Race to Lunch

The day started early with a race and we didn't hit our finish line until lunch!

Our wonderful babysitter and amazing friend Ms. Patty was diagnosed last year with breast cancer. As our only regular non-family babysitter, she and Max have developed a very special bond over the years.  She has truly become part of our family. We have been honored to be with her through surgery, treatment, and now recovery. I was thrilled when one of her doctors mistook me for her daughter once!

Although her actual daughter is much prettier, just like her Mama.

The United Way organized "Patty's Pink Pals" in her honor for the Race for the Cure. We believed it was very important for the kids to also participate because of their love for Patty.

Max and Sarah aren't her only special kids. 

Abby, Anne Meyers, and Major are fans, too!

Our best attempt at a picture of Patty with the kids

This group is just a small percentage of the people whose lives she has touched!

Sarah showed off the back of our shirts:

"United for Patty"

A perfect day for pink!

Breast cancer has affected so many people we love: Patty, Mama Joyce, Ann, Tiffany, Joyce A, Stephanie, and Barbara, We are thankful for the chance to DO something to show these amazing women how proud we are of them!

The race wasn't over at the finish line; we had many more miles to go! Our next mile marker was boot camp birthday party. A quick change into our camo and we were off to celebrate with the boys. If you look closely at these tough guys you might see the tips of Max's pink socks from Ms. Patty peeking out!

The Max insisted he still had enough energy for his soccer game. Another change in the parking lot (sorry to anyone that Max flashed) and we hit the field for the last leg of our race!

Three outfit changes, two sporting events, and one zip line all before lunch! All followed by a race to the bed for an afternoon nap!

S'mores

Annual s'mores party to welcome Fall

(despite the summer temperatures)

This boy. This boy who loves to chase. This boy who loves to be chased. This boy who runs hard and plays hard and loves hard. This boy who is so happy no matter what he is doing and makes everyone smile. This boy I love.

This girl. This girl who INSISTS on doing things her way. This girl who threw her pink bow into the depths of the car after discovering her white bow and said, "I want to wear THIS ONE, Mommy." This girl who climbed onto this rock and said, "Take my pitchha, Mommy." This girl who headed straight for the graham crackers and marshmallows as soon as we arrived even though she had just finished a cupcake at a birthday party. This girl I love.

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Progress Report

For the first few weeks of school, Max was up at 5 a.m. and ready to get to school! As he adjusted to staying all day at school for five days per week plus soccer practice plus church plus other activities, he gradually has started sleeping in until 6:40. The miracles of school! His teacher sends the homework for the entire week on Monday and Max wants to finish it on the first night, declaring, "I love homework!" That will last for his entire school career, right?

Max's teacher looks like a Disney princess and their behavior management system is appropriately called "Classroom Jewels". You can lose your jewel for not following directions or misbehaving. Students have the opportunity to earn the jewel back before the end of the day, but it starts over each day regardless. So far, Max has not lost his jewel (although he is quick to tell us who in the class has) and I think it might be a major shock if or when it occurs.

We received a postcard from his teacher. It read:

"It is such a blessing to have Max in my class this year! He is a leader in the class. I can always look to him to set a good example for the other students. He is such a happy student!"

His head became so inflated I was afraid it might explode.

Max is not the only one who is a fan of his teacher. One of my fears about kindergarten was that I would no longer be able to go into his classroom frequently like I did in preschool. But his teacher has been very welcoming to parents. I have helped her complete assessments, gone in to take pictures to make a "facebook" for the class, and read to the class. I mentioned that I was a therapist and would love to do a group lesson with the class about coping skills, and she invited me to come on the next school day! I feel very fortunate to be available during the day and able to get to know his friends in the class and sneakily observe my sweet boy, too!

Each student at ACE designed their "hand" to create this piece of art!

His reading has exploded! During the summer we became a little complacent about practicing because Max was so interested in chapter book series, like The Magic Treehouse. At school, he chooses two books on his level each week to bring home and practice. If he can read them back to the teacher without mistakes, he is allowed to choose two more. He has already jumped up several levels in the past month. I love that he practices his books by reading them to Sarah each night!

Max has easily made lots of new friends and become close to several boys. He mentioned that he does not play with the girls very often at school, but he is very charming when we see them at soccer practice or outside of school. His enthusiasm for school has not dimmed as the weeks go by!

Sarah was the most eager to visit Max's classroom for Open House during the family picnic. She jumped and twirled on the "S" for her name, found the art paper and crayons, and began her own masterpiece without help from anyone.

The assistant teacher declared her "ready for kindergarten" after we found her ensconced in the book nook area, and Sarah said, "Yes, I go to schooool with Max! I loove school!"

After hearing her brother rave about kindergarten, we all agree!

How Do You Like Them Apples?

On a perfect fall day, we set out for our favorite tradition of the season: apple picking! As we drove higher into the mountains, the clouds began to gather. And darken. And leak. The sky opened up right as we reached Sky Top Orchards. Rain, rain, go away!

The apples of my eye look adorable, rain or shine!

We camped out inside to wait out the rain and try a sampling of apple delicacies.

By the time it cleared off, the orchard was empty and we were refueled and ready for fun!

Let's pick!

Sarah found animals to talk to...

and one wanted to come home with us!

Max was very concerned about the escape. He leapt into Jason's arms and proclaimed, "Daddy, Daddy, we've got to go warn everybody!"

And off he raced to tell the workers! 

Max Richards, Defender of Apples.

Dates to the Theatre

The most adorable gentleman accompanied his Mommy to the theatre for a showing of Annie.

Because it was produced by the Children's Theatre I assumed they would shorten the original Broadway show. Nope. The lead actress had also performed in the national tour of the show and was phenomenal. Franklin D. Roosevelt plays a fairly prominent role in the storyline, but Max obviously had no idea who he was until they referred to him as "Mr. President" towards the end. He looked shocked and exclaimed, "Is that really THE PRESIDENT?"

Since Max had a turn at the theatre, Sarah needed one too! 

Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?

Sarah, Mommy, and Mimi went to meet her pal, Elmo!

Elmo, meet Elmo.

The loud noise and lights were a little overwhelming at first, but she sat still on my lap for the entire performance.

She was thrilled to get a pat from Elmo,

but receiving an Elmo shaped balloon was her favorite part of the show!