Bits and pieces: September

It has been a rough few days on the national political scene, and basically it feels like everything is a huge dumpster fire. So I am choosing to focus on my little corner of the world, because I have that privilege.

For example, somehow I have one child who is a Vikings fan and one who is a Buccaneers fan. Why have they foresaken their mother's homeland? Well, one child chose their team based on mascot alone. I'll let you guess who that was.

Anyway, September. School is going well for both kids. I was worried about Christopher, but he has happily climbed onto the bus each day. We did have an incident with a bully on the bus (this kid even bit Christopher one day), but Christopher has handled it in his usual laid back fashion, and I think we have dealt with it.  I am volunteering in Clare's class, and so far it has been fun. I have so much respect for her teacher, and am so happy she has him for two more years.

Christopher and I have started our ECFE class. I have been trying to keep us busy each afternoon so I don't fall into the trap of screen time so I can have some silence.

I have been enjoying my free time while Christopher is at school. It is not a lot of time, but it is still ALL MINE. I have mostly been going to the Y and to Target, but I am still ALONE.

The kids have been playing soccer, which takes up most of Saturday morning. This weekend we went to an apple orchard, even though it was cloudy and cold. Welcome fall!

October is jam packed, so I am trying to relax today. By relaxing I mean baking an apple crisp and putting out the fall decorations. And watching the Packers, despite being the only one in my house who is doing so.

Clare helped paint the trim on the garage.

The kids both LOVED the Gravitron at the school fair next to our house. You can actually see our house in this picture.

They had fun on this ride with their cousin.

Ben and I had a brunch date when my sister and brother-in-law took the kids to the zoo.

They thought it was hilarious when they dressed up in our clothes.

We checked out the new Case and Keg market in the old Schmidt Brewery in St. Paul. It was cool, but the best part was the brewery, Clutch.

The kids thought the best part was the cotton candy. Christopher's was s'mores flavored.

First Days

Clare's first day of second grade was easy for her. She has the same teacher and most of the same kids in her class.  No problem. I was at school for Christopher's conference with his teacher, and I peeked in the lunch room while Clare was eating. She was happily chatting away with her best friend, Natalie.

I was nervous for Christopher's first day of Pre-K. At the meeting with his teacher, he hid under the table and refused to speak to her. (Which is not how he usually operates. For example, he told our waitress at Snuffy's today that he is in Pre-K, that he's 4 but is almost five, and that he would please like a grilled cheese. When we got home he tried to scare my neighbor's sister, who he'd never met before, by growling at her like a dragon. "Did you think fire would come out of my mouth?" he asked.
But I digress.)

After the conference, he announced that he did not like his teacher's face. He woke up on the morning of the first day of school crying. However, Clare saved the day. She got him excited by telling him they didn't have to wear seat belts on the bus. Somehow this fact was enough to get him over his dislike of his teacher's face. He had a great day, and was super excited when he got off the bus at lunch time. (And only partially because his bus driver's name is also Christopher.) So it was a good day. I hope he still enjoys it this week.