Looong Overdue #2 - First Day 2009

Yes, the first day has come and gone. However, I now can post photos of the wondrous first day of Third grade and PreK. I also have some shots of my kiddoes going to their Open Houses the day before the first day.


We went to Anna's Open House first. The PreK program is at the elementary school. She is very excited to be in Isaiah's old school

















Then it was on to Isaiah's school to meet all of his new teachers. Third graders don't always appreciate "beginning of the year" photos. Not that I have experience with this phenomenon, it's sort of a guess.
















The real first day! Isaiah had his hood up because the skeeters were bothersome that morning. Anna's wearing the sweater my Grandma knit for me when I was a little girl. Pretty neat.

















My two little friends. One last hug before the bus arrived. Anna still cries and gets sad when Isaiah's bus pulls up. I don't mean only on the first day. I mean ev.er.y.day! She hates that he's leaving her for an entire day. You'd think she'd sort of get used to this but, alas, she does not.

Fiscal Geography

Overheard conversation between Isaiah and Anna:

I: Anna, that coin is mine.

A: Ee-ah (what she still calls Isaiah, although she can pronounce his name just fine), I want dat one.

I: Anna, that one is mine. You can have this one.

A: What is it?

I: This one is quarter, it's for humans. The other one is just a Euro you can't spend it here anyways.

(I'm quite positive Isaiah meant no offense to all our friends that use a Euro as their currency)

Africa

Conversation at the Rolli house this morning:

Isaiah: I'm going to grow up and build a house in Africa.
Me: You're leaving me and going to Africa?
Isaiah: Yeah, I want a pet giraffe and elephant.
Matthew: Go to Como Zoo.

Early Bathtime

Lots of fun was had outside today. I find it ironic that this morning I assumed it would be too wet to play outside, due to the morning rain.

Sand is much more fun when it's wet.

This is what happens when I say, "Sure, I don't mind if you add water to the sand."

Art Camp

Last week Isaiah went to Art Camp. He had a blast, as always. The theme was Wild,Wild West. Yee Haw! He not only practiced the visual arts but also the performing arts. Very fun! All week the excellent counselors at St.Croix Art Barn in Osceola plan neat projects for the kids to work on and they run around outside and play big group games that all campers play. On Friday, last day of camp, the children put on some sort of performance. Last year Isaiah was in a play and this year it was a cowboy fashion show (to show off all their projects) and a line dance. This is so out of Isaiah's comfort zone it's not even funny. He did it though. (even with all those people looking at him....gasp

Gramps and Grammy came to see the performance.

Getting ready for the big dance.

Walking very quickly off stage during the cowboy fashion show. Again, not Isaiah's element.

Isaiah you did great!

Rainbows and Football

I was driving Isaiah to art camp today and he asked if we could ever drive to a rainbow. I said we could not and then explained, scientifically, all the reasons we could not actually get to a rainbow.

I continued driving and wasn't paying much attention to Isaiah and Anna's conversation (argument?). I believe it had something to do with talking rainbows and flowers.

Isaiah then felt the need to explain the unrealistic characteristic of speech among inanimate objects. Other than this I really wasn't paying much attention.

My ears perked up when I heard Isaiah say, "Anna, in real life flowers don't talk, rainbows don't sing, mountains don't have mouths, those star things aren't real and girls don't have football-shaped heads."

I said, "Are you talking about Dora?"

Dear Grammy,

(and Gramps and Auntie Sally too)

Thank you for always attending the kids' functions at school and for their sporting events. We appreciate your driving and very often taking time off of work to support Isaiah and Anna. We feel very blessed and fortunate that you participate the way you do. Thank you!

Grammy, thank you for hanging out with Anna on Wednesday so I could have one last afternoon with Isaiah and his classmates during their Track and Field day. Also, thank you for pushing Anna for over 2 hours on the swing while I was gone. Not to mention the whole plumber thing that you had to be here for while I was gone. Thank you.

Love,
us

Ball

Isaiah has started his second year of machine-pitch. We are off to a super start. Here are some highlights of the first game of the season.

It was team photo day. Here is the customary shot. Isaiah is in the standing row and is second from right.

Isaiah's first swing of the season. If you look very closely you'll see his eyes are shut. I'm going to just guess I got him while blinking. I don't "think" he shuts his eyes when he swings.

Do you see that blur of blue? Yep, that's Isaiah running from 2nd to 3rd base. That's speed, pure speed.

And here we have Isaiah about to hit home. It appears as though he didn't run a straight line and veered wide a bit. Actually, he's multi-tasking and will be picking up that bat between him and home. He had to veer out to grab it mid-stride. Amazing, I tell you.

Crumbs

When Isaiah was a baby we camped frequently. Matthew and I had a nice system and it all worked very smoothly. For some reason once we started AdCraft the camping trips stopped. I'm not sure why other than Matthew was very, very busy and vacations were tricky to plan.

As a result of the camping stand-still, Anna's never camped. She has never slept in our tent, until last night. We weren't really roughing it or camping for real just spending the night in the tent. No pressure, no real planning. We just grabbed some blankets and pillows and all five of us (yes, Matilda slept in the tent too) tried it out. It went very well. I think we will become a camping family again very soon. The kids had tons of fun and we all fit, rather comfortably too.

Anna was tired so she fell asleep quickly. Isaiah and I were chatting as Matthew was arranging some items. Isaiah had smuggled a bag of Pringles into the tent and asked if I wanted some chips. I looked at him very seriously and said that we can't eat in the tent. He asked why and I just said it was against the rules. Isaiah looked very concerned and asked if I was serious.

"Yep.", I said.

"You mean like, with the government? It's against the law with the government?"

I giggled and just explained how we can't really get crumbs in the tent and that it was sort of a family rule but if we're careful we'd be okay. Thankfully the government isn't regulating any eating of Pringles in tents.

Although, I do think they have a problem with the eating of S'mores in tents.

Current Events, Miss Rosa Parks and Miss Betsy Ross

Matthew had many neat things in his AdCraft office. The items he wanted to keep have been brought home and we will find homes for everything at our house. Many of these items have to do with taxidermy. Some of the furry creatures are mine so it's all good.

One of the items he brought home is a very neat shadow box display. A couple years ago Matthew did a sign for MSG Trevor Lavergne. The sign was put on a hospital for injured soldiers in Tikrit. MSG Lavergne sent back a letter of thanks and some official paperwork stating the American flag he was bringing to Matthew was flown over the hospital in Iraq. I was explaining to Isaiah that the folded flag, pictures, letters and documents in the frame state that this flag was flown over the 325th Combat Support Hospital for Iraqi Freedom V.

Isaiah's eyes got really wide and he said, "You mean that's a REAL American Flag?"

I said that it was but wasn't sure why he was excited about the flag and not the location in which is was flown.

Isaiah asked again, "That's really a REAL American flag?"

"Yes, honey but, there are OTHER flags flying around the world. It's not the ONLY American flag."

Isaiah said, "Yeah but, that's a real one?"

"Yes," I said, "it's just folded up, behind the glass."

"Yeah but, it's a real one, like from Rosa Parks?"

Oh boy, we had a little discussion about Miss Parks and Miss Ross. I assured him Betsy Ross did not sew this particular flag. I'm quite certain.

If anyone knows about the "How it's Made" television show and when they may be airing an episode on how American flags are sewn I'd appreciate a head's up.

Fun Day

On Saturday the kids and I went to my mom and dad's house. Matthew was out-of-town so I loaded up Isaiah, Anna and Matilda and we hung out with Grammy, Gramps and Auntie Sally.

While Gramps, Auntie Sally, Isaiah and I played a game, Anna and Grammy made Brownies. Well, if you ask Anna she made them herself and Grammy just helped a little.


I can't tell if Isaiah won or if Sally's pointing at me because I won that hand. Not sure. It was funny though.










Anna's getting ready to further clean up the mixing bowl, spoon and spatula.













She took her job very seriously...

....and she even used soap and water.

Kids Say...

Last night Isaiah took his turn reading to Anna and me. He read Puff the Magic Dragon. As he read the words he sang the tune as well. Here's his rendition:

Puff, the Magic Dragon, lived by the sea and froliped in the autumn mist in a land called Hona Lea.

(something tells me he may have been trying to remember the song rather than reading the actual words, it's just a guess)

Anna, during the month of January, discussed the creation story extensively at school. Some parts must really be sinking in as this morning she asked a very clever question.

She said, "Mama, did God make you by using Play-Doh?"

I figure clay....play-doh, same idea.

FYI: I did try to explain a bit on how God makes people nowadays. Pretty much it was just the first time around in which clay was used.

Field Trip

Earlier this month my mom volunteered to attend a field trip with Isaiah's 2nd grade class. Mom had Isaiah and another boy and they walked around the center and learned all kinds of neat things from years gone by. Being that I wasn't there I can't explain the photos but I'll do my best.This is a photo of Isaiah demonstrating how one would card wool. I guess the museum worker asked if anyone knew what those paddles were and Isaiah piped up and said he knew. I was pretty proud of him for remembering that.

Not too sure what this photo is all about but I'm sure the boys are learning something very interesting.

Most likely ordering something from an old Sears & Roebuck catalog. Again, just a guess.

Here the boys are demonstrating their carpentry skills.

Isaiah is practicing for some sort CDL, I'm sure.

Isaiah was thrilled that Grammy could attend his field trip and I think Mom had a pretty good time too.

Health and Nutrition

I usually buy the economy sizes of the Malt-O-Meal brand cereals, you know the ones in a bag. I also typically purchase the non-sugary variations.

Matthew, on the other hand, occasionally gets the variety pack of the name brand cereals, as a treat. The kids were going wild with excitement over all the sugary cereals there were to choose.

Being the nice Papa that he is Matthew asked the kids which ones they didn't want to eat. Not surprisingly they were trying to persuade him on the greatness of plain jane Cheerios.

Matthew said, "Cheerios? You want me to eat Cheerios?"

Isaiah said, "They are good for your heart."

I looked at Isaiah like, really? Nice try.

Isaiah said, "What... I saw it on a commercial. They are good for the immune system too."

I said, "Immune system?"

Isaiah said, "Oh wait, no, that's Welch's."

Health teacher, politician, whatever...

Refreshing

Isaiah goes to a public school. Nothing private about it. Yesterday was his concert at school. This was the title of the concert, "A Christmas Celebration". Can you believe it? They actually referenced Christmas!

There are only three grades at his school kindergarten, first and second. Each grade sang four songs. Each grade sang at least one song that actually mentioned the REAL reason for the season. It was absolutely wonderful. The kindergartners sang a song entitled Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine. The first graders sang, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and the second graders sang In a Manger. Nobody was pretending that Christmas has nothing to do with Jesus' birth. I was amazed and impressed and very thankful.

Colonial Dinner

Yesterday Isaiah's school concluded the big 2nd grade social studies unit on Colonial times. They've been learning all kinds of neat things about the Pilgrims in particular. His school has an annual celebration that grandparents attend. The 2nd graders are allowed to invite two grandparents to the Colonial Dinner. My mom and dad were scheduled to go but at the last minute my grandma was able to come from Milwaukee to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. This means my mom and grandma were the lucky ducks ate a traditional turkey dinner with Isaiah at lunchtime yesterday.
Great-Grammy and Isaiah. Notice the neat Pilgrim hat Isaiah made.

Great-Grammy, Grammy and Isaiah, awaiting the Thanksgiving feast that the amazing lunch ladies put together.

Isaiah with the best 2nd grade teacher ever, Mrs.F.

After the dinner an elderly lady, 80 years old, got up to speak of the earlier times in America. I believe she was speaking more of the early 20th century America versus Pilgrim times. This lady was apparently a teacher in a one-room school and was speaking on the importance of women's aprons, at the time. Isaiah knows that my grandma is 87 years old and he did the math. Isaiah figured that Great-Grammy was 7 years old when the speaker was born. In his 2nd grade mind I believe he thought the speaker to be telling of her personal experience with Colonial times. This lead to the question he asked my grandma.

"Great-Grammy, does this mean YOU were a Pilgrim, too?"

I am very thankful Grandma has a wonderful sense of humor as she was laughing when she told me what Isaiah said.

Diligent

We've had our little goldfish now since July.

Isaiah asked me tonight, for the first time, if I've fed Fred the Fish. I'm thinking he may not be ready for me to hand over the fish caretaking reins quite yet.

Isaiah's Party

We had a fun, jam-packed weekend celebrating Isaiah. Here are some photos.





We know a sign guy, so this is what the kids woke up to on Friday.











Can't forget Yoda.














They were pretty shocked to find Star Wars "people" in their living room.




















Don't let the pose fool you, Isaiah was thoroughly enjoying himself.











Matthew did eventually share with Isaiah. It took a few minutes, but he did it. Nice job, Papa.













Isaiah had some friends over for lunch and fun. No place to hang the pinata so, Matthew just held it. Good thing he's tall and it was a "pull-string" not a "whack 'er open" type of pinata.













Later on Gramps, Grammy and Auntie Sally came over to help continue the fun.


















Anna was excited that Auntie Sally's card played a Star Wars song. She's about to flash a thumbs up. Isaiah was thrilled.










Trying out the new shtuff.

Happy 8th Birthday, Isaiah!

Tuesday November 7th, 2000, I became a mama for the first time. My best little boy was born on election day during a very, yucky, snow storm. First storm of the season. I was up at 4am ready to head to the hospital. I was scheduled for a c-section. Long story. Matthew and I could hardly stand it, we were so excited.

We knew we were having a boy. Matthew was going to pick our baby's name. We had it narrowed down to two; Issac Alexander or Isaiah Matthew. Matthew told me on the way to the hospital he chose Isaiah Matthew.

I still remember the drive to the hospital. As we passed the little building where folks in that township vote, we both realized that in our excitement to have our baby we forgot to vote. We should have cast absentee ballots but weren't thinking. The polling locations weren't open at the time we needed to go to the hospital so we just hoped we didn't mess up the election. We didn't, in case you were wondering.

Isaiah has been such a fun boy to have. We love him so very much. Isaiah is the best big brother in the whole world. Anna even says so. He is kind, compassionate, tender, funny and loves the outdoors. He tries very hard at school and enjoys reading and being read to. I enjoy my special talks with him and he doesn't mind if I sing to him when it's my turn to tuck him in at night. Matthew and I are very proud of our buddy.

Isaiah, we hope you have a very excellent birthday celebration day. You only get to turn 8 once, so have lots of fun. I am so glad you are choosing tacos and apple pie for your special supper tomorrow and Subway for your supper tonight. You have wonderful taste. I love you!










my baby boy at 21mos.





















Isaiah, 3yrs. old

a big 2nd grader

Overheard Conversation

Time: Yesterday 4:30pm

Overheard Speakers: Isaiah and Anna

Location: Isaiah (bathroom)
Anna (outside bathroom door)

Conversation:
Anna- Isaiah? Isaiah, where are you?
Isaiah- Anna, I'm in here. I'll be out in a minute.
Anna- Isaiah?
Isaiah- Yes?
Anna- I love you.
Isaiah- I love you too, Anna.