Things are in full swing here! B has yet to bring home homework, which is fine by me! Does not have much to say at the end of the day either. The other two love getting to the school early and playing outside. It is probably one of my most favorite times of the day. Sitting under the big ol' tree, in the shade, just hanging out and watching the kids. There is a boy who was in 3rd grade last year but is now home-schooled, who loves little JB. His mom is the cross guard, plus his little sister is in B's grade, so he still comes up to the school just to see and play with JB every afternoon. We have also been getting to school early in the mornings so the boys have 20 minutes to play on the playground. Just trying to get them out as much as possible and just play with them.

B had his first soccer practice yesterday. His soccer ball and one shin guard is MIA. I know the shin guard is around here somewhere. The coach's wife was not real impressed with the fact that I made him play with only 1 shin guard. How else do you teach responsibility than receiving a good ol' kick in the shins? (Thankfully that did not happen). She made it pretty clear that you can't play or practice without them, and yes, he was the only one without them.

The other day the boys and I set out on bikes and we stumbled upon some of B's friends from scouts who also live in the neighborhood. I felt like it was the little second grade brat pack. We followed all the other boys on their bikes to the irrigation ditch and they played and played. They did not seem to mind that I was hanging around. Then they came back to our house for a bit. The next day B wanted to go to one of their houses so I set him off by himself on his bike. It was just about a block away but we are now moving into new territory. Getting older and wanting more independence. Lots of prayer and this is where some of what you have been teaching all these years hopefully comes into play. If nothing else, I made it very clear to him what would happen if I found out he was out without his bike helmet on, even if others did not wear theirs, or if he ended up someplace I did not know he was going. Responsibility is a common word these days!

Jbird had his preschool orientation today. He loved it! There are actually 6 boys and 3 girls in his class, so will be fun to meet some more kids for him to get together with. The boy also has an appetite! This morning he had 2 pieces of cinnamon toast. Then a little later we met some friends at McD. He had two sausage biscuits and two hash browns and was still asking for more food by the time we left. He loves to make himself 2 sandwiches for lunch. We recently got on over the oven microwave oven. It is huge and he loves to microwave his own stuff. I have to make sure he does not push an extra zero, but boy is he learning his numbers.

JB has just figured out how to ride his three wheeled scooter. He is very proud of himself as he puts one foot on the scooter and pushes with the other one. The speech therapist said today she is starting to see some phonological patterns, which is good. They are immature, but patterns none the less. He tries so hard to produce some sounds but just can't.

One thing we have been doing a lot lately is playing games. I just love games and so fun now that the boys are getting old enough to play by the rules and provide some competition. B loves Sorry and even gets to stay up later than the others and often indulges in a few games (he is the kid that does not seem to need much sleep). Jbird has beaten me pretty badly in Candyland too! Poor little JB wants in on the action but what he mostly seems to do is just mess up the board. We are trying to teach him though.

I am managing to keep all my plates spinning. I seem to have quite a bit going on right now, although it sounds like more than it really is. I am teaching Jbird's Sunday School class once a month and will be a leader in B's AWANA every week (plus praying about doing story time). I am helping to organize our fall women's retreat and the PTC school Fun Run. I am the team parent for the soccer team and still doing registrar and treasurer for Cub Scouts. I have not found a bible study yet for the fall but have enjoyed my mornings of curling up on the couch with my devotional and bible and blanket. (Yes the mornings are cool enough for blankets).

Off to finish a few things while the house is quiet and then hit the sack. Looking forward to a low key day tomorrow.