2nd Grade and Kindergarten!

It's the end of July, and it's time to go back to school! I packed lunches the night before, complete with love notes from yours truly. Henry is such a romantic that he actually saves his favorite lunchbox notes from me in the front pouch of his lunch box. As we were putting the boys to bed, John had the same poem and confetti pouch that Henry had before his first day of kindergarten. John was lucky enough to get Henry's same kindergarten teacher this year. John was not nervous at all, but he was quite worried we would be late to the bus. I assured him that we would be up before the sun so we would have plenty of time.

545AM came quickly and we were all up for a special breakfast of sprinkle pancakes (Frances was still snoozing though), and my traditional song, "Happy first day of school to you!" Yes, the kids think I am pretty ridiculous. I also insisted on driving to our house that morning to take photos on our back porch as usual. Then we walked up the street to the bus stop. John could not have been more excited to be riding the bus, and going to the "big kid" school. This is the first year that I will have two kids at the same school, and big brother Henry knew exactly what to do to calm this mama's nerves. I watched the boys get on the bus together, and Henry sat with John (even though he didn't have to because kindergarteners sit in the front and cool 2nd graders usually sit in the back), and Henry told him, "Don't worry, John. I will walk you to your classroom."

Later that afternoon, both boys came off the bus with smiles. John told me that he had a great day and played with his best friend, Bennett. Henry had little to say, as usual, but said it was a great day. We drove back to the apartment, where I had warm cookies and milk waiting, per tradition. I am trying my best to keep things the same despite where we live these next few months!

A Double Date

Henry, John, and I went on a double date before they leave me for kindergarten and 2nd grade. We enjoyed tacos, ice cream, and skeeball. And then they combined all of their tickets together to buy enough pop rocks for all of us. These boys know how to treat a lady.

Peter takes the plunge!

Peter kept telling us that he was going to jump off the big diving board this summer. But every time we went to the pool, he would say, "I will do it, but not today." Finally the day came (thanks to a little peer pressure from the neighborhood ladies) that he did it! And after he did it once, he did it about twenty more times.

Happy Birthday America!

We were back home for the Fourth of July, and celebrated at our neighborhood party. The boys decorated their scooters for the parade. We swam in the pool until dark. The boys ate their weight in hotdogs and watermelon. And everyone but Frances made it up for the fireworks.

Pure Michigan with the Longo Family

We had another great summer vacation at the Longo Lakehouse with Papa, Mimi, and Zia! Much to Papa's delight, all the boys liked to fish this year. Peter caught his very first fish, and was the only boy brave enough to touch the fish. Henry learned how to cast on his own this year. But John, well he is going to be Papa's fishing buddy because he could sit on the dock all day with a pole in hand. Tubing was another favorite activity this year. The boys liked to go one speed - fast! Gus and I both took turns going for a wild ride. Frances watched from the boat, but I'm sure she'll be ready to ride next year. The kids were all little fish and loved the water - they swam, kayakaed, and slip-n-slided. Frances wasn't too happy about sand though. All the kids loved the dogs and they were asking for a dog by the time we left, especially sweet Henry. And everyone enjoyed our two favorite lakehouse treat traditions - a bonfire with s'mores, and a trip to Freddie's Freeze. We were lucky enough to visit with Great Aunt Jo during our visit too. Although I'm sure Frances made her namesake proud with the amount of sass she had going on that night!