First Days of School

Well Jack's first days of school have come and gone so fast he seems like an old pro at school now. In fact this afternoon when I picked him up and asked him what he did he said, "Mom you know, the same things as yesterday." So I asked what he had for lunch and he followed up with, "You know--a a burrito."

Here are a few of the highlights from the last few days:
1. His teacher's name is Miss Gaines, she has been a teacher for 7 years. She seems to be very nice and some of the other parents of older students have told us that she is a great teacher.

2. Jack was able to carry his lunch tray just fine, I worried for nothing. He does have a lunch code that he has to enter to pay for lunch everyday. He is pretty jazzed about the hot lunch in general-- I think it is because he can choose between regular and chocolate milk everyday.

3. He has discovered the school library. He said in the car on the way home, "Mom, did you know that you can check out a book and bring it back?"

All in all I think this year is going to go great, we are discussing the option of him riding the bus home from school. He really wants to and is kind of upset that he is not getting to. I guess Randy and I will be talking about that and discuss whether or not he is ready. I am sure he will be just fine.

Here is Jack on his first day:


Here are 3 of Jacks favorite things from the past few days (sounds like he is enjoying the independence of being in elementary school)
1. going to the bathroom all by himself when he needs to
2. picking his own lunch (this one is really true he has picked the bean burrito the last few days and it comes with a green salad with tomatoes on it--he said he has been eating the tomatoes)
3. afternoon recess is really long and you get to play where you want to

Extended Summer

Jack and I have been enjoying the last few weeks of his extended summer together. We have started meeting Randy for lunch at work for a picnic outside everyday. After our little mini-picnic we have been going either to the grass lawn park or to the park behind our house. Every night after dinner we have been going for a bike ride, we think he is almost ready to take off the training wheels...almost. He has been coming right along with his reading, we try to work on it everyday. It is shocking to me that Jack can read. I am so surprised every time he reads a new word, I don't think I have been this excited since he started walking and talking.

We've had a great weekend so far. Friday night we had chicken and noodles for dinner--Randy and Jack both really loved it. Jack wanted to bring it to school for lunch one day he liked it so much. We played a few board games Friday night and yesterday we all went mini-golfing and finished up the night with some Wii Sports.

Sounds like the teachers union and the district are pretty close to settling the contract, hopefully Jack will be in school on Monday. He's getting pretty anxious.

Tidds out on the town

This weekend was a rather social one for us Tidds. Friday evening we had dinner at CPK with a few of Randy's old friends. It was nice being out and the weather couldn't have been better. Jack had a good time, he is always excited whenever he can order his own Hawaiian pizza.
Saturday evening we met my aunt & uncle for an early dinner in downtown seattle. They were coming through town to go on an Alaskan cruise and had Saturday evening free to spend with us. We ate at a great seafood place on the waterfront a great evening was had by all.
After dinner we made the drive from seattle to vancouver to visit with Bethany and Mason. We love going to see them. Jack always has fun playing with their daughter Mason. They got to play with Bethany's lego castle set and Jack ran through the sprinkler in the afternoon. It is always great to spend the weekend with them as they are such good friends, especially now that we are pretty much alone up here. Its just perfection to sit on their porch in the late summer evenings talking and laughing and enjoying such good friends.

On a side note, the strike is still on so I need to come up with some ideas to do with Jack this week. Otherwise I think his mind is going to rot with all the cartoons we have been watching.

Not quite the end of summer

Well the Teacher's Union where we live went out on strike. While I don't specifically agree with the idea of teacher's striking. I do fully understand and support the decision to stand up for what is right. It is not solely based on an increase in pay--which is deserved--also the thing that has me concerned is the mandated district wide curriculum. Having grown up in a household with a teacher I know that not one lesson plan can fit each class. Every child is different and every child is special and learns in different ways... making each class different so how can one lesson plan fit for each class across the district? It does not make sense with me and I do not agree with it.

So Jack and I have been enjoying these last few stolen days of summer. He will start school soon enough. For now we have been hanging out and going to the park and watching movies together. Not to mention reading and working on our homework book.

The end of summer

With the eve of the last day of summer upon us. I am so glad that I had this time with Jack. I know he is happy we had the time together too. So much has happened in the last few months that it feels odd he is starting school tomorrow.

Jack is nothing but excited. I am full of worry... most likely normal worries like does he know enough, did I teach him the right things. Will he be able to carry his lunch tray, will kids like him?