After taking EQ to school, TA and I returned home for breakfast.  He had to go potty then told me, "Mommy. I think I am sick.  Maybe I need to stay home with you today."  He was just nervous, scared and hungry! One thing he was scared of was making friends.  No worries there!! After breakfast, getting his new backpack and talking to mommy a little, he was all better.  Then we set off for the walk to school at 9:05.  School starts at 9:25am.  

There were families walking from all over the neighborhood.   There were cars parked on all the streets, busses coming and going.  Kids everywhere.  There are about 1260 students in this school - over 230 are kindergartners!!!  There are 9! kindergarten classes.  As we were walking in, TA kept saying, "There are so many kids." "Where did all these kids come from?" "Who are all this kids? There are so many of them."  He was clearly overwhelmed!  I tried to show him landmarks to help him find his classroom.  While holding back tears.

In his room, his teacher and aide were waiting for him.  He was ready to go.  He found his spot and sat down to begin working.  He forgot I was there.  I cried.  Mrs. DeVille smiled a knowing smile.  Then I began the walk home.  

Just before 4pm I went to pick him up.  I didn't know where to pick him up...so I waited in the lobby until he appeared with the other 'walkers.' He didn't even see me.  When I claimed him, he was so happy.  "Hi Mommy. I had a good day, but I need to go home and rest."  Highlights of his day include playing on the playground, going to the gym, ordering his own lunch (burrito, peaches and chocolate milk), and eating snack (I ate all the snack you sent for me.)  He also said he did homework that had to stay at school.  And told me again that he needed to rest - NOT take a nap.  Apparently kindergartners don't take naps!  

This is where Daddy was for TA's first day of Kindergarten! Thanks to a GSM phone TA was able to call his Daddy and tell him all about his first day of school before....

                                         'resting for just a minute.'

A long first day of kindergarten...another to come tomorrow.  

Kindergarten School Supplies:
1 pair of 5" Fiskars (blunt)...$0.99
1 box of Crayola (fat/8 count) washable markers...$2.80
1 box of Crayola (skinny/8 count) washable markers...$2.45
2 bottles of Elmer's white washable school glue (4 oz)...$0.44 (each)
1 large glue stick...$0.99
2 boxes of tissues...$1.59 (each)
3 boxes of baby wipes...$2.09 (each)
1 old adult t-shirt...$0.00
1 large backpack with name on the inside...$14.99
4 boxes of Crayola crayons (48 count)...$3.19 (each)
1 pack of yellow #2 pencils (sharpened)...$0.75 (not sharpened)
1 pack of primary pencils (sharpened)...$2.49
1 box of Ziploc freezer (quart sized) bags...$1.12
1 box of Ziplock freezer (gallon sized) bags...$2.00
1 bottle of hand sanitizer (12 oz)...$1.96

Total: $51.53


No wonder so many can't afford them!!! Take out the backpack and it is still almost $40. And this is for shared items except the backpack.

I also purchased some #3 pencils for TA because they write darker and are easier for him to see. That is the only extra I purchased for him. All this to start kindergarten!

It all had to be there at orientation. The parents were in the cafeteria while the kids visited with their new teachers. It was drizzling outside and guess what...the fire alarm went off. It wasn't a drill. We all had to wait in the rain, but TA thought it was afun adventure, although he was sad to have missed the fire engines and firemen in their gear!

blog giveaway!!! The gal who did my blog design is having fun giveaway. check it out here:

China Baby!!!


Good luck!

While the kids are away, the parents will play!!! We have enjoyed visiting 'adult toy stores' aka Home Depot, Ikea, and Best Buy, went on a dinner cruise on the Potomac River, saw a movie (Indiana Jones), cleaned some of the garage and unpacked a few boxes - we've only been here almost 2 years!!!, played with the kids' toys, tagged consignment items, and talked and caught up. Here are some photos from our week:

From the dinner cruise to celebrate our 8 year engagement anniversary:

The Air Force Memorial at sunset

Monuments at night

Isn't he so handsome!!!!


I added flowers to EQ's room. They are removable and came from the dollar store!

One of these things is not like the other...

My 100th post!!!

Latest TAisms and EQisms:

TA: Mom, I want a pet snail. (huh??? is that possible?)

TA: Was I sleeping fast? (we tell him he is fast asleep at night)

EQ: No! I do it myself!

EQ: I not yittle! I big!

They are both at different Camps - TA is at Camp Granny and EQ is at Camp Grandma Trish. I met Mom in Cary, NC for a quick visit. We found an amazing park called Kids Together. It was amazing and the kids loved it. There is a preschool area, a sensory area, a large structure that is wheelchair accessible, sand pits, swings and a tire swing and a big dragon!!!

Today TA went to the beach, jumped on a trampoline, baked cookies and ate chicken nuggets. EQ played in the garden, helped with laundry and doing dishes, and fell asleep at 8:30 tonight!!! She never goes to sleep that early!!!

We had a nice evening wandering Costco, Home Depot, Best Buy and getting ice cream.

My Medal Winner!!!



Tom sporting our friend, Carrie's, medal from the Paralympic PanAm games from August 2007.

Can someone explain? Scott was baptized (sprinkled) as an infant in a Lutheran Church. I was baptized (dunked) around 12 yo. The church we are currently attending has a stipulation for membership of "believer's baptism". In other words - no infant baptisms.

I have searched and searched in the bible and NO WHERE does it say how and at what age do you have to be baptized. When early Christian's were baptized, their entire family was also baptized - including servants and infants.

We attend this church regularly. Tithe to it. Are involved - I helped with VBS this past summer. But we aren't members. If Scott can't join, then I can't as his wife - our decision. So - now I can't help with the kids like I did last year. I am frustrated and feel like a second class citizen.

I would understand if it was biblical...And if it is, can someone show me where??

We went to Sesame Place just north of Philly this weekend. It was a blast. Everything is geared toward the under 7 crowd. The best part: admission was FREE. Sesame Place is owned by Anheuser-Busch and they have a Hero Salute program where you can get into one of their parks for free for the 'hero' (active duty military) and 3 dependents. The kids didn't know we were going until we pulled into the parking lot. I love surprises!!! We closed down the park and they slept well that night. Sesame Place was also great with the kids' albinism! We got a wristband and were able to use the exit to get on rides and sit on the front row of shows. Everyone was so kind. An excellent park to take kids with special needs.


The entrance. They finally realized where we were!

Of course she has a pink pony!

Elmo's World!!! Yes - Dorothy was there.

Mr. Noodle

The kids with the furry red monster himself!

Not so sure about 'Grover's World' spinning teacups! Especially when Daddy was in control of the wheel!




They all climbed through the net. There was a huge climbing structure. TA looked like spiderman!


Cookie Mountain was great fun! Monkey toes EQ didn't use the ropes to climb up. They both loved sliding down. I think she could have gone up and down for hours!

TA and Mr. Noodle

EQ being squeezed by Elmo.

The guys riding Elmo's flying fish

All of us on the steps of 123 Sesame Street. Watching the world go by.

TA started the summer being reluctant to put his face in the water. A little friend told him how to 'puff up his cheeks and just go under the water' and he got more and more comfortable in the water. Then there were two weeks of swim lessons and he just turned into a fish!!! These are some photos from swimming lessons. He even went off the diving board and tries to swim under the water. He wore the lifevest in the deep end (11 ft) some of the time. He did jump off the diving board without the life vest.

Please remember the family of Skip Caray in your prayers. He passed away Sunday at the age of 68.

To me, he was the voice of Atlanta Braves Baseball. Here is another article.