDFuMS56egg28_bJ2t6jmS6IObSV0grXb3fpljyposV8NVwHyuo952Cpyk4n07LuA9rCntjCw/s400/wCmas09Nshv_0029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433756940240786386" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Our sweet boys...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVdBTxO1-9B9HQ60t5jscsaEIT84aeVQ0as0qof28b91Ic-haAaPi_kOgH57nZbhM8opTFlixJfvMXpneLgZTt4qt9bwBEKv18T-QBYy_9AsGqpVG3wET7TZzKRydpY-EuAAsgg/s1600-h/wCmas09Nshv_0035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVdBTxO1-9B9HQ60t5jscsaEIT84aeVQ0as0qof28b91Ic-haAaPi_kOgH57nZbhM8opTFlixJfvMXpneLgZTt4qt9bwBEKv18T-QBYy_9AsGqpVG3wET7TZzKRydpY-EuAAsgg/s400/wCmas09Nshv_0035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433756930590591586" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">and their evil twins! (just kidding)<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABNVV0H-oiOcUFUxZHriQkPN5T72X4qlmfmd-VriZd0U7yhmM_DQYwqAXSpXQ_GBeQXHFnfzMn7uCmN4b8eD7I9SDHqSlOxCnZKewsQQRP5w3558D9jiLfy5jZwJ5BUEkRiUA4A/s1600-h/wCmas09Nshv_0026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABNVV0H-oiOcUFUxZHriQkPN5T72X4qlmfmd-VriZd0U7yhmM_DQYwqAXSpXQ_GBeQXHFnfzMn7uCmN4b8eD7I9SDHqSlOxCnZKewsQQRP5w3558D9jiLfy5jZwJ5BUEkRiUA4A/s400/wCmas09Nshv_0026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433757234641170514" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas from our house to yours!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OG4XyaFHxtvppYKBMVKmG-YduuJdeYxM9VW5Vaft747UfEiZF384kbdk5KXQdMyRIn0rOXWARVNZY6vQ3NHSyBd9vlfpAUteOZ2tRr8oRaMeUasg2ZiFyLsEk-32UQYmq23lSg/s1600-h/wCmas09Our+Family.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OG4XyaFHxtvppYKBMVKmG-YduuJdeYxM9VW5Vaft747UfEiZF384kbdk5KXQdMyRIn0rOXWARVNZY6vQ3NHSyBd9vlfpAUteOZ2tRr8oRaMeUasg2ZiFyLsEk-32UQYmq23lSg/s400/wCmas09Our+Family.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433756920970581954" border="0" /></a>marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-24812991000824140882009-12-25T15:37:00.000-08:002010-02-02T13:39:56.486-08:00Merry Christmas!The boys were up early and happy to see that Santa did, indeed, know exactly where we were on Christmas day (at Meemaw's house.) As you can see, Santa's sleigh was weighed down heavily by the numerous wonderful gifts that the boys received.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFfjDtSWCwTT1umcz-vsGvssyR2trTB8bezK9mH5pr61YFzJ-moh3MtqzyU3XKqMcM7cTca15XO-m2pBcDWzefvfJj8TZTczzyjfLDbdOkjVcxJeDHzeaZ0K47rhIm2SbFIihUw/s1600-h/wCmasAL+09_0029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFfjDtSWCwTT1umcz-vsGvssyR2trTB8bezK9mH5pr61YFzJ-moh3MtqzyU3XKqMcM7cTca15XO-m2pBcDWzefvfJj8TZTczzyjfLDbdOkjVcxJeDHzeaZ0K47rhIm2SbFIihUw/s400/wCmasAL+09_0029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425216499918623682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00zJepdCl4eRcQdThBo2kVrUqTh3DPnkV0AHnl4Or89q7s2UA20B3wk51UeC7hzPZw-ZjFqhVxqBXqHUqeEKKEEXLQQ0TnMOlJbq4ksqOa3tdskpqruzwDovCRVPxOS2nJmrTnw/s1600-h/wCmasAL+09_0031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00zJepdCl4eRcQdThBo2kVrUqTh3DPnkV0AHnl4Or89q7s2UA20B3wk51UeC7hzPZw-ZjFqhVxqBXqHUqeEKKEEXLQQ0TnMOlJbq4ksqOa3tdskpqruzwDovCRVPxOS2nJmrTnw/s400/wCmasAL+09_0031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425214070931196162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1rOdeQJ5iCsJGmWSygtyVVRsma40WVg3X7FVZuo3TOhSi9P29IV1ZV4LBBtN_3qwLpZacDoQDKlHmqov9bAnywH4LU-hYfKQpxLzJ7eIOdkUQyLNufjx8uK6bZzeyDFT_e050Q/s1600-h/wCmasAL+09_0030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1rOdeQJ5iCsJGmWSygtyVVRsma40WVg3X7FVZuo3TOhSi9P29IV1ZV4LBBtN_3qwLpZacDoQDKlHmqov9bAnywH4LU-hYfKQpxLzJ7eIOdkUQyLNufjx8uK6bZzeyDFT_e050Q/s400/wCmasAL+09_0030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425214064587937186" border="0" /></a><br />Both boys loved all of their gifts and excited played with as many as they could during the morning before we headed out to Aunt Ginny & Uncle Erle's house to celebrate Christmas with most of our extended Halbert family, 23 or so of us, including all the little ones! Jack enjoyed playing his new Nintendo DSi against his cousins Amy and Laura, who both had their own DS handhelds with them, along with Laura's husband, Ross! It was a DS fest! It was a fun day all around. Jack kept talking excitedly about all of his "cousins". You'll have to take our word for it, though, since not a single picture was taken that afternoon (SHAME ON ME!)<br /><br />We saw a lot of THIS for a few days after Jack got his DSi, complete with his favorite game: Super Mario Brothers (after playing it on Christmas day with Amy & Laura.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8dL6MoHtHDbcVl8zjEwJUkETLjpxIgaZd3YPpu1T10EsaE93OE3qEfUF2L8KSCQEPneQQwaHyLUOneIm2Az1UGogYmMWgjDF3BFSCcStBRqcXIy-H2150SFT2uGV9_d20PtuEQ/s1600-h/wCmasAL+09_0039.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8dL6MoHtHDbcVl8zjEwJUkETLjpxIgaZd3YPpu1T10EsaE93OE3qEfUF2L8KSCQEPneQQwaHyLUOneIm2Az1UGogYmMWgjDF3BFSCcStBRqcXIy-H2150SFT2uGV9_d20PtuEQ/s400/wCmasAL+09_0039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425216506875838786" border="0" /></a><br />Merry Christmas to all our family and friends!marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-85181508422318495012009-12-24T13:22:00.000-08:002010-02-02T13:37:24.853-08:00Christmas Eve in DixieChristmas was very exciting this year, as it often is with little ones. The excitement of decorating the house, seeing Santa, spending time with loved ones and receiving gifts with little kids warms the heart. And to see it times 2 this year made it all the better!<br /><br />We spent Christmas Eve with the new babies in the family. What fun to see Meemaw's house filled with the laughter and excitement of 4 little ones this year! We've waited a long time for Jack to have siblings and cousins to play with at the holidays...he had to go it alone for many years. Now the house is full with 3 babies under 2 and he loves them all!! We were sure to get a few pictures of the cousins...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpiyUg4iSVEWVC2yVdrGv4ijnx5ZgSAn9-YuuBt4PL4zdjPQwfxr5yDLQFTNaH1k5cxhRtiSp30WEmib4CQd8HXoZqvItTRdVeuOUeJgBRWdVdX1Hj2JkNjN6VLhNu2cyd0kW3w/s1600-h/w1Cmas+Eve+09+kids+formal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpiyUg4iSVEWVC2yVdrGv4ijnx5ZgSAn9-YuuBt4PL4zdjPQwfxr5yDLQFTNaH1k5cxhRtiSp30WEmib4CQd8HXoZqvItTRdVeuOUeJgBRWdVdX1Hj2JkNjN6VLhNu2cyd0kW3w/s400/w1Cmas+Eve+09+kids+formal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421645081391209650" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4T4kUEEbwpd8A28r0hF_MPNhQr5WaTw2LWk3uutpMPWXWV5gmXZnwOGW25fVe7JuXkaEp_v5MgUdSrLuy4sULtYHm_FgefWRX-GPvyeOlcJ7DxZchMeXKW8eI8Xh_o8c9Hbd_Q/s1600-h/wCmas+Eve+09+kids+formal+fun.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4T4kUEEbwpd8A28r0hF_MPNhQr5WaTw2LWk3uutpMPWXWV5gmXZnwOGW25fVe7JuXkaEp_v5MgUdSrLuy4sULtYHm_FgefWRX-GPvyeOlcJ7DxZchMeXKW8eI8Xh_o8c9Hbd_Q/s400/wCmas+Eve+09+kids+formal+fun.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421645076998875522" border="0" /></a>Jack giving Preston some cousin-ly advice.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzg_NfeZjl925hNCNp5BjTccCu6OYJ0h9dSq8I-gu_gWk47EpYHd9YyLF1-gt3J8QGggWj9zNe_14FOnE0SycpziHqz6TD7At2l21j-wCogCNEhTWW1BeAs8XT4TIioBcq4Zzjg/s1600-h/wCmasEve+09_5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzg_NfeZjl925hNCNp5BjTccCu6OYJ0h9dSq8I-gu_gWk47EpYHd9YyLF1-gt3J8QGggWj9zNe_14FOnE0SycpziHqz6TD7At2l21j-wCogCNEhTWW1BeAs8XT4TIioBcq4Zzjg/s400/wCmasEve+09_5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421662090681789618" border="0" /></a>"He comes in with all those presents from WHERE??"<br /></div><br />Jack enjoyed being the Christmas "pro" (and the only reader in the kid group) and handed out all the gifts from under Meemaw's tree.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNLS9lLykHg1ShLBMYSoRPaEMNFxzzV18TlVMa3JrbHmMUYR6ScOuk29WRkaaNvBHT5oePP1OAl7BDMrU93olLJVpZ4r3Hf-sWBFP0dSX_n2mWRds2mKcdVtKhyphenhyphenS7ie-_zBcHjQ/s1600-h/wCmasEve+09_4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNLS9lLykHg1ShLBMYSoRPaEMNFxzzV18TlVMa3JrbHmMUYR6ScOuk29WRkaaNvBHT5oePP1OAl7BDMrU93olLJVpZ4r3Hf-sWBFP0dSX_n2mWRds2mKcdVtKhyphenhyphenS7ie-_zBcHjQ/s400/wCmasEve+09_4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421664003304114882" border="0" /></a>It was a fun evening with our growing family, though we missed cousins Cayce and Jason, who were celebrating with the Williams family this year. Tyler was fascinated with his very own "fish tank" from Aunt Peggy and Uncle Mike.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxNSAGYcldWyrK-4hqeptTRs28MRF8VnWpTj2tj4stDnfgm8y14X2RoT7ps9eeMt0miDy8zKMVuCbrOXSVuNrQzsUEtoMFuBxqMuqdGmVCu7MBIvSxwqm3-k1kTbPWudjDPk1Sw/s1600-h/wCmas+Eve+09_0055.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxNSAGYcldWyrK-4hqeptTRs28MRF8VnWpTj2tj4stDnfgm8y14X2RoT7ps9eeMt0miDy8zKMVuCbrOXSVuNrQzsUEtoMFuBxqMuqdGmVCu7MBIvSxwqm3-k1kTbPWudjDPk1Sw/s400/wCmas+Eve+09_0055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421649335602996610" border="0" /></a><br />The boys were happy to head to bed knowing that Santa was coming soon. Of course, they were not disappointed. Santa remembered that they were traveling to Alabama!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6YtDfuAJWhUdzK0jgoArXc0xDHDSC9sRzXEUdhJ-VXc2Cg_ZEAMdXMhCF7mzA0eQAA-HqS00yB4lgQkiVLZsvPm8SzgRnrDmKEalnQcorYFldkWguK5DNeu4JBSJyzlMFVQhoA/s1600-h/wCmasEve+09_3bw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6YtDfuAJWhUdzK0jgoArXc0xDHDSC9sRzXEUdhJ-VXc2Cg_ZEAMdXMhCF7mzA0eQAA-HqS00yB4lgQkiVLZsvPm8SzgRnrDmKEalnQcorYFldkWguK5DNeu4JBSJyzlMFVQhoA/s400/wCmasEve+09_3bw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421664011467650994" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(a parting shot of our boys playing...a bit rough at times these days)</div>marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-3852042856030272852009-12-21T14:11:00.000-08:002010-02-02T14:13:13.500-08:00Jacky J and the Funky Bunch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2JXzFGmZvdaI4hct3nK7Zq1OXcnLQl3PqbzdJN2rsu2fR8kPN4r_5Yu5SqCzH5i_kA8VRZNpm0Ilmwonhxdld2h3vp_e3Z-TLVUuG0zxNJjHzIVLGWrnE79Ff3vvWTABVwJ6/s1600-h/wj+rapper3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2JXzFGmZvdaI4hct3nK7Zq1OXcnLQl3PqbzdJN2rsu2fR8kPN4r_5Yu5SqCzH5i_kA8VRZNpm0Ilmwonhxdld2h3vp_e3Z-TLVUuG0zxNJjHzIVLGWrnE79Ff3vvWTABVwJ6/s400/wj+rapper3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433772559911867266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPUvuNlVklJx6ukaNSBU-XXpL21kFg8v2RhjZcuYZ0TeU2DZ0mrSg22I7wY9pnNCQZTU4gU6snisDy4wXEQ9eDLV5eM4RG-n0MQsjEWJM6D46PTnleYZfB9Uf6zu1l48JD9ii/s1600-h/wj+rapper2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPUvuNlVklJx6ukaNSBU-XXpL21kFg8v2RhjZcuYZ0TeU2DZ0mrSg22I7wY9pnNCQZTU4gU6snisDy4wXEQ9eDLV5eM4RG-n0MQsjEWJM6D46PTnleYZfB9Uf6zu1l48JD9ii/s400/wj+rapper2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433772553538293490" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQ5QpDjP0CfcOJZ0A8XwbtIC2_wTPmQaeECH_iMV5hJ0QZPHwVbQVJhgqCa1xXjAi2_uPhol6_2cuJZ8UIbuV08qXaJHwXfnTVBUX9WsmE-TCdFLHj0fh6V49aJRla99221ff/s1600-h/wj+rapper1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQ5QpDjP0CfcOJZ0A8XwbtIC2_wTPmQaeECH_iMV5hJ0QZPHwVbQVJhgqCa1xXjAi2_uPhol6_2cuJZ8UIbuV08qXaJHwXfnTVBUX9WsmE-TCdFLHj0fh6V49aJRla99221ff/s400/wj+rapper1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433772549967638818" border="0" /></a><br />A shot of Jack's classroom holiday performance during the Holiday party...the kids were singing a rap version of "Jingle Bells". It was AWESOME! Jack the rap star...who knew???marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-47800128924323039152009-12-19T13:04:00.000-08:002010-01-10T13:06:05.005-08:00Santa is talking...Christmas is coming and the countdown has begun. Jack checks our advent calendar daily for a little 'gift' each day (I was informed that today's gift of an ornament was BORING.) We are excited to spend the holidays with family and Jack is, of course, excited for what Santa will be bringing.<br /><br />Yesterday was our day to go and see the man in the big red suit. Jack asked for a sticky note that was 'tall'. I gave him a list-style Post-It note and he began writing:<br /><br />a guitar<br />a DSI<br />picks for the guitar<br />DSI games<br /><br />He then came to me and said that maybe he should think of some more things, as his paper wasn't full yet. I told him that his heart was, indeed, full and that maybe he should allow Santa to bring other gifts to some of the other children that don't have as much as he does. He seemed ok with that idea. Off to the mall we went, where Jack shared his list of 'wants' and informed Santa of where we will be on Christmas Eve, so he'll be able to find us. It was sweet to see his innocence for the holiday is still in tact.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlEcvhoWIV3Sq1_FYQsTBuEFt06thb0dBvHV8n5p2jIOrZUWQGFFL5jMatrEFT_fkfitMMq6iJbKUZftcFp7tEYuifORFKIw72dfYpKfcnlO8_bPwA6ClgXDo54rLnXEoH-CZ/s1600-h/santa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlEcvhoWIV3Sq1_FYQsTBuEFt06thb0dBvHV8n5p2jIOrZUWQGFFL5jMatrEFT_fkfitMMq6iJbKUZftcFp7tEYuifORFKIw72dfYpKfcnlO8_bPwA6ClgXDo54rLnXEoH-CZ/s400/santa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417058321368428850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpb-12ilfO9q8r4suXNzRxNxcm5a62AKGmdK5ZhQiw-PFi1BgUBLB1aAIT4mODQEBrKfe4RqnQGFRnWTFOfz6MxW4TEXzZjLB_Hb-ZQxeRHky8obX_6k4yqVJ_20mdpaFi380/s1600-h/wsanta+visit+post.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpb-12ilfO9q8r4suXNzRxNxcm5a62AKGmdK5ZhQiw-PFi1BgUBLB1aAIT4mODQEBrKfe4RqnQGFRnWTFOfz6MxW4TEXzZjLB_Hb-ZQxeRHky8obX_6k4yqVJ_20mdpaFi380/s400/wsanta+visit+post.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425220245004186274" border="0" /></a>The boys after their visit...and Tyler with his 'bravery' reward.<br /><br /></div>Today Jack received a special video message from Santa himself! He was glued to the monitor, and nodded and responded right along with Santa. He was very surprised that Santa would talk to him directly and I think he was just thrilled with the personal message. Here's that message...<br /><br /><a href="http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/b5ce0d5331ddd76aac975078d49f5f31">Santa video</a><br /><br />My heart welled up as I watched him understand how special this message was and really believe that Santa knew what a good boy he'd been this year and how well he'd tried in school. 7 is truly a magical age and this is a magical time of year.marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-68660840782661194322009-12-05T13:06:00.000-08:002010-01-11T21:06:03.964-08:00Our Budding Actor<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qs-NnIWpdD2eAHGOuAv02NveQ4pIbT1UHaxZHki9Qbb23Iz4oWJf679A8Xotq8HMdOjml0iryHjnXPB9KVY3abO4ISPzSiieZ2YO4mXnqm2PP7gEQ9-zQ17dBXbni8EkLg8r/s1600-h/wPenguinCmas+sign.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qs-NnIWpdD2eAHGOuAv02NveQ4pIbT1UHaxZHki9Qbb23Iz4oWJf679A8Xotq8HMdOjml0iryHjnXPB9KVY3abO4ISPzSiieZ2YO4mXnqm2PP7gEQ9-zQ17dBXbni8EkLg8r/s400/wPenguinCmas+sign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425712361150625954" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrTWHgBve4-q7EWyCHrlEFM-IMwfXEeErBJVcORBJ5dmOhkzpku5ZT8wAqJS_57j4wvpwKAykhRfSWO11tEn6KamaWRZ24CdWK_MHLxzOT0mNa910i3zHLTTUnpAknKoileCo/s1600-h/wpengCmas+Jack+Elita.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrTWHgBve4-q7EWyCHrlEFM-IMwfXEeErBJVcORBJ5dmOhkzpku5ZT8wAqJS_57j4wvpwKAykhRfSWO11tEn6KamaWRZ24CdWK_MHLxzOT0mNa910i3zHLTTUnpAknKoileCo/s400/wpengCmas+Jack+Elita.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425712347856341506" border="0" /></a>Jack and his best class friend, Elita<br /><br /></div><br />Jack can add a new title to his resume: Actor. Yes, our sweet 7 year old excitedly participated in his school's First Grade play "A Penguin Christmas" this week. And, I must say, he did AWESOME!!!<br /><br />In this year's play, Jack's role was that of a (smart aleck) penguin, complete with his very own short but perfectly delivered speaking part! Mimi graciously created a most amazing Penguin costume for our actor to make his acting debut in.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTG3PmVcBW57yAYlF3IKBD3sWDzqG3IhQ3qVEJVYx5Fl0ny8UEXKw4UtPCa0IAcEJ_aFy6mS30Vteyw5_Zi6knT0A4ePbQ9gyvh_k4ItQNkVHRZkB9lrmFCD0igzDEBoDh_lfJ/s1600-h/wpengCmas+J+group.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTG3PmVcBW57yAYlF3IKBD3sWDzqG3IhQ3qVEJVYx5Fl0ny8UEXKw4UtPCa0IAcEJ_aFy6mS30Vteyw5_Zi6knT0A4ePbQ9gyvh_k4ItQNkVHRZkB9lrmFCD0igzDEBoDh_lfJ/s400/wpengCmas+J+group.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425712368605024994" border="0" /></a>Waiting for the play to start<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTTA9qJKpX85WPQArIFSAiXg2rQquwiZYU1ua2aNeIp1SeoR4WFdx0eFq1TzeEvjY0tn4VAMUGEI5YMrcFqU4bnGBjXorvSgXdaXSEUIJ7ou5XTW3qTqfivOFsKO-lKJ4TjEP/s1600-h/wPenguinCmas+J+stage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTTA9qJKpX85WPQArIFSAiXg2rQquwiZYU1ua2aNeIp1SeoR4WFdx0eFq1TzeEvjY0tn4VAMUGEI5YMrcFqU4bnGBjXorvSgXdaXSEUIJ7ou5XTW3qTqfivOFsKO-lKJ4TjEP/s400/wPenguinCmas+J+stage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425712358369919890" border="0" /></a>There was dancing...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoo9s4VYj38CmeuHtTdZr7Dqlj_sBeYYEDtWWgLEzkKizwZ1kmWEoxWNpiRxFx0cWGlpLCC02n48mZyFkRaEmnLAHjHu6l7-rbX9zZ3OYrCDJuZBwGw1j51MwLB3y6pIj8nn_v/s1600-h/wPenguinCmas+class+reprise.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoo9s4VYj38CmeuHtTdZr7Dqlj_sBeYYEDtWWgLEzkKizwZ1kmWEoxWNpiRxFx0cWGlpLCC02n48mZyFkRaEmnLAHjHu6l7-rbX9zZ3OYrCDJuZBwGw1j51MwLB3y6pIj8nn_v/s400/wPenguinCmas+class+reprise.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425713637913151730" border="0" /></a>Singing...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbR6LJo2YLHhFxv9Dp7k_XVL-uK02f4pbjwx1d8CdPl0rCyYvA1zobQFq3CFNXe_PP0kktNssL-0C7uIgWyT3Nf30u_uU1pOg0HcF99mfHtJn7PbpZRV38-Ls0zC-_tG6b5O1/s1600-h/wPengCmas+Jack+stage+speak.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbR6LJo2YLHhFxv9Dp7k_XVL-uK02f4pbjwx1d8CdPl0rCyYvA1zobQFq3CFNXe_PP0kktNssL-0C7uIgWyT3Nf30u_uU1pOg0HcF99mfHtJn7PbpZRV38-Ls0zC-_tG6b5O1/s400/wPengCmas+Jack+stage+speak.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425712353814368834" border="0" /></a>and a most perfect delivery of his line! <br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Several times afterwards we heard "he's a natural! he's found his calling! he should consider a career in acting!" We certainly agree! Way to go, Jack!<br /></div></div>marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-66248719472332906582009-10-25T10:43:00.000-07:002009-12-31T13:12:17.239-08:00More to SaySome days, like today, I pause for a moment and realize that progress is still being made...<br /><br />ex:<br /><br />K: I'm going down to the garage to get some Cottonelle wipes...be back in a minute.<br />J: For me? <br />K: Yes. I'm getting them for the downstairs bathroom. Do you need any in the upstairs bathroom?<br />J: No, we don't need any upstairs. There are still some left up there. I just need them downstairs. You know, the bathroom I always go in? But bring some for later for upstairs, too, Mommy, ok?<br />K: Ok. Got it. I'll bring some extra!<br /><br />Unusual? Not in the least. Except that not too long ago, that conversation would have looked much more like this:<br /><br />K: I'm going down to the garage to get some Cottonelle wipes...be back in a minute.<br />J: For me? <br />K: Yes. I'm getting them for the downstairs bathroom. Do you need any in the upstairs bathroom?<br />J: No.<br /><br />There just wasn't much dialogue. It's not something an outsider notices, of course, but when you are around other kids you hear how much more they add to their answer. The back and forth. And then one day, we had it too. I don't think I'm quite used to it, as every once in a while it still takes me by surprise. Just an ordinary moment that isn't so ordinary at all.marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-19837660248965858532009-10-24T13:12:00.000-07:002009-12-31T20:37:57.402-08:00Don't Poke His Eye Out (well, just this once)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7nVNE-iVvRxbQJhMAsbJckiL7lc1v-MzkVEWZbfPpplSjdwqwVzrzFV2ipnTTrf5TmnyHTTG7u9F-mhVKhT5mWISpPSAuhl1ItX0akcqzcENXmHM9OZCnuPxNsMMcAhnVtiB/s1600-h/whalloween+09.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7nVNE-iVvRxbQJhMAsbJckiL7lc1v-MzkVEWZbfPpplSjdwqwVzrzFV2ipnTTrf5TmnyHTTG7u9F-mhVKhT5mWISpPSAuhl1ItX0akcqzcENXmHM9OZCnuPxNsMMcAhnVtiB/s400/whalloween+09.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421625583096078466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MDcC2oVWSfskfXbRy86s3l12AV1Ri7XTr0TU3NNfZ231jCaFpMe9eDbQF7TMSILslyOBSe7DlTvg2JwviRvNKDLiIQRRPRMBV4oDOUr0iCXac15vZX-OHVN4SaY5dGd6Oxy3/s1600-h/whalloween+09_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MDcC2oVWSfskfXbRy86s3l12AV1Ri7XTr0TU3NNfZ231jCaFpMe9eDbQF7TMSILslyOBSe7DlTvg2JwviRvNKDLiIQRRPRMBV4oDOUr0iCXac15vZX-OHVN4SaY5dGd6Oxy3/s400/whalloween+09_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421625576686555282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfb6Xi9Bh9ft1LO__yhLjUMF1YZ8v0jHtDDs0mIUyBokgd0sPn31uoCnbTDlQ3qswuCRMtoJ_PyIRkBx8MUjD4ktOvZAcHAhDEodDBqXqlETG0VpAAgjsXfezHSxqgnYGj5Tta/s1600-h/whalloween+09_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfb6Xi9Bh9ft1LO__yhLjUMF1YZ8v0jHtDDs0mIUyBokgd0sPn31uoCnbTDlQ3qswuCRMtoJ_PyIRkBx8MUjD4ktOvZAcHAhDEodDBqXqlETG0VpAAgjsXfezHSxqgnYGj5Tta/s400/whalloween+09_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421625571099045634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWI6M_8fsWPkWCv9bv-i9_3rgA20LuYN-8ngyfIXHDUeXgj2eRiQfO2VmmhqeZPurWo3HimZWHnMuWx8MVuUsNrM68ftttRI2LmoEG1zkTnL5DldzT6uJgpyQO48JC-oZUcW7j/s1600-h/whalloween+09_3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWI6M_8fsWPkWCv9bv-i9_3rgA20LuYN-8ngyfIXHDUeXgj2eRiQfO2VmmhqeZPurWo3HimZWHnMuWx8MVuUsNrM68ftttRI2LmoEG1zkTnL5DldzT6uJgpyQO48JC-oZUcW7j/s400/whalloween+09_3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421625568717234930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyb3zV7h3X3hmlPI0KdwHizmC0ljfMMYmwvupph75Mh7AmGBtcPJdxV5pv1cXfsc3KN7sKGaatoa3CMdaePRLzGCC8CV-Uur4tnc8eIDBBAZ8igjX-yzShvAH0PB-7rBPk4PI/s1600-h/halloween+09_4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyb3zV7h3X3hmlPI0KdwHizmC0ljfMMYmwvupph75Mh7AmGBtcPJdxV5pv1cXfsc3KN7sKGaatoa3CMdaePRLzGCC8CV-Uur4tnc8eIDBBAZ8igjX-yzShvAH0PB-7rBPk4PI/s400/halloween+09_4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421625564789842946" /></a><br />Pumpkin carving at the Halberts...gotta love days like these!marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-89152170808007940982009-10-22T20:51:00.001-07:002009-10-22T22:50:05.915-07:00First Sleepover<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTSqFsN3iFjiRBmta_h985mbUU37Jk1m_wvGIG4HiA0byj-qdxSNkDR2f0vuoICZu1lEUAiTcwSbkHXTWyOpGIljzbnwMynmJBlbw8iSuDjQ-fWcQweEZu48q7LEpTj8Ahke5/s1600-h/wJ&J13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTSqFsN3iFjiRBmta_h985mbUU37Jk1m_wvGIG4HiA0byj-qdxSNkDR2f0vuoICZu1lEUAiTcwSbkHXTWyOpGIljzbnwMynmJBlbw8iSuDjQ-fWcQweEZu48q7LEpTj8Ahke5/s400/wJ&J13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395664909152321602" border="0" /></a>We're making memories over here at the Halbert house...Jack is currently having his very first sleepover with his friend Jayden. Jayden and Jack became fast friends while in Kindergarten and, though they are not in class together this year, have stayed good friends. They even get to ride the bus home together on occasion, and both think that is a real treat!<br /><br />So, when I say that the boys were eager to have their sleepover during Fall Break, that might not do their excitement justice. As we picked up Jayden this morning at 9:30 a.m., both boys were beaming from ear to ear. And their excitement never waned today. They played together, ate together, and played some more. They tolerated an interested toddler little brother, rode bikes, played Wii and in general, had a blast.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Lunching and gaming...<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3urE18dM0hwdCja18VrzyE9kaFJsJabF-2H6LPK-NUOOQcQT93Pd50akoIphNkRoo6_NlzMPvYhIXs98wOqKrffUsr4YrF-XqarGqTQlTkvHyhtMaVUvQ242UYZmc4lNadXM/s1600-h/wLunch+01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3urE18dM0hwdCja18VrzyE9kaFJsJabF-2H6LPK-NUOOQcQT93Pd50akoIphNkRoo6_NlzMPvYhIXs98wOqKrffUsr4YrF-XqarGqTQlTkvHyhtMaVUvQ242UYZmc4lNadXM/s400/wLunch+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395664900349466562" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoHvDb0OgiGvVcC0WhdQRnJ378qhmbhgMeTK8DE7TS61zMRzPVK9AHzdE610cdsbgvt_V7D1uWS5DS8FycmFX9vV4tntZj-752J8Dl6TZEnXyvOFmSq7JaarIUANyqcrQVAHs/s1600-h/wGametime+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoHvDb0OgiGvVcC0WhdQRnJ378qhmbhgMeTK8DE7TS61zMRzPVK9AHzdE610cdsbgvt_V7D1uWS5DS8FycmFX9vV4tntZj-752J8Dl6TZEnXyvOFmSq7JaarIUANyqcrQVAHs/s400/wGametime+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395664180943073890" border="0" /></a><br />This was the view for a good part of the afternoon...no Mommies or little brothers allowed!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4SRGRODQ4YB_M93ZZP06g_BNRIGOLJbwZq8UK-UicZRtcg5l7Mj33my8bQ9WIDjOf_Cql_PKYPac-fyZCYQP4TuEl25wuW1BDF8gb8LA_bgS7TN5wnKj0Q8U3omaj1nYwqd2/s1600-h/wdoor15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4SRGRODQ4YB_M93ZZP06g_BNRIGOLJbwZq8UK-UicZRtcg5l7Mj33my8bQ9WIDjOf_Cql_PKYPac-fyZCYQP4TuEl25wuW1BDF8gb8LA_bgS7TN5wnKj0Q8U3omaj1nYwqd2/s400/wdoor15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395664176863252530" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdl6PQYsJyGzFrGRApFr2N-kGIs9sjcaTQtXBLvGKQ1UeD9X6IV9o1rAzpyxJgjXPcUvygBprBvNB0jvGXLdRH0FIgHpm4X2CU_nqqKHzRd4ZlR2fniMLoywUGOPTRSxQjHduJ/s1600-h/wAfternoon+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdl6PQYsJyGzFrGRApFr2N-kGIs9sjcaTQtXBLvGKQ1UeD9X6IV9o1rAzpyxJgjXPcUvygBprBvNB0jvGXLdRH0FIgHpm4X2CU_nqqKHzRd4ZlR2fniMLoywUGOPTRSxQjHduJ/s400/wAfternoon+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395664175125235954" border="0" /></a><br />After dinner and a little more playtime, the boys changed into their pajamas and went to hang out in the den. Guess who had to be right in the mix? Little brother Tyler, who adores Jayden so much (that he'll poke him in the eye!)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYfpcYNAAuaatvLoTNEbJAHW72oc_XH0nwzmBGOJ-NnD3sehugxa9motb-ALKTOE247VCqiP_Z5mARbk_yAUS_WBjD7_MkBMArp_zFVssVVCF4vAi47V1uBwyw0NcmODAPPas/s1600-h/wPJs+3+boys+22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYfpcYNAAuaatvLoTNEbJAHW72oc_XH0nwzmBGOJ-NnD3sehugxa9motb-ALKTOE247VCqiP_Z5mARbk_yAUS_WBjD7_MkBMArp_zFVssVVCF4vAi47V1uBwyw0NcmODAPPas/s400/wPJs+3+boys+22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395664612023531762" border="0" /></a><br />The boys enjoyed being in front of the camera and decided to try out some different looks. Not sure which one is my favorite, but I think I'm leaning toward silly!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6y1vzxgUgA5LHaSDC7J-sl8EUB4ziWtdzhZpzVtWm6TrNWnQR8AfdDAixbr36WwM5uo22MdbU4LzuqmRv3yerfIKgJnVPDfCW-21boqljdrVZoo1wg_EOqP3ViI_twgtSz8O/s1600-h/wmad+26.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6y1vzxgUgA5LHaSDC7J-sl8EUB4ziWtdzhZpzVtWm6TrNWnQR8AfdDAixbr36WwM5uo22MdbU4LzuqmRv3yerfIKgJnVPDfCW-21boqljdrVZoo1wg_EOqP3ViI_twgtSz8O/s400/wmad+26.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395664606270912770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUztghzD_SNxsNiumvjPi6QLRGsBsNpq6-kiaQu7F13ePG4SiX5tP9lrvE0YbIrcyWHp0VXQYZE1yV3zFlwOuL3Hy7NAKMe8B1Y4MCr8TmlOxdqfOW4kl8BhRRTm801WDAFiv/s1600-h/wexcited31.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUztghzD_SNxsNiumvjPi6QLRGsBsNpq6-kiaQu7F13ePG4SiX5tP9lrvE0YbIrcyWHp0VXQYZE1yV3zFlwOuL3Hy7NAKMe8B1Y4MCr8TmlOxdqfOW4kl8BhRRTm801WDAFiv/s400/wexcited31.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395664601216333330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBopKye3x0zwd6PI0d28_4XpN3azBrAIUxfA7F_WnNqWu0u1p6UDKqxSZ_4i40BE-vI2zCGCjztF12SA28dcDzaQpP3g0A5LFaLkHQU_eA3BrBPa36ZT0O7vxtBqEoRcBR4O0/s1600-h/wsilly27.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBopKye3x0zwd6PI0d28_4XpN3azBrAIUxfA7F_WnNqWu0u1p6UDKqxSZ_4i40BE-vI2zCGCjztF12SA28dcDzaQpP3g0A5LFaLkHQU_eA3BrBPa36ZT0O7vxtBqEoRcBR4O0/s400/wsilly27.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395664598208670082" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZxtrpCWBSMHB-GAiks53_JKOmUDz_6e-2pM2yJqsPoyZN-CLw60x6eu5ohBTxUNDUP_0M6Ew2NdJn8P-I0b_ntIq6oVmjTirrbr_8tvSsEjr565SfyFbMBUMB1gXdN9uSChi/s1600-h/wsad30.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZxtrpCWBSMHB-GAiks53_JKOmUDz_6e-2pM2yJqsPoyZN-CLw60x6eu5ohBTxUNDUP_0M6Ew2NdJn8P-I0b_ntIq6oVmjTirrbr_8tvSsEjr565SfyFbMBUMB1gXdN9uSChi/s400/wsad30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395664594561472786" border="0" /></a><br />Best buddies!!!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-P1uG7VxokPikkRrxJsxpDPzHdIZJbe5pmx1kfDhsyJcio583ng1WzcPJT6yCl7KDij5JtcNnJ6FlPhjvEOZNg5fgi8ks1RHRV00VbK0if5B2liN8GFxmumfk3TxpPjF4yLWd/s1600-h/wPJ+boys+25.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-P1uG7VxokPikkRrxJsxpDPzHdIZJbe5pmx1kfDhsyJcio583ng1WzcPJT6yCl7KDij5JtcNnJ6FlPhjvEOZNg5fgi8ks1RHRV00VbK0if5B2liN8GFxmumfk3TxpPjF4yLWd/s400/wPJ+boys+25.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395664912365598194" border="0" /></a><br />After a quick "Cars" story, the boys were headed to bed. Jayden called "top bunk" and Jack was excited to let his friend have his choice.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwz2Fkq0DgCJ09UI6XAFXCPZRLd4mzPiXUXV4Abjb8A3VU9Y-bZQIwhfYCjl35jVHxKDrMoTcq_AjfSpdxTZ7hIXml5GXvUlDktkJBaNqLsqDhnV6w36KwflrpdU84DoaMhHHf/s1600-h/wbedtime+33.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwz2Fkq0DgCJ09UI6XAFXCPZRLd4mzPiXUXV4Abjb8A3VU9Y-bZQIwhfYCjl35jVHxKDrMoTcq_AjfSpdxTZ7hIXml5GXvUlDktkJBaNqLsqDhnV6w36KwflrpdU84DoaMhHHf/s400/wbedtime+33.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395667793185066978" border="0" /></a><br />They were asleep by 9:15 and as of midnight...not a peep! It doesn't come as much of a surprise that the boys are already planning their next sleepover...though Jack admitted he was not exactly ready to sleep at Jayden's yet.<br /><br />I'll call this a major milestone and proudly add it to the list of Jack's accomplishments! I'm so glad that Jack has a friend like Jayden and so happy for the excitement of little boys and sleepovers.marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-52167854566666227502009-10-10T21:51:00.000-07:002009-12-30T23:23:49.133-08:00May I Introduce You To...Wall-E!The upcoming holiday, celebrated each year at October's end, is not a favorite of our little guy. Sure, he's participated in most years, but it isn't the holiday that he counts down toward with gusto. So, as the discussion turned to costumes, there was some waffling. I started to think that, perhaps, the time had come to end the ritual of trick or treating for our eldest. What IS the age that it becomes child fodder? <br /><br />So you can imagine our delight when Jack proclaimed that he thought he might like a Wall E costume. We discussed creating the costume out of a cardboard box but then decided to peruse the internet...and stumbled upon this beauty!<br /><br />From the moment it arrived, our little boy has been completely enamored with this costume...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhYsbNdNcmtrXXl7mdHP5Sz0wg4RfDy8kcauerm8Zo1dhiFuSqWBHB-HSj5cEQi-EuBeux3-NB27GKEa9xXuQxjduZCfKjs4lBhgxQ01HXMfIGEMwVgNGfzl_EX1FFk6VDg5H/s1600-h/webwallefull2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhYsbNdNcmtrXXl7mdHP5Sz0wg4RfDy8kcauerm8Zo1dhiFuSqWBHB-HSj5cEQi-EuBeux3-NB27GKEa9xXuQxjduZCfKjs4lBhgxQ01HXMfIGEMwVgNGfzl_EX1FFk6VDg5H/s400/webwallefull2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421286629348105906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJNdExRmKjLOtWwH0fXgiNG95u6PItV28NyzdA0yLhAxIhk7NHatmUKVpB3mKnYRdUPOPaHfE6qN4Q97Jaav0WIpygDFjVpXOgeHm1Yy-0k1zL5Wne6dWv5P7A9B2u29Ocmhh/s1600-h/Wwallefull1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJNdExRmKjLOtWwH0fXgiNG95u6PItV28NyzdA0yLhAxIhk7NHatmUKVpB3mKnYRdUPOPaHfE6qN4Q97Jaav0WIpygDFjVpXOgeHm1Yy-0k1zL5Wne6dWv5P7A9B2u29Ocmhh/s400/Wwallefull1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421286620216253634" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRzcYU5QIny4NXTCr2517vALGkrRhlnBRlAoaipbOQ-L_noDT0CkiD9fHQ-cxknT5SytI8vjdKC23Dz3tK7FpBit_vYVkXSSOqWqdD8Fo3WCGCTXIH_zwtaq6GqTM_OHrRqsm/s1600-h/wwalle+bed+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRzcYU5QIny4NXTCr2517vALGkrRhlnBRlAoaipbOQ-L_noDT0CkiD9fHQ-cxknT5SytI8vjdKC23Dz3tK7FpBit_vYVkXSSOqWqdD8Fo3WCGCTXIH_zwtaq6GqTM_OHrRqsm/s400/wwalle+bed+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421286613850285490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpYD6edn2_I4Do9lPjLwHhLbglZn6VGrXNRUh63xqtbcjok7Gv1Rx_maRc6xkI7IEnTwcczJmPeP1jhf1jc2TftZie3Rql8UER1l63AHn1GcIR-IP1zXNinfZtU-5SS6wWrmL/s1600-h/wwalle+bed+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpYD6edn2_I4Do9lPjLwHhLbglZn6VGrXNRUh63xqtbcjok7Gv1Rx_maRc6xkI7IEnTwcczJmPeP1jhf1jc2TftZie3Rql8UER1l63AHn1GcIR-IP1zXNinfZtU-5SS6wWrmL/s400/wwalle+bed+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421286607293994226" /></a><br /><br />And here's the actual costume in action at our church's Trunk or Treat event, accompanied by a sweet little tree frog. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT24VLMm2aWtDeuykOlLZ3OymtJKsQDFJEanmwl-MoYYdVVsez3X4-3jTyfK4Iwo47WpFFb5k5fFCQyPeF8yqTfs4w_hYlRFDPosDcfohsF9-Cd-QUI7wVir3menFNAJcPbGxJ/s1600-h/wTT_0004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT24VLMm2aWtDeuykOlLZ3OymtJKsQDFJEanmwl-MoYYdVVsez3X4-3jTyfK4Iwo47WpFFb5k5fFCQyPeF8yqTfs4w_hYlRFDPosDcfohsF9-Cd-QUI7wVir3menFNAJcPbGxJ/s400/wTT_0004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421286605507600066" /></a><br /><br />And again on Halloween night with his friend Clarissa and her family and neighbors. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIR5K9aOW9mm9WFyd_O6RltIZ0AgqQmWKCh5oIMt37IlNyKrDSFMNUFMGsIg_w7MQXSPjB8q1uDwCk1TCbqgY7Pci2lbTs6pinrDsLPnY6I_fNssGS9c8XavfD-myuYugjQss/s1600-h/whalloween+09_5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIR5K9aOW9mm9WFyd_O6RltIZ0AgqQmWKCh5oIMt37IlNyKrDSFMNUFMGsIg_w7MQXSPjB8q1uDwCk1TCbqgY7Pci2lbTs6pinrDsLPnY6I_fNssGS9c8XavfD-myuYugjQss/s400/whalloween+09_5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421297161348542530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOw3PN8vVLxeCj0_Hes_WnN0yZSm6LGUV_igu85fFETdwg2RYkaELcIIcZN_QF63Ltsctuwg-gxlfTi9TueLW6oC0JE8QL7CXvcug_fbAvvN7tfNVzd2X_IJ25uxrRKELLHJR/s1600-h/whalloween+09_8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOw3PN8vVLxeCj0_Hes_WnN0yZSm6LGUV_igu85fFETdwg2RYkaELcIIcZN_QF63Ltsctuwg-gxlfTi9TueLW6oC0JE8QL7CXvcug_fbAvvN7tfNVzd2X_IJ25uxrRKELLHJR/s400/whalloween+09_8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421297154903111042" /></a><br /><br />We're glad to see that trick or treating is alive and well again this year for Jack. It was wonderful to see him enjoying trick or treating with friends (he didn't get excited about Halloween until Clarissa invited him to T or T with her!) and we had a long fun night of neighborhood strolling in the near-rain.marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-65833311832117508452009-08-29T18:21:00.000-07:002009-08-29T19:52:28.603-07:00Yesterday's BIG AccomplishmentA kid rides the bus. What's the big deal, right? Millions of kids do it every day. Well, it' a big deal for THIS kid. This kid said last year that he would NEVER be a bus rider. He'd just be a car rider. In fact, it took a lot of convincing that riding the bus to the Pumpkin Patch field trip was a GOOD idea. Whenever the topic was approached, the response was always the same "I will NEVER be a bus rider." So, you can imagine my surprise when Jack told me that he might like to ride the bus TOMORROW, on his way home during the first week of school.<br /><br />I don't know what happened to change his mind. Bus riders do get to leave school the earliest, and he might have been told (by me) that you get home faster when you ride the bus, but I'd like to think it was one of those moments where you decide to kick the tail of one of your fears. I don't really know. All I know is that I found myself calling to find out where the bus would pick up my 1st grader and, just a few days later, I was sitting at home at dismissal time, biting my nails just a little, praying that he was happy, content, and traveling home at that very moment. I don't know what I expected, as things can go either way with Jack. I figured that either he'd love it emphatically or else he'd find it wasn't what he expected and he'd never ride again. I sure didn't expect the response I got, though, as he arrived at the top of our driveway yesterday...<br /><br />Double click on the video if you want to see it without part of it missing...<br /><br /><object width="500" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/a12j-Vy7MzQ&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/a12j-Vy7MzQ&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="315"></embed></object>marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-44420597809617753272009-08-18T17:08:00.000-07:002009-08-18T17:49:55.165-07:00School Days...Welcome to First Grade!Summer's over. School's in session! No longer at the bottom of the totem pole, Jack is returning to school with a notch in his (proverbial) belt, comfortable with his surroundings and routine on day 1 because he's done this all before...but now he's a First Grader! Woo hoo!<br /><br />Friday was the official start of school with a warm up consisting of a 3.5 hour day. Just enough to get your feet wet but not a full commitment to the program! Jack and I drove to school, outfitted in a selection from his newly expanded assortment of Standard School Attire (think uniform) and sporting his excellent "rock star" coif. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbgVr1SOm1OGlQbv3piFKJH1Q2zmPSXkRqXenWUsYWJGRaf5TDy-LSYerT1qG16_lC_4u5fhoaWhMFF_9kTgKIEYa1BQNqDmkMWi9uET78GXepFMqyUG6H5O560LF8uYaVvN0/s1600-h/First+Day+W1st+Grade_0088.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbgVr1SOm1OGlQbv3piFKJH1Q2zmPSXkRqXenWUsYWJGRaf5TDy-LSYerT1qG16_lC_4u5fhoaWhMFF_9kTgKIEYa1BQNqDmkMWi9uET78GXepFMqyUG6H5O560LF8uYaVvN0/s400/First+Day+W1st+Grade_0088.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371469156376060482" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Though nervous, he put on a brave face and walked confidently on the school grounds that seemed as comfortable as last year's bathing suit at the start of the next summer. A little unfamiliar but still a good fit...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSKF5KtwXyemeFyln_14oeKvHKQFunSWirZf1JBD_p8PNahvZITuf_DRmJ83_Xg8abKGN21k9Y2L9Fv8lgxjwBg3iYldQWKN5KJLgYfPEqe26DaSJNWWE9tZsusE8z0LZ94pk/s1600-h/First+Day+W1st+Grade_0090.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSKF5KtwXyemeFyln_14oeKvHKQFunSWirZf1JBD_p8PNahvZITuf_DRmJ83_Xg8abKGN21k9Y2L9Fv8lgxjwBg3iYldQWKN5KJLgYfPEqe26DaSJNWWE9tZsusE8z0LZ94pk/s400/First+Day+W1st+Grade_0090.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371469147505670114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNjvTp8LBoQFljd7PA0eEr5q9u5w3pG2fd48IM9GUkPhgtRh4UDJe_T6_3nyCyemq4V1DclM0_dezYCPxTtvONx-ZNtdRw71j3wcq8ZoAvYve5AZwvpCRBwJTb8iGpfkpTN6J/s1600-h/First+Day+W1st+Grade_0089.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNjvTp8LBoQFljd7PA0eEr5q9u5w3pG2fd48IM9GUkPhgtRh4UDJe_T6_3nyCyemq4V1DclM0_dezYCPxTtvONx-ZNtdRw71j3wcq8ZoAvYve5AZwvpCRBwJTb8iGpfkpTN6J/s400/First+Day+W1st+Grade_0089.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371469151732854434" border="0" /></a><br />Already mapped out and committed to memory, we found Mrs. Stark's classroom right away. She is a sweet and inviting teacher and made all of the students feel welcome immediately! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofwsqBs6OrGNSKTHWf7SFXIRT61K3pGzoCf6QG-mLTid2cLTnl1oJs4ASy9BIDPmI0LG5SB-r8HwmR88ygXXM6yWlpwVz48iMMtYEubx6i2HUovEFXz0Iktei64WwFXiXMOMh/s1600-h/First+DayW+1st+Grade_0095.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofwsqBs6OrGNSKTHWf7SFXIRT61K3pGzoCf6QG-mLTid2cLTnl1oJs4ASy9BIDPmI0LG5SB-r8HwmR88ygXXM6yWlpwVz48iMMtYEubx6i2HUovEFXz0Iktei64WwFXiXMOMh/s400/First+DayW+1st+Grade_0095.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371468790486621442" border="0" /></a><br />We found Jack's cubby, #10, and his DESK (this is new!), where he was seated beside new friend Reid and across from his Speech Teacher's daughter, Natalie. Though no old friends were in sight, Jack seemed to welcome this new experience and sat comfortably, attached his name tag to his shirt and checked out the papers on his desk.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoejwJNok2vrjvRv-tDjeTkhulnC-LFnLIRzds4P-C5eUiu9tXORKk1FEj6F9965-K9NsJl1LR75zhR3FtVjw_egaHtn6A9MwCCwU9GpSLW3eaavY2fM7O-vB2e33eS6ygdVd/s1600-h/First+DayW+1st+Grade_0096.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoejwJNok2vrjvRv-tDjeTkhulnC-LFnLIRzds4P-C5eUiu9tXORKk1FEj6F9965-K9NsJl1LR75zhR3FtVjw_egaHtn6A9MwCCwU9GpSLW3eaavY2fM7O-vB2e33eS6ygdVd/s400/First+DayW+1st+Grade_0096.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371468777146808322" border="0" /></a>Oh my goodness, textbooks!!!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiib_djRHeUYUwQfRc-uQy241ouCEgyADXhYkud7fLhDRWCKQ1TtLpgelRfRFa1vgPUe6Ppt2AvcnuMR0cOIgz4bYX1NLQVG9swgp9y_qJPv-dZclFwBj-1h15B3pnmam4VWiOu/s1600-h/First+Day+W1st+Grade_0097.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiib_djRHeUYUwQfRc-uQy241ouCEgyADXhYkud7fLhDRWCKQ1TtLpgelRfRFa1vgPUe6Ppt2AvcnuMR0cOIgz4bYX1NLQVG9swgp9y_qJPv-dZclFwBj-1h15B3pnmam4VWiOu/s400/First+Day+W1st+Grade_0097.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371468801408717298" border="0" /></a>Mrs. Myers stops by to welcome Jack to school.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNizLViDRjcCCKmMaeQAkB98Ib77xOh5l6Uapar0ySkyTQ8spZ40EH753pHAT8qOTMUZltErVG7Otr0vF39IZbqMqVSLpDoUwJl_JjKODDJkyqiyH9_tOm_2FeNZL7U1aSXNm/s1600-h/First+Day+W1st+Grade_0100.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNizLViDRjcCCKmMaeQAkB98Ib77xOh5l6Uapar0ySkyTQ8spZ40EH753pHAT8qOTMUZltErVG7Otr0vF39IZbqMqVSLpDoUwJl_JjKODDJkyqiyH9_tOm_2FeNZL7U1aSXNm/s400/First+Day+W1st+Grade_0100.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371468793698711874" border="0" /></a><br />His sweet friend Jayden came over from the classroom across the hall and, ever so brotherly, told Jack that he'd be right across the hall if Jack needed him. My heart melted!!!<br /><br />I stayed for a few minutes longer, soaking up this moment and all of the nervous drama that was NOT occurring (no clinging to my leg, asking me to stay, with big eyes pleading) and then kissed him and assured him that I'd be back to pick him up at the car rider line at 11:30.<br /><br />That was it! Wow. How easy! What a brave, sweet, big boy! I went to the parents' reception for a moment and then, on my way out, stuck my head in his doorway and peered in the room. I found the class, seated on the floor at Mrs. Stark's feet, captured by her every word. And in the middle, quiet and attentive, was my amazing little man.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJdsSbII6YXmq6JQ4pTqmSgNvqeUHkEwELfuCDnfUov_MbY6wLEqMwYaWd8Ha7TaXF8kZD2twS3bRo9eClmua_s54fVcl70g7mwvMmBwkW92m-b95aKJuN_5GrK11btUVS7jq/s1600-h/First+Day+W1st+Grade_0106.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJdsSbII6YXmq6JQ4pTqmSgNvqeUHkEwELfuCDnfUov_MbY6wLEqMwYaWd8Ha7TaXF8kZD2twS3bRo9eClmua_s54fVcl70g7mwvMmBwkW92m-b95aKJuN_5GrK11btUVS7jq/s400/First+Day+W1st+Grade_0106.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371468778821654338" border="0" /></a><br />The report that followed at pick up was short and positive. It was a 'great' day. He was only nervous for the first part of the morning. He sat with only 1 friend at lunch (because he was at the end of the table). He got to be the line leader on the way to the cafeteria, which he loved. And he received a "Perfect Day" behavior rating from the teacher. He was quick to share with me her scale for the class:<br /><br />1. Perfect Day<br />2. Warning<br />3. 5 minute time out<br />4. 10 minute time out/note home<br />5. You blew it! (principal's office)<br /><br />I am thrilled with the start of the school year for Jack. He has 2 full days under his belt now as well and is still enjoying it. I am so excited to watch him learn and grow this year in a new classroom with new academic challenges! I think it is going to be a great year.marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-25325178444151489772009-08-13T21:44:00.001-07:002009-08-13T21:56:51.225-07:00First Grade Preview...Roster Sneak Peek<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5o5LPJPHf61itIa0mU6DyZq02uB2mwDavo9jWi1Wp9V89ianBMquxxsM_mK46IJt2PpAnoztxFNGfPhkiwnMkk03TWeMcQFOqiQTMPzBFxTSWPVxKb7kQD_4pLEQhj-xomsW/s1600-h/Jack+WFirst+Grade_0080.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5o5LPJPHf61itIa0mU6DyZq02uB2mwDavo9jWi1Wp9V89ianBMquxxsM_mK46IJt2PpAnoztxFNGfPhkiwnMkk03TWeMcQFOqiQTMPzBFxTSWPVxKb7kQD_4pLEQhj-xomsW/s400/Jack+WFirst+Grade_0080.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369678064096125618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8n4qN_VpUnNTCIbHqO2S561Ip1SNqZkaTg2Hzmh9Om9QK08aDqdEoSUF9BdMZJbR7XZPUbTbxeiU3tPs88t5kh_cJsR13YKsOail6KZeM-GRHziV1WMCMjCIEHs4D7d2JpqD/s1600-h/Jack+WFirst+Grade_0078.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8n4qN_VpUnNTCIbHqO2S561Ip1SNqZkaTg2Hzmh9Om9QK08aDqdEoSUF9BdMZJbR7XZPUbTbxeiU3tPs88t5kh_cJsR13YKsOail6KZeM-GRHziV1WMCMjCIEHs4D7d2JpqD/s400/Jack+WFirst+Grade_0078.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369678053215988770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7lP4GKrqsn2ptWJ6nq5fR3qFKrffVMitNywPo73SVG_HXJfQQ1xYImUbgR8JebRO0Dt-CIv9n3cwyephmiehnIJc3i6oqETZbNhgQeq7_IFcN0fulKja4uz7oRMd-BIBVp5Q/s1600-h/Jack+WFirst+Grade_0082.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7lP4GKrqsn2ptWJ6nq5fR3qFKrffVMitNywPo73SVG_HXJfQQ1xYImUbgR8JebRO0Dt-CIv9n3cwyephmiehnIJc3i6oqETZbNhgQeq7_IFcN0fulKja4uz7oRMd-BIBVp5Q/s400/Jack+WFirst+Grade_0082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369678331218360082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmGnFACYHEZVfwX10HppeiDOuHajy36KcT1O-U2rpG26OOCHyk9Ptc3GIPLsV6P6-Ld5AoLOzFHM3TEeU_Z5SELp1ZU4-LkkWP7w7Azs-RoTNN2xyPFHzGFPy27Ry2Yvc5sWK/s1600-h/Jack+WFirst+Grade_0079.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmGnFACYHEZVfwX10HppeiDOuHajy36KcT1O-U2rpG26OOCHyk9Ptc3GIPLsV6P6-Ld5AoLOzFHM3TEeU_Z5SELp1ZU4-LkkWP7w7Azs-RoTNN2xyPFHzGFPy27Ry2Yvc5sWK/s400/Jack+WFirst+Grade_0079.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369678032818610386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G4XW957rsaXDBlAeB9y0wZ-qnazfJc7NakyVDpliD77ko__CPaYX6MhSg8ARWd8IMB0Ua87OO5luNd8L4sdTYRswClUy6ZCjtdTdIry6A38AmZxy7oYIPSsgTU8xWx4vnOih/s1600-h/JackW+1st+grade+preview.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G4XW957rsaXDBlAeB9y0wZ-qnazfJc7NakyVDpliD77ko__CPaYX6MhSg8ARWd8IMB0Ua87OO5luNd8L4sdTYRswClUy6ZCjtdTdIry6A38AmZxy7oYIPSsgTU8xWx4vnOih/s400/JackW+1st+grade+preview.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369678024538376610" border="0" /></a><br />Last night Jack and I (with Tyler and Grandpa in tow) headed over to school to see the 1st grade rosters that were posted on the school's front door the same day. Finally we got to see who Jack's 1st Grade teacher will be!<br /><br />Jack scanned the list and found his name. His new teacher is the awesome Mrs. Stark. She's a perfect teacher for Jack and I know he's going to have another fabulous year! He found his friends names scattered about in other classes and pretty quickly had seen all he needed to see and was ready to head to the new and improved playground!<br /><br />As we were walking to the playground he said "There are 19 friends in my class!" How ever did he count all those names so quickly? That little stinker!<br /><br />Today was full of apprehension, as the reality of tomorrow is closing in. He said that he was scared. That he thought he wouldn't do well. He is nervous that the fans will turn on in the gym. So we talked about the fact that there wouldn't be PE tomorrow (it's a 1/2 day), what to do when the fans come on (cover your ears), what we expected the day to be like (my best guess), and how awesome it is that he already knows where his class is, where all the specials are, where the cafeteria is and that he knows 3 kids already in his class. This seemed to calm him a bit, and he enjoyed it when I prayed at bedtime for a great day with no nervousness.<br /><br />I also reminded him that I will be taking his picture because tomorrow IS the first day of school...and it's a rule. Hee hee!<br /><br />Good luck, our sweet boy! We know you'll win over all your new friends with your sweet spirit. Enjoy first grade! We are so proud of you!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwo7Iq3XTkjnvvtUI-AYVqRr9hnnpFTGlc7097VGcdpHRiIXv9BaE-bcwQjz6n6V_jFdEY4KjE1rN_lPRILWqmAOD8pJJa3AhcWauJXn7Z4SkEUnS_rq6vrMdwWhbAp2QXRDl/s1600-h/JackW+First+Grade_0085.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwo7Iq3XTkjnvvtUI-AYVqRr9hnnpFTGlc7097VGcdpHRiIXv9BaE-bcwQjz6n6V_jFdEY4KjE1rN_lPRILWqmAOD8pJJa3AhcWauJXn7Z4SkEUnS_rq6vrMdwWhbAp2QXRDl/s400/JackW+First+Grade_0085.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369678043968914210" border="0" /></a>marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-8012477833239836132009-08-09T12:59:00.000-07:002009-08-09T18:00:53.487-07:00Chicken Nugget HiatusIf you know me well, you know that I grumble about making homemade GFCF chicken nuggets. I make them because I love my child. And, that child will ONLY eat the same homemade chicken nuggets that I've been making since he was 2 or so. That's 5 yrs of weekly chicken nugget making. Surely even Truett Cathy and Colonel Sanders got sick of frying chicken, right? I digress...<br /><br />It seems that of late Sir Jack grew tired of the same old nugget. But, in his stubborn rigidity and resistance to change, he would eat basically no other dinner entree. We had gotten, this summer, to a success of sampling a bite or two of hamburger here and there, and he would actually eat baked chicken every now and again, but the chicken I was slaving over and offering each evening was going untouched on his plate. So, like all good mothers, I offered an ultimatum: Eat what is on your plate tomorrow night (of chicken nuggets) or I'll stop making them. Well, long story not so long, he refused to eat them on said night and agreed to a week w/o chicken. He really had grown sick of them after all!<br /><br />So, the week drug on, with a few painfully long nights as we waited up to 1.5 hours for him to eat 4 bites of hamburger...and some better nights of 10 bites of 'white' (baked) chicken. And, surprisingly, at the end of the week, Jack declared that he's "tired of Mommy's new chicken (as he calls the nuggets) and only likes Mimi's new chicken, which tastes just right."<br /><br />So I suppose I've received a chicken nugget cooking reprieve. He's eating more and more baked chicken but hasn't expanded his dinner repertoire thus far to include any other new entree. We'll keep plugging away at one of the biggest issues we have at this point.<br /><br />I leave you with a picture of Jack, nearly 3 yrs. old, eating the chicken he has finally grown tired of. I can't even imagine how many days he has eaten that chicken!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLL6edEjc28uSRnA8LeZuSMaJdn1isJBBXnKs-xB16ZsE52po7MjM8KY-LkscQlQOBP3ax6md50MVyZTMfrLMaakzwE92FpzfAHgsYg4bO9sIqO-B76UqgoIcM1Q0FIP8WLrs/s1600-h/IMG_1495.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLL6edEjc28uSRnA8LeZuSMaJdn1isJBBXnKs-xB16ZsE52po7MjM8KY-LkscQlQOBP3ax6md50MVyZTMfrLMaakzwE92FpzfAHgsYg4bO9sIqO-B76UqgoIcM1Q0FIP8WLrs/s400/IMG_1495.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368132738701568402" border="0" /></a>marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-85784639938562234332009-07-13T22:13:00.000-07:002009-07-13T22:19:57.348-07:00Can You Hear Her? The Tooth Fairy Is Coming Tonite!That's right, tooth #2 has finally departed from the sweet smile of my 7 year old. We waiting long and hard for that tiny tooth to vacate the premises! It fell out as Jack was getting his teeth brushed, rather aggressively, from his impatient Mommy! <br /><br />I love Jack's reaction to this event. Both times he is excited and absolutely petrified at the same time. There was no crying, but his bottom lip quivered ever so slightly as he reflected on the blood trickling down the water glass after a rinse. He didn't want to talk about it much. He said he was tired and had to go straight to bed "so he could get plenty of sleep." He did say that the blood was terrible and was thrilled when I explained that the blood had, in fact, stopped flowing.<br /><br />Relieved just a little, he happily went to bed, tooth placed neatly beside his bed in easy reach for the Tooth Fairy to make her return visit with his treasure. He hopes for $50, he said. Sadly, not in these economic times, my friend!<br /><br />I believe that the Tooth Fairy was quite pleased with the location of said tooth, so as to save her from all that wrangling about with the pillow and slumbery boy and all.<br /><br />Bittersweet moments, watching your children grow up right before your eyes. I just know that in a minute he's going to be asking for my car keys. It makes me a bit weak in the knees, the speed of all of it, to be honest.marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13591011.post-10717726674154872512009-06-23T18:20:00.000-07:002009-06-23T18:27:33.319-07:00Trash TalkingExplaining "trash talking" (we won't even go into why we were having this discussion) to our literal, logical 7 year old is difficult, at best. He walked away with an unconvincing understanding that it is "inappropriate" and not something that you should do.<br /><br />However, in the process, here's how his attempt at "trash talking" went:<br /><br />"I think you don't want to, um, I think you don't want to suck something..oh, I don't know." (I think he was loosely emulating the ever popular trash talking phrase of "You suck!") Thanks, Wipeout for yet another life lesson we are having here at the Halbert house, thanks to Season 2.<br /><br />...another discussion this evening started with "Mommy, what's a "cheap date"? We might have to go back to "G" only programming!!!marathonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04168586445446876113noreply@blogger.com0