I've had a long week.

Catch Up

Just wanted to tell everyone about the fun weekend we had before school started. We went to Outer Banks, NC. Everyone, but everyone has an OBX sticker on the back window of their cars here. OBX stands for Outer Banks. So, we had to see what all the hoopla was about. It is a really fun beach. The waves are better than Virginia Beach and OBX is not so busy. We had a great day. We did not go to the Wright Brother's Museum. Another day. Most of our day was spent on the beach relaxing. Before we left Outer Banks we visited Jockey's Ridge Sand Dune to watch the sun set. It is HUGE! And what a workout! Climbing the dunes is exercise. We had a great time. What a good way to end the summer!


I'll spare you all the beach pictures....except for this one. This is Ethan's sand castle. Ethan is a very determined boy! One day in the 3rd grade Ethan had math homework. It was over some new math concept that they had learned that day. He was quite frustrated because he couldn't grasp it. I could tell that he was getting upset when I thought his eraser would go straight through the table while he was erasing. I told him to take a little break and go back to it later. He could NOT do it. He sat there and cried and fussed until he figured it out. And then it was as if the crying never occurred. He got over it that fast. It wasn't as easy for me, but good for him. I needed a good long nap after all of that. What does this story have to do with a sand castle, you ask......we got to see that version of Ethan all over again when he was trying to build "the perfect" sand castle. It was very entertaining. Trying and optimistic alternating with crying and despair. But here is the result. Beautiful, isn't it? And he is so happy.

And now school has started. I'll keep it short. I know your eyes are probably tired by now. Everyone had a great first week at school. Even John. Ag is his favorite class. I survived first week too. The first two days were nail biters, though.

Thompson Sweepstakes

Here's the question......what is this picture??? The first person with the correct answer will win a free year subscription to ThompsonFamilyTales.blogspot.com. Good luck! Many will enter, all will win, blah, blah, blah, blah.....answer below.

Meet the Teachers

Last Thursday was Meet the Teacher Night at the schools. We had a fine time at the elementary school. Emily loves her new teacher. AND her BFF (Best Friends Forever) is in her class. Fortunately, they are not sitting side by side. Ethan got the teacher that he wanted. She is also very nice. What great luck!! They were both very excited by the time the meetings were over. They just can't wait to go to school on Tuesday. Emily is still giddy from finding out that her best friend is in the same class. ...........And then we had to go to the middle school..........OH MY WORD! It's so big, so busy! Those kids are huge. And they all look mean. What a big adjustment this is going to be for John. He is a tough kid, though. He'll be just fine. I'll be the one with the adjustment issues. He is going to have to change classes, which I think he will enjoy. He will probably have a tough few first days of school. I certainly will on his behalf. Feel free to call me next week and hold my hand. I couldn't even get a picture of him at school because he was already overwhelmed and I didn't want to add to his stress. He has a very nice homeroom/science teacher. And the guidance counselor was very good to us while we were trying to figure everything out. So, once he gets over the trauma of the change it should all be very exciting. He gets to choose four electives that he will do nine weeks at a time. He will do ag first, then drama, of all things, then Spanish, then technology. I can't wait for him to do drama and see how he likes it. Will Hollywood be knocking at his door??? I'll keep you posted.

Laundry Day.....it's everyone's favorite

Or is it? John and Ethan tell us how you really feel about it. We have been going to the laundromat since February. My laundromat days are numbered. It is such a pain! Down two flights of stairs, fight with the kids, out to the car, across town, out of the car, fight with the kids, does the change machine work?, start the washer, actually get along with the kids for a minute, go from the washer to the dryer, are the kids riding around in the carts?, fight with the kids, fold the clothes all the while fighting with the kids, get the laundry in the car, bring heavy laundry baskets back up the stairs, and put the laundry away. And that's when the real fighting begins. It's been great!

Is that the countertop???

Hip, Hip, Hooray!!! Progress! Doesn't it look great? I was so worried about going dark with the countertop, but I think it works. If you don't like it, please keep it to yourself. Just let me walk around thinking everyone loves it. The builder says he will be done in a couple of weeks. He has said that before. This time I actually believe him. It looks like a real house with the the countertop in. I am so happy! It feels really close now.

School Already???

I need to post, but I don't think I have anything to say. School is going to start on September 4th. I am not ready. We didn't do a whole lot this summer like we did last summer, but it was still a very good summer. I wish it was in me to home school, but it so very much is NOT. I put off buying school supplies and clothes until just now. We bought some clothes last night, but we have hardly made a dent in the supply list. AND I think it gets longer every year.

I am ready for fall, though. I have been daydreaming of decorating the house for fall and Christmas. John says I don't have enough time to paint before then, but I am determined. Determined! I want at least the living room and kitchen painted before Christmas. I also cannot wait for John to start working in the yard. There are so many things to do. And I want them all done at once. That should work out well, shouldn't it?

Alright, that's all I have for now. We don't have anything exciting scheduled. Well, Open House for school is next Thursday. If I am going to get pictures of John at middle school I will have to do it then. He will not tolerate it once school starts. He's way too cool to have his picture taken. I'll be lucky if I get one at Open House. I walked him into summer school and someone called him a mommy's boy. Can you believe it? Kids can be so mean. You can hardly touch them with someone looking and they get made fun of. I just love him and he's got such soft cheeks. Ethan, also, is getting to where he doesn't like me to walk him to class. Someone may be looking, you know. Emily, on the other hand, wants me to sit in the desk next to her and spend the whole day with her. I will have to hang on to those moments. I'm sure it won't be long before she feels the same way as John and Ethan.