This and That

Well would you look at this big group of nerds? We had our fantasy football draft recently, and it was tons of fun as always. We are going into our 5th year, that's crazy! So there we all sat in Tim & Pam's living room with laptops (or iPads if you're really cool) each vying for the best players to join our team. It was fraught with ridicule and laughs at someone else's expense, as has become custom in the League. I think it's gonna be a good year.

Where were the kids? Well, we had waffles and other breakfast delights and then shunned them to the bedroom with a stack of Pixar movies. 12 kids. Wish you could have heard the riot that broke out on deciding which movie would be next.

That same weekend we made a quick trip to Jacksonville. We had lovely family dinners as usual, and the boys were treated to ice cream every night.

While there we checked on the progress of the '37 Ford or "Blue Goose" as it has been named. Matt was fascinated with the shop and all the sites in that place. While roaming through the shop with him we found 3 different pieces of snake skin. Matt of course thought it was super cool, but it gave me the willies and I really wanted to take off running. But being the awesome mom that I am, I kept my cool. (shiver) Outside the shop there were lots of cars just sitting in the grass, and Matt had a grand time looking at their license plates.

Matt also expressed to his grandpa his interest in cemeteries (this kid is fascinating and rather unusual), so after our shop tour was over we drove out in the country to Myrtle Springs cemetery. It was hot as blazes out there, but my boy ran all over that place. He liked looking at the dates on the grave markers and trying to figure out how old the person was. That was an old cemetery, let me tell you. Lots of tiny babies laid to rest there, too. And people back in the 1800's who only lived into their early 20's. So sad. So, we had a lesson about how fragile life is right there in that cemetery.

A week or so prior to that Matt had the most special treat of the entire summer: he got to stay at Josh's house! Alison asked if could come up and spend a few days with them, and when I told him about it he was ready to go right then. I double and triple checked to make sure that that's really what Alison wanted. Those two are a whole of excited when they see each other. Non-stop energy.

We decided to meet in Waco for the drop-off, and while there we spent the morning at the Children's Museum. It was totally cute and all the boys had fun running around that place. I thought the bubble room was especially fun. I mean, a bubble you can stand in?

Will found a room full of drums. His heaven. Until he had to hand over the drum sticks to another child. Tears. From what I hear, Josh & Matt had a blast playing together. They'll be reunited at the beach in a matter of days.

Before school started we did a lot of reading. Will is a big supporter of monkey-see, monkey-do. He does enjoy books though and will sit and flip through them for a good chunk of time.

We played lots and lots of games. Matt still loves Monopoly.

If there is ever a dull moment Matt will ask to play Angry Birds on my phone. He's gotten quite good at it and opens new levels and gets 3 stars quite often. He's such a fan now that he's asked to have an Angry Birds birthday rather than his previous choice of Shaun the Sheep. That's pretty major because months ago he drew me a very detailed rendition of what his sheep cake should look like. That's cool though; I've got lots of good ideas for this party!

Week 2 of school and Matt is doing great! He started an extracurricular Spanish class this morning. He told me today that his name is Mateo. I asked him if he giggled when he spoke Spanish like his father & I do, and he said no, why?

There goes my baby

Something big has happened around here. Something that is difficult to put into words, but I will try. My oldest son started kindergarten on Monday. This is for him...

Matthew Thomas,

You have reached a major milestone, my sweet boy. You have entered kindergarten! As your mother I am feeling a myriad of emotions in reaction to this. I am amazed and so proud of the boy that you have become. You are kind and fun and silly. You make friends with great ease. I am excited to see the new friends that you make, and I am impressed with how many names you already know of your 22 other classmates. It helps that you can read their nametags. You smart boy, you! Monday morning you came into our room at 6:30 on the nose and said you were ready to go and urged us to get out of bed. We did, and you ate breakfast and got dressed. All 4 of us went for the first drop-off. You looked so cute with that huge backpack on your shoulders, and you complained when I had taken one too many photos for your liking. Daddy stood back and held Will while I waited with you in line to file into your classroom. You smiled really big and gave me an awkward hug and kiss and marched on in and found your seat. I was fine until I turned around and saw your father standing there with tears (yes, tears!!!) rolling down his face. That was a sweet, tender moment. You see Matthew, you're only 5 and just beginning grade school, but we feel already like you're growing up too fast. And while you haven't left us for good, we know that this is the beginning of your separation from us. It is healthy and necessary, but painful for your parents who sometimes feel like you are still our chubby little Mattmoo toddling around stacking empty food containers.

That afternoon Will & I were there to pick you up. We were drenched in sweat waiting outside in the 105 degree heat (this heat has made me super cranky--I'm SO over it!!) and I questioned why I bothered showering. Then I saw you file out in a nice line with your classmates and teacher and I got all misty-eyed again! You made it! You did it! You survived your first day. I swallowed back the tears which was a little easier after you triumphantly told me right away that you had eaten all your lunch. That was newsworthy. I of course wanted to hear more but you said you didn't remember. Clearly, you were tired. We came home and you snuggled in the chair and watched a movie and had a snack.

The next morning we got you ready to leave and you said, "Already? It feels like I was just at kindergarten!" This going to school everyday schedule is going to take some getting used to. Now, after 3 days I know that you have devoured your lunch each day (and dinner for that matter), had 2 recesses a day, took a tour of the school with your favorite stuffed animal (good ol' Snoopy), had music & art classes, drew a picture of your family, talked about the calendar and the class rules, practiced writing your letters, had story time & circle time, read an ABC book which you have labeled a "baby book", and attended P.E. where you told me you had to run 60 mph. You are not one to freely divulge information as you are truly a Jones male and I understand that. I try not to push you, but I do lead you with questions when you are trapped someplace with me (like the car). Matthew, I hope you always feel like you can talk to your mommy and daddy. I love hearing what you have to say and what you remember from your day away from me.

Today you told me you were ready for the weekend and I had to laugh. Poor guy. 12 years of this stuff! Matthew, I am so excited for this new phase of your life. You are going to love school even though it is feeling like a total repeat of your last preschool year. I believe school is going to be your element. I can't wait to see what you do. My prayer for you is that you will make lasting friendships that are pleasing to the Lord, that your love for Jesus will be apparent to everyone around you, that you will have a thirst for knowledge, and that God would protect your sweet & innocent heart.

It's the end of an era. A lot of our freedoms and flexibility are gone. That's ok though. Look at what a big boy you have become! You know what amazes me? You have learned to do your business on the toilet, dress yourself including put on your shoes, brush your own teeth, drink successfully from a cup, ride a bike, ride the blazes out of your scooter, and open a majority of food containers (even juice boxes!) on your own. These are big things, Matthew. It makes me feel like I have succeeded! You are a sweet gift from the Lord, and your father & I are doing our best to raise you in a way that honors and glorifies Him. I love you, buddy. Have an awesome kindergarten year!!!

Love,

Mommy

Summer's End

The end of summer has arrived, my friends. This past week Will began his 2 days/week preschool program. He's been with me for 2.5 years now as we've taken Matt to that same school. He feels he belongs there too, and the older he got the harder it was for me to tear him away from Matt's class when we dropped him off.

Needless to say, he has been SO excited to start school. Matt gave him the rundown on what to do with his nap mat; how it unfolded and how to lay down quietly, etc. He was thrilled to have all his own equipment.

Matt & I dropped him off and he waltzed right into his classroom full of confidence. I gave him a hug and told him to share and be kind to his friends. He smiled and sauntered off. I walked outside the door and signed him in, and as I peeked in one more time I saw Will begin a tug-of-war with another kid over a toy school bus. Nice one, Will. We picked him up and he was sitting quietly on his nap mat flipping through a book. He hugged me and said, "I go school Mommy!" Then he strung together some sentence about being quiet, laying down and going to sleep at school. I'm pretty sure he had a great day! After week one his teachers have told me he is "so sweet!!!" Mmm-hmm...we'll see if they're saying that in a couple months. ;)

My niece, Mary Claire, turned 8 years old last week! Unbelievable. These children keep trying to grow up! The Morans had a nice family and friends gathering at their house to celebrate MC. Present opening is like watching a swarm of bees attack. I love that Matt & Will climbed into Bryan's lap to get the best view. Matt didn't stay too long; he eventually discovered the older boys had gone upstairs to play Mario Galaxy on the Wii. It was a great party. Happy Birthday, Mary Claire!

We had a visit to the barber shop this week. Matt's head was looking a little too fluffy. Got to make a good first impression at Kindergarten!

Since Will was at school 2 days this week, Matt & I had some time to hang out. We had a really fun day on Tuesday. We ran some errands after dropping off Will and then did some clothes shopping for him at the Round Rock outlets. He was a happy shopper. We went out for hamburgers for lunch, and then had a very peaceful visit to the library. We were actually able to take our time--at lunch AND the library. ;) Friday morning we got to meet Matt's Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Greer. We quizzed him all day long on her name, and by the end of the day he finally got it! It looks like a really fun classroom, and I think Matt is going to have a blast. He starts tomorrow! I'm totally excited for him. I hope I can sleep. :)

Sea World!

This year I got to spend my birthday with some of my very favorite people at Sea World. Thursday morning we headed out bright and early with the Morans and Joy & Ava. None of us Joneses had ever been to Sea World before, but I have to say that we are all now huge fans. We had a blast.

We started the day with the kiddie Shamu coaster. I was the only adult who had the privilege of riding it with the kids. I think you can tell I was excited. :) Matt loved it too.

We looked at the park map quite often to satisfy Matt's curiosity and to navigate the huge park. Matt was tall enough to ride a big splash coaster with us that had a big drop at the end to it, and he loved it. He wanted to do it again. He likes the thrills and chills!

Look at these adorable children!!! Big bird was feeling fancy in a tie that day. I told Steven while we were standing there that it has always looked to me like big bird has fruit loops around his legs. Am I the only one?

We watched the Shamu show, and it was amazing. Zoologist Steven was in heaven admiring the ocean animals.

We were in the splash zone, and boy did we get splashed. Soaked, in fact. Matt was not a fan of that part, strangely.

After lunch we spent a large part of the afternoon in the water park where Matt discovered the delightful fun that is the lazy river. He and Ava went around that thing at least a dozen times. Everyone enjoyed the wave pool as well. Matt got to go on his first innertube slide as well, and he grinned all the way down I think. It's so fun that he's tall enough to do all these big kid things now and that he wants to do them. I was a little nervous sending him down that tube slide by himself, but he did great.

We watched the Sea Lion show, too, and it was really cute.

After that the adults took turns going on the big roller coasters. Mary Claire was brave enough to go on one of them with us, and she was tall enough too!

The Steel Eel was probably my favorite of the day. Lots of good drops and super fast.

And this is probably my favorite photo of the day......Mary Claire's face right after we pulled to a stop on the big coaster. She looked terrified, but 30 seconds later as we were walking away she said it was awesome and wanted to do it again. :) I'm so proud of her for being brave enough to do it. I'm still giggling at that picture.

By 6:30 we were done. Exhausted, hot, and hungry. Matt said, "Momma, I can't believe we've been here for 5 hours!" I said, "try again son, it's been over 8 hours!". Conveniently, there was a Rudy's BBQ close to the entrance to the park so that's where we had dinner. Yum, yum, yummy! Somehow, Will didn't nap the entire day. I really thought he would konk out at some point, but he was content and having fun all day. I don't think he wanted to miss anything. He finally passed out on the ride home about 8:30.

It was truly a wonderful day. What an awesome way to spend my 33rd birthday! I feel so blessed. I see many more visits to Sea World in our future. That place rocks.

We're all about fun here

Everyday Matthew asks me, "Mommy, what are we going to do today?" or "what do you have planned today?". Every. Day. So I'm starting to wonder what kind of reputation I've given myself; this precedent that each day he expects a fun activity outside of all the glorious comforts of home. We've done our best to stay busy and do as many things as we can while we have the freedom to do so. But, on regular ole grocery shoppin', multiple loads of laundry and cleaning days, you'd think I had just sent him to detention or something.

One of our fun outings this week was to Inflatable Wonderland. Nothing like a room full of bouncy houses and wild children! That place was super crowded. Matt's not very good at getting his elbows in there and pushing through the crowds. He's too sweet and considerate. He's also a rule follower. I thought he was going to jump out of his skin watching older kids climb into the "3 and under" bouncers.

Inflatable Wonderland is conveniently located inside a mall which boasts a Chick-fil-a in the food court, so we had lunch there. In the food court there is also a handful of ride on toys. Thankfully, my kids were plenty entertained just sitting in them because I wasn't about to pay 75 cents to get the things to wiggle about.

We went back for more bouncing. Will got pushed twice by a kid in a spiderman t-shirt. He'd hop back up and keep bouncing and the kid would come over and just push him right back down. I had enough of that and whisked Will away. Will handled it really well (not even any tears or horrific screeching), but the rest of the day he kept saying, "spiderman push William." Too funny.

One of the boys' favorite things right now is to watch Steven play Lego Batman on the Wii. They cuddle up next to him and watch in wonder. Although, Matt has been observing long enough now that he likes to give Steven pointers and directions on where to go next. Will was calling it "way-go way-go bat man" for a few days.

While Will is sleeping in the afternoons Matt & I like to take advantage of the silence and play games. He begged me to play monopoly and I finally gave in one day. It's loooooooong, and I didn't think he had the skill or attention span to devote to it. Boy was I wrong. He loved it!

I wish I had a better picture of this---I hate posting blurry ones---but, this will help put a visual to boys' latest evening activity: running around the dining room table after bath time with towels on their heads. Will calls it "zippuh". Not sure what means. Steven's guess is that he's saying circle. Who knows, but what I do know is that it's the funniest thing to watch Will zoom around with that towel dragging behind him and his big belly leading the race. And he growls "zippuh!!!!" as he rounds the corners.

Good, good times.