First Homework & Letter From the Teacher

Aaaaah, a bittersweet day at school.    Day 2 with the entire class and learning the swing of things.

Mid-afternoon, we received an instant message from Ramsey's teacher, Mrs. Vearrier.  It had stated that he had some issues today, that they had a little chit chat about listening, and also that she had sent home a note for us to review and sign.   The clock moved slowly as I waited for Ramsey to arrive home.

When Ramsey got off the bus, he rushed to give me a hug and pet his puppy.  When I asked him how his day was, he said "good".  :-)    Specifically looking for the anticipated critique, I opened his school folder.  And, there it was: "the note", complete with Ramsey's offense.

 Oh, what a mix of emotions I had (regarding the last line of her note).  I was shocked, upset,... then, rather.... impressed, and.... finally, I almost died laughing!   First, I thought, "OMG, we do NOT say 'stupid'!"  Then, I thought, "Wow, he can spell the word 'stupid' correctly!"    (He can read like a 6th grader - didn't know he was a great speller.)   Trying to hold back the laughter (SO HARD to keep that inside!), and not sure what to say first, I just looked at him and said, "Oh Ramsey!" with a shocked look.   As he sat on the counter top facing me, he put his head down and howled, turning red from the tears that started to pour down his cheeks. 

We had a little chat (again) how "we don't say 'stupid'" (plus the other choice words that are not allowed), and then another about listening to the teacher and following directions.   Then, we came up with a nice little reward system for having good days in school that includes getting stickers for good behavior which can be used for Kindle time (or better things with a longer "good streak").
Sidenote: I had to call Eric to give him a heads-up, so that he, after initially reading the note, wouldn't lose his composure (laughing) in front of Ramsey.  ...good choice, in retrospect.  He would later also have the conversations with Ramsey to be a good boy.

After he settled down from his crying fit, we worked on his first piece of classroom homework!  Ironically enough, it was all about how the children are learning to sit in school, pay attention, and follow directions.  How apropos.  He drew a picture of himself sitting nicely at his desk.

On Wednesday, he received gold star for being a good listener and another sticker for completing his homework.   He was overjoyed!

And, Daddy brought him a present for being a good student; a SWAT guy (which we are now looking for additional mates for!), which he thinks is the best thing since sliced bread.

Sizzlin Summer Nights

Sizzlin' Summer Nights comes along once per year, in August.  Lining Main Street are vintage cars and new cars of all makes, models, and years.  

We walked up and down the streets, checking each of them out, admiring many, but shaking our heads at others (1980s van with dents, etc). 

 The boys needed food.  The monkey balls stand (from the county fair) happened to be there, so Ramsey suggested Dad buy a big bag of 'em to share.   (Ramsey's new favorite food.  Connor liked 'em, but wasn't as wild for them.)

 We had ulterior motives for being there:  I had won an entry into a contest (put on by the local radio station and a local grocer) to win $5000 in free groceries for a year.  The drawing was at 5 PM.
So, after chow time, we met up with some friends and waited for the drawing.

I regret to say that I was NOT the winner of the contest and will not be able to purchase 1000 tubs of ice cream (Ramsey's idea for the money).   Wuh wuh wuhhhhhh.  Oh well, it was a nice outing for the fam.

First Days of School

How can this be?  How did the summer FLY BY so quickly?!?!  How is it that have a SENIOR in high school and a KINDERGARTENER!?!?  ...Nuts, it's really really nuts.

Connor was at his Mom's and he'd already checked in at high school a few weeks prior.  He was set to go.

But, for Ramsey, we were invited to the school's open house and another morning session to fill out paperwork and get a handle on things.

Eric took this picture of us at the open house, knowing full well I'd be a hot garbage mess the morning Ramsey would leave for school.

As a photo opp for this year (and years to come), I ordered a custom T-shirt for Ramsey.   Before I ordered the shirt, I had never figured out that he would be graduating in 2032!  That number seems ridiculous to me!

FIRST OFFICIAL PICS for the first day of school:

Yup, he wants to be a miner (he's still crazy for Minecraft).

And, that evening, we got to see Connor after his first day of school!

He didn't seem to think that being a senior was any big deal.

I, however, seriously beg to differ.  ;-)

Good Ol' County Fair Time

The county fair... a place I looked forward to going every year, growing up as a kid.  I was there to show cattle, see my friends, and present my visual arts displays for 4-H.  (Later, it was fun times at the concerts and beer gardens with my buddies.) Now that I'm off the ranch, fair time means something completely different to me.   It's all about family time and experiencing other aspects of it.

We seem to always start off at the bunny barns!  I'm not sure how they judge rabbits (they're all sweet and cuddly looking!), but we saw the grand champion.

 Then, off to the chicken barn, a few stops to see passing-by cattle, perusing exhibits and sights along the way, taking silly pictures.

 I figured Ramsey would love a pony ride (since that's been a favorite the past few years).  He repeated he didn't want to, but wanted to stop at the activity tent and then take a ride on the barrel train instead.

 We grabbed some grub in the meantime ("monkey balls" - basically fried dough with powdered sugar - a new favorite for Ramsey) and then headed off to the midway to go on rides.
...LOTS AND LOTS OF RIDES!

 He hadn't been on a roller coaster at the fair before (only once, a few years ago at Storybookland, when he wasn't afraid of anything!).  He wasn't so sure about this one at all.

Unfortunately, the video doesn't capture his crazy facial expressions!  Eric and I nearly died laughing!  It took a few rounds for Ramsey to start loosening up and enjoy the thrill.

Where ever he could, he would find some other kids and be their buddy on a particular ride.

 He made a few new friends along the way!

 After the first roller coaster, he was a pro and decided he wanted to go on the larger roller coaster.

Then, he begged to go down the huge slide.  He was too little to go by himself, so I decided I'd take him.   About a third of the way up the rickety teetery stairs (that are OPEN so you can see the ground!), I wondered why the heck I made that decision. One will do anything for their child!

When we got to the top, Ramsey wasn't so sure about it either.   On the way down, he screamed.  It was FAST!!!   We decided it was pretty darn fun though.  He decided it was definitely the scariest thing he'd done that day.

Dad decided to give him a few bucks so he could "go fish".

 With a little help, he brought up two sharks and won a prize.

 A blue plastic katana sword!

Good times.   ...until next year, county fair!

Connor's Week at the Cabin

A short time after we'd returned from our vacay at Nana and Bumpa's cabin, Connor asked if he could go back for a week, before school started.

Connor spent all last week, chilling out, spending time with his grandparents.... and fishing.  Lots and lots of fishing!

The fruits of his (and Bumpa's) labor:

 They caught "a little bit of everything".  :-)    ...Crappies, walleye, perch, bluegill, white bass, small mouth.