First Day of First Grade for the First Boy...

Caleb started First Grade this week!

I loved First Grade. Loved. My teacher was Miss Allgaier at Cimarron Elementary here in Katy, TX. She was a first year teacher and I thought she was the prettiest person ever with her beautiful red hair, perfect smile, and gold bead necklace that she wore often. It was also in first grade that I made my first best friend, Wendy, and had my first sleepovers. After moving two times during my Kindergarten year (attending schools in New Mexico, Kansas and Alaska), a whole year at one school was very exciting.

I hope this boy has a great year as well! He's pumped to have his buddy Noah in his class, and the big question is, "Will we ever have fish in the fish tank behind Ms. Hebert's desk?"

{Side Note: His teacher is a sweet veteran educator named Ms. Karen Hebert. We were running a tad late to Meet the Teacher night last week, and walked in just after she introduced herself and told a bit about herself. However, we walked in just in time to hear her share with the parents that she is a Christian, and feels it's necessary for her as a teacher to pray for her students, by name, daily in order to be the best teacher for them that she can be. Cue the tears threatening to fall from this mama's eyes! I appreciated knowing this about her -- and in that moment, any other information about Ms. Hebert became unnecessary. Thank you Jesus for Caleb being placed in her classroom!}

He was all smiles as he hopped -- and ran -- off the bus! It's been a great start to the school year so far.
Next year, I'll have two little guys hopping off that bus! Wow...

Progress...

While washing his hands, he remembered to flush.
At least he remembered to put the seat (and lid) down. Score one for mom?

Five Minute Ramble...

--School starts again for Caleb in one week. Hallelujah! Wait, really?

--Since returning from Florida back in early June, we've tried to enjoy summer as best we can. It's not always been pretty (we can't just play all day every day) and it's definitely had some low moments, but I think we've had a good time.

We have:

• gone bowling
• visited Blue Bell
• gone to the Houston Museum of Natural Science
• jumped at Sky High Sports
• tubed and splashed at Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels
• swam at the neighborhood pool and the YMCA pool, several times
• watched movies
• painted ceramics
• lunched with Daddy in downtown Houston
• there's more...just not on my brain right now

--We've also had our fair share of tantrums, frustrations, fights, and general sibling annoyances. I suppose that's just the nature of being in close proximity for days on end. The older two, although they squabble off and on, are definitely good buddies. They ask to "sleep over" in each other's bedroom a few times a week, and play well with each other more often than not. The littlest one still isn't the best at playing with someone else, and often annoys his big brothers. Though he's the smallest one (for now), Toben definitely makes his presence known and would love nothing more than to wrestle, chase someone, climb, and jump off of furniture all day. Oh, that child...

--Potty training has also happened recently this summer. I'd venture to guess that Toben is about 80% trained. This one may very well be my toughest one yet... I have to constantly remind myself that it won't always be like this. Between potty training, sibling issues, and the very nature of boys being boys it's been a trying summer for my patience and nerves. I wish I could say I've handled all of it well.

--Our study is reorganized. It's refreshing to walk in there and see so much space!

--I've had trouble thinking of things to post on the blog. It's hard to be on Pinterest, Facebook, or even look at others' blogs and not play the comparison game... The saying "Comparison is the thief of joy" is SO true for me. I often feel like the worst mom ever for not having some sort of educational and/or fun activity planned for each of the boys every day. I often let them make them just go to town with their own imaginations using the toys they already have while I try to get things done (or take a mental break while perusing Pinterest or Facebook). Shoot, right now the older two are playing Wii bowling while I take this blogging break. Toben is asleep for probably 20 more minutes.

--The times that I have organized an activity or craft for us to do together, it's backfired. I end up completing the project basically on my own after my three bail about 3 minutes into the activity. That probably contributes to my lack of motivation in seeking out new things to do.

--Five minutes is up.