School: Day 2

So yesterday, there were no tears. My eyes got a little moist when I saw a mom at the gym with a one year old on her hip. It made me remember how sweet the kids were at that age And then I remembered how much they really depend on you ALL the time also, and my eyes dried up pretty quickly.

 

But, it is a little sad when your youngest goes off to kindergarten. It's the end of one stage of their life and the beginning of another.


 

Well, day 2 of school, parents aren't allowed to walk their kids down the hall. I should have prepared Ian better for this. We get to the doors to the school and I tell Ian I can't go in. All of a sudden, his eyes become puppy dog eyes. They start to well up with tears, and his lower lip curls out a little and begins to quiver. And what do I do? It's like I become his mirror image. I'm trying not to cry. Instead, I try to start to reassure him.

 

Payton doesn't even miss a beat. She's right there filling her role as big sister. She says, 'Don't worry Ian. I'll walk you to your class.'

 

I explained to Ian that they won't let me go in, and that he's a big boy and can do it by himself. Meanwhile Payton is still reassuring him that she'll make sure he's ok. Ian's not quite so happy about it, but....

 

Ian Finally goes along with the plan, and off they go through the doors....with Payton's hand on Ian's shoulder ushering him along.

 

Whew! Thank you Payton for helping Ian and I get through this morning without the a cry-fest.

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First day of school

Today was Ian's first day of kindergarten and Payton's first day of second grade. The kids were both very excited to start school again. (maybe just as excited as Mommy :) They both got to pick out new backpacks. And they each picked out a new shirt to wear. Daddy didn't get much sleep the night before, but woke up anyway for the first walk to school.

 

We walked Ian down to his classroom first. There were no tears. There was barely a wave, and off he went into his classroom.

 

Next was Payton. We walked her to her class. The teacher told her to read the instructions on the board, but before she did that, she put away her backpack and lunch. She sat in her chair, surveyed her surroundings, and then peered at the board....much to her momma's chagrin.

 

When I picked the kids up in the afternoon, they were bubbling over with excitement. They both loved their teacher. They both had a great day :)

 

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Chihuly exhibit at the Arboretum

I finally got a chance to take the kids to the Arboretum for the Chihuly exhibit. If you are even remotely able to go to the Dallas Arboretum, you should....if nothing else, just for this exhibit. The glass works of art are amazing! And they are set in such a beautiful setting.

Payton and Ian really enjoyed it. It was, of course, hot, even though we got there early. We've been to the arboretum many times, so we just skipped around to all the glass pieces.

The scale and colors of the pieces enhanced the gardens, surprisingly.

One of my favorites was the big glass balls.

Out if all the beautifully crafted pieces, Ian liked the blues rocks in the creek, the best. Don't get me wrong, the blue rocks were cool. But when you compare them to some of the other pieces, they seem very humble.

Payton liked the big, chaotic, curly structures.

I'm looking forward to cooler temperatures, so I can spend more time wandering around. The exhibit is there till November :)

 

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Wilderness Park

Our last day in Arkansas, we met Raymond at a wilderness Park in Gentry. There was a large petting zoo area and the animals were very tame.

 

The kids loved the kangaroos. I'd never been that close to kangaroos. Their fur is super soft.

 

 

I've never seen a baby in a pouch before either.

 

Raymond brought corn for the animals. Most of the animals enjoyed being fed as much as the kids enjoyed feeding them.

 

Then we drove thru the park. It took us an hour and a half. Ian was getting pretty tired of the tour, but Payton sat up in the front seat with Raymond where she fed the animals through the window.

 

 

 

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Pea Ridge and War Eagle Cavern

We decided to do a little site seeing while in Arkansas. The kids were actually very excited to see a Civil War Battleground. In 1st grade Payton had learned a little about the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Abraham Lincoln. Ian just wanted to see cannons, the uniforms, and the guns used...he's very much a boy.

 

...mission accomplished.

 

Pea Ridge National Military Park was very well done. The museum was very informative and somewhat interactive to where the kids, I think, got something out of it. The tour of the battlefield (by car) was beautiful.

Elk Horn Tavern - which served as a makeshift hospital.

 

 

In the afternoon, we went to War Eagle Cavern.

 

We had lunch...with yummy sarsaparilla....

took a tour of the cavern....

 

Entrance

chimney formation

and then went thru their maze. It was HOT!, but the kids didn't seem to mind.

 

 

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Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Grandpa Grote turned 93, June 27. The kids and I were able to be there for the celebration.

Payton and Ian got enjoyed playing with cousins they don't get to see very often.

 

Uncle Raymond is a master balloon animal maker which thrilled my kids.

 

Raymond also made the cake - German chocolate AND a chocolate bundt cake filled with chocolate chips,coconut, and nuts - yummy! There were 93 candles on his huge cake. All the great-grand kids blew out the candles. It was a good thing there wasn't a smoke alarm in the dining room ;)

 

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