The Amazing Maize

We checked out the Amazing Maize with our neighbors, Shawne, Evan & Sydney. Welcome Fall!


Noah was ready with his map and gave a pre-game pep-talk to Griffin.


The kids loved taking turns carrying the flag (typically held above the corn stalks so that your group can be accounted for).








All of the kids were totally into it! They ran around the maze looking for clues and puzzle pieces to attach to their maps. Griffin wanted to run and keep up with the big kids -- that is until he passed a mud puddle (then he stomped and splashed away).





Playing in the haystacks and pumpkin patch afterwards was fun, too!

Teddy Bear Picnic

Miles' class had a Teddy Bear Picnic today. The kids wore personally-made bear ears, sang a few songs with their bears and then had lunch with their families. Due to the rainy weather, it was in the classroom instead of outside; but, it was still really cute. Noah wavered from his normal routine and played hookie from school so that he could join us -- mostly due to this conversation at 6am.

Noah: Mommy, I don't want to go to school.
Me: Why not?
Noah: Because I don't like my teachers.
Me: Why not?
Noah: Well, I don't like Miss Dana. (for the record, he does really like his teachers)
Me: Why not?
Noah: Because God made another Dana...Aunt Dana...and I like her a lot better. Can I please stay home, just today?





****
After the picnic, Noah, Griffin and I went to the playground. They had a blast and Griffin screamed in protest the entire way to the car. He's going to love his T/Th mornings with Noah!

A Light Lunch & Some Serious Reading

Noah and I spent our free-time this morning hanging out at Dean & Deluca and the library. At D&D, I had an awesome lunch while Noah indulged in gummy octopuses (no, not his lunch - he'd already eaten). Then we selected about 15 books at the library. Much fun, indeed!

Kindergarten - Full Speed Ahead!

I volunteered in Miles' media (library) class today. It was only the second time the kids checked out books but they knew exactly what to do (such independence!). Before the kids were released to select books, the librarian pointed out various book locations to me. She happened to mention that the library only has one Spiderman book. Wouldn't you know that when Miles' name was called, he ran right over to where the book was housed, grabbed it, and said, "yes! I got it!" Good memory, my friend --- score #1 for Miles Brown!



Later on, Noah and I went back to the school for "Thursday's Family Reading Day" (we read Oh The Thinks You Can Think and The Bravest of the Brave). While we waited for the class, Noah and I checked out Miles' artwork. I'm amazed that the class is already writing. The kids are encouraged to write everything based on how it sounds to them. I was not surprised to see that Miles depicted his bear as a "flying super hero".


Here is Miles with some of his classmates on their way back from lunch. Curious about their sizes? The boy in front of Miles is a year+ older and the boy behind him is six months older. Other than that, it all in the genes...

Sunny Day Sillies

While Hope was here taking pictures, the boys got a little silly and started playing with their umbrellas. I think they look mighty cute waiting for the rain.

I Completely Underestimated

'Miles and Noah' are a package deal in my mind. Where one is, the other wants to be. What one plays with, the other wants to play with. What one eats, the other will eat. Sure, they have their scuffles; but all in all, they have allegiance to each other. I totally underestimated how Griffin would fit into this equation. I totally underestimated that with two years age difference, Noah and Griffin might form this same allegiance. We've already watched Miles assume the nurturing and helpful role with Griffin while Noah aims to get down and play. To support this bond between Griffin and Noah, I've flipped Griffin's preschool schedule to Mondays & Wednesdays so that he and Noah can hang out on Tuesday and Thursday mornings while Miles is at school. I can already tell that Noah will enjoy assuming the 'older brother' verses 'middle brother' role for a few hours a week... and that he will have fun showing Griffin the ropes at local museums and parks. It all starts next week.

Another change? This will give me Monday and Wednesday mornings to myself. WOW! Time to dust off that gym schedule...here I come!

Bird!

Yesterday afternoon, Griffin heard a familiar chirping. He looked up and yelled, "Bird!" I was so excited -- you would have thought that he'd just named all of the states and their capitals. Go Griff!

(photo by Hope Bray)

Fun at the Festival

Miles, Noah and I checked out a (free!) festival uptown on Saturday. The boys were really excited for the light rail to pick us up!



As soon as we arrived, we bumped into the Williams.





There were lots of fun activities -- art projects, a ring toss, basketball, a jumpy castle, and this funny inflatable game that Miles did. He was attached to the inflatable with a vest, and whenever he ran 'too far', a bungy cord would pull him back. Hilarious!



There were also lots of instruments to try. Miles loved the brass instruments -- trumpet, trombone, french horn, and Noah dug the violin. There were also drums and wind instruments --- it was great!


The boys played a quick game of 'base' as we waited for the light rail. A fun day at the festival, indeed!

Friday Night Lights

Miles' school hosted a fun family event tonight called 'Friday Night Lights'. It was basically a pep rally to get everyone excited for the subsequent HS football game (we passed on the game, since it didn't start until 7:30). We ate dinner, listened to the marching band and had a great time just hanging out.


Miles and Noah had their hair painted.




The kids enjoyed snow cones. Griffin indulged in a virgin version (aka ice only). He dug it and was none-the-wiser!



Even the adults had fun! Mike sported his version of spirited hair...and our neighbor Shawne danced a jig with none other than Sir Purr (our Carolina Panther mascot) .



Quite possibly the most entertaining part of the evening was when Dana showed up. We haven't seen her in awhile, so she came by to hang out with us. You would have thought that ELVIS was in the building! Dana was mobbed by groups of students and parents professing their love for her. When I prepared to take the first picture, Dana was walking towards us. By the time I snapped the picture, she was surrounded -- and I only caught a snippet of her hand. Notice the girls' hair whipping because they were running to her -- a practical stampede! Let's face it...Dana rocks!

Those Boys!

Yesterday, Noah was being too silly/not listening during music, so he didn't get a stamp at the end of class. His teacher said in a sad voice, "Noah, you didn't get a stamp today." Noah said in an upbeat, positive voice, "That's ok. They wash off anyway."

This morning Miles told me in a very proud and excited voice that he is the first one to his classroom every morning (gotta love the bus and gotta notice yet another mini-Mike characteristic -- loves to arrive early! ) I followed that up by saying, "Miles, you have P.E. today!" Miles got a big smile on his face, so I was ready for him to yell out "awesome!". Instead, he giggled (full of delight!) and said, "mommy...you said a potty word."

****
This is one of the awesome pictures that Hope Bray (http://www.blinkphotos.blogspot.com/) took of the boys last weekend. I have a disc full of cute pictures that I'll post throughout the coming weeks.

Should I do it?! I'm doing it! Yeah, I did it.

Family is Love