We are ALL pretty excited about it, especially me.  I really hated having to lug Ty into town EVERY morning for a two-hour Pre-K class.  BUT, it was really great for him so we made it happen.  Now, we can loosen up and have a little fun, sleep in as late as we want (it’s been 10am for a few days now), and go to the zoo on any given day.  SPECTACULAR!

Plus, Grandma has a pool where we spend LOTS and LOTS of summer days.  Not too bad.

All that being said, I’m so proud of my little Pre-K man who grew so much this year, not just in size.  He is such a shy kiddo, loves his routines, and has a hard time loosening up around new folks.  Strange, because I’m a complete nut!  Right?  Well, not quite.  Back in the day, I was pretty shy myself.  No, seriously!

This year Ty has grown leaps and bounds.  He’s adapted to daily changes in routine, spiked his hair once or twice, worn socks outside his boots (really big deal!), and become VERY close to a couple of awesome teachers.

Mrs. Fournier and Mrs. Davis, we LOVE you both!  Thank you so much for helping Ty adjust to becoming a big kid and for making it easy on the rest of us in the process.  We appreciate you and all you do for children.  Ty will always remember you.  I know it.

On the last day of school, the Pre-K kids at Ty’s school get to have a picnic to celebrate.  It was hot, there were water toys, friends, and lots of snack food.  Even Grandma, Wes, and Daddy got to come.

It was perfect!

Because Ty had such an awesome year, Kindergarten is all he can talk about this summer.  He is counting the days until schools starts again.  He’s asking me all sorts of questions about how things work in Kindergarten and who his teacher might be when he returns.  He’s also really excited to see his Aunt Joanna daily (she’s the school secretary) and his Mom’s favorite buddy, Karri (who happens to be the Principal).  I know, I know.  He’s one lucky kid to have all those people around who love him.  It makes things pretty easy on me, too, thank goodness.

On the last day of Pre-K, Ty received a certificate of completion.  He’s VERY proud of it and showed it off to everyone he knows and loves.  It makes me smile.  I’m so happy he already loves school.

He’s such a big kid now.  It’s official.

Here he is on his first day of Pre-K.

Times are changing.

He’s serious.  I call him a “deep thinker”.

He’s quirky.  I call him charismatic and captivating.

He’s bull-headed.  I call him determined.

He’s funny.  I call him witty.

He’s so DRAMATIC.  I call him riveting. 

This is a prime example….

It all started while showing a little love toward our pup.  Innocent enough, right?

Awww, you say.  So sweet.  BUT, it went from sweet and loving to…

Attack pup on the loose.  Yep, I don’t have a photo of the next scene, because I had to rescue Ty from said pup.  In no time, Echo (our pup), was on top of Ty licking and scratching and just getting plain ‘ole excited.  You know how pups are, right?  Well, apparently, it was NOT fun for Ty.   He immediately burst into tears.

At this point, I tell him (because I’m into tough love and all) to “get tough”.  I go on to explain that we live in the country and dogs are gonna jump on you…yadda yadda yadda.  I finish off by telling him if he can’t take the heat, go in and take a nap.  He’s obviously tired.  It’s not really like him to wail loudly over a pup jumping on him.  He is an animal lover, after all.

This was him during our one-sided conversation.

and right afterward (once I’d mentioned the “n” word.  N-A-P)

Oh, the drama….

Usually, in instances like these, it’s best to tease him a bit or tell him a couple of jokes, which I proceeded to do.

Slowly, but surely, this magnificent and warm-hearted little boy started to forget the drama.

Then I pulled out my secret weapon.  I said, “POOPY”.  Yep, I did.

Just look what that one word does for our bull-headed boy.

And finally, a discussion (again, one-sided) of how lucky he is to have such an amazing and spectacular MAMA who loves him.

Aww, yes.  There it is.  That smile.  Those eyes.

And the world was right again.

Be still my heart.

BUT, not today.  Today, he wanted a Mohawk for crazy hair day at school, and I obliged.

I’ve never seen a cuter kid. 

AND, since I really hate to post without a pic, here’s a point-and-shoot of my future Nascar driver…

I see speed in his future…

meanwhile Wes will be toodlin’ along on his big green tractor and that’s okay by me! 

Of course, there’s not much that isn’t “serious business” to Ty.  I hate to see what board games will be like in a few years. 

Can you guess why?

Did you know Auntie Anne’s Pretzels has a FUNDRAISER program?  Well, they do.  I, for one, am really excited about it.  I happen to LOVE Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, especially the jalapeno ones  dipped in warm yummy cheese…

You all know Ty started Pre-K this year, right?  Yes, he did.  You also know we live out in THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, right?  Yes, we do.  I’ve told you over and over how you guys are my only friends….

and who do you share your fundraiser information with?  Your FRIENDS!  That’d be all of you.  HA!

Are you guys feeling really guilty yet?  Oh, you know I’m just kidding, but I did want to share.  If you’re like me, you didn’t know you could actually order A.A. Pretzels for your very own house.  YUMM!!  And, they have all this other super cool stuff!  They even sell magazines at a reduced rate.  I guess they’re covering all their bases.

Then…I realized they sell my FAVORITE magazine!

I LOVE, seriously LOVE, Real Simple Magazine!  If you haven’t had a chance to check them out, you really should…even if you just purchase one at your local Wal-Mart.  It’s a great read and each month has a different theme.  I love the times they talk about organization.  I’m an organization junkie.

So, do you see something you like?  If not, no biggie. I DO see lots of things I like – that’s the problem.  I always order too much from places like this, but AUNTIE ANNE’S?  Who can resist?

If you’re interested in ordering something, shoot me a quick email.  You’ll find my email address by clicking on the contact button above.  I can also answer any questions you have or if you can’t read something, feel free to ask.

Note:  Buyers who aren’t local can visit THIS website and still order.  Just be sure to mention Ty’s name at checkout.  You’ll also need to email me for his school information.  THANKS!

AND…don’t worry, I’ll have a real post up soon!

Ty and Wes both adore their cousin Kensy, but for Ty it goes beyond that.  To him she’s magical.  Kensy has hung the moon, so to speak.  I’m pretty sure she could boss him just about anywhere and he’d go along without complaint.  Yes, it’s a tiny bit worrisome since neither one of them walks the straight and narrow ALL THE TIME.

When you put the two of them together, they can be just plain mischievous!

But, not on this night…

On this night, there are mudpies to be made and dirt cakes to be baked.

It reminds me of how amazing it feels when you’re young, covered in dirt, carrying around a handful of wildflowers.  Remember those days?  The days of catching fireflies in mason jars or catching ladybugs and counting their spots…draping blankets over tree limbs in hopes of creating the best tent ever.

Kensy is even willing to catch a few worms with Ty now and again.  BUT, she is especially willing to get downright dirty playing beside him.  They are two peas in a pod, and I’m just an observer.

It’s true – there is something magical here.

and then…I’m spotted.  Shucks!

“Awww, Mom!”  “Put the camera away!”  “Go away, Mom…we’re cooking flower cakes!”

How dare I interrupt the magic.  So, off I go backing away quietly, in the distance…just biding my time…

That’s all I’ll get for now…

The sun is setting on a quiet summer day and I’m pretty sure it’s bath time.

I hope your Wednesday is just as magical as playing in the dirt with your favorite cousin

Thanks also go out to MetroFamily magazine for FREE movie passes to see Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.  I lucked out a few days ago while surfing on Facebook  and won a couple of passes to the screening.  The movie is still COMING SOON for the rest of you.  I say go see it when it does come out, it was fun!

It was also Ty’s VERY FIRST MOVIE and it was 3-D!  How awesome is that!!!

Of course, we had to get popcorn and candy.  Ty’s choice, Sour Jacks!

A perfect movie for a perfect rainy day.  Thanks again, MetroFamily Magazine!

If you have a Facebook page, be sure to join MetroFamily’s fan page.  It’ll be worth your while!

Here he is seconds before heading in for DAY TWO of Pre-K.

After the horrible first day we had, I was a tiny bit nervous about heading back the second day.  Ty, though, didn’t seem phased.  He was excited about going even after the drama AND trauma of the first day.  He is still having a little trouble adjusting to “circle time” first thing in the morning, but each day he gets a little closer to joining in (from what his teachers tell me).  Apparently, “circle time” is much more intimidating than we thought.

Although, I have to admit, when I’m placed into a large group of people and have to go around a circle telling things about myself or have to speak at all for that matter, I literally ’sweat it’ until my turn comes.  Don’t you?  I guess, Ty figured it wasn’t worth it and simply decided not to do it.  He stands WAY back and waits patiently until they finish.  Then he grabs a name tag with the rest of them and heads to centers.  The groups are broken up into much small numbers for those.  He obviously figured that out quickly.

Tomorrow is the end of his first week and he’s handled it like a trooper.  I’m so proud of him.

It was obvious the teachers thought I was completely insane, but here is my attempt to capture pick-up time on his second day.  He was all smiles.  My heart did a little flip-flop in my chest when I drove up and saw that big grin.

I never knew how long parents had to wait in pick-up lines while I was a teacher….

Man, it was so boring.  Wes and I had to find something to do to entertain ourselves…notice the Target cup.  We live for Target.  I’m just saying…

Everybody else in the waiting line was looking at us me thinking I was nuts (I probably am).  It didn’t stop us though.  We’re crazy like that, ya know.  Just call me wild and crazy…

HEY LOOK!  There’s Momma!  She does exist!

Still waiting…but, getting closer…

Oh, wait…I see him!  Do you?  Look closely…brown shirt on the right.

Yep, you guessed it… hangin’ with the girls.  That’s my boy!

And there’s that grin making the long wait completely worthwhile.

Finally…

all buckled in and being a little bashful because of my bombardment of questions regarding his day.  Poor kid.  I had a million of them and all he wanted to do was watch Wall-E on the drop down DVD.

You see where I’m going with this right?

It all started so well, too.

These shots were snapped last Thursday during “back to school” night/open house.  We brought his supplies, met the teachers, greeted the class birds, and even played on the playground for a while.  It was a huge success.  He was pumped and ready for his first REAL day of school.

This morning, he was the first one out the door.  He barely touched breakfast and sat on the front porch waiting for me to load the car – he already had all the doors open and waiting for me.  He jabbered non-stop all the way to school.  “Do we have to drop Wes off at Grandma’s?”  “Can we please go straight to school?”

Here he is just seconds before entering his new classroom…

and then it hit.  The classroom was FULL UP with parents and 19 children waiting for instructions from the teacher.  He panicked.  I could see his face starting to go all scrunchy and weird….

After giving parents a few instructions and saying their hellos, the teachers asked for all the Pre-K kiddos to make their way towards the big, red, rug….and have a seat…without your mom…

right.

sure.

that’ll happen…

I seriously thought Ty would pass out then and there.  I had to DRAG him (trying not to make a scene) towards the rug.  Notice he’s not actually ON the rug, but barely on the outskirts of it.  That was as close as he got.  Within seconds I noticed his eyes well up with tears as I made my way back towards the 6 inch tall chair I had been sitting in….

I couldn’t take it.

After what seemed like an hour (it was more like a minute), I went to sit near him so he would breathe.  I was truly worried he might pass out.  Oh, hush!  He really was going to pass out!

Things started to look up a teeny, tiny bit.  Then…

Oh, Lord.

It was time to leave the room (with all the parents in it) and head out to play on the playground…with all the kids he didn’t know.

Once again, I had to drag him out the door as the rest of the kids (ALL of them) followed Mrs. Davis to play AND eat Popsicles.  Yes, I said Popsicles.  NOT TY, though.  It took a very forceful pep-talk to get him there and even then I feel he may have been tragically scarred for life.  Poor kid.  I had to turn my back and trot back to the classroom.

After all the adult talk was finished, I returned to the playground to pick him up and this is how I was greeted…

Do you see him?  Yes, that’s him…the one clinging to the chain link like a caged animal.  It’s pretty much the way he looked when I left him there.

Say some prayers for me.  Tomorrow is a new day….

a day at school WITHOUT MOM…