first day of outdoor soccer

Today, Bug finally got to play soccer outside.  This was his request in the Spring and he had to wait until now due to the soccer schedules around here.  He is on the gold team and I am the coach!!!!!  Thank goodness for 2 seasons of soccer indoors so I know some drills and what to help them with.  Since I am the coach, I have no pictures from today's practice. There are from the time before we started when I was playing with Bug.  He gets his team tee shirt at the next practice/game day- which is 11Sep2010.  No practice next week as it is a national holiday weekend here in the US.

Bug had a great time and I did too.  There are 8 kids on the team, although only 7 practiced today.  One is very shy and she left right after arriving.  I totally understand that having been there with Bug when he was 3.

The schedule is set up to have 1/2 hour practices and then 1/2 hour "games".  There will be referees, but the score will not be kept.  So My goal as a coach is to teach the kids to have fun and work as a team- passing the ball and kicking at the goal.  Any suggestions would be great.

Love and hugs,
Momma

The first school bus ride

The third day of school.  it was a cool morning, so Bug needed long pants and jacket- but of course it was pretty hot this afternoon.

I have to admit, I love this second picture.

So after the experience yesterday, we left the house at 7:30 to wait for the bus.  The bus arrived at 7:42 am.  The bus driver told me this was the normal time for him to arrive at this location.  Now being very good, i did not mention that he was long gone yesterday by 7:40 am. 

So I watched my baby climb up the stairs on to the bus.  He got all his stuff on the seat and off they went.  Per the bus driver, Bug would be dropped off in the afternoon at 3:10 but it could be as late as 3:20 pm.

At 3:14, the bus arrived and my baby got off the bus.  He thought the bus was great. 

So it is official now, I have a big boy - no more baby.  He loves school (an answer to prayer), he loves taking the bus and he is embracing new adventures.

Speaking of being a big boy.  I had him  put on size 5 pants first this morning.  They were too short!!!!!!  Now we have to try on all the size 5 pants I have for him for this winter, both school and home wear and determine what actually fits. That is the plan for Sunday afternoon. 

We have a busy day tomorrow- Bug is starting outdoor soccer.  The Y called today asking if I wanted to be a coach for the team- I assumed it was like a helper coach. But after a follow up call this evening, I am actually THE COACH for the team.  This is going to be an adventure.  So I am not sure how many pictures I will be able to get since I have to focus on the kids, hopefully Mam and Pap will be able to come to a few matches and take pictures for me.

Love to you,
Momma

day 2- bussing fiasco

Here is Bug waiting for the bus that never came this morning.  He was so excited to ride the bus. 

Here is the story:
The original plan was for Bug to ride to school this week with me in the car and then next week on Monday h would start riding the bus.  But this morning, he decided to ride the bus.  So I quick wrote a note to the teacher so that she would put him on the bus this afternoon and then we headed to the bus stop.

The Bus pass he has says the bus comes at 7:47 am and we need to be there 5-10 minutes before the bus comes for the first few days.  We left the house at 7:40- the bus stop is 3 houses away and in direct sight of our front door.  We stood at the bus stop and then the other kids started arriving with Moms and Dads.  They all said that Bug would be on different bus (which was not what I was told).  When a bus finally arrived, sure enough it was not Bug's bus, but it was the bus for the other kids who attend a different school.  The bus driver was kind enough to radio the bus driver for Bug's bus.  His bus driver said that he, the bus driver, came through at 7:40 and Bug had not be out for 3 days. 
Now, the driver should know the schedule for kindergartners- half go the first day, half go the second day, and they all go together on the 3rd day (today).  On the first 2 days, the kindergartners are not due at school until an hour after the normal time.  So it makes perfect sense that the bus driver has not seen Bug until today.  And given that we came out of the out house at 7:40, it makes me think that the bus driver came through before 7:40 am. So I ended up driving Bug to school this morning and he was late- the second day of school and he was late. When we got to school, the office ladies all said that there have been lots and lots of issues with the buses this year. When I dropped Bug at his class, I gave the teacher the note and stated that Bug was going home on the bus starting today. I did everything the school requires for notifying them that changes to transportation were made.

After my morning meetings I called the transportation department to find out when the bus was due to come through.  Turns out the bus is due to come through at 7:40am, which means Bug and I will be leaving the house at 7:30 am to ensure that we are out there before the bus comes through.  I also checked where they would be dropping him off since his bus pass indicates that he will be dropped off 2 blocks from our house (out of line of sight), which means I have to walk to the stop and wait.  I was told that his bus stop would be the same in the afternoon as it was in the morning.  So I planned my work day and left the house at 2:45 to ensure I was at the bus stop in plenty of time.  I am not sure why I left so early knowing that school ends at 3 pm, but I wanted to make sure I was there and I was not convinced that he would be dropped off in the right place, so I positioned myself to be between the 2 stops.  at 3:10, I called the transportation department because I have 2 buses and neither of them have come near our bus stop or the original bus stop and I am worried.  The transportation department told me that Bug never got on the bus and that they called the school and he is sitting in the school office waiting for me.

Well now I am scared and thinking that Bug refused to get on the bus.  So I rush back home, and drive over to school.  Bug is happily chatting in the school office. he is happy to see me but not crying, not upset.  As I walk to him, the teacher aide rushes in and start apologizing.  The teacher put the note I gave her this morning in a different area and they never marked Bug for the bus line.  They stressed at the parents meeting, that they will not take the word of the kids on transportation, everything has to be in a note- which I gave them.  It is an honest mistake - Bug has a sub this week as his regular teacher is out due to the death of sister.  So I understand why the mix up occurred.

I asked bug if he wanted to try riding the bus tomorrow and he said YES.  So we will try it again. After today, I am not sure it can be any worse.  At least the transportation department knows my name, Bug's name and that he is expected to be on the bus.

Praying for a better experience tomorrow.

Love and hugs,
Momma

Then

Well today was the start of a 13 year adventure - SCHOOL.  We had a good start to the day.  A smiling happy little man as we left the house this morning. And of course, he was sporting his batman lunch box and batman backpack.

I have to thank Ree and Ro's momma for this awesome idea of making a sign for the first day.  I left room so I can print out one of these pictures and put it in our photo album. 

He was a little anxious in his classroom and there were a few little tears, but no wailing and screaming.  When I left, he was coloring his fish.

After school was a great- he came out smiling and happy!!!   From Bug (yes, I am going back to that nickname), the best part of the school was recess and the worst part was being without me.  His class had a bear hunt for Baxter the bear who left the classroom without permission.  He was found in the Principal's office!!!

Love and hugs,
Momma

The Aquarium- the last day of vacation for hijo

We headed out to the aquarium this morning.  Hijo never wants to touch anything, but today, he touched a baby American alligator.  yesterday we saw the Chinese alligator.  Apparently these are the only 2 alligators types in the world.  Now crocodiles there are lots and lots more.  We will stick with alligators.  especially these small ones.

Hijo wanted to touch the starfish too. 

The nemos are back!!!!!!!!!  We love clown fish.

Perhaps if I sit on enough frogs, my prince will come????

The otters were actually awake this time.  They were playing in the water, near their house, having a good time.  Me not so much, as I ran into a plant that I am allergic to  and I ended up with a rash on my neck.  YUCK!!!

The penguins were having fun.  Hijo was talking to the penguins, the penguins were waiting for food. 

just hanging out together. we got hair cuts this afternoon and now we are relaxing before the excitement of school prep tonight.  Pictures tomorrow of the first day of school.

Love and hugs,
Momma

Growing up with the Tigers- our year visiting the zoo

I realized today at the zoo that Hijo can be measured against the tiger mural.  Now as I look at the pictures- the growth from March to now is incredible.   The change from July to August is not noticeable. 

July 2010

March 2010

August 2010.  WOW!!!! you ca n see how much he has grown here compared to March 2010.  It is funny that he chose the same shirt in July and August.

Here is the baby elephant statue in April and August.   Again a huge Wow.  Such a difference in height and the shape of his body.

Love and hugs,
Momma

The zoo- last time before school starts

We headed out to the zoo today with our friends N and her parents.  N was in Hijo's gymnastics class and she lives in our neighborhood.  We have had a great time getting to know her.

We saw the following animals:

Pregnant Rhino- she is 12 months pregnant and has at least 2 more months to go before baby rhino is born.

Tiger (Hijo's favorite)

Cheetahs loving on each other

Red pandas

bare cheeked gibbons

elephants

2 musical kiddos

giraffes eating snacks (we were 5 minutes too late to fee them)

swimming polar bears

manatees

carousel riding kiddos and playground enjoying kids.

caboose (last seats on the train) riding kids

rhino riding kids at the end of a great day.  It was a good day at the zoo. 

And finally- a preview of hijo all dressed for schools (sans shoes).  he can get all dressed by himself and the shorts fit perfectly.  He can even buckle his belt without help.  He is all set.

We have hair cuts planed for tomorrow after going to the aquarium.  Wohooo- vacation at home is fun.

Love and hugs,
Momma