Daily Thought

"Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who help you."

#368 -Life's Little Instruction Book

Afternoon at Saguaro Lake

Well we got to take advantage of my telecommuting this last week, and hit the lake Tuesday afternoon! It was great. The weather was fantastic and there was NOBODY on the lake. I suppose it was worth it to start my work day at 6:30 am., so that when Cam got home from school, we were able to take off! Dad had been in town for a few days, so we all had fun taking the boat out. Bryan got to wakeboard with his new board - finally - and had some pretty darn good runs (and flips!). Age catches up to you though - he gets back in the boat and is beat. He informs us that it's harder when your older and fatter. :) Still looks good to me. Cam also gave it another shot - he's trying so hard, and almost has it. It was also the first time for Cam driving the boat - all by himself. He did awesome, and thought he was just tough you-know-what. We weren't out there too long, and the timing was just right. The dark storm clouds were moving in as we were heading off. See the pics below!

2 weeks down ...

and approximately 37 more to go. Of third grade, that is. :) Well Cam's first week of school was fantastic. He loves his teacher, loves his class, and has not once said "I don't want to go to school." the only exception was that it was too easy. Always good to hear. However, I reminded him that it was only the first week, and they hadn't gotten into the good stuff yet. Give it time. I'm sure you'll change your mind.

So apparently they ... "get candy, like, everyday, and play the funnest games like 'heads-up-7-up' and 'around the world math' and get to be at recess with the older kids and not the little kids, and now we can play ping pong, and I need more in my lunch because they don't give us a morning snack anymore! so I might need to bring something to eat on my "morning break," and did you know that the left side of your brain controls the right side of your body, and the right side of your brain controls the left?" Phew. I'm telling you. Okay, so that was the first week. And it was great. Fast forward to the second week.

Started out great, but then Tuesday rolls around and we have a very sad 7-year old on our hands. He had three great buddies at school, Chase and Brady, twin boys, and Tyler. The first two didn't come back this year, because of the cost and that they could attend the school their mom teaches at. That was hard for Cam. Well Tuesday rolls around, Bryan goes to pick him up, gets home and says that he's had a REALLY bad day. Of course, I think the worst, and ask if he got into trouble, etc. Then Cam gets out of the truck and is just bawling. Red face, and the biggest crocodile tears. Just the saddest cry ever. It seems that Tuesday was Tyler's last day because he was going to a different school also. His family lives about a half hour away, at least from the school, and mom - with two toddlers besides the three that went to Cam's school - was tired of the drive twice a day. So ... he literally lost his best friend. Broke my heart and even more so on Wednesday when he said he cried in chapel because he was sad. How do you not feel for the poor little guy? I was talking to dad on the phone earlier and he hit it on the head when he said that you live your childhood through your kids' ... I remember the days when it felt like the end of the world, and there was absolutely nothing that could make things right. He had a better day Wednesday and Thursday, but still "doesn't want to talk about it." He asked about another school, and whether we could check out the teachers and the playground.You know, the important stuff. But then again, he "loves his teacher, and it would suck to get another one that was mean." Bryan and I had thought about another school for him - and maybe this was the timing we were waiting for - but mostly because of the size of the current one. His class is 14 students or so, 5 are 2nd graders, and there are only 4 boys or so total in the 3rd grade. Doesn't give you much to choose from in regard to friendships. And they are very limited on activities offered. But we're playing this one by ear, and just gonna see how it goes. The public schools in our district are not an option, so it would have to be another private or charter school. At any rate, he's coping, and I suppose dealing with one of the first of many heartaches and tragedies he'll endure. :)

First Day of School!

And the first day since Cameron's been out of school, that I've been able to take a REAL lunch hour - hence the afternoon post. Yahoo! I used my "lunch hour" to take Cameron to skate camp this summer, and then drive home again, so this is great to have some down time again! Anyway, back to the original topic ... First Day of School!

Here it is … a day that ALL parents look forward to. Do not kid yourself; we all look forward to the routine and structure that accompanies the first day of school! Two months of summer vacation goes pretty fast, especially when it is jam packed with all the necessary activities: vacations, staying up late, summer camps, swimming, and “I’m bored …” ☺ Despite the readiness for school to start up again, it is truly bittersweet.

This morning Kailee and Alex came over, so I got to drop all three off for their first day of school. The kids all had pancakes, took turns getting their hair “done” and were so good and patient to take the infamous first day pictures. See below – they are GREAT! What a treat to be the one to experience this with them. My niece and nephew started Kindergarten and Preschool, and even though they went to the school last year, this is a new year. More kids attending and new teachers. They were very excited. And even though I have gone through this day for the past few years now, it is still hard, and I still managed to have a few tears in the car on the way home. After all, my baby started 3rd grade today!

I know Cameron all too well, and was not surprised that he “didn’t want to go back to school”, yet he had a stomachache yesterday because he was excited and had a hard time going to sleep last night. I know he is anxious for the adventure to begin; anxious to see his friends; anxious for the organization of a school day/week that he needs to stay focused. I knew that with all the chaos going on at school, and that he would be so excited to get out and see his friends that I probably wouldn’t get my usual "morning kiss in the car when I drop him off." I walked all the kids onto the school playground, and by the time I had set Alex’ bag down and turned around, he was off with his bud Tyler. I made a bold move for a mother of a 7-year old … I walked out onto the playground where they were all playing. I know. How embarrassing, right? I was prepared for the reception that I figured I would get, but did not care. Chatted with the two boys for a minute, unthinkingly asked if they wanted me to take a picture, and … check the weather forecast in hell because … Cameron said yes. What? Who are you? Not MY son … not the one that hates having his picture taken, and more often than not, refuses to smile. ☺ Picture was taken, (also see below), covered my bases with “Be Good” and “Have a Great Day,” one more kiss from Kailee and Alex, and I was outta there. If the response to my question this afternoon of “How was school?” is any different from the normal “Fine” or “Good” … then I’ll be sure and post details. But don’t hold your breath. Oh, and that usual "morning kiss in the car when I drop him off"? I got it on the playground. ☺ Happy First Day of School!

First Day of 3rd Grade!

First Day of Kindergarten and Pre-School!

Thanks for my AWESOME Nike's Aunt Heather!

Damn good looking group of kids. :)

Shelby making sure Alex doesn't fall over!

Oh Auntie!

Ahem. Um, patiently waiting for me to find my car keys.

Cameron and his buddy Tyler at school

Wakeboarding Video

A couple of weeks ago we took the boat out, and Cameron tried wakeboarding again. He did great! Hopefully you can see this video clip. He got up on about his fifth try, even though it wasn't for very long. Honestly think he was so excited and surprised that he was up, that he forgot to keep going! Try and tune out the background whoop from me ... sorry, I got a little excited! After all, he achieved more than I did! (ie: torn ACL from MY first - and last - lesson.)