zoo, summer school & vbs

Ah summer. Where does the time go? It's zipping by as quickly as the school year.

After vacation we enjoyed a week with a little more freedom (despite three therapies and a very busy week at work for me), and actually went to the zoo with friends. The boys enjoyed four whole animals I think before going to the playground. It was Luke's first trip to the zoo playground, and I'm so glad he had friends there to help him check it out.






Then we moved to the little kids area which was great for keeping an eye on them. The boys hard at work moving the big cushion things around.





And then laying on them. This went on quite a while. Luke joins in with his friends so well now. It's really exciting to see his budding friendships. And playing with friends gives him ideas for play he wouldn't come up with on his own.

After the zoo Luke's buddy C. came to our house to play for a while. Both boys begged for him to come over and were so excited. Right before C. went home they both ran upstairs. C. called for me to come upstairs. I couldn't find them for a while and discovered them behind the recliner, coloring the carpet like crazy. I am certain this was Luke's idea, as it's not his first unorthodox coloring episode.

Then last week summer school began. Luke is back at the same school for summer school, with a new teacher, a few kids from his class last year, several new friends, and a new teacher, Mrs. Jenny. Mrs. Jenny will be his teacher in the fall, when they move to a new school. So I'm glad for Luke to get to know her this summer in the smaller, more relaxed atmosphere.





So I didn't realize I was anxious about his starting summer school, but my stomach was in knots last Monday morning. We had a few tough days of Luke getting used to the new kids, one in particular who can be kind of loud. I think the noise wouldn't have been quite as big an issue if Luke weren't already a little apprehensive. But he's really enjoying it now. Summer school is two weeks in June, a two week break, and two weeks in July. Seems kind of crazy to me to break it up like that. I guess it gives the kids not such a long break of no school. Luke and I both LOVE Mrs. Jenny and think she'll be just the teacher to get Luke ready for kindergarten.

And once this weekend we were out to eat and a child in the restaurant yelled pretty loud. Luke commented on how loud it was and then said, "I am okay with loud." Wow! If that alone is all we get out of summer school, it was a worthwhile endeavor.



And we had VBS last week. It was a crazy fun time for all, and I'm so incredibly glad it's over. It was in the evening which made for late nights and early mornings last week. I didn't take Luke the first night. I was busy with my work responsibilities, Lamar was working, and I couldn't juggle all that and what I was sure would be an apprehensive Luke. I took him Monday night and attempted to leave him in class but the tears came pretty quickly. He had just started summer school that morning and I wasn't about to push VBS. I offered to go home and he said he wanted to stay with his friends. So we stayed and went back the next two nights too and I just stayed with him. He really loved it and it was fun seeing him interact with the other kids.












Paper sack = Instant costume. Here it's a toga, just in case that wasn't obvious.



Luke, all his green shirt friends, and a couple of yellow shirts, grow-grow-growing.




And Lamar had a birthday this weekend. Yes, those candles look like crayons. Lamar is an avid colorer. :)

So a couple of weeks ago I told Luke that Daddy was having a birthday soon. I asked him what we should get Daddy for his birthday and he said, "A present!" I asked him what the present should be and he said, "A Wii!" And thanks to grandparents and a giftcard, that's what he got. I videoed Lamar (and Luke) opening the gift and will have to post it. Oh so excited. And Lamar's actually played it a few times too. We're all having fun with it.

Sunday at lunch the three of us were sitting in a booth at a restaurant. Luke wasn't very interested in eating and laid down in my lap. Lamar and I were rather deep in conversation about something and Luke said, "Hey Mom! Hey Mom! Say to Daddy, 'Lamar, Luke is asleep!'" and we laughed so he repeated it many times.

Later in the meal Luke climbed behind me and was kind of bouncing. I said, "Luke, what are you doing?!!" He answered, "Riding the cow!" Ah, thanks.