Mama is not happy.

Boys are ecstatic.

Wes is starting Pre-K this year.  Here he is just outside his new classroom.

Ty loves having his very own desk.  He also loves having his picture taken, as you can plainly tell.

He couldn’t possibly get any cuter.

Eat your heart out, John Travolta!

FYI:  We did this for Dr. Seuss’ birthday.  I don’t let my children go to school like this on a regular basis.  HA!

He’s growing up so quickly and getting more handsome each year.   No matter what I do, though, the camera is NOT his favorite thing.  How can that be?  Shocking, isn’t it!

But, he does love his brother.

Someone around here just started FULL-DAY Kindergarten.

Wow.

Yes, he’s the tallest boy in his class (by quite a bit) and the shyest (also, by quite a bit).

He’s got a HUGE grin, a big heart, and he still thinks his mom is awesome.  He’s a great kid, a sweet boy who loves others…

and I’m gonna be a little sad for a few weeks while I adjust to just how big he’s gotten.

Here he is on the first day of Pre-K, last year.

and the first day of Kindergarten, just today.

I love you, Ty!

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.