Decadipper

As in ten times, Heath will use a fry like a mini ketchup shovel. 

Lunch dates

Les and I try to have lunch once every couple if Thursdays to take some breaths and have a conversation. Since she is in Colorado right now I worked from home today and biked up to the school to have lunch with each of the boys.  I love doing this. This time it was a surprise for both and the first time for Heath.

Alder (sorry no pic) was openly excited.  Jumping and waving in line with his class in the hall, and holding my hand. Too talkative to eat well.  

Heath saw me, shuddered, looked around and just acted like this was no big deal though he couldn't look me in the eye because a smile would crack. So we started off with a super stealthy high five in the hall, him pursing lips in a sideways smile-binding sorta kiss face. Once we sat down he quickly told me he was glad I was there and warmed up. Then lots of questions about why I was there and how I got there and how often I would be doing this. Goes to show that though he is comfortable at his still new school, and quite confident in general, any derivation from routine takes some on the fly checks for okay-ness and readjustment.

If you know them both you would think these reactions to a surprise parent lunch visit should be switched. Personalities are just never simple nor standard. Each of theirs is so rich just how it is. 

Mommy's Mud Run!

Hot Natured. Cold Natured.

Happy Friday!

Little knife safety

Heath likes this picture because it shows the blintzes flying off. Totally his vocabulary for the shavings. 

Today we are putting kitchen back together and going to cut/haul firewood. 

Fat moon

Alder got very excited about the near full moon tonight and had to draw it. 

First Days

Huge!!  I mean look at the look on Heath's face.  He could hardly contian himself, having watched Alder get on the bus for a year, to head for a big and exciting unknown world.  But though so eager to get on that bus, he still stopped to give each Lesley and me a big hug and careful kiss.  Then he ran for it, taking a seat all to himself.  Alder was excited too, about the newness of second grade, but he pretty much knew what was in store.

Long story short, they each loved their day, and are so happy about their teachers, classrooms and imminent friends.  Here they are getting off the bus: Heath tried to play it cool, but before I asked anything, before he got halfway to me, he yelled, "Dad, it was so great!".  Alder said the same.  Hugs right off the bus are some of the best.  Its got to be such a big deal… to leave that way in the morning, go through the journey of a day minus the comfortable tether of family and home, and then come right back.  I think I can render that back up, and feel it, from when I did it.

Heath wanted to talk about it quite a bit more than Alder ever did, and this coaxed a little more details from Alder about his day.  And, how cool to hear them talking to each other about some new friends, asked each other about all sorts of one another's details, and even tried making connections about siblings they thought were in their classes and on the bus.

and back in the front yard, seven hours later.  Each a little bit a new person.