The 2nd grader

I didn't cry when I sent my son to kindergarten. I didn't follow the bus. I didn't change my work hours so that I could take him myself.

I don't look down on moms who have. I might not understand it, but it works for them; it's just different.

His first day of first grade was no different, so neither was today.

Yep...I am the proud mother of a second grader.

Isn't he handsome?

I might not follow him to school, but I am one of the proudest moms on the block.

My son is amazingly smart and is slowly learning how to speak for himself, ask questions when he is unsure, and he is one of the bestest friends anyone could ask for.

He is still working on sticking up for himself and it may take a little time for his gentle heart, but I have every confidence that he will get there.

I might not hover, but he knows that when it counts this proud mama has his back.

A date with E-town

I think I might actually be a vampire...without the eating/drinking blood crap because that is just gross.
In all seriousness I think I'm allergic to the sun. But vampire just sounds so much cooler. (Even though I don't sparkle)
If I spend any decent amount of time in the sun I usually end up with at least a mild headache (if not the fun loving migraine) and patches of itchy blotcy eczema on my arms and the backs of my legs.

Now one could say to me, "Jennifer. Why don't you wear clothing that covers your skin so you don't break out?"
And in theory that would take care of at least one of my symptoms.
But I think my internal temperature runs at about 150* because I'm always hot. And being itchy and headache-y is a much better alternative for everyone surrounding me.

Hot + Jennifer = cranky

So why on earth would I subject myself to a day of 'fun in the sun'?
This is why...

The actual smile might be cut off in this picture, but you can see it in his eyes.

It's not a true fair until you have a hot dog. Double Dog Deee-licious!

The boy likes to spin...he does not take after me in this manner.

I love this picture. He did this the whole ride. Just sat in the middle, looking casually bored.

Yet another spinning ride. At least in this one he actually slid around a bit.

View from the top of the ferris wheel.

One of our famous 'take it ourselves' pics!

Yellow tongue from a Pineapple Shaved Ice. Yum.

This child is so gentle...the bunny wasn't feeling it too much until he realized Ryan just wanted to love him up.

He really does love animals. Just call him 'Animal Whisperer'

If you wanna kill these goats, you'll have to get through me first!!

Despite the killer sun, we really did have fun.

Thank Elizabethtown for showing us a great time...until next year!

The bestest friend

This morning, while eating our breakfast, Ryan blurts out the sentence, "I hope Griffin feels better today."
I ask, "Didn't he feel good?"

And what I think is going to be a typical conversation about one of Ryan's friends. You'd think I would know better by now that most of our conversations are not typical.

He proceeds to tell me that Griffin is not sick, but that he did something he wasn't supposed to do, and he was feeling very sad about it.
This is how the conversation continued.

Me: "So what did Griffin do?"
Ryan: "He asked me not to tell, cause it would make him feel worse."
Me: "Well is this secret something that might hurt someone else?"
Ryan: "No"
Me: "Did Griffin hurt himself?"
Ryan: "No. But the school told him not to tell anyone."
Me: "They asked him not to tell his parents?"
Ryan: "No. They told him he should tell his parents because he would feel better."
Me: "Oh. Okay...well just remember that if it's one of those kinds of secrets, then you should tell someone."
Ryan: "I know mom." (insert eye-roll here)
Me: "I'm proud of you."
Ryan: "For what?"
Me: "For being a good friend to Griffin. He asked you not to tell, you said you wouldn't and you haven't"
Ryan: "Right"
Me: "Well some people would have told"
Ryan: "Well then they aren't very good friends, duh"

I cannot say enough how proud I am of my son for NOT telling me. Even though I am dying to know what Griffin did that could make him feel so bad. Not because I'm nosey. But I bet whatever it is could be a chance for a 'lesson from mom' type of conversation between my son and I.

But something tells me...he's doing just fine on his own right now.

<3

Able to jump hale bale mountains...

in a single bound...

My lil superstar

Sometimes I marvel at my son. He is becoming quite the young man at the tender age of seven. He amazes me with his sensitivity. He floors me with his immense intelligence. And he completely blows my mind with his creativity.


Watching him play and be silly is one of my most favorite things to do. I can almost literally see his gears turning away inside his head as he makes up characters, uses lincoln logs as swords, and piles his 'guys' in a pile of a blanket that has somehow turned into a pit of lava.


But this moment has to be one of my favorites (those who know me best would know why).


Here he's turning an every day fence post into a microphone. This mama is super proud.





You might be looking at the next "insert superstar name here"

Happy Mother's Day to Me!

Not that I think Mother's need one day to be recognized; I believe they should be cherished throughout the year.
Unless you're my mother. If you're my mother, you deserve to be lonely.

But in an odd way, I want to thank my mother. For teaching me what NOT to do.

My son will always know that he is not only loved, but wanted. I will never turn my back on him. I will always encourage him to follow his dreams and support him no matter what those dreams consist of. I will not try to be his friend. I will not say things like, "I can't tell him to not do _____ because I did it when I was a kid."

In other words: I am going to do it better.

Today my son gave me a card and a cute little 'stained glass window' he made from construction and tissue paper.
I proudly have it displayed in my front window.

He has also given me countless hugs and has told me "Happy Mother's Day" at least 10 times.
All of which is great.
But it doesn't compare to the random times he squeezes me and says, "You are the best mom in the entire UNIVERSE!"

Yeah, I'm doing it better.

Movie Extravaganza

Yesterday, Bug and I went to see 'How to Train Your Dragon' and it was AWESOME!
I almost wish we would have spent the extra money on the 3-D, almost. Seeing it on the big screen was incredible enough for me.
Truly an awesome film and well worth the loan you need to take your entire family.