Veteran's Day Assembly

Griffin and his good buddy Caleb, waiting patiently for the assembly to start
 

Each year near Veteran's Day, Cam and Griff's elementary school has a Veteran's Day assembly, and it is just great. The principal speaks at the beginning, and then there are a bunch of music pieces. There is a great turnout for this, and there are lots of veterans in the audience. Griffin told me, "Mom, I almost cried at that assembly because those songs were so beautiful, and one girl in my class DID cry!" Love that little guy!

School Days

 

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I spend an hour at Camden and Griffin's school, helping in Camden's classroom. Camden's teacher asked me at the beginning of the year if I could help her with some clerical-type things, and I was glad to have the opportunity. So far, I've spent my time doing lots of little jobs that she just doesn't have the time to do. The best part is, I get a chance to see Camden's class in action. I am continuously amazed at how different elementary school is, from when I was in the fourth grade! I cannot get over the technology that the students have access to, and how it fits so nicely into their school day.

 

Sometimes Camden will wave to me when I first get there, and that is about the extent of our interaction. Then, there are days like today, when he comes over to where I am sitting and hugs me. Today he did that five different times. I know one day he will be mortified if I show up in his classroom, so for now I am enjoying ever single minute of it!

Election Day

The boys got ready for school early today because they wanted to go vote with me. We did this four years ago as well. They sure have grown a lot since then!

They were both very interested in what was going on, and they asked a lot of great questions. So glad we got to do this together again!

Baby Goats

Today at Story Time, I had a co-worker bring some of her baby goats in for the children to see. She brought 4 total, and they were so cute! They were great with the kids, and seemed to have a high tolerance for being chased, petted, and held by small children. Griffin was particularly fond of the goat pictured here, which, he tells me, is named "Cutie Face".

Twins

The boys both wanted to dress like Paul Bunyan for school today, so out came the black and red plaid shirts. The shirt Griff has on is actually Camden's "original" Paul Bunyan shirt, back when he first became a fan of the gigantic lumberjack. These two really crack me up - - they have such fun pretending.

For Steve

A Disney Surprise

A few days ago, the boys received a package in the mail, in a bright, red Mickey Mouse box. Griffin immediately asked, "Did Mickey Mouse mail this to me?" Unfortunately for Griff, I informed him that we'd have to wait until his brother got home from school to find out. Believe me, he made me pay for that decision for the next 4 1/2 hours! When the boys finally opened their package, it was full of candy, Disney World trick-or-treat bags, pirate goodness, and a letter from Minnie Mouse herself. Turns out, my cousin had recently been to Disney World with her family, and went out of her way to send a special surprise to my boys. Although I haven't seen my cousin in about twenty years, and she's never met my family, she frequently takes the time to check in on me and the boys to see how we are doing, and boy, does that mean a lot. Thank you, Janet - - you really brightened the day of two Disney-lovin' boys!

First Day of Second Grade

Griffin and I just returned from dropping Camden off at school - - where did the summer go? I'm not sure what happened this year, but it seemed like summer was over and done with in a flash. As you can see, my boy decorated himself with a multitude of industrial strength Star Wars tattoos last week, and for whatever reason, I cannot get those things off. We even tried nail polish remover, to no avail.

Camden was very happy to have received a call from Steve this morning, and a call from his Aunt Kasey and cousin Banzer last night, wishing him well. I think this helped get him really excited for the first day. Griffin has been down at the mouth ever since we returned to the house, and keeps saying, "How much longer til my Cammy comes home?" I just casually reminded him that now that Camden is at school, he can play with Camden's toys, and that snapped him right out of his little funk.