The summer ends and school begins *insert groaning from crumbs*

Yes, school started last Thursday with not much commotion at all. Aside from the jitters of the first day everything ran smoothly like a well oiled machine. Reub was up and out the door to his senior year, yes folks you heard right. A SENIOR! It's hard to believe. He's grown up so much in these last few years. His wit and sarcasm are becoming more fine tuned, he has a girl friend, and shortly he will get his learner's permit. (Marty will be the driving instructor)

Sol was easy. 7th grade. Middle school. He didn't want anything to do with us. "I'll just walk, no really it's fine." And he did just that, easy peasy. It's only 3 blocks from the house, but still. This is a big year for him. No little brother at school with him, 8th graders, a locker, changing classes. He's ready though. He doesn't sweat it, just puts on his "cool" face and viola. He's good to go.

Woody had some apprehension, but we washed it away be meeting his teacher the day before school started. Then it was like old news, "oh yeah, I've been there a thousand times." Marty and I were able to walk him into class though, but then it was time to hit the playground. None of this waitin' around! He's really come so far... as Marty and I walked across the playground to leave we only looked back once and he wasn't looking at us. It was sad because he's growing up, but it felt good too, because he was brave and wanted to be there.

There is really something to be said for routine, I myself, function much better when the routine is in place. And we are getting back into that routine and it feels good. As much as I'll miss summer, I welcome fall.

ribbet... ribbet!

What do you get when you cross an arrowhead plant leaf, Syngonium podophyllum, with some glue, a pair of googly eyes, and some construction paper?

An art project. Well done Reuben, well done!

Educational Amusement

The joys of school bring ups and downs. Solomon has an exceptional teacher this year. Not only does he coach the High School football team and gave Solomon and his buddies an opportunity to be ball boys this year, but he has some really amazing teaching methods.

It's book report time and what way to make it better than turning your book report into a board game! Sol read Deltora Quest: The Maze of the Beast, yes the boys love science fiction! We had a blast turning a rather ordinary book report into a board game!

B.L.T. and no, not the sandwich!

The boys celebrated a L O N G weekend, due to parent teacher conferences and veterans' day. Lucky. Reuben, however, instead of staying home, lounging the weekend away attended B.L.T. for his R.O.T.C. class. Basic leadership training, sure it sounds fancy, but it's really a nice way of saying BOOT CAMP! For 3 days he was awoken at 5 am to run, do push ups and learn about leadership. He swears he did over 400 push ups in the 3 days, my arms would have fallen off at about 3.

Saturday after it was all over they had an awards ceremony for those cadets who toughed it out and made it through.

Still lookin' sharp after little sleep, bad food, and all those push ups!

YES, Sir!

You know when the phone rings in the afternoon from home, only one thing comes to mind. It's Reuben and he wants to know how long to put something in the microwave for. But much to my surprise he had some really exciting news! He was promoted to a Squad Leader in N.J.R.O.T.C., which for those of you, who like me, are thinking, "what in the heck is N.J.R. what were the rest of the letters"? It stands for Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. Port Angeles High offers this as a class and it has turned out to be a wonderful thing for him. He is learning responsibility, leadership, and discipline. Way to go Reuben! Does this mean we call you Sir now?

This was from his awards ceremony last year. Lookin' sharp!