Back to School (and some catching up too!)

This week we had to get "back in the saddle" so to speak! I returned to work last Friday and the kids started on Wednesday. I must say that returning to school with a three day week is pretty nice!  Travis is in Second grade (across the hall from me, we get to see each other quite a lot these days!) and Connor started going to a preschool program at the local high school.  He really likes it but it is a big transition for him.  Right now I think he would be acting like this no matter where he was going.  He likes being home with me and he does not like the fact that Travis comes with me. He feels left out. In fact he told me (in between sobs and tears) that he wanted to go to school with me.  I told him he had to wait until he was 5, those were the school rules.  That helped a bit but I can tell his feelings are still hurt about it! Poor guy! I do know that he is having a wonderful time once he is there though.  Here they are on day one.. all smiles of course!

   

 For some reason I started taking Travis' back to school pictures in front of our front door.  This makes it easy for me to see how much they have grown. Here is Connor's first back to school picture.  (Pardon the dirt and dust... we live in the desert plus there was a big storm the night before!)

 And of course here is Mr. Travis. Does he look as cool as he feels?? He picked out this type of bag this year. When I asked him why he told me a little girl in his class had one like this last year. Wow, he has been thinking about that for awhile now I guess!  He never fails to crack me up!

 Here are my two baby boys... all ready for school.  (I hope they let me do this picture thing until high school... well, a mother can hope, right??!)

 When I came home after the first day Connor ran and gave me a big hug. He immediately ran and brought me his picture he made at school.  He told me, "Let's hang this one up mommy!" (I love it, but can see we have some work ahead of us!  lol)

 This week has also been full of change for me as well.  Four of us teach second grade together.  This year my "best buddy" moved away and another teammate moved  back to kindergarten.  That leaves me being the "veteran" helping out two new people.  One person is a good friend of mine who moved up from Kindergarten.  She of course just needs a lot of help with the curriculum and everything else. At least she knows the school and kids! My other new teammate is new to the school but has at least taught second grade before.  She does not know our school so for her it is like being a brand new teacher all over again.  I enjoy them both and I have my other teammate who has worked with me for two years now.  We will be busy this year helping out our new teammates. I will do anything I can for them, I know how it is to be the new kid on the block!  I just miss my friend.  After five years of working together you just get in a routine, you know? Anyway I was excited because I got to see her today! It was her son's 7th birthday so of course we had to go!  The boys had a blast and Connor got to go bowling for the first time. I am so excited because now we can go bowling as a family.  I love that he is three and potty trained, it is a whole new world for us!  Here are Travis and I putting those cute little bowling shoes on Connor.

 Travis so cleverly put their shoes on a bar stool....

 Go Travis, go!  (We need to work on his form a bit...!)

 Connor's very first time bowling.. pretend I am not in the picture. I need to learn how to use photoshop just to get myself out of  some shots like this!  lol

 Connor has never found a piece of cake he didn't like.

 Travis and Colin.  We have been to all of his parties since he turned 2.  We miss seeing him at school.

 As I was uploading these pictures I realized I never posted about the Fan Fest. The All Star game for baseball was held here this year. Since my husband is the ultimate baseball fan of course he signed up to volunteer.  He had so much fun.  So much fun that now he wants us to plan a road trip to Kansas City next summer so he can do it again. I am considering it. But only because I have some friends not too far away that I would love to see too!  Next summer is a long way away, so we will see.  My parents took Travis on the last day so that Daryle could take him around when his shift was over.  Here are my two baseball fans.

 Somehow Travis got up on the jumbo screen!

 Eat those fruits and veggies Travis!

 Now THAT'S a baseball!

 What?!  An official monster truck?! 

I guess that about sums it up.  We are all getting back into a schedule. I miss my old teammate and Connor misses his old baby sitter and friends.  We will adjust, these things take time. However, change is good for the soul and helps us grow.  (Now if I just keep telling myself that enough I just might start to believe it!  LOL)  I can tell this will be a great year, I am anxious to see what it brings our way!