First Day of School and Dillon

Dillon is nine months old now and I realized that I have not done monthly pictures for about three months. I still don't have a month shot but we did get some photos of him playing with Daddy and I got a video of him just being himself. He likes to climb, stick out his tongue and babble. He wants to go everywhere he is not allowed to go. He is playful and easygoing and never cries. We moved him into a crib in Ayden's room and he's doing very well. Ayden is too. I was worried that if Dillon cried at night Ayden would be a pill about going back to bed, but he's totally fine with it. Sometimes he'll ask what's wrong but all I have to do is answer him and he just goes right back to sleep. Wow!

Beware to anyone who lays on our living room floor. We have an attack infant.


Dillon found a niche. He's so funny.
Ayden likes to take the cushion off our chair. It's lower anyway but once that cushion is gone, it's the perfect size to climb up and hang out!

Seth's Harry Potter wand finally came. I bought it for his birthday and had to call and have it resent. He was so excited, it was worth it.

Caleb and Seth decided to have a duel now that they have two wands.

The first day of school dawned... well, it didn't dawn. It was dark! Very dark! The boys were ready at 6am, an hour early. I woke Brooklyn up a bit early so I could get a photo before I had to leave. Here are my three (big) babies on their first day. Brooklyn is in 6th grade now, Caleb in 4th and Seth is in 3rd. They are growing up so fast.
The night before school I made a special, back-to-school dinner of pot roast, potatoes, and carrots. Then we all had strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream. They each got to build their own master piece. It was our one last celebration of summer. Good bye summer, welcome fall!
I guess I need to do an Ayden update next. He's been sadly absent from my posts. I'll get right on that. He has been just hilarious lately but I'd never get it on camera. I'll manage something.

A Sigh of Relief and a Surprise To Go With It!

SOL - that does not stand for something nice in my book. It's an abbreviation for a rather crude term. Here in Virginia is stands for something else entirely! It's their Standards Of Learning - their state test. For those of you used to Texas -it's the TAKS. I really wish that there was not so much emphasis placed on this test. As a teacher, I hate it. I don't see how one test can be created to measure the learning of every child. Honestly, the idea is absurd. Nevertheless, children have to take it and trickling down from the very top is the pressure to pass. Again, as a teacher, I am very mindful of what the results mean to the school system.

Brooklyn and Caleb took the SOL test in late May. Brooklyn felt very confident. She did well on all the exercises and practice tests. She was worried about social studies since Virginia history would be on the test and they studied that in fourth grade, when she was not here. The teacher worked hard to review with her and Brooklyn did her part by reading and studying. It must have sunk in. She was one point away from Pass/Advance on that part. She did pass/advance on math, reading and writing and made pass/proficient on science. That is a lot of testing for a kid and I am so proud of her! She worked very hard on her studies this year and did it, pretty much, independent of me. She did her homework with no prompting and only asked for help in studying for her tests.

Caleb was not so sure. He wasn't so worried either. He was not doing well on any of the practices or exercises. He told us that he didn't read everything on the test because it was just too much. I was worried. I was worried because without practicing for the test, giving it his best, he would not build the stamina he would need for the real one. He had to take four tests in third grade: Math, reading, science, history/social science. That seems like too many tests for someone in third grade. I encouraged Caleb to read everything. Bobby and I reminded him to take all the time he needed. Not only did Caleb pass every test but he made pass/advance on his history/social science! I think he is pretty proud of himself. He grinned and looked down and said, "I told you it was easy."

Way to go kids - good job!

Six months/Brooklyn's a robot!

Dillon is six months today! He is still such a happy baby. You can see in his picture though that he isn't feeling great. He has a bad cough that is very persistent. It does not stop him from giving us big smiles all the time. He sleeps all night and loves to eat. So far he only likes bananas (of course), pears and apples. I mix in some rice cereal so it isn't too runny. He munches down a size one serving in no time flat. I think I need to give him two servings per feeding! He is such a joy and will calmly sit and watch us and try to suck his toes.
Look how much he's grown!
one month:
















Six months:













Hmmm.... I think those pajamas look familiar....
Yep! Ayden was wearing those at the beginning of this summer! Now, granted, they are size 12 months and are not snug on Dillon but still! Ayden is two years older and just outgrew that top and now Dillon is wearing it. They grow so fast.


Speaking of growing up so fast, Brooklyn had a program at her school tonight. The fourth and fifth graders dressed up as famous people in history and turned the school into a museum. They were told to act like robots and when viewers came by they would 'press their button' and the robot would tell them all about that individual. Brooklyn was William Lloyd Garrison. What's that you say? You don't know who he is? Well then, have a listen...



Bobby said she looked like a puppet but that was the point. I think she did great. Garrison would've worn knicker type pants and tights so, luckily, she had her brother's too short pants and his shirt. She looked pretty good considering she put it together at the last minute. I didn't think she'd be able to go since Bobby works most nights. She did this entirely on her own. She wrote her part, memorized it and planned the outfit without ever asking for help! She's a doer, for sure!

Tag and catch up

I was tagged by my friend Angie to take a self portrait. The rules are that once you're tagged, you must take your picture right then and there. No editing. No changing clothes. No adding makeup. Sorry, we wanna see the real you. I was tagged a few days ago and took the picture then and there. Bobby will tell you. I had just gotten home from work and I was super tired so I look gorgeous. :P I never wear make-up anymore so at least that was a non-issue. So here that is. (wow my face is really crooked)
I tag Brooke, Kate and Marcie.

I never did take a picture of Brooklyn in her Easter dress. Last night the choir from her school was invited to perform at a board meeting. She wore her Easter dress and I finally took a picture.
She also made the honor roll on her last report card. We are very proud of her for keeping her grades up!
Caleb and Seth have both worked very hard to bring their grades up too, and they did. Caleb even got an award just for that - the B.U.G. award (Bringing Up Grades) Good job boys! Now we're going to work on organization and listening to directions.