Ben Swimming

Here is Ben with his latest swimming trick. He jumps in the pool and swims back to the steps. He started doing this all by himself. We've been trying to get him to jump further out, so don't be concerned that he jumps in close to the side, we're working on that. I'm just impressed that he is getting his arms out of the water and big kicks from his legs.

Family Bike Ride

I'm not sure if this will become a tradition for the night before school, but since the weather was finally so nice last night, we all biked to Braums for ice cream. Sam has never been too fond of his bicycle, I think the training wheels freak him out when he teeters from one wheel to the next. But knowing that biking is really good for some of his motor skill issues we've had we looked into finding a trek tag along bike that attached to the adult bike, but allows Sam to pedal right along with Doug. We found one on Craigslist for sale in Hutchinson and I was able to use some of my teaching money to buy it. Sam seems to enjoy it and we've taken many trips this summer to the park. Ben rides in the trailer behind my bike. Hopefully one day soon Sam will take off on his own bike and Ben can learn how to ride on the trek bike.

The First Day of First Grade

School starts this year at 9:00 instead of 8:00 like last year, so we had lots of time to kill before school started. Sam is excited that all but one of his good friends from his kindergarten class are in his first grade class.

We actually paid money for a back to school haircut (instead of mom using the clippers at home). About the only way we could get Sam to agree to the haircut was to promise him that he could have "spikes" on top. The hairstylist spent lots of time and did a great job with his cowlicks. I went to Dillons last night to look for pomade that would produce the desired spiking effect. I wasn't sure where to look, spent some time in the "ethnic hair care" section, before finding a tube of "spiking paste." It did the trick. We'll see if it lasts all day.

Sam started some new traditions today. A caramel long john from Quik Trip (his favorite) for breakfast, and after school we will head to Panara to get a chocolate chip cookie and then to Texas Roadhouse for supper. After today, it will all become mundane, but for today, we'll celebrate.