Field Trip to Mount Vernon

Back in November I got to go with Rhett to Mount Vernon for a field trip. We won't talk about the horrible traffic we experienced both ways. Thank goodness for in-bus DVD players.

We did all the things you should do: churn butter, weave, put flowers on Washington's grave. It was a gorgeous day, and I was lucky to go. Especially because Rhett still thinks it's cool for me to go.











Haha. Kids.

Finally...The First Day of School

FINALLY. Holy crap. This starting after Labor Day is killing me. But finally the first day of school came. I swear that Monday night was as exciting as Christmas Eve...at least for me. We did our usual prep the day before by stamping shirts and getting blessings. And, of course, I had to start the cinnamon rolls.




Holy crap. I really really love these things.






And then it was time to go! Rhett is starting his last year of elementary school, and he's in yet another new-to-him school building. He has two teachers, one for math/science and the other for the literacy/social studies. It's a nice introduction to middle school. Ollie is in second grade, in his second year in the new building. We love it there. Both boys are doing okay and at least one of them is happy to be back in school, but that's only because he hasn't had too much homework yet. We already lost, but then found, one lunch bag and fight daily about the "no screens after school" thing, but I think we're all adjusting okay.

Last Day of School

After an additional three days (thanks snow--and no, that's not sarcastic), the boys finally got their last day. Well, technically Rhett had only an additional two days. His school is being redone and so they give teachers an additional day to pack up because they'll be moving into the new building this fall.

They both had fun days but were happy to have it all over with. And of course: candygrams! I put Chuck in charge this year and he did a way better job than I did. Looks like someone got himself a new job.

Overall, it was a good year. Ollie did SO GREAT with his teacher. Oh how I wish she was doing second grade this fall. Rhett, well, he did okay. Academically he was fine. The program was just enough of a push for him, but not too much so that it pushed him over the edge. His behavior, however, could have seen some improvement. But here's to summer!

Back to School

This year is particularly exciting: Rhett is starting with a new bunch of kids, but at the same building he's been for the past 1.5 years. Ollie is starting with the same bunch of kids, but at the newly-renovated school. And for me, I don't care where they go: JUST GO! Kidding.

Here's the picture from Monday, the day before school. This is our new local school and it is HUGE!


Our Monday morning power breakfast: cinnamon rolls and sausage. Oh, and don't forget to wear striped polo shirts, boys. I mean, who knows what would happen if you didn't.


Pretending to love each other in their school year shirts. Crazy how Rhett is starting to grow into that "dress." Obviously not really, but he's definitely closer than Ollie.


FINALLY! Walking to school again. (Well, for Rhett, we're walking to his bus stop which is at Ollie's school's bus loop.)


One last picture at the school! Good luck kiddos! Hurry up and go so I can skip on home.


And how did it go? Great! Rhett may have missed getting on the bus headed for home on the first day of school. But we figured that out and it hasn't happened again. Rhett's program does seem more intense than anything he's done before, but if the homework is always done on the computer, he may survive. Ollie has had all great days! Phew. And how have I coped with them out of the house? Um, do you really need to ask?!

Last Week of School

The boys also had some stuff going on the last week of school. What? You mean, it's not all about me?! Interesting.

Recorder and orchestra concerts. Thankfully the recorders went on first so I could duck out and not subject myself to the pain of an elementary school orchestra.


The little girl on Rhett's left is his friend, Vyvyem.


And then there's this guy. This was at the Kindergarten Celebration (he's front row, in the green stripes). What can I say about this child? I love him, but man, he can drive a person crazy.


Not letting people look at him.




Not looking at others.


This was the last day for Rhett at Wheaton Woods! Of course Ollie will still be with the same kids, but they're moving back to the newly-built school in the fall. Rhett, as he's going to the other school, will be right back at this holding school as his new school is undergoing construction. Poor dude.


Miss Pam! This was the boys' morning care provide lo these many years. The new school necessitated a new morning/afternoon care provider and sadly she was not awarded the contract. We love her so much! She especially helped with Ollie's transition to school and all of us will miss her.


Welcome home from the last day of 3rd grade and kindergarten! And welcome to summer!


Are you praying for me whilst I'm away at girls camp? You better be.

School Update

My dad recently asked about the construction on the school, so I thought I'd show you my latest picture. I always take one from the back, but the front is pretty interesting too so I'll include that as well. According to the most-recent Board of Ed meetings, the building is 66% done (although they should be at 70%). I'm guessing that opening in the fall is still a reality (the Board's meeting minutes give an anticipated completion date of 7/14/17--only five months from now). So exciting! It's going to be enormous.

Getting the Boys to School

As we do, we started Sunday evening with our back to school dinner. For the first time in my life, I bought frozen nuggets. I'm hoping it was also the last time. However, we'll always have tater tots because they're delicious. ("Hey Chuck, gimme some of your tots!")


Then, of course, we must stamp hands on shirts.




That evening, I put together cinnamon rolls for Monday morning's breakfast. Because what kids on the first day of school need something super healthy to have a great day? No kids. They need sugar. And carbs. And then more sugar. Well, maybe some sausage on the side. And can I just say that these were also delicious.


Then picture time!






And then bus time!


Ollie was nervous all morning and when the bus finally came, he frantically searched for his brother's hand. I'm not sure at what point he let go, but he must have because his kindergarten teacher confirmed he was there all day.

First Day of Second Grade

We start the back to school traditions on Sunday, with the stamping of the shirt (which, at age seven, he's already too cool for)...


...and the back to school dinner. Which has turned into anything for the entree and a side of tots on the trays. Because tots and trays just scream school lunch to me. Also, the boys got a box of milk, which was disgusting. (I chose pepperoni sandwiches because it's been a summer staple. And now that summer is over, I'm ready to serve real meals and have real fights over them. Sigh.)


We got the picture early in the morning (can't let anyone see us)...


...with the new hand print on the sleeve.


But right as we're about to leave, Rhett decides he needs to go to the bathroom and Ollie decides he needs a drink of water...both of which somehow require the bathroom. Which, of course, leads to a fight. Which, of course, leads to Ollie biting Rhett and Rhett punching Ollie. Hence this pic. Happy First Day of School everyone.

Last Day of School

Last Monday (two Mondays ago) was Rhett's last day of first grade. (Yes, you read that right: the last day of school was a half day on a Monday halfway through June. This brought to us by snow days.) I don't think Rhett's quite old enough to get really excited for the last day of school, but he's getting closer. I wanted to do something fun, but something that I could keep up year after year. You know, let's not set the standards too high, mmmkay?

We started the morning with pancakes. Pancake tacos to be precise. Because you know, pancakes for breakfast are a rarity in our house (pancakes for dinner, on the other hand...). After school both boys were greeted with a finish line and a candy gram (to copy my wise sister). Perfect. (And not just because I got to go to Five Below and get candy for me. Nope). Just that morning Ollie and I finished his "Mom and Ollie" preschool, so he legitimately earned his rewards. And after school let out, I let the boys watch a movie. It was a good day.



I must have caught the exact moment Rhett wasn't smiling. He really enjoyed Ms. Collier (student teacher) and Mrs. Cecil--I promise.




In order to get good smiles, I had to threaten them with: "I will keep you here until you give me good smiles. And if it takes hours, your popsicles will melt!" Sigh. I'm such a good mom.


SUMMER!

First Day of First Grade

Like last year and the year before that, school prep began on Sunday with the stamping of the shirt. Apparently this tickles.




Heaven forbid that Ollie be left out of something. He got to stamp his hand on a pizza box. Next year he will get his own shirt (!).


Because Maryland continues to deliver the best summer on record, we were able to eat our back-to-school dinner outside. Jell-o! Next year we need Jell-o.


Next year we do not need Chuck putting ketchup on Rhett's face.


Finally it was morning and time to go to school! Notice Ollie spying on Rhett...with backwards binoculars.


When we walked Rhett to school, Ollie insisted on carrying HIS backpack too.


Rhett seemed to have a great day. Of course, he couldn't tell us much about it, other than with whom he played at recess and about the fire drill. I guess that's a good thing!

P.S. So what if I made matching pants for the boys for back to school.