It's officially fall! But it doesn't look or feel like it yet. For the last 10 days it has been sunny, blue skies, and high 70's - PERFECT. We (and especially Wm!) have really been taking advantage of it!
Wm didn't have school on Friday because it was a teacher professional development day. I had him scheduled to go to Clubhouse, but his friend's mom offered to take him to the zoo with them all day! Wm was soooooo thrilled!! And I got fun text pictures of him throughout the day at work. Wm had a much more fun day than I did!!
Wm and BFF riding a camel!
That is gross tongue, giraffe.
The Zoo Crew
In the cockpit
Wm is, unsurprisingly, playing a criminal
He came home exhausted!! But snuck his latest Harry Potter book into bed and stayed up reading super late.
Today was a bit cloudier and cooler - but it was perfect for apple picking!! After Wm had his soccer game this morning (undefeated!), we headed out to a new place with some friends.
Getting ready for apple adventures!
Wm and BFF hunting up winners
Taste test!
Tractor ride around the orchard!
Steve tractoring
Our haul
What I immediately turned our haul into
Wm has swimming tomorrow!! I am hoping for continued success!
Me: What did you do at recess today?
Wm: Read.
Me: AGAIN?
Wm: Yep.
Me: Don't you want to play? And run around? It's RECESS.
Wm: Nah. I like reading.
Me: What does *Friend* do while you're reading? Isn't he sad that you don't play with him?
Wm: Oh, I read with him.
Me: What do you mean?
Wm: I mean we sit on the bench next to each other and read. Then we talk about what we read. It's like a recess book club.
Me: You use recess as a book club?
Wm: Yes! It's fun!!
Me: I've never loved you more than I do right now.
Wm: Can I get on the iPad?
Wm plans to finish up the 3rd Harry Potter book tonight so I have to swing by the library to get the next one. I have learned to reserve them 2 books out because it takes him about 2 days, on average, to read one - and the library can't get them in that fast. He's a reading demon!!
Wm had a great check up at the dentist today!! He said he had to get "lots of scrapes" because some of his permanent teeth are crowded as the baby ones are waiting to go. So he got a special toothbrush to help reach everywhere. He's very pleased with himself!
Steve had to work a tournament this weekend, so Wm and I were left to our own devices. And we knocked it out!! We had a lot on our plate - and we rocked it. The weekend got off to a fun start for Wm - he had a friend over for pizza and they walked up to the playground to play Friday evening. Then he walked his friend home!! Big guy.
First thing Saturday, we woke up and Wm helped me go grocery shopping. He was in charge of the list and did an awesome job. When we got home and I started the laundry, Wm yelled, "What are you doing walking down the stairs carrying the basket! You could fall again! I'm worried about you. Here...I will carry it." And the little gentleman carried all the laundry up and down the steps for me! <3
Then, we went to Wm's soccer game. He did great! He said he "almost had an assist if [NAME REDACTED] hadn't choked." Ha!
On the move
Lounging in the grass between halves
When we got home, I decided to make Steve bulk breakfast sandwiches I could freeze and then he could just heat up quickly (since he never eats a good breakfast!) Wm said he was going to help. Then, when I was like, "OK - first, we need to peel 10 eggs!" He goes, "I changed my mind." So then he disappeared into his room. He has been learning Java on Khan Academy, so he went up to work on that. Win-win.
Sandwich assembly line
Done! 10 bacon, egg, and cheese sammies
After that, Wm and I were exhausted. He finished up the second Harry Potter book while I watched a bit of Netflix while we awaited Steve's return. When Steve got home, he said his stomach was all upset. Apparently, he had slept horribly and had a really busy day and was just DONE. So he went to bed early. When I went up, he was doing that weird puff snore thing he does. Usually, I kick him and he stops. But because he was so tired, I took pity on him. So I was up for an hour listening to it. During that time, I decided to record a bit of it so others can hear the weirdness:
After a really good sleep, Steve felt better this morning and headed off to work again. Wm and I went to church (for the first time in a long time!) Sadly, Wm said he "hated" it. They are doing construction on the church and the "children's chapel" in an alternate location was a major fail for Wm. He said it was "2 thumbs WAY down." He is willing to go back and try it again, but said if it is not better, he's not going back. I guess I will be flying solo then!!
We had just enough time to get home, eat lunch, get Wm changed, and head to his swimming lesson. Wm LOVED it. He said over and over how much fun he had. He had a BIG smile on his face the entire time. And he made SO SO SO much progress! Ladies and Gentlemen...HE WENT UNDER WATER.
He also discovered he has a deep love of the kick board. Look at the smile on his face:
He has figured out how to float on his back! He also is putting everything together and actually did a bit of assisted swimming!!
I am SO PROUD of him!!!
Mimi and Guy are coming over for dinner tonight, so the fun isn't even over!
Wm has been evilly resistant to reading the Harry Potter books for some reason. I think he just didn't want to read them because everyone else likes them. He's a tiny hipster. I finally wore him down and he read the first book in less than 3 days and immediately demanded that he get his hands on the second book ASAP. I had a 3 hour committee meeting thing at church yesterday evening and when I got home, this made me laugh…
Steve: We got the first Harry Potter movie.
Me: Did Wm like it?
Steve: Yeah - he LOVED it. But…he's definitely your son.
Me: Why? What did he do?
Steve: He spent the ENTIRE movie repeating, "This isn't as good as the book" and "OMG! They left out the best part! The book is so much better" and "You should read the book, Daddy."
Me: That's m'boy!!
It has been a busy weekend! On Friday night Steve went over to an older lady's house and helped her figure out her DVD player because he is a saint. Then we had to wake up early on Saturday morning since our awesome table was delivered at 7:30am!
Awesome table! With 2 additional chairs not in shot.
Waiting to be covered in pizza
After the delivery of the table, Wm had his first soccer game! He goes, "I actually really liked it!"
Then we had to get home and get ready for company to come over and break in the new table! Included in the mix was one of Wm's friends who stayed overnight. They were up giggling WAY too late - and had to get the upstairs yell down ("TIME FOR SLEEP, BOYS!") They were up and giggling again bright and early.
After Wm's friend left, we broke the news to him that we had signed him up for semi-private swim lessons for the water-phobic at OSU. There were A LOT of tears. He was very mad at us and moped silently in his room all morning. The mix of exhaustion with the horrors of swim lessons was too much for him. I finally got him calmed down by figuring out what he was worried about and talking through everything (that the class would be filled with toddlers, the water would be too deep, the instructors would force him to do things, etc). He still wasn't pleased, but off we went...
Grumpily pacing before the lesson
In the water!
Away from the side!
And then...it turned out Wm did GREAT!!! I told him if he had a miserable time, he'd never have to go back (it was the only way I could stop the water works). And I just had to hope that it went OK. When it was over, Wm goes, "I am coming back next week!!" He used the kick board and kicked his way across the pool, practiced pushing off from the wall, jumped into the water from the edge, played a game, and blew bubbles. The only things he wasn't 100% comfortable doing were putting his whole head under and going into the 5 foot deep area. There were 5 kids and 2 instructors, so he got lots of individual attention. I was so proud of how well he did!!!
Then, Steve and I went for our anniversary dinner tonight while Wm went to Mimi and Guy's! We went to La Tavola. YUM!! SUPER good!!! Steve and I are stuffed and happy. We will definitely be going back.
A pretty great weekend! But, now I'm also pretty tired. :)
Well, we're falling apart! Steve is covered in poison ivy that he got mysteriously. It's even on his jawline! And I cracked and went to the doctor because my ankle was seemingly more swollen and bruised every day. She imaged it and declared it a "high sprain." She told me to wear an air cast for 2 weeks and then to PT to "regain strength." So I'm pretty much rocking it:
Terrible contraption of doom
Wm is all good. He says he loves 4th grade, loves his teachers, loves strings, loves hanging with his friends. I go to Curriculum Night at his school tonight (while he is off at soccer with Steve). And Wm is having a friend overnight on Saturday. They were going to camp out on his deck - but the forecast calls for rain and 49 degrees. He is super bummed!
We had friends over to help us eat up some meats and s'mores and Wm was saying how everyone ate 2 s'mores, except Steve. He was laughing about how Daddy couldn't finish 2 s'mores (lightweight). I pointed out that our friend Eric had had none because he doesn't have a sweet tooth. Wm paused for a minute, deep in thought:
Thinkin' thoughts
Then he goes, "I AM APPALLED."
Appalled
Steve and I bought a new dining room table! We are excited!! (Well, I am excited.) After the party, we (*I*) decided our table was too small and I wanted one that seats 8 people for future festivities. I scoured Craig's List and found the perfect one! It seats 8 and is SOLID wood. It weighs a ton. Luckily, the guy selling it is a contractor and offered to deliver it. And now…ALL THE PARTIES!!!!
Last night was our big End of Summer Hootenanny. It was super fun!! Annoyingly, (and clumsily) I fell down the stairs at work on Friday and sprained my ankle. The bonus of working with a bunch of doctors is that the professor whose office is next door to mine came over, checked things out/cutely hovered around and brought me ice from his lab, assured me it wasn't broken, only sprained - and said I should elevate it, ice it, wrap it and stay off it. That hindered party prep a bit!! But we managed!! I may have overdone it because it's grossly swollen today! Worth it.
Steve managed to finish his corn hole set before the party! 100% handmade by Steve:
Everyone was very impressed!
Steve did nearly all the outdoor prep himself. Steve is awesome!
Before the festivities began, Steve finalizing his seating plan
Mid-festivities
Steve and his s'more helpers
Upper deck twinkle lights!
And twinkle lights from below
The upper deck (off Wm's room) was definitely the place to be. We put a fan out there and it kept the mosquitos away, the twinkle lights were fun, and it made for a cool, breezy, place to hang out and eat cakes! But, Wm goes, "I didn't even get to go out on my deck once...it was always full of grown ups!"
Wm slept in until 8:30!! That NEVER happens! Here he is looking cute in his robe and loungewear.
There seemed to be support for a Halloween party with costume contest. We'll have to see if we're up for it! Not only do we have enough leftover food to feed an army, but we will *have* to have more parties because we bought Costco-sized pallets of paper plates and plastic silverware. Start thinking of costumes now...
Wm no longer likes his Before School place. He says it's all girls and none of his friends go anymore. So we worked out a deal wherein he can do his reading there every day and then not have to do it at home (subbing in extra screen time in place of his at-home reading time). Obviously that was a hit. But, he is now insistent that he will be old enough to stay home alone for an hour before school and walk up himself next year instead of going to Before School. After much deliberation, and talking it over with child welfare expert Mimi, we decided we could give it a go. I figured Wm would be thrilled....
Me: So, Wm, you really think you can get yourself to school next year?
Wm: YES. Totally.
Me: OK. Well, Daddy and I would make sure everything was all set before we left for work. But then you'd be home alone for about an hour. You'd need to set the alarm and lock the door after you. Then just walk up to school.
Wm: WHOA. WHOA. Set the alarm? Lock the door?
Me: Uhhhh....yeah.
Wm: I will do it sometimes. But I will probably forget sometimes.
Me: You CANNOT "forget" to lock the door!
Wm: I'm not ready for that pressure.
Me: You can't just turn the key in the lock after you walk out of the house?
Wm: Not every day.
Me: Seriously? THAT is what you're worried about?
Wm: Yes. I can't remember to do that every single day. I'll just go to Before School.
So, apparently the horror of turning a key in a lock scared Wm off. He is a piece of work!!
I finally got around to running the errands I have been putting off since Saturday! I skipped my yoga class last night and took Wm to get his violin and his cleats - he has soccer tomorrow night, so it was crunch time!! But he is WAY more excited about the violin!
Maestro!
Super happy!
His first Strings class is Sept 8. He can't wait. I told him it was homework time last night and he goes, "homework and practicing violin time!" When I told him he doesn't have to practice until after he has Strings and knows what's happening, he goes, "But I WANT to practice!" and took out his violin and plucked around. It's a terrible, terrible sound - but he loves it!
Also, I found this self portrait doodle in the corner of one of Wm's school papers. I LOVED the little curl. Haha!!
