School Update

Andrew is still unable to contain himself with excitment for school. He asked Sabbath when he went back to school and wanted to know why he couldn't go Sunday. He is liking school. He is having to learn to stay quiet for longer periods which is going to take sometime getting use to doing. He has made friends - it took all week to learn one girls name. He is taking his lunch to school. He is still taking soup which I thought would end after the first day. However, when he took rice he got mixed reviews so it may be a while before he tries that again. He is sleeping like a log at night and has already had homework.

Pray that Andrew continues to adjust and love school.

Some Summer Fun

These are someways we entertained ourselves this summer. Andrew is combining to of our favorite activities. One is running through the sprinkler and two playing in the swimming pool. Andrew enjoyed this. He called it being in the rainforest. Yes he is watching quite a bit of Diego right now. Here are two pictures from Bradley's visit. He has moved farther away but cam in to Aunt Grace's for the weekend. The boys are combining their two interests. Andrew's love of anything with wheels and Bradley's love of animals. They had a large set up going by the time they were done.

This summer we also did a good bit of park playing. We also made one trip out to Martinsburg to swim this might have been a mistake. Andrew keeps asking when are we going back. The boys have also helped me pick vegetables and weed the garden which still has way to many weeds. They also love to "wash" dishes. We also take walks down to the stream to see if there is any water and pick walnuts to throw in the water. Overall a great summer.

Water video

As I noted in the last post the boys loved the water at the zoo. This is Andrew running through the water and Aaron in the background checking out the big water ball. Aaron also joined in the the water running but not in this video.

Catching Up

Well I will start with the weekend of July 16th we headed to Virginia Beach for a very important birthday. It was Anthony's 3rd birthday. So the boys, Grandpop, Abuela and I headed south. The plan was for a trip to the zoo and a party after nap time. So here are a few pictures from the adventure. Anthony opening up presents.

One of my boys favorite parts of the zoo.

The whole crew checking out the reptiles which is one of Anthony's favorites and we got to see an armadillo actually moving. The boys loved seeing the animals even though it was a warm day.

Here is Aaron checking out the snake. Speaking of Aaron he completed his trip to Virginia with a trip to the emergency room. He fell off the bed as I was moving the table away that we had used the night before to keep him from falling out. I sent Andrew for Grandpop and Abuela. Then we made a plan - Abuela and Andrew to see Anthony again and Grandpop Aaron and I to the hospital. Aaron was such a good fellow. They were even able to use little band-aids and glue on his cut instead of stitches because he held still so well. I should note this was a children's hospital as it turned out. They had someone come in and show him what was going to happen and he got to practice on a baby doll. He also managed to charm a blanket, ball and sticker out of the lady that came to help. He now sleeps with the blanket. It was made by a lady name Georgina and a group makes them for the kids. Now he is all good except for a little scar.

The First day of School

Well the day has arrived. Andrew was so excited this morning. I was excited for him but part of me - is going no not my baby I have only had him a short time. I am also hoping and praying he is going to adjust to the structure and still love to be there. I am sure that some of you noticed the pink lunch bag. I let him pick and this was the one he picked. I am hoping that it doesn't get him teased but the boy loves pink. I have a back up plan if it does. He also wanted to take soup for lunch we will see if he is still a soup guy when he comes home tonight after comparing notes with the other kids.We had also been getting ready for school by eliminating nap time for Andrew and making his bedtime earlier. He didn't object to either though he has still taken a couple of naps. We may have to go even earlier to bed; we will see how that goes. Grandpop and Abuela came over to wish him the best on his first day. The school van picked him up a little before 8 AM and is supposed to bring him back about 3:15PM.

My house is suddenly very quiet. Aaron and I enjoyed playing with playdoh this morning and I was able to get the dishes cleaned up and the kitchen floor mopped and the wood floor swept. I feel like I have accomplished a ton and Aaron and I went down and played in the graveyard for a little bit. (No I am not crazy there is a walnut tree in the graveyard by our house and the boys love to collect walnuts and throw them in the air and we also like to go look for letters in the graveyard). Well huge change in the Barbee house I will keep you posted as everyone adjusts.

Change

Yes things are always changing. I know this but it has been on my mind lately because Andrew is about to have a big change in his life. It will also be a big change in mommy's life. Andrew is going to start kindergarten. After a great debate last year we opted not to do preschool. I don't have any regrets but I know that there is pressure both ways. It was this pressure and the unusual experience for me of working on the same day with Perry that has brought together some random thoughts and experiences.

The first reflects back to Perry and my journey through infertility. My parents have a dog called Tina. She is a golden retriever and Goldens have a tendency toward tumors. When these occur each family must decided what they are going to do. They may leave them go; or they may have them surgically removed knowing they may come back or they may opt for chemotherapy or radiation. As you read this you may go I know what we would do and how far we would go. However you may talk to someone else and they would say your crazy I would do this. At some point which ever option you choose you as a family will say this is enough we are done. This experience made me look back and reflect that this was how it was during our treatments and the decisions we made along the way. We had several options and many people had opinions on what you should and would do. We made our choice and there came a point we knew we were done. It wasn't an easy decision but we knew it and it was okay. Where that point is for every family is different but it doesn't mean you wanted it any less. Just as the choice you make for your dog doesn't mean that you don't love it but you know when you are done. I should note Tina had a tumor removed and she is getting better day by day. What happens next I don't know but right now she brings joy into my boys lives and I think that they keep this 11 year old dog young.

The other big thought was brought on by a day when both Perry and I worked all day. Miss Grace and Miss Katrina watched the boys and did a great job of course but it got me to reflecting. It made me ask what was I missing. I am blessed and spoiled by the fact that I can stay home with my boys. Many do not have this choice. As much as I asked questions I still felt like I had missed something. It made me understand a little more why some choose to homeschool. When Andrew comes home from school no matter how many questions I ask I can not have experienced it with him as much as I may want. Because we have made the choice to send him to kindergarten this mother must learn to adjust to change. I must learn a new way of being in his life. Aaron will go back to being an only child during the day. I think he will like it but I think that it will tame Aaron's adventurous side in his attempts to keep up with brother. I look forward to learning new ways to lead and guide my children.

Finally I must brag on my oldest son. And also thank the Lord for his Sabbath school teachers. We had taken Tina to the vet and in his office the vet has a Noah's Ark border. The vet asked Andrew if he knew what this was. Andrew told him that God told Noah to take two of every animal into the ark. I then prompted what happened next - Andrew responded it rained and God said he wouldn't flood the earth again. The vet then asked is your husband a preacher and I said no he is just a pharmacist. To every teacher that wonders if your children are listening they are. Keep telling and teaching the stories it is worth the effort.